Primary Contact Dr. Gilles Gauthier, professor Department of Biology & Centre d'études nordiques Université Laval Québec, Québec G1V 0A6 Canada Phone: 418 656-5507 Fax: 418 656-2043 Email:
Secondary Contact: Dr. Dominique Berteaux, professor Department of Biology & Centre d'études nordiques 300 allée des Ursulines Université du Québec à Rimouski Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1 Canada Phone: 418 723-1986 ext. 1910 Fax: 418 724-1849 Email:
Longitude: 79° 59' W Latitude: 73° 9' N Location: Bylot Island, Sirmilik National Park, Nunavut Surrounding environment: Tundra, Wetland, Permafrost, Semi-arid, Lichen, Terrestrial
Description of Facility: Facilities can accommodate up to 15 people on a regular basis. One Weatherhaven shelter and one insulated laboratory are on site year round. The Weatherhaven serves as a kitchen. Both are heated and have a limited power supply (generator and solar panels). During operating season (summer): additional tents are used for sleeping, outside shower, drinking water, and camp equipment (cooking and camping gear, tools) are available as wells as dry & propane toilets, radio & satellite phone communication (including low-speed e-mail), bear deterrent & protection devices (electric bear fence around station), first aid kits, & storage facilities. Some scientific equipment also available. The camp is surrounded by a bear fence. Several climatological stations of the Centre for Northern Studies (CEN - Centre d'études nordiques) SILA Network operate year-round on site.
Laboratory: Some laboratory equipment available (e.g. glassware, drying oven, electronic balance, microscope/binocular, etc.) during the operating season. Wet Lab: No Power: 12V/110V power provided by generator and solar Communications: HF Radio - PCSP (Polar Continental Shelf Project) frequencies, a written permission from PCSP is required. Please see http://polar.nrcan.gc.ca/ for more details. Satellite phone available (calling time charged to user). Access: Scheduled flights to Pond Inlet. By helicopter (landing area 50 m from camp), Twin Otter on skis (until approx. 31 May; landing on lake 50 m from camp) or wheels (June to August; landing strip 5 km from camp) and by snowmobiles on sea ice from Pond Inlet (until approx. 20 June; approx. 8 hours one-way). Local Transportation: Helicopter time and snowmobiles can be obtained through Polar Continental Shelf Project. No ATV can be used at the site. Fuel Availability: Arrangements for fuel can be made through PCSP. Other Local Resources: None, high degree of self-sufficiency is expected. Special Rules and Regulations: The site is located within Sirmilik National Park. Hence, all persons going to the site must first report to the Parks Canada office in Pond Inlet. It is also recommended to meet with the wildlife officer and Hunters and Trappers Organization representatives from Pond Inlet before going to the field. Nearest Community: Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) (85 km) Nearest Medical Service: Health Centre in Pond Inlet (85 km) and Hospital in Iqaluit (1200 km) Licences, Permits: Located in Sirmilik National Park and in the Bylot Migratory Bird Sanctuary; a joint research permit from Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service is required to access the site (Parks Canada, Iqaluit).
For logistical support, contact Polar Continental Shelf Project for application forms. Availability: Late May to late August Cost: No fixed cost. Cost to use facility must be negotiated with contacts in advance. Research History: The current ecological studies on Bylot Island started in 1988 as a joint collaboration between Centre d'études nordiques and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Over the years, the Bylot Island research project has grown into one of the largest and longest ecological studies in Nunavut.
Current Projects: Trophic dynamics in the arctic tundra in relation to environmental changes; Greater Snow Goose ecology; long-term monitoring of animal populations, vegetation and climate in the arctic tundra; impacts of bird populations and climate change on lake ecosystems; geomorphology of ice wedge polygons.
