The Application of UAV LiDAR Systems to the Monitoring and Mapping of the Effects of Climate-Driven Changes on Western Arctic Communities

西北极研究中心（WARC）是极光研究所（ARI）的总部，该研究所是极光学院的一个部门。西北地区WARC位于加拿大的因纽维克，气候变化直接影响北极西部居民的生活方式，比其他地区更不利。特别是景观的变化，沿着海岸线和内陆的山谷、水道和沿着斜坡都清晰可见。这些变化的净效应不仅影响自然栖息地，也影响北极西部的基础设施。为了保护北极西部的人民、野生动物和基础设施，必须调查、监测和广泛传播气候变化的影响，以提供急需的信息，支持气候变化适应战略和减缓计划的制定和实施。WARC的主要目标之一是通过应用科学、技术和土著知识解决北方问题并推进社会和经济目标，提高西北地区居民的生活质量。通过与北方当地决策者、当地从业者和行业的密切合作和伙伴关系，WARC开展研究，旨在建立我们对气候驱动的变化及其对景观动态、永久冻土环境、人类、野生动物、北极西部生态系统、以及对基础设施的潜在影响。该提案要求获得财政支持，以购买无人机（UAV）光探测和测距（LiDAR）该系统将与我们的合作伙伴合作，研究气候变化对北极西部社区的影响。无人机激光雷达系统将主要用于支持雪深测量、永久冻土退化、崩塌、海岸侵蚀、灾害测绘和基础设施监测等领域的研究。

The Western Arctic Research Centre (WARC) is the headquarters of the Aurora Research Institute (ARI) a division of Aurora College. Located in Inuvik, Northwest Territories WARC is in an area of Canada where climate-driven changes directly impact the way-of-life of Western Arctic residents more adversely than other regions. Changes to the landscape, in particular, are clearly visible along the coastlines and inland to the valleys, water channels, and along the slopes. The net effects of these changes affect not only the natural habitat but also the Western Arctic infrastructure. To protect Western Arctic people, wildlife, and infrastructure it is imperative that the effects of climate-driven changes are investigated, monitored, and widely disseminated to provide much-needed information to support the development and implementation of climate change adaptation strategies and mitigation plans. One of WARC's primary aims is to improve the quality of life for NWT residents by applying scientific, technological and indigenous knowledge to solve northern problems and advance social and economic goals. Through close collaboration and partnerships with northern local decision makers, local practitioners, and industries WARC conducts research designed to build upon our knowledge and understanding of climate-driven changes and their effects on landscape dynamics, permafrost environments, people, wildlife, Western Arctic ecosystems, and potential impacts on infrastructure.This proposal requests financial support to purchase an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system, which will be used in collaboration with our partners to perform research on the effects of climate-driven changes on Western Arctic Communities. The UAV LiDAR system will be used to support research mainly in the area of snow depth measurement, permafrost degradation, slumping, coastal erosion, hazard mapping, and infrastructure monitoring.