Professor Nandita Basu Shares Key Findings on Wetland Restoration at the 2025 Drainage Conference
This past January, Professor Nandita Basu presented key findings from the SOLUTIONSCAPES project at the 2025 Drainage Conference, hosted by the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario (LICO). LICO represents Ontario’s land drainage industry, including professional contractors, drainage pipe and equipment suppliers, engineers, and municipal drainage superintendents. Many members are actively involved in wetland restoration on agricultural lands and were eager to learn how to maximize water quality benefits through strategic restoration.
Basu highlighted the critical role wetlands play in capturing carbon, filtering pollutants, reducing flooding, and providing wildlife habitat. She emphasized that restoring small wetlands on farms can be a powerful nature-based solution for improving water quality and mitigating climate change.
Her talk focused on debunking two common myths about agricultural wetlands, offering insights to inform the design of future restoration projects:
1. Bigger isn’t always better. Wetlands don’t need to be large to have a significant impact. In fact, smaller wetlands can often remove nutrients more efficiently than larger ones because they have a higher ratio of filtering surface area to water volume.
2. Isolated wetlands matter. A wetland doesn’t need to be directly connected to a stream or river to improve water quality. While it may seem logical to prioritize wetlands linked to downstream water bodies, these can sometimes flush nutrient-laden water downstream. In contrast, isolated wetlands trap and process nutrients, preventing them from entering waterways. As water evaporates, the nutrients remain, reducing pollution.
By dispelling these misconceptions, SOLUTIONSCAPES is helping to guide the design of wetlands that maximize environmental benefits. The conference provided a valuable opportunity not only to share research findings but also to build lasting partnerships with land managers—ensuring that wetland restoration efforts on croplands are informed by the latest science to enhance water quality.