
Lagoons make up about a third of Alaska's Arctic coastline. These dynamic coastal lagoons are a critically important ecosystem in the region because they support populations of birds, fishes, and invertebrates, and are used by both terrestrial and marine mammals. They also support seasonal traditional subsistence activities for Alaska Natives and serve as navigational pathways throughout the year by local village residents.
We monitor lagoon communities in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument to document:
- Trends in lagoon water chemistry and lagoon connectivity with the marine environment
- Trends in fish community composition and patterns of lagoon use
- Changes in aquatic food web and trophic dynamics
- Changes in contaminants levels in fish
Contact: Tahzay Jones