One of a series of discussion papers developed to provide background information for drafting a conversation strategy for Alberta. This paper demonstrates the importance of wetlands by first defining the nature, location and benefits of wetland functions and then describing the current activities of the various sectors of the society and economy that contribute to wetland loss. The paper also attempts to further the goal of achieving sustainable use of the wetlands by surveying existing wetland evaluation techniques and the main legislative regimes that affect wetlands. Recommendations are included.

Report providing a summary of information about peatlands in the province, and slough/marsh wetlands in the Non-settled Area as well as policy recommendations concerning wetland management in Alberta.

This work is a scientific monograph that examines the flora and vegetation of natural mineral wetlands in comparison to mineral wetlands affected by bitumen exploitation. The work is of broad relevance because (a) wetland loss and degradation is a global problem; (b) the continued global increase in fossil fuel exploitation is resulting in widespread damage; and (c) bitumen (tar sands, oil sands) exploitation is a rapidly growing and destructive set of activities. The core of the work is a meta-analysis of 417 vegetation plots. Analyses of change over time and chemical and physical attributes of water and soil are presented for the subset of plots with sufficient data. The purpose of the work is to demonstrate that: (1) There are marked differences between natural and industrially-affected wetlands. (2) Industrially-affected mineral wetlands differ from natural wetlands in their vegetation assemblages, their depressed vegetation and species diversity, and their abundance of exotic weeds. (3) Successful post-bitumen mining wetland reclamation has not been accomplished and may not be attainable within the foreseeable future given the ecological and physical conditions of the industrial wetlands, current reclamation practices, and lax regulatory standards. In regard to government policy and industrial practices, it finds that they are responsible for reclamation failure on a grand scale.

This document is Alberta's first report on the state of its environment. The report first describes the population, economy, and natural regions of Alberta, then describes the present condition of the environment, the impact of human and natural activities on the environment, and actions or management responses under way to protect, enhance, and restore the environment. This information is presented in sections covering the atmosphere, surface and ground water, forested and agricultural land, mineral resources, wetlands, protected areas, waste management, and biota. A glossary is included, as well as appendices on the natural regions of Alberta and information on threatened or endangered species. Throughout the report are graphs and tables of statistics on various aspects of the Alberta environment.

Experts share their understanding of the ecology of large wetlands, their significance and their conservation.