Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Wetland Book pp 521–542Cite as

Boreal Wetlands of Canada and the United States of America

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:

Abstract

The Canadian and Alaskan boreal zone is one of the most water rich areas in the world, and contains an estimated combined surface water and peatland area the size of Indonesia (∼1.94 million km2). Boreal wetlands are diverse in form and function and can be classified into five major types: bogs, fens, swamps, marshes, and shallow open water wetlands. The distribution and diversity of these wetlands is primarily a function of physical drivers (e.g., climate, topography), but is also influenced by biological drivers (e.g., humans, beaver). Boreal wetlands deliver a variety of important ecological goods and services with regulating, provisioning, cultural, and supporting benefits that directly and indirectly benefit humans. Some of these direct benefits are the Canadian and Alaskan boreal’s rich natural resources including peat, minerals, hydropower, trees, and oil and gas. However, extraction of these resources can bring a variety of landscape changes. Boreal wetland conservation efforts to address or prevent these landscape changes vary by jurisdiction but tend to fall into three groups: (a) establishing protected areas; (b) using practices that avoid or minimize net wetland loss and degradation; and (c) restoring and reclaiming to recover lost function. The Canadian and Alaskan boreal presents of the world’s great conservation opportunities; however, ongoing pressure from resource development means that collaboration of all people living, studying, harvesting/ extracting, and managing the boreal is required to conserve boreal wetlands in perpetuity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

References

  • Alberta Energy Regulator. Report 2012-B: pipeline performance in Alberta, 1990–2012. 2013a. http://www.aer.ca/documents/reports/R2013-B.pdf. Accessed: 4 Mar 2014.

  • Alberta Energy Regulator. ERCB updates volume spilled on pipeline incident near Zama City. 2013b. http://www.aer.ca/about-aer/media-centre/news-releases/news-release-2013-06-12-nr2013-13. Accessed 4 Mar 2014.

  • Alberta Government. Water used for oilfield injection purposes. 2013a. http://environment.alberta.ca/01729.html. Accessed 3 Mar 2014.

  • Alberta Government. Oil sands reclamation. 2013b. http://www.oilsands.alberta.ca/FactSheets/Reclamation_FSht_Sep_2013_Online.pdf. Accessed 7 Mar 2014.

  • Anielski M, Wilson S. Counting Canada’s natural capital: assessing the real value of Canada’s boreal ecosystems. Ottawa: Canadian Boreal Initiative; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boggs K, Boucher TV, Kuo TT, Fehringer D, Guyer S. Vegetation map and classification: northern, western and interior Alaska. Anchorage: Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska Anchorage; 2012. p. 88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boulet M, Darveau M, Bélanger L. A landscape perspective on bird nest predation in a managed boreal black spruce forest. Écoscience. 2000;7:281–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt JP. The extent of the North American boreal zone. Environ Rev. 2009;17:101–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt JP, Flannigan MD, Maynard DG, Thompson ID, Volney WJA. An introduction to Canada’s boreal zone: ecosystem processes, health, sustainability, and environmental issues. Environ Rev. 2013;21(4):07–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bridgham SD, Megonial JP, Keller JK, Bliss NB, Trettin C. The carbon balance of North American wetlands. Wetlands. 2006;26:889–916.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buttle JM, Murray CD. Hydrological implications of forest biomass use. Final Report. Prepared for Environment Canada. 2011. https://www.trentu.ca/iws/documents/ContractK2A13-10-0033BiomassLCAHydrology_FinalReport.pdf April 4 2014. Accessed 7 Mar 2014.

  • Carter V. Technical aspects of wetlands wetland hydrology, water quality, and associated functions. In: National water summary–wetland resources. Washington, DC: U.S. Geological Survey; 1997. p. 35–48. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2425.

    Google Scholar 

  • CBFA. Canadian boreal forest agreement: an historic agreement signifying a new era in the boreal forest. 2010. p. 49. http://cbfa-efbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/CBFAAgreement_Full_NewLook.pdf. Accessed 8 Mar 2014.

