Subarctic Lakes Drying Up At A Rate Not Seen For 200 Years
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 - 15:10
in Earth & Climate
There has been a snowfall decrease in Canada's subarctic regions and that has led to worrisome desiccation of the regions' lakes - this has happened in the past also, of course, but it was less noticeable. Researchers came to this conclusion after studying 70 lakes near Old Crow, Yukon, and Churchill, Manitoba. Most of the lakes studied are less than one metre deep. According to the analysis, more than half of those located on relatively flat terrain and surrounded by scrubby vegetation show signs of desiccation. The problem stems chiefly from a decline in meltwater; for instance, from 2010 to 2012 average winter precipitation in Churchill decreased by 76 mm compared to the averages recorded from 1971 to 2000. read more