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UAF School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences

Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station Annual Report 2009

Fire on Nenana Ridge.

—UAF photo by todd pAris

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www.uaf.edu/snras/ • http://snras.blogspot.com

Contents: 3……Financial statement 4……Grants 7……Students 9……Research reports

9•Partners,Facilities,andPrograms 15•Geography 23•High-LatitudeAgriculture 43•High-LatitudeSoils 49•ManagementofEcosystems 63•NaturalResourcesUseandAllocation 76•IndextoReports

79……Publications85……Faculty

Letter from the dean:June21,2011

TheHonorableSeanParnellGovernorofAlaskaP.O.Box110001Juneau,Alaska99811-0001

Dear Sir:

IsubmitherewiththeannualreportfromtheAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation,SchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks, for theperiodendingDecember31,2009.ThisisdoneinaccordancewithanactofCongress,approvedMarch2,1887,entitled,“Anacttoestablishagriculturalexperimentstations,inconnectionwith the agricultural college established in the several states under theprovisionsofanactapprovedJuly2,1862,andundertheactssupplementarythereto,” andalsoof the actof theAlaskaTerritorialLegislature, approvedMarch12,1935,acceptingtheprovisionsoftheactofCongress.

Theresearchreportsareorganizedaccordingtoourstrategicplan,whichfocuses on high-latitude soils, high-latitude agriculture, natural resourcesuse and allocation, ecosystems management, and geographic information.Theseareascrossdepartmentandunitlines,linkingthemandunifyingtheresearch.Wehavealsoincludedinourfinancialstatementinformationonthespecialgrantswereceive.ThesespecialgrantsallowustoprovideresearchandoutreachthatistargetedtowardeconomicdevelopmentinAlaska.ResearchconductedbyourgraduateandundergraduatestudentsplaysanimportantroleinthesegrantsandtheimpacttheymakeonAlaska.

Veryrespectfully,

CarolE.LewisDean and Director

ThisreportispublishedbytheAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.Formoreinformationaboutourresearchandeducationprograms,

please contact us at:

School of Natural Resources & Agricultural Sciences

P.O.Box757140 Fairbanks,AK99775-7140

OfficeoftheDean (907)474-7083 [email protected]

StudentInformation (907)474-5276

orvisitourwebsite:

www.uaf.edu/snras

Changesofaddressorrequestsforfreecopiesofourpublicationsshouldbe

addressed to:

AFES Publications P.O.Box757200

Fairbanks,AK99775-7200

[email protected]

Subscriptionstoourbiannualresearchmagazine,Agroborealis, areavailablefreeofcharge.TheseandotherpublicationsareavailableinPDF.Pleaseincludeyoure-mailaddressifyouwouldlikenotificationofonlineavailabilityofourperiodicalsandotherpublications.Youmaydownloadthem

fromourwebsiteat:

www.uaf.edu/snras/afes/pubs/

Ourblogiskeptupdatedregularlywithnews,announcements,researchhighlights,andmore.Pleaseseeitat:

http://snras.blogspot.com

ManagingEditor DeirdreHelfferich

InformationOfficer/ScienceWriter NancyJ.Tarnai

Webmaster StevePeterson

Tosimplifyterminology,wemayuseproductorequipmenttradenames.Wearenotendorsingproductsorfirmsmentioned.Publicationmaterialmaybereprintedprovidednoendorsementofacommercialproductisstatedorimplied.Pleasecredittheresearchersinvolved,theUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,andtheAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation.

TheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanksisaccreditedbytheCommissiononCollegesoftheNorthwestAssociationofSchoolsandColleges.UAFisanAA/EOemployerandeducational

institution.

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AFES Pub. No. MP 2011-01 [email protected] • 907.474.7083

Financial statementExpenditures: July 2009 through June 2010ThefollowingstatementofexpendituresoffederalandstatefundsforthefiscalyearbeginningJuly1,2009andendingJune30,2010(FY2010)isnotanaccountingdocument.

Total Funds: $12,808,407

AFES Statement of Purpose:

The AlAskA AgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation(AFES)provides new information to manage renewable resources

at high latitudes, and to improve technology for enhancing theeconomic wellbeing and quality of life at these latitudes.Whileforesters, farmers, and landmanagersuseour research results, allAlaskansbenefitfromthewiseuseoflandresources.Ourresearchprojectsareinresponsetorequestsfromproducers,industries,andstateandfederalagenciesforinformationinplant,animal,andsoilsciences;forestsciences;andresourcesmanagement.

Experiment station scientists publish research in scientificjournals, conference proceedings, books, and in experimentstation bulletins, circulars, newsletters, research progress reports,and miscellaneous publications. Scientists also disseminate theirfindingsthroughconferences,publicpresentations,workshops,andotherpublicinformationprograms.

Administratively, AFES is an integral part of the School ofNaturalResources andAgricultural Sciences at theUniversity ofAlaskaFairbanks.This associationprovides adirect linkbetweenresearch and teaching. Scientists who conduct research at theexperiment station also teach, sharing their expertise with bothundergraduateandgraduatestudents.

Instruction - Grants$560,136 (4%)

Instruction - State Appropriation$1,030,119 (8%)

Hatch General Formula Funds(federal) $1,314,436 (10%)

Hatch Multistate Formula Funds(federal) $146,247 (1%)

McIntire-Stennis Formula Funds(federal) $790,737 (6%)

Other Grants & Contracts$4,076,751 (32%) (includes public service)

Research - State Appropriation $4,889,981 (38%)Matching USDA Formula Grants $1,696,198 (13%)

Research $3,193,782 (25%)

Instruction - Grants

Instruction - State Appropriation

Hatch General Formula Funds

Hatch Multistate Formula Funds

McIntire-Stennis Formula Funds

Other Grants & Contracts

Research - State Appropriation

32%other grants

(including special grants)

10% Hatch general

8% Instruction - state

4% Instruction - grants

6%McIntire-Stennis

1% Hatch

multistate25% USDA

special grants

13% USDA formula grants

38% state appropriation

Instruction - Grants

Instruction - State Appropriation

Hatch General Formula Funds

Hatch Multistate Formula Funds

McIntire-Stennis Formula Funds

Other Grants & Contracts

Research - State Appropriation

Kids bobbing for vegetables during Alaska Agriculture Appreciation Day at the Matanuska Experiment Farm.

AFEs photo by NANcy tArNAi

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coNtiNUEd oN thE NExt pAgE

GrantsGRANTS & CONTRACTS/SPECIAL FUNDS PI AGENCYBuildingAlaskaGardenSoils Anderson UtahStateUniversity

ClimateChangeandSocialVulnerability Barber USDAForestService(PNWROregon)

ForestProductsProgram-Year9 Barber USDACSREES

ForestProductsProgramYr8 Barber USDACSREES

ProjectIncomeforFPPYR9,G6072 Barber ProgramIncomeAccount

UAFSitkaForestProducts#7 Barber CooperativeStateResearchServicesCSRS

BLMRangeManagementFY10 Finstad BureauofLandManagement

NRCSCooperativeAgreement2007 Finstad NRCS-NaturalResourcesConservationService

NRCSReindeerCooperativeAgreement Finstad NaturalResourcesConservationService

ARSP:Analysis&Publication Fix USDAForestService(JFSL)

CESUAKResidentStatisticsProgram Fix BureauofLandManagement

CESUBLMVisitorSatisfaction Fix BureauofLandManagement

CESU,MMSStartup Fix USDIMineralsManagementServices

MonitoringIndicatorinDNP Fix NationalParkService

NewcropforAlaskaVII Fix CooperativeStateResearchServicesCSRS

AlaskaBiomeShifts Fresco FishandWildlifeService-Anchorage

CanadaBiomeShift-DucksUnlimited Fresco DucksUnlimited,Inc.

TempMonitoringforAKStreams Fresco CookInletKeeper

YukonClimateProjections Fresco YukonCollege-NorthernResearchInstitute

EconomicAnalysisofFeedstock Geier WashingtonStateUniversity

MatanuskaSportsTurfField Harris UAFoundation

TheAtlasofAlaska Heiser AlaskaHumanitiesForum

D.BeistlineMemorialGarden Holloway UAFoundation

DrewAmphitheaterFoundation Holloway UAFoundation

GBGChildren’sGarden Holloway UAFoundation

GBGFoundation Holloway UAFoundation

GBGOhlsenFamilyGarden Holloway UAFoundation

2010YukonRiverBasinStudy Juday USDIGeologicalSurvey

FFAFoundationSupport Karlsson UAFoundation

GreenhouseCropsIII Karlsson CooperativeStateResearchServicesCSRS

SustainableHorticultureResearch Karlsson UAFoundation

Oil&GasDevelopmentImpacts Kofinas USDIMineralsManagementServices

ADAPRegionalFoodSecurity Lewis UniversityOfHawaii

ADAPRegionalFoodSecurityYr22 Lewis UniversityOfHawaii

AlaskaBerries3 Lewis USDACSREES

AlaskaBerries:II Lewis CooperativeStateResearchServicesCSRS

CESU:FY10USGSLabServices Lewis USDIGeologicalSurvey

DeanDiscretionaryAcctII-SNRAS Lewis UAFoundation

DNASequencingARSTaskOrderFY09 Lewis USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

EthnobotanyProjectIII Lewis CooperativeStateResearchServicesCSRS

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FY09NPSSoilSampleProcessing Lewis NationalParkService

FY10ARSMaint,IT,andAdminSuppt Lewis USDA,ARS

FY10ARSPalmerUtilities Lewis USDA,ARS

NewCropsforAlaskaVIII Lewis USDACSREES

ProgramIncomefor2011NERAOC Lewis ProgramIncomeAccount

ProgramIncomeforG5918FY10Hatch Lewis USDANationalInstituteofFood&AgricultureNIFA

AfognakIslandSamplePlots Liang AfognakNativeCorporation

ProjectionofForestGrowth&Yield Liang USDAForestService(ALB)

PotentialEfficacyof6thGradeMCC Lipka DepartmentofEducation

SNAP:Warm-SeasonPrecipitation Mann NationalScienceFoundation

2010PotatoSeedLotTesting McBeath AKDivisionofAgriculture

AsterYellowPhytoplasma McBeath USDAForeignAgriculturalService

CultivationofPineWiltNematode McBeath AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources

FluxandTransformofCarbon Ping NationalScienceFoundation

ALFRESCOGrasslandModule Rupp USDIFish&WildlifeService,AnchorageMS-235

CESUModelingFireRegimes Rupp NationalParkService

ClimatechangescenariosforNWCanada Rupp TheNatureConservancy

ClimateChangeWorkshop Rupp YukonCollege-NorthernResearchInstitute

ConnectingLandscapes Rupp USDIFish&WildlifeService,AnchorageMS-235

Effects-FuelsReductionTreatment Rupp BureauofLandManagement

ForestClimateChangeImpacts Rupp USDAForestService(ALB)

ImpactsofClimateChangeonFire Rupp NationalScienceFoundation

IntegratedEcosystemModelforAK Rupp FishandWildlifeService-Anchorage

JointFireScienceProject Rupp USDIFish&WildlifeService,Anchorage

PNWScenariosNetworkforAlaskaPlanning Rupp USDAForestService(PNWRS)

ProjectedClimateChangeinAK Rupp BureauofLandManagement

SNAPClimateModel-USGSCESU Rupp USGeologicalSurvey

ExperimentalTurfPuttingCourse Scott Mat-SuHealthFoundation

MatanuskaSportsFieldComplex Scott Mat-SuHealthFoundation

AGAGeospatialContent Sfraga Nat’lGeographicSociety

AGARestructure Sfraga Nat’lGeographicSociety

CESUResearcherinResidenceProgram Sfraga NationalParkService-DenaliNat’lPark

PolicyLinkageswithClimateChange Sfraga USDAForestService(PNWROregon)

TheUAandAT&TAlaskaGeoPortal Sfraga AT&TAlascom

SNAPFY08/09 Sharpton UAFoundation

SeedQualityinNorthernLatitudes Smeenk USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

WeatherRelatedVectors-Potatoes Smeenk USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

CHNforBiomass/BiofuelResearch Soria CooperativeStateResearch

GasificationofSalmonWaste Soria USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

LowNOxEmittingBiodiesel Soria UniversityOfHawaii

MoistureContentDetermination Soria USDAForestService-Juneau

ANEPMAPTEACH Stephens USDepartmentofEducation

DevUAFIPMPlan Todd USDAForestService

CapacityBuildinginClimateChange Trainor WilburforceFoundation

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grANts, coNtiNUEd

WildlandFireScienceinAlaska Trainor USDIGeologicalSurvey

CESURemotelyMonitorIce Verbyla NationalParkService

LakeSurfaceAreaatKVNP Verbyla NationalParkService

AFES-ARSFishCompost09 Zhang USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

EvaluatingAKWhitefishBy-Products Zhang USDA-AgriculturalResearchService

FORMULA FUNDING, FEDERAL OCT 1 TO SEPT 30 FISCAL YEARHatch Multistate

BalancingNaturalResourceRecreationMgt,HumanWell-BeingandCommunityResilience,ALK-09-07

Fix USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

RangelandFragmentationW1192,ALK-07-07 Harris USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

CommercialgreenhouseNE-1035,ALK-09-05 Karlsson USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

RegionalAdministrationW-106,ALK-99-05 Lewis USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

ReproductivePerformance,W1112,ALK-06-06 Shipka USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

NitrogenMineralizationNC1032,ALK-07-08 Zhang USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

Hatch GeneralReindeerProduction&MeatQuality,ALK-04-07 Finstad USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

BalancingNaturalResourceRecreationMgt,HumanWell-BeingandCommunityResilience,ALK-09-07

Fix USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

NaturalResources&Economics,ALK-08-02 Greenberg USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

SpatiallyModelingDistofBeefCattle,ALK-03-03 Harris USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

RangelandFragmentationW1192,ALK-07-07 Harris USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

HorticulturalCropProductionforAK,ALK-08-01 Holloway USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

LawsAffectingEnvironment,ALK-05-01 Joly USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

ControlledEnvironmentHorticultureforAK,ALK-07-06 Karlsson USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

CommercialgreenhouseNE-1035,ALK-09-05 Karlsson USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

PotatoPhytoplasmsinAlaska,ALK-07-13 McBeath USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

HydricSoilsMonitoring,ALK-09-02 Ping USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

LivestockProduction,ALK-06-06,W-1112 Shipka USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

SeasonExtensionforHighLatGardenProd,ALK-08-04 Smeenk USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

LignocellulosicEnergyCrops,ALK-08-03 Sparrow USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

QualityofLifeandLandscape,ALK-09-01 Todd USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

AlternativeAgronomicCropsforAK,ALK-08-06 Zhang USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

NitrogenMineralizationNC1032,ALK-07-08 Zhang USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

Yield&QualityofBarley,ALK-04-03 Zhang USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

McIntire-StennisEvapotranspirationfromBorealForest,ALK-05-04 Fox USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

ClimateSensitivityofTreeGrowth,ALK-07-12 Juday USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

Measurement&MgtofBorealForest,ALK-09-08 Liang USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

SensitivityofCarbonBudgets,ALK-07-11 Valentine USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

TheDynamicsofForestGrowth,ALK-06-04 Yarie USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

Animal HealthMineralFluxinReindeer,ALK-03-07 Finstad USDA-NationalInstituteofFoodandAgriculture

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0

20

40

60

80

100MNRM - geography

undergrad NRM

master's (interdisiplinary)

MS NRM

geography BA

geography BS

PhD (interdisciplinary)

PhD (sustainability)20102009200820072006

Studentsfive-year statistics: number of students enrolled, 2006-2010

STU

DEN

T H

EAD

CO

UN

T

ACADEMIC YEAR

AcAdemic yeArPhd

(susTAinAbiliTy)Phd

(inTerdisciPlinAry)geogrAPhy

bsgeogrAPhy

bAms

nrmmAsTer’s

(inTerdisiPlinAry)undergrAd

nrmmnrm

geogrAPhy

2006 0 9 22 22 26 0 852007 0 11 20 19 26 5 672008 0 11 21 25 30 4 602009 2 11 25 25 34 1 652010 7 10 34 26 36 4 71 7

degrees offeredBachelor’s degreesBAchEloR of SciEncE:

•Geography,optionsinenvironmentalstudies,landscapeanalysisandclimatechangestudies,orgeographicinformationscienceandtechnology•HumansandtheEnvironment(formerlyNaturalResourcesManagement),optionsinhigh-latitudeagriculture,forestsciences,orhumansandtheenvironment(formerlyresourcesmanagement)

BAchEloR of ARtS:•Geography

Master’s degrees:•Master’sofScienceinNaturalResourcesManagement•MasterofNaturalResourcesManagementandGeography•InterdisciplinaryMaster

Doctoral degrees:•DoctorofPhilosophyinNaturalResourcesandSustainability•InterdisciplinaryDoctorofPhilosophy

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Graduates as of May 2010*December 2009 degree recipient

**Summer 2010 recipient

Master’s DegreesJill Maynard,MS,NaturalResourcesManagement

Thesis: Factors Influencing the Development of WindPowerinRuralAlaskaCommunities

BS, Oregon State University, 2001

Ellen Trainor,MS,NaturalResourcesManagement,GoldenKeyHonorSociety

ResponsesofSoilNutrientsandSoilRespirationtoFrassandCadaverDepositionfromGrasshoppers(Orthoptera:acrididae)inAlaskaAgriculturalSoils

BS, University of Prince Edward Island (Canada), 2001

Jennifer Jenkins,**MS,NaturalResourcesManagement

Projecttitle:StatusanddistributionofwetlandhabitatsintheGreaterFairbanksArea

BS, Adams State College (Colorado), 1998

Baccalaureate DegreesMatthew Balazs,BS,Geography:GeographicInformationScienceandTechnology;LandscapeAnalysisandClimateChangeStudies.Golden Key Honor Society;BA,Geography.Golden Key Honor Society, cum laude

Kasey Lynne Brovold,BS,Geography

David Dunbar,BA,Geography

Hannah Harrison,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Resources

Ellen Hatch,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Plant,AnimalandSoilSciences,Honors Program, Golden Key Honor Society, magna cum laude

Daniel Hazen,BS,Geography:LandscapeAnalysisandClimateChangeStudies

Heidi Isernhagen,BA,Geography

Joseph Kendall,**BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Resources

Cori Kindred,BA,Geography

Tamara Lozano,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Plant,AnimalandSoilSciences

Christine McLean,BS,Geography:EnvironmentalStudies

Robert Mikol,**BS,Geography:LandscapeAnalysisandClimateChangeStudies

Anne Miller,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Plant,AnimalandSoilSciences

Amanda Peacock,**BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Plant,AnimalandSoilSciences

Amy Rath,BS,Geography:LandscapeAnalysisandClimateChangeStudies

Katherine Riffey,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:GeographicInformationScienceandTechnology;LandscapeAnalysisandClimateChangeStudies

Matthew Sprau,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Forestry

Nicole Swensgard,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Plant,AnimalandSoilSciences

Molly Timm,BA,Geography.Golden Key Honor Society, cum laude

Vincent Waters,BS,NaturalResourcesManagement:Resources

Ellen Trainor, graduate student, participating in the birling event at the Forest Sports Festival.


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Research ReportsThe school and experiment station pursue their mis-sions with faculty in four departments: High-Latitude

Agriculture; Forest Sciences; Resources Management; andGeography. Research is also done in cooperation with theAgriculturalResearchServiceandtheBorealEcologyCoop-erative ResearchUnit. Crossing departments and units arefive areasof emphasis: 1) geographic information;2)high-latitudeagriculture;3)high-latitudesoils;4)managementofecosystems;and5)naturalresourcesuseandallocation.Re-portsareorganizedwithinthesemajorareasofemphasis,bySNRASfacultyauthorundersubjectfocus.Adetailedindexwithsubjectlinksisavailableattheendofthispublication.

SEction contEntS:9 • Partners and Collaborators

10 • Programs

13 • Research Sites & Facilities

15 • Geography

23 • High-Latitude Agriculture

43 • High-Latitude Soils

49 • Management of Ecosystems

63 • Natural Resources Use & Allocation

76 • Index to Reports

Partners and CollaboratorsAgricultural Research Service

The Subarctic Agricultural Research Unit of the USDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural ResearchService (ARS) ishostedat theSchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences.

www.ars.usda.gov

Alaska Center for Energy and PowerThe Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP),

based at the University of Alaska, is dedicated to appliedenergy research and testing, with programs in wind-diesel,hydrokinetic, anddiesel applications.Thecenter is focusedon lowering the cost of energy throughout Alaska anddevelopingeconomicopportunitiesforthestate,itsresidents,anditsindustries.

www.uaf.edu/acep/

Alaska Community Agriculture AssociationThisisagroupofAlaskafarmersandgardenerswhogrow

andsellproducefordirectsaletothepublic.Itsmembersarecommitted to promoting, supporting, andworking towardhealthy,sustainablelocalfoodsystems.

www.alaskacommunityag.org/

Alaska Peony Growers AssociationThisorganizationismadeupofthestate’speonygrowers,

who are working to grow high-latitude peonies for theinternationalmarket.

www.akpeonygrowers.blogspot.com

Alaska Center for Climate Assessment & PolicyThe AlaskaCenter for Climate Assessment and Policy

assessesthesocio-economicandbiophysicalimpactsofclimatevariabilityinAlaska,andmakesthisinformationavailabletolocalandregionaldecisionmakers,inanefforttoimprovetheabilityofAlaskanstoadapttoachangingclimate.

www.uaf.edu/accap/

Alaska Climate Change StrategyFormedinSeptember2007,theAlaskaClimateChange

StrategyisasubcabinetthatadvisestheOfficeoftheGovernoronpreparationandimplementationofAlaskaclimatechangestrategy.ItseekstobeofusetoAlaskansbyconveyingstateplansforadaptationtowarmingaswellaspresentingrealisticapproachestomitigatingtherootcausesofclimatechange.

www.climatechange.alaska.gov/

AT&T AT&T is the world’s largest communications holding

company,recognizedasaleadingworldwideproviderofIP-based communications services to businesses and the topUS provider of wireless, high-speed internet access,Wi-Fi,localand longdistancevoice,anddirectorypublishingandadvertisingservices.

www.att.com

Boreal Ecology Cooperative Research Unit (BECRU) USDA Forest Service

This unit facilitates conservation and informedmanagement decisions by conducting research to improveknowledge of high-altitude and high-latitude ecosystems.It provides support and coordinates and organizes researchat the BonanzaCreek LTER and other research programs.Major research areas are biodiversity, climate/disturbanceinteractions,hierarchicalscalingofprocesses,andimprovedforest harvest outcomes.The Alaska Region Forest Serviceworkswiththepublictomanagemorethan22millionacresinsouthcentralandsoutheastAlaska.TheAlaskaRegionoftheForestServiceisaleaderinprotectingtheland’sbountywhileprovidingaplaceforpeopletoworkandplay.

www.fs.fed.us/r10/ • www.becru.uaf.edu/

Chena Hot Springs Renewable Energy CenterThe vision at ChenaHotSpringsResortistobecomea

self-sufficientcommunityintermsofenergy,food,heating,andfueluse.Theresortisdevelopingrenewableenergyandsustainabledevelopmentprojectsandisformingpartnerships

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within the community and across theUS to promote andimplementrenewabletechnologies.

www.chenahotsprings.com

Cold Climate Housing Research CenterCCHRC is an industry-based, nonprofit corporation

created to facilitate the development, use, and testing ofenergy-efficient,durable,healthy,andcost-effectivebuildingtechnologiesforAlaskaandtheworld’scoldclimateregions.TheresearchcenterwasconceivedanddevelopedbymembersoftheAlaskaStateHomeBuildersAssociation.

www.cchrc.org

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit NetworkThe North and West Alaska Cooperative Ecosystem

