NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Principal Investigator: Prowse, Terry D
Licensed Year(s): 2008 2007 2006 2005
Summary: The objective of this study is to develop a hydro-ecological model for small Arctic lakes to assess the vulnerability of their ecosystems to disturbances, such as climate change or water withdrawal. To quantify geochemical loadings to lakes, a model is being developed by monitoring lakes and their contributing catchment (surface water flow). A climate station will be set up at 2 - 6 sites to mo...

Principal Investigator: Morgan, Christine A
Licensed Year(s): 2007
Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate how might climate change-related risks be better integrated into disaster management (prevention, preparedness, response, recovery) legislation, agreements, policies and planning, especially in relation to risk management of built infrastructure in the Canadian North. The Project Team will conduct regional/local stakeholder engagement sessions in thre...

Principal Investigator: Furgal, Christopher
Licensed Year(s): 2007 2005
Summary: The objectives of this project are: 1. Assess the present and future adequacy of surveillance tools to support northern managers’ ability to identify and monitor acute and chronic diseases, exposures, and other health determinants related to climate change and economic development impacts. 2. Assess the applicability and use among northern managers of current risk management frameworks (RMF), wh...

Principal Investigator: Johnston-Schuetz, Cheryl
Licensed Year(s): 2007
Summary: The objective of this project is to examine the environmental thresholds to the successful establishment of a boreal (high latitude) conifer forest by measuring photosynthetic rates in conifer seedlings. Climate change has the potential to shift southern commercial tree species and treelines northward with implications for existing ecosystems and future economic development. The project’s goal ...

Principal Investigator: Nixon, Frederick M
Licensed Year(s): 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
Summary: The active layer is the earth overlying permafrost that thaws from the surface and re-freezes each year, and it responds to climate change. Active layer thickness influences vegetation and soil conditions, potentially influencing hunting, forestry, etc. and it’s, thickness, texture and moisture content affects foundations. Changes in the active layer and thaw depth can contribute to slope instabil...

Principal Investigator: Outridge, Peter M
Licensed Year(s): 2007
Summary: The objective of this research is to reconstruct climate change information as well as recent industrial mercury and lead pollution histories for Inuvik and the lower Mackenzie River valley. To determine the above, a core sample of peat will be taken from a peat bog located near Inuvik, and analyzed for elements and dusts deposited from the air over the last 7,000 years. The site will be a...

Principal Investigator: Pisaric, Michael FJ
Licensed Year(s): 2008 2007 2006 2005
Summary: The impact of climate change on forest ecosystems in the Mackenzie Delta is being studied using dendrochronology. Earlier studies indicate a negative relationship between tree growth and summer temperatures. Summer temperatures may be exceeding the physiological threshold of northern trees or perhaps the trees are drought stressed. Manual and automatic dendrometers will be used to measure tree gro...

Principal Investigator: Smith, Sharon S
Licensed Year(s): 2006
Summary: Gaps exist in the Mackenzie monitoring network in the permafrost zones north of Norman Wells, the Mackenzie Delta region and shorelines and coastlines. Enhancement of the network is essential to provide baseline information for developments such as pipelines, highways and power lines, and to assess the impact of such development and/or climate change on the environment. In this project, temperatur...

Principal Investigator: Kanigan, Julian
Licensed Year(s): 2007 2006
Summary: The Mackenzie Delta is sensitive to both climate warming and human development. This project will contribute to a better understanding of ground temperatures in the Mackenzie Delta and will provide a baseline from which to assess future changes and cumulative impacts. Ground temperatures will be collected from the southern, central and outer delta regions. In the summer, about 30 boreholes (l...

Principal Investigator: Lantz, Trevor C.
Licensed Year(s): 2006 2005 2004
Summary: The objective of this research is to explore the influence of temperature and disturbance on green alder by comparing alder characteristics on sites with different average temperatures and disturbance histories. Understanding of factors that influence alder populations today will assist in predicting the likely consequences of rising temperatures and increased disturbance on tall shrubs. A min...