Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, environmental assessment, climatology, permafrost, revegetation, landscape disturbance, forest fire
| Principal Investigator: | Kershaw, G. Peter (38) |
| Licence Number: | 12855 |
| Organization: | University of Alberta |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1990
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| Issued: | May 24, 1996 |
| Project Team: | Wendy Davis, Jennie Christensen, Michael Smilski, Taly Drezner |
Objective(s): The main study objective is to describe post-fire ecosystem responses in a subarctic forest. In 1985 the SEEDS site was created and then in June 1995, a fire swept over the site. Consequently, the burned SEEDS site offers an opportunity to study post-fire responses with a comprehensive pre-fire data base. Studies will involve micorclimate, soil, vegetation and wildlife on the site and on a nearby unburned area.
Project Description: Access to the site will be along existing seismic lines from Tulita. Transport will involve helicopter, boat, ATV and foot. The research is planned to see what happens after the fire to the permafrost, soils, plants and animals. An unburned site will be monitored to provide comparison with the burned area. Many studies will be done, including measurements of air and soil temperatures, wind speed, moisture , water movement, permafrost, snow, plants and small animals. Most measurements will be made manually, however, several automated micro-climate stations will be set up to run year-round. Small mammal (mice-size) live trapping will be conducted on a capture and release grid to determine how they have been affected by burning of the site. The research will involve spring (May-June), summer (July-Aug.) and winter (Feb.) data collection.
