Lake expansion and wetland flooding on the Great Slave Lake Plain
Principal Investigator: Armstrong, Terry (8)
Licence Number: 14751
Organization: GNWT, Environment & Natural Resources
Licensed Year(s): 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Issued: Jul 06, 2010
Project Team: Dr. Steve Kokelj, Dr. Michael Pisaric

Objective(s): To examine changes in lake area in the ecoregion, investigate whether recent changes are part of a longer-term cycle related to large-scale weather patterns or due to permanent changes to the climate and hydrology of the region.

Project Description: The primary objective is to examine changes in lake area in the ecoregion, investigate whether recent changes are part of a longer-term cycle related to large-scale weather patterns or due to permanent changes to the climate and hydrology of the region. Data collection in the field will consist of taking core samples from trees in the area. This technique involves using a hollow drill to cut into the tree and remove a small, pencil-like plug. This core sample will be examined in the lab to assess tree growth over time and relate that to water level changes observed on historical aerial photographs. There is potential for the development of a community-led environmental monitoring program in Fort Providence. A 1-2 page, plain language summary and a poster describing the research work and results will be produced for distribution in the community. Data collected will be archived within the NWT Wildlife Management Information System which is publicly available. Tree core data will be archived in the International Tree-ring Databank, following international standards. Both data sources may be linked to the NWT Monitoring Portal. Researchers will make presentations to the Fort Providence Resource Management Board (FPRMB) and other management agencies when preliminary results are available in winter 2010/2011. Researchers from Carleton University and INAC will be available to participate in the FPRMB's "The Land is our Laboratory" program. The researchers anticipate one or two peer-reviewed publications from this research. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 6, 2010 to October 30, 2010.