posted on Mar, 3 2007 @ 08:15 AM
Some suggestions for research direction:
1) The tree line. There has been some "movement" so to speak on this, and there are several areas in the north experiencing natural tree growth in
the last 15 years or so, in some cases quite a bit north of the tree line. This could take a cataloguing approach or a pilot study for planting.
2) Permafrost chemical composition. This is going to be a bit of a decider in northern ecosystem, as there are many potential variables and a massive
ecosystem involved. A sudden imbalance in groundwater PH, for example, will have widespread effects in areas wihtout tree cover.
This is currently a hot topic in Siberia, where there is a high methane component in the permafrost which is being released as it melts.
3) Soil erosion and winter snow cover.
4) Anything at all to do with mosquitoes, mosquito populations and the spread of disease. A valuable research project, but I would consider your
friendship before suggesting it. Spending a summer west of Churchill covered in muskol scratching herself senseless and cursing the gods... she might
not be all that keen to talk to you afterwards..