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Although stakeholders' participation in forest management helps overcome problems and conflicts that prevent sustainable solutions, different approaches and nomenclature for similar contents in the literature hinder theoretical progress on the topic. This study organises existing information through a bibliometric analysis of scientific papers from the last 30 years (1991–2021) on sustainable forest management, focusing on the stakeholders' participation. Results demonstrate that stakeholders' participation in sustainable forest management gained relevance from 2017 onwards. Case studies are predominant (66%) and six major trends were identified. The first emphasises a systemic approach to participation. The second updates the community management discussion. The third studies historical problems related to the use of resources, rights, and services. The fourth focuses on regional assessments and studies. The fifth concerns assessment, decision-making, and planning, including issues related to certifications and policies. The sixth discusses innovation related to adaptation, climate change, equity, and resilience. The studies included in this last classification are problem-solving-oriented and seek new forest management. Although important, the role of innovation in stakeholders' participation in sustainable forest management is overlooked, which constitutes an avenue for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews and discusses the main features of biological invasion by plants and the assisted migration theory referencing a critical common factor—belowground ecology. The risk of a plant becoming invasive and the potential failure of assisted migration programs depend on the presence or absence of soil microorganisms that regulate key ecosystem processes and mitigate adverse environmental conditions. This biotic interaction should be considered in the selection of sites for afforestation programs since it is as important as temperature and precipitation regarding conservation decisions, and assisted migration practices in response to climate change. Fungal species should be determined and included in climate change mitigation programs to avoid disease outbreaks and ensure the presence of beneficial mutualistic species in sites selected for assisted migration. Plants considered for assisted migration should pose a low risk of becoming invasive for having establishment difficulties per se. However, the real threat is that they may displace other species, introduce pathogens, or trigger disease outbreaks in introduction sites that nullify assisted migration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are common across Canada and they pose hazards to human safety, economic activities, and the environment. Robust risk management strategies are necessary for sustainable development. A slope risk management framework has been adopted by the geotechnical community for approximately four decades allowing a systematic, consistent and transparent framework for managing risks. Implementing this framework is associated with uncertainties embedded in our estimates of risk. This paper presents a brief summary of the sources and categories of uncertainty in geotechnical slope engineering and focuses on two topics: (1) estimates of uncertainty in risk calculations and (2) temporal changes in landslide likelihood as a function of weather and steps towards estimating landslide risk changes with climate change. The paper argues that a quantitative risk assessment should not focus on the final risk calculation, but the overall knowledge gained. This allows comprehensive documentation of sources of uncertainty and how they impact geotechnical and risk assessments. Furthermore, the paper outlines approaches to define quantitative correlations between rock fall occurrences and weather, which can be leveraged to estimate changes in rock fall risk with climate change. The paper corresponds to, and expands on, the 2021 Canadian Geotechnical Colloquium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Botany is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Climate change (CC) causes extreme meteorological events such as floods, droughts, water scarcity, heat waves, wildfires, and extreme cold. CC may also damage public infrastructures such as drinking water systems (DWSs) and reduce water quality from source to tap. The objective of this review paper is to provide a critical analysis of (1) the impact of CC on the three components of the DWSs: source, treatment, and distribution; (2) the perspectives of DWS employees on CC impacts and adaptation solutions for maintaining water quality; and (3) decision support systems (DSSs) that could be used by DWS employees for CC adaptation. A bibliographic research was conducted using international databases and search engines. The search for scientific articles resulted in the selection of 5234 articles, 78 of which were analyzed in more detail for the elaboration of this scoping review. This review shows that the impacts of CC on water quality are significant, but DWS employees are not enthusiastic about developing adaption measures. This review also shows that DSSs can help DWS employees facilitate the CC adaptation process for the protection of source water, improve water treatment plant operations, and enhance routine management of water quality in the distribution system. Further research is needed to identify strategies that might increase the awareness of and interest in climate change impacts, adaptation, and the use of DSSs among DWS employees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are a natural landscape disturbance in many climates and forest types, but the cumulative impact of human-caused climate change, historical fire management and suppression, and changing species diversity in forests has led to an increase in the size and (or) severity of wildfires in certain regions across the globe. There are a significant number of research studies on the effects of wildfire on human health, forest