63 decomposing. Peat is essentially young coal. When wildfire approaches, if the ground is wet and spongy—as it is when healthy—it can slow or stop the fire. But when it dries out, it can do the opposite and be a potent fuel for fires. Many degraded and disturbed peatlands across Canada have been drying for some time, extending the firefighting challenge. Remarkably, Canada contains 25 percent of the world’s peatlands, which hold a stunning 150 billion tons of carbon. Because of human encroachment, industrial disturbances, and the ongoing impacts of climate change, the critical carbon storage and climate-mitigation capabilities of peatlands are in danger. Permafrost thaw and greater fire frequency and intensity add to the threats to these vital but vulnerable lands. Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada) is working to ensure peatlands continue to serve an essential climate change mitigation function. The organization applies Environment GIS technology to foster a fundamental shift in how peatlands are assessed and managed in Canada. “Over the past couple of decades, GIS has become a useful tool for peatlands work, especially for these large landscapes,” said Lorna Harris, director of the Forests, Peatlands, and Climate Change Program at WCS Canada. “Having an idea of the different peatland types, where they are, and how they connect can help us understand where the water is flowing across the landscape and what plant communities are within an area.” WCS Canada uses GIS to measure peatland cover and carbon storage; record the lands’ protected status and risks from development, such as mining claims; inform fieldwork; and prioritize conservation efforts. Researchers take maps into the field to verify map accuracy and add on-the-ground observations in a process that achieves what is called ground truth. An Irreplaceable Global Ecosystem Only 13 percent of Canada’s peatlands are protected. The remaining 87 percent are at constant risk from development and industrial activities such as peat extraction, logging, and mining. The Hudson Bay Lowlands, which spans the northern portions of Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, is the second-largest peatland complex in the world, and it’s under pressure. Within the Hudson Bay Lowlands sits the Ring of Fire, a vast mineral-rich region with deposits of chromite, nickel, copper, gold, zinc, and other minerals. Mining in this region is subject to ongoing debate, with the possible economic benefits being weighed against globally significant environmental concerns and the rights of Indigenous communities. Indigenous peoples have been the stewards of the vast peatland landscapes across Canada from time immemorial and are working to establish research and community-based monitoring programs to continue this work. This map shows all burned areas across Canada between 1986 and 2020, with an overlay of peatlands. Map by WCS Canada with data from Natural Resources Canada.
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