How do the Earth's systems operate?

How can technology improve our understanding of these systems?

The Centre for Earth Observation Science at the University of Manitoba was created so we can begin to answer these questions. Located on the upper floor of the Wallace Building at the Fort Garry campus, we are an integral part of the Department of Environment and Geography, and our areas of research are diverse.

Arctic Science is a major focus. Mainly on board the CCGS Amundsen, Canada's premier research icebreaker, we study the physical, chemical, biological, and human systems of the Canadian Arctic:

• Sea ice is a significant area of research at CEOS. We study the geophysical properties of sea ice, inversion modeling, and microwave backscatter (typically from satellites).
• Contaminants, such as mercury, accumulate in the Arctic food web. We study the pathways contaminants follow in the ecosystem, and how they might be affected by climate change.
• Mammals are the focus of surveys we conduct, regarding how they interact with different ice types, and how they could be affected by changes in sea ice.
• Traditional knowledge from the Inuit people provides qualitative supplements to our knowledge, in an area where scientific records are relatively recent.

Meteorology is another significant area of research for CEOS, and is not limited to the Arctic. Through numerical modelling, remote sensing, and field observations, we can improve our understanding of atmospheric phenomena such as precipitation, cloud formations, and temperature, and better predict storms and extreme weather.