ecology, hydrology, and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. However, research on the impact of wildfire on watersheds including toxicity in aquatic organisms, water chemistry, and fluvial sediment quality is less extensive, focusing primarily on water quality indicators such as nutrients and sediment flux. Recent research has shown that wildfires contribute to the environment significant amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are compounds produced during the incomplete combustion of organic material, and are known to be toxic and mutagenic compounds. The primary objective of this paper is to review the recent literature that pertains to the contamination of surface waters and sediments and source apportionment of wildfire-derived PAHs to determine where research gaps remain. Additional objectives are to assess the use of molecular ratios to apportion PAH sources and, finally, to create a roadmap for future studies in designing and conducting research that seeks to determine sources of wildfire-derived PAHs in water and sediment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of icing involves the freezing of overflow layers, on ground or within streams, and results in ice bodies called "aufeis" that are common in most northern landscapes. Knowledge about aufeis is still limited despite the cold region engineering challenge they represent. Understanding the causes of overflow events leading to aufeis development represents a key for the prediction, mitigation, and management of this geohazard and can also support the planning and design of infrastructure in the North. This paper introduces a practical classification for the diverse range of overflow processes that generate aufeis, including under-represented processes, such as the instability of winter streamflow. Importantly, it distinguishes flow conveyance from water supply overflow processes and describes the temporal aspect of icing intensity. Finally, research topics are proposed to improve our understanding of aufeis, including their predictability, the impact of climate change on their occurrence and extent, and stream morphology–aufeis interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is altering the dynamics of New Brunswick's forests. To mitigate the effects of climate change, it is crucial to account for future uncertainties in climate projections and natural disturbance trajectories when designing forestry practices. This paper presents the projected changes in key climatic drivers for New Brunswick's forests, examines the impacts of climate change on forest stand dynamics, and reviews adaptive silviculture tools for climate change adaptation. By 2071–2100, a projected 4–6 °C increase in mean annual temperature will lead to a 39%–77% rise in growing degree-days and a reduction in summer atmospheric water balance by 48–79 mm across New Brunswick. Foresters should anticipate a doubling of annual area burned, the northward migration of spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)), and the introduction of novel insects and diseases. Forest simulation models project a severe decline in boreal tree species abundance, including a 50% decline in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton et al.), offset by an increase in temperate species, notably red maple (Acer rubrum L.; +200%) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh; +135%). Forests in the highlands and lowlands ecoregions, with 40%–50% and 15%–30% spruce and balsam fir composition, respectively, are particularly vulnerable. To limit climate change effects on forest values, foresters must prioritize climate resiliency in their management plans. Strategies should ensure the steady provision of forest goods and services under changing climatic conditions. Forest thinning enhances stand productivity and resilience, while shelterwood and two-age harvest balances timber production with diversity. Clearcutting, despite drawbacks, establishes younger, more vigorous forests with higher carbon sequestration potential. Assisted migration offers promise in helping threatened tree species adapt. Climate change will have a significant impact on New Brunswick's forests, leading to changes in key climatic drivers, increased risks of disturbances, and a shift toward more temperate tree species. However, there are existing adaptation strategies available. It is crucial to consider future uncertainties when designing and evaluating forestry practices, as this is essential for mitigating the effects of climate change on forest values and ensuring the continued provision of forest goods and services over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Arctic warming is occurring at a much faster rate than in other parts of the globe, with potentially devastating consequences for the diverse array of species within ecologically and biologically sensitive areas in the Arctic marine region. However, climate change research in this region is sparse compared to other biomes, hindering conservation efforts. In this article, we review and synthesize the available literature to understand the observed and potential impacts of climate change on different species and ecosystems in the Arctic marine region. We reviewed 253 articles reporting changes in species and ecosystems in the Arctic marine region in response to climate change (225 studies documenting observed impacts and 28 reporting predicted impacts). The review revealed that most research effort has been concentrated in only a subset of Arctic Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) (5/18 LMEs), with the majority of Arctic LMEs being poorly studied. The majority of the reviewed papers focused on marine mammals (19%) followed by microalgae (17%). A number of studies documented variability in planktonic communities (microalgae, macroalgae, zooplankton), resulting in alteration in ecosystem structure and function. Reproductive failure, decline in populations, and changes in diet composition, behavior, and breeding biology were reported for sea birds and mammals. Further, shifts in spatial distribution