News

NSERC PermafrostNet news, updates and activities.

Seminar – 19 April – Variation in the morphology of permafrost peatlands across the transition from continuous to discontinuous permafrost, central Mackenzie Valley.

Alexandre Chiasson will be presenting the next NSERC PermafrostNet seminar on Variation in the morphology of permafrost peatlands across the transition from continuous to discontinuous permafrost, central Mackenzie Valley.

Date: 19 April 2023
Time: 12:00-13:00 Eastern Time
Location: Zoom (details are posted in our Teams site).

Alexandre’s work focuses on peatland morphological variations through the transition from continuous to discontinuous permafrost in the central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories and will specifically highlight the unique characteristics of dendritic peat plateaus (DPPs). Using statistical, remote-sensing, and mapping analyses, Alexandre will explore the differences in peatland morphology and how these peatland landforms responses have changed over time depending on a combination of climatic factors and environment settings. This webinar promises to provide valuable insights into the fascinating world of peatlands by highlighting new peat plateau landforms and their responses to global warming.

StoryMap on dendritic peat plateaus

By Tristan MacLean, ago
Emilie Stewart-Jones inspecting rock temperature

Seminar – 5 April – Rock walls of western Canada: Evaluating the relationships between permafrost, topography and climate.

Emilie Stewart-Jones will be presenting the next NSERC PermafrostNet seminar on Rock walls of western Canada: Evaluating the relationships between permafrost, topography and climate.

Date: 5 April 2023
Time: 13:00-14:00 Eastern Time
Location: Zoom (details are posted in our Teams site).

In this seminar Emilie will talk about the research she has been conducting for her Masters project. She will be presenting the results from a new method for modelling ground/rock temperatures in remote locations and will be demonstrating its potential for evaluating rock fall events.

You can now also see February’s seminar – Exploring the interactions between permafrost, ground ice and soil organic carbon. by Samuel Gagnon on our seminar series webpage.

By Tristan MacLean, ago

International intern

Matthis Schindler has been working with us since the start of the year, so it’s about time to properly introduce our newest member of the PermafrostNet community, and tell you what he’s doing while he’s here in Ottawa with us.

Matt joined us as an intern for three months to work with both NSERC PermafrostNet and the research group of Stephan Gruber. He is an MSc student at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany where he studies Geoecology, which is an interdisciplinary degree program that combines different environmental and nature science courses like geology, climatology, biology, hydrology, zoology, remote sensing and many more. His interests lie in the connections and dependencies of ecosystems as well as the resulting processes.

At PermafrostNet, he is taking responsibility for a range of communications, including the winter 2023 newsletter, seminar series videos, website content and social media. He is also working with Tristan MacLean to ensure a smooth and successful International Day of Permafrost, tackling organizational duties like communicating with speakers, scheduling and handling different time zones from Vancouver to Nepal and all the other behind-the-scenes tasks that come with preparing an international conference.

“This internship has already given me a lot of insight into the importance of thorough background work for both handling scientific data and organizing a big event like the International Day of Permafrost!”

You can find further information on the International Day of Permafrost, participating organizations, the schedule and the registration link here.

By Tristan MacLean, ago

2023 International Day of Permafrost

We’re proud to announce the International Day of Permafrost, hosted by us on March 1st!

Join us and the permafrost community for an online day of presentations and discussions highlighting the many organizations and projects around the world studying, monitoring, and addressing permafrost issues.

Over 25 speakers from organizations and universities around the world, like Kumari Karunaratne from Canadian Permafrost Association and Isabelle Gärtner-Roer from International Permafrost Association will fill the day with life.

You can find further information on the event, organizations and the schedule here.

The zoom link will be provided prior to all that have registered here.

By Tristan MacLean, ago

Seminar – Exploring the interactions between permafrost, ground ice and soil organic carbon.

The February 2023 PermafrostNet seminar will be presented by Samuel Gagnon on Exploring the interactions between permafrost, ground ice and soil organic carbon.

Date: 22 February 2023
Time: 13:00-14:00 Eastern Time
Location: Zoom (details are posted in our Teams site).

In this seminar Samuel will discuss his past projects and how his work has been mostly focussed on two main themes: carbon and ground ice. He’ll show how the two can interact together, discuss some of the links with work with PermafrostNet’s Theme 1, and share insights from his work on those two main topics. 

You can now also see January’s seminar – Permafrost and mercury: revisiting a global hazard assessment at the regional scale in the Hudson Bay Lowlands by Adam Kirkwood on our seminar series webpage.

By Tristan MacLean, ago

NSERC PermafrostNet and ArcticNet sign MoU

NSERC PermafrostNet is pleased to announce this partnership to further Arctic science: We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ArcticNet. This MoU between ArcticNet and NSERC PermafrostNet will promote northern research and culture while supporting the exchange of knowledge and fostering the creation of synergies in Arctic research between researchers, institutions, communities, governments, and the private sector. 

The MoU was signed on September 16th, 2022. 

“NSERC PermafrostNet connects academics and partners for boosting Canada’s ability to adapt to permafrost thaw. As a strategic partnership network, we also work toward better connecting differing perspectives and organizations in the long term. Partnering with ArcticNet helps build on existing strengths and better contribute to an inclusive Arctic research ecosystem.” – Stephan Gruber, NSERC PermafrostNet Scientific Director 

“Permafrost research has always been a core research topic for ArcticNet. We are keen to continue working closely with PermafrostNet to advance knowledge on permafrost dynamics on natural and built systems across the North. Together, we aim to leverage assets, train the next generation of Arctic specialists, and expand research opportunities.” – Christine Barnard, ArcticNet Executive Director 

About ArcticNet

ArcticNet is a Network of Centres of Excellence of Canada that brings together scientists, engineers, and other professionals in the human health, natural and social sciences with partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector to study the impacts of climate and socio-economic change in the Canadian North.  

By Tristan MacLean, ago

Seminar – Effective data sharing: Achievements and challenges creating the Canadian Permafrost Electrical Resistivity Survey Database.

The October PermafrostNet seminar is being presented by Teddi Herring on Effective data sharing: Achievements and challenges creating the Canadian Permafrost Electrical Resistivity Survey Database.
Date: 26 October 2022
Time: 13:00-14:00 Eastern Time
Location: Zoom (details are posted in our Teams site).

Teddi Herring

New Seminar Coordinator

Taking over from Charles Gauthier as our new network seminar coordinator is Zakieh Mohammadi. Zakieh is a PhD student at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Professor Jocelyn Hayley. During her PhD studies, she will be working on developing a framework for evaluating and estimating the thaw-settlement behaviour of permafrost sediment.

By Tristan MacLean, ago