NPS Arctic Network Inventory & Monitoring Program

Alaskan Arctic National Parks Landscape Viewer

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:04:00 GMT

The National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and monitoring program announces a new rich internet map service. The "Alaskan National Parks Landscape Viewer" is a new interactive Internet feature that provides a birds-eye view of 5 National Parks in northern Alaska. It features satellite images and aerial photographs draped over topography to simulate a 3D view from above. Users can fly to points of interest by selecting them from a menu that also provides a written narrative. They can also explore on their own with interactive pan, zoom, and tilt. The viewer utilizes open source software developed by the Open Web Globe project, based at the Institute of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. Anyone with a WebGL-enabled browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, and a reasonably fast Internet connection can use it. Access the viewer at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/owg/

Multi-temporal image analysis of historical aerial photographs and recent satellite imagery reveals evolution of water body surface area and polygonal terrain morphology in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:04:00 GMT

A new publication co-authored by Arctic Network aquatic ecologist Amy Larsen is available in Environmental Research Letters. The arcticle is titled 'Multi-temporal image analysis of historical aerial photographs and recent satellite imagery reveals evolution of water body surface area and polygonal terrain morphology in Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska'. The full article is available at http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/2/025007/article

Gates of the Arctic Fall 2012 Weather Summary

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:04:00 GMT

The Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring program has published a fall weather summary for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Download the summary at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=461808&file=GAAR_Fall_2012_Weather_Summary.pdf

NPS Vegetation Ecologists Use Satellite Data to Assess Variations in Growing Season Length

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:03:00 GMT

Vegetation ecologists within the Arctic and Southwest Alaska I&M Networks, along with researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) have recently developed an algorithm to derive Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) growing season metrics for Alaska using satellite data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The NDVI data are acquired, processed and distributed by GINA. At GINA, NDVI data are stacked by year, and twelve NDVI metrics are calculated for each year, including onset of greenness and end of greenness (start and end of season) dates. The metrics are consistent with observed variation in phenology in southwest Alaska and the western arctic parks. Within NPS, the NDVI metrics are being used by ecologists to assess variation in growing season length and productivity across the 11-year period of record (2000-2011). Preliminary results of this collaborative effort were presented at the 2013 Alaska Surveying and Mapping conference in February.

Sea Ice Crossing by Migrating Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, in North-western Alaska

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:02:00 GMT

Fairbanks, AK. February 4, 2013. Wildlife biologist Kyle Joly has published a journal article in the Canadian Field-Naturalist titled ‘Sea Ice Crossing by Migrating Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, in North-western Alaska’. The abstract of the article appears below.Long movements across sea ice by Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Alaska are relatively uncommon and are not well documented. With rapidly diminishing sea ice cover in arctic waters, these movements may cease altogether. On 26 May 2012, a Caribou crossed a long span (57 km) of sea ice off the coast of Alaska. The cow successfully crossed after traveling 66 km on the sea ice and eventually reached the calving grounds. The highly dynamic nature of sea ice, which is driven by oceanic currents and wind during spring break-up, presents inherent hazards different from lake ice. Based on three years of Global Positioning System (GPS) radio-collar data, Caribou routinely crossed long expanses (30 km) of ice covering the brackish Selawik Lake and shorter stretches (<13 km) on Inland Lake during their spring migration north. There was also a single crossing on the ice covering Selawik Lake during the fall migration south to the wintering grounds that took place in early November 2010. Five GPS-collared Caribou crossed the short frozen span (14 km) of Kotzebue Sound between Cape Krusenstern National Monument and the Baldwin Peninsula in the fall of 2011. Download the full article at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=463627&file=12-CFN-ice-cross.pdf

Arctic Network Newsletter, Spring 2013

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:01:00 GMT

The Arctic Network Newsletter, Spring 2013 newletter is available and may be downloaded at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=462702&file=ARCN_Newsletter_December2012_April2013.pdf

A MAMMOTH discovery!

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:12:00 GMT

While conducting field work this past summer Arctic Network biologist Amy Larsen was part of a group that discovered mammoth remains in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Read about the find on the Running Herd blog.

Fire on the Tundra

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Fairbanks, AK. November 28, 2012 By: Jennifer BarnesDid you know that more fires occurred within Noatak National Preserve during the summer of 2010 than in any other National Park units in Alaska? Follow the related link for an introduction to the history, ecology, and importance of fire in the Western Arctic National Parklands by Jennifer Barnes, NPS Fire Ecologist.

Inventory and Monitoring Youtube Channel

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Fort Collins, CO. The National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program has created a new Youtube channel for sharing the results of its natural resource monitoring efforts in America's National Parks. Viewers can learn what kinds of science is being conducted in their national parks and how it drives management decision making. The URL for the channel is http://www.youtube.com/impnps.

2012 Caribou Monitoring Annual Report

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:11:00 GMT

Fairbanks, AK. The National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program has published a new annual report on its caribou moritoring program. The document, titled 'Caribou vital sign annual report for the Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program: September 2011-August 2012' is available on the NPS IRMA data store at the following URL: https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=459804&file=NPS-ARCN-NRDS_2012-406_CaribouAnnReport.pdf. For more information about the National Park Service's caribou monitoring efforts in northwestern Alaska please visit http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=19

Animal Movement Tool Automates GPS Collar Data Management

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:10:00 GMT

The Arctic and Central Alaska Inventory & Monitoring networks collaborated with the Alaska Region GIS team to develop a database for storing, managing and analyzing data from GPS collared wildlife. GPS collar data used to be overwhelmingly difficult to manage due to the sheer volume of data and processing involved. Seeing the need for a centralized data manageent solution Regan Sarwas, GIS Programmer with the Alaska Region and Scott Miller, Arctic and Central Alaska Networks Data Manager, conceived, designed and built the Animal Movement database which is currently being used to track wildlife movement across Alaska. GPS locations are transmitted from the GPS collars to park biologists via a satellite network. The Animal Movement tool processes and inserts the GPS fixes into a Microsoft SQL Server database. After quality control procedures are run the data are available for analysis as a layer file which can be opened using ESRI ArcGIS software.

Digital Surficial Geologic Map of Noatak National Preserve and Vicinity

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:10:00 GMT

The Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) Team is pleased to announce the completion and availability of digital surficial geologic map coverage for Noatak National Preserve (NOAT). Providing parks with digital geologic maps meets the geologic inventory goal defined and funded by the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program. This map is provided in full GIS coverage and can be found at:Digital Surficial Geologic Map of Noatak National Preserve and Vicinity (GRI MapCode NSUR)https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/2190257

Alaska’s Arctic Landscape Then and Now

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:10:23 GMT

"In the last few years, public attention has focused on the melting Arctic sea ice, a dramatic response to global warming. But changes of a similar magnitude are happening across the Arctic landscape. The primary change underway throughout many regions is a shift from a shrub-free to a shrub-dominated tundra." Click the Related Link to read more...

Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Program Science Communication Plan

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 12:09:39 GMT

The National Park Service Alaska Region recently published a new Natural Resource Report titled 'Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Program Science Communication Plan'. The science communication plan is meant to serve as a guiding document for the Inventory and Monitoring Program which include four monitoring networks throughout the state. The purpose of the document is to provide the philosophy, strategy, and tools for a fundamental objective of the Alaska I&M Program - namely, to provide park managers and the public with compelling and understandable syntheses on the status, trends, and interpretations of park natural resources. The Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Program Science Communication Plan may be downloaded at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/2177059

The Space Between Land and Sea

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:09:14 GMT

In late July, a crew of four spent 10 days surveying and sampling several coastal lagoons in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument. The purpose of the trip was to test methods, logistics, and feasibility for a long-term monitoring effort by the National Park Service. Read more at http://www.nps.gov/kova/blogs/The-Space-Between-Land-and-Sea.htm

Arctic Network Publishes Caribou Monitoring Protocol

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 09:08:24 GMT

The Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program is proud to announce the publication of a caribou monitoring protocol. This accomplishment represents a major milestone in the program's development. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are an integral part of the ecological and cultural fabric of northwest Alaska. The Western Arctic Herd (WAH) caribou roam over this entire region, including all 5 Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (ARCN) National Park Units. Conservation of healthy caribou populations are specifically mentioned within the enabling legislation (Alaska National Interested Lands Conservation Act or ANILCA) of three of these Parks and is of critical concern of subsistence hunters within this region. Caribou are, by far, the most abundant large mammal in northwest Alaska and are famous for their long-distance migrations and large population oscillations. For these reasons, ARCN chose WAH caribou as a Vital Sign. This caribou monitoring protocol documents the procedures ARCN will utilize to help monitor this herd. Principal among them is the use of Geographic Positioning System (GPS) radiotelemetry collars that are capable of transmitting location data to a satellite. Given the extremely remote area which the WAH inhabits, this system provides the most efficient and accurate means to track individual caribou. These data will be utilized to monitor the timing and location of migrations, as well as seasonal distributions of WAH caribou. Monitoring phenology is perhaps the simplest means to track the influence of climate change, natural perturbations, development, and other potential impacts on a species. This protocol also documents the National Park Service‘s commitment and involvement with the WAH Working Group. The group is comprised of important stakeholders, including representatives for rural villages, sport hunters, conservationists, guides, transporters, and reindeer herders. All of the agencies charged with managing the WAH, including the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, serve as advisors to the group. Information gathered by the Caribou Vital Sign are intended to supplement and complement existing data streams gather by the other cooperating agencies and should be of vital importance in future management decisions. The Western Arctic Herd caribou monitoring protocol is now available on the IRMA data store at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile?code=2188837

2012 Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group Annual Meeting

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 00:08:00 GMT

The 2012 Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group meeting will be held in Anchorage on: DECEMBER 4- Technical Committee Meeting (members and agency staff only) DECEMBER 5 & 6- Annual Meeting (open to the public) Meeting location, time, and agenda will be coming soon.

Running Herd: A New Blog From the National Park Service Western Arctic Parklands

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:08:00 GMT

Running Herd is a new blog provided by the National Park Service Western Arctic Parklands. The blog highlights some of the work being done by archaeologists, wildlife biologists, ecologists, and rangers in northwest Alaska’s Noatak National Preserve, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Read the blog at http://www.nps.gov/kova/blogs/runningherd.htm.

Air Quality Monitoring Protocol Available

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 18:07:45 GMT

The National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program has recently published an air quality monitoring protocol. The protocol is intended to provide guidance to natural resource managers and site operators who currently monitor, or are considering monitoring, air quality. The document describes air quality monitoring for wet deposition and regional haze in the Arctic Network Vital Signs Program; the types of data provided by monitoring; requirements for station siting, operation, and data handling. The monitoring protocol is available on the NPS IRMA information portal at the following url: https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=451900&file=NPS_ARCN_NRR_2012-552_ARCNAQProtocol.pdf. More information about the program can be found at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=80.

Post-calving Caribou Aggregations

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:07:40 GMT

Post-calving aggregations may be the most spectacular moment of the annual caribou migration cycle. In July 2012, approximately 300,000 caribou from the Western Arctic Herd came together near Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Noatak National Preserve. Read the full article and view photos of this event at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=451874&file=ARCNCaribou_Flier-Aggregation2012.pdf.

Arctic Network hires Jon O'Donnell as a new Aquatic Ecologist

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:06:01 GMT

The Arctic Network has hired Jon O'Donnell as an aquatic ecologist. Jon comes to us from Boulder, CO where he worked as a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow with the US Geological Survey. His research focused on the the response of riverine dissolved organic matter to climate change and permafrost thaw in the Yukon River basin. He was also involved with some collaborative work focused on the permafrost-carbon-feedback to the atmosphere and climate system. Jon received his Ph.D. from the Biology and Wildlife Department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks where he worked with Jennifer Harden (USGS) and Dave McGuire (UAF/USGS) to evaluate the effects of fire and permafrost thaw on soil carbon dynamics in interior Alaska. He also received his M.S. degree from the same departpment, working with Jay Jones on nitrogen cycling in the headwater streams of Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed near Fairbanks. Jon is interested in how climate and disturbance drive ecosystem processes in high-latitude systems and is looking forward to working with other NPS scientists to explore the impacts of local and regional drivers on aquatic ecosystem structure and function. He will serve as the project leader for our Lake Communities and Ecosystems and Stream Communities and Ecosystems monitoring efforts.

Protocol for High-Resolution Geospatial Analysis of Coastal Change in the Arctic Network of Parks

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:06:28 GMT

Arctic Network is pleased to announce a new publication titled 'Protocol for High-Resolution Geospatial Analysis of Coastal Change in the Arctic Network of Parks'. This protocol is the culmination of years of work developing a coastal change monitoring program. From the executive brief: Coastal zones for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA) and Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR) extend for over 450 km (280 miles), and include critical habitats, sensitive ecosystems, and cultural resources (including threatened archeological sites). These areas are sensitive to tundra bluff and beach erosion, shifting of tidal inlets, sediment deposition, changes to lagoon hydrology, loss of wetlands, and coastal flooding. Most of the coast has experienced erosion from 1950 to 2003. Where erosion has occurred, rates have averaged -0.5 m/yr (-1.7 ft/yr), reaching more than -3 m/yr (-10 ft/yr) – with shoreline retreat of tens to hundreds of meters (or feet). Continued, periodic inventory and monitoring of coastal change in the Arctic Network of Parks (ARCN) are necessary to address primary objectives concerning temporal trends, spatial variability, and impacts. This protocol provides background, a summary of historic coastal change, methodological rationale, data and operational guidelines, and stepwise procedures for geospatial analysis of coastal change (specifically, erosion and accretion of the shoreline). Future research should obtain new imagery, make sure it is properly orthorectified for required accuracy, and then: build a spatial database; digitize new shorelines; assess errors; analyze the shorelines using the USGS Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS); and then synthesize and present the results as tables, graphs, and maps in reports. End results are precise, empirical, comprehensive, and representative. Future research can build upon previous data releases and use this protocol to answer the most pressing question: Is coastal erosion in BELA and CAKR increasing with sea-level rise and arctic warming? Download and read the full Natural Resource Report at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/2185931?code=2185931

Birch, Aspen and Poplar in Alaska's National Parks

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:06:06 GMT

National Park Service landscape ecologist Dave Swanson has produced a new video titled 'Birch, Aspen and Poplar in Alaska's National Parks'. Download and watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/0iCQq-doyGg

Spring Migration Running Behind: Western Arctic Caribou Herd

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 15:06:21 GMT

Western Arctic Herd caribou cows are slow on their 2012 spring migration north to their calving grounds. Only 40% of GPS collared cows have crossed the Kobuk River as of May 19th, which is less than the 59% that had crossed in 2010 and the 81% in 2011. The numbers would be more dramatic if it were not for the fact that more collared caribou had wintered north of the Kobuk River (25%) than the previous two winters (0-19%). On average, the cows are more than 40 miles farther south this May than the previous two years. However, many caribou were still on the Seward Peninsula so they have to travel east as well as make up the distance to the north. Late migration can be caused by winter conditions and lead to poor calf survival. Alternatively, late migration could be due to more non-pregnant females that tend to migrate later than pregnant cows. Read the full resource brief at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=449325&file=Spring_Migration_Running_Behind.pdf

Lichens and Mosses: Important and Diverse in Alaska

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 17:06:18 GMT

Lichens and mosses are a significant component of many arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems. In Gates of the Arctic National Preserve, for example, non-vascular plants likely account for more than 50% of the species present. Relative to vascular plants, however, lichens and mosses are poorly documented. Inventories conducted within national parks of Alaska have revealed that lichen abundance and diversity is quite rich. An inventory completed in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (2008) reported the largest number of lichens per unit acre on record and the largest number of lichen species recorded from any national park. A recent inventory of the Western Arctic parklands (2010) described 491 species, 16 of which are new to Alaska or North America and three of which are new to science. Lichens play an important role in ecosystems by providing a sizeable portion of fixed-nitrogen in the nutrient-poor ecosystems of the Arctic. In addition, they are an important winter food source for caribou and muskox. Read more at http://www.nps.gov/akso/nature/documents/briefs/AKIM_lichens_brief_Jan2012.pdf

