Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 10.2
Summary of Potential Climate-Related Ecological Changes for EI Indicators
in Northern National Parks in Canada
EI Indicator
Key Ecological Issues
Tundra
Regional.shifts.in.plant.and.animal.populations;.expanded.distribution.and.
increased.density.of.invasives
Expansion.of.erect.shrubs.and.grasses;.reduced.cover.of.prostrate.shrubs.and.
lichens
Reduction.in.area.of.continuous.permafrost;.increase.in.active-layer.depths.
and.soil.temperature
Moister.soils;.reduction.in.periglacial.processes.(cryoturbation,.stone.sorting,.
soliluction)
Habitat.change.and.direct.weather.effects.(icing.events,.snow.depth.and.
persistence,.increased.insect.pests).on.major.ungulate.populations.(caribou,.
muskoxen,.lemmings,.Dall's.sheep,.moose).and.their.predators.(grizzly.bear,.
wolf,.red/arctic.fox)
Loss.of.sea.ice.connectivity.and.increased.genetic.isolation.of.island-based.
populations.(e.g.,.Peary.caribou,.wolves)
Increased.ire.frequency,.intensity,.and.area.burned
Wetlands
Regional.shifts.in.plant.and.animal.populations;.invasives
Alterations.to.wetland.hydrologic.regimes.and.vegetation.composition.and.
structure
Habitat.change.effects.on.wetland.requiring.species.(e.g.,.grizzly.and.moose.
foraging,.shorebird.nesting,.wetland.songbirds)
Changes.in.wetland.periglacial.effects.(ice.wedge.polygons,.peat.palsas.and.
plateaus,.thermokarst.pools)
Subarctic.Forest
Regional.shifts.in.plant.and.animal.populations;.invasives
Increased.ire.frequency,.intensity,.and.burned.area;.increased.forest.insects.
and.pathogens.all.affecting.age.class.distribution.and.landscape.connectivity
Increased.forest.productivity.and.expansion.of.forest.area
Change.in.stand.dynamics.(seed.production,.recruitment,.mortality,.growth).
leading.to.increased.stand.densities.and.habitat.effects.on.forest-dependent.
species.(songbirds.and.raptors,.small.mammals)
Change.in.permafrost.and.soil.temperature.and.moisture.regimes
Freshwater—Streams.
and.Rivers
Regional.shifts.in.plant.and.animal.populations;.invasives
Changes.in.stream.low.(earlier.break.up.and.later.freeze.up,.altered.peak.
lows,.higher.winter.lows,.glacier.melting).and.higher.air.and.water.
temperatures.leading.to.increased.stream.bank.erosion,.higher.suspended.
load.and.nutrient.levels,.with.complex.effects.on.periphyton,.invertebrates,.
and.spawning.and.overwintering.of.arctic.char.and.other.species
Upslope.permafrost.melting.leading.to.increased.slope.instability.(mudlows,.
slumping,.soliluction).increasing.stream.suspended.load.with.possible.
stream.damming.events
(
continued
)