Studies Unit is a network of federal agencies, universities,andotherorganizations thathaveunited inorder tobetterfacilitate research in local and regional ecosystems. TheUniversity of Alaska hosts the NWA-CESU, with theUniversity of New Hampshire and the Alaska SeaLifeCenteraspartners.Researchfocusesonarcticandsubarcticanthropology,landscapes,ecology,archaeology,andphysicalandbiologicalsciences.

www.uaf.edu/snras/cesu/

Cooperative Extension ServiceThe UAF Cooperative Extension Service is the state’s

gateway to its university system, serving 60,000 Alaskansannually,andprovidingalinkbetweenAlaska’sdiversepeopleand communities by interpreting and extending relevantuniversity, research-based knowledge in an understandableandusableformtothepublic.

www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/

EPSCoR: Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research

AlaskaEPSCoR is a university-state partnershipwhichbuildsAlaska-basedresearchandaddressesnationalscientificpriorities, training students for the twenty-first centurytechnologicallybasedworkforce.EPSCoRaimstostrengthenscienceandtechnologyinfrastructureforenhancedresearchcompetitiveness inuniversities, for broaderparticipationofstudents in science,mathematics, and engineering, and forincreased linkages among higher education, governmentagencies,andtheprivatesector.

www.alaska.edu/epscor/

Google EarthMillionsofpeopleuseGoogleEarthandGoogleMaps

toexploretheworld.GoogleEarthOutreachgivesnonprofitsand public benefit organizations knowledge and resources.GooglesentateamofGooglerstoAlaskawhoarepassionateabouteducationandwhosegoalistomaketoolslikeGoogleEarthmoreaccessibletoeducators.

www.earth.google.com

Kawerak Reindeer Herders AssociationThe Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association provides

assistancetoitstwenty-onemembersinthedevelopmentofaviable reindeer industry,byenhancing theeconomicbaseforruralAlaskaandimprovingthemanagementoftheherds.Theprogramoffersadministrative, logistical,advocacy,andfield support toward the development of a self-sustainingreindeerindustry.

www.kawerak.org

National Geographic SocietyTheNationalGeographicSociety’sEducationFoundation

fundsanallianceineverystate.TheUAGPisthehomeoftheAlaskaGeographicAlliance,andreceives teachingmaterialswhich are distributed to schools throughout the state.The AGA participates in Geography Action!, GeographyAwarenessWeek,MyWonderfulWorld,theGiantTravelingMap program, NGS Summer Institutes, and the StateGeographicBee.

www.nationalgeographic.com/education/alliance

Pike’s Waterfront LodgeThelodgeturnsoveritsgreenhouseduringthegrowing

season to FFA students and university researcherswho usethe facilities to grow vegetables hydroponically. Nightlyeducationalseminarsareofferedallsummer,andproduceisserved at restaurantfacilitiesatthelodge.FFAmemberssellextraproducetothepublicat thegreenhouse.AllproceedsbenefitFFA.

www.pikeslodge.com

ProgramsAlaska Residents Statistics Program

This program seeks to identify common recreationmanagement information needs among federal and stateagencies,using surveys inanongoingeffort togatherdata,withacore setofquestions remainingconsistentover timeandadditionalquestionsregardingspecificissuesaskedonarotatingbasis.ThegoalsaretodecreaseredundancyindatagatheringeffortsanddevelopashareddatabaseonrecreationtrendsinAlaska.Datasoughttodateincludesinformationontravelpatterns,participationinoutdoorrecreationactivities,andbroadmeasuresofbenefits received fromrecreationonpublic lands in Alaska. Possible future surveys may gatherdataondetaileduseinformationforspecificsites,economicimpacts,attitudestowardlandmanagementissues,andvalueorientationsheldbyAlaskansonnaturalresourceissues.

www.uaf.edu/snras/facilities-programs/alaska-resident-statistic/

Bonanza Creek Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program

ThisresearchprogramislocatedintheborealforestsofinteriorAlaska.Ecologicalresearchisconductedattwomain

11


facilities,BonanzaCreekExperimentalForestandCaribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed. The LTER program issupportedandhostedbytheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanksand the USDA Forest Service, PacificNorthwest ResearchStation inFairbanks,Alaska.Major funding isprovidedbytheNationalScienceFoundation.TheLTERprogramfocusesonimprovingunderstandingofthelong-termconsequencesof changing climate and disturbance regimes in theAlaskaborealforestbydocumentingthemajorcontrolsoverforestdynamics, biogeochemistry, and disturbance and theirinteractionsinthefaceofachangingclimate.

www.lter.uaf.edu

Controlled Environment Agriculture Laboratory (CEAL) program

Basic to highly technical controlled environmentsystems—from temporary cold frames and high tunnels tofacilities using technology originally developed for spaceexplorationandmissionstoMars—canbeadaptedtoAlaska’sregional conditions to improve production of vegetables,berries, and floral crops. Controlled environment andgreenhouseresearchatCEALinvestigatesplantrequirements,varieties, and treatments to maximize productivity andefficiency.The laboratory facility allows for precise controlof lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrients, so thatdifferent varieties and various production techniques canbe tested. The new West Ridge greenhouse now underconstructionwillallowresearchinatechnologicallyadvancedgreenhousestartingspring2012.

www.uaf.edu/snras/facilities-programs/controlled-environment-ag/

Forest Dynamics & Management programProvidingthepeopleofAlaskawithscientificallyaccurate

information by monitoring the growth and change of thenorthern forests is themajorpurposeof theUAFProgramofForestDynamicsandManagement.Withagoalofbest-practiceforestmanagement,UAFresearchersinthisprogramseek toprovide thebest scientific information tohelp landmanagersandownerswithdecisionmaking.Bysettingupasystemofpermanentplotsforlong-termmonitoring,forestersareprovidingdataforgrowthandyieldmodels.Nearly200plotsarebeingactivelystudiedintheTananaValley,CopperRiverValley,Matanuska-SusitnaValley,andKenaiPeninsula.Thegrowthmodelsofmajortreespeciesdefinethedensityanddiversityof the forests,andmeasure site index,growthequations, volume equations, and levels of growing stock.Research is focused on simulation and optimization, foresthealth, wildland fires, and climate change. In addition tocharting the growth and health of forests, the programidentifies forest characteristics and regeneration properties.UAF forestry specialists offer free consultations on forestmanagement toallAlaskans, includingNativecorporationsandtheforestindustry.

www.uaf.edu/snras/facilities-programs/forest-dynamics-managemen/

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program

GLOBEisaworldwide,hands-on,primaryandsecondaryschool-based science and education program. It promotesandsupportsstudents,teachers,andscientiststocollaborateoninquiry-basedinvestigationsoftheenvironmentandthedynamicsoftheEarthsystem,workinginclosepartnershipwithNASAandNationalScienceFoundationEarthSystemScienceProjects.TheAlaskaGLOBEprogramwasestablishedin1996 through theCenter forGlobalChangeandArcticSystemsResearchattheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

www.cgc.uaf.edu/Globe/default.html

Georgeson Botanical GardenThisnationallyrecognizedbotanicalgardenispartofthe

FairbanksExperimentFarm,andisamemberofanationalnetwork of educational and research institutions dedicatedto plant culture and conservation. In 2006 the GBG wasthe recipient of theAll-AmericaSelectionsDisplayGardenExemplary Education Award. The GBG is one of fivebotanicalgardensinthenationtobeasatellitetestgardenfortheInternationalHardyFernFoundation.Gardenstaff testmorethan1,000trees,shrubs,andherbaceousperennialsforhardinesseachyear,includingAlaskanativeplantsandthosecollectedfromChina,Russia,andIceland.Thegardenservesas a location forvariety trialsof annualflowers, vegetables,herbs, and fruits, where researchers conduct experimentson new horticultural crops for Alaska’s conditions, such aspeonies.

www.georgesonbg.org/

MapTEACHMapTEACH is developing a culturally responsive

geoscience educationprogram formiddle- andhigh-schoolstudentsinAlaskathatemphasizeshands-onexperiencewiththegeosciencesandspatialtechnology(GPS,GIS,andremotesensing imagery). The project draws upon the combinedexpertise of teachers, education researchers, remote sensingspecialists, geoscience professionals, Native elders, andothers with traditions-based knowledge. Participants workdirectlywithlocalexpertsandAlaskaDivisionofGeological& Geophysical Survey scientists to authentically emulatescientificactivitiesatanovicelevel,usingrealdatainareal-world setting. Students and teachers have access to locallyand culturally relevant geospatial IT curriculum facilitatedbyweb-servedimagery,geographicinformationsystemsdata,analysistools,andfieldresources.

www.mapteach.org

Math in a Cultural ContextMathinaCulturalContextisasupplementalelementary

schoolmathseries.ThemathmodulesthatcomposeMCCare the result of a collaboration of educators,Yup’ik eldersand teachers, mathematicians and math educators, andAlaska school districts.This culturally relevant curriculum

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also includes traditional stories that accompany the mathmodules. This collaboration produces culturally relevantmaterialsthatconnectlocalknowledgetoschoolknowledge,and includes integrated materials (literacy, geography, andscience). The reform-oriented curriculum is designed forAlaskastudents,hasbeenextensivelystudied,andmeetsthehighest research standards.Studiesof its efficacy repeatedlyshow that MCC students outperform comparable controlgroupstudentswhousetheirregularmathcurriculum.Itisoneof thevery fewcurricula forAlaskaNativeandNativeAmericanstudentsthatshowsuchpowerfulresults.

www.uaf.edu/mcc/

OneTree AlaskaOneTree, a community outreach and research project

coordinated by the UAF Forest Products Program (seebelow), explores art and science through connections to asingletree.OneTreeisbasedonanearlierprojectbythesamenamewhichgotitsstartin1998,whenasinglelargeoakwasfelledintheNationalTrustestateofTattonParkinCheshire,England. The OneTree project aims to show the uniquevalue of woodlands and wood products by demonstratingthevolumeandqualityofworkthatcanbemadefromonetree. By focusing on a common goal—full utilization of asingle tree—OneTreeunleashes thebreadthof creativity inits participants.OneTree creates collaborations among areaschools, theuniversity, andcommunityartists andartisans.Asacurriculum-buildingproject,OneTreeutilizestheAlaskaboreal forest as the basis for active learning and inquiryinvestigationsintoscience,socialstudies,andthearts.

www.onetreealaska.org

Reindeer Research ProgramThe Reindeer Research Program is dedicated to the

development and promotion of the reindeer industry onthe Seward Peninsula and throughout Alaska. Researchersworkcloselywithproducerstodevelopandconductresearchprojects that can be applied directly to their operations.Outreachisasignificantpartoftheprogram,whichhasstrongties to communities and schools across Alaska. Researchincludes meat science, animal health, range managementandnutrition,useofsatellitetelemetryinherding,andmanyotherproductionandmanagement issuesunique to the farnorth.

http://reindeer.salrm.uaf.edu

Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP)Thisprogramintegratesseveraldisciplinestoaddressthe

question of sustainability, emphasizing ecology, economics,and culture: three critical factors for understandinginteractionsbetweenpeopleandtheirbioticenvironmentina regional system. It ispartof anational effort toproducenewmodels forgraduate learning, theIntegrativeGraduateEducation and Research Traineeship (IGERT) programof the National Science Foundation. RAP trains scholars,policymakers,andmanagerstoaddressregionalsustainabilityissuesinanintegratedfashion.

www.uaf.edu/rap/

Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic Planning (SNAP)

SNAP is a collaborative network of University ofAlaska personnel and stakeholders from state, federal,

Jan Dawe, OneTree coordinator, during Week in the Woods, a craft workshop focusing on trees and forests.


