CONTINENTALITY INDEX: ITS USES AND LIMITATIONS APPLIED TO PERMAFROST IN THE CANADIAN CORDILLERA

Abstract

The Continentality Index of Gorbunov (1978) should be based on the lower limit of continuous permafrost to be most effective in the Canadian Cordillera. A systematic increase in the Continentality Index northwards from southern Alberta into the Yukon Territory may be due to the greater influence of the continental Arctic air mass in the north. This correlates with changes in moisture availability and with vegetation. Superimposed on this trend is local variability probably due to edaphic moisture conditions. Edaphically dry areas have higher values of the Continentality Index than edaphically wet sites, but this variability is far less than the general gradient. [Key words: Continentality Index, soil moisture, geocryology mountains, alpine permafrost.]