NPS Science Program Honored on International Stage

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:05:15 GMT

Inventory and Monitoring Program receives Distinguished Landscape Practitioner Award WASHINGTON – National Park Service (NPS) scientists and technicians know real-world problems and see them every day. Their work to help park managers understand and care for park resources in a changing landscape was honored recently by the U.S. Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (US-IALE) in Newport, R.I. The NPS I&M Program received the US-IALE Distinguished Landscape Practitioner Award for its creative applications of landscape ecology to the resolution of practical land management dilemmas in national parks and other protected areas worldwide. Landscape ecology is the interdisciplinary science and study of ecological processes that cover broad spatial scales and often extend well beyond park boundaries. “It is always an honor to be recognized and know that your day-to-day work has real meaning and makes a difference,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “This award confirms what we know – that our inventory and monitoring efforts are important to park managers and to the people who visit national parks today. But it’s more than that really, we do this so future generations may see, touch and feel the wonder of America’s natural heritage in her national parks.” Steve Fancy, the NPS I&M Program Leader, said the team’s efforts to bring landscape approaches to the NPS have benefitted greatly from ongoing collaborations with scientists at other agencies and institutions, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, NASA-Ames, USDA Forest Service, Montana State University, Colorado State University, and the Woods Hole Research Center. “Information that continues to emerge from the landscape ecology work being done with our partners will help parks interpret and manage their resources in a landscape context,” he said. The NPS I&M Program is an ongoing effort of standardized monitoring programs that analyze and interpret landscape-scale changes for parks. Started in 2000, the I&M program has also contributed to the field of landscape ecology by co-sponsoring international meetings and workshops involving resource managers and scientists from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. NPS I&M also shares data and other products with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey; contributes landscape-scale data and expertise to the DOI Landscape Conservation Cooperatives; and communicates the results of original research through scientific presentations and publications. An important component of the I&M Program’s landscape dynamics monitoring efforts is NPScape http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/npscape/, a project led by Bill Monahan that produces and delivers to parks, a suite of landscape-scale data sets, maps, reports, and other products to inform resource management and planning at local, regional and national scales. Changes in the composition and configuration of different land cover types within and adjacent to national parks has been shown to greatly affect biological and physical processes within those parks. “We’re talking about habitat availability, animal movements, the potential for invasion by exotic plants, water quality, and in-stream habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms,” Monahan said. “The information about changes and trends in landscape-scale indicators in and around parks can help park managers anticipate, plan for and manage associated effects to park resources.” I&M efforts are also underway with landscape-level analyses to better understand and forecast the combined influences of landscape and climate changes on park resources. The Landscape Climate Change Vulnerability Project http://www.montana.edu/lccvp/ is a multi-year project funded by NASA and the NPS that involves working with resource managers to incorporate the results of vulnerability assessments into on-the-ground decisions of how best to manage species important to parks in the face of ongoing climate and land use change. For more information please visit the I&M website at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/.

Landbird Monitoring in the Arctic Network

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:05:10 GMT

Arctic Network has released a new report on landbird monitoring in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and Noatak National Preserve. Download the full report at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/2184766.

Frontier Scientist: Jennifer Barnes

Tue, 01 May 2012 11:05:13 GMT

Jennifer is the regional fire ecologist for the National Park Service in Alaska. She has also worked with the BLM Alaska Fire Service and US Forest Service in fire. Learn more about Jennifer Barnes and fire ecology in Alaska at Frontier Scientists (http://frontierscientists.com/scientists/jennifer-barnes/).

Connecting People to Ecosystems

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:04:33 GMT

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in collaboration with the Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program has published a new interactive website describing the park's natural resources. View the website at http://www.nps.gov/gaar/naturescience/connecting-people-to-ecosystems.htm.

Horn Lake thermokarst: what happens when permafrost thaws?

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:03:11 GMT

Watch a time-lapse video of thawing permafrost on the north shore of Horn Lake, Alaska taken in summer 2010 at http://www.youtube.com/embed/CVKsZhrsAec. More information is available at http://thermokarst.psu.edu and http://thermokarst.psu.edu/Horn%20Lake%20description,%20sampling,%20equipment.html.

Concentrations and bioaccessibility of metals in vegetation and dust near a mining haul road, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:03:11 GMT

Read a new article titled 'Concentrations and bioaccessibility of metals in vegetation and dust near a mining haul road, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska' published by William G. Brumbaugh, Suzette A. Morman and Thomas W. May in the February, 2011 edition of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. The full article is available at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/Profile/2184142.

Northwest Alaska Coastal Imagery Available on AlaskaMapped.org

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:03:47 GMT

The NPS Arctic Network has made coastal imagery available through AlaskaMapped.org. Three sets of imagery are available from approximately the 1950s, 1980s and 2003. Preview the imagery at the following link: http://browse.alaskamapped.org/#browse/goto?lat=66.984&lng=-165.745&zoom=8&layer=SDMI_BDL

Historical and Future Coastal Changes in Northwest Alaska

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:03:52 GMT

Yuri Gorokhovich and Anthony Leiserowiz have published a new article in Journal of Coastal Research titled 'Historical and Future Coastal Changes in Northwest Alaska'. This publication resulted from an analysis of data from the Arctic Network Coastal Erosion monitoring program. Read the full article at http://www.jcronline.org/doi/abs/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-11-00031.1.

National Park Service Arctic Monitoring Network Overview (Alaska)

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:02:04 GMT

The NPS Arctic Network has released a new video describing the Inventory and Monitoring Program in northern Alaska. The Arctic Network includes five national parks and preserves in northern Alaska and represents some of the wildest, most undisturbed areas left on earth. Scientific studies are helping park scientists better understand the status and trends are several important resources. The studies, which focus on select resources called vital signs, serve as indicators of trends and changes in the broader ecosystems. View the video on YoutTube at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/gY2oRjqUBHU.

Counting Sheep in Alaska

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:02:05 GMT

Arctic Network has released a new video titled 'Counting Sheep in Alaska' that takes viewers on a flight with scientists as they survey Dall's sheep populations in remote locations of the Brooks mountain range. The video highlights the challenges associated with studying the sheep, which live as real-world cliff hangers on rocky, exposed areas high in alpine mountain locations. It also documents the importance of monitoring this species. Because they live in a specific habitat year-round, Dall's sheep can serve as an indicator of large-scale change to mountain ecosystems. National Park Service scientists involved with Dall's sheep monitoring efforts recently developed a state-of-the-art approach to study them that decreases the costs associated with monitoring while increasing the scientists' ability to accurately predict trends in the population. You can watche the video at the following URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1dfoiyQxwE. For more information about Dall's sheep monitoring in Alaska's national parks and to download a copy, visit the Arctic Network's Dall's Sheep monitoring website: href="http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=20.

Permafrost Slumps in 3D

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:02:14 GMT

Watch our new video 'Permafrost Slumps in 3D' at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sy2-nwhV3MU. When permafrost melts, the results can include huge crater-like landforms called thermokarst slumps. National Park Service scientists are using 3D technology to document and measure changes in the thermokarst slumps of the Alaskan arctics. Melting permafrost is increasing with climate change and can have profound effects on ecosystems in Alaska. Learn more at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9.

3D technology helps researchers track and understand consequences of permafrost thaw in arctic parks

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:02:50 GMT

Three-dimensional models are being used to monitor slumps and landslides associated with melting permafrost in Arctic national parks. Efforts to map and monitor permafrost and the land features associated with it have been ongoing in several national parks of the arctic since 2010. Efforts to map and monitor permafrost features and ground temperatures are now being expanded to all Alaska national parks with significant permafrost as part of a broader climate change monitoring effort. More info: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9. Short project summary video and several related videos at: http://www.youtube.com/alaskanps. Contact: Dave Swanson, Biologist, Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, 907-455-060, David_K_Swanson@nps.gov.

