Snow Cover Duration - Wetlands - Vuntut

Permafrost and snow are critical to the ecology of many northern ecosystems. They influence hydrology and vegetation and can dramatically affect the quality of wildlife habitat. In recent decades permafrost temperatures in North America have increased and snowfall and spring snow cover in the Arctic have declined. These trends are predicted to continue, although with regional and seasonal variability. Vuntut National Park lies within the continuous permafrost zone, and permafrost has been found to a depth of 63 m at the Village of Old Crow. Snow covers the ground in the park for much of the year with depth varying from year to year. Monitoring changes in permafrost and snow in Vuntut National Park is needed because ground-based data from the northern Yukon are lacking and because changes in permafrost and snow have the potential to dramatically change the park’s landscape and ecology.

Organization: Parks Canada | Parcs Canada

Last modified: 2024-12-09T17:14:37.933442