Ecosystem Classification of the Hudson Bay Lowlands (English, HTML)

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Publisher-reported update

2026-04-22

Ecosystems in the Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL) form one of the most ecologically significant regions in Canada, shaped by the interplay of tundra, taiga, and one of the world’s largest peatland complexes. These ecosystems support diverse wildlife including migratory birds, polar bears, boreal species and sustain the cultural, subsistence, and spiritual relationships of Cree, Dene, and Métis Nations. The ecological functions of the HBL are globally important, containing immense carbon stores in deep peat deposits. The HBL has become increasingly vulnerable to rapid warming, altered hydrology, and shifts in permafrost conditions. As these changes accelerate, understanding ecosystem extent and distribution becomes crucial for assessing risks to biodiversity, carbon stocks, and climate feedbacks. Accurate mapping of ecosystem extent in Hudson Bay is also essential for Canada’s international reporting obligations and global conservation commitments. Ecosystem extent is a foundational indicator across major frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals, UNFCCC greenhouse gas reporting, and especially the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, where it underpins…

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