CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Devito, K.J; Ferone, J.; Creed, I.F.; Pollard, B.; Foote, L.; and Bayley, S.
Date : 2000.
Title : Climate, hydrogeology, and water chemistry relationships in wetland-pond complexes of the Western Boreal Forest: Preliminary results.
Publication : Annual Scientific Meeting, Canadian Geophysical Union, Banff, Alberta, May 23-27, 2000.
Issue : Abstract.
Page(s) :
Abstract
The Western Boreal forest is changing rapidly due to resource development, however, our understanding of the temporal and spatial variations in functions of western boreal wetlands is limited. As part of a long-term research project with the Western Boreal Forest Initiative, Ducks Unlimited, we will be examining the relationship between climate, geologic setting, hydrology and water chemistry in wetland-complexes of the Boreal Plains. A survey of surface water chemistry and water levels was conducted on 120 wetland complexes in 1998 and 1999 in conjunction with the installation of hydrogeologic transect with in a 200 km 2 study area near Utikuma Lake, Alberta. Preliminary hydrogeologic investigations reveal a range of groundwater interactions among the different landforms in the study area, with perched recharge ponds dominating on topographic high till moraines and groundwater flow through in wetlands located on the outwash and lowlying clay plain. During 1999, a year with approximately 50% average rainfall, precipitation and evapotranspiration dominated the water balance and water levels dropped approximately 20 cm in wetland-pond complexes located in both topographic high and low positions in the study area. Although variable, surface water cation and total phosphorous concentrations were generally lower in wetland complexes located on topographic high moraines compared to low lying clay plains. These preliminary results illustrate the importance of geologic setting on wetland hydrology and water quality, and will provide the geologic framework for selecting sites to conduct detailed hydrological and ecological studies of wetland-pond complexes in the western boreal forest.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology