Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
@peatofmind.bsky.social
Canada Research Chair in Ecohydrology | School of Earth, Environment & Society | McMaster University | peatlands | ecohydrology | wildfire | drought | restoration | Nobel Peat Prize | https://www.mcmasterecohydrology.ca/ |
Hobbies:🧭 🏃♂️🛶🗺️🚴🏼
Views are my own
Hobbies:🧭 🏃♂️🛶🗺️🚴🏼
Views are my own
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Happy Halloween!
Our latest #PeatPaper published in Hydrological Processes and led by MSc student Maia Moore!
“Ecohydrological Controls on Post-Fire Sphagnum Moss Recovery in Boreal Shield Peatlands”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
“Ecohydrological Controls on Post-Fire Sphagnum Moss Recovery in Boreal Shield Peatlands”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
October 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Our latest #PeatPaper published in Hydrological Processes and led by MSc student Maia Moore!
“Ecohydrological Controls on Post-Fire Sphagnum Moss Recovery in Boreal Shield Peatlands”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
“Ecohydrological Controls on Post-Fire Sphagnum Moss Recovery in Boreal Shield Peatlands”
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
The Conversation article that @avnimalh0tra.bsky.social and I wrote about the PeatPic Project and the power of harnessing people, community science and the importance of research networks is now online too
theconversation.com/harnessing-t...
#Peatlands #PeatColour
theconversation.com/harnessing-t...
#Peatlands #PeatColour
October 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
The Conversation article that @avnimalh0tra.bsky.social and I wrote about the PeatPic Project and the power of harnessing people, community science and the importance of research networks is now online too
theconversation.com/harnessing-t...
#Peatlands #PeatColour
theconversation.com/harnessing-t...
#Peatlands #PeatColour
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
🚨New Paper 🚨
The PeatPic Project: Predicting plot-scale green leaf #phenology across #peatlands
So happy to see this paper online — one of my favourite projects!
We explored how to capture how peatlands change colour using smartphones and community science!
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
The PeatPic Project: Predicting plot-scale green leaf #phenology across #peatlands
So happy to see this paper online — one of my favourite projects!
We explored how to capture how peatlands change colour using smartphones and community science!
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
October 13, 2025 at 12:28 PM
🚨New Paper 🚨
The PeatPic Project: Predicting plot-scale green leaf #phenology across #peatlands
So happy to see this paper online — one of my favourite projects!
We explored how to capture how peatlands change colour using smartphones and community science!
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
The PeatPic Project: Predicting plot-scale green leaf #phenology across #peatlands
So happy to see this paper online — one of my favourite projects!
We explored how to capture how peatlands change colour using smartphones and community science!
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
For over 15 years the McMaster Ecohydro Lab has awarded the #NobelPeatPrize to the authors of the best peatland or peat paper of the year.
It’s that time of year again where we review papers and finalize a list of nominees.
Do you have a fave paper for 2025 you would like us to consider?
It’s that time of year again where we review papers and finalize a list of nominees.
Do you have a fave paper for 2025 you would like us to consider?
October 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
For over 15 years the McMaster Ecohydro Lab has awarded the #NobelPeatPrize to the authors of the best peatland or peat paper of the year.
It’s that time of year again where we review papers and finalize a list of nominees.
Do you have a fave paper for 2025 you would like us to consider?
It’s that time of year again where we review papers and finalize a list of nominees.
Do you have a fave paper for 2025 you would like us to consider?
Back from a visit to 🇸🇪 🇫🇮 & 🇪🇪!
Enjoyed meeting ecology, biogeochem, and hydrology researchers to talk about #peatland wildfire, restoration, and resilience.
Sweden’s two #NobelPeatPrize laureates (Gustaf Granath, Betty Ehnvall) were in the audience of my Uppsala Uni seminar.
Enjoyed meeting ecology, biogeochem, and hydrology researchers to talk about #peatland wildfire, restoration, and resilience.
Sweden’s two #NobelPeatPrize laureates (Gustaf Granath, Betty Ehnvall) were in the audience of my Uppsala Uni seminar.
October 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Back from a visit to 🇸🇪 🇫🇮 & 🇪🇪!
Enjoyed meeting ecology, biogeochem, and hydrology researchers to talk about #peatland wildfire, restoration, and resilience.
Sweden’s two #NobelPeatPrize laureates (Gustaf Granath, Betty Ehnvall) were in the audience of my Uppsala Uni seminar.
Enjoyed meeting ecology, biogeochem, and hydrology researchers to talk about #peatland wildfire, restoration, and resilience.
Sweden’s two #NobelPeatPrize laureates (Gustaf Granath, Betty Ehnvall) were in the audience of my Uppsala Uni seminar.
New #PeatPaper by Lees et al. in #HydrologicalProcesses
"The Sponge Analogy Problem: Moving Towards Clearer Communication of Peatland Hydrological Processes"
#peatlands #hydrology #scicomm
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
"The Sponge Analogy Problem: Moving Towards Clearer Communication of Peatland Hydrological Processes"
#peatlands #hydrology #scicomm
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
September 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
New #PeatPaper by Lees et al. in #HydrologicalProcesses
"The Sponge Analogy Problem: Moving Towards Clearer Communication of Peatland Hydrological Processes"
#peatlands #hydrology #scicomm
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
"The Sponge Analogy Problem: Moving Towards Clearer Communication of Peatland Hydrological Processes"
#peatlands #hydrology #scicomm
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
Interested in canoeing, Canadian Wilderness, the barren lands, the North? I can only warmly recommend this fascinating book by my friend and hydrology colleague Jim McNamara @jpmboise.bsky.social. You can SEE the landscape and hear the clicking of the caribou
August 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Interested in canoeing, Canadian Wilderness, the barren lands, the North? I can only warmly recommend this fascinating book by my friend and hydrology colleague Jim McNamara @jpmboise.bsky.social. You can SEE the landscape and hear the clicking of the caribou
I started working at MAC 30 years ago this week teaching courses for two geography legends: hydrology (M-k. Woo) and biogeography (G. MacDonald). That experience and mentoring from Profs Woo and Rouse helped shape a research career in the emerging (at that time) field of ecohydrology. #BestJobEver
August 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I started working at MAC 30 years ago this week teaching courses for two geography legends: hydrology (M-k. Woo) and biogeography (G. MacDonald). That experience and mentoring from Profs Woo and Rouse helped shape a research career in the emerging (at that time) field of ecohydrology. #BestJobEver
Well, well, well (and a few piezometers too).
A peatland ecohydrologist’s backyard!
Those who know, know.
A peatland ecohydrologist’s backyard!
Those who know, know.
August 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Well, well, well (and a few piezometers too).
A peatland ecohydrologist’s backyard!
Those who know, know.
A peatland ecohydrologist’s backyard!
Those who know, know.
Our latest paper!
Regional Wildfire Smoke Reduces Boreal Forest Carbon Uptake
Van Huizen et al.
Smoke-related inhibition of photosynthesis via reduced light availability should be considered when quantifying the net impacts of boreal wildfires on net radiative forcing & carbon balance
Regional Wildfire Smoke Reduces Boreal Forest Carbon Uptake
Van Huizen et al.
Smoke-related inhibition of photosynthesis via reduced light availability should be considered when quantifying the net impacts of boreal wildfires on net radiative forcing & carbon balance
New paper out - Regional wildfire smoke reduces boreal forest
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
August 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Our latest paper!
Regional Wildfire Smoke Reduces Boreal Forest Carbon Uptake
Van Huizen et al.
Smoke-related inhibition of photosynthesis via reduced light availability should be considered when quantifying the net impacts of boreal wildfires on net radiative forcing & carbon balance
Regional Wildfire Smoke Reduces Boreal Forest Carbon Uptake
Van Huizen et al.
Smoke-related inhibition of photosynthesis via reduced light availability should be considered when quantifying the net impacts of boreal wildfires on net radiative forcing & carbon balance
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
New paper out - Regional wildfire smoke reduces boreal forest
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
August 9, 2025 at 6:37 PM
New paper out - Regional wildfire smoke reduces boreal forest
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
carbon uptake
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Wildfires are a source of carbon and they can reduce the carbon sink from the forest. Cumulative Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) shows a big drop in 2011 Day 138 due to wildfire smoke.
