Causes and consequences of Arctic environmental change: a multiscale approach

北极环境变化的原因和后果：多尺度方法

• 批准号: 386649-2010
• 负责人: Lantz, Trevor
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: University of Victoria
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=506877
• 关键词: Causes; consequences; Arctic; environmental; change

Temperature increases in Canada's Arctic have been among the most rapid on the planet. In addition to warming, northern ecosystems are experiencing larger and more frequent disturbances (both natural and anthropogenic). The additive effects and interactions of these changes are likely to have significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and the northern communities that depend on them. However, at present there is still uncertainty regarding: 1) the rate of change to disturbance regimes, 2) the effects and interactions of climate and disturbance on northern vegetation and ground thermal regime, and 3) the long-term trajectory of ongoing changes in vegetation and environment. To understand the causes, rate, and consequence of Arctic environmental change, my research program uses a combination of: 1) broad-scale change detection and pattern analyses and 2) fine-scale field investigations. This grant will support research in my laboratory on: 1) the recovery of vegetation following terrestrial salinization, 2) vegetation and permafrost dynamics in polygonal terrain, 3) the rate of catastrophic lake drainage, 4) the effects of lake drainage on succession and permafrost aggradation, and 5) the cumulative impacts of anthropogenic and natural disturbance on Arctic vegetation. Changes to Arctic ecosystems have significant implications for protected areas management, the traditional livelihoods of northern indigenous peoples, and efforts to minimize the impact of northern development. My research will provide information critical to the development of resilient strategies to adapt to ongoing changes in Canada's north. Arctic ecosystems also play an important role in the global climate system and by increasing our understating of changes in vegetation and its interaction with permafrost; my research will also provide valuable information for models of the global climate.

加拿大北极地区的气温上升速度是全球最快的。除了变暖，北方生态系统正在经历更大、更频繁的干扰（自然和人为的）。这些变化的叠加效应和相互作用可能对北极生态系统和依赖它们的北方群落产生重大影响。然而，目前在以下方面仍存在不确定性：1)扰动状态的变化率；2)气候和扰动对北方植被和地面热状态的影响和相互作用；3)持续变化的植被和环境的长期轨迹。为了了解北极环境变化的原因、速度和后果，我的研究计划结合了以下方法：1)大尺度变化检测和模式分析；2)精细尺度的实地调查。这笔资金将支持我实验室的研究：1)陆地盐碱化后植被的恢复，2)多边形地形下植被和永久冻土的动态，3)灾难性湖泊排水的速度，4)湖泊排水对演替和永久冻土退化的影响，以及5)人为和自然干扰对北极植被的累积影响。北极生态系统的变化对保护区管理、北部土著人民的传统生计以及尽量减少北部发展影响的努力具有重大影响。我的研究将提供信息关键的弹性战略的发展，以适应加拿大北部的持续变化。北极生态系统在全球气候系统中也发挥着重要作用，使我们越来越少了解植被的变化及其与永久冻土的相互作用；我的研究也将为全球气候模型提供有价值的信息。