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Carbon (C) biogeochemical cycling studies in northern peatlands, in particular the production, consumption, storage and emission of C gases (CO2 and CH4) over space and time between different peatland landforms can help in understanding their current and future role in the global C cycle. In some peatlands, a distinct surface patterning of vegetation, interspersed with open water pools, controls the spatial and temporal variability in CO 2 and CH4 exchange to atmosphere. These open water pools initially develop from shallow, flooded hollows to deeper water bodies and at some point reach a limit in their depth. Observations link pool size to age and spatial location on the peatland surface and over time the proportional cover of pools increases, playing an important role in the long-term peatland C balance. / The processes responsible for the production of CO2 and CH 4 in pools remain unexplored. In particular, the contribution of pools to the peatland C balance over the timeframe of the development of a pool complex is not explained and pools are not incorporated into current peatland models. A field study was carried out to examine the exchange of CO2 and CH4 from pools to atmosphere and to explore the spatial and temporal dynamics in CO2, CH4 and DOC storage in pools of different size and spatial location. This was undertaken to improve the understanding of the processes responsible for the generation of CO 2 and CH4 over the timescale of pool development. The empirical study was carried out during spring, summer and fall over two years in an ombrotrophic, raised bog, Quebec, Canada. A modelling component was carried out to examine the contribution of pools to the long-term peatland C balance. / Measurements of dissolved concentrations and emissions of CO2 and CH4 from pool surfaces to atmosphere were different among pools of different sizes and spatial location. Shallow pools had consistently higher emissions of both CO2 and CH4 and higher water column dissolved CO2 and DOC concentrations. Deeper pools had greater concentrations of sediment CH4. Dissolved organic carbon in pools was allochthonous, with a greater concentrations and proportion from higher plant materials in shallow pools, likely contributing to the observed water column CO2 concentrations and greater CO2 emissions. / All pools were supersaturated with dissolved CO2 and CH 4 at the time of sampling, with shallow pools up to eight times atmospheric equilibrium concentrations for CO2 and concentrations were up to one hundred times greater than CH4, comparable to findings in other global freshwater systems. Results suggest that greater decomposition is occurring in shallow pools due to warmer water and basal sediment temperatures and increased light penetration and dissolved oxygen (00) and that greater CH4 production and oxidation accounts for some of the differences reaching a limit at 0.7 m deep. Even though this range of pools are not as deep as pools found on other northern peatlands, the results provide evidence for the potential processes responsible for the generation of CO2 and CH4 emissions to atmosphere and demonstrate that pools have a significant role in the short and long-term peatland C balance. Modelling the hypothesised processes responsible for the generation of CO2 and CH4 shows that if sediment decomposition is the major source of these gases then the dynamical link between pool sediments, C gas production and pool growth has been demonstrated. Ultimately their role as source or sink is largely determined by their size (depth), the proportional cover on the landscape and their rates of C storage in sediments versus rates of C uptake and exchange.

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Using the language of rights and national self-determination, Aboriginal peoples have mounted a fundamental challenge to Canadian federalism in the past forty years. In order to move beyond the imposed structure of colonial governance, Aboriginal peoples have sought to establish their own form of federal relationship with contemporary Canadian governments and society. While much attention has been devoted to the constitutional and legal dimensions of Aboriginal challenges to state authority, this thesis argues that incremental yet fundamental changes are also taking place in the less visible but nonetheless important arena of policy-making. Aboriginal claims for greater political recognition, combined with the redefinition of the role of the state associated with neoliberal ideas, have led to the emergence of multilevel governance practices between Aboriginal governing authorities and their federal and provincial counterparts. While they do not alter the formal nature of state authority as defined in the constitution, multilevel policy exercises are characterized by growing interdependencies between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governing actors, leading to a partial displacement of formal rules of authoritative decision-making in favor of joint decision-making processes and negotiated solutions to policy disputes. Building on comparative analyses of the transformations in the governance regimes of the James Bay Crees and Kahnawa:ke Mohawks, this thesis argues that these multilevel exercises can become transformative spaces for Aboriginal peoples to reshape their relationship with the state and establish themselves as representatives of distinct political communities with their own sources of authority and legitimacy independent of federal and provincial parliaments. As a result, I argue a new form of federalism may well be emerging not through constitutional negotiations or treaty-making exercises, but from below, in everyday practices of governance.

Using the language of rights and national self-determination, Aboriginal peoples have mounted a fundamental challenge to Canadian federalism in the past forty years. In order to move beyond the imposed structure of colonial governance, Aboriginal peoples have sought to establish their own form of federal relationship with contemporary Canadian governments and society. While much attention has been devoted to the constitutional and legal dimensions of Aboriginal challenges to state authority, this thesis argues that incremental yet fundamental changes are also taking place in the less visible but nonetheless important arena of policy-making. Aboriginal claims for greater political recognition, combined with the redefinition of the role of the state associated with neoliberal ideas, have led to the emergence of multilevel governance practices between Aboriginal governing authorities and their federal and provincial counterparts. While they do not alter the formal nature of state authority as defined in the constitution, multilevel policy exercises are characterized by growing interdependencies between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal governing actors, leading to a partial displacement of formal rules of authoritative decision-making in favor of joint decision-making processes and negotiated solutions to policy disputes. Building on comparative analyses of the transformations in the governance regimes of the James Bay Crees and Kahnawa:ke Mohawks, this thesis argues that these multilevel exercises can become transformative spaces for Aboriginal peoples to reshape their relationship with the state and establish themselves as representatives of distinct political communities with their own sources of authority and legitimacy independent of federal and provincial parliaments. As a result, I argue a new form of federalism may well be emerging not through constitutional negotiations or treaty-making exercises, but from below, in everyday practices of governance.

The Fort Albany First Nation (FAFN) in Ontario’s western James Bay region is interested in undertaking a community-based process of land use planning for its traditional territory, in order to respond to increasing resource development pressure within the area. To construct a framework for such a process, semi-structured interviews were held with 12 members of the FAFN and two staff members of the Mushkegowuk Council, which represents the FAFN at the regional level. Interviews focused on the substantive values that community members see as worthy of protection or management through the land use plan, and on the procedural values that ought to guide the process. In addition, three group discussions on valued ecosystem components were observed, to supplement interview data on substantive values. The results indicate that the community is concerned with preserving their way of life in the face of resource development pressure and social change, by protecting subsistence resources and strengthening the transmission of culture. Substantively, this means that the land use plan needs to protect wildlife and its habitat, navigable waterways, and water quality. Procedurally, this means that the planning process should engage the entire community in discussions of its cultural identity and connection to the land, in order to build a genuine consensus on appropriate land uses. It was felt that the process should be grassroots-based, that the FAFN should initiate the process autonomously, and that the planning process should pursue the twin goals of community self-determination and cultural continuity. It was also felt that neighbouring first nations should be invited to participate in the process or to conduct separate planning activities streamlined with those of the FAFN, because of overlap in traditional territories. At the conclusion of this thesis, a set of recommendations outlines a planning process that is appropriate to the needs and values expressed by participants. This framework draws upon the principles of empowerment, advocacy, and collaborative planning, applying them to the local cultural context. It relies upon social learning as a vehicle by which to develop a community-wide vision for the traditional territory of the FAFN. / Thesis (Master, Urban & Regional Planning) -- Queen's University, 2008-09-23 19:11:37.053