Controls on high-latitude mountain permafrost distribution and sensitivity to climate change

我的研究计划的目标是检查不同的高纬度山脉跨越一个纬度样带，以评估如何变化的地表逆温（非典型模式变暖与海拔）的频率和量级可能影响永久冻土分布在加拿大西北部的变暖气候。此外，我的计划旨在检验海拔依赖变暖（EDW）的假设，这是一个概念模型，表明相对于邻近的低海拔环境，未来的变暖速度预计会在高海拔地区被放大。该项目将对五名HQP进行培训，重点是建立一个框架，以检验高纬度山区永久冻土的融化不会遵循典型的海拔或纬度梯度，而是与当地气候、地貌和植被有关，从而导致不同类型的融化模式。我的项目旨在调整EDW假设，以便更包容加拿大各地多变的山区环境。方法的目的是在两个广泛的山区，包括高度大陆性的麦肯齐山脉和高纬度的奥吉维山脉，利用野外、地理建模和数据分析技术的组合。我的项目侧重于利用气象站和沿着海拔和纬度横断面布置的数据记录器在这些地点独立收集数据，检查树木存在的影响，与太阳辐射有关的山谷结构，以及大陆性。将这些数据与再分析气候数据和气候预测相结合，总体目标将是评估地形温度场的重塑，并衡量这种重塑将如何影响融化的空间分布和永久冻土相关危害的可能性。

The goal of my research program is to examine dissimilar high-latitude mountains across a latitudinal transect to assess how changes to surface inversion (the atypical pattern of warming with elevation) frequency and magnitude may impact permafrost distribution in the warming climate of northwestern Canada. Additionally, my program aims to examine the hypothesis of elevation dependent warming (EDW), a conceptual model suggesting that the rate of future warming is expected to be amplified at high elevation relative to adjacent low elevation environments. This program will involve the training of five HQP focused on a framework to test the concept that thawing of high-latitude mountain permafrost will not follow a typical elevation or latitudinal gradient, but will rather be linked to local climate, geomorphology and vegetation, resulting in a heterogeneous pattern of thaw. My program looks to adjust the EDW hypothesis in order to be more inclusive of variable mountainous environments across Canada. Methods aim to utilize a combination of field, geomatic modelling and data analysis techniques within two broad mountainous regions including the highly continental Mackenzie Mountains and the high-latitude Ogilvie Mountains. My program focuses on the independent gathering of data in these sites using weather stations and data loggers arranged along elevational and latitudinal transects examining the impact of tree presence, valley structure relating to solar radiation, and continentality. Amalgamating these data with both reanalysis climate data and climate projections, the overall objective will be to assess the reshaping of the topo-temperature field and gauge how this reshaping will impact the spatial distribution of thaw and the potential for permafrost-related hazards. The objectives of this research program aim to significantly advance our knowledge of the relationship between climate and geomorphology in mountain environments. The potential effects of climate change in mountainous environments remain one of the lesser-studied frontiers of cold regions with warming impacts and potential feedbacks largely unexplored. As a result, the research set to be carried out in my program is critical to understanding the links between warming climate and terrestrial cryospheric interaction with broader-linked systems in an environment particularly prone to change. This research aims to support planning for the resource industry, transportation and other infrastructure while providing better estimates of permafrost changed for climate and ecosystem models. My goals aim to generate new mapping and visual aids providing strategies for land managers, local First Nations and others in communication and policy development.