Peatlands cover more than 10% of Canada and store over 100 Gt C, making them one of Canada’s largest terrestrial carbon pools. Peatlands are currently experiencing climate and land-use change, altering their ecohydrology and biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements. Peatlands are ecosystems looked to for natural climate solutions, but assessing their capacity to contribute requires understanding the links among their hydrology, ecology and biogechemistry. This session seeks presentations of research on the ecohydrology and biogeochemistry of undisturbed and disturbed peatlands. Empirical and theoretical studies are welcome.
1:30 - 1:45: Exploring differences in Sphagnum hydrophysical properties between species
Presenter(s): Tasha-Leigh Gauthier, PhD Candidate, University of Waterloo, Dr. Nicole Balliston - University of Waterloo, Dr. Maria Strack - University of Waterloo and Dr. Jonathan Price - University of Waterloo
2:00 - 2:15: Seasonalvariation in microbial phosphorus concentrations in an ombrotrophic bog insouthern Ontario
Presenter(s): Camille Jones, M. Sc. Geography Year 1, McGill University, Autumn Perreira, McGill University, Tim Moore, McGill University and Christian von Sperber, McGill University
2:15 - 2:30: Asynoptic study of carbon cycling in southern Ontario swamps
Presenter(s): Megan Schmidt, PhD candidate, University of Waterloo, Oluwabamise Afolabi, Veronica Santia, Samantha Price, Harry Kumbhani, Kristen Olazo, Isabelle Marincic, Maria Strack - all from University of Waterloo
2:30 - 2:45: Peatlandplant productivity as impacted by beaver damming
Presenter(s): Nichole-Lynn Stoll, University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Cherie Westbrook, University of Saskatchewan
2:45 - 3:00: Impactsof thaw, fire, and drainage in peatlands on cycling and downstream transport ofcarbon, nutrients, and mercury.
Presenter(s): David Olefeldt, Associate Professor, University of Alberta, Renae Shewan (University of Alberta), Lauren Thompson (University of Alberta), Christopher Schulze (University of Alberta), Julia Orlova (University of Alberta), Jessica Lagroix (University of Alberta), Rebecca Frei (University of Alberta), Oliver Sonnent