Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area
Tags: physical sciences, ground temperature, permafrost, treeline
| Principal Investigator: | Mamet, Steve D (5) |
| Licence Number: | 17054 |
| Organization: | Environmental Material Science Inc. |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
|
| Issued: | May 31, 2022 |
| Project Team: | Geoff Kershaw, LeeAnn Fishback |
Objective(s): To determine the status of permafrost landforms, long-term recovery after abandonment of the CANOL No. 1 project, including oil spills and gravel pits, and the status of treeline.
Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.5282. Objectives of this research project are to determine: 1) the status of permafrost landforms; 2) long-term recovery after abandonment of the CANOL No. 1 project, including oil spills and gravel pits; and, 3) the status of treeline. The research team will be examining the permafrost by thaw depth probing, and automated monitoring stations. Tree core samples using an increment borer, height and diameter measurements will be noted. Viable local seed will be planted in experimental plots, where germination and survival censuses will be conducted each year. Shrubs/dwarf vegetation samples will be collected using a slack hammer soil sampler. All sampling protocols are non-destructive, except where soil samples are taken. This leaves a roughly 10 cm diameter hole where the team have collected the ground vegetation and roots, and a 20 cm long soil plug. During our tenure at Dechen la' Lodge in August, oral presentations of project results will be given to local and ephemeral residents, and tourists. Academic publications will be prepared from the data collected on this project. An annual report will be prepared for the Earthwatch Institute and the Aurora Research Institute. The Principal Investigator (PI) would also circulate any publications, reports, and photos from this work to the Norman Wells Renewable Resource Council, Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated, Tulita District Land Corporation Limited, the Tulita Renewable Resources Council, and via social media. The PI feels this would be a means to disseminate the results of this work to a wide audience, though welcomes suggestions from community members as how to better spread the knowledge gained from this work. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 11, 2022 to August 21, 2022
