Canadian Wetland Classification System (CWCS)
Following is a summary of key characteristics:
• The CWCS is the most widely known and only Canada-wide classification system.
• Provides a common language to describe wetlands since not all function in the same way.
• It is an ecologically-based system that incorporates soil, water (water chemistry, water table) and vegetation
characteristics.
• There are 3 three hierarchical levels within the CWCS: (1) class, (2) form, (3) type.
• The five wetland “classes” differentiate by development characteristics and the environment in which they exist. The five
classes are: bog, fen, marsh, swamp, and shallow open water.
• These classes can be further recognized by their “form” based on surface, water, and underlying mineral soil
characteristics.
• The class/form combinations can be further described by their “type” based on the vegetation communities associated
with them.
• The CWCS provides the basis for inventories and mapping of wetlands. The System when used for mapping is scale
specific both in terms of minimum size of units mapped and attainable detail (e.g. low level photography vs. satellite
imagery).
Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Enhanced Wetland Classification (EWC)
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Box 31775, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6L3
Phone: (867) 668-3824
24102008/jb
• This classification system follows the CWCS at the class and type level, but does not utilize the form level, which was
found to be operationally challenging from a data collection and classification standpoint.
• With this classification, we can map wetlands at a landscape scale using satellite imagery. This classification system
incorporates information at different levels, from ground level to aerial to satellite level information.
• CWCS was the best fit for DUC because it is ecologically based and incorporated wetland function. It is the classification
system that best represents the range of wetlands found throughout Canada.
• We have been successful in classifying and mapping wetlands to 19 enhanced wetland classes that fall under the 5 major
classes in the boreal plains Ecozone. These enhanced classes are based on the vegetation type and % cover (Enhanced
Wetland Cover, e.g. open, shrubby, and treed bogs).
• Our work integrated in the Canadian Wetland Inventory (CWI) and we helped develop guidelines for mapping boreal
wetlands. CWI requires mapping to the 5 major classes only.
• To date our EWC is applicable for the Boreal Plains Ecozone (to account for regional variations in wetlands) but we have
been testing it in the Taiga Plains Ecozone. To date this work has not been expanded in the Cordilleras or the shield
Ecozones.
• This classification system has been developed using field data collected throughout the Boreal Plains Ecozone.
• DU inventory projects conducted in the Yukon to date have focused on mapping general earthcover classes and captured
open water and marsh wetland classes only. (i.e. not swamps, bogs and fens).