Martin, Yvonne E.Momodu, Paul Akhere2019-09-062019-09-062019-08-29Momodu, P. A. (2019). Terrain Susceptibility to Windthrow of Trees in Subalpine Forests, Canadian Rockies (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/110866Windthrow is a natural disturbance that can result in significant impacts on forests. Modelling of basin-scale patterns of wind speed in subalpine forests of the Canadian Rockies and evaluation of terrain susceptibility to windthrow of trees in these forests have not previously been undertaken. The present study uses the numerical model, WindStation, to simulate wind speed patterns in two mountainous drainage basins in Kananaskis, Canadian Rockies. Locations and associated terrain characteristics where wind speeds for major wind events exceed the threshold of 42 m s-1 are evaluated. Results show that locations where wind speeds exceed the threshold for windthrow and are also treed are limited in spatial extent, occurring mainly at the upper parts of drainage basins close to the drainage divide. Understanding terrain susceptibility to windthrow provides important information about the types of disturbance that control forest dynamics in the subalpine forests of the Canadian Rockies.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.WindthrowTerrain SusceptibilityTreesSubalpine ForestsModellingNatural disturbanceWind speedBiographyGeographyPhysical GeographyEngineering--Environmentalmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/36944