Research summary
Rapid winter warming as a result of climate change is affecting freshwater lakes in Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. These lakes have scientific and socio-economic importance, especially for northern Indigenous communities. To understand these changes, Dr. Homa Kheyrollah Pour, Canada Research Chair in Remote Sensing of Environmental Change, is leading a long-term, sustainable lake monitoring program in partnership with local Indigenous communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
She and her research team are studying the impacts of current and future climate warming on northern lakes, offering early alerts on alterations to lake health, and supporting proactive decision-making processes. Along with addressing critical knowledge gaps about how lakes and ecosystem health respond to environmental change, their work will inform adaptive management strategies to safeguard Canada’s water resources. It will also enhance Canada’s reputation as a centre for water technology innovation.