Supervised by:

David Didier (Regular member)

Research project description

Joint mapping of hydrosedimentary systems, coastline evolution and coastal ecosystems from Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq

IntroductionCompared to the St-Lawrence river, we have little knowledge on coastal evolution and coastal hazards in Nunavik. However, there are fifteen indigenous communities that are becoming more vulnerable to climate change due to their location. Ongoing glacial isostatic adjustment, the presence of permafrost and the longer open-water season are making this area unique.These characteristics justify the relevance of a characterisation and mapping project of Nunavik’s coast. Marine regression, caused by land uplift, and storm surges can affect coastal anthropogenic infrastructures along the eastern coast of the Hudson Bay. Also, an increase in marine traffic risks impacting the sensibility of coastal ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to collect information on the coasts of Nunavik in order to develop an environmental sensibility index to better manage the sensitivity of coastal systems. ObjectivesThe main objective of this project is to establish the first detailed mapping of the coastal area from Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq in order to include those information in an environmental sensibility index. The specific objectives are (1) to identify and map the hydrosedimentary cells for the study area, (2) to update the coastal classification by including hydro- and morphodynamic parameters, (3) to map the coastline evolution from 1952 to 2020 and (4) to delimit and characterize coastal ecosystems by remote sensing. Study sitesThe study site is the entire coastal area from Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq in Nunavik. A relief of cuesta, dune areas, pocket beaches, estuaries and discontinuous permafrost characterize this area. Two groups of islands are located offshore: Manitounuk and Nastapoka islands. Those islands belong to Nunavut.Material and methodsRemote sensing analysis using aerial photography and satellite imagery will be the main method throughout this project. Mapping and remote sensing software like ArcGIS and PCI Geomatica will be used to characterize the coastal hydrosedimentary cells and the ecosystems present in the intertidal zone. These software will also enable us to measure historical coastal evolution and identify infrastructures and activities potentially exposed to accidental marine pollution. Characterization data will be combined to wave and total water level models in order to add a dynamic parameter to the detailed mapping of the study area. The results of the remote sensing analysis will then be validated during fieldwork. Expected resultsThe results of this project will be detailed maps showing a characterization of the coast, the evolution of the shoreline and the coastal ecosystems located in the coastal area from Whapmagoostui-Kuujjuarapik to Umiujaq in Nunavik. This project will also allow us to actualize the preliminary classification of the coast by Boisson (2019). The new data collected will then be used to develop an environmental sensibility and morphosedimentary index for the coasts of Nunavik.

Research Site Coordinates