of fishes were observed by several studies. This review provides persuasive evidence that multiple climate change indices in the Arctic region are changing, with impacts on almost all components of marine biotic ecosystems (from plankton to top predators). We identify a number of gaps (such as limited inventory of biota, robustness of data supporting climate change indices on an Arctic Ocean scale, and climate suitability assessment for all species) in climate change research in Arctic marine ecosystems where future studies can help to quantify the impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems and advance understanding for their adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The recent expansion of municipality limits has resulted in an increase in the wildland–urban interface, causing fires in the wildlands to potentially encroach and enter urban centers. This paper proposes a fire-risk modeling framework within a climate resiliency context. The study uses large-scale geospatial datasets in combination with the analytical hierarchy process. Using various high-resolution-detailed datasets, an extensive list of variables was utilized to develop a novel fire-risk model. To support the goal of creating a climate-resilient urban municipality, an ecological vulnerability classification map was constructed to identify developable areas and areas under preservation. Regarding creating awareness for climate adaptation and zone, a brief discussion on the role of each stakeholder is provided. The discussion covers strategies for fire prevention and mitigation in high-risk areas/zones, as well as establishing several cornerstones for strategic planning and action to strengthen climate resilience of urban communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moose are an iconic symbol of northern forests. In many jurisdictions, the management of moose has focused on regulating harvest with less emphasis on understanding moose–habitat relationships. We reviewed the literature and summarised the effects of forest harvest and management on the ecology of moose. Greater than 50 years of scientific studies document both positive and negative effects of forest harvest and associated activities such as silviculture and road building. Moose require spatially adjacent patches of younger plant communities for forage and older forests for thermal and security cover. Extensive and rapid forest harvest can result in the prevalence of young forest with a corresponding reduction in the fitness of moose populations. A warming climate likely will exacerbate the negative effects associated with the broad-scale removal of forest cover. Resource roads can create edge habitat that may serve as forage, but those features result in increased hunting and collisions with vehicles and facilitate the movement of predators. Post-harvest silviculture, including the application of herbicides, can create stand conditions that provide very little or low-quality forage. The ecological and societal benefits of moose are dependent on forest management that provides a mix of old and young forest, employs silviculture that retains adequate cover and forage plants, and minimises the development of roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change interacts with ecological processes leading to changes in tree and forest growth rate, biome shifts and species composition, all of which are influenced by disturbances. This study explores future overarching climate trends of eight of Canada's ecozones containing managed forests. For the 2071 to 2100 period, climate projections indicate a warming trend of up to an additional 5.5 °C and an overall increase in annual precipitation. Future trends suggest marked contrast between coastal and interior forests and polarization between western and eastern forests. Warmer temperatures, accumulating degree-days above 5 °C and frost-free days suggest longer and drier growing seasons and greater risk of drought particularly in moisture-limited areas such as montane cordillera, taiga shield and boreal shield ecozones. Warmer temperatures and rising precipitation combined with less snow suggest shorter and wetter future winters. This indicates greater risk of rain-on-snow and freeze-thaw events, flooding and landslides particularly in coastal ecozones. We discuss how these projections are likely to result in shifts in dominant species and abundance, which when coupled with the cumulative effects of future disturbances, is likely to alter future forest dynamics and impact harvestable wood volumes for Canada's forestry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climate change intensifies, Inuvialuit in Canada's Western Arctic are facing a rapidly changing environment and associated impacts on human health, safety, and food security. Learning to cope with these changes requires context-based and current information that can inform subsistence activities and environmental management, and no one is better positioned to acquire this information than Inuvialuit themselves. This paper presents findings from in-depth interviews conducted in 2012 with six knowledge holders and seasonal residents of Kendall Island (Ukiivik in Uummarmiutun), a traditional whaling camp situated along the Beaufort Sea coast bordering the Okeevik Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area. A transdisciplinary and Inuvialuit-led effort, this research documents observations of change at this culturally important site and explores how residents are adapting to changing conditions. Interview transcripts were analyzed using iterative rounds of qualitative coding in NVivo software. Findings reveal pervasive social and environmental change on Kendall Island and in adjacent harvesting areas and highlight how changing conditions are affecting residents’ lives. This study identifies benchmarks upon which to compare and evaluate subsequent changes at this site and documents Inuvialuit knowledge and perspectives that can inform local-scale environmental monitoring, management, and climate change adaptation planning.

Marine protected area (MPAs) networks can buffer marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change by allowing species to redistribute as conditions change and by reducing other stressors. There are, however, few examples where climate change has been considered in MPA network design. In this paper, we assess how climate change considerations were integrated into the design of a newly released MPA network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion in British Columbia, Canada, and then evaluate the resulting network against projected physical and biogeochemical changes and biological responses. We found that representation, replication, and size and spacing recommendations integrated into the design phase were met in most cases. Furthermore, despite varying degrees of projected changes in temperature, dissolved oxygen, and aragonite saturation across the MPA network, suitable habitat for demersal fish species is projected to remain in the network despite some redistribution among sites. We also found that mid-depth MPAs are particularly important for persistence, as fish are projected to move deeper to avoid warming in shallower areas. Our results highlight that a representative MPA network with adequate replication, that incorporates areas of varying climate change trajectory, should buffer against the impacts of climate change.

Sternbergia clusiana (SC) is a bulbous plant having an alluring ornamental flower, medicinal properties, and an endangered status due to climate-change ecology. However, the methods of propagation for conserving this notable species have been neglected. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on SC regeneration by virtue of a asexual propagation method, with the intention of preserving this endangered species from extinction. In this regard, having collected the bulbs from a wild habitat, bulbs were cut in accordance with the chipping technique. Thereafter, pieces were treated with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 250, 500, and 1000 mg·L−1, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 100, 250, and 500 mg·L−1, putrescine (PU) at 50, 100, and 200 mg·L−1, BAP and NAA combination, BAP and PU combination, and a control. Pieces were then transferred into primary and terminal growing media under laboratory and greenhouse conditions, respectively. Next, the number, length, width, and weight of bulbs were determined. The greatest bulb number (2.10 counts), bulb length (26.75 mm), bulb width (16.25 mm), and bulb weight (3.13 g) were observed in the PU treatments. In addition, the results showed that even though the treated bulbs with BAP and PU combinations had preferable performance generally, the results were inconsistent. Taken together, this research indicates that utilizing asexual propagation along with PGRs, in the proper dosage, can serve as a mechanism to protect the endangered geophyte from extinction in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent declines of Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations have severely impacted people residing in the Yukon and Alaska. Evidence-based conservation strategies focused on stock recovery and adaptation are urgently needed but are limited by our understanding of what is driving declines, particularly in Canadian portions of the Yukon River basin. We examined how multiple environmental drivers may be influencing Canadian-origin Yukon River Chinook salmon productivity for eight populations over a 28-year period. We found that productivity was related to various environmental and ecosystem processes acting cumulatively over multiple life stages and across broad geographic scales. Productivity decreased in association with warmer upriver migration temperatures, wetter freshwater juvenile rearing habitats, and increasing abundances of potential marine competitors. In contrast, productivity increased in years with warmer and snowier winters and earlier spring onset. We found that different populations had similar relationships with environmental drivers, with potentially negative