Resources

The Long-tailed Duck is one of the most common sea ducks in Arctic Alaska, and has a
circumpolar distribution. They are known for their ability to dive to impressive depths (> 60 m)
in search of food (Robertson and Savard 2002). In Arctic Alaska, this species typically nests in
wet tundra near shallow Carex or Arctophila-dominated ponds, and braided streams (Robertson
and Savard 2002). During the breeding season, their diet consists primarily of aquatic
invertebrates although they will also take vegetative matter (Robertson and Savard 2002). During

The White-crowned Sparrow is a common breeding bird from the Pacific Coast in the Lower 48
to the northern extent of its range in Arctic Alaska (Chilton et al. 1995). The Gambel’s
subspecies, the breeder in Alaska, is most commonly associated with shrubby riparian habitats
that run through both boreal and tundra environs. White-crowned Sparrows consume a wide
variety of plant and animal prey and during the breeding season feed their young a strict diet of
insect and other animal prey. Alaskan birds are short-distance migrants and winter in temperate

Average historical annual total precipitation, projected total precipitation (mm), and relative change in total precipitation (% change from baseline) for Northern Alaska. GIF formatted animation and PNG images. Maps created using the SNAP 5-GCM composite (AR5-RCP 8.5) and CRU TS3.1.01 datasets.

This dataset includes Last Snow Date(lsdy) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Last Snow Date is defined as day of last snow occurrence during the year(day of year). The dataset was generated by the Arctic LCC SNOWDATA: Snow Datasets for Arctic Terrestrial Applications project.

This map was created by Arctic LCC staff and depicts the general boundaries of the Arctic LCC within Alaska. This map is in JPG format, suitable for presentations.

These raster datasets represent historical stand age. The last four digits of the file name specifies the year represented by the raster. For example a file named Age_years_historical_1990.tif represents the year 1990. Cell values represent the age of vegetation in years since last fire, with zero (0) indicating burned area in that year. Files from years 1860-2006 use a variety of historical datasets for Boreal ALFRESCO model spin up and calibration to most closely match historical wildfire dynamics.

These maps show baseline (1961-1990) average total precipitation and projected change in precipitation for the decades spanning 2010-2039, 2040-2069, and 2070-2099. Precipitation is expressed in both millimeters (mm) and inches (in); projected change in precipitation is expressed as percent of baseline. Baseline results for 1961-1990 are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS 3.1.01 data and maps for future time periods are based on a composite of projections from five GCMs (CCSM4, GFDL-CM3, GISS-E2-R, IPSL-CM5A-LR, and MRI-CGCM3) under the AR5-RCP 6.0.

This report is the result of an assessment of science and information needs identified by land and resource managers working in Alaskan Arctic, with a focus on needs related to expected changes in climate. The primary objective of the report is to determine how the Arctic LCC can best support and strengthen the connection between science and management in the area of climate change.

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET): These data represent decadal mean totals of potential evapotranspiration estimates (mm). The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named pet_mean_mm_decadal_MPI_ECHAM5_A1B_annual_2000-2009.tif represents the decade spanning 2000-2009. The data were generated by using the Hamon equation and output from ECHAM5, a fifth generation general circulation model created by the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg Germany. Data are at 2km x 2km resolution, and all data are stored in geotiffs.

This dataset includes Total Snow Days(tsdy) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Total Snow Days is defined as total number of days with snow on the ground during the year(days). The dataset was generated by the Arctic LCC SNOWDATA: Snow Datasets for Arctic Terrestrial Applications project.

The dataset is delivered in the ZIP archive file format. Each year is output in a separate GeoTiff file, where the year is indicated by the filename.

Map of the Kokolik River Area and location of proposed observation sites (numbered circles). The Kokolik River drains from the northwestern corner of the Brooks Range south and west to Kasegaluk Lagoon and the Chukchi Sea. It crosses the three ecoregions but has very little high elevation area. Inset shows the location of the seven TEON focal watersheds. Image by Arctic LCC staff.

More than 35,000 lakes larger than 0.01 sq. km. were extracted from an airborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IfSAR) derived digital surface model acquired between 2002 and 2006 for the Western Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. The IfSAR derived lake data layer provides an improvement over previously available datasets for the study area since it is more comprehensive and contemporary.