Caribou Resource Brief Revised and Updated

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:02:24 GMT

Arctic Network has revised the Natural Resource Brief for its Caribou Vital Sign. Natural Resource Briefs provide a quick summary of the condition and trend of natural resources in National Parks. The brief is available at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=445732&file=RB_ARCN_caribou_Feb2012_Final.pdf

Advances in ability to track Dall’s sheep populations

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:02:00 GMT

It turns out it’s actually possible to do science better and cheaper—well, at least it is for Dall’s sheep in interior Alaska. Recent enhancements to the statistical modeling and surveying techniques used by NPS to monitor Dall’s sheep in Alaska national parks has led to a long-term study design that is proving to be better and cheaper. An article describing the protocols used is in the current issue of The Journal of Wildlife Management. Upcoming field activities: Field work is planned for late March. The goal of the trip is to collect fecal samples, which will further inform monitoring efforts. More information is available at the Arctic Network Dall's Sheep Monitoring website: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=20. Contact: Kumi Rattenbury, Biologist, Arctic Network, kumi_rattenbury@nps.gov, 907-455-0601

Arctic Network Newsletter, Winter, 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:02:19 GMT

The winter 2012 edition of the Arctic Network Newsletter is now available for download at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=444604&file=ARCN_NewsletterWinter2012_final.pdf

Using distance sampling and hierarchical models to improve estimates of Dall's sheep abundance

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:01:25 GMT

The Arctic and Central Alaska Networks announce a new publication titled 'Using distance sampling and hierarchical models to improve estimates of Dall's sheep abundance' in the journal Wildlife Management. The article was written by Joshua H. Schmidt, Kumi L. Rattenbury, James P. Lawler and Margaret C. Maccluskie. Click the related link below to read abstract from the article. More information about Dall's Sheep can be found on the Arctic Network Dall's Sheep Monitoring website (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=20) and the Central Alaska Network Dall's Sheep Monitoring website (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/cakn/pages_VS/VitalSignsAnimals.cfm).

Tussock Tundra in Alaska's National Parklands

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:01:50 GMT

Arctic Network biologist Dave Swanson has produced a new video called 'Tussock Tundra in Alaska's National Parklands'. Tussocks are small mounds that cover huge areas of the arctic tundra and are also common in wetlands of subarctic forests. Tussock terrain looks smooth from a distance, but it is very hard to walk on. They provide food and shelter to animals in the arctic. Learn more about tussocks by watching the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/BSQs0jSCzeA. More information about our monitoring efforts associated with tussocks and other arctic land features in Alaska national parks can be found at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=28.

Shrub Expansion in the Arctic Parks

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:12:06 GMT

Arctic Network has published a new resource brief on shrub expansion in the Arctic parks. Click the related link to read the brief.

New Video: Ice Wedges in Alaska's National Parks

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:11:04 GMT

Dave Swanson, ARCN's landscape ecologist has produced an informational video about ice wedges. Ice wedges can resemble a giant quilt when seen from the air and form only where permafrost is found. During very cold weather, solidly frozen ground can shrink and crack. When snow melts in spring, water runs into the cracks and freezes, which causes the cracks to grow. Most cracks are preserved beneath the ground surface. If the ground above ice wedges is disturbed by vehicle traffic or warmer conditions, however, the ground above the cracks melts and reveals the ice wedges. NPS scientists are monitoring Alaska's permafrost by mapping landforms like pingos, wedges, and thaw slumps. Learn more on the NPS Arctic Monitoring Network's permafrost webpage: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9. View the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/qZsHUcwEc3w.

Natural Resource Inventories Map Viewer

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:10:00 GMT

The NPS Alaska Region has launched a new internet map service. The new interactive service displays information from our base cartography, soil resources and vegetation inventories. The map server can be found at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/akro/AKR_mapviewer/AKR_map.html.

New Video: Aufeis in Alaska's National Parklands (Video)

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:10:52 GMT

Dave Swanson, ARCN's landscape ecologist has produced an informational video about aufeis. See the video at http://youtu.be/tAJn3u-pfe8. More information about ice dynamics can be found by visiting the website for our permafrost monitoring program: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9.

Complexity of Caribou Population Dynamics in a Changing Climate

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:10:25 GMT

Read 'Complexity of Caribou Population Dynamics in a Changing Climate' by Arctic Network wildlife biologist Kyle Joly in the latest issue of Alaska Park Science: http://www.nps.gov/akso/nature/science/ak_park_science/PDF/2011Vol10-1/complexity-of-caribou-population-Joly.pdf

New Video: Black Spruce in Alaska's National Parks

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:09:09 GMT

Black spruce are small trees found in interior Alaska. They are found in areas where permafrost is present, and grow slowly, so trees that appear small may be over 100 years old. View the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/JDtHk1tAul0. Learn more about monitoring efforts associated black spruce forests and other arctic land features at the Arctic Network Terrestrial Landscape Patterns and Dynamics website (http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=28). Information about black spruce and fire can be found at the NPS Alaska Region Science, Ecology and Research site (http://www.nps.gov/akso/nature/fire/science.cfm).

New Video: Pingos in Alaska's National Parks

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:09:41 GMT

Dave Swanson, ARCN's landscape ecologist has produced an informational video about pingos. View the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/4_mVhXYc7W4 Pingos are hills that rise abruptly out of flat landscapes of the Alaskan arctic. When lakes dry up, the unfrozen ground that was once protected beneath the lake is exposed and freezes. The ice expands upward, and ping! The result is a pingo. Pingos provide important habitat for foxes and other arctic animals. As permafrost melts, pingos collapse. NPS scientists are monitoring Alaska's permafrost by mapping landforms like pingos, wedges, and thaw slumps. Learn more on the NPS Arctic Monitoring Network's permafrost webpage: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9

Modeling influences on winter distribution of caribou in northwestern Alaska through use of satellite telemetry

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:09:53 GMT

Arctic Network wildlife biologist Kyle Joly has recently published a new paper in the journal Rangifer titled 'Modeling influences on winter distribution of caribou in northwestern Alaska through use of satellite telemetry'. You can read the full article by clicking on the related link below.

Arctic Monitoring Network Overview Video on YouTube

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:09:00 GMT

The NPS Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring program has published a new video overview on ecosystem monitoring. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY2oRjqUBHU.

Array Of 17 Stations Will Help National Park Service Track Climate Events in Alaska

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:09:43 GMT

In the coming year technicians will install an array of 17 remote automated stations in five national park areas in northern Alaska to help the National Park Service track climate trends. Read the full story at National Parks Traveler: http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2011/05/array-17-stations-will-help-national-park-service-track-climate-events-alaska8034.

Arctic Landscape Conservation Cooperative Website Launched

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:08:00 GMT

The mission of the Arctic LCC is to identify and provide information needed to conserve natural and cultural resources in the face of landscape scale stressors, focusing on climate change, through a multidisciplinary program that supports coordinated actions among management agencies, conservation organizations, communities, and other stakeholders. View the Arctic LCC website at http://arcticlcc.org.

Brown Bear Monitoring Natural Resource Brief

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:06:16 GMT

Arctic Network has published a new resource brief on Brown Bear monitoring. Download the article at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/documents/documents/RB_ARCN_BrnBears_June2011_FINAL.pdf (.pdf).

Surficial Geologic Map of the Noatak National Preserve Published

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:06:07 GMT

The USGS Alaska Science Center has published a Surficial Geologic Map of the Noatak National Preserve. The map as well as the data used to generate it is available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3036/.

Arctic Network Spring, 2011 Newsletter

Wed, 11 May 2011 12:05:23 GMT

The Arctic Network Spring, 2011 Newsletter is available for download at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/documents/documents/ARCN_Newsletter_Spring_2011.pdf

Linkages between large-scale climate patterns and the dynamics of Arctic caribou populations

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:03:54 GMT

Arctic Network wildlife biologist Kyle Joly has published a new journal article titled 'Linkages between large-scale climate patterns and the dynamics of Arctic caribou populations' in the journal Ecography. Learn more about caribou monitoring in the arctic parks at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=19.

