Slope Hydroclimatology and Hydrologic Responses to Global Change in a Small High Arctic Basin

Abstract

<p>This study evaluated the present-day interactions between the atmosphere, soils, water flow and vegetation patterns of a remote area of Northern Canada. This study showed that microclimatic processes (temperature, radiation) are often the driving force behind snowmelt and ground thaw. This study also showed that it was possible to use limited field camp data (e.g. 2x daily cloud, temperature, wind) to simulate radiation and energy fluxes for a variety of surfaces. This suggests the model's utility by cologists and earth scientists working in other areas of the Arctic. This thesis also showed that it was possible to use point data to simulate melt and evaporation for a small High Arctic basin and to investigate some possible implications of climate change to water movement. This last stage of the study will be particularly relevant to climatologists, ecologists and geomorphologists working in the north.</p>