Geomorphic evidence of Holocene slope dynamics on the Canadian shield – a study from Lac à l'Eau-Claire, western Nunavik. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Decaulne, Armelle; Bhiry, Najat; Lebrun, Julien; Veilleux, Samuel; Sarrazin, Denis
• Is Part Of: Ecoscience. Volume 25:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Talus -- Nunavik -- scree -- slope dynamics; Talus -- éboulis -- gélifraction -- Nunavik; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1080/11956860.2018.1431376
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1195-6860

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We present the results of a study of the morphometric properties of a talus slope in subarctic Quebec (Nunavik) using field-based methods, including geomorphological, granulometric and plant distribution surveys, and statistical analyses. Slope processes are currently active, despite the limited altitudinal difference between the apical-to-distal parts of the slope and the imminent depletion of the debris supply. The near-rectilinear long profiles of the talus highlight the distribution of debris across the slope and demonstrate that free-fall of rock fragments is not the only process operating (redistribution is higher in the westernmost profile, which exhibits a clear concave shape). The spatial distribution of vegetation covering the screes highlights the recent age of parts of the talus, showing that present-day processes are still active, although limited. The short remaining apical rockwall highlights the shortage of debris following deglaciation, as debris are mostly supplied by freeze-thaw processes to the talus, and are then reworked by other processes which need to be better defined in subsequent research.