Peatlands are areas where decaying plant material has accumulated at the surface to depths of more than 40 cm. Approximately 14% of the Canadian landmass is covered with peatlands. At present, peatlands are major natural sinks of carbon. With climate warming, however, they have the potential to become immense sources of greenhouse gases and, with the associated feedback mechanisms, to contribute significantly to further warming.

Map 10 larger image [GIF, 79.0 kb, 718 X 550, notice]

Approximately 60% of the peatlands in Canada lie within areas expected to be severely affected by climate warming (shown with cross hatching on Map 10). The peatland areas most likely to be affected lie within the boreal and subarctic regions. In these areas, the release of greenhouse gases from peatlands will increase as the permafrost degrades and the frozen peat thaws and decomposes. The poor drainage conditions and subsidence associated with thawing are expected to present problems for construction and maintenance of buildings, highways and pipelines in these northern regions.

Contact:

Jan Aylsworth