Title: Ecosystem Classification of the Hudson Bay Lowlands
Citation: Environment, & et Changement climatique Canada, C. C. C. | E. (2025). Ecosystem Classification of the Hudson Bay Lowlands [Data set]. Open Data Canada. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/59fa9fc1-4911-4156-9927-0f4118d74b2d
Study Site: Hudson Bay Lowlands
Purpose: 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.
Abstract: This product was produced by using Classification by Progressive Generalization (CPG) which uses enhanced false-colour Landsat Earth-observation imagery, specifically Red, NIR, and SWIR bands as the input for a multistep clustering and merging process. Each band is first contrast-stretched to widen the dynamic range of key features such as vegetation and soils while compressing dark (water, shadow) and bright (cloud, ice) extremes. K-means clustering is then applied to the enhanced 3-band composite to produce 200 spectral clusters, which are colour-coded using the average RGB brightness of the corresponding Landsat bands.
Supplemental Information Summary:
Research:
Further Info:
Status: Complete
Keywords:
mapping,
remote sensing,
Geographical coordinates: North: 83.1139, South: 41.6755 East: -52.6174 West: -141.003
Bounding Temporal Extent: Start Date: 2020-06-01, End
Date: 2022-09-30
