Permafrost Thaw Induced Drying of Wetlands at Scotty Creek, NWT, Canada

This article analyzes pernafrost that and long-term water level data to show how wetland drying and landscape changes contribute to shifting hydrology in northern peatland systems.

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Field Value
Creator Academic Journal
Summary Northwestern Canada is one of the most rapidly warming regions on Earth. The scale and rapidity of recently observed warming-induced changes throughout this region indicate that it is particularly sensitive to climate warming and capable of rapid responses to perturbations. Unprecedented rates of permafrost thaw in the zone of discontinuous permafrost are transforming forests to wetlands, and changing the distribution and routing of water over the landscape as evidenced by recent increases in basin discharge. However, the impact of increasing basin discharge on basin water storage is not well understood. Water levels on a permafrost plateau, channel fen, and isolated and connected bogs were monitored from 2003–2017 in the Scotty Creek watershed, Northwest Territories.
Local Relevance This research is directly relevant to the Northwest Territories, where rapid warming and permafrost thaw are altering water availability, ecosystem health, and hydrological patterns.
Notes
Tags Permafrost thaw,Hydrology,Scotty Creek,Wetlands
Geographic Region Dehcho
Release Date 2018-10-24
Last Modified Date 2018-10-24
Funding Program