  • Cimon-Morin J, Darveau M, Poulin M. Fostering synergies between ecosystem services and biodiversity in conservation planning: a review. Biol Conserv. 2013;166:144–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cimon-Morin J, Darveau M, Poulin M. Consequences of delaying conservation of ecosystem services in remote landscapes prone to natural resource exploitation. Landscape Ecol. 2015a; First Online 06 Oct 2015:1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cimon-Morin J, Darveau M, Poulin M. Site complementarity between biodiversity and ecosystem services in conservation planning of sparsely-populated regions. Environ Conserv. 2015b; Online: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corcoran RM, Lovvorn JR, Heglund PJ. Long-term change in limnology and invertebrates in Alaskan boreal wetlands. Hydrobiologia. 2009;620:77–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devito K, Mendoza C, Qualizza C. Conceptualizing water movement in the Boreal Plains. Implications for watershed reconstruction. Synthesis report prepared for the Canadian Oil Sands Network for Research and Development. Environmental and Reclamation Research Group; 2012. p. 164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellanna LJ, Wheeler PC. Subsistence use of wetlands in Alaska. In: Alaska Regional Wetland Functions – Proceedings of a Workshop. Amherst: The Environmental Institute, Univ. of Massachusetts; 1986. p. 85–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahrig L. Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst. 2003;34:487–515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Findlay SC, Bourdages J. Response time of wetland biodiversity to road construction on adjacent lands. Conserv Biol. 2000;14:86–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Findlay SC, Houlahan J. Anthropogenic correlates of species richness in southeastern Ontario wetlands. Conserv Biol. 1997;11:1000–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foote L, Krogman N. Wetlands in Canada’s western boreal forest: agents of change. Forest Chronicle. 2006;82:825–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graf M. 2009. Literature review on the restoration of Alberta’s boreal wetlands affected by oil, gas, and in situ oil sands development. Prepared for Ducks Unlimited Canada. http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/faculty/stan_boutin/ilm/uploads/footprint/Graf%20Wetland_Restoration_Review%20FINAL-Small%20File.pdf. Accessed 3 Mar 2014.

  • Gorham E, Lehman C, Dyke A, Janssens J, Dyke L. Temporal and spatial aspects of peatland initiation following deglaciation in North America. Q Sci Rev. 2007;26:300–1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall JV, Frayer WE, Wilen BO. Status of Alaska wetlands. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service; 1994. p. 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halsey LA, Vitt DH, Gignac LD. Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in North America since the last glacial maximum: their occurrence and extent. Bryologist. 2000;103:334–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobson KA, Bayne EM, Van Wilgenburd SL. Large-scale conversion of forest to agriculture in the boreal plains of Saskatchewan. Conserv Biol. 2002;16:1530–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarema SJ, Samson J, McGill BJ, Humphries MM. Variation in abundance across a species’ range predicts climate change responses in the range interior will exceed those at the edge: a case study with North American beaver. Global Change Biol. 2009;15:508–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston CA. Wetland habitats of North America: ecology and conservation concerns, Chapter 12. Los Angeles: University of California Press; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones MC, Yu Z. Rapid deglacial and early Holocene expansion of peatlands in Alaska. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010;107:7347–52.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jutras S, Plamondon AP, Hökka H, Bégin J. Water table changes following precommercial thinning on post-harvest drained wetlands. Forest Ecol Manag. 2006;235:252–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzweiser DP, Beall FD, Webster KL, Thompson DG, Creed IF. Impacts and prognosis of natural resource development on aquatic biodiversity in Canada’s boreal zone. Environ Rev. 2013;21(4):227–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee P, Barker T. Impact of riparian buffer guidelines on old growth in western boreal forests of Canada. Forestry. 2005;78:263–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ménard S, Darveau M, Imbeau L. The importance of geology, climate and anthropogenic disturbances in shaping boreal wetland and aquatic landscape types. Écoscience. 2013;20:399–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Ecosystems and human well-being: wetlands and water synthesis. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morissette J, Donnelly M. Riparian areas: challenges and opportunities for conservation and sustainable forest management. Edmonton: KETE Report, Sustainable Forest Management Network; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Forestry Database. 2013. Forest products- background. http://nfdp.ccfm.org/products/background_e.php. Accessed 3 Mar 2014.

