Alaska Geobotany Center Library
Reports
LCLUC Yamal Peninsula - Biocomplexity Data Reports - Biocomplexity Field Reports
LCLUC Yamal Peninsula
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Data Report of the 2007 and 2008 Yamal Expeditions: Nadym, Laborovaya, Vaskiny Dachi, and Kharasavey
Walker DA, Epstein HE, Leibman ME, Moskalenko NG, Orekhov P, Kuss P, Matyshak GV, Kaarlejärvi E, Forbes BC, Barbour EM, Gobroski K
This data report is a summary of information collected during the 2007 and 2008 expeditions to the Yamal Peninsula region of West Siberia, Russia as part of the Greening of the Arctic (GOA) project. The overarching goal of the Yamal portion of the GOA is to examine how the terrain and anthropogenic factors of reindeer herding and resource development combined with climate variations on the Yamal Peninsula affect the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation change and how these changes in turn affect traditional herding of the indigenous people of the region.
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2007 Yamal Expedition data report (Revised 02/11/2008)
Walker DA, Epstein HE, Leibman ME, Moskalenko NG, Kuss JP, Matyshak GV, Kaarlejärvi E, Forbes BC, Barbour EM
This data report is a summary of information collected during the 2007 expedition to the Yamal Peninsula region of West Siberia, Russia as part of the Greening of the Arctic (GOA) project. The overarching goal of the Yamal portion of the GOA is to examine how the terrain and anthropogenic factors of reindeer herding and resource development combined with climate variations on the Yamal Peninsula affect the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation change and how these changes in turn affect traditional herding of the indigenous people of the region
Biocomplexity Reports
Final Report
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Biocomplexity associated with biogeochemical cycles in arctic frost-boil ecosystems
Walker DA
Our project studied small patterned-ground ecosystems along the arctic bioclimate gradient in North America. These features are unique to permafrost regions and are a significant component of nearly all arctic landscapes. Prior to this study, these features have been studied by geomorphologists but their role in ecosystems has been largely unstudied. These systems are of particular interest because: (1) Some processes involved in the formation of patterned-ground landscapes are not well understood; (2) the role of cryogenic processes with respect to biogeochemical cycling, carbon sequestration and a whole host of ecosystem processes is poorly known; and (3) they are an ideal natural system to study the response of disturbed and undisturbed tundra to differences in climate. Recently, these features have been linked to a wide variety of ecosystem properties including sequestration of carbon in the permafrost, the flux of energy, water, and nutrients to land surface, watersheds and the atmosphere (Bockheim et al, 1998; Nelson et al, 1998; Walker et al, 1998) and even the forage quality for wildlife (Walker et al, 2001). The project is focusing on how climate influences the interactions between vegetation, soils, and patterned ground formation in order to better understand how climate change might affect these systems. We are focusing on soil biogeochemical processes, hydrothermal processes, and vegetation patterns.
Data Reports
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Data Report Biocomplexity of Patterned Ground. Isachsen Expedition, July 2005
Vonlanthen C, Raynolds MK, Munger C, Kade A, Walker DA
A team of 25 people from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and other organizations worked at Isachsen, Ellef Ringnes Island during July 2005, as part of the “Biocomplexity associated with biogeochemical cycles in arctic frost-boil ecosystems” project. The main objective of the research is to investigate the properties of small- patterned-ground ecosystems along a climate gradient from the coldest parts of the Arctic to the northern boreal forest. We are studying earth hummocks, non-sorted circles, small non-sorted polygons, and turf hummocks – how they form, how they vary with climate and substrate, and their role in total ecosystem functions.
Biocomplexity of Patterned Ground Data Report, Dalton Highway, 2001-2005
Barreda JE, Knudson J, Walker DA, Raynolds MK, Kade A and Munger C
The Biocomplexity project studies small patterned-ground ecosystems along the Arctic bioclimate gradient in North America. Various types of patterned-ground formations are found in the Arctic. These are a significant components of nearly all Arctic landscapes. Although these features have been studied by geomorphologists, their role in ecosystems has been largely unstudied. The project focuses on how climate influences the interactions between vegetation, soils, and patterned ground formation in order to better understand how climate change might affect these systems.
Biocomplexity of Patterned Ground: Mould Bay Expedition, July 2004
Munger C, Raynolds MK, Kade A and Walker DA
A team of 24 people from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and other organizations worked at Inuvik, NWT and Mould Bay, Prince Patrick Island, NWT during the period 12-27 July 2004, as part of the "Biocomplexity associated with biogeochemical cycles in arctic frost-boil ecosystems” project. This year’s work was the third in a 5-year project. The main objective of the research is to investigate the properties of small-patterned- ground ecosystems along a climate gradient from the coldest parts of the Arctic to the northern boreal forest. We are studying earth hummocks, non-sorted circles, small non-sorted polygons, and turf hummocks – how they form, how they vary with climate and substrate, and their role in total ecosystem functions.
