A research team from McGill University has just found something really exciting. They discovered important new information about how boulders affect snow melt in northern alpine areas. This pioneering research unfolds in Yukon’s Shár Shaw Tagà Valley. By employing creative methodologies, researchers investigate snow melt patterns and depth around boulders, furthering knowledge of climate dynamics in the area.
The research team employed a groundbreaking methodology to deeply monitor the phenomenon. This strategy allowed them to collect in-depth data despite the rural setting. The original article featured in our Nature-Based Solutions category, produced in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. This new observational data is a big step towards improving important climate modeling across northern regions.
Co-author Jeffrey McKenzie is professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill. In doing so, he drew attention to the critical role of mountainous ecosystems.
“It’s been said that mountains are the world’s water towers. A shocking percentage of people rely on them,” – Jeffrey McKenzie.
This research examines a watershed that is the lifeblood of the Kluane First Nation. It feeds a river and lake system that supports their vibrant fisheries and artistic lifestyle. The reality of the region’s warming climate looms large, though. McKenzie pointed out that northern mountain ranges are warming at rates even faster than the global average.
“The watershed Eole is working on is one of several that feeds a river and lake system used heavily by the Kluane First Nation, and it’s important to their fisheries and way of life,” – Jeffrey McKenzie.
The research team engaged in hands-on data collection through drone photogrammetry to produce a detailed orthophoto of the snowpack study area. They strengthened their fieldwork with precise instruments provided by Michel Baraër, McGill PhD, and current professor at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS). With the help of a Lidar sensor and thermal camera, the trial was able to accurately pinpoint areas of interest for further analysis.
This was groundbreaking work McKenzie noted for the unique methodology employed in this research.
“There are some amazing new tools for observation that have not yet been applied in remote settings due to logistics. It’s a new tier of observational data collection in remote environments,” – Jeffrey McKenzie.
Eole Valence, another researcher working on the project, highlighted the real-world significance of their discovery.
“What’s exciting is that these small, local interactions between rocks and snow can actually scale up to influence how we model water and energy in northern landscapes,” – Michel Baraër.
The study’s ability to measure the extent of a boulder’s influence provides valuable information for future research efforts. Valence recognized the challenge and opportunity present in understanding combined impacts of multiple environmental factors.
“Sometimes you try to measure something, but it’s biased by your location. This study helps us understand how far a boulder’s influence extends, so we can place our sensors more accurately in future research,” – Eole Valence.