Caribou observations on Queen Elizabeth Islands (Tab. 1 + 2)

The numbers and distributions of Peary caribou (Rangiier tarandus pearyi) on western Queen Elizabeth Islands, Northwest Territories were determined by aerial surveys based on a standard census strip method. Surveys were flown in March-April and July-August periods in 1972, 1973, and 1974. Comparison of the 1973 and 1974 survevs with those results of a comparable survey in 1961 showed an overall decline of 89% in numbers of caribou between 1961 and 1974. Percentage reduction of caribou numbers from 1961 to 1874 followed a west-cast gradient on the three major islands: Prince Patrick 72%, Melville 87% , and Bathurst 92%. The marked decrease in numbers of caribou is attributed to a combination of high winter mortality in some years and an overall low rate of births and recruitment from 1961 to 1974.

Wave height (regular and irregular waves) reduction in 2m water depth over a 40-m-long salt marsh test section in a large scale laboratory flume

Coastal communities around the world face increasing risk from flooding as a result of rising sea level, increasing storminess, and land subsidence. Salt marshes can act as natural buffer zones, providing protection from waves during storms. However, the effectiveness of marshes in protecting the coastline during extreme events when water levels and waves are highest is poorly understood. Here, we experimentally assess wave dissipation under storm surge conditions in a 300-m-long wave flume that contains a transplanted section of natural salt marsh. We find that the presence of marsh vegetation causes considerable wave attenuation, even when water levels and waves are high. From a comparison with experiments without vegetation, we estimate that up to 60% of observed wave reduction is attributed to vegetation. We also find that although waves progressively flatten and break vegetation stems and thereby reduce dissipation, the marsh substrate remained remarkably stable and resistant to surface erosion under all conditions.The effectiveness of storm wave dissipation and the resilience of tidal marshes even at extreme conditions suggest that salt marsh ecosystems can be a valuable component of coastal protection schemes.