Biocomplexity of frost-boil ecosystems snow data report, Alaska North Slope, April 2004
Raynolds MK, Walker DA and Martin CR
This data report is a summary of snow-survey information collected during a trip to the Arctic Slope April 12-15, 2004. The data were all collected as part of the Biocomplexity of Frost-Boil Ecosystems study (Walker et al. 2004). Snow is an important factor affecting soil-surface temperatures during the winter. These data will be used to help model the influence of snow on frost heave.
Banks Island July 2003 Field Report
Raynolds MK and Walker DA
A group of 19 researchers and students from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and other U.S. and Canadian organizations gathered at Green Cabin, northern Banks Island in July 2003. We were interested in the interactions between the frost-boil heave processes, the soil, and the vegetation; and how complex interactions between these elements vary along the Arctic bioclimate gradient. A major goal of the project is to develop models that can help explain how frost heave patterns, soils and vegetation will respond to climate change.
Biocomplexity of Frost-boil Ecosystems, July 2003. Banks Island Expedition: Vegetation, Biomass, NDVI, Soil, Thaw Layer, Invertebrates, Decomposition, Biogeochemistry, and Turf-hummock Studies
Munger CA, Raynolds MK and Walker DA
This data report summarizes information collected during July 2003 near Green Cabin, northern Banks Island, Canada as part of the NSF-sponsored "Biocomplexity of Frostboil Ecosystems" project (grant #OPP-0120736). It also includes information about a halfday visit to Mould Bay on Prince Patrick Island (2 July 2003).
Snow on the Alaska North Slope Grids, April 2003
Walker DA, Raynolds MK and Martin CR
This data report is a summary of snow-survey information collected during a trip to the Arctic Slope April 9-14, 2003. The data were all collected as part of the Biocomplexity of Frost-Boil Ecosystems study. Snow is an important factor affecting soil-surface temperatures during the winter. These data will be used to help model the influence of snow on frost heave.
Field Reports
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Integrating Research and Education: Biocomplexity associated with biogeochemical cycles in arctic frost-boil ecosystems
Gould W
Five undergraduate and one graduate student from the University of Minnesota were enrolled in Arctic Field Ecology this summer. The course was taught by Bill Gould (vegetation ecologist) and Grizelle Gonzalez (soil ecosystem ecologist), with teaching and logistic assistance from UAF graduate student Andrew Borner and University of Colorado graduate student Lee Turner. The course included travel by road along the Dalton highway, by kayak along the Sagavanirktok River, a visit to the town of Nuiqsut on the Colville River Delta, and a visit to the Toolik Lake LTER site. Course activities took place at treeline on the south side of the Brooks Range, Atigun pass, Galbraith Lake, Toolik Lake, five of the six cryoturbation grid sites (Happy Valley, Sagwon Hills acidic and nonacidic tundra, Franklin Bluffs, and Deadhorse), the mouth of the Sagavanirktok River, and Nuiqsut.
Biocomplexity Western Canadian Transect Reconnaisance
Gould W
Our goals were to (1) locate suitable sites in bioclimate subzones A, B, and C of the CAFF and CAVM subdivisions of the Arctic, (2) establish future grids for the cryoturbation study, to determine the feasibility of logistic support at these sites, and (3) make contacts in Canada to assist with logistics, to facilitate licensing and permits, and to collaborate on research at the sites. Our site selection criteria included location within the appropriate subzone, location relatively near sea level, fine grained mesic, circumneutral soils, twin otter accessibility, and potential for collaboration with additional US and Canadian scientists.
Field Report for Walker ATLAS and Biocomplexity Projects
Walker DA
The Biocomplexity group met together for the first time in the field. The goals of the meeting were: (1) Review and reevaluate the project goals, (2) visit all of the sites that were established in 2000 and 2001 along the Dalton Highway, (3) review the progress to date, (4) help the two graduate students, Anja Kade and Alexia Kelley, get their project started, (5) interact with the undergraduate field ecology course of Bill Gould. A summary of the agenda provides the highlights of the meeting.
Turf Hummocks along the Arctic Bioclimate Gradient: their Characteristics and Development, Summary of the July 2003 Field Activities
Tarnocai C
Turf hummocks are small, 11-20 cm high, 18-50 cm diameter mounds. They commonly occur on gently to steeply sloping Arctic terrain.