Lake hydrology-Vuntut

Recent observations suggest that shallow lakes and ponds in the Arctic are becoming increasingly dynamic in response to climate change, and changes in water levels, lake surface area, and biological communities have been observed at several high-latitude locations. The Old Crow Flats, located 25 km north of Old Crow in the northern Yukon, is a Wetland of International Importance recognized by the Ramsar Convention. Portions of the Old Crow Flats are protected by Vuntut National Park and the Old Crow Flats Special Management Area. The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation has observed reduced lake levels over the past few decades and are concerned about how the changing landscape may affect the ecology of the region and their traditional lifestyle. Hydroecological monitoring methods were developed for Old Crow Flats lakes through a recent International Polar Year project. These methods use water isotope tracers and periphyton to assess changes in lake water balance and algae communities, which are sensitive measures of hydrological and ecological conditions.