This basic survey of wetlands uses a variety of wetland species as focus to provide a measure of ecosystem functions and values. Physiology, hydrology, and population use are researched. Habitat management and protection criteria are key; current focus is long term monitoring of the Sekulmun wetland, Shallow Bay, the Roop wetland, the Nordenskjold and the Old Crow Flats.
Field work involves both ground and air survey of wetland species: breeding duck pairs, brood counts, habitat assessment, hydrological features, top predator use and a variety of associated measures.
A protection startegy is currently being developed for the Shallow Bay wetland. The Old Crow wetland project has developed into an analysis of long-term change as a result of a changing climate.
Ongoing reports and publications cover significant details and trends. Wetlands are recognized as by far the most important systems responsible for Yukon biodiversity.
This project is a part of Biodiversity Monitoring at the YukonU Research Centre.
2008. Water-Level Monitoring of Wetlands in the Whitehorse-Carmacks Water Bird Pair Count Sample. Northern Research Institute ms., Yukon College, 5pp.
Mossop, D.H. 2013. Herschel Island Qikiqtaryuk - a natural and cultural history of Yukon’s Arctic island - 2013
Mossop, D.H. 2007. The Kloo Wetland, A Reconnaissance of its Ecological Diversity 1988-93. Northern Research Institute Arts and Science Div. March 2007, 38 p.