Temporal snow cover variation and terrain characteristics of Peary caribou habitats in the Canadian arctic using optical and InSAR data

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data from RADARSAT-1 have been examined to assess their potential for mapping terrain and changes in snow cover characteristics, relative to the limiting effects of snow on foraging by endangered Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus). Radar is one of the few observational tools that can provide information on the changing snow pack during the dark winter months. The goal of this research is to characterize the general ensemble of terrain characteristics that may affect winter foraging patterns of Peary caribou and the inter-annual consistency of snow cover patterns within our specific study area.