Publications
Resilience or reassembly: Wildfire–vegetation dynamics in rapidly warming subarctic forests of northwestern Canada
Rapidly warming subarctic forests in northwestern Canada exhibit resilience to climate change despite significant wildfire activity, with 88% of surveyed sites maintaining conifer dominance post-fire. A study across Nahanni and Nááts'įhch'oh National Park Reserves found that while tree recruitment was generally low—except where fire-adapted lodgepole pine thrived—tree growth may benefit from longer growing seasons and increased summer precipitation. Researchers analyzed 24 burned and unburned paired plots, assessing vegetation structure, composition, and dendrochronological samples to track postfire recovery trajectories. Although recruitment variability suggests potential reassembly rather than full resilience, forests in this region show adaptability if fire-free intervals remain sufficiently long. However, their long-term fate remains uncertain with projected increases in fire activity.
Caribou in Northern British Columbia: An Assessment of Range Condition and Population Status - Appendix 3: Range Summaries
A critical decline in woodland caribou populations, particularly within the Nahanni National Park region of Northern British Columbia, has been identified. This study reveals that habitat fragmentation and degradation pose significant threats to these species, with population status showing concerning trends. The research employs comprehensive field studies to assess range conditions and population dynamics, utilizing data from long-term monitoring efforts. It emphasizes the need for collaborative conservation strategies involving Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to address these challenges effectively. The findings underscore the importance of integrated landscape management in mitigating threats to vulnerable species and ecosystems.
Fawn River Indigenous Protected Area Ecological Atlas
The Fawn River Indigenous Protected Area Ecological Atlas, published by the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), provides critical insights into the ecology and conservation challenges of Nahanni National Park. This comprehensive study integrates field research on wildlife behavior and ecosystem dynamics to address key threats facing vulnerable species such as grizzly bears, lynx, wolverines, and woodland caribou. By collaborating with Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders, WCS Canada applies its findings to design protected areas, restore ecosystems, and implement community-led conservation strategies. The atlas reflects the organization's legacy of over a century in global conservation, offering actionable solutions for large-scale landscape management and species recovery.
Conservation of Lakeshore Zones in the Northern Boreal Mountains: State of Knowledge, and Principles and Guidelines for Planning and Management
A comprehensive framework for the conservation and management of lakeside zones in Nahanni National Park's northern boreal mountains has been developed, integrating ecological insights with practical guidelines. The study, led by Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), combines extensive field research on wildlife behavior and ecosystem dynamics with collaborative efforts involving local communities, regulatory agencies, and commercial stakeholders. It provides actionable principles for protected area design, species monitoring, habitat restoration, and landscape management, drawing from WCS Canada's decade-long expertise in large-scale conservation initiatives across Canada. This work builds upon a century of global conservation leadership by the Wildlife Conservation Society, offering tailored strategies to address critical threats to vulnerable species like grizzly bears, lynx, wolverines, and woodland caribou while fostering sustainable community-based conservation practices.
Protein Residue (CIEP) Analysis of Samples from Site 118X77, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories
A groundbreaking analysis of obsidian flakes from Site 118X77 in Nahanni National Park Reserve, Canada, has revealed potential traces of processed animal proteins, offering new insights into ancient human activities in the region. The study employed protein residue (CIEP) analysis to identify possible animal-derived substances on the flakes, alongside obsidian sourcing to trace their origin. This dual approach provides a unique window into the dietary and technological practices of past inhabitants, contributing significantly to our understanding of archaeological sites within UNESCO-recognized areas like Nahanni National Park.
Geochemical and mineralogical controls on metal(loid) dispersion in streams and stream sediments in the Prairie Creek district, NWT
Zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) serve as the most effective pathfinder elements for detecting metal(loid) dispersion in streams and sediments of the Prairie Creek district, within Nahanni National Park Reserve. Unlike other mineralized areas, this region exhibits a weak geochemical signal, yet Zn and Pb show anomalous concentrations downstream from Mississippi Valley-type mineralization and quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein deposits, respectively. While Zn is more mobile than Pb, neither element persists significantly beyond the metal source. Microanalytical studies reveal that Zn and Pb are associated with iron oxides like goethite and hematite, indicating active chemical weathering in this subarctic alpine environment. The study sampled stream waters and sediments to investigate mineral hosting of elements (Pb, Zn, Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Sb, Se) and their mobility controls.
