Permafrost and surface energy conditions are described for wetland tundra and bedrock terrain in Churchill, Manitoba. By showing the annual energy exchange for two continuous permafrost sites, a comparison is made between their present conditions, thermal properties, equilibrium's, and responses to initial perturbations. Results show distinct differences between the thermal equilibrim of the surface and ground for the two sites, which affect each terrain in a particular manner for a given perturbation. The results will provide a powerful means of testing theoretical GCM output and implications for subarctic environments at a local scale.

John H. Pedersen
Department of Geography
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
CANADA
Telephone: (905) 525-9140 x24082
Fax: (905) 546-0463
E-mail: g9526051@mcmaster.ca