LCCs have produced a wealth of informational documents, reports, fact sheets, webinars and more to help support resource managers in designing and delivering conservation at landscape scales.
This dataset includes Snow Depth(snod) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Snow Depth is defined as depth on 1 March(m). 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.
The Spectacled Eider is a medium-sized sea duck with males easily recognized by their striking
“clown-like” head plumage. This species was listed as threatened in 1993 under the Endangered
Species Act as it has suffered severe population declines in western Alaska. The Arctic Coastal
Plain population may also be declining. In Arctic Alaska, breeding Spectacled Eiders use river
deltas and wet tundra habitats, including drained-lake basins, flooded wetlands, and islets within
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
This map was created by Arctic LCC staff and depicts the general boundaries of the Arctic LCC within Alaska. This map is in PDF format, suitable for printing.
Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) will
investigate glacier-climate interactions within the Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge, including impacts of glacier change on
the downstream aquatic ecosystems. This work builds upon the
only long-term monitoring program of glaciers in Arctic Alaska.
This dataset includes Rain On Snow Event(rose) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Rain On Snow Event is defined as number of days with rain on snow(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.
Hydrologic data for the Alaska Arctic are sparse, and fewer still are long-term (> 10 year) datasets. This lack of baseline information hindered our ability to assess long-term alterations in streamflow due to changing climate. The Arctic LCC is provided stop-gap funding to continue this long time series hydrological data sets in the Kuparuk and Putuligayuk watersheds
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.
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.
These rasters that represent estimated potential evapotranspiration (mm). Data were generated by using the Hamon equation and air temperature projections from the CCCMA model under the A1B emission scenario.
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.
The Arctic LCC and partners are supporting stream gages in
five different river systems. The rivers being monitored fall into
three broad categories: glacial streams originating in the Brooks
Range (Hulahula river), streams with only minor glacial input
(Kuparuk, Canning & Tamayariak rivers), and non-glacial
streams that are contained entirely within the Arctic Coastal
Plain, such as the Putuligayuk River
Lakes are dominant and diverse landscape
features in the Arctic, but conventional land cover
classification schemes typically map them as a single
uniform class. Here, we present a detailed lake-centric
geospatial database for an Arctic watershed in northern
Alaska. We developed a GIS dataset consisting of 4362
lakes that provides information on lake morphometry,
hydrologic connectivity, surface area dynamics,
surrounding terrestrial ecotypes, and other important
conditions describing Arctic lakes. Analyzing the
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
Average historical annual total precipitation (inches) and projected relative change in total precipitation (% change from baseline) for Northern Alaska. 30-year averages. Handout format. Maps created using the SNAP 5-GCM composite (AR5-RCP 8.5) and CRU TS3.1.01 datasets.
The Arctic Tern completes annual epic migrations from pole to pole covering at least 40,000 km
on their round-trip journeys. They breed throughout Arctic Alaska from boreal to tundra habitats
and have their highest nesting densities inland (Lensink 1984). Arctic Terns typically choose nest
sites on open ground near water and often on small islands in ponds and lakes (Hatch 2002).
Arctic terns consume a wide variety of fish and invertebrate prey, fish are particularly important
We assessed change in the seasonal timing of insect emergence from tundra ponds near Barrow, Alaska
over a four-decade timespan, and explored factors that regulate this significant ecological phenomenon.
The early-summer pulse of adult insects emerging from myriad tundra ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain
is an annual event historically coincident with resource demand by tundra-nesting avian consumers.
Asymmetrical changes in the seasonal timing of prey availability and consumer needs may impact arcticbreeding
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
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 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.
The Peregrine Falcon is one of the most ubiquitous bird species with a breeding distribution
ranging from tundra to the tropics. In Arctic Alaska this bird’s breeding stronghold is found in
major river systems where cliff ledges abound and serve as preferred nesting sites. Peregrine
Falcons prey on a wide variety of bird species ranging from small passerines to medium-sized
ducks and will also take small mammals (White et al. 2002). This species travels widely and
The Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (TEON) is an effort to establish a sustainable environmental observing network of northern Alaska. TEON will focus work in watersheds that collectively represent the diversity of landscape settings at the ecoregional scale, take advantage of existing science infrastructure and logistics capacity, and provide opportunities to build on existing long-term data sets. Candidate watersheds for TEON include Agashashok River, Barrow/Meade River, Fish/Judy Creek, Hulahula/Jago River, Kokolik River, Kuparuk River, and Upper Koyukuk River.
