Palsas and Peat Plateaus in Central Manitoba and Saskatchewan

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Forest Research
• Main Author: Zoltai, S. C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1972
• Subjects: Ecology; Forestry; Global and Planetary Change; palsas; Peat; permafrost
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/x72-046; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/x72-046

Twenty-six peat plateaus and eight palsas were examined near Flin Flon, Manitoba at the southern limit of discontinuous permafrost. Peat plateaus in different developmental stages were identified on the basis of their morphology. The permafrost is entirely within the peat in all peat plateaus within the study area, but extends into mineral subsoil under all palsas examined. Doming in peat plateaus is largely explained by volume change due to change from unfrozen to frozen stage, and by buoyancy of the frozen mass floating on unfrozen peat. The occurrence of aggrading and degrading peat plateaus in the same area indicates that all developmental stages are permitted by the present climate.