implications for regional fisheries stability. Our findings provide insight into how Chinook salmon are responding to rapid environmental change and can help inform salmon conservation initiatives and sustainable harvest strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forestry is becoming more complex as a result of diverging societal demands. Indigenous Peoples' reconciliation and the challenges of climate change call for research that embraces transdisciplinarity, reciprocity, and problem-focused learning at the landscape scale. Both globally and in Canada, forestry and forest research are struggling to keep pace with this growing complexity. Place-based collaborative research and learning initiatives, described here as "learning landscapes," offer an under-explored approach to meeting diversifying goals for forest landscapes. We describe recent progress in Quesnel, British Columbia, where researchers and local institutions are engaging to strengthen resilience and innovation in the forest sector. We first define the concept of learning landscape in the context of transdisciplinary sustainability science, and then illustrate this approach using the case study of Quesnel. We describe a process of systems diagnosis, including asset mapping and analysis of potential forestry pathways through a "best bets" framework. We propose a Theory of Change as a way forward, outlining opportunities for government, industry, and communities in developing regional capacity for integrated management and high-value forest products. We reflect on the contributions of learning landscapes to knowledge generation, experiential learning, and institutional development, and discuss implications for steering decision-making in locally driven sustainability transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO), Melville Island, Nunavut (74°55′N, 109°34′W) was established in 2003 to examine Arctic ecosystem processes that would be impacted by climate warming and permafrost degradation. This paper provides a synthesis of how remote sensing has contributed to biogeophysical modelling and monitoring at the CBAWO from 2003 to 2023. Given the location and isolated nature of the CBAWO in the Canadian High Arctic, remote sensing data and derivatives have been instrumental for studies examining ecosystem structure and function at local and landscape scales. In combination with field measurements, remote sensing data facilitated mapping and modelling of vegetation types, % vegetation cover and aboveground phytomass, soil moisture, carbon exchange rates, and permafrost degradation and disturbance. It has been demonstrated that even in an environment with limited vegetation cover and phytomass, spectral vegetation indices (e.g., the normalized difference vegetation index) are able to model various biogeophysical variables. These applications are feasible for research sites such as the CBAWO using high spatial resolution remote sensing data across the visible, infrared, and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Furthermore, as the satellite record continues to expand, we will gain a greater understanding of the impacts arising from the expected continued warming at northern latitudes. Although the logistics for research in the Arctic remain challenging, today's technologies (e.g., high spatial resolution satellite remote sensing, automated in situ sensors and data loggers, and wireless communication systems) can support a host of scientific endeavours in the Arctic (and other remote sites) through modelling and monitoring of biogeophysical variables and Earth surface processes with limited but critical field campaigns. The research synthesized here for the CBAWO highlights the essential role of remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles within the issue on topics including changes occurring on the Earth's surface across a spectrum of spatial and temporal scales, influence of climate change on the Earth's surface in northern and coastal regions, and features and landforms generated during decline and aftermath of continental glaciation.

