Examining permafrost detection and validation techniques in thermally complex mountainous terrain: a case study in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon, Canada

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dc.contributor.authorNicholson, Ria E.
dc.contributor.authorUniversity of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
dc.contributor.supervisorBonnaventure, Philip
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-04T22:29:13Z
dc.date.available2025-06-04T22:29:13Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.degree.levelMasters
dc.description.abstractClimatic warming necessitates a more comprehensive understanding of permafrost distribution. However, permafrost cannot be directly observed due to its subsurface nature, leading to a reliance on predictive models. Models commonly lack comprehensive validation through independent field observation and are thus prone to uncertainty. The goal of this research is to explore the limitations of permafrost model validation in a heterogeneous periglacial environment. Permafrost evaluation through two independent models in the Ogilvie Mountains were sampled using 74 cryotic assessment sites. The sampling goal was to identify permafrost in-situ, examining the concept of "testability". Sampling was performed using the ground thermal profiling method. Interference from impenetrable substrates caused 51.4 % of tests to fail. This data informed a probability of testability model. Overall, the landscape exhibited polarized testability, with elevation as a predictor. This highlights a critical knowledge gap in permafrost research today regarding uncertainty and validation.
dc.embargoNo
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10133/7047
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherLethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Geography and Environment
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Geography and Environment
dc.publisher.facultyArts and Science
dc.relation.ispartofseriesThesis (University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science)
dc.subjectpermafrost distribution
dc.subjectpredictive models
dc.subjectpermafrost model limitations
dc.subjectpermafrost model validation
dc.subjectmountainous terrain
dc.subjectmodelling issues
dc.subjectcomplex permafrost sites
dc.subjectthermal heterogeniety
dc.subjectin-situ permafrost testability
dc.subject.lcshDissertations, Academic
dc.subject.lcshPermafrost--Research--Yukon--Ogilvie Mountains
dc.subject.lcshPermafrost--Mathematical models--Research
dc.subject.lcshPermafrost--Statistical methods--Research
dc.subject.lcshPermafrost--Sampling--Research
dc.subject.lcshClimatic changes
dc.subject.lcshOgilvie Mountains (Yukon)
dc.titleExamining permafrost detection and validation techniques in thermally complex mountainous terrain: a case study in the Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon, Canada
dc.typeThesis
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