Wet and Dry Deposition in the Arctic Network

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 09:01:01 GMT

The extensive Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Program (WACAP, http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/studies/air_toxics/wacap.cfm) established that there are extremely low levels of most toxic organic pesticides and industrial pollutants in most media in the ARCN parks. Nonetheless, levels of mercury and of the banned pesticide Dieldrin were just above EPA exposure thresholds for increased wildlife risk of health effects among piscivorous (fish eating) birds and mammals at a few sites. Spatial patterns of heavy metal (lead, cadmium, zinc) distribution in 2001 in Cape Krusenstern National Monument have also been mapped, and were at levels sufficient to cause damage to vegetation according to a widely-reviewed risk assessment. A follow up assessment of spatial patterns of metals distribution and of vegetation impacts conducted in 2006 is in peer-review. Read more about wet and dry deposition in our Natural Resource Brief (href="http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/documents/documents/RB_ARCN_WetDryDep_20110113.pdf) and on our website at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=3.

Large Lakes Natural Resource Brief

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:01:16 GMT

More than 300,000 acres of ARCN are covered by freshwater lake ecosystems. Large lakes in ARCN provide important habitat for aquatic primary producers, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and secondary consumers such as fi sh and waterfowl. As integrators of large-scale processes, i.e. catchments, lake ecosystems are susceptible to local, regional, and global stressors. In ARCN these stressors may include visitor use, air contaminant deposition, increased air temperatures, melting permafrost and glaciers, and alterations in the water cycle and terrestrial biogeochemistry. Large lakes in ARCN are associated with volcanic explosions, geologic rifts, or the presence of moraine dams. These large deep lakes support diverse fi sh populations, are important to subsistence users, and are renowned for their sport fi shing. The largest lakes in ARCN, Walker and Imuruk Lakes, are National Natural Landmarks

A Surface Reflectance Calibrated Landsat Mosaic (circa. 2002) For The Arctic Network Of National Parks

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:01:52 GMT

The Arctic Network (ARCN) of the National Park Service’s (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) is developing a long-term monitoring program to assess ecological changes in five parks in northwestern Alaska: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA), Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Noatak National Preserve (NOAT), Kobuk Valley National Park (KOVA) and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR). As part of this effort, a Landsat mosaic that includes all of the Arctic Network park units was prepared. Most of the mosaic was covered by Landsat imagery acquired during a three week period in late July and early August 2002. Radiometric normalization was performed to minimize atmospheric effects, resulting in a mosaic with consistent and physically based properties. Two calibration approaches were evaluated (1) calibration to a target Landsat image and (2) calibration to a surface reflectance. The final mosaic was calibrated to surface reflectance, which improves the ability to perform spectral analyses over the full extent of the mosaic, and provides a robust basis for change detection and other time series studies. In addition, a topographic normalization procedure was performed on the mosaic to reduce the topographic effects of sun and terrain angles on the imagery. The deliverables include the mosaic products in digital format, coefficients and GIS layers necessary to produce the mosaic, and scripts used to automate the process. Learn more at the Arctic Network Terrestrial Landscape Patterns and Dynamics monitoring website: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=28.

National Park Service Arctic Monitoring Network Overview (Alaska)

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 11:01:55 GMT

The Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program is pleased to announce a new video about science in Alaska’s 5 northern parklands. Narrated by Tara Whitesell, this short video provides information about the role of the Inventory and Monitoring program, and specifically ARCN, in the National Park Service. It also highlights the science happening in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Noatak National Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve. Produced by Stacia Backensto, Kumi Rattenbury and Tara Whitesell, this project was funded by the Murie Science and Learning Center and Alaska Geographic Association. View the video at http://www.youtube.com/embed/gY2oRjqUBHU.

The Development of a Long-Term Monitoring Protocol for the Coastal Lagoons of Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:01:15 GMT

The Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program announces a new publication titled 'The Development of a Long-Term Monitoring Protocol for the Coastal Lagoons of Cape Krusenstern National Monument' by Melinda Reynolds. Download the document at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=422829&file=ARCN Lagoons 2009 report nrpc .docx.

Mapping of Erosion Features Related to Thaw of Permafrost in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Kobuk Valley National Park

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:12:34 GMT

A systematic survey was made of three National Park Service units in northern Alaska for active-layer detachments (ALDs) and retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS) using high-resolution satellite imagery from 2006 and 2008. ALDs and RTS develop by localized thaw of permafrost, and have the potential to expose significant areas of soil to erosion. I identified 22 ALDs in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 22 in Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and 14 in Kobuk Valley National Park. These ALDs are typically 10 to 30 m wide and up to 300 m long, and on the average expose about 1000 sq m of bare soil each, amounting to a total area of about 6 ha in the 3 NPS units. The ALDs occur on long, well vegetated slopes of moderate steepness and are restricted to specific physiographic areas. These ALDs probably formed by deep thaw during the exceptionally warm summer of 2004. No true retrogressive thaw slumps were found in the study area. More information can be found at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=12&vsid=9.

2008 Aerial Dall’s Sheep Survey in the Itkillik Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:12:00 GMT

This report summarizes methods and results for an aerial Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) survey conducted in 2008 by the National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program, with support from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, in the northeastern portion of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska. This area includes the Itkillik Preserve, where the highest densities of Dall’s sheep in the Park and Preserve have been found, and both subsistence and sport hunting are allowed. Approximately 1905 km2 of delineated habitat were surveyed via small, fixed-wing aircraft from 9-14 July. Sheep groups were counted and classified as lambs, ewe-like sheep (ewes, yearlings and rams with less than ½ curl horns), sub-curl rams (≥ ½ curl and < full-curl) and ≥ full curl rams. We observed 315 groups of Dall’s sheep, totaling 1239 individuals (961 adults, 276 lambs, and two sheep that could not be classified). There were 40 lambs per 100 ewe-like sheep, 41 rams per 100 ewe-like sheep, and 19% of the rams were full-curl. Overall density of observed sheep was 0.65 sheep/km2. These are unadjusted count and composition data collected for the Arctic Network’s monitoring program with the objective of detecting trends in the abundance and distribution of Dall’s sheep in the central and western Brooks Range. The 2008 data, as well as data from a more extensive survey conducted in 2005, indicate a healthy and productive sheep population that has likely increased since a regional decline observed in the early 1990s, albeit not to the numbers counted in the same area in the early 1980s. Recommendations for future survey work are discussed. Read the full paper at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=421386&file=GAAR_2008_Sheep_Survey_Report_Final20101215.pdf.

Monitoring of Retrogressive Thaw Slumps in the Arctic Network, 2010 Baseline Data

