Causes and consequences of Arctic environmental change: a multiscale approach

加拿大北极地区的气温上升是地球上最快的。 除变暖外，北方生态系统正在经历更大和更频繁的干扰（自然和人为干扰）。 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这些生态系统的北方社区产生重大影响。 然而，目前仍有不确定性：1）的变化率的干扰制度，2）气候和干扰的影响和相互作用的北方植被和地面热状况，和3）的长期轨迹正在进行的变化，植被和环境。 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：1）大规模的变化检测和模式分析; 2）精细的实地调查。 这笔赠款将支持在我的实验室研究：1）陆地盐碱化后植被的恢复，2）多边形地形中的植被和永久冻土动态，3）灾难性湖泊排水率，4）湖泊排水对演替和永久冻土沉积的影响，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的管理、北方土著人民的传统生计以及尽量减少北方发展影响的努力具有重大影响。 我的研究将提供关键信息的弹性战略的发展，以适应加拿大北部正在发生的变化。 北极生态系统在全球气候系统中也发挥着重要作用，通过增加我们对植被变化及其与永久冻土相互作用的认识，我的研究也将为全球气候模型提供有价值的信息。

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.