In many freshwater ecosystems, carbon dioxide (CO2) is increasing. Unknown are the risks that high CO2 poses for freshwater organisms, especially fish. The objective of this study was to determine how CO2 may influence the growth rate, metabolic rate, feeding rate, and volitional behaviour of young-of-year Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus, 1758)), brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814)), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)). For this study, fish stayed in control (1100 microatmospheres (µatm)) or elevated (5236 µatm) CO2 levels for 15 days. During this time, metabolic rate and behavioural tests were conducted on alternating days for each treatment. Weight and length of each fish were taken on days 0, 7, and 15. There was no evidence that elevated CO2 affected the growth rate, feeding rate, or behaviour in any of these species. The standard metabolic rate in Arctic charr differed based on CO2 exposure. Therefore, salmonids can withstand short periods of elevated CO2 under these conditions. By comparing closely related species, the implications of this work are more ecologically relevant and will also help industry quantify the effects of high CO2 on young salmonids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First large-scale concentration of gold to ore grade in Earth's crust took place at around 2.9 Ga in quartz-pebble conglomerates, well before endogenous deposits, such as porphyry and epithermal systems or orogenic-type deposits, started to play a significant role from ca. 2.75 Ga onwards. The conglomerate-hosted gold placers, typified by those in the Mesoarchaeaen Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa, are thought to have been sourced from the leaching of background levels of gold in the Archaean continental crust, promoted by deep chemical weathering under a reducing acidic atmosphere. Gold dissolved in meteoric waters was trapped by possibly acidophile microbes, fossil remnants of which are preserved as kerogen layers in the 2.9 Ga lower Central Rand Group of the Witwatersrand Supergroup. Mechanical reworking of the delicate microbial mat-bound gold led to rich gold placers from 2.9 Ga onwards. Well-endowed gold placers older than 2.9 Ga are conspicuously missing, although suitable siliciclastic host rocks, even containing relics of former microbes, are known from continental sediment sequences as old as 3.22 Ga. A review of climate-sensitive rock types and geochemical data on the extent of chemical weathering reveals that the period from 2.96–2.91 Ga was cold, with repeated glaciations as evidenced by glaciogenic diamicite, whereas warmer and (or) wetter climates reigned from 2.90 to 2.78 Ga. In concert with the temporal distribution of placer gold accumulation, the conclusion is reached that chemical weathering rate, dictated by climate, was a key determining factor in the exogenous binding of Au into sedimentary deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Forest Research is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Remote mountain lakes in protected areas are sentinels of the ecological impacts of extreme and novel environmental changes occurring at broad regional scales. Ecosystem responses to such stressors are often first detected as shifts in community composition. We surveyed phytoplankton communities across 82 mountain lakes to test the hypothesis that taxonomic composition is indicative of more environmental changes than are aggregate properties, such as total biomass. Phosphorus was the only significant predictor of chlorophyll-inferred algal biomass, a correlative finding supported by evidence from our nutrient amendment bioassays. Interlake variances in taxonomically diagnostic algal pigments and 78 genera were indicative of changes in total phosphorus, glacial coverage, underwater light availability, and dissolved organic carbon. Lack of concordance was observed between ordinations of pigment- and genus-based data as environmental variables captured more variance in the pigment data. Our findings provide a baseline for future lake monitoring programs in the Canadian Rockies as they increasingly experience interactive effects involving climate change and landscape features, such as variation in turbid glacial meltwaters and aeolian phosphorus deposition from wildfires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this literature review was to compile research findings on climate change and its impacts on crop production in Prairie Provinces of Canada. Our search strategy included finding primary literature articles from various databases. Seven articles reported increases in average and minimum air temperature over time in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. Increases in maximum air temperature were smaller than that forminimum air temperature. Growing degree days and corn heat units also increased over time, which has allowed for potential expansion of corn growth northwards. While overall increases in average annual precipitation and growing season precipitation have occurred in Canada between 1900 and 2021, western Canada showed increases in some regions but decreases in others. Off-season precipitation and snow cover duration in Canada have decreased since 1950. The number of frost-free days has increased across Canada, on the Prairies and southern Saskatchewan since 1900. Annual snowfall has decreased since 1950 and across Canada the annual maximum snow depth has also decreased. Overall, studies focusing on the Prairie Provinces in Canada have shown accelerated changes in several climate parameters over time, affecting cropping areas and crop yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the