32 research outputs found
Summary and synthesis of Changing Cold Regions Network (CCRN) research in the interior of western Canada - Part 1:Projected climate and meteorology
Factors affecting interannual variation in growth of western Canadian aspen forests during 1951-2000
Growth and dieback of aspen forests in northwestern Alberta, Canada, in relation to climate and insects
A Severe Thunderstorm Outbreak North of 70°N Over the Canadian Arctic Islands with Unusual Lightning Characteristics
Lightning and Fires in the Northwest Territories and Responses to Future Climate Change
Lightning and fire characteristics within the Northwest Territories (NWT) jurisdiction of the Mackenzie Basin between 1994 and 1999 are examined using data from the lightning detection network operating in the NWT and from the national Large Fire Database maintained by the Canadian Forest Service. The convective storm season with associated lightning activity over this region is short but intense, with a strong peak in cloud-to-ground lightning during July. The maximum area of lightning activity is influenced by local moisture sources and by topography. The diurnal distribution of cloud-to-ground flashes indicates that most of the lightning was linked to thunderstorms initiated by daytime heating. The lightning-initiated fire occurrences peaked during July, while much of the burned area was produced in June. The longer, warmer, and drier summer seasons projected to result from climate change are expected to increase the frequency and intensity of forest fires by the end of the 21st century. Their considerable consequences for forests and wildlife make these changes a concern for northern communities, forest managers, and wildlife biologists.Les caractĂ©ristiques des Ă©clairs et des incendies enregistrĂ©s dans le bassin du Mackenzie entre 1994 et 1999 sont examinĂ©es Ă la lumiĂšre de donnĂ©es obtenues Ă partir du rĂ©seau de dĂ©tection des Ă©clairs des Territoires du Nord-Ouest et de la Base de donnĂ©es sur les gros incendies du Service canadien des forĂȘts. Dans cette rĂ©gion, la saison des orages de convection et les Ă©clairs qui en dĂ©coulent est courte, mais intense, les Ă©clairs nuages-sol atteignant leur point le plus Ă©levĂ© en juillet. Lâaire maximale visĂ©e par les Ă©clairs est influencĂ©e par les sources dâhumiditĂ© et la topographie locales. La rĂ©partition diurne dâĂ©clairs nuages-sol indique que la plupart des Ă©clairs provenaient des orages attribuables Ă la chaleur de la journĂ©e. Les incendies dĂ©coulant dâĂ©clairs ont atteint leur point culminant en juillet, tandis que la plupart des rĂ©gions brĂ»lĂ©es lâont Ă©tĂ© en juin. Les Ă©tĂ©s plus longs, plus chauds et plus secs susceptibles de rĂ©sulter des changements climatiques devraient augmenter la frĂ©quence et lâintensitĂ© des feux de forĂȘt dâici la fin du XXIe siĂšcle. Leurs rĂ©percussions considĂ©rables sur les forĂȘts et sur la faune sont une source de prĂ©occupation pour les collectivitĂ©s du Nord, les experts forestiers et les biologistes de la faune