Forest Ecotone Experiment

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

Tags: physical sciences, forestry, remote sensing, plants, soil chemistry

Principal Investigator: Eitel, Jan (3)
Licence Number: 16246
Organization: University of Idaho
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017
Issued: Feb 26, 2018

Objective(s): To integrate light detection, passive spectral, and tree ecophysiological data to link biophysical structure to ecological function in the Forest Tundra Ecotone.

Project Description: The overarching objective of the study is to integrate light detection and ranging (LiDAR), passive spectral, and tree ecophysiological data to link biophysical structure to ecological function in the Forest Tundra Ecotone. In so doing, the research team will be able to remotely assess the vulnerability and resilience of the forest tundra ecotone (FTE) to environmental change. The field work will entail surveys of plants and soil physical characteristics. The research team are also planning to install environmental monitoring equipment including soil temperature and moisture probes, ground based radiometers, and dendrometers. All instruments will be powered by AA batteries. The research team hope that the results of the research will provide novel insights on how the forest tundra ecotone might respond to environmental change. The team will share the ABoVE Field Campaign, as well as the team’s own project, with members of interested communities in the vicinity of the field sites, by offering to give public presentations in local community centers. The Research team also hope to publish the findings of our study in scientific journals. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from April 2, 2018 November 30, 2018.