What We Monitor

The Arctic is changing faster than anywhere else on the planet. Vegetation is changing through longer and warmer growing seasons and in response to the extent and severity of fires. Hydrology is changing because of thawing permafrost, snowpack persistence, and the freezing and thawing of lakes and streams. The brackish and freshwater aquatic systems (lagoons, lakes, and streams) are sensitive indicators of climate change and are important to wildlife, subsistence users, and the scenic quality of park. Unique northern and Arctic-adapted species of plants and animals inhabit these parks; the future of many are uncertain under a changing climate.

Knowing what resources are found in Arctic parks and whether they are stable or changing can help park managers to make sound decisions about the future. By inventorying and monitoring resources, we develop a stronger scientific basis for stewardship and management of natural resources. It also ensures that our nation’s natural treasures are protected for future generations. We refer to these resources and process as vital signs since they are indicators of ecosystem integrity and health.

Landscape Processes

• 

  Climate

  Weather and climate are key drivers in ecosystem structure and function; the high-latitude Arctic parklands are undergoing rapid change.

• 

  Coastal Shoreline Change

  The coastal zone is changing rapidly as the ice-free season lengthens, sea-level and ocean temperatures rise, and storms intensify.

• 

  Fire Extent and Severity

  Wildland fire is one of the largest natural disturbance processes in the boreal and tundra ecosystems of Arctic parklands.

• 

  Alaska Glaciers Status and Trends

  Glaciers in Alaska's parks are dynamic features that are vulnerable to climate change. We track changes in park glaciers.

• 

  Landscape Patterns and Dynamics

  Landscape dynamics are the “big picture” of changes in the growing season, vegetation, and surface water.

• 

  Snowpack

  Snowpack affects every aspect of the Arctic.

Vegetation and Soils

• 

  Permafrost

  Permafrost affects nearly everything in Arctic ecosystems, from soils and vegetation to water and wildlife.

• 

  Terrestrial Vegetation and Soils

  Arctic vegetation is very sensitive to climate change and disturbance such as fire, herbivory, and human impacts.

Water

• 

  Lagoon Communities and Ecosystems

  Arctic lagoons make up about a third of the Arctic coastline.

• 

  Lake Communities and Ecosystems

  Large lakes are associated with volcanic explosions, geologic rifts, or the presence of moraine dams.

• 

  Shallow Lakes

  Tens of thousands of shallow lakes are distributed across the Arctic Network.

• 

  Stream Communities and Ecosystems

  A network of greater than 25,000 miles of perennial and intermittent streams and rivers.

Wildlife

• 

  Brown Bears

  Alaska accounts for more than 50% of the remaining North American brown bears and has the second largest population worldwide.

• 

  Caribou

  Caribou herd sizes vary greatly over time. The Western Arctic Caribou Herd has hit as low as 75,000 and as high as 500,000 animals.

• 

  Dall's Sheep

  Dall’s sheep are an alpine-adapted species at their northernmost extent in the Brooks Range of Alaska.

• 

  Landbirds

  Most birds in the Arctic are migratory. Landbirds comprise more than 50% of the bird species in Arctic parklands.

• 

  Moose

  Moose are an integral component of the boreal ecosystem in Arctic parklands.

• 

  Muskox

  Muskoxen populations occur in four locations in Alaska, two of these ranges overlap Arctic parklands.

• 

  Yellow-billed Loons

  In Alaska, Yellow-billed Loons are restricted to tundra landscapes on the Arctic Coastal Plain with large, deep, clear, freshwater lakes.