Course Overview
This course covers the fundamentals of wetland and estuary form, function, classification and restoration in Canada and internationally. The wetland section of the course covers Canadian wetland classification, mechanisms of wetland loss, the importance of wetlands in storing carbon, and the physical, chemical and biological mechanisms by which constructed wetlands remove pollutants from urban storm water. The steps for building groundwater wetlands, surface water wetlands, wetlands with liners, and floating wetlands will be examined, in addition to the steps for building and maintaining constructed wetlands. The estuary section of the course covers estuary classification, reviews the ecological importance of estuaries, especially for salmonids, and reviews the physical, chemical and biological aspects of estuaries. Emerging Western Science and traditional eco-cultural strategies for restoring estuaries is covered, including dealing with invasive species (plant and animal), legacy contaminants, non-migratory goose herbivory, and sea level rise. The course will focus on re-establishing the carbon flux and storage in the estuaries through re planting of sub-tidal eelgrass, emergent sedges, management of goose herbivory, and strategic placement of large woody debris.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Domestic fees
$2,565.19
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Assess and integrate the concepts and principles of restoring wetland and estuarine habitats
- Apply these concepts and principles in assessment and evaluation of degraded wetlands and estuaries
- Critically integrate these concepts and principles into the design of restoration plans.
- Design a sampling plan to collect biological and physical environmental data in wetland and estuarine ecosystems
Effective as of Fall 2025
Related Programs
Restoration of Wetland and Estuarine Ecosystems (ECOR 9301) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Ecological Restoration
Master of Science Full-time/Part-time
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of ECOR 9301 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 52146
Dates
Sep 09 - Dec 09 Loading
- CRN 52146
- $2565.19 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 - Dec 09 | Wed | 13:30 - 16:30 | Burnaby NE01 Rm. 318 |
Duration
15 weeks
Instructor
Anayansi Cohen-Fernandez
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- This course is reserved for students in the MSc in Ecological Restoration program. Please contact Anita Lai at anita_lai@bcit.ca or 604-432-8465 to request permission.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval You must have approval from the department to register. Students accepted into a program can register directly.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.