Geochemical and mineralogical controls on metal(loid) mobility in the oxide zone of the Prairie Creek Deposit, NWT
A significant discovery at the Prairie Creek Zn-Pb-Ag deposit within Nahanni National Park reveals that smithsonite and cerussite, primary metal carbonates in the oxidized zone, host substantial concentrations of trace elements like Pb, Cd, Cu, As, Sb, Hg, Ag, and Se. These minerals can retain up to 53% of Hg and 79% of Ag within their structure, posing potential environmental risks if released during mining operations. The study employed advanced microanalytical techniques, including electron microscopy, laser-ablation spectrometry, and synchrotron-based mapping, to characterize these mineralogical controls on metal(loid) mobility under mine waste conditions. Findings suggest that while near-neutral pH may initially retain trace elements in solids, long-term oxidation and dissolution could mobilize these contaminants, particularly in localized flow paths or acidified environments.
Persistent Changes to Ecosystems following Winter Road Construction and Abandonment in an Area of Discontinuous Permafrost, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories, Canada
Disturbances to discontinuous permafrost terrain, such as those caused by winter road construction and abandonment, can lead to large and persistent changes in ecosystem composition and structure. A study conducted 32 years after the abandonment of a winter access road in Nahanni National Park Reserve (NNPR) found that these changes are driven by interactions between soil conditions and vegetation communities. The research compared disturbed (road) and undisturbed sites across four terrain types: spruce peatland, black spruce parkland, deciduous forest, and alpine treeline terrain. Findings suggest that when disturbances fundamentally disrupt stabilizing interactions between soil conditions and vegetation, lasting changes to ecosystem structure and function are likely, even in the context of climate warming.
Bats of Nahanni National Park Reserve and Surrounding Areas, Northwest Territories
A groundbreaking bat survey in Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, significantly expands the known range of several bat species. Researchers confirmed the presence of seven bat species, including five not previously recorded in the region: Long-eared Myotis, Long-legged Myotis, Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, and Eastern Red Bat. Notably, this study documents the most northerly records (61°N) for Long-eared Myotis and Long-legged Myotis in North America, extending their range approximately 300 km northward. The survey employed mistnets and AnaBat ultrasound detectors over 23 nights, capturing four species and acoustically detecting three others. While reproduction was confirmed only in Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis, the findings highlight the region's ecological significance as a potential northern range limit for multiple bat species.
Diversity and Distribution of Bats in the Northwest Territories
Research reveals that the diversity of bat species in the Northwest Territories (NT), Canada, is significantly higher than previously documented. Initially, only three species were known to inhabit the region: Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, and Hoary Bat. However, through focused surveys and resident observations, four additional species have been confirmed—Long-eared Myotis, Long-legged Myotis, Big Brown Bat, and Silver-haired Bat—bringing the total to seven, with an eighth species (Eastern Red Bat) suspected but unconfirmed. Notably, Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis are reproducing in the NT, suggesting higher abundance than expected, while Little Brown Myotis has also been confirmed to overwinter in the region, potentially extending the known northern limit of bat hibernation further north than previously thought. The study highlights that Nahanni National Park Reserve exhibits high bat diversity, with other southwestern regions likely sharing similar richness but lacking survey data. Bats are widespread in southern Central Plains, though gaps in occurrence records likely reflect insufficient search effort. The Eastern Shield region supports bats at relatively low densities, while the northern distribution limit of bats in the NT remains unknown but is expected to occur north of 62°N in the Mackenzie Valley.
Nahanni National Park Reserve of Canada Northwest Territories
Nahanni National Park Reserve, located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, stands as a testament to the profound connection between Indigenous cultures and natural landscapes. This study reveals how Aboriginal perspectives shape the understanding and preservation of World Heritage Sites, emphasizing the spiritual significance embedded within these places. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices, Nahanni’s unique ecosystems—such as its dramatic canyons, rivers, and wildlife—are not only protected but also celebrated for their cultural heritage. The research approach combines ethnographic analysis with ecological assessments, highlighting how Indigenous narratives enrich scientific conservation efforts. This dual perspective offers a model for balancing biodiversity protection with the preservation of intangible cultural values.
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