Webinar - Climate Change and Peatland Functions in Alberta and the Northwest Territories

The Mackenzie River Basin, encompassing much of boreal Alberta, is the third largest boreal peatland region in the world and the region is warming at rate much greater than the global average. Climate warming, along with a more active fire regime and accelerating permafrost thaw has the potential to influence peatland functions, with regards to both their balance of greenhouse gases and their influence on downstream water quality. Findings from northern Alberta shows how permafrost thaw increases methane emissions, while burned peatland continue to release carbon dioxide for many years after fires. Permafrost thaw is also likely to increase the downstream delivery of organic matter and methylmercury from peatlands into rivers and lakes. Over the next few years, research in collaboration with the Dene Tha First Nation will monitor water quality in the Hay River basin to address community concerns about impacts of climate change on water quality.