NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Dehcho Region, North Slave Region

Tags: active layer, permafrost, vegetation, ground ice, soil moisture, Wildfire Effects

Objective(s): To characterize, model and predict permafrost occurrence under varying terrain types and environmental disturbances. This study collects ground temperature and environmental information to describe the state of permafrost in the area. Supporting data from climatic, soils, vegetation, lake and hydrological surveys assist in characterizing permafrost distribution

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 6071. This activity describes and predicts the occurrence of discontinuous permafrost to assist in planning, development and maintenance of community and industry infrastructure. Changes in climate, and disturbances like wildfire are affecting permafrost distribution, temperatures and geotechnical conditions. Different landscapes across the region are exhibiting varying responses to warming. This study collects ground temperature and environmental information to describe the state of permafrost in the area. Supporting data from climatic, soils, vegetation, lake and hydrological surveys assist in characterizing permafrost distribution. The broad objective is to characterize, model and predict permafrost occurrence under varying terrain types and environmental disturbances. Selected sites characterize the range of permafrost conditions. Local site conditions capture variation in ground temperature conditions across transitions from thick unconsolidated deposits to bedrock, and with proximity to water bodies. Sites installed in 2024 characterize ground ice conditions and temperature conditions at several sites burned during the 2023 wildfires. Consultation has ensured that sites yield the most locally relevant data. Study design involves measuring ground temperatures at undisturbed locations and in proximity to adjacent lakes, and at burned sites. Temperatures describe active-layer conditions and freezeback characteristics of respective sites. Active layer thicknesses are measured at each site, and geophysical imaging of the ground beneath the surface will characterize thaw responses following wildfires. UAV, airborne, and spaceborne measurements will characterize how much the ground surface subsides in response from climate change and wildfire disturbance along critical transportation routes like HWY3. The results of this work are communicated to NWT communities through workshops organized through the Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, NWT Chamber of Mines, and Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS). The research is also communicated to groups and agencies responsible for managing infrastructure and regulating land and water use, and presented at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum. The GEM-GeoNorth Engagement Office at the Geological Survey of Canada also communicates directly with all communities near the research sites, and the Principal Investigator is in direct contact providing research updates to the Tlicho Government. Training opportunities with local schools and Aurora College are facilitated as knowledge transfers to NWT residents. Thermal data will be released as open reports and results in open access paper in collaboration with in NTGS. We will also produce plain language products (posters or pamphlets) for circulation in communities, and particularly Behchoko, which is in close proximity to our newly established sites in areas burned by wildfire in 2023. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: March 01 - November 01, 2030