Broadcast — Cutting Edge Lectures in Science: Environmental change in Canada's Arctic: how different is the present from the past?
Arctic regions are experiencing high degrees of environmental change, including thinning of sea ice, increased deposition of airborne pollutants, as well as evidence of a longer growing season. In order to assess the present rate and effect of these changes to the terrestrial system, Professor Douglas and colleagues examine lake sediments (paleolimnology) to reconstruct past natural baseline conditions.
Their investigations of aquatic ecosystems reveal that these systems are undergoing important changes in their physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Understanding these changes provides insight into what future arctic conditions may prevail. The  speaker uses examples from her research on lakes and ponds in the Canadian High Arctic to show some of the practical applications of paleolimnology in studying regional climate change, archaeology, and airborne pollutants.
