Phase III - Completion of the Sub-Arctic Database and Description of the Arctic Vegetation Associations

Project Reference Number: 2011-05

Project Status: Complete

Led by: Will MacKenzie, Research Ecologist, Ministry of Forests and Range, Smithers

Research Assistance: Adrian de Groot, Drosera Ecological Consulting, Smithers; Irene Ronalds, Smithers

Funded by: Environment Yukon, Government of Yukon

Labrador Tea

This is an International Polar Year (IPY) project, funded by the IPY Federal Program office.  The project lead is Environment Yukon, Government of Yukon; project partner is the Canadian Forestry Service, Natural Resources Canada.  Technical expertise will be further provided by the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC) Technical Committee.

The purpose of this IPY project is to produce a vegetation classification for the arctic and subarctic, as an extension of the CNVC. A standardized arctic/subarctic vegetation classification will provide a benchmark for monitoring climate change, species at risk, biodiversity, permafrost and wildlife habitat, and will support land use planning and conservation areas management.

Phase III is the completion of the subarctic database and description of the arctic vegetation associations, developed in Phase II of the project.