Canadian Forest Service Publications

Une base de données portant sur les milieux humides des régions arctique, subarctique et boréale de l’ouest du Canada. 2000. Zoltai, S.C.; Siltanen, R.M.; Johnson, J.D. Ressources naturelles Canada, Service canadien des forêts, Centre de foresterie du Nord, Edmonton (Alberta). Rapport d’information NOR-X-368F. 29 p.

Year: 2000

Issued by: Northern Forestry Centre

Catalog ID: 25489

Language: French

Series: Information Report (NoFC - Edmonton)

Availability: PDF (download)

Mark record

Abstract

A data base of wetland location, classification, and peat and vegetation data, including physical and chemical peat analyses, is described and presented. Details of collection and analytical methods are given. This wetland work by the Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, was initially intended to determine the environmental sensitivity of permafrost peatlands to anthropogenic disturbance and, later, evaluate the rate of peat accumulation and hence the rate of carbon sequestration in Canadian wetlands. However, the scope of interest in wetlands and their complexity widened over time and is reflected in the gradual evolution of the type of data collected, which has proceeded from a set of simple measurements of the peat profile to a comprehensive analysis of the physical, chemical, and vegetation characteristics of the wetlands. In all, over 425 wetland sites were investigated throughout western and northern Canada between 1970 and 1989, of which 411 sites, with 626 described, cored, and sampled wetland components, currently appear in the data base. With increasing interest in wetlands and their role in the environment, it is hoped that distributing this data base will contribute to the baseline information necessary for understanding the development of wetlands and the role they play within the ecosystems of our world.

Also available under the title:
A wetland data base for the western boreal, subarctic, and arctic regions of Canada (English)