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and local agencies, industry and business partners, andnongovernmentalorganizations.TheSNAPteam,consistingofpeoplewithexpertiseincomputerprogramming,databasemanagement, GIS and remote sensing, statistical analysis,and public communications, provides direct support toresearchers and collaborators to create scenarios of futureconditionsinAlaskaformoreeffectiveplanning.

www.snap.uaf.edu

UAF Forest Products Program (Wood Utilization Research [WUR])

Thelong-termobjectiveoftheForestProductsProgramis to help Alaska become competitive in the value-addedforest products industry by providing specific technical,business,andmarketingassistance.Proposalsfornewmarketsandnewvalue-addedproductsmusttakeintoaccountsucheconomic factors ashigh costs of labor and transportation.ProgramresearchcanpotentiallyincreasethevolumeofwoodandnontimberforestproductsproducedandmarketedfromAlaska’sforests.

www.uaf.edu/snras/facilities-programs/forest-productswood-utili/

Research Sites & FacilitiesDelta Junction Field Research Site

This 300-acre site near Delta Junction provides spacefor research on tillage practices, soil fertility, cereal grains,oilseed crops, forage crops, insects andweedmanagement,andforestry.

Fairbanks Experiment FarmThefarmwasestablishedin1906andoperationsbegan

in1907. It includes260 acres of cropland and50 acres offorestlandforresearchanddemonstrationprojects.Thefarmhouses a red barn, a 65-foot high grain handling facility,a small stationary sawmill used to cut rough lumber forfarm structures, feedmill,maintenance shop, combinationgreenhouse and agronomy lab, a controlled environmentagriculturelab,avisitors’center,tworesidences,andseveralstorage facilities. Researchers conduct experiments on soilfertility,nutrientcycling,grains,grasses,andotheragronomiccrops,andnewcropssuchascanola,camelina,andsunflowers.

www.uaf.edu/snras/afes/fairbanks-experiment-farm/

Agricultural Soils Research LaboratoryThe Agricultural Soils Research Laboratory (ASRL)

is located in the O’Neill Building on West Ridge at theUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks. The laboratory supportsresearch and teaching conducted byDr. Steve Sparrow andDr.MingchuZhangandotherUAFresearchers.Itisalsousedfor research in partnershipswith federal and state agencies.ASRL isused toconductplantand soil sampleanalyses forstudies that are primarily in the areas of 1) biofuels usingoilseedcropssuchascanola,camelina,sunflowers,andotherplants, andbiomass researchonwoody andgrassplants;2)nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in cold soil; 3) evaluating

traditionalsoillaboratoryproceduresanddevelopingnewandmoreaccuratenutrientanalysisbettersuitedforcolderhighlatitudesoils;4)analysisofAlaskasourcesoforganicnutrientamendmentsfororganicfoodproduction;and5)developingnew diagnostic tools for peony nutrition. The laboratoryhasuseofanAstoriaPacificrapidflowanalyzer,aShimadzuorganic carbon analyzer, spectrophotometers, a Horibafluorometer,Ankomfiber analyzers, pHmeters, incubators,and other laboratory equipment. ASRL has the capacityfor soil and plant sample preparation as well as analysis. ItsupportsfieldresearchconductedattheFairbanksExperimentFarm,theDeltaJunctionFieldResearchSite,theMatanuskaExperiment Farm, and many other field research locationsthroughoutAlaska.Researchers from the Institute ofArcticBiology,InstituteofWaterResources,GeophysicalInstitute,AlaskaCenterforEnergyandPower,StateofAlaskaDivisionofAgriculture,NaturalResourceConservationService,USDAAgriculturalResearchService,USFish andWildlife,AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandinternationallyAgCanadahaveusedtheequipmentinthislaboratory.

Climate and Tree-Ring LaboratoryTheCTRLconductsstate-of-the-arttreeringstudiesat

UAF.Muchofthescientificconsensusaboutclimatechangeis based on tree ring data.With their annual or seasonalresolution,widespreadoccurrence,andmultiplemeasurableproperties,treeringsareoneofthebestsourcesofinformationabout past climates and ecosystem conditions. UAF wasinvolvedintheearlydevelopmentoftree-ringresearch.Morerecently,itwasoneofthefirstacademicinstitutionstodevelopafocusonclimatechangeandhascontributedimportantandwidely recognized results in climate and tree-ring research.Manychallengingquestionsremain inthefarnorth inthistimeofrapidenvironmentalchange,suchasnetborealforestuptakeorreleaseofcarbon,reconstructionofpastclimates,and forest growth. International research groups, federalagencies, and state institutions are increasing theirdemandfor Alaska tree-ring sample preparation, measurement,analysis, andarchiving related toclimatechange issues andtothemultipleapplicationsoftree-ringanalysissuchastheearth sciences and archaeology.

www.uaf.edu/snras/facilities-programs/climate-tree-ring-laborat/

Forest Soils Research LaboratoryTheForestSoilsLaboratory(FSL),establishedin1966,is

locatedintheO’NeillbuildingonWestRidgeattheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks, and includes a laboratory equipped tocarryoutawidearrayofphysical, chemical,andbiologicalanalysesofsoilandplanttissues,ashop,andofficespace.TheFSLalsomaintainsthreetrucks,twoATVs,asnowmachine,and three boats to access field sites. Research conductedby the FSL provides information that aids understandingtree growth, forest development, and soil processes in theuniqueenvironmentofsubarcticAlaska.Emphasisisplacedon physical, chemical, and biological soil properties andprocessesinrelationtotreegrowthandforestdevelopment.

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Thisisdonethroughthestudyofnutrientcycles(dynamicsof chemical elements required by plants) in selected foresttypes.MuchoftheresearchcarriedoutatFSLisconductedon a cooperative basis with other university institutes anddepartments, including the Boreal Ecology CooperativeResearchUnit of theUSDAForest Service, particularly inconjunction with the ongoing Bonanza Creek Long-TermEcologicalResearch(LTER)programfundedbytheNationalScienceFoundation.ApproximatelythirtyactivefieldstudysitesarelocatedinareasbroadlyrepresentativeofthemajorvegetationtypesencounteredininteriorAlaska,rangingfromthe most highly productive (birch, aspen, balsam poplarandwhite spruce,allofpotentialeconomic importance) tothe most widespread (black spruce, which experiences thegreatest impactfromfire in interiorAlaska).ManysitesarejointlymaintainedwiththeBonanzaCreekLTERprogram.

Palmer Center for Sustainable LivingThe Palmer Center for Sustainable Living (PCSL)

highlightsthehistoryoftheAlaskaAgriculturalExperimentStation in the MatanuskaValley.Itembracesanexpandingurbancommunitywhileretainingtheadventurousandindependentspiritofthefrontierforself-sufficiencyandforgingnewtrailsand byways. The definition of agriculture worldwide haschangedtoincludemorethantraditionalagriculture,butalsoforest products, urban landscaping, sportsturf, agrotourismandrecreation,lakeandstreammanagementforfishhabitat,andnutritionandhabitatforwildlife.The1,000-acrePCSLhonors and continues the history of agricultural research,education, and outreach with its controlled environments,fieldhorticulture,hayproduction,organicproductionfields,animal pastures, turfgrass demonstration plots, andwildlifenutritionresearch.ItencompassestheMatanuskaExperimentFarm, Kerttula Hall, and the future Matanuska ColonyHistoryCenterandAlaskaEnvironmentalStudies&LearningPark.NeighborsofthePCSLareimportanttoitswork,andlendthemselvestothelinkagesbetweenurbanandsuburbanAlaska. The PCSL connects Matanuska-Susitna Boroughlands,UAAMatanuska-SusitnaCollege lands, and State ofAlaska lands in theKepler-BradleyStateRecreationArea. Itlinks the existing, heavily used, trail system in surroundingcommunitieswiththeselands.

www.uaf.edu/snras/afes/palmer-research-extension/

EnviRonmEntAl StudiES And lEARning PARkLifelong learning is an important part of sustainable

living. The Park has learning experiences for all ages thattietothethreeothercomponentsofthePCSL,andincludeagriculture, forestry, geography, wildlife biology, parks andrecreation, and renewable energy and conservation. Planstoexpandthepark includea lifelong learningcenterandacenterformountainscienceresearch.

kERttulA hAllKerttulaHallisthecenterpieceofoureducationprograms

in southcentral Alaska. It is the center formany outreach,

educational, and research partnerships with educationalinstitutions and state and federal agencies, offering aconnectiontothelargesttransportation and communications hub in Alaska, and the headquarters for faculty who areinvolved in natural resources management, geography,businessadministration,andrelatedfields.Itisourresearchandlaboratoryfacility,housingscientistswhosefieldsrangefrom soil science to plant science to wood chemistry. Itservesasanimportantcenterforstudentswhoarestudyingtobecome leaders in thenatural resourcemanagementandenvironmentalissuesfacingAlaska.

REnEwABlE-BASEd hYdRocARBonS lABoRAtoRYThisnewfacilityfocusesontheproductionofrenewable

hydrocarbonsfrombiomassusingthermochemicalprocessingtechniques.The efficient and sustainable use of biomass inAlaskaisbeingaddressedthroughgasificationandliquefactionresearchinvolvingagronomicandforestcrops.Bycontrollingthe reaction conditions, adding or subtracting chemicals,changingpressuresandtemperatures,biomassismodifiedintoamixtureofgas,solid,andliquidhydrocarbons.Researchersareinvestigatingwaystoconvertthechemicalsintomorefamiliartypes of hydrocarbons, analogous to petroleum. Biomass istheonlyrenewableresourcethatcanproducehydrocarbons.Thesesubstances,likethoseinpetroleum,havethepotentialto be refined into fuel, plastics, resins, lubricants, syntheticmedicines, and thousands of other hydrocarbon-basedproducts.ObtainingthemfrombiomasswillnotonlyprovideAlaskanswithasustainablesourceforthesecompoundsandhelpdecreasedependenceonpetroleum,itshouldalsoprovidethestatewithnewindustries.

https://sites.google.com/a/alaska.edu/jasoria/berd-biomass-energy-r-d-lab

mAtAnuSkA colonY hiStoRY cEntERHistorically, the Matanuska Colony emphasized the

importanceofreliable foodsupplies insouthcentralAlaska.The historical buildings of the PCSL will house a library,conference center, and offices, and currently house adistancedeliveryfacilityinstructuresimportanttothestate’sagriculturalhistory.

mAtAnuSkA ExPERimEnt fARmThis farm provides a site in southcentral Alaska for

research in sustainable agriculture, land reclamation, andotherenvironmentalissues.Itincludes260acresofcultivatedlandand700acresofforestlandforresearchordemonstrationpurposes,includingbarns,feedstoragefacilities,andpastureland.The experiment farmhas a complete complement offarmequipmenttoproduceandharvestgrain,forage(bothhay and silage), and other crops.There are also field andlaboratoryfacilitiesforresearchonsoils,plants,andlivestock,andanadjacentgreenhouse facility,operatedby theAlaskaDepartment of Natural Resources. This facility includes amodernheadhouseandphysicalplantcapableofsupportingsixgreenhouseunits.

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Geography

geogrAPhy Provides aholisticviewoftheearth,itsdistinctandvariedregions,aswellasthetypesof,andinteraction

between,humanactivitiesandthephysicalworld.Geographyis the two-way bridge between the physical and social sci-ences,asitexplorestheinterrelationshipsbetweentheearth’sphysical and biological systems, and investigates how theseenvironmental systems provide a resource base for humansocieties.Geographyalsoprovidestheframeworkforthein-tegrationofnewandemergingtechnologiessuchasGISandRemoteSensingwith studies in abroad rangeof academicdisciplines.

