Peatland distribution in Alberta

Peatlands are landscapes that have peat accumulations of at least 40 cm thickness. Their formation is strongly controlled by climate and is favoured by cool, wet, anaerobic environments. Landforms influence the shape, size and distribution of peatlands, largely through control of drainage. Climate and its expression through vegetation is recognized on this map by the use of ecoregions as the primary stratification. The second subdivision reflects landforms. These primary data sources were modified to create a wildlife habitat map for Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. This map was adopted as the peatland base with an additional modification to recognize the occurrence of permafrost. Information about peatland properties and distribution within these subdivisions was derived from soil survey, surficial geology, forest cover and Canada Land Inventory maps, and from the references indicated on the map.