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:12:55 GMT

Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTS) are caused by thaw of massive ground ice on slopes and combine subsidence, mass movement, and water erosion. They can expose several hectares of bare soil that is susceptible to erosion into nearby water bodies. In the summer of 2010, oblique aerial-photographs of 24 selected RTS in Noatak National Preserve (NOAT) and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) were taken with a hand-held, 35-mm digital camera. This photography was used to create high-resolution three-dimensional topographic models with photographic overlay. Accurate ground control was obtained at 14 of the slumps by surveying the location of temporary targets that were captured on the aerial photographs and then removed; this allowed us to scale the models and obtain measurements of elevation, area, and volume. Ground control will be obtained at the remaining slumps in future years. These 3D models are the baseline that will be used with models created in the future from new photographs to track the rate of growth or stabilization of the slumps, the volume of material displaced, and the rate of revegetation. The study slumps ranged in size from less than 1 ha to over 4 ha and were generally oval shaped with a steep main scarp 2 to 10 m high along the uphill side. Most of the slumps exposed ground ice that was actively melting, causing material to fall from the main scarp and also producing a zone of liquefied mud below the scarp that flowed downhill. Within about 10 m of the main scarp the mud had lost sufficient water to become solid and resist the flow of liquefied mud above, though often buckling up to form a low ridge. The lower halves of the slump floors were dry, hard, and apparently quite stable, though still sparsely vegetated. Several of the slumps had alluvial fans below them consisting of sediment eroded from the slump. Sediment from the slumps caused a noticeable increase in turbidity in a few of the adjacent lakes. A laterally extensive, debris-rich ice layer, interpreted as relict Pleistocene glacial ice, was exposed near the base of the main scarp in many of the study RTS. In moraines of the Itkillik II glaciation (the last glacial maximum, 14 to 25 thousand years ago) the ice was typically overlain by about 1.5 m of cobbly glacial till, and main scarps were about 2 m high. Some of the RTS in older deposits had large, Pleistocene ice wedges in addition to glacial ice. RTS with ice wedges had higher main scarps (8 to 10 m) and larger volumes of displaced material. Examination of c. 1980 aerial photography showed that similar slumps had occurred prior to that time. The slumps that were active in 1980 are visible on 2008 satellite imagery (and at our 2010 visit), but most had revegetated after expanding little beyond their 1980 extent. Some of the currently active slumps studied in this report were advancing across land that had slumped in the past and then stabilized. Other slumps were advancing across land with no obvious signs of prior slumping. Only two of the study slumps appeared likely to have formed by continued migration of an escarpment that was active in 1980. The main scarps of the study slumps have migrated between 100 and 300 m in 30 years or less, indicating minimum migration rates of 3 m to 10 m per year. The goal of future monitoring of these slumps will be to determine their rates of growth or stabilization and revegetation, and to understand the factors that influence their growth, including the effects of ground ice types, geological setting, and weather. Read the full paper at https://irma.nps.gov/App/Reference/DownloadDigitalFile?code=422339&file=NPS_ARCN_NRDS_2010-123_SlumpModeling.pdf

Alaska Shallow Lake Monitoring Program: 2009 Annual Report

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:12:10 GMT

The 2009 field season marked the fourth year of implementation of the Alaska Network’s Shallow Lake Monitoring Program. Twenty five lakes were sampled in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve and 29 lakes were sampled in Kobuk Valley National Park. Seven lakes were continuously monitored throughout the two networks. Continuous water chemistry monitoring indicated peak temperatures in early July with relatively little seasonal variation in pH and specific conductivity. Results from synoptic sampling efforts indicated that lakes in Wrangell-St. Elias were significantly impacted by the geologic terrain found in the lakeshed while lakes in Kobuk Valley tended to be more varied. Lake sampling in FY2011 will continue in both of these parks.

Satellite Greenness Data Summary for the Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network, 1990-2009

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:12:34 GMT

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from AVHRR and MODIS satellite sensors is summarized in five northern Alaskan National Park Service units dominated by arctic tundra. NDVI is an index of vegetation productivity that is closely related to the warmth of summer growing seasons in the arctic. Mean NDVI for ecological sections (broad landscapescale mapping units) is highest for densely vegetated lowlands, lowest in sparsely vegetated high mountain areas, and intermediate in lowlands with significant area of lakes. NDVI during greenup (June) varies 20 to 40% between years, while peak NDVI and late-season NDVI vary 10 to 20% between years. These short-term variations are closely linked to current-year variations in growing-season temperatures. Over the past 20 years (1990-2009), summer NDVI has increased 10% to 20% in the more heavily vegetated ecological sections. These long-term increases in NDVI suggest an increase in vegetation biomass, possibly due to shrub expansion.

Melanie Flamme Selected for National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Community Interpretive Service Award for 2010

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:12:30 GMT

Melanie Flamme, National Park Service Biologist in Fairbanks Alaska, is the recipient of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Community Interpretive Service Award for 2010. Pat Sanders with Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve accepted her award at NAI’s national workshop on November 18th in Las Vegas, NV. The workshop provided participants with professional skills and ideas and networking opportunities with others in the fields of environmental, cultural, historical and recreational resources interpretation. This year’s workshop focused on the theme of “An Interpretation Oasis.” The Community Interpretive Service award highlights the community or individual support for interpretive programs and facilities. One of NAI’s strengths is having the support not only of its members but also the support of group and agency partnerships. NAI recognizes these partnerships who have worked in their community to demonstrate financial or program support for local organizations or agencies with interpretive projects or facilities. Despite her regular workload which includes planning, overseeing, conducting and writing up research projects in Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, and the other Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network parks, Melanie takes the time to collaborate fully on outreach projects; from the beginning planning stage to providing financial support to visiting schools and giving programs. Together with interpretive staff, they planned and implemented a number of education outreach programs such as: the high school Small Mammals program, junior high Bird Species of Concern program, and the high school Yellow Billed Loon program. While trained as a research scientist, she values and supports interpretation in many tangible ways. Despite her fear of public speaking Melanie also gives interpretive talks at the Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center several times a year. Melanie demonstrates that she highly values interpretation and outreach. She is not simply a supporter of our interpretive and outreach programs but, rather, is a valuable member of our team. Melanie is a clear example of how scientists and interpreters can work together to teach others the importance of the National Parks and the environment.

An IKONOS satellite image library of Ecosystems in the Arctic Network of National Parks.

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:12:25 GMT

Arctic Network has recently published a new technical report titled 'An IKONOS satellite image library of Ecosystems in the Arctic Network of National Parks'. The purpose of this project was to capture and systematize the calibration data that was acquired to produce an ecological land survey and unified ecological unit map of the Arctic Network. More information is available at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=15&ProjectID=28.

Lichen Inventory Dataset Available

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:12:58 GMT

The Lichen Inventory Dataset contains the complete records of all lichen survey work in the Arctic Network from 1996 to 2007. A complete description of the survey components of this project may be found in: Holt, E. A. and P. N. Neitlich. 2010. Lichen inventory synthesis: Western Arctic National Parklands and Arctic Network, Alaska. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/AKR/ARCN/NRTR—2010/385. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. The record is available on the Integrated Resource Management Applications website (http://nrinfo.nps.gov/Reference.mvc/Profile?code=2166259).

Arctic Network Fall 2010 Newsletter

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:12:36 GMT

The Arctic Network Fall 2010 newsletter is available. Download it using the related link.

Arctic Network Shallow Lakes Monitoring Natural Resource Brief Published

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:11:09 GMT

We are proud to announce a new Arctic Network Shallow Lakes Natural Resource Brief. Follow the related link to download a copy in PDF format

Lichen inventory synthesis: Western Arctic National Parklands and Arctic Network, Alaska

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:11:11 GMT

Arctic Network is proud to announce the newest Natural Resource Technical Report titled 'Lichen Inventory Synthesis: Western Arctic National Parklands and Arctic Network, Alaska'.

Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils Resource Brief Published

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:11:51 GMT

The Arctic Network has published a new resource brief for our terrestrial vegetation and soils monitoring program.

Understanding lake drainage in northern Alaskan national parks: Impacts of a warming climate

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:10:45 GMT

Read about lake drainage in northern Alaskan national parks, including the Arctic Network, in Park Science magazine

Permafrost Natural Resource Brief

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:10:20 GMT

The Arctic Network has published a new resource brief for our permafrost monitoring program.

Long-term Monitoring of 1977 Tundra Fires in the Northwest Alaska Parks

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:09:16 GMT

Long-term Monitoring of 1977 Tundra Fires in the Northwest Alaska Parks. Article in Alaska Park Science magazine.

Aerial Yellow-billed Loon Surveys in Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:09:35 GMT

Arctic Network biologist Melanie Flamme has written an article about monitoring Yellow-billed Loon populations in Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Alaska. Read the full article by clicking the related link.

Monitoring Dall's sheep in Alaska's Arctic Parklands

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:09:41 GMT

Read about Monitoring Dall's sheep in Alaska's Arctic Parklands in the latest issue of Alaska Park Science

Alaska Park Science: Data Management in the Inventory and Monitoring Program

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:09:47 GMT

Read about data management in the Inventory and Monitoring Program in the latest issue of Alaska Park Science.