genetic makeup of Lutz spruce, a natural hybrid between white and Sitka spruce on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Microsatellites indicate 72% of individuals sampled had predominantly white spruce ancestry, whereas 14% had predominantly Sitka spruce ancestry; some individuals classified as white spruce had Sitka spruce plastid genotypes. As Picea mitochondria are maternally inherited and plastids are paternally inherited, it appears that white spruce was the ancestral seed parent of nearly all spruce on the western peninsula, whereas Sitka spruce alleles originated from pollen. Pollen records show that white spruce colonized the western peninsula ∼8500 YBP from glacial refugium, whereas Sitka spruce arrived on the eastern peninsula ∼4000 YBP after migrating up the Pacific coast. Our data suggest that Sitka spruce colonization west of the Kenai Mountains may have occurred not via seed dispersal but by long distance transport of wind-borne pollen and subsequent hybridization with established white spruce populations. Hybridization was an important mechanism that allowed Sitka spruce to expand the leading edge of its range in response to historical climate change. As the climate continues to warm, climate envelope modeling suggests Lutz spruce may ultimately displace white spruce on the western peninsula even as Sitka spruce is constrained to the eastern peninsula where it will continue to hybridize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, an unprecedented heat event caused widespread damage to tree fruit crops across western North America. In a preliminary trial conducted that summer in an apple (var. "Fuji") orchard in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, a calcium carbonate-based foliar protectant reduced severe sunburn by 9% and fruit asymmetry by 17% but had no other effects on fruit quality, water stress, or leaf gas exchange. With climate change, extreme heat events are projected to become more frequent and extreme. Foliar protectants show potential for preserving fruit quality, but further research is urgently required to optimize their use in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unusually intense atmospheric river affected the southern coastal region of British Columbia in mid-November 2021. Flooding and several ground failures such as landslides and riverbank erosion caused significant damage and interrupted the main transportation corridors, including major highways and railroads, severing land connectivity between Metro Vancouver and the rest of Canada. In this short note, we summarize and describe slope and riverbank ground failures in the Lower Mainland and connecting corridors to the interior such as the Fraser Canyon and the Coquihalla Valley, with focus on those that produced damage on highways. Field observations are discussed in the context of potential future similar disasters in the region due to more frequent extreme climatic events associated with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental Reviews is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Earlier spring warming and anadromous fish migrations prompted by climate change are linked to shorter freshwater residency. Impacts of phenological change on anadromous fish populations are poorly understood with limited studies focused on iteroparous non-salmonids. We assessed freshwater residence time and reproductive success in an iteroparous clupeid, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) using a pedigree analysis and otolith-based spawning dates from captured juveniles. The primary objectives were to (1) estimate adult spawning duration in a freshwater pond (freshwater residence time) and (2) evaluate adult freshwater residence time, arrival date, length, sex, and reproductive success across 2 years in one system. Estimated freshwater residence times varied widely (1–64 days), and longer residence times were associated with earlier arrival dates, higher reproductive success, and more mating events. Longer freshwater residence times may allow alewife to spawn with more mates, produce more gametes, and experience a range of spawning and nursery conditions. Plasticity in alewife freshwater residence time could support earlier and shorter migration periods but may result in lower reproductive output if adults spend less time in freshwater ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a meta-analysis of recent global research articles on hydrogeochemical modelling of permafrost regions to determine trends and consensus on research gaps and future research directions. The hydrogeochemical response of permafrost to climate change remains challenging to estimate and forecast despite evidence of large-scale impacts on freshwater and ecological cycles. We investigate the feasibility, need, and potential for hydrogeochemical modelling of permafrost landscapes by reviewing recommendations from previous modelling, review, and primer papers, including discussing ways to advance this type of modelling science. Key permafrost hydrogeochemical processes are discussed, including heat transfer and associated freeze–thaw regimes, biogeochemical processes and rates, and surface and subsurface flow. Modelling considerations (i.e., model dimension, scale, heterogeneity, and permafrost zonation) and model parameters are subsequently examined. Finally, limitations and additional considerations for advancing permafrost hydrogeochemical modelling efforts are reviewed. The findings of this review are summarized in recommendations, tables, and two schematics incorporating key considerations for future hydrogeochemical modelling initiatives in permafrost environments.

