ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS OF HIGH ARCTIC PERMAFROST DISTURBANCES

Alison Cassidy, Manon Desforges, Greg Henry

In the proceedings of: GeoQuébec 2015: 68th Canadian Geotechnical Conference & 7th Canadian Permafrost Conference

Session: Permafrost Degradation I / Dégradation du pergélisol I

ABSTRACT: Active layer detachment slides located at Hot Weather Creek, Ellesmere Island, were studied during the growing season of 1994 and revisited during 2012 to determine the short- and long-term impacts on vegetation and ecosystem processes. Distinct vegetation communities exist in differently aged disturbances with unique species defining various zones and ages of disturbance. Zonal differences illustrate the varying responses of the ecosystem to disturbance and differing modes of recovery. Disturbances affect site soil characteristics over the long-term, exemplified through soil nutrients (specifically nitrate), soil moisture, and active layer depths measured during the 2012 sampling period.

RÉSUMÉ: Des détachements de couches actives situées à Hot Weather Crla végétation et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. Des communautés végétales distinctes vivent dans des illustrent le spectre de réponses des écosystèmes face aux perturbations, ainsi que les différents processus de régénération. Les résultats démontrent que les perturbations affectent les sols à long terme notamment par des changements dans la concentratiocouche active.

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Cite this article:
Alison Cassidy; Manon Desforges; Greg Henry (2015) ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS OF HIGH ARCTIC PERMAFROST DISTURBANCES in GEO2015. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{600,author = Alison Cassidy; Manon Desforges; Greg Henry,title = ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS OF HIGH ARCTIC PERMAFROST DISTURBANCES,year = 2015}