Long-term high Arctic ecosystem monitoring in Quttinirpaaq National Park, Ellesmere Island, Canada

In 1990 a long-term monitoring program was established in Quttinirpaaq National Park on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic to study the effect of natural forces and human activity on the park's ecosystems. At that time nine transects were established, five in the Tanquary Fiord area and four in the Lake Hazen area. Data collected during the eleven-year monitoring period indicate that most of the ecosystems are fairly dynamic, displaying changes resulting primarily from natural processes. These processes generally have a stronger impact than human activities. The data collected in 2000 suggest that the air and soil temperatures have increased during the past three summers (1998-2000), resulting in deepening of the thaw layers on portions of most of the transects. Between 1990 and 2000 there was a significant change in the vegetation cover on three of the eight vegetated transects.