Water availability, distribution, quality and quantity are critical habitat elements for fish and other water-dependent species. Furthermore, the availability of water is also a pre-requisite for a number of human activities. The density of weather and hydrology observation sites on the North Slope is orders of magnitude less than in other parts of the U.S., making it difficult to document hydrologic trends and develop accurate predictive models where water is a key input. The information that does exist is scattered among many entities, and varies in format.
The King Eider, conspicuous for the male’s elegant plumage, is a common nester on the Arctic
Coastal Plain of Alaska. King Eiders typically nest in wet lowland tundra with many small ponds
and pools, islands, and wet marshes. Dry tundra is also used when small lakes and ponds are
available nearby as foraging areas (Powell and Suydam 2012). Unlike other eiders, this species is
not as closely tied to coastal breeding habitats. During the breeding season, their diet is primarily
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.
Baseline (1961-1990) average winter temperature in and projected change in temperature for for the northern portion of Alaska. For the purposes of these maps, 'winter' is defined as December - February. The Alaska portion of the Arctic LCC's terrestrial boundary is depicted by the black line. Baseline results for 1961-1990 are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS3.1 data and downscaled to 2km grids; results for the other time periods (2010-2039, 2040-2069, 2070-2099) are based on the SNAP 5-GCM composite using the AR5-RCP 8.5, downscaled to 2km grids.
Baseline (1961-1990) average winter temperature in and projected change in temperature for for the northern portion of Alaska. For the purposes of these maps, 'winter' is defined as December - February. The Alaska portion of the Arctic LCC's terrestrial boundary is depicted by the black line. Baseline results for 1961-1990 are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS3.1 data and downscaled to 2km grids; results for the other time periods (2010-2039, 2040-2069, 2070-2099) are based on the SNAP 5-GCM composite using the AR5-RCP 8.5, downscaled to 2km grids.
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of northern Alaska
consists of an extremely low gradient, lake-rich
landscape that is characterized by a complex network
of aquatic habitats and surface features strongly
influenced by permafrost dynamics. Much is unknown
about the form, function, and ecological conditions in
this unique hydrologic setting. Amplified climate
change and landscape responses in the Arctic further
complicate the capacity to separate natural variability
from land use effects that may occur with petroleum
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.
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_CCCMA_CGCM31_A1B_annual_2000-2009.tif represents the decade spanning 2000-2009. The data were generated by using the Hamon equation and output from CCCMA (also CGCM3.1), a third generation coupled global climate model created by the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis. Data are at 2km x 2km resolution, and all data are stored in geotiffs.
Regional map showing the location of the TEON focal watersheds (colored polygons). White circles denote the locations of proposed observation sites. Collectively, these watersheds sample the major ecoregions (Nowacki et al., 2001) represented within the Alaska portion of the Arctic LCC.
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
Baseline (1961-1990) average winter temperature in and projected change in temperature for for the northern portion of Alaska. For the purposes of these maps, 'winter' is defined as December - February. The Alaska portion of the Arctic LCC's terrestrial boundary is depicted by the black line. Baseline results for 1961-1990 are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS3.1 data and downscaled to 2km grids; results for the other time periods (2010-2039, 2040-2069, 2070-2099) are based on the SNAP 5-GCM composite using the AR5-RCP 8.5, downscaled to 2km grids.
The Pectoral Sandpiper is one of the most abundant breeding birds on the Arctic Coastal Plain of
Alaska. They typically have low nest site fidelity which is likely related to their promiscuous
mating strategy, thus nest densities are highly variable from year to year at a given site (Holmes
and Pitelka 1998). In Arctic Alaska, primary breeding habitat includes low-lying ponds in a mix
of marshy to hummocky tundra and nests are typically placed in slightly raised or better drained
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_CCCMA_CGCM31_A1B_annual_2000-2009.tif represents the decade spanning 2000-2009. The data were generated by using the Hamon equation and output from CCCMA (also CGCM3.1), a third generation coupled global climate model created by the Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling and Analysis. Data are at 2km x 2km resolution, and all data are stored in geotiffs.
