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A $2.34-million study of the effect of climate change and oilsands activity on the Mackenzie River Basin will be led by University of Alberta researchers.

Over six years, the project will monitor changes in aquatic ecosystems and fishing as a livelihood. Implications for the 400,000 people living in the basin will also be documented.

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The basin covers nearly 20 per cent of Canada’s land mass, enveloping waters in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and the northern parts of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Besides the U of A, 12 other universities, 14 First Nations organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and governments will be involved in the study.

The lion’s share of the funding — $2.3 million — is coming from the federal government. The U of A will contribute $416,000.

pparsons@edmontonjournal.com

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