There is the peatland carbon bomb and then there are bombs in the peatland!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Mer Bleue Bog 'filled with bombs' according to new drone scans | CBC News
A recent project by Carleton University graduate students used drones to search for magnetic signals linked to unexploded bombs in the Mer Bleue Bog, which was used as a practice bombing range in the ...
www.cbc.ca
August 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
There is the peatland carbon bomb and then there are bombs in the peatland!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
Canada now has over 500 out of control (OC) wildfires (299 Monitored and 208 Actioned =507 OC fires). These numbers are similar to the 2023 record smashing season except this year only half the country is on fire.
August 3, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Canada now has over 500 out of control (OC) wildfires (299 Monitored and 208 Actioned =507 OC fires). These numbers are similar to the 2023 record smashing season except this year only half the country is on fire.
Q: How does a peat scientist that enjoys adventure spend the #WorldBogDay weekend?
A: 180+ km of trekking, paddling, MTB, and orienteering across the peaty northern Ontario landscape at the Wilderness Traverse 24 hour Adventure Race.
Completed the full course again!
📷: L. Moreira, M. Ashmore
A: 180+ km of trekking, paddling, MTB, and orienteering across the peaty northern Ontario landscape at the Wilderness Traverse 24 hour Adventure Race.
Completed the full course again!
📷: L. Moreira, M. Ashmore
July 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Q: How does a peat scientist that enjoys adventure spend the #WorldBogDay weekend?
A: 180+ km of trekking, paddling, MTB, and orienteering across the peaty northern Ontario landscape at the Wilderness Traverse 24 hour Adventure Race.
Completed the full course again!
📷: L. Moreira, M. Ashmore
A: 180+ km of trekking, paddling, MTB, and orienteering across the peaty northern Ontario landscape at the Wilderness Traverse 24 hour Adventure Race.
Completed the full course again!
📷: L. Moreira, M. Ashmore
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
🌿 New in IJWF:
Belcher et al. explore seasonal changes in flammability across UK heathlands, showing that live fuel moisture dynamics drive shifts in fire behaviour. Their fuel modelling reveals up to 4× differences in fire spread based on phenology.
👉 doi.org/10.1071/WF24...
#IJWildlandFire
Belcher et al. explore seasonal changes in flammability across UK heathlands, showing that live fuel moisture dynamics drive shifts in fire behaviour. Their fuel modelling reveals up to 4× differences in fire spread based on phenology.
👉 doi.org/10.1071/WF24...
#IJWildlandFire
July 25, 2025 at 1:19 AM
🌿 New in IJWF:
Belcher et al. explore seasonal changes in flammability across UK heathlands, showing that live fuel moisture dynamics drive shifts in fire behaviour. Their fuel modelling reveals up to 4× differences in fire spread based on phenology.
👉 doi.org/10.1071/WF24...
#IJWildlandFire
Belcher et al. explore seasonal changes in flammability across UK heathlands, showing that live fuel moisture dynamics drive shifts in fire behaviour. Their fuel modelling reveals up to 4× differences in fire spread based on phenology.
👉 doi.org/10.1071/WF24...
#IJWildlandFire
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
COP15 of the Ramsar Convention starts today. Here in Canada we have the privilege of being home to a quarter of the world's remaining wetlands. Let's not forget what a treasure they are.
theconversation.com/canadian-wet...
theconversation.com/canadian-wet...
Canadian wetlands are treasures that deserve protection
Canada is home to a quarter of the world’s remaining wetlands. Despite decades of efforts, wetlands continue to be under threat around the world.
theconversation.com
July 23, 2025 at 7:20 PM
COP15 of the Ramsar Convention starts today. Here in Canada we have the privilege of being home to a quarter of the world's remaining wetlands. Let's not forget what a treasure they are.
theconversation.com/canadian-wet...
theconversation.com/canadian-wet...
