For their considerable efforts and assistance with field visits to their operations, special thanks are due to Rod Gemmell of Abitibi-Price, George VanDusen and Wayne Brown of Corner Brook Pulp and Paper, and Chris Smith and Doug Taylor of RE PAP Manitoba Thanks also to Helene Dorval of Domtar for her draft review and advice. French language translation services have been provided by the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada. Summary This paper describes the nature and importance of wetlands in the forested regions of Canada. It describes potential impacts of forestry practices on wetland, ecosystems and suggests measures to prevent or reduce these impacts. Wetlands, some of Canada's most productive wildlife habitats, provide numerous economic benefits.
Swamps have the greatest potential for forestry.
In Canada, most of the wood harvested from swamps is black spruce. Other commercially important species include tamarack and eastern white cedar. With drainage, or drainage and fer-tilization, the forestry potential of treed wetlands can be improved. However, the costs of forest drainage works can be significant, and the practice has not been, extensive in Canada. Harvesting is the dominant forestry activity in wetlands.