Wetlands of the Yellowknife Study Area, 1962-1965: Physical characteristics

The Yellowknife Study Area (YSA), Northwest Territories, Canada, was established in 1961 by H. W. Murdy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, for the study of wetland and waterfowl ecology. The study area is located on the western edge of the Precambrian Shield and edge of the taiga and is recognized for its high wetland densities and waterfowl abundance. The region is underlain by discontinuous, warm permafrost and hence vulnerable to a warming climate. The completion of Highway 3 in early 1960s provided the first access to the region for development, research, and monitoring. The YSA is a 38-sq km area centered on Highway 3, extending 48 km in length. In the 1960s, it encompassed 262 natural ponds and 313 man-made ponds created by highway [...]