Geographers are interested in patterns and processesof physical and social change including climate change,geographic information science and technologies, humansettlement patterns, natural resources distributionand management, environmental studies, and in theinherent “sense of place” among peoples throughout theworld. Geographic methodologies include observation,measurement, description, and analysis of places includinglikenesses,differences,interdependence,andimportance.

gEogRAPhY REPoRtS:(note: authors listed below are SNRAS researchers)

15 • K-12Determining the potential efficacy of sixth-grade Math in a Cultural ContextJerryLipkaReturning the Elders’ Gift: Systemic implementation of an effective culturally-based math curriculum and professional development program JerryLipkaMapTEACH: Mapping Technology Experiences with Alaska’s Community HeritageSidneyStephens,PatriciaHeiser

17 • cultural geographyMarine policy issues of future arctic marine transportationLawsonBrigham,MikeSfragaSocial vulnerability and equity in the context of climate changeValerieBarber,EllenHatchThe study of sharing to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities to oil and gas development in arctic AlaskaGaryKofinas,PeterFix,ShaunaBurnSilver,MarcyOkadaStakeholders and climate changeSidneyStephensInterviewing for sense of placeCarydeWit

Perceptual geography of AlaskaCarydeWit

20 • physical geographyScenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic PlanningT. Scott Rupp,Nancy Fresco,MarkOlson,TimGlaser,TomKurkowski,AnnaSpringsteen,EllenHatch

K-12Determining the potential efficacy of sixth-grade Math in a Cultural ContextJerry Lipkapurpose

Themajorpurposeofthisworkisto:Determinethroughtesting iffivedifferent sixth-grademodules in theMath ina Cultural Context (MCC) series have the potential to beeffective;Conduct professional developmentworkshops onthesemodules;Conduct and analyze the research findings;Improve one module (not yet published—The Kayak, onmath statistics) and improve the professional developmentcomponentofeachmodule.approach

Therearefivedifferentsixth-grademodulesintheMCCcurriculum.Onemodulewasimplementedinfall2007,twoinspring2008,andtwomoreinfall2009.Beforeteachingthemodule all teachervolunteers are randomlyassigned toteach one of twomodules. Because teachers are randomlyassigned, theproject is able tocompare results, eliminatingteacherfactors.ThereisalsoacontrolgroupwhichdoesnotreceiveMCC’sprofessionaldevelopmenttraining(pedagogyand culture) orMCC’smodule.These teachers teach theirregular schoolmathcurriculum.Thisallowsus tocompareteacherswhoreceiveMCC’sfulltreatmentmoduleplustheprofessionaldevelopmentworkshop(cultureandpedagogy)to teachers who use their regular math curriculum. Thisdesign also identifies the contribution of each componentof MCC’s intervention. However, to ensure reliable data,the project tests classes to determine if different classes arecomparableatthestartingpoint.progress

By the endof spring2010we await thefinal fewdatasets from teachers.Once thishasbeen received theprojectwill conduct its final analysis. Preliminary analysis to dateshows promising trends: students using these sixth-grademathmodulesmakegoodgains,andthepreliminarydataoncomparing groups is also trending towardMCC’s plannedintervention, meaning those teachers who receive bothMCC’s module and professional development appear tohavestudentswhoperformbetterthanstudentsofteacherswhoreceiveeitherMCC’sprofessionaldevelopmentorteachtheirregularmathcurricula.Furtherresearchwilltakeplace

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towardtheendofthegrantingperiodwhentheresultswillbeanalyzedinmultipleways;qualitativeanalysisisunderway,includingvideotapeanalysis,studentandteacherinterviews,teacher logs, andworkshop evaluations.At this time, thesemodulesappeartohavethepotentialtobeeffective.impact

MCCisoneofthefewprogramsthathassystematicallytestedculturally-basedmaterials (themathcurriculum)andhas produced positive results in favor of that curriculum.Further, the design of this study enables us to understandthe contribution of the MCC curriculum and the MCCpedagogical approach vs. the mainstream pedagogicalapproach, and vs. the curriculum in place.This work hasdirect implications for schooling inAlaska especially if theresultsoftheforthcomingstudiescontinuetoshowstatisticalsignificancewhencomparingMCC’scurriculuminterventiontothecurriculuminplace.Thisworkalsohas implicationsforthefieldofculturally-basededucation,andtothelargerfield of educational reform in the state, nation, and othercountries.TheimpactofMCCcanbealsomeasuredbythenumberofinvitestheprogramhasreceiveddomesticallyandinternationally.This past year has shownmultiple requestsforMCCstafftobekeypresentersatconferencesaswellastopreparejournalarticlesandchaptersinbooks.grants/funding

USDepartmentofEducation

Returning the Elders’ Gift: Systemic implementation of an effective culturally-based math curriculum and professional development program Jerry Lipkapurpose

Math in a Cultural Context is a long-term federallyfunded K-12 outreach and research program. It has beencontinually funded through competitive grants from theNational Science Foundation and the US Department ofEducation. MCC is currently working under two grantsreceivedfromtheUSDepartmentofEducation.

The major purposes of Returning the Elders’ Giftare to: Improve the academic (math) performance ofelementary school students, particularly Alaska Nativestudents;ImplementMCC’scurriculumanditsprofessionaldevelopment component to increase teachers’ mathpedagogicalknowledgeasawaytoimprovestudents’academicperformance;WorkwithatleasttenAlaskaschooldistricts.approach

Since2001MCChasconductedaseriesofstudiesontheeffectivenessofitscurriculum.Thesestudieshaverepeatedlyshown that students using MCC’s curriculum outperformstudentsusingtheirregularcurriculum.ThesefindingsheldinurbanandruralareasofAlaskaandwereconsistentacrossAlaska’sdiversegeographicalandcultural regions.Basedonapproximatelyfifteenstudiesshowingstatisticallysignificant

findingsinfavorofMCC’scurriculum,themajorapproachis to provide professional development training alongwithMCC’s integrated math curriculum. To accomplish thisMCCholdsinserviceworkshopsforschooldistrictsinterestedinusingMCC;MCCalsoprovidesprofessionaldevelopmentworkshops such as its SummerMath Institute andTeacherLeadershipworkshops;andMCCalsooffers“E-live”courses.progress

During 2008-2009 Returning the Gift worked withapproximately 17 school districts, 113 teachers, and 1,565studentsexperiencedMCCmodules.NotethatMCCcountsstudentsbymoduleuse.IfastudentwastaughtwithmorethanoneMCCmodulethenthisstudentwascountedtwice.impact

Results from this project’s ongoing testing of studentsin classes that use MCC’s supplemental curriculum showrepeatedly that MCC’s second-grade curriculum series hasa statistically significant advantage over the curriculum inplace.This isparticularlymeaningful sincerepeatedstudieshave more credence than single studies. Each year thatwe use the second-grade Berries module (math content is graphing,measuring, and interpreting data), students haveincreasinglymadehigherrawscoregains.Weinterpretthistomeantwothings:1)teacherswhobecomeexperiencedusersofMCCproducestrongresults;and2)MCChasimproveditsprofessionaldevelopmentcomponent.CurrentanalysisofthisdatashowsthatMCChasimprovedtheperformanceoflowperformingstudents(asindicatedbytheirpretestscores);MCCalsoperformswellwithstudentswhocometoschoolwithmorepriorknowledge(againreflectedinpretestscores).Interpretingthis,allstudents,particularlyruralAlaskaNativestudentsonthissecond-grademodule,gainfromusingMCC.

Thiswork has direct implications for assistingAlaska’sschools,particularlyruralschooldistricts.MostofthedistrictsusingMCCareruralandnotedbythestateasnotachievingthe AdequateYearlyProgresstargetundertheNoChildLeftBehindAct,soimprovementssuchastheMCCcurriculumareimportant.

OnemeasureofimpactoftheapproachtakenbyMCCistherequestforinformationandrequestsforpresentations.This past yearMCCpresented to indigenous educators inSweden(Sami)andinGuam(approximatelyeightdifferentgroupswererepresented).grants/funding


MapTEACH: Mapping Technology Experiences with Alaska’s Community HeritageSidney Stephens, Patricia Heiser;PeterWebley(GeophysicalInstituteVolcanoObservatory)purpose

This proposal aims to better prepare Yukon-KoyukukSchool District teachers to meet the distinctive educational needs of Alaska Native students by engaging teachers in

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long-term professional development opportunities focusedonplace-basedgeospatialeducation,andbyprovidingthemwithincreasedaccesstocurricularmaterialstosupportsuchteaching.approach

Thisproject builds on the success of theMapTEACHprogram,whichbeganasanNSF-fundedscienceeducationprojectformiddleandhighschoolstudentsthatemphasizedhands-on experience with geology, geography, and spatialtechnologyinconjunctionwithtraditionalactivities.Programimplementationwillrequire36monthstocompleteandwillinvolve up to 24 Yukon-Koyukuk School District science,social studies, Alaska studies, and technology teachers ofgrades7-12andtheir~140students.Activitieswillbetailoredto theneeds, schedules, and specialtiesof the teacherswhoenroll and will include: Yukon-Koyukuk School District-based professional development coursework deliveredboth on site and through video conferencing; on-site anddistance-deliveredsupportforprogramimplementationanddevelopment of community-based explorations; a capstonefield experience for teachers, students, and communitymembers; development of community-scale image datasources; and evaluation, revision, and publication of theMapTEACHcurriculum.progress

MapTEACH is nearing completion of its first year ofprofessional development efforts including the followingactivities:(1)creationofathree-creditGeography595courseenrollingtenteachers;(2)twothree-dayFairbanksworkshopsforteachers;and(3)six1.5-hourvideoconferences.Duringtheseactivities,teacherswereintroducedtotheMapTEACHcurriculumandhad theopportunity to thenpractice theseactivities in their home communities. They subsequentlydesignedatwo-tothree-weekMapTEACHunitwhichtheyarecurrentlyimplementingwithstudents.Inadditiontotheseactivities,newgeologyandGoogleEarth lessonshavebeenwrittenandpiloted,newdatasourceshavebeenacquiredanddistributed,andrecruitmentforaGIStechnicianisunderway.impacts

Byparticipatinginthisproject,middleandhighschoolteachersandtheirstudentswillincreasetheirunderstandingof landscape concepts, relate those concepts to their localenvironments, communitiesandculturalheritage,andgainthe skills necessary to complete complex technology tasks.They will also understand the significant role geospatialtechnology plays in their everyday lives and become awareof existingandemerginggeospatial careeroptions.Broaderimpacts of this work are a blueprint for a region-specificprofessional development program that can be adapted inother Alaska communities and an enhanced MapTEACHcurriculumthatwillbeavailablefree,viatheInternetandinlimitedhardcopy.grants/funding


cultural geographyMarine policy issues of future arctic marine transportationLawson Brigham, Mike Sfragapurpose

This long-term project extends thework of the ArcticCouncil’s Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA)conducted2005-09.AkeyobjectiveistoexplorearangeoffuturepolicyissuesandpossibleactionsbytheArcticstatestoprotectthepeopleoftheArcticandthemarineenvironment.Thepotentialimpactsofexpandedarcticmarineoperationsdriven by natural resource development and arctic climate change arebeing identified forAlaska and the circumpolarworld.Under theUniversityofAlaskaGeographyProgram(UAGP), this project is closely tied to the work of theScenariosNetworkforAlaskaPlanning(SNAP).Itisalsothebeginning of an academic concentration atUAFonpolicy(versuspoliticalscience).approach

An international workshop, Considering a RoadmapForward:TheArcticMarineShippingAssessmentWorkshop,was held 22-24 October 2009 at UAF. Jointly hosted bythe UniversityoftheArctic,DartmouthCollege,andUAF,thiswas the secondmeetingheld as part of theUniversityof the Arctic’s Institute for Applied Circumpolar Policy.Morethansixty-fiveexpertsfromCanada,China,Denmark,Norway, UK, and the US discussed the seventeen AMSArecommendations, and developed for each a roadmap foraction,keyissues,fundingchallenges,andimportanttimingissues. Amix ofmarine industry, government, indigenous,university research, and nongovernmental organizationinterests were represented at the workshop.The workshopprovided a broad overview of the policy challengesconfrontingtheArcticstatesinaneweraofincreasedmarineactivity throughout the Arctic Ocean. The workshop alsoprovided a number of key outcomes regardingmarine useofthecoastalwatersoftheUSArctic,oneoftheobjectivesof thisUAGP project. A series of Arctic policyworkshopssuchastheOctober2009venueareenvisioned.TheresultsofAMSAandpolicyoptionsfromthisresearchwerepresentedintestimonyattwoUSSenatehearingsduring2009.progress

AMSAalsoinvolvesusingscenarios,orplausiblefutures,ofarcticmarinetransportation.ThesehavebeenpresentedinseveralpapersandatrecentconferencesoftheWorldFutureSociety.TheprojectwillusethecontinuingworkofSNAPtounderstandtheretreatofarcticseaiceunderanthropogenicwarming scenarios.Regional andArcticOcean simulationsofseaicewillbeusedtodeterminetheprojected,increasingmarineaccessthatmayresultinfutureextentandthicknesschanges in the Arctic’s sea ice cover. A range of modelsimulationswillbeusedandkeynavigationareas,includingAlaska’scoastalseas,willbestudiedtoestimatetheplausiblelengths of the navigation seasons based on the projected

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sea ice cover. Scenarios of future arctic navigation will bedeveloped integrating climate change, natural resourcedevelopments, and additional linkages of the Arctic to theglobaleconomy.ScenariosofafutureArcticwillbeusedintheUAGPto suggestalternative futures for the regionandstimulatediscussionanddebateaboutthefutureofAlaskainawarmingworld.impact

This research will assist strategic planners, electedrepresentatives,anddecisionmakerswithdevelopingpolicyoptions fora rangeof issues related to futurearcticmarineuse. An objective of this long-term project will also be toprovideUSArcticpolicymakerswithinformationonarcticscenarios and policy options for environmental protectionandsustainabledevelopmentoftheUSArctic.ResultsofthisresearchwillalsobecommunicatedtothesevenotherArcticstates at the ArcticCouncilandthroughUAF’srelationshipwith the University of the Arctic as a key partner in theInstituteforAppliedCircumpolarPolicy.