This paper documents the first comprehensive inventory of thermokarst and thaw-sensitive terrain indicators for a 2 million km2 region of northwestern Canada. This is accomplished through the Thermokarst Mapping Collective (TMC), a research collaborative to systematically inventory indicators of permafrost thaw sensitivity by mapping and aerial assessments across the Northwest Territories (NT), Canada. The increase in NT-based permafrost capacity has fostered science leadership and collaboration with government, academic, and community researchers to enable project implementation. Ongoing communications and outreach have informed study design and strengthened Indigenous and stakeholder relationships. Documentation of theme-based methods supported mapper training, and flexible data infrastructure facilitated progress by Canada-wide researchers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The TMC inventory of thermokarst and thaw-sensitive landforms agree well with fine-scale empirical mapping (69%–84% accuracy) and aerial inventory (74%–96% accuracy) datasets. National- and circumpolar-scale modelling of sensitive permafrost terrain contrasts significantly with TMC outputs, highlighting their limitations and the value of empirically based mapping approaches. We demonstrate that the multiparameter TMC outputs support a holistic understanding and refined depictions of permafrost terrain sensitivity, provide novel opportunities for regional syntheses, and inform future modelling approaches, which are urgently required to comprehend better what permafrost thaw means for Canada's North.

The role of airborne transport was suggested to be especially important for the species of minute, self-fertilizing land snail. Therefore, the force of the wind plays a potentially significant role for the transportation of land snails between patches of fragmented environment. However, so far, the topic of the influence of wind gusts on the dispersion of these animals has not been investigated comprehensively. In this study, we tested the role of the wind in passive dispersal modes of two species of land snails: Vertigo moulinsiana (Dupuy, 1849) and Vertigo antivertigo (Draparnaud, 1801). We conducted experiments under controlled, laboratory conditions, exposing both active and inactive adult snails attached to the leaves of sedges to wind. The results presented herein prove that the wind force had a significant impact on the studied species, successfully detaching both active and inactive individuals from leaves. During the 30 min treatment, gusts detached over 20% of all individuals of the studied species. However, individuals of V. moulinsiana were carried farther than V. antivertigo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitellopsis obtusa (Desv.) J. Groves (starry stonewort) is a macroalga in the Characeae family first documented in North America c. 1974. Since initial introduction, N. obtusa clonal populations quickly established in inland lakes as early as 2005. Despite increased N. obtusa monitoring over the last decade, only sterile or male specimens were documented in North America; however, during routine monitoring in Lake Simcoe and Lake Scugog in 2022, we discovered the presence of female gametangia on N. obtusa. In addition, two other Characeae genera had prevalent antheridia and oogonia, co-occurring with oogonia-presenting N. obtusa, which had not been observed previously despite intensive monitoring since 2008. Further studies in North America are required to confirm the proportion of female populations present within invaded regions, as well as to identify plausible causes shifting gametangia development across non-native and native Characeae, especially within the context of climate change. The presence of oogonia on N. obtusa represents a major change to our understanding of this species and its reproductive ecology in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires are increasing in importance in many regions of the Canadian boreal forest and are an ongoing risk for forest management activities. We simulated the effects of fires on long-term harvest levels on the 59 forest management units of the province of Québec, Canada, for the 2020–2100 period. Different climate change pathways (stable, RCP 4.5 or 8.5) and salvage logging rates (20% or 70% of mature burned stands) were simulated. Changes in forest flammability due to climate change, species migration, and forest management were also considered. Under stable climatic conditions, the decline in potential harvest levels due to fire, based on 50 simulations per scenario, ranged between 3% and 33% (mean = 11%) when high salvage logging rates were simulated, compared to 6%–45% (mean = 20%) for low salvage rates. Climate change caused increases in burn rates between −3% and 39% for RCP 4.5 and between 33% and 69% for RCP 8.5 at the end of the 21st century, depending on fire zones. However, the effects of these modified burn rates on harvest levels did not differ substantially from those of baseline burn rates, probably because the projected burn rates were highest during the later part of the simulations (2070–2100), when their impacts on harvest level calculations were limited. This study indicates that potential harvest levels calculated without considering wildfires are likely to be non-sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Zoology is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)