A Value on the Priceless

The Seal River Watershed is a 50,000 km2 region in Northern Manitoba that is 99.97% intact and free-flowing. The report estimates that the watershed provides at least CAD 214 million in annual EGS, primarily driven by the non-use value of species conservation. Additionally, the carbon stored in its peatlands, wetlands, and forests is valued at CAD 314.5 billion based on the social cost of carbon. The document argues that Indigenous stewardship through an Indigenous Protected Area is the most effective way to preserve these values against risks from mining, all-weather roads, and water diversion.

• The Seal River Watershed is one of the world's most intact wilderness areas, covering over 50,000 km2 and remaining 99.97% intact with no permanent roads or mining.
• The watershed stores approximately 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon (6.2 billion tonnes of CO2), which is estimated to be worth at least CAD 314.5 billion based on the social cost of carbon.
• The annual flow of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) is valued at a minimum of CAD 214 million, with 94% of this value derived from the non-use willingness to pay for the conservation of beluga whales, barren-ground caribou, and northern pintails.
• Annual direct-use values include CAD 10.9 million from ecotourism revenue, CAD 1.5 million from the caribou harvest, and CAD 9.6 million in mental health benefits for approximately 1,449 annual visitors.
• The Seal River is globally unique as one of the few major rivers that remain free-flowing and unaffected by dams or hydrological development, which is critical for regulating the marine environment of Hudson Bay.
• Indigenous-led conservation, such as the proposed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), is highlighted as a high-value investment; previous studies in Canada suggest every dollar invested in such programs can lead to at least CAD 2.50 in social, economic, cultural, and environmental benefits.
• The watershed faces potential risks from an all-weather road connecting Churchill to Rankin Inlet, which could increase wildfires, disrupt caribou migration, and facilitate mining and water diversion.
• A theoretical water diversion scenario between Loon and Chipewyan Lakes could flood up to 39 km2 of forest and divert runoff from 22% of the contributing area, potentially releasing methane and disrupting ecosystems.

APA

Puzyreva, M., Gunn, G., & Simoes, J. (2022). A Value on the Priceless. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/ecological-goods-services-seal_river-watershed.pdf

Chicago

Puzyreva, Marina, Geoffrey Gunn, and Joey Simoes. A Value on the Priceless. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2022. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/ecological-goods-services-seal_river-watershed.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Puzyreva |first1=Marina |last2=Gunn |first2=Geoffrey |last3=Simoes |first3=Joey |title=A Value on the Priceless |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2022 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/ecological-goods-services-seal_river-watershed.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{puzyreva2022value, author = {Puzyreva, Marina and Gunn, Geoffrey and Simoes, Joey}, title = {{A Value on the Priceless}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2022}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2022-04/ecological-goods-services-seal_river-watershed.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }