Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities (2002-2006) > Reducing Canada's vulnerability to climate change
Project: Monitoring methods and assessment of carbon sequestration over Canada's landmass Sub-activity: Methodology development for the wetland mapping and monitoring This information represents activities in the Earth Sciences Sector Programs (2002-2006). Please refer to Priorities for information on current Earth Sciences Sector Programs. About 15% of the Canadian landmass is covered by wetlands, which contain about 60% of the total soil organic carbon in Canada. Wetlands sequestrate atmospheric CO2 but emit CH4, which are very different from the functions of uplands. Wetlands, as a transitional ecosystem between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, are a sensitive indicator of the ecosystems. Therefore mapping the distribution of wetlands and monitoring their biophysical parameters (e.g., vegetation and water table) are very important for national carbon accounting and for ecosystem monitoring. This research will develop methodologies for wetland mapping and monitoring by integrating optical and microwave remote sensing data developed in support of the National Wetland Inventory (NWI), the development of the Extend of Wetlands Indicator as part of the NRTEE Environmental and Sustainable Development Indictors (ESDI) initiative, and biological carbon sequestration monitoring over Canada's landmass. Ground truth data will be collected, including field campaign along the 700 km Dempster highway in Yukon and NWT, and used for validating the methodologies.
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Ridha Touzi
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