Northwest Territories Research Database

Principal Investigator: Baltzer, Jennifer L
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018
Summary: The overall objective is to understand existing and potential impacts of climate change and resource development in the Sahtú region on four key aspects: 1) the landscape, 2) vegetation, 3) water resources, and 4) aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, the research team seek to understand: a) terrain instability due to permafrost thaw, especially around communities and culturally-important areas; b) ve...

Principal Investigator: Tank, Suzanne E
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Summary: The objective of this study is to understand how permafrost slumping increases the mobilization of carbon from land to water, and the effects of this transport on stream ecosystems and the global carbon cycle. This summer, the research team will measure streamwater chemistry at a series of sites draining from the Peel Plateau, near where they enter the Mackenzie Delta. At one site (Stony Creek), t...

Principal Investigator: Porter, Trevor
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Summary: This fieldwork aims to collect ‘disk’ samples from dead trees found on the surface or partially buried in sediments. Previous research in the Campbell Dolomite Upland area reported deadwood samples dating back to AD 1060. This area is well-drained, which is the ideal environment for preserving deadwood over long periods. The research team will return to this area to search for older specimens dati...

Principal Investigator: Sendrowski, Alicia
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Summary: The objectives of this project are to understand the dynamics of large wood transport in the Mackenzie River and Delta by identifying the locations of wood sources and deposition, and quantifying the amount of wood that reaches the delta and the processes affecting wood transport. Using this knowledge, the research team can make estimates of carbon transport to the Arctic and improve global models...

Principal Investigator: Burn, Chris R
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Summary: The objective of this research is to understand the rate of ground warming in permafrost due to climate change and to measure the changes in ground surface characteristics that are occurring as a result. In particular, the research team are interested in changes in ground temperature, in the depth of the active layer, and in subsidence of the ground. The team are also interested in measuring how q...

Principal Investigator: Smith, Sharon S
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Summary: The objectives of this project are: 1) to provide baseline knowledge of permafrost and terrain conditions (specifically ground temperature and active layer thickness) and improve characterization of terrain sensitivity in the Mackenzie Valley; 2) to monitor ground temperature and active layer to detect changes in permafrost conditions resulting from surface disturbance or climate change and to ...

Principal Investigator: Pearce, Tristan D
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Summary: The broad aim of the TOONIKTOYAK project is: 1) to facilitate the generation, documentation, and two-way sharing of observations, experiences and knowledge of changing climatic conditions and the costs of hunting among hunters, researchers and decision-makers, to enhance the safety and success of our hunters and provide timely information for decision-making. The specific objectives of the pro...

Principal Investigator: Lantz, Trevor C.
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017
Summary: This license has been issued for the scientific research application No.4431. The objectives of this research are: 1) to use remote sensing (Landsat, QuickBird, InSAR, Airphotos, UAVs, etc.) to document regional landscape change (tundra fire, infrastructure, saline flooding, slumps, subsidence, vegetation change, lake drainage/expansion, etc.); and, 2) to use field sampling and monitoring to d...

Principal Investigator: Quinton, William L.
Licensed Year(s): 2019 2018 2017
Summary: Understanding the ecology and hydrology of ecosystems with thawing permafrost is a major challenge. To meet this, the research team will develop new knowledge on the eco-hydrology of the major ecosystems (i.e. bogs, fens, peat plateaus) needed to develop new science-based tools to predict the future supply for the next 50 years. The specific scientific objectives are: 1) Develop fundamental knowl...

Principal Investigator: Babin, Marcel
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Summary: The specific objectives of this project are: 1) to document trends in export of coastal, riverine and subterranean dissolved and particulate organic matter and carbon into the Arctic Ocean; 2) to determine their fate and related processes (origin and age, transport, physical, chemical, and biological transformation) in coastal waters and estuarine sediment; and 3) to assess the impacts of thes...