Check out our new paper "Ecohydrological drivers of Boreal Shield peatland fire refugia" in Ecohydrology.
Authors: Alex Tekatch, Chantel Markle, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, @mercury-ecohydro.bsky.social, @peatofmind.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Authors: Alex Tekatch, Chantel Markle, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, @mercury-ecohydro.bsky.social, @peatofmind.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
July 22, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Check out our new paper "Ecohydrological drivers of Boreal Shield peatland fire refugia" in Ecohydrology.
Authors: Alex Tekatch, Chantel Markle, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, @mercury-ecohydro.bsky.social, @peatofmind.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Authors: Alex Tekatch, Chantel Markle, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, @mercury-ecohydro.bsky.social, @peatofmind.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
CBC getting the word out there on peatland wildfire emissions, an increasingly important topic as fire seasons keep getting worse in Canada.
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Carbon emissions from Canada's wildfires are spiking. But that's not counting our vast peatlands | CBC News
A new government model to estimate peatland emissions and their impact on climate change could provide a new perspective on the problem — and spark new discussions about solutions.
www.cbc.ca
July 21, 2025 at 12:32 AM
CBC getting the word out there on peatland wildfire emissions, an increasingly important topic as fire seasons keep getting worse in Canada.
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
CBC story on Canadian peatlands and wildfire featuring @gregverkaik.bsky.social @olefeldt.bsky.social @wetland-ghg.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Glad to see this topic at the top of CBC News - watching fires burn up the boreal year after year sucks, and it's the peatlands burning that I worry about most
Glad to see this topic at the top of CBC News - watching fires burn up the boreal year after year sucks, and it's the peatlands burning that I worry about most
Wildfires send Canada's carbon emissions soaring. And our peatlands emit even more | CBC News
A new government model to estimate peatland emissions and their impact on climate change could provide a new perspective on the problem — and spark new discussions about solutions.
www.cbc.ca
July 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
CBC story on Canadian peatlands and wildfire featuring @gregverkaik.bsky.social @olefeldt.bsky.social @wetland-ghg.bsky.social
Great day for bays!
Hole-in-the-Wall, Big Sound, Georgian Bay.
Hole-in-the-Wall, Big Sound, Georgian Bay.
July 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Great day for bays!
Hole-in-the-Wall, Big Sound, Georgian Bay.
Hole-in-the-Wall, Big Sound, Georgian Bay.
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
Hydrology Paper of the Day @gregverkaik.bsky.social @micaheckert.bsky.social @peatofmind.bsky.social on how changes to drainage and spatial burn patterns affected biogeochemical cycles and vegetation cover in a peatland: depth of burn, carbon loss, and burn severity in context of a fuel load model.
Check our new paper “Fuel Loads and Peat Smoldering Carbon Loss Increase Following Drainage in a Forested Boreal Peatland” published in JGR-Biogeosciences: doi.org/10.1029/2024...
@micaheckert.bsky.social, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, and @peatofmind.bsky.social [1/9]
@micaheckert.bsky.social, Sophie Wilkinson, Paul Moore, and @peatofmind.bsky.social [1/9]
July 16, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Hydrology Paper of the Day @gregverkaik.bsky.social @micaheckert.bsky.social @peatofmind.bsky.social on how changes to drainage and spatial burn patterns affected biogeochemical cycles and vegetation cover in a peatland: depth of burn, carbon loss, and burn severity in context of a fuel load model.
Reposted by Mike Waddington 🇨🇦
Area burned in Canada for 2025 is now at 5.6 M ha exceeding the total for the entire 2024 fire season. This fire season is not as bad as 2023 that had 9.37 M ha burned by July 12, 2023. However, 2025 is a very active year with 365 fires out of control and 2 months still left in the fire season.
July 12, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Area burned in Canada for 2025 is now at 5.6 M ha exceeding the total for the entire 2024 fire season. This fire season is not as bad as 2023 that had 9.37 M ha burned by July 12, 2023. However, 2025 is a very active year with 365 fires out of control and 2 months still left in the fire season.