CIMP 211 Impacts of Permafrost Thaw Slump Extent, Severity, and Persistence on Stream Biotic Health ...

• Main Author: Wilfrid Laurier University
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: DataStream 2023
• Subjects: Gwich’in; permafrost; taiga
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25976/gp92-nc90; https://datastream.org/dataset/c5b755ac-df19-46c6-99f9-073826cede85

Our ability to monitor geomorphological, bio-geochemical and hydrological impacts of permafrost disturbances and accurately map aerial extent and sediment displaced by slumping (and the affected downstream networks) has improved over the past decade. These advances in understanding watershed scale effects of thaw slump disturbance create an opportunity to investigate effects on aquatic health in a way not previously possible. Our project will use advances in mapping and physico-chemical understanding of permafrost disturbance to fill substantial knowledge gaps associated with the: (1) impact of thaw slumps on stream food-web dynamics; (2) persistence of thaw slump effects over time; and the (3) effects of magnitude/severity of thaw slumps on biotic communities in streams. We plan to address these knowledge gaps using a multi-tiered approach that includes assessment of environmental conditions. ... : Between July 29 and August 12, 2021, our team consisting of 1 MSc. Student, 4 Indigenous environmental monitors associated with the Tetlit Gwich’in Renewable Resource Council, and 1 GNWT colleague (Krista Chin) surveyed over 35 thaw slumps in the Stony Creek and Willow River watersheds and were able to sample a total of 27 stream locations in the Stony Creek watershed. A paired design was used, with reference sites located upstream of a slump and impacted sites located downstream of the slumps. Sites were accessed via helicopter or road. At each site, representations of each trophic level in the stream food webs were sampled the exception of fish, which will be sampled in 2022. Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network methods were used to collect benthic macroinvertebrates, water quality, and habitat measurements. Water quality parameters were quantified at Taiga labs and data will be uploaded to the Mackenzie Datastream by March 2022. Stable isotope analysis will occur shortly at the University of Waterloo ...