Monitoring - Habitat

Pingo Monitoring

Rationale

Split pingo in the Pingo Canadian Landmark

Pingos are a permafrost feature represented by the Pingo Canadian Landmark near Tuktoyaktuk. The Pingo Working Group, comprised of the Western Arctic Field Unit, Inuvialuit Land Administration, Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk, Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee and Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation, is the body that co-manages the Landmark. The community of Tuktoyaktuk is interested in protecting the pingos in the Landmark and developing the Landmark as an attraction for visitors. There is concern that recreational activities and natural processes are causing the pingos to deteriorate. Damage to the vegetation covering the pingos exposes their ice core and causes them to melt. There is concern that damage to the pingos will decrease the value of the Landmark as an area that represents permafrost landforms and as a visitor attraction.

Objectives

• To conduct a reconnaissance monitoring and information gathering trip within the Pingo Canadian Landmark.

Methods and Information Collected

• Four PlantWatch plots and five Photopoint locations were established close to Ibyuk and Split pingos, in order to monitor ecological change. Plot locations and vegetative composition were determined. Photos were taken from each photopoint.

Years of Data

• Fieldwork was conducted in August, 2002.

Partners

• Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk
• Inuvialuit Land Administration
• Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee
• Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation

Results

• Four PlantWatch plots are now in place to monitor the effects of climate change on vegetation within the Pingo Canadian Landmark. Data can be recorded from these plots in subsequent years should a decision be made to continue with the PlantWatch monitoring program.
• Photos were taken from each photopoint location in order to start an archival photo collection should the decision be made to continue with the Photopoint monitoring program. Each photo was documented by location.
• A monitoring program for the Pingo Canadian Landmark will be developed by the Pingo Working Committee.

Ed McLean, Charles Gruben, Brian Johnston and Lisa Loreen at the Pingo Canadian Landmark

Contacts

Jacquie Bastick
Ecological Technician
Western Arctic Field Unit
Parks Canada
P.O. Box 1840
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Phone: (867) 777-8824
Fax: (867) 777-8820
Jacquie.Bastick@pc.gc.ca