NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Principal Investigator: Gruber, Stephan
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Summary: The objectives of this research are: 1) to understand better how permafrost differs in temperature and chemical/physical characteristics from place to place; 2) to understand how these different types of permafrost respond to change (climate/disturbance); and, 3) to understand which future changes in permafrost are likely and which are less likely based on computer simulations. High-quality mea...

Principal Investigator: Asselin, Hugo
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018
Summary: The three main objectives of this research are: 1) to reconstruct the multi-century history of wildfire and vegetation in the Northwest Territories by analyzing charcoal contained in lake sediments; 2) to establish the links between recent fire activity and climatic data by studying tree growth rings (annual resolution); and, 3) to combine this scientific knowledge to indigenous knowledge obtained...

Principal Investigator: Danby, Ryan K
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018
Summary: The two main objectives are: to map changes in vegetation productivity on an annual basis across the Bathurst caribou herd’s range using satellite imagery obtained from NASA’s MODIS sensor (available since 2000) and analyze these data to identify where the most significant changes have occurred; and to collect and analyze data on the growth, establishment, and mortality of shrubs and trees over th...

Principal Investigator: Chételat, John
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018
Summary: This study will assess the present-day and future stability of legacy arsenic contamination stored in Yellowknife Bay sediments that originated from local gold mining activities. Using a combination of quantitative methods (field measurements, laboratory experiments, paleolimnology and mass balance modelling), the research team will estimate the diffusion of arsenic from sediments to overlying wat...

Principal Investigator: Grogan, Paul
Licensed Year(s): 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Summary: The Arctic is undoubtedly experiencing several major perturbations including climate change, and resource development and extraction (e.g. mining and pipeline construction) that are very likely to substantially affect the structure and functioning of its ecosystems. As a terrestrial ecosystem ecologist, the long-term goal of this research over the next 15-20 years is to substantially advance the u...

Principal Investigator: Wolfe, Stephen A
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Summary: This activity describes and predicts the occurrence of discontinuous permafrost in the northern Great Slave Lake region to assist in planning, development and maintenance of community and industry infrastructure. Changes in climate are affecting permafrost distribution, temperatures and geotechnical conditions. Different landscapes across the region are exhibiting varying responses to warming. Thi...

Principal Investigator: Pisaric, Michael FJ
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017 2016
Summary: The objectives of this research are to examine the frequency and severity of past wildfire and drought (drought-like) conditions in the southern Northwest Territories. Specifically, the research team will examine the following questions: 1) how frequent and severe have fires been in the past; 2) are fires becoming more frequent/severe due to the impacts of climate change; 3) what impact does wildf...

Principal Investigator: Lafleur, Peter M
Licensed Year(s): 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2007 2005 2004
Summary: The broad goal of this research is to increase our understanding of tundra carbon balance of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and predict into the future the impacts of climate warming on these systems. Since we are interested in all aspects of the tundra carbon balance a variety of methods are employed. These can be broken down into 4 basic categories: 1. Tundra-atmosphere fluxes - the ex...

Principal Investigator: Layden, Ronald E.
Licensed Year(s): 2017
Summary: The objective of this project is to increase the understanding of taiga carbon balance of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and predict into the future the impacts of climate warming on these systems. The exchange of carbon gases between the taiga and atmosphere is a significant component of the carbon balance and is dependent upon vegetation cover. The description below for the tundra site at...

Principal Investigator: Ford, James D
Licensed Year(s): 2017
Summary: This proposed project will develop critical scientific methods for quantifying transportation vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities, filling knowledge gaps about transportation vulnerabilities and opportunities for action. Designing and implementing an Arctic vulnerability and adaptation index for transportation systems and infrastructure is crucial to improving the understanding of how ...