Spatio-temporal characterisation of the cooling potential of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada

Wetlands offer various benefits to the environment. They help store carbon, regulate the climate, and improve water quality. Wetlands also have a cooling effect on their surroundings, which influences the local and regional climate. This cooling effect benefits the plants and animals in the area. Due to changes in how we use land and more extreme weather events, the services provided by wetlands, especially their cooling effect, have become more important. Wetlands can be used as natural strategies to adapt to and reduce the impact of climate change. This particular study focuses on understanding how wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region in Canada contribute to local cooling. The main aims are to measure and analyze the cooling effect based on factors like wetland size, type, proximity to other land types, and various environmental conditions. The study uses satellite data and field-based measurements to compare the temperature and characteristics of wetlands compared to surrounding land-uses. The goal is to provide a detailed analysis of how wetlands cool their surroundings over time and space. This information can be valuable for land management, conservation efforts, and environmental policies. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to our understanding of how preserving, restoring, and managing wetlands can be part of natural solutions to climate-related challenges.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sara Helen Knox

Student:

Partner:

Ducks Unlimited Canada (MB)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: