Earth Sciences Commons^™

Mitigating Permafrost Degradation Due To Linear Disturbances In Sub-Arctic Peatlands, Aaron A. Mohammed

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The presence or absence of permafrost significantly influences the hydrology and ecology of northern watersheds. Linear disturbances resulting from tree canopy removal have led to widespread permafrost degradation in northern peatlands. Seismic lines resulting from oil and gas exploration now account for large portions of the drainage density of sub-arctic basins, and affect the region’s water and energy balances. As these peatlands represent some of the most sensitive ecosystems to climate and human disturbances, the ability to simulate perturbations to natural systems in a controlled lab environment is particularly important. This study presents a method that is able to simulate …