Spatial patterning of net primary production in wetlands of continental western Canada

AbstractNet primary production in wetlands of continental western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) is mapped and summarized by wetland type and ecoregion. The region contains 405 300 km2 of wetlands, with peatlands representing 90.1% of all wetlands. Based on a regional synthesis of published values of net primary production, shrubby swamp and marsh wetlands produce more biomass annually through the process of net primary production than peatlands. Different peatland types appear to sequester similar amounts of plant biomass on an annual basis, with the exception of permafrost bogs that sequester less. Wetland net primary production for the region is calculated as 2.1 ¥ 1014 g yr-1 of plant biomass, with 73.5% sequestered in peatlands. This is equivalent to 9.95 ¥ 1013 g yr-1 of carbon. Provincially this carbon is partitioned into 50% for Manitoba, 30% for Alberta, and 20% for Saskatchewan. Over the last 1000 years, an average of only 5% of this biomass (and carbon) accumulate as peat, with most l...