Caribou Monitoring Natural Resource Brief Posted

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:08:26 GMT

Our goals are to monitor the movements, distribution and health of the Western Arctic Herd of caribou. The caribou use diff erent Park units at diff erent times of year. Further, the timing and spatial pattern of the herd’s migration plays a critical role in the harvest of caribou by rural villages. Changes to these patterns may affect these subsistence users. Herd productivity and health will be monitored using a variety of different indices. Learn more about our Caribou monitoring program by reading our Caribou Monitoring Natural Resource Brief.

Thousands of lightning strikes over the past 10 days ignite new tundra fires in northwest Alaska National Parks

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:07:52 GMT

ANCHORAGE — From Friday, July 2 through Saturday, July 3, Alaska received over 5200 lightning strikes from multiple thunderstorms. Most of the strikes were concentrated in the northwestern interior of the state. While these thunderstorms produced up to one inch of rainfall in some areas, others received multiple lightning strikes and no rainfall. In Noatak National Preserve alone, at least 29 new tundra fires were ignited during these storms. In Noatak National Preserve, the tundra has burned consistently over the past 6000 years with return intervals as short as those in boreal forests (150 years) according to research published in April 2010 as a Joint Fire Science Program project by Co-Principal Investigator Jennifer Barnes, Alaska National Park Service, Regional Fire Ecologist and colleagues. This study reconstructed both vegetation and fire history over the past 6,000 years in tundra areas of the Noatak River using lake-sediment records. The study reveals that for the past 2,000 years, the mean fire return interval varied between 140 years on the lower portions of the Noatak River and 260 years for the upper portion of the Noatak River. The report is located online at: www.firescience.gov/projects/06-3-1-23/project/06-3-1-23_hu_et_al_finalreport_jfsp_06-3-1-23.pdf. A second study in Noatak National Preserve by Jennifer Barnes and two colleagues suggests that after fire, deciduous shrubs such as birch and willow increase. This study measured fire plots established in 1981-82 at eight different sites to evaluate the long-term (25 to 30 years) effects of tundra wildfire on vegetation and permafrost. The report is located online at:http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=15&projectid=25. For the 2010 fire season, 42 fires have started in all National Parks in Alaska. 34 of those fires started in 3 of the 4 Western Arctic Parklands (WEAR): Noatak National Preserve (32 fires), Kobuk Valley National Park (1 fire), and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (1 fire). These 34 fires comprised over 1/3 of the 90 total fires for the past ten years in WEAR. Currently, there are 11 active fires burning in Noatak National Preserve and one fire in Kobuk Valley National Park. All were ignited by lightning in the past 10 days. The Alaska Fire Service and National Park Service fire staff will monitor these fires by mapping them from the air, documenting fire behavior observations, and performing fire suppression actions when necessary. For more information about the fires including maps, visit http://www.nps.gov/fire/public/pub_firenews.cfm.

Lava Field Fire in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:06:00 GMT

Nearly 3,000 lightning strikes across Alaska on Wednesday, June 23 ignited 27 fires in the northwestern section of the state and one fire started in Bering Land Bridge. The fire is located in a meadow, surrounded by lava fields. Strategy Alaska Fire Service and NPS fire staff will monitor the fire by mapping it from the air and documenting fire behavior observations. Vegetation Affected Tussock tundra Air / Smoke Issues Smoky conditions may occur throughout the summer. Visit www.dec.state.ak.us/air/am/smoke.htm for information on how you can protect yourself from smoke. Benefits of the Burn Fires on the tundra are a natural process. After fire, cotton grass and willow resprout and are beneficial to small mammals and grazing animals. Animals adapted to the arctic have co-existed with fire for thousands of years. Values to be Protected The fire does not threaten anything at this time. However, given the dry conditions, if you recreate in Alaska, please be safe with fire. If you live in Alaska, are you prepared for fire? Visit http://forestry.alaska.gov/pdfs/firewise09.pdf to learn more. Partners Involved BLM Alaska Fire Service Contact Information Larry Weddle Phone Number: 907.683.9548 larry_weddle@nps.gov

Tundra Wildfire is Natural

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:06:30 GMT

ANCHORAGE — Tundra wildfire is natural. In Noatak National Preserve, the tundra has burned consistently over the past 6000 years with return intervals in some cases as short as those in boreal forests (150 years) according to research published in April 2010 as a Joint Fire Science Program project by Co-Principal Investigator Jennifer Barnes, Alaska National Park Service, Regional Fire Ecologist and colleagues. A second study in Noatak National Preserve by Jennifer Barnes and two colleagues suggests that after fire, deciduous shrubs such as birch and willow increase. Published in December 2006, the National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program funded the study. The recent Joint Fire Science Program funded study reconstructed both vegetation and fire history over the past 6,000 years in tundra areas of the Noatak River using lake-sediment records. The study reveals that for the past 2,000 years the mean fire return interval varied between 140 years on the lower portions of the Noatak River and 260 years for the upper portion of the Noatak River. The report is located online at, www.firescience.gov/projects/06-3-1-23/project/06-3-1-23_hu_et_al_finalreport_jfsp_06-3-1-23.pdf The second study in Noatak National Preserve measured fire plots established in 1981-82 at eight different sites to evaluate the long-term (25 to 30 years) effects of tundra wildfire on vegetation and permafrost. The original sites included one site burned in 1972, four sites burned in 1977, one site burned in 1982 and two unburned sites. The report is located online at, http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/index.cfm?rq=15&projectid=25 “Only a handful of studies have looked at the effects of fire on the tundra from a limited number of locations. These research projects suggest that not only are fires natural, they are also an important driver of change at the local and landscape levels within the tundra ecosystems of Noatak National Preserve,” said Jennifer Barnes. Currently, the Sidik Lake Fire in Noatak National Preserve is 18,189 acres. It is located 4 miles north of the Noatak River and 112 miles northeast of Noatak. The fire does not threaten anything at this time. The Alaska Fire Service and National Park Service fire staff will monitor the fire by mapping if from the air and documenting fire behavior observations. For more information about the fire visit, http://www.nps.gov/noat/parkmgmt/currentfireinfo.htm

Sidik Lake Fire in Noatak National Preserve

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:06:25 GMT

First spotted on a computer screen by a National Park Service fire manager while he was looking at MODIS satellite imagery that shows heat sources), a new fire in remote Noatak National Preserve was located later and confirmed by the Alaska Fire Service. Fire managers work together to manage wildland fire. Sidik Lake Fire – ref#398 Located 4 miles north of the Noatak River and 112 miles northeast of Noatak 8,250 acres When located the fire was generating two 9,000 foot smoke columns, running in tussock tundra, and backing towards the Anisak River Alaska Fire Service and NPS fire staff will monitor the fire by mapping it from the air and documenting fire behavior observations.

Arctic Network Spring Newsletter 2010

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:06:47 GMT

The Arctic Network Spring 2010 newsletter is available. Download it using the related link.

The National Park Service is proud to announce the summer opening of the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, Alaska on Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Mon, 24 May 2010 15:05:49 GMT

The National Park Service is proud to announce the summer opening of the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue, Alaska on Saturday, June 5th, 2010. Please join us for an open house to explore the exhbits, bookstore, and public spaces. Events will inclued music, Eskimo dancing and an activity for children. The event will run from 1 to 6 PM with ribbon cutting at 2:30. Refreshments will be served.

Fire in the range of the Western Arctic Caribou Herd

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:05:24 GMT

By Kyle Joly, T. Scott Rupp, Randi R. Jandt, and F. Stuart Chapin, III Abstract Wildfire is the dominant ecological driver in boreal forest ecosystems. Although much less is known, it also affects tundra ecosystems. Fires effectively consume fruticose lichens, the primary winter forage for caribou, in both boreal and tundra ecosystems. We summarize 1950-2007 fire regime data for northwestern Alaska and subregions. We also identified meteorological factors that help explain the variability in fire extent across this landscape. We review information and inferences from recent studies on tundra fire regimes for managing caribou winter range. Climate warming may increase fire size and frequency in this region, which may substantially impact the vegetation, wildlife, and people of this region.