Map of the Upper Koyukuk River Area and location of proposed observation sites (numbered circles). This large area drains the southern Brooks Range ecoregion and extends downstream into the Kobuk Ridges and Valleys outside of the Arctic LCC boundary. Compared to other sites in TEON, these rivers are larger basins and reflect higher relief landscapes. Inset shows the location of the seven TEON focal watersheds. Image by Arctic LCC staff.
The Fish Creek Watershed encompasses diverse aquatic habitats representative of much of the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. Beyond surface water and permafrost responses caused by changes in climate, this landscape is also subject to potential land-use impacts related to petroleum development in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Thus, this region is an ideal setting to address aquatic habitat questions of longstanding interest to Arctic resource managers, scientists, and other stakeholders.
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_1910-1919.tif represents the decade spanning 1910-1919. 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.
This dataset contains rasters that represent mapped habitat suitability indices for 8 shorebird species, a raster that represents mean habitat suitability indices for all 8 species, and a raster that represents the number of species in which the habitat suitability index exceeded the selected threshold value for each pixel.
The Western Sandpiper is one of the most abundant sandpipers in the western hemisphere. In
Alaska, the core of its breeding population is in the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta. It also
breeds less commonly in the western portion of the North Slope (Johnson et al. 2007). This
species nests in well-drained moist to upland tundra habitats dominated by dwarf shrubs and
tussock grasses (Wilson 1994).
The Bureau of Land Management- Arctic Field Office has a requirement for coordinating research and
monitoring projects related to the effectiveness of stipulations and surface resource impacts in the
National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. Yellow-billed Loons are among the least common breeding birds
in the mainland United States and the U.S. breeding population is concentrated largely within the
National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Interest in developing the oil and gas reserves within
Access database with terrestrial invertebrate abundance and biomass data in addition to weather data. Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network Camp locations: Nome, Cape Krusenstern, Barrow, Ikpikpuk, Colville, Prudhoe Bay, Canning River, Mackenzie Delta, and East Bay. Latitude and Longitude for each camp are provided in a table in the database.
Map of the Fish and Judy Creek Area and location of proposed observation sites (numbered circles). Fish Creek, Judy Creek, and the Ublutuoch River are almost entirely within the Beaufort Coastal Plain Ecoregion, though a small portion of Judy Creek extends into the Brooks Foothills. Inset shows the location of the seven TEON focal watersheds. Image by Arctic LCC staff.
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 Total Melt Per Day(smlt) for northern Alaska in GeoTiff format, covering the years 1980-2012. Total Melt Per Day is defined as from the energy balance(m/yr). 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.
The Arctic LCC supported installation of a new USGS stream gage on the Hulahula River. The funds provided by the LCC will support stream gage operation for a period of 5 years. These data are key to developing a better understanding of climate/glacier interactions (see project ARCT2010-07). Data will be integrated into the LCC Hydroclimatological database.
This raster, created in 2010, is output from the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model and represents simulated active layer thickness (ALT) in meters averaged across a decade. The file name specifies the decade the raster represents. For example, a file named ALT_1980_1989.tif represents the decade spanning 1980-1989. Cell values represent simulated maximum depth (in meters) of thaw penetration (for areas with permafrost) or frost penetration (for areas without permafrost).
The Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab (GIPL) model was developed specifically to assess the effect of a changing climate on permafrost. The GIPL 1.0 model is a quasi-transitional, spatially distributed, equilibrium model for calculating the active layer thickness and mean annual ground temperature. The GIPL-1 model accounts effectively for the effects of snow cover, vegetation, soil moisture, and soil thermal properties. The GIPL-1 model allows for the calculation of maximum active layer thickness (ALT) and mean annual ground temperatures (MAGT) at the bottom of the active layer.
Baseline (1961-1990) average total precipitation (mm) for Alaska and Western Canada. Baseline results for 1961-1990 are derived from Climate Research Unit (CRU) TS 3.1.01 data. Data courtesy of Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning. The file names identifies whether a file represents an annual (i.e., annual) mean or a seasonal mean (i.e., summer or winter). Summer is defined as June - August; winter is defined as December - February.
