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trees in forest
Trees and Lichen

Trees and Lichen

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Boreal Forest Response to Permafrost Thaw

Researcher: Katherine Dearborn, PhD, postdoctoral researcher (2018–present)

Supervisor: Jennifer Baltzer, Laurier

Katherine DearbornMy project examines the ways in which permafrost thaw is impacting the boreal forest on a 10-hectare forest plot established in 2013 south of Fort Simpson. Every tree in the plot was measured, mapped and identified to species, and permafrost depth was measured regularly throughout the plot. In 2018, I revisited all of the trees in the plot, recorded whether they were alive or dead, measured and mapped all new trees, and re-measured permafrost depth. By the end of 2019, all 135 smaller forest plots established throughout the territory in the early 2000s by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) will have been recensused. By analyzing past forest responses to permafrost thaw, we will be able to better predict what the forest will look like in the future. It is important to be able to make accurate predictions about the forest so that northerners and northern stakeholders are able make informed decisions with respect to wildlife and resource management.

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Estimating Forage Lichen Biomass Recovery in Forest Stands of Northwestern Canada

Researcher: Geneviève Degré-Timmons, technical staff (2016–present)

Supervisor: Jennifer Baltzer, supervisor, Laurier

Genevieve Degré-TimmonsLichens are an essential food component for caribou, and many lichen species take decades to recover substantial cover and depth after severe disturbance such as wildfire. The boreal shield of Saskatchewan, the Taiga Plains and Taiga Shield of the Northwest Territories rank among the ecozones with the shortest fire return intervals in Canada. Accurately predicting lichen abundance in forest stands is important for understanding requirements and the effect of disturbances on lichens. This project will contribute to forecasting of caribou habitat quality with the expected increases in fire activity following on climate warming. These results are being be used to enable better predictions of future landscape condition in terms of lichen biomass and vegetation type.

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Growth Dynamics of Black Spruce Across Northwestern North America

Researcher: Ana Sniderhan, PhD (2012–17), Global Water Futures (GWF) research associate, Ecosystem Resilience (2017-present)

Supervisor: Jennifer Baltzer, supervisor, Laurier

Ana SniderhanBlack spruce plays a critical role in helping mitigate climate change, as well as serving as key habitat for a variety of northern wildlife. This project investigated several aspects of the growth trends in black spruce across its latitudinal extent in Western Canada using tree-ring records. This study broadened our understanding of how a key northern tree species has responded to several aspects of a changing climate. This allows us to make predictions about how we might expect to see the boreal forest change as warming continues.

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