Recent Notable Floristic Records from Northwestern Alaska

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:05:48 GMT

By Carolyn Parker and Steffi Ickert-Bond. Abstract. Botanical surveys in northwestern Alaska, including the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Arctic Network and Shared Beringian Heritage Program inventories, have made several contributions to our knowledge of the regional flora. Three species new to science have been described: Parrya nauruaq, Primula anvilensis, and Douglasia beringensis. The occurrence of six species, previously known only from the Russian Far East and westward, have been documented: Potentilla fragiformis, Ranunculus monophyllus, Saussurea triangulata, Hierochloe annulata, Calamagrostis tenuis, and Kobresia filifolia ssp. subfilifolia. Major westward and northward range extensions within Alaska have been documented for several rare species that link northwester in Alaska with the circumpolar high arctic (Draba pauciflora), the Canadian arctic Festuca edlundiae and X_Dupoa labradorica), and with endemic-rich interior East Beringia (Oxytropis tananensis, Lupinus kuschei, Symphyotrichum yukonense, Carex deflexa, Eriophorum viridicarinatum, and Schizachne purpurascens). Future botanical inventories on both sides of the Bering Strait will certainly yield additional new records and increase our knowledge of this shared Beringian floristic heritage.

Fourth grade thank you letter to ARCN from Leave No Trace for wilderness camping field trip

Mon, 17 May 2010 10:05:16 GMT

The Fairbanks Public Lands Information Center offers a variety of educational programs year round on site and off site for community schools and youth groups. ARCN participated in a 'Leave No Trace' program

Bridging Spatial and Tabular Data Using MapWinGIS ActiveX Control In A Natural Resource Monitoring Database

Sun, 16 May 2010 16:05:36 GMT

Bridging Spatial and Tabular Data Using MapWinGIS ActiveX Control In A Natural Resource Monitoring Database: A poster presented at the 2010 NPS Resource Information Management Meeting in Ft. Collins Colorado in April.

Vegetation and Soils Monitoring Protocol Testing Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network Progress Report, March 2010

Thu, 13 May 2010 16:05:06 GMT

The Arctic Inventory and Monitoring Network (ARCN) developed and field-tested a vegetation sampling protocol in 2009. It incorporates elements of the Central Alaskan Network’s (CAKN) vegetation sampling design, the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) sample design, and the USDA NRCS standards for description of soils and landforms (Soil Survey Staff, 1993; Schoeneberger and Wysocki, 2008). Field data recording is accomplished largely on handheld field computers. Field testing yielded good results on 34 plots at two locations in 2009. The methods have been incorporated into draft standard operating procedures and are recommended for future monitoring in ARCN.

Evaluation of Proposed ARCN Climate Monitoring Stations for Soil and Permafrost Temperature Monitoring

Thu, 13 May 2010 16:05:43 GMT

The existing and proposed new climate monitoring sites in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA), Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), Kovuk Valley National Park (KOVA), and Noatak National Park (NOAT) were evaluated for suitability as ground temperature monitoring sites for the ARCN permafrost and vegetation/soils vital signs. Ground temperature instrumentation is recommended at all sites. Ground temperatures sensors will be integrated with the Campbell Scientific instruments at the proposed new ARCN climate stations. At 5 of these stations, supplementary battery-powered ground temperature installations are recommended a short distance from the climate station to represent other environments. Battery-powered ground temperature installations are also recommended at the existing 4 Remote Alaska Weather Stations (RAWS) in these NPS units.

Three new species of Hypogymnia from the Bering Sea region, Alaska and Russia

Thu, 13 May 2010 16:05:17 GMT

Hypogymnia castanea and H. fistulosa are newly described species of lichenized fungi (Ascomycota: Parmeliaceae), apparently restricted to oceanic tundra in the Bering Sea region. Hypogymnia castanea is so far known in Alaska only from the Seward Peninsula; it is also found in far east Russia.Hypogymnia fistulosa occurs at numerous localities on the Aleutian Islands, other islands in the Bering Sea, and the Seward Peninsula. Hypogymnia lugubris ssp. beringiana is elevated to the species level because of numerousmorphological, chemical, and geographic differences fromH. lugubris in the southern Hemisphere. Hypogymnia beringiana is a rare species from Alaska and Russia.

Resource Brief: Climate Change

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:01:00 GMT

Arctic Network has published a new resource brief on climate change. This brief is available at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/arcn/documents/documents/ARCN-RB-ClimateChange.pdf

Park Science in the Arctic

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:12:24 GMT

Alaska Park Science Journal, Volume 8 Issue 2: Park Science in the Arctic. Proceedings of the Arctic Alaska Park Science Symposium and Beringia International Conference

The importance of research archives in national parks

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:12:00 GMT

MANY NATIONAL PARKS CONTAIN detailed records of historical land uses and events. Dedicated historians and archivists compile and archive these records, which helps further the National Park Service’s mission. However, one area in Park Service records to which researchers may not have systematic access is the early scientific research done in and around parks. Martin Wilmking and Jens Ibendorf present a short journal article that details the rediscovery of experimental plots used to test theories of tree-line advance in what is now Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska).

Weather and Climate Resource Brief

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:12:00 GMT

Please take a look at our Weather and Climate monitoring resource brief.

Air Quality in National Parks 2008 Annual Performance & Progress Report

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:09:00 GMT

The National Park Service works to preserve, protect, enhance, and understand air quality and resources sensitive to air quality in the National Park System. This is crucial to parks because air pollution affects ecological health, scenic views, human health, and visitor enjoyment even at relatively low levels.

Arctic Network Monitoring Plan Published

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:09:00 GMT

Arctic Network has published it's monitoring plan. You may download the plan at https://science1.nature.nps.gov/naturebib/biodiversity/2009-4-8/NPS_ARCN_NRR_2009_088_MonitoringPlan.pdf

Contaminants study provides window into airborne toxic impacts in western U.S. and Alaska national parks

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:07:00 GMT

Results and implications of the Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project

Arctic Network Data And Information Management Plan Published

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:11:00 GMT

The Arctic Network Data And Information Management Plan is now available

ARCN Fall, 2008 Newsletter

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:09:00 GMT

Air Quality Station Moves To Bettles

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:04:00 GMT

The Arctic Network Air Quality Vital Sign is designed monitor long-term visibility, meteorology, mercury deposition, particulate matter composition and concentration, wet and dry acid deposition and ozone measurements in the Arctic Parks. These photographs show the monitoring station, which was built in Fairbanks, being transported to Bettles, Alaska, where it will be installed. Air quality monitoring is scheduled to begin in 2008.

Panoramic photographs of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:03:00 GMT

Interactive panoramic images. Requires Flash Alatna Headwaters Alatna Headwaters Knoll Alatna Sunny Day Lichen woodland hilll top along Alatna Takahula

Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project Results

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:01:00 GMT

The Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project (WACAP) was initiated to determine the risk from airbone contaminants to ecosystems and food webs in western national parks.

High-Resolution Imagery for the Coastal Areas of Bering Land Bridge NP (BELA) and Cape Krusenstern NM (CAKR), Northwest Alaska

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:01:00 GMT

This powerpoint presentation is a draft summary of high-resolution orthorectified imagery that will be made publicly available soon. The imagery covers the coastal and nearshore areas of BELA, CAKR, and surrounding coastlines.The imagery was completed as part of a study on coastal erosion,funded by the Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. Beyond analysis of coastal change, the imagery will be of interest to land managers, scientists, and others for observation and study of natural features and ecosystems.

Coastal-Influenced Ecosystems Scoping Workshop Meeting Summary

Tue, 30 Nov 2004 00:11:00 GMT

The National Park Service Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Program held a coastal-influenced ecosystems scoping workshop from November 30–December 2, 2004. The purpose of the workshop was to provide a forum for NPS resource managers and scientists to discuss ideas for building a statistically sound, ecologically based, management-relevant, and affordable monitoring program for the Arctic Network (ARCN) of parks. The information gleaned from this workshop will be used to form the basis for drafting a long-term monitoring plan for the Arctic Network.