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iWetland is a community science wetland water level monitoring platform developed by the McMaster Ecohydrology Lab and tested from 2016 to 2019 in wetlands located east of Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. The goal of iWetland is to engage community members in wetland science while collecting data to better understand the spatiotemporal variability in water level patterns of wetlands. We installed 24 iWetland water level monitoring stations in popular hiking and camping areas where visitors can text the water level of the wetland to an online database that automatically collates the data. Here, we share our approach for developing the iWetland community science platform and its importance for monitoring all types of wetland ecosystems. From 2016 through 2019, almost 2,000 individuals recorded more than 2,600 water table measurements. The iWetland platform successfully collected accurate water table data for 24 wetlands. We discuss the successes and shortcomings of the community science platform with respect to data collection, community engagement, and participation. We found that forming mutually beneficial partnerships with community groups paired with strong outreach presence were key to the success of this community science platform. Finally, we recommend that those interested in adopting the iWetland platform in their community partner with community groups, recognize participant contributions, identify accessible sites, and host outreach activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microtopography (hummocks and hollows) is common in many northern peatlands. These small-scale spatial differences in peatland structure represent alternate dry and wet stable states, with shifts in microform state as a response to environmental change ensuring the long-term stability of these carbon-rich ecosystems. Ecohydrological feedbacks that facilitate peatland resilience are described in hypotheses and models for microform development, but these models are typically limited to peatlands with idealised ecohydrological conditions. The ecohydrology of small peatlands in shallow bedrock depressions is variable and distinct, and the effect of these conditions on microform development is uncertain.We examine the spatial distribution, relative elevation, hydrology, and vegetation of microforms in several basin peatlands of varying surface area (0.10 to 1.06 ha) and maximum depth (1.16 to 2.85 m), within the rock barrens landscape of eastern Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada. We find a larger difference in relative elevation (greater microtopography) in peatlands with a larger surface area. Raised hummocks are uncommon in all peatlands, and mostly absent in some smaller sites. Species composition does not differ significantly for microforms within sites, with most recorded vascular plant species tolerant of large fluctuations in water table. We suggest the development of microforms within these small basin peatlands is constrained by the ecohydrological setting, with large fluctuations in water table preventing the development of raised hummocks. This limited spatial heterogeneity, and particularly the lack of hummocks composed of moss species that are tolerant of prolonged drier conditions (e.g. Sphagnum fuscum), is likely to reduce the resilience of these peatlands to environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]