This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated mean annual ground temperature (MAGT) in Celsius, averaged across a decade, at the base of active layer or at the base of the seasonally frozen soil column. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named MAGT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989.

This dataset includes Snow Free Date(sfdy) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Snow Free Date is defined as day of the end of the core snow period(day of year). The core snow season is defined to be the longest period of continuous snow cover in each year. The dataset was generated by the Arctic LCC SNOWDATA: Snow Datasets for Arctic Terrestrial Applications project.

Baseline (1961-1990) average air temperature (degree F) for Alaska and Western Canada. This zip file contains three GeoTIFF rasters. The file names identifies whether a file represents an annual mean or a seasonal mean (i.e., summer or winter). Summer is defined as June - August; winter is defined as December - February. Baseline data are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS 3.1 data. CRU data courtesy of Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning.

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET): These data represent decadal mean totals of potential evapotranspiration estimates (mm). The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named pet_mean_mm_decadal_CRU_Historical_annual_1930-1939.tif represents the decade spanning 1930-1939. The data were generated by using the Hamon equation and output from a statistically downscaled version of the Hadley Centre's CRU TS3.0 observational dataset. Data are at 2km x 2km resolution, and all data are stored in geotiffs.

These rasters represent output from the Boreal ALFRESCO (Alaska Frame Based Ecosystem Code) model. Boreal ALFRESCO operates on an annual time step, in a landscape composed of 1 x 1 km pixels, a scale appropriate for interfacing with mesoscale climate and carbon models. The last four digits of the file name specifies the year represented by the raster. For example a file named Age_years_historical_1990.tif represents the year 1990. Cell values represent the age of vegetation in years since last fire, with zero (0) indicating burned area in that year.

These maps were created by Arctic LCC staff and depict the general boundaries of the Arctic LCC. Maps and boundaries are subject to review and should not be used within a legal context. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data and information on any other system or for general or scientific purposes.

Potential Evapotranspiration (PET): These data represent decadal mean totals of potential evapotranspiration estimates (mm). The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named pet_mean_mm_decadal_CRU_Historical_annual_1930-1939.tif represents the decade spanning 1930-1939. The data were generated by using the Hamon equation and output from a statistically downscaled version of the Hadley Centre's CRU TS3.0 observational dataset. Data are at 2km x 2km resolution, and all data are stored in geotiffs.

Average historical annual temperature, projected air temperature, and change in air temperature (degree F) for Northern Alaska. GIF formatted animation and PNG images. Maps created using the SNAP 5-GCM composite (AR5-RCP 8.5) and CRU TS3.1 datasets.

The Common Redpoll is an abundant finch of northern regions around the world. Redpolls occur
throughout Alaska, thriving in habitats ranging from boreal to tundra across a wide elevation
gradient (Knox and Lowther 2000). This species nests in trees when available. In tundra habitats,
they nest in willows (primarily along riparian areas) or on the ground (Knox and Lowther 2000,
J. Liebezeit, unpublished data). While primarily a seed eater, in summer this species consumes

GIS data are provided for download in geodatabase and shapefile format and contain the following layers: permafrost extent, thermokarst landforms, maximum settlement potential, massive ice, segregated ice, biome, ecoregion, ecological subsection, ecological section, ecological landscape, soil landscape, physiography, lithology, general geology, average elevation (m), and mean annual air temperature (c). ArcGIS layer files are also included in this download.

The Brant is a small goose well known in Alaska for the tens of thousands of individuals that
molt in the Teshekpuk Lake area of the coastal plain during the late summer. In Arctic
Alaska, this species typically nests within 8 km of the coast although in the National
Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) can nest up to 30 km inland (Reed et al. 1998, D.
Ward, pers. comm.). Brant often nest in colonies near the upper edge of salt marshes along
sloping seacoasts or on estuarine deltas, although in areas where salt marshes are less

The Long-tailed Jaeger, the most sleek and graceful of the three jaegers, is a common bird in
Arctic Alaska. Similar to the larger Pomarine Jaeger, this species diet consists primarily of
lemmings and voles, however, unlike the Pomarine Jaeger, Long-tailed Jaegers can withstand
cyclical rodent crashes as they can readily switch to other food sources (Wiley and Lee 1998).
The Long-tailed Jaegers breeding range in Alaska extends more deeply into the interior than