Assessing the structure and function of peatland ecosystems in a changing environment

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Canadian peatlands store about 5 to 10% of all terrestrial carbon. They represent , by far, the largest carbon reservoir in Canada. They are small but persistent globally significant sinks for CO2 and a moderate globally significant source of atmospheric CH4. Peatland carbon is a cooling effect of global climate. The ecological and biogeochemical function of peatlands as processors and stores of atmospheric carbon is linked to water storage. The global significance of the boreal region, which has 30 - 100% coverage of peatlands depending on location, in the global carbon cycle and, hence regulation of climate, has lead governments (e.g. Ontario) to introduce legislation whose objective is to maintain 'carbon stores and sequestration'. The 'north' will experience greater than average increases in temperature and water storage in ecosystems is likely to be reduced. It is also expected that the 'north' will experience increasing pressures due from land-use change due