NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Principal Investigator: Pisaric, Michael FJ
Licensed Year(s): 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009
Summary: This research will continue the long term objective of documenting and understanding the impacts of recent climate change on northern terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The short term objectives of my research for 2018 are: 1) to investigate the impacts of permafrost degradation and subsequent thaw slumping on freshwater ecosystems; 2) to examine the limnological implications of drained lakes on ...

Principal Investigator: Wrona, Frederick J
Licensed Year(s): 2010
Summary: The overall objective of the Lake 5A mesocosm study is to better understand the impact of permafrost thaw shoreline slumping (an analogue for a warming climate) on the bottom components of the aquatic food-web in small Arctic tundra lakes in order to better predict the effects of a warming climate on food-web structure, function and productivity. To assess the direct and indirect effects of per...

Principal Investigator: Nixon, Fredrick 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 goal of this research is to understand how the active layer, which overlies the permafrost and thaws and re-freezes every year, will respond to environmental change, including climate warming. Active layer thickness can influence hunting, fishing, gathering and forestry through vegetation and soil conditions. The character of the active layer affects transportation and construction, while chan...

Principal Investigator: Eglinton, Timothy I
Licensed Year(s): 2011 2009 2007
Summary: Although the widespread permafrost soils in the Arctic rim have the ability to retain terrestrial organic carbon for many millennia, evidence indicates that the recent global warming trend may potentially lead to rapid permafrost destabilization and abrupt release of carbon stored in this vast reservoir. To assess whether this process is underway, and to evaluate its impact on biogeochemical proce...

Principal Investigator: Kokelj, Steven V
Licensed Year(s): 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 2000 1999
Summary: This research will investigate: A) the physical and chemical characteristics of permafrost in the Mackenzie Delta region to identify areas of ice-rich permafrost or thaw sensitive terrain. Second; B) the effect of permafrost degradation on water quality...

Principal Investigator: Lacelle, Denis
Licensed Year(s): 2000
Summary: This is a study of retrogressive thaw sumps produced by the exposure and melting of massive ice in continuous permafrost (Richardson Range, NWT). These sumps are recently occurring and presumably a result of global climate change. This research will recognize retrogressive thaw slumps that have massive ice, identify the type of massive ice (glacier buried or segregated) and measure the rate of ...

Principal Investigator: Wolfe, Stephen A
Licensed Year(s): 1999
Summary: The objective of the present study is to assess the impact of recent warming, including the warm summer of 1998, on active layer thicknesses and slope stability in the Mackenzie Delta, N.W.T. and Yukon North Slope. The main mode of transportation will be by helicopter (206L) and by boat to transport people. The helicopter will be based out of Inuvik with a fuel cache at Tuktoyaktuk. The helicop...

Principal Investigator: Dyke, Larry
Licensed Year(s): 1999
Summary: The goal of this research is to examine landslides on the slopes along the Mackenzie Valley, so that researchers can better understand their causes and the effect climate change will have on the landscape. Field work will be carried out between Wrigley and Inuvik along the Mackenzie River, with some access along the Dempster Highway. Tree increment cores will be used to determine tree age and dat...

Principal Investigator: Marsh, Philip
Licensed Year(s): 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990
Summary: The Trail Valley Creek site will be accessed by Twin Otter, helicopter and snowmobile, while the Havikpak Creek site will be accessed by foot and snowmobile. We plan to have a small field crew at each site to measure the amount of snow on the ground in the middle of April, and to again return to measure snowmelt and the streamflow in mid to late May. Actual timing of the spring melt trip will depe...

Principal Investigator: Burn, Chris R
Licensed Year(s): 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Summary: The purpose is to collect samples of ground ice and to measure air, ground, and lake temperatures. We use the information to help understand how the permafrost in the area has changed in the last few thousands years, in order to determine what might happen in the future....