From 1982-84, the Ontario Geological Survey conducted an inventory of peatlands in 16 study areas across Ontario. Field investigations were performed by private-sector consulting firms, necessitating precise project specifications and a standardized approach. The first year's investigations were modelled on the New Brunswick and Finnish systems but were later modified. This report describes the 1984 field-work methods, covering field work, mapping and profiling, and report writing. Directions are given for both detailed and reconnaissance evaluations of the peat stratigraphy and peatland vegetation.

This inventory provides information on the possible energy and horticultural potential of the resource, and assists in land use planning and deposition by assembling data on the distribution, frequency and types of peatlands. During the inventory, 16 large study areas were the focus of detailed field surveys, reconnaissance and remote sensing studies, and laboratory analysis of peat materials. This report is one of 3 regional summaries, covering 88,000 sq km in northwestern Ontario, in the Armstrong, Rainy River, Ignace, Sioux Lookout, Longlac-Nakina and Dryden-Lac Seul areas. The report integrates field studies, laboratory studies and regional resource estimates.

Peatland resources of southeastern Ontario were investigated as part of the Peatland Inventory Project, conducted from 1982-85. Data from Peterborough, Kingston-Belleville, Pembroke, Ottawa-Brockville, and Parry Sound are presented and integrated to provide a regional overview of the resource. The methods used for the peatland inventory ranged from on-site detailed mapping and sampling to regional satellite image interpretation. Laboratory analyses of the physical and chemical properties of the peat were also undertaken for 483 samples. Of the 759 peatlands/wetlands larger than 100 ha that were identified in the region, 143 were surveyed.

Peatland resources of northeastern Ontario were investigated as part of the Peatland Inventory Project, conducted from 1982-85. Data from Hearst, Foleyet, Cochrane-Kapuskasing, Timmins-Kirkland Lake, and New Liskeard are presented and integrated to provide a regional overview of the resource. The methods used for the inventory ranged from on-site detailed mapping and sampling to regional satellite-imagery interpretation. Laboratory analyses on the physical and chemical properties of the peat were also undertaken for 698 samples. Of the 1,500 peatlands greater than 100 ha in size that were identified in the region, 128 were surveyed.

The impetus for this volume was the 2nd International Wetlands Conference which was held in June, 1984 at Trebon, Czechoslovakia. An overview of the worlds wetlands was one of the themes of the conference and it was decided that a useful follow-up would be a publication on the same topic. The initial goal was to cover as many of the worlds wetlands as possible in one volume and to have an emphasis on wetland ecology, biota, classification, and management. Individuals who made presentations at the Trebon confer ence were asked to prepare chapters and the editors also solicited other contributions. For a variety of reasons, the initial goal has been difficult to reach, especially coverage of the entire globe, and it has been necessary to publish the contributions in more than one volume. Volume 1 represents the com pletion of the first phase of the project and it covers most of the Western Hemisphere, Australia, most of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediter ranean region, and Papua New Guinea. Volume 2 will contain chapters on Western Europe, Northern Europe, Central Europe, most of northern and It is our hope that Volume western Asia, the Middle East, and Indonesia. 2 will appear in the near future and, if possible, a third volume will be published if authors can be secured to cover areas such as the Far East, other parts of the Indo-Pacific region, and New Zealand.

From 1982-84, the Ontario Geological Survey conducted an inventory of peatlands in 16 study areas across Ontario. Field investigations were performed by private-sector consulting firms, necessitating precise project specifications and a standardized approach. The first year's investigations were modelled on the New Brunswick and Finnish systems but were later modified. This report describes the 1984 field-work methods, covering field work, mapping and profiling, and report writing. Directions are given for both detailed and reconnaissance evaluations of the peat stratigraphy and peatland vegetation.

This book provides a comprehensive and up to date overview of peatland ecosystems. It examines the entire range of biota present in this habitat and considers management, conservation, and restoration issues.