$4M study to look at North's thawing permafrost

A major four-year research project looking at global warming's impact on permafrost and how it will affect Arctic development is getting underway.

Laval University in Quebec City is leading the $4-million study with a grant from the federal government.

The ADAPT project will look at melting permafrost and snow conditions and their impact on the landscape, water and wildlife in the North.

Fifteen researchers, ranging from engineers to hydrologists, will also study how these changes are affecting communities and natural resource development and exploitation. The 10-university team of scientists will use the information to come up with an adaptation strategy.

The research sites are located throughout the three territories, Nunavik in northern Quebec and Nunatsiavut in Labrador.

The researchers will collaborate with teams from other countries around the world.

Long-time Arctic researcher Warwick Vincent, a Laval University biologist and director of the multi-university Centre for Northern Studies, is leading the project.