Hydrological connectivity and seasonal storage change of tundra ponds in a polar oasis environment, Canadian High Arctic

Abstract Tundra ponds are a common type of wetland in the High Arctic. Their preservation is predicated upon ample water supply and storage to overcome evaporation losses. Two years of hydrological study of a cluster of ponds in a polar oasis of the Canadian Arctic showed the dominance of overland flow in the spring as an agent that recharged the pond storage. The freshet produced by snowmelt gave rise to extensive surface flow connections between the ponds and with their surrounding areas, but such flow connectivity lasted only about 2 weeks. After that, the ponds appeared to be separated from lateral drainage. Detailed mapping of the water and frost table positions together with water balance investigation, however, indicated the presence of subsurface flows between some ponds and with their adjacent slope. The flow magnitude was small relative to the vertical processes of evaporation and rainfall. Evaporation loss was mainly responsible for storage depletion, leading to a decline in pond level and shrinkage of open water area, unless major rain events restored the storage (as in 2006). It is postulated that climate warming could increase evaporation and active layer thickness to promote greater loss in surface water storage, or geomorphic processes could breach the pond rims, leading to the demise of ponds. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.