Effects of Climate Change on Effects of Climate Change on Ecosystems and Natural Resources of Ecosystems and Natural Resources of

the Yukon River Basinthe Yukon River Basin

Yukon River:

• Entirely above 60 degrees N

• Freshwater source for Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean

•Potential large source of carbon to the coastal ocean

Integration of DOI Monitoring, Assessment, and ManagementYukon Basin:

5 National Parks/ NRAs (Vital Signs)

8 Wildlife Refuges

3 Large military land holdings (CRREL)

Groundwater (DOC, DIC)Groundwater (DOC, DIC)

PERMAFROSTPERMAFROST

Surface runoffSurface runoff(DOC, DIC, POC, PIC)(DOC, DIC, POC, PIC)

Sedimentation &Resuspension

CO2, CH4

Decompositionof POC, DOC

COCO2, 2, CHCH44

DecompositionDecomposition

Bank erosionBank erosion (POC, PIC, DOC, DIC) (POC, PIC, DOC, DIC)

CO2

PhotosynthesisSoil waterSoil water(DOC, DIC)(DOC, DIC)

DOC, DICDOC, DIC

Glacial runoff (PIC)

CO2

2 HCO3-

+ CaCO3

COCO22

PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis

Carbon, Water, and Energy Budgets using a watershed as a common frame of reference

Multi-component –Multi scale Observations Within a Common Frame of Reference

Tier 1: Research Installations

USGS and UAF Research on the effects of wetter/dryer/warmer conditions on C flux

Roofed plots

Manipulated water table in wetlands

Hydrologic Data Collection- USGS/Canada

Porcupine

River

Tanana River

Yukon

RiverKoyukuk River

WhitehorseWhitehorse

Fort YukonFort Yukon

Pilot StationPilot Station

StevensStevensVillageVillage

EagleEagle

Fixed Station NetworkFixed Station NetworkIntensive SamplingIntensive Sampling

June & Aug-Sept., 2002June & Aug-Sept., 2002

June & Aug-Sept., 2003June & Aug-Sept., 2003

Major Drainage Basins

Porcupine R.Tanana R.

Upper Yukon R. & Headwaters

East Central Yukon R.Koyukuk R. & West, Lower Yukon R.

Yukon R. at EagleYukon R. at Eagle

Yukon R. at Pilot StationYukon R. at Pilot Station

Tanana R.Tanana R.

Porcupine R.Porcupine R.

Yukon R. near Stevens VillageYukon R. near Stevens Village

LTERNOAA-IPYUSGS

Research Watersheds (Tier 1) and Fixed river stations (Tier 2)

Snow Depth

Air Temperature

ShortwaveRadiation

PermafrostTemperatures

5-120 cm

DataloggerAnd Power

Solar Panel

• soil temperatures (5-120 cm)

• soil moisture

• active-layer depth & duration

• snow depth & duration

• albedo

Terrestrial

Atmospheric

• air temperature• wind speed & direction• cloudiness

Tier 1,2: Active-Layer Monitoring Stations Each AL Station Monitors

the Following Climate Parameters:

Soil Moisture @ 15cm

Wind Speedand Direction

sample rate = 30 sec

Estimated Costs Per Site

•Equipment and installation: 20K

•Operation per year: 5K

Tier 3: The Watershed as a landscape frame of reference•Forest/landscape and hydrologic data collected intensively within each study watershed.

•Survey data (FIA plot grid) for linking to broader watershed or region.

•Models linking datasets for basin-wide water, energy, and carbon budgets.

FIA Plot (hypothetical)USGS Gage (also hypoth).

Riparian StudyResearch Area

Yukon Basin:

853,300 km2

~ 3.02% water

~ 1.08% river water

~ 0.52% Yukon River

B. Wylie & B. Jones

Detecting surface water change through remote sensing

CommunityViz

                                                                                                                                                    

USGS

Decision Support Systems

National Integrated Network (GC-IMS)

Science Priorities for the DOI Task ForceScience Priorities for the DOI Task Force

• Development of a DOI integrated science and monitoring plan

• Integration of existing monitoring networks

• Downscaling of models

• An adaptive management approach with USGS science and DOI resource Bureaus

• Building decision-making capabilities centered on a robust Global Change Information Management System (GC-IMS)

• Improving integration and access to USGS and other DOI Bureau data sets crucial to climate change science and resource management

GC-IMS

Yukon-North Slope

Regional Integrated Regional Integrated Monitoring Systems (RIMS)Monitoring Systems (RIMS)

The Vision – A National Climate Effects The Vision – A National Climate Effects NetworkNetwork

• A truly integrated National climate effect monitoring A truly integrated National climate effect monitoring network capable at a range of temporal and spatial scalesnetwork capable at a range of temporal and spatial scales

• A scientific team focused on early detection and scientific A scientific team focused on early detection and scientific analysis in support of adaptation or mitigation strategiesanalysis in support of adaptation or mitigation strategies

• An information dissemination and decision support system An information dissemination and decision support system for cost effective, scientifically rigorous management and for cost effective, scientifically rigorous management and policy decisionspolicy decisions

• The capacity for the next generation to protect and The capacity for the next generation to protect and sustain our National trust resources through early sustain our National trust resources through early detection of changedetection of change