Hudson Bay Lowlands

Hudson Bay Lowlands

The Hudson Bay Lowland is a vast wetland located between the Canadian Shield and southern shores of Hudson Bay and James Bay. Most of the area lies within the province of Ontario, with smaller areas in Manitoba and Quebec. Many wide and slow-moving rivers flow through this area toward the salt water of Hudson Bay: these include the Hayes, Nelson, Churchill, Winisk, Severn, Albany and Attawapiskat. This is the largest wetland in North America, and one of the largest in the world. The entire area was covered by ice during the last glaciation, and the peatlands have accumulated over the last ten thousand years. Plants from more temperate regions mix with arctic species. The region can be subdivided into three regions: Coastal Hudson Bay Lowland, Hudson Bay Lowland, and James Bay Lowland. A majority of the wetland is peat bog, although saline marshes occur along the coast, and marshes and wet meadows occur along the major rivers. The wetlands provide important habitat for migratory birds including shorebirds (e.g., yellow rail) and waterfowl (e.g., snow geese). Large mammals include polar bear and wolverine.