Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation

The report evaluates the Manitoba portion of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a 67,181 km2 region that is 97.5% intact. It utilizes an ecosystem goods and services (EGS) framework to monetize benefits, finding a minimum annual value of CAD 247.7 million from biodiversity, tourism, and health services, alongside a carbon storage value of CAD 1.28 trillion. The document emphasizes the region's role in climate mitigation and its deep relational value to Indigenous communities, including the Cree, Métis, and Dene. It identifies threats from potential critical mineral mining, hydroelectric diversions, and transportation projects like the NeeStaNan corridor, arguing that Indigenous-led conservation is essential for meeting Canada's 30% by 2030 protection targets.

• Manitoba's Hudson Bay Lowlands covers 67,181 km2 and is approximately 97.5% intact, with only 1,675 km2 estimated as degraded.
• The region serves as a massive carbon sink, storing an estimated 7 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon, which has a total economic value of CAD 1.28 trillion based on the social cost of carbon.
• The biodiversity of the region includes over 1,100 plant species and more than 925 faunal species, including the Western Hudson Bay polar bear subpopulation, which is the southernmost range of polar bears globally.
• Polar bear populations in the region have declined significantly, with a 2021 survey recording 618 bears, a 27% decrease from 842 bears in 2016, attributed to climate change and declining sea ice.
• Tourism in the region, particularly in Churchill, generates significant revenue; direct annual expenditures related to tourism in Churchill were approximately CAD 36.9 million in 2017.
• Indigenous-led conservation initiatives are underway, including the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynichikatek project (initiated August 2020) and a Manitoba Métis Federation initiative to create an IPCA between Caribou River Provincial Park and Wapusk National Park.
• Relational values identified through interviews with Indigenous residents highlight the land's importance for youth education, mental health, and community bonding through land-based programs.
• Potential development threats include the redevelopment of Port Nelson and the proposed NeeStaNan rail corridor, which could transport potash and petroleum products, risking oil spills and ecosystem disturbance.
• While there are no active mine sites within the Lowlands, the demand for critical minerals for the green energy transition may increase exploration, and historical mining in other regions demonstrates high remediation costs.
• Past hydroelectric developments, such as the Churchill River Diversion, have caused permanent land alteration, forced community relocation, and damaged traditional livelihoods.

APA

Puzyreva, M., Jang, N., Qi, J., Terton, A., & Saleh, T. (2025). Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation.pdf

Chicago

Puzyreva, Marina, Nicole Jang, Jeffrey Qi, Anika Terton, and Thomas Saleh. Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Puzyreva |first1=Marina |last2=Jang |first2=Nicole |last3=Qi |first3=Jeffrey |last4=Terton |first4=Anika |last5=Saleh |first5=Thomas |title=Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{puzyreva2025manitobas, author = {Puzyreva, Marina and Jang, Nicole and Qi, Jeffrey and Terton, Anika and Saleh, Thomas}, title = {{Manitoba’s Hudson Bay Lowlands: Ecosystem goods and services valuation}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-06/hudson-bay-lowlands-ecosystem-valuation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }