Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, biology, climate change, forestry
| Principal Investigator: | Lantz, Trevor C. (29) |
| Licence Number: | 13979 |
| Organization: | Centre for Applied Conservation Reseach |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2006
2005
2004
|
| Issued: | May 23, 2006 |
| Project Team: | Greg Henry (Academic Supervisor, UBC), Sarah Gergel (Academic Supervisor, UBC), Sam Coggins (Field Assistant, UBC), Stephanie Mills (Field Assistant, UBC) |
Project Description: 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 minimum of six alder populations within each of the following tree site types will be chosen for sampling: 1) unburned forest-tundra, 2) burned forest-tundra, 3) unburned tundra, and 4) burned tundra, and 5) permafrost slumps. These sites will extend between Inuvik and the Arctic coast, and will be accessed primarily by helicopter. Re-sampling of sites between Fort McPherson and Inuvik (visited in 2004 and 2005) will also take place, and will be accessed by road, and subsequently, by foot. At each site, alder populations will be sampled by mapping clones and measuring a number of response variables. These variables fall into four broad categories: 1) clonal expansion, 2) demography, 3) annual growth, and 4) sexual recruitment. Site vegetation will also be described by estimating percent cover of all species using nested quadrats. In some cases, plant specimens may be collected to facilitate identification. Soils will be qualitatively described and small soil samples will be collected to estimate the size of the soil seed bank. The findings of this study will be communicated via reports to the Aurora Research Institute and public presentations in Inuvik. The study will from May 22 to September 29, 2006 at the following locations: Urquhart Lake (69º12’3.384” N 131º38’17.304” W); Tukyoyaktuk Peninsula (69º57’57.6” N 130º13’59.88” W); Sitidgi Lake (68º49’24.6” N 132º4’10.776” W); Noell Lake 1 (68º35’30.912” N 133º36’21.708” W); Noell Lake 2 (68º32’16.512” N 133º39’21.276” W); Jimmy Lake 2 (68º39’20.412” N 133º40’57.432” W); Richards Island 1 (69º18’31.572” N 134º32’34.26” W); Richards Island 2 (69º30’16.02” N 134º20’59.316” W); Swimming Point (69º5‘50.136” N 134º23’46.248” W); Parsons Lake (68º58’34.428”N 133º43’59.088” W); Hans Creek (68º47’28.824” N 133º40’58.728” W); South of Caribou Creek (68.00098333°N 133.4725833°W); South of Caribou Creek (68.0073°N 133.4698833°W); South of Caribou Creek (67.9105°N 133.5588333°W); South of Campbell Lake (68.123696°N 133.453731°W) West of Tsiigehtchic (67.43425°N 134.475331°W); West of Tsiigehtchic (67.390658°N 134.175667°W); West of Tsiigehtchic (67.414909°N 133.976236°W); South of Campbell Lake (68.200237°N 133.399213°W); Peel Plateau (67.243633°N 135.347967°W); Peel Plateau (67.219413°N 135.577393°W); Peel Plateau (67.220823°N 135.58143°W) Peel Plateau (67.174052°N 135.751274°W).