Social vulnerability and equity in the context of climate changeValerie Barber,EllenHatch(UAF);EllenDonoghue(USDAForestService,PNWResearchStation-PFSL);KathyLynn(ResourceInnovations,InstituteforaSustainableEnvironment,UniversityofOregon)purpose

This is one component of amulti-part project that ischarged with synthesizing knowledge about the effects of

climate change on indigenous people and resource-basedcommunitiesintheUnitedStatesandCanada.Thepurposeofthisprojectistoproduceasynthesisofknowledgerelatedto social vulnerability and equity in the context of climatechange for indigenous populations in Alaska and Canada.Written reports andwhitepaperswill informpolicymakersandresourcemanagersoftheopportunities,challenges,andissuesrelatedtosocialvulnerabilityandequityinthecontextofclimatechange.approach

Information about issues, policy, and programspertaining to socioeconomic and cultural effects of climate changeonindigenouspeople inAlaskaandCanadawillbesynthesized into a literature review. Sources of informationinclude academic literature, gray literature, popularmedia,andgovernmentalandnongovernmentalwebsites,whichwillgointoanEndnotefileforresources.progress

Over260referenceshavebeencollectedandenteredintoEndnoteandafewdozenbeenannotated.Thenextstepistofinishtheannotationsandwriteapaper.impact

Usingourreferenceswillallowustonotonlysynthesizewhat available science says about social vulnerability andclimate change in Alaska and Canada, but also documenttheemergenceofissuesnotcurrentlyaddressedinacademicliterature, and in ways that will educate decision makers,informthepolicymakingprocesses, and serveas abasis forfutureresearch.

Three icebreakers during a 1994 rendezvous in the western Arctic Ocean near the North Pole: the Russian ship Yamal (Arktika class), the Canadian Coast Guard’s LouisSt.Laurent, and the US Coast Guard Cutter PolarSea.Seaicechangesaredramaticallyaffectingarcticnavigation.

Us coAst gUArd photo tAkEN AUgUst 1, 1994 by LiEUtENANt commANdEr stEvE WhEELEr

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grants/fundingUSForestService

The study of sharing to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities to oil and gas development in arctic AlaskaGary Kofinas, Peter Fix,ShaunaBurnSilver,MarcyOkada;CraigGerlach(UAFCenterforCross-CulturalStudies);JimMagdanz(ADF&G)purpose

The Sharing Project uses multiple methods to assessthe resilience and vulnerability of twoNorth Slope coastalcommunities and one Interior rural community of Alaskato the effects of oil and gas development with climate change. The project is funded by the Bureau of OceanEnergyManagement,Regulation,&Enforcement(formerlythe Minerals Management Service) of the Department ofthe Interior through the Cooperative Ecosystem StudiesUnit.Thestudyseeks to informcommunitiesandresourcemanagementagenciesonpotentialchangesinnorthernAlaskaandcontributetotheoryonsocial-ecologicalsustainability.approach

InpartnershipwiththreeAlaskacommunities(Kaktovik,Wainwright, and Venetie), we use social network analysis,focusgroups,ethnographicanalysis,andsimulationmodelingto study sharing systems of indigenous communities asstrategies for copingwith change.We focuson the sharingof subsistence foods, information, and money, collectingqualitative data with focus groups and quantitative datathroughasurveyadministeredtoallhouseholds.ResearchersandleadersofparticipatingcommunitiescomparecommunityresilienceandvulnerabilitieswithothercommunitiesthroughtheactivitiesoftheCommunityAdaptationandVulnerabilityinArcticRegions,aninitiativeoftheInternationalPolarYear.impact

Local communities have traditionally used informalinstitutionsof sharing subsistence resourcesas amethodofcoping with uncertainty. In contemporary Alaska Nativecommunities, subsistence sharing is part of a dynamicand evolving cultural system that contributes to identity,livelihoods,andcommunitywellbeing.Historically,resourcemanagement agencies have studied subsistence primarilythrough the documentation of total harvest andwithout acarefulexaminationofcommunitysocial-ecologicaldynamics.ThisstudyexplorestheapplicationofrecenttheoriesonthenetworkstonortherncommunitysustainabilityandrepresentsanovelapproachinassessingtheimplicationsofArcticoilandgasdevelopmentonindigenousculture.Ourprojectteamiscollaboratingcloselywith theNSF-funded“IPY: ImpactofHigh-LatitudeClimateChange onEcosystemServices andSociety”(Chapin,Hepa,Kofinas,andRupp)toexplorehowoilandgasdevelopmentwithclimatechangewillaffectrurallivelihoods.grants/funding

USDAMineralsManagementService

Stakeholders and climate changeSidney Stephens;WilliamSchneider(UAFRasmusonLibrary);CraigGerlach(UAFCenterforCrossCulturalStudies);DavidAtkinson(InternationalArcticResearchCenter,nowattheUniv.ofVictoria)purpose

Thegoalsofthisprojectaretoenhancecommunicationabout climate change between IARC and other scienceresearchers,ruralcommunitymembers,andteacherssothatthe perspectives of each are shared; and to investigate howthisapproachandhowexistingorpotentialclimatechangeresourcesoractivitiesmight furtherschoolandcommunitydialogaboutthiscomplexglobalandlocalissue.approach

Theprojectapproachhastwostrands.First,theprojectisteamingwithscientists,socialscientists,villagecouncils,andcommunitymembersinTanana,FortYukon,andChalkyitsikinordertodevelopanunderstandingoflocalperceptionsofclimatechangeobservationsandimpactsinthemiddleandupper Yukon River watershed. Fieldwork and meetings inthese communities and inFairbanks serve as the venue forthesediscussions. Interviewswith local residents and largergroup meetings are video and tape recorded, selectivelytranscribed, and produced in a web-based format withsynchronizedsearchingcapabilitiesandhousedontheAlaskaStakeholders andClimateChangeProject Jukeboxwebsite.Participantguidanceoncreationofpublic forumsandwebproducts is central to our approach. Second, the project issurveyingteachersstatewidetogainabroaderunderstandingand to prioritize the approaches, materials and needs ofteachersdesiringtofurtherpursueintegratedclimatechangeeducation in their classrooms. Focused discussion withteachers inthethreecommunities isalsokeytotheprojectapproach.progress

Fifteeninterviewshavebeenconducted,transcribed,anddigitizedandarebeingprocessedintoaweb-basedformatandhoused on a draft Project Jukebox climate changewebsite.Interviews have been analyzed and sorted according to sixemergingthemes(weather,rivers and lakes,fire,permafrost,plantsandanimals,andseasonality).Synchronizedsearchingofinterviewsbytheme,location,orspeakerwillbepossible.impact

This work reveals the complexity of local climatechangeobservationsaswellas the impactsofthesechangeson landscape and on subsistence resources and practices atlocal levels. Italsoreveals that theexchangeof informationbetween community members and scientists can enhancemutual understanding of climate changes issues, and thattherearemanywaysinwhichscienceandlocalobservationsintersect and ways in which they differ. Local residentswereparticularlyattunedtothe impactsofchangeontheirlivesand livelihoodsandwere interested ingettingabetterscientificunderstandingofclimatechangeintheirarea.Theyalso were quite interested in: access to university resources

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and data; community employment associated with climate changeresearch;andgettingclimatechangeinformationouttocommunitiesandschools.Researcherswere interested inhow their investigations and knowledge might align moredirectlywithlocalconcerns.grants/funding

NationalScienceFoundation

Interviewing for sense of placeCarydeWitpurpose

Senseofplaceisanimportantaspectofplaceexperience,andofpersonalidentityinrelationtoplace.Thisworkwillresult in apublished setof guidelines forfieldworkerswhowishtostudysenseofplaceinagivenlocality.approach

ThiswillbeadistillationoftechniquesIhavedevelopedduringmysense-of-placefieldresearch,amatter-of-factguidefor beginning fieldworkers onwhatworks andwhat fails,usingmyfieldresearchontheHighPlainsasacasestudy.progress

Anarticleisinfinaleditingstages,andwillbeincludedin a special issue of the Journal of Cultural Geography. Inessence,thetechniquesare:Youhavetospendalotoftimetalking to people to find outwhat reallymatters to them.Startwithanopenmindaboutwhatwillberelevanttosenseofplaceinagivenplace.Allowplentyoftimetobuildtrustand accept hospitalitywhen offered. Let people talk aboutwhat’simportanttothem(semi-structuredinterviews).Don’tbescaredawaybytheformlesschaosofinformationthatpilesup.Formwill emerge from the chaos as you go through arepeatingcycle:Talktopeopleinthefield,write,think,talktocolleagues, read, talktopeople inthefield,write, think,etc.impact

Thegeographicliteratureisseriouslylackinginguidelinesfor qualitative fieldwork, and contains almost nothing ontechniquesforstudyingsenseofplace.Theseguidelineswillbehelpfultobeginningfieldworkerswhowishtostudysenseofplace.grants/funding

StateofAlaska

Perceptual geography of AlaskaCary de Witpurpose

ThisprojectexploreshowpopularperceptionsofAlaskaaffectnationalopinionsonAlaskapoliticalandenvironmentalissues.approach

I collect imagery from advertising, postcards, films,televisionprograms,andothersourcesofwidely-disseminatedimagesofAlaska,andcategorizeandanalyzeimagesaccordingtosource,intendedpurpose,locationofproduction,andtypeofAlaskaimageportrayed.

progressI continue to collect images for this project, and

have begun to formulate an analysis structure and a set ofperceptual themes inwhich to organize the images. A fewthemesareemerging:WildFrontier,ResourceTreasurehouse,TechnologyintheWilderness,LandoftheTough.impact

This study will help those who are trying to educatethe public on Alaska political and environmental issues toassesswhetheraccurateperceptionsofthoseissuesarebeingconveyed to state and federal lawmakers and to the votingpublic,whetherthecitizensofAlaskaoroftheUnitedStates.grants/funding

StateofAlaska

physical geographyScenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic PlanningT. Scott Rupp,Nancy Fresco,MarkOlson,TimGlaser,TomKurkowski,AnnaSpringsteen,EllenHatch;Sarah Trainor(SNRAS/InstituteofNorthernEngineering);DanWhite(ACCAP);SereyMarchenko,VladamirRomanovsky(GeophysicalInstitutePermafrostLaboratory);Brad

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Griffiths,FalkHeuttman(IAB);JessicaCherry(IARC),AmyTidwell(InstituteofNorthernEngineering);AmalieCouvillion,EvieWhitten(TheNatureConservancy)purpose and approach

Most climate models predict that high latitudes willexperience amuch larger rise in temperature than the restof the globe over the coming century. Indeed, substantialwarminghasalreadyoccurredathighnorthernlatitudesoverthe last half-century, and arctic summers are now warmerthan at any other time in the last 400 years. In additionto changes in climate, Alaska is undergoing rapid changesin human population and demands on natural resources.EnvironmentalconditionsarechangingsorapidlyinAlaskaand the Arctic as a whole that it is increasingly difficultto develop well-informed plans for such things as oceannavigation, pipelines, roads, urban expansion, communityrelocation,andmanagementoffisheriesandwildlife.

The Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic Planning(SNAP; www.snap.uaf.edu) is a collaborative network,whose mission is to provide timely access to scenarios offuture conditions in Alaska addressing climatic, ecological,and economic change relevant to public decision-makers,communities, and industry. Initiated as part of UA’sInternationalPolarYear,andsupportedbythechancellorandvicechancellorforresearchatUAF,thisUAF-basedinitiativeisproducing(1)geographicallydefinedtimeseries(e.g.,maps;downscaledprojections)offutureconditionsthatarelinkedtopresentandpastconditions,(2)objective interpretationsof scenarios, and (3)detailedmetadataandexplanationsofthemodels (including assumptions and uncertainties) thatdescribecontrolsoverprojectedchanges.progress intRoduction

The mission of SNAP includes not only creatinginnovative models of climate and land use scenarios inthe context of rapid change, but alsoworking closelywiththosewhoaremostconcernedandaffected. Interpretation,assessmentofuncertainty, andoutreach to stakeholders arecentral to our purpose. Over the past year, we have beenpleased to forge strong collaborationswithdiversepartnerswhose interests range fromeconomics toecologyand fromasinglecommunitytothewholestateofAlaska.TheSNAPteamiscurrentlyworkingwithawiderangeofstakeholders,including nonprofit organizations and state and federalagencies. We also work in close collaboration with otherUniversityofAlaskagroups,includingtheAlaskaCenterforClimateAssessmentandPolicy(ACCAP),andCooperativeExtensionService (CES).Weregularlyfieldquestions frompotential stakeholders and share our maps, graphs, andinterpretiveinformation.Belowisabriefsummaryoftheseefforts.

SnAP PRogRESS REPoRtS foR 2009Projects completed or in progress

• The Joint Fire Science Program has fundedSNAPtotaketheleadindevelopingandimplementing

a Wildland Fire Science Consortium for Alaska. ThepilotphasewasfundedinJuly2009.ThemaingoaloftheConsortiumistoinstitute,develop,andfostertwo-waycommunicationbetweenfire scientistsand thefiresuppression andmanagement community in Alaska toensurethatresearchresultsarewidelydisseminatedandthatresearchprojectsaredesignedtomeettheneedsofpractitionersontheground.

• SNAP is working closely with conservationorganizations that are funded by the WilburforceFoundation and working in the western andtransboundary Arctic and theTongass National ForestinsoutheastAlaska.Wereviewclimate-relatedmaterialsandorganizationalmissions,conveneaseriesofdialoguesto identify climate information needs and discuss howprojected changes will likely affect project goals andmissions, develop a set of recommended products tofill existing information needs, and produce a subsetof products based on priority of needs and availablescientific expertise and resources. Amajor outcome ofthisprojectwillbeimprovedhabitatconnectivityvialandmanagementregimesthatareresilienttoclimatechange.

• InpartnershipwithNMFSHabitatConservationDivisionAlaskaRegion,municipalhydropowerutilitiesmanagers, and researchers from IARC and WERC,SNAP helped assess whether recent precipitation and reservoirinflowanomaliesinsoutheastAlaskaarewithinthe normal range of variability over the observationalrecord,asopposedtoprovidingevidenceofapotentialregimeshiftassociatedwithclimatechange.SNAP’srolewastoprovidelong-termclimateprojectionsdownscaledtothewatershedsfeedingpertinentreservoirs,helpassessnaturalvariabilityonseasonal-to-decadalscales,andhelpinterpret theresultsof thestudy.Results showedabouthalf of the observed climate change in Southeast maybe attributable to long-term climate change and abouthalfmaybeattributabletonaturalclimatevariabilityondecadalandmulti-decadaltimescales.

• SNAP collaborated with the Northern ClimateExchange(NCE),aprojectofYukonCollege,tocreatedata,maps,andwritteninformationrelatingtoclimatechange projections in the Yukon, Canada, in orderto develop shared understanding and improve publiceducation on climate change adaptation strategies innorthern Canada.SNAPcreatedatotalofapproximatelyfiftyclimateprojectionmapsfortheWhitehorseareaandthe entireYukon,These included projected change fortemperatureandprecipitationforeachoftwoemissionsscenarios (A1B and B1) and two time periods (2030and2050).SNAPalsocreatedadditionalprojectionsforfrost-freedays, andassisted in the interpretationof theabovedata.

• The ConnectingAlaskaLandscapesintotheFutureproject was a collaborative effort co-led by partners atSNAP, IAB, and USFWS, with input from numerousother state and federal agencies and nonprofits. The

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project used historical climate data and climate projection data from SNAP coupled with Alaska and Canadianbiome categorizations to project potential biomeshifts,andto identifyareasofAlaskathatmaybecomeimportant in maintaining landscape-level connectivity,given climate change. The Connectivity Project alsoexamined potential impacts on four selected species:barrengroundcaribou(Rangifer tarandu granti),Alaskamarmots (Marmota broweri), trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator),andreedcanarygrass(Phalaris arundinacea).Resultsshoweddramaticshifts inpotentialbiomesandsomepotentialspeciesrangesstatewide,andhighlightedareasmostlikelytoberesilienttochange.

Projects being developed• ContinuationoftheAlaskaWildlandFireScience

ConsortiumhasbeenfundeduntilMay2012.• Due to strong interest in the Connecting

Landscapesproject,twonewprojectsweredevelopedin2009,withfundingstartingin2010,torefinethescope,reliability, and pertinence of the results. One of theseprojectsisacollaborativeeffortbetweenUSFWS,SNAP,IAB, and participants from multiple state and federalagenciesandnon-profits.Thesecondinvolvesextendingthebiome-shiftmodelintonorthernCanada,specificallytheYukon andNorthwestTerritories.This projectwillbeco-ledbypartnersfromtheNatureConservancy,withinputfromdiverseparticipantsandfundingfromDucksUnlimitedCanadaandGovernmentCanada.

Community Connections• In conjunction with the Wildland Fire Science

ConsortiumforAlaska,weheldanInauguralConsortiumWorkshopinOctober2009.Nearlysixtyfiremanagers,scientists,andlandmanagersparticipated,representing:UAF, Alaska Department of Forestry, University ofIdaho,USArmy,NPS,BIA,USFWS,BLMAlaskaFireService, the Canadian Forest Service and two Nativenonprofit organizations: Chugachmiut and Tanana ChiefsConference.AlsoinOctober2009,weheldourfirstregionalfiresciencewebinar,apresentationbyStacyDrury,“IntroductiontotheInteragencyFuelsTreatmentDecision Support System,” (IFT-DSS; a JFSP-fundedproject).Therewerenearlyfiftyparticipants, includingthose in Alaska, Washington, the Yukon Territory,British Columbia, and Ontario. Participants includedrepresentatives of BIA, Ontario Ministry of NaturalResources,NPS,SeattleFireLab,USFWS,UAF,USFS,British Columbia Coastal Fire Center, Wildland FireOperationResearchGroup,AnchorageFireDepartment,BLM,andtheUniversityofIdaho.

• SNAP products were showcased in the AlaskaCenterforClimateAssessmentandPolicywebinarseriesin fall 2009. Participation ranged from 45-75 people,includingrepresentativesfromstateandfederalagencies,industry, the news media, education and nonprofitorganizations. (A more specific list of participants is

available on request.) Podcasts and presentations areavailable at: www.uaf.edu/accap/telecon_archive.htm.The series included: Connecting Alaska Landscapes into the Future; Changes to Permafrost in Alaska: Observations and Modeling; Climate Change Impacts on Water Availability in Alaska; and Tutorial: Using Web-Based and Google Earth Maps of Projected Climate Change in Alaska.

University connections• ThesoutheastAlaskahydroelectricassessmentwas

developed inconjunctionwithJessicaCherry (assistantprofessor,IARC)andAmyTidwell(formerIPYpost-doc,nowresearchfacultywithINEWaterandEnvironmentalResearchCenter).

• SNAP works closely with ACCAP via Sarah Trainor,DanWhite,andotherACCAPemployees.Thetwoprogramscollaborateinreachingouttocommunitiesandotherwisebroadeningthescopeofoutreachefforts,aswellas insharingdataandinformationandcreatingpresentationsandbrochures.

• OnbehalfoftheSNAP/FWSconnectivityproject,FalkHuettman (Institute of Arctic Biology [IAB] andMichael Lindgren) have developed an Alaska-specificmodel of vegetation and biome change over the nextcentury,whichisbeingusedincorridormodeling.

• BradGriffiths(IAB,Dept.ofWildlifeandBiology,and USGS)andDaveMcGuire(IAB,Dept.ofWildlifeand Biology, and USGS) are working with SNAPdata—incollaborationwithAmalieCouvillionandEvieWhitten of the Nature Conservancy—regarding theirmodelingofclimatechangeandcaribouhabitat.

• Ellen Hatch, a NRM student, worked closelywith SNAP on her senior thesis, an assessment of thefutureofgrowingdegreedaysandagriculturalpotentialin the FairbanksNorth Star Borough. SNAPNetworkCoordinatorNancyFrescowasEllen’sthesisadvisor.

• Vladamir Romanovsky and Serey Marchenkoof the Geophyical Institute Permafrost Lab haveincorporatedSNAPdataintotheirmodels.

impact SNAP is a pragmatic plan to facilitate integration of

theUniversity ofAlaska’sworld-class high-latitude researchcapabilitiesanddelivertimelyinformationandinterpretationof climatic, ecological, and economic change to publicdecision-makers (managers, policy makers, and planners),communities,andindustry.ThescenariosproducedbySNAPandthedatausedtoproducethemareopenlyavailabletoallpotentialusers.BecauseSNAP isdrivenbyuserneeds anddeliverstheproductstotheseusers,itservesasanend-to-endprototype for similar efforts in other geographical regions.SNAPispositioningAlaskaandtheArcticatthevanguardofclimateapplicationsrelevanttoplanningandpolicy.

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High-Latitude Agriculture

AgriculTure And agricultural research have a long historyin Alaska: the Russians colonized Alaska in 1725 to

exploitthefurtradeandbroughtwiththemadesiretopro-ducefoodfortheircolonists.Earlysoilsurveysextendingasfarnorth as theYukonRiver indicated that theUSAlaskaTerritoryhadagriculturalpotential.Followingthesehistori-calbeginningsandsoilsurveyfindings,thefirstagriculturalexperiment stationwas established in1898 inSitkaby theUSDepartmentoftheInterior.TheAlaskaAFEShassincebecomehousedadministrativelyat theUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks, the landgrantcampusof theUAsystem,and isnowwithin SNRAS as its research arm.Agriculture in thecircumpolarworldhasalwaysfacedenvironmentalextremes,nottheleastofwhichistheshortgrowingseason.Therearealsochallengesbasedondistancebothtoworldmarketsandfromthegreatfood-growingregionsoftheworld.Alaskahashistoricallyimportedfoodfromelsewhere,yethasrichsoilsandbountifulharveststhatcouldsustainitspopulationandevenprovideexportcropsandproducts—wereanagricultur-alindustryproperlytailoredanddevelopedforit.Researchinhigh-latitudeagriculturehelpscircumpolarregionsmoveto-wardthisgoalofasustainableagriculture.UAFandSNRAS/AFES provide insight and knowledge benefitting Alaskansandthecircumpolarworld.Alaskacontributesuniquecold-climate information to agriculture that reflectnational andinternational informationneeds,particularly in lightof therapidlychangingweatherpatternsinthecircumpolarregions.

Agricultural research includes exploration anddevelopmentofnewcropsandalternativelivestocksuitedtotheuniquedemandsandopportunitiesaffordedbyhighlatitudes;controlledenvironmentandgreenhouseproductionsystems;production, uses, and adaptive management pertaining tohigh-latitudecropsandlandscapingmaterials;adaptationoflivestockproductiontotherigorsofhigh-latitudeconditions;application of technology to northern plant materials andidentificationofvalueinnewplantproductsandchemistry;integratedpestmanagement;marketing,qualitycontrol,andacceptance of Alaska agricultural products; revegetation ofdisturbedlands;treatmentofwasteproductsincoldclimates;andbiomassanalysisandtreatmentforbiofuels.

(note: authors listed below are SNRAS researchers or ARS partners)

high-lAtitudE AgRicultuRE REPoRtS:

24 • agricultural markets & products4-H Reindeer Market Steer ProgramGeorgeAguiar,GregFinstad

24 • animal husbandryCattle genetics M.A.Cronin,MilanShipkaElk geneticsM.A.Cronin

Timing of breeding and gestation length in muskoxenMilanShipka,JaniceRowellReindeer geneticsM.A.Cronin,MilanShipka,GregFinstad,JanRowellHabitat use, diet, and herd composition of Seward Peninsula reindeer during the breeding seasonLeslieDavis,GregFinstadHematological, immunological, and serum chemistry reference ranges for reindeer GregFinstadArtificial insemination in reindeer using thawed frozen semen MilanShipka,JaniceRowellEffect of progesterone and melatonin on gestation length in reindeerJaniceRowell,MilanShipkaHigh Latitude Range Management curriculumGregFinstad,LeeHaugen

29 • biofuelsLow NOx biodiesel production from Pacific Island feedstocksJ.AndresSoriaPotential perennial lignocellulosic energy crops for AlaskaStephenD.Sparrow,MingchuZhang

30 • controlled environment productionLight emitting diodes (LEDs) for greenhouse cropsMeriamKarlsson,JeffWernerSpecialty plastic coverings and strawberriesMeriamKarlsson,JeffreyWernerRetractable flat-roof high tunnel JeffreyWerner,MeriamKarlssonApples in high tunnelsKendraCalhoun,MeriamKarlssonArsenic absorption in vegetablesJeffBue,JeffreyWerner,MeriamKarlssonFlowering primrose MeriamKarlsson,JeffreyWernerField and high tunnel production of snap beansMeriamKarlsson,JeffWernerEarly short day treatment of sunflowersMeriamKarlsson,JeffWernerWorking with local greenhousesJeffreyWerner,MeriamKarlsson

34 • field crops & field managementSelection, variety testing, and evaluation of cultural practices for alternative agronomic crops for AlaskaRobertM.VanVeldhuizen,MingchuZhang,StephenD.Sparrow

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The effect of forage variety and color of plastic wrap on haylage quality and quantity in AlaskaNormanHarris,BethHallAnnual flower cultivar trialsPatriciaS.Holloway,GrantE.M.Matheke,KatherineDiCristinaArctic and subarctic plant genetic resources conservation, research, and information management AlbertoPantoja,BonnieFurman,NancyRobertson,JoeKuhl(ARS)Peonies as field grown cut flowers—field productionPatricia S. Holloway,ShannonPearce,JaniceHanscomCommercial Horticulture Program: potatoesJeffSmeenkHeirloom vegetable trialsGrantE.M.Matheke,PatriciaS.Holloway,KatieDiCristinaVegetable cultivar trialsGrantE.M.Matheke,KatieDiCristina,PatriciaS.Holloway

40 • food policy, security, & sovereigntyMeasuring food security in Alaska JoshuaGreenberg,CharlesCaster

40 • pests & disease controlIntegrated pest management for Alaska AgricultureAlbertoPantoja,DennisFielding,JeffConn,SteveSeefeldt(ARS)Distribution, transmission, and molecular characterization of potato phytoplasmas in AlaskaJeniferH.McBeath

42 • range managementSpatially modeling the distribution of beef cattle and reindeer on ranges at high latitudes in AlaskaNormanHarris,BethHall,RandyFulweber,GregFinstad

agricultural markets & products4-H Reindeer Market Steer ProgramGeorgeAguiar,Greg Finstadpurpose

Each year, the 4-HClub of theTananaValley, AlaskaFFA,andtheUAFCooperativeExtensionService,organizealivestockshowandauctionattheTananaValleyFair.Reindeerare unique northern livestock and are an ideal option forAlaska market livestock programs. Besides being uniquelyadaptedtothenorthernclimate,theyaregood-naturedandrespondwelltotheintensivehumancontacttypicalof4-Hand FFAlivestockprojects.Theyarealsotheonlylivestockspecies being studied in an agricultural production settingat the UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.Includingreindeerinthe4-Hlivestockshowandauctionwillprovidethereindeer

industrywithhusbandryandeconomicdatatosupportthemarketingofreindeermeat.approach

The Reindeer Research Program made available fivereindeermale calves (approximately four-month-old steers)toselect4-HandFFAmembersinthestateofAlaska.Theseyoungproducersparticipatedinweeklyinstructionalsessionsat the Fairbanks Experiment Farm covering all aspects ofreindeer husbandry including health, handling, feedingand nutrition, herdmanagement, and facilities design andmaintenance. The producers worked collaboratively witheach other andRRP personnel when vaccinating, treating,andhandlingtheiranimalsinordertopreparethemfortheTananaValleyFair.progress

Under the guidance of RRP personnel, studentsconstructedpensandtransported,beganfeeding,caringfor,and socializing their calves to build a close human-animalrelationship. The reindeer calves were raised like other4-Hmarket animals, in amanner consistentwith the4-Hlivestock program guidelines. They were housed with theotherlivestockforthecompletedurationoftheTananaValleyFairwheretheycompetedinthelivestockshowmanshipandmarketeventandwereeventuallyauctionedoffforslaughter.Three of the five reindeer steers completed the project.Animals sold for$7.25/lb.,$5.25/ lb. and$5.75/lbon thehooforliveweight.impact

Diversification is critical to regional food productioninAlaska.Through the outreach and educational platformprovidedbythe4-Hprogramweareenhancingtheproductioncapabilities of a small industry and delivering a regionallyproduced red meat to market.This program supports thedevelopment and delivery of agricultural education to thepublic,andprovidesimportantinsightonmarketingforthereindeerindustry.grants/funding

USDA/Hatch

animal husbandryCattle genetics M.A. Cronin, Milan Shipka;M.D.MacNeil(USDA);JohnPatton(PurdueUniv.)purpose

Feral cattle on ChirikofIsland,Alaska,haveanuncertainancestry. Ithasbeenhypothesized theyaredescended fromancient Russian cattle. If so, they may represent a uniquegerm plasm genetic resource. However, modern Europeanbreeds were imported to the island during the 1900s.Regardlessofthesourceoftheanimals,theselectionimposedunderferalconditionsandgeneticdriftontheisolatedislandmayhaveresultedinauniqueandusefulgenepool.WehavequantifiedthegeneticvariationinChirikofIslandcattleandcompared them with other breeds, including Alaska cattle

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at the MatanuskaExperimentFarmandthose fromprivateproducers.approach

Wequantifiedgeneticvariationatthirty-fourmicrosatelliteDNAmarkers fromthecattlegenemap inChirikof Islandcattle and from several other breeds.We calculated geneticdistances and inferred relationships between the ChirikofIslandcattleandotherbreeds.WearealsogeneratingDNAsequenceformitochondrialandnuclearDNA.progress

Wehavedatafromtwenty-fourChirikofIslandcattleandfrom ten other breeds.This includes 34microsatellite lociandDNAsequencesforthemitochondrialDNAcytochromebgeneandk-caseingene.Additionalsampleswerecollectedin2006fromtheuniversity’scattleherdinPalmerandLarryDeVilbiss’ Galloway cattle. DNA has been extracted fromthesesamplesandwillbeanalyzedduringsummer2010attheARSlabinMilesCity,Montana.impact

Chirikof Island cattlemay represent a valuable geneticresource, either because of unique ancestry or because oftheselectionimposedunderferalconditionsontheisolatedisland.Thedatamayaffectmanagementdecisionsregardinguse of the cattle on the island as a livestock resource, andwhether to leave them on or remove them from ChirikofIsland.TheUSDepartmentofAgriculture rarebreeds andgerm plasm preservation program is very interested in thisherd.AdditionofothercattlewillallowmoderngeneticstobeappliedtolivestockinAlaska.grants/funding

TheprojectisfundedwithanaturalresourcesgrantfromtheAlaskaLegislaturetoSNRAS.

Elk geneticsM.A. Cronin;M.D.MacNeil(USDA);J.C.Patton(PurdueUniv.)purpose

Wedevelopedmethodsformoleculargeneticassessmentofdomestic elk, and toassessgeneticvariationandgeneticcomponentsofperformancetraitvariationinelk.approach

WeemulatedtheUSDAresearchprogramforassessingquantitative trait loci in cattle to assess molecular geneticvariation in elk and to determine associations or geneticvariationandperformancetraits.progress

Moleculardataquantifyinggeneticvariationindomesticandwildelkwaspreviouslygenerated.Apaperwaspublishedin the Journal of Animal Sciencein2009.impact

We have established a genetic database for Alaskadomestic elkandbegunwork similar to thatused toassessthe genetics of cattle performance traits.This research andtheresultingdatabasemayallowuseofmoleculargeneticsindomesticelkselectionandbreedingprograms.

grants/fundingTheprojectisfundedwithanaturalresourcesgrantfrom

theAlaskaLegislaturetoSNRAS.

Timing of breeding and gestation length in muskoxenMilan Shipka, Janice Rowellpurpose

Ourpurposewastwofold.Wesoughtto:• Compare gestation length between muskoxen

bred in lateAugustwithmuskoxen bred 30 days later(lateSeptember);and

• Using a radiotelemetric heat detection system,compare the time from estrous synchronization tomountingbetweenearlyandlate-bredmuskoxen.

BAckgRound

We have documented a negative association betweengestation length and the time of breeding in reindeer. Asimilar relationshiphasbeenreported inothercervidsand,anecdotally,inanumberofdifferentspecies(bison,moose,alpacas,pronghorn,andbighornsheep) suggesting that thephenomenonmaybe common to awide rangeof seasonalungulates[ungulatesthatbreedataspecificseason:inreindeerandmuskoxen,thishappensonlyinfall].Althoughnoonehasspecifically investigated gestation adjustment inmuskoxen,we have been aware of a discrepancy in gestation lengthbetweenmuskoxen in a captive researchherd inSaskatoon(235days,52˚N)andthemuskoxenattheRobertG.WhiteLargeAnimalResearchStation(LARS)(245days,64.8˚N).We initially speculated that genetic differences betweensubspeciesofmuskoxen (Ovibos m. wardi inFairbanksandO. m. moschatusinSaskatoon)wereresponsibleforgestationlengthvariability.However,subsequentgeneticstudiesfailedtodemonstratedifferencesbetweenthepresumedsubspecies.At 52˚N,muskoxen normally bred inmid-late SeptembercomparedtoabreedingtimeoflateAugust/earlySeptemberinFairbanks.Thedifferentgestationlengthscouldbereflectingaseasonalgestationadjustment,similartothephenomenoninreindeer.

A radiotelemetric heat detection system has beenused successfully inmuskoxenandprovided thebasis for adescriptionofestrousbehaviorandmountinginthisspecies.This technology provides a non-invasive, reliablemeans ofidentifying the approximate time of conception and alsoallowsustoinvestigatetheeffectofseasononthetimingofovulation.approach

Femalemuskoxen (total numberwas 15)were dividedintotwogroupsbalancedforweight,age,andreproductivehistories. The Early Group (seven members) receivedCIDRs* modified according to manufacturer’s directionsfor the smallermuskox size,onAug.20.TheCIDRswereremovedoneweeklaterandtheanimalsreceived15mgi.m.(intramuscular)injectionofprostaglandin.

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Radiotelemetric estrous detection transponders wereattachedusinghiptagcementtoasmallshavedpatchonthefemale’srump.Thefemaleswereplacedinharemthefollowingdayforoneweek(Aug.28–Sept.4).TheLateBredGroup(eight members) underwent an identical synchronizationprotocolbeginningSept.21andwereputintoharemfromSept.29-Oct6.Calfbirthdate,weight,andsexinformationwillbecollectedfollowingcalvinginMay.

* CIDR =Controlled InternalDrug Releasing device