Peat profile database from peatlands in Canada

Area of Science:

• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Ecology
• Climate Science

Background:

• Peatlands cover 12% of Canada and are crucial for carbon cycling due to long-term carbon storage.
• Understanding peatland carbon dynamics is vital for natural climate solutions and national greenhouse gas inventories.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and parameterize the Canadian Model for Peatlands (CaMP v. 2.0) database.
• To compile and analyze peat profile data across Canada for carbon stock estimation.
• To support the inclusion of peatlands in national greenhouse gas inventories and climate change modeling.

Main Methods:

• Compiled data from 1217 peatland sites across Canada.
• Analyzed peat profiles for bulk density, carbon content, and hydrological responses.
• Utilized interpolation and regression trees to fill data gaps for carbon mass estimation.

Main Results:

• Developed a comprehensive database (CaMP v. 2.0) with site location, carbon mass, and profile data.
• Estimated total carbon mass per unit area for numerous Canadian peatland sites.
• Included geochemical data for a subset of sites, enhancing the dataset's utility.

Conclusions:

• The CaMP v. 2.0 database provides essential data for carbon stock mapping and ecosystem modeling.
• This resource facilitates the integration of peatland carbon dynamics into climate change assessments.
• The data is publicly accessible on Open Government Canada for future research and policy development.