We adopt a holistic, interdisciplinary, watershed approach to all of the work in which we're involved, recognizing the interconnectedness between land, air, and water. All of the projects and activities profiled here are rooted in partnership: with local rights holders, various levels of government, and other academic institutions.
Yukon River Headwaters Research Program
Co-led by Dr. Ashley Dubnick (Yukon University) in close partnership with the Carcross/Tagish First Nation and Taku River Tlingit First Nation
The Yukon River watershed is the fifth largest in the Arctic and originates in a series of large, deep lakes that receive water and materials from 19 major alpine tributaries. These tributaries transport snow and glacial meltwaters, and cut through sub-arctic barren lands and boreal forest, all of which are habitats for culturally and ecologically important species. This region was an epicentre of activity during the Klondike Gold Rush,
Some of our current research questions include:
The Yukon River watershed is the fifth largest in the Arctic and originates in a series of large, deep lakes that receive water and materials from 19 major alpine tributaries. These tributaries transport snow and glacial meltwaters, and cut through sub-arctic barren lands and boreal forest, all of which are habitats for culturally and ecologically important species. This region was an epicentre of activity during the Klondike Gold Rush,
Some of our current research questions include:
- What is the current state of water quantity and quality across the Yukon River headwaters?
- How has/is/will the retreat of glaciers affected/ing downstream freshwater ecosystems?
- What is the relative importance of point and long-range sources of contaminants for watershed health?
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Projects within this program are currently supported by NSERC, ArcticNet, the Northern Contaminants Program and the Arctic and Northern Challenge Program, in collaboration with Queen's University, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Research Council, University of Manitoba, and the Yukon River Intertribal Watershed Council.
Impacts of a changing cryosphere (glaciers, permafrost) on downstream ecosystems
One overarching thread that has run and continues to run through much of the research that we're involved in is understanding how glacier retreat and permafrost thaw are affecting the health and productivity of aquatic ecosystems. We have the privilege of working with local and academic partners in coastal British Columbia, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and internationally on a broad range of questions, from ecosystem recovery following cryosphere-related geohazards, to the mobilization of contaminants by glaciers and permafrost into downstream ecosystems, and carbon budgets in these rapidly changing watersheds. We are also involved in the Glacier Futures Initiative led by the Salmon Watersheds Lab at Simon Fraser University and Yukon University.
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Knowledge Integration and Synthesis to Support Decision Making
We are actively involved in data and knowledge synthesis activities with the goal of translating and integrating environmental data and community knowledge and priorities. We have previously been involved the Canadian Mountain and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) assessment processes and are currently participating in the current Canada in a Changing Climate assessment cycle.
We also have on-going work funded by the Northern Contaminants Program to integrate the results of past research in the Yukon and community priorities into a strategy for future contaminants across the Yukon. This work is conducted in partnership with colleagues at Yukon University and Gamberg Consulting.
We also have on-going work funded by the Northern Contaminants Program to integrate the results of past research in the Yukon and community priorities into a strategy for future contaminants across the Yukon. This work is conducted in partnership with colleagues at Yukon University and Gamberg Consulting.