The future of research in Canadian peatlands: a brief survey with particular reference to global change

Suggestions are made for future research on Canadian peatlands under several headings: distribution across the country, landscape features, environmental factors (hydrology, microclimatology, permafrost, and fire), ecosystem properties (productivity, decomposition, biogeochemical cycling, and microbial activity), biotic characteristics (flora and fauna, including rare and threatened species), and paleoecological background. This evaluation points out the need for studies of peatland restoration. In addition, it is important to follow present models of excellence for future study and to train a new generation of researchers in multidisciplinary research.