  • National Wetlands Working Group. The Canadian wetland classification system. In: Warner BG, Rubec CDA, editors. Waterloo: Wetlands Research Centre. 2nd ed. University of Waterloo; 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naiman RJ, Johnston CA, Kelley JC. Alteration of North American streams by beaver. BioScience. 1988;38:753–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payette S, Delwaide A, Caccianiga M, Beauchemin M. Accelerated thawing of subarctic peatland permafrost over the last 50 years. Geophys Res Lett. 2004;31: Online L18208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price JS, Branfireun BA, Waddington JM, Devito KJ. Advances in Canadian wetland hydrology, 1999–2003. Hydrol Process. 2005;19:201–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Price DT, Alfaro RI, Brown KJ, Flannigan MD, Fleming RA, Hogg EH, Girardin MP, Lakusta T, Johnston M, McKenney DW, Pedlar JH, Stratton T, Sturrock RN, Thompson ID, Trofymow JA, Venier LA. Anticipating the consequences of climate change for Canada’s boreal forest ecosystems. Environ Rev. 2013;21:322–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poulin M, Rochefort L, Pellerin S, Thibault J. Threats and protection for peatlands in eastern Canada. Geocarrefour. 2004;79:331–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard P, Grondin P. Histoire postglaciaire de la végétation. In: Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec, editor. Manuel de foresterie. 2e éd. Québec: Éditions MultiMondes; 2009. p. 170–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riordan B, Verbyla D, McGuire DA. Shrinking pongs in subarctic Alaska based on 1950–2002 remotely sensed images. J Geophys Res. 2006;111. G04002. doi:10.1029/2005JG000150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roach J, Griffith B, Verbyla D, Jones J. Mechanisms influencing changes in lake area in Alaskan boreal forest. Global Change Biol. 2011;17:2567–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rooney RC, Bayle SE, Schindler DW. Oil sands mining and reclamation cause massive loss of peatland and stored carbon. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012;109:4933–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schindler DW, Lee PG. Comprehensive conservation planning to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services in Canadian boreal regions under a warming climate and increasing exploitation. Biol Conserv. 2010;143:1571–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schindler DW, Smol JP. Cumulative effects of climate warming and other human activities on freshwaters of Arctic and Subarctic North America. J Human Environ. 2006;35(4):160–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaefer K, Lanuite H, Romanovsky V, Shuur E, Gartner-Roer I. Policy Implications of warming permafrost. United Nations Environment Programme. 2012. http://www.unep.org/pdf/permafrost.pdf. Accessed 27 Feb 2014.

  • Slattery SM, Morissette JL, Mack GG, Butterworth EW. Waterfowl conservation planning: science needs and approaches. In: Wells JV, editor. Boreal birds of North America: a hemispheric view of their conservation links and significance. Studies in Avian Biology (no. 41). Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 2011. p. 23–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith C, Morissette J, Forest S, Falk D, Butterworth EW. Synthesis of technical information on forest wetlands in Canada. Research Triangle Park: National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.; 2007a. Technical Bulletin No. 938.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith KB, Smith CE, Forest SF, Richard AJ. A field guide to the wetlands of the boreal plains Ecozone of Canada. Edmonton: Ducks Unlimited Canada, Western Boreal Office; 2007b. p. 98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stalheim T, Ballance S, Christensen BE, Granum PE. Sphagnan – a pectin-like polymer isolated from Sphagnum moss can inhibit the growth of some typical food spoilage and food poisoning bacteria by lowering the pH. J Appl Microbiol. 2009;106:967–76.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarnocai C, Kettles IM, Lacelle B. Peatlands of Canada Database. Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 4002. 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2013. Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. 2013. http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html#results. Accessed 4 Mar 2014.

  • Warner BG. Geology of Canadian wetlands. Geosci Can. 2004;31:57–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells JV, Roberts D, Lee P, Cheng R, Darveau M. A forest of blue: Canada’s Boreal Forest, the world’s water keeper. Washington, DC: Pew Environment Group; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ducks Unlimited Canada, 17915 – 118 Avenue NW, T5S 1L6, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Beverly Gingras & Kevin Smith

  2. Ducks Unlimited Canada, PO Box 1160, R0C 2Z0, Stonewall, MB, Canada

    Stuart Slattery

  3. Ducks Unlimited Canada, 2405, rue de la Terrasse, local ABP-2122-B, G1V 0A6, Quebec, QC, Canada

    Marcel Darveau

Authors
  1. Beverly Gingras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stuart Slattery
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kevin Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marcel Darveau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Beverly Gingras , Stuart Slattery , Kevin Smith or Marcel Darveau .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia

    C. Max Finlayson

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada

    G. Randy Milton

  3. Nature Management Services, Cambridge, United Kingdom

    R. Crawford Prentice

  4. Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia

    Nick C. Davidson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Crown

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Gingras, B., Slattery, S., Smith, K., Darveau, M. (2018). Boreal Wetlands of Canada and the United States of America. In: Finlayson, C., Milton, G., Prentice, R., Davidson, N. (eds) The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4001-3_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation