Impacts of climatic change and environmental stress on northern lakes and ponds

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The present proposal for northern supplement funding complements my ongoing NSERC-funded research activities on the "Impacts of climatic change and environmental stress on aquatic ecosystems" (NSERC Discovery grants 2003-2007, 2008- submitted). It seeks additional logistic support for the continuation of a project that promotes the development of a long-term field-based survey and monitoring network of remote northern lakes and ponds distributed along a latitudinal transect across northwestern Québec (Nunavik), the Foxe Basin region and Bylot Island (Nunavut) (ca. 55-73 degrees lat. N; 77-85 degrees long. W). Repeated observations of selected parameters will allow us to continue our monitoring of limnological change and detect trends in these precious northern freshwater resources, as well as provide baseline data against which to measure ongoing changes in these fragile northern environments. Funding for these survey and monitoring activities will also allow us to better integrate paleo- and neo-limnological approaches (process-based studies) in an effort to improve our understanding of the response of northern freshwater ecosystems and their biota to global climate change, as well as to natural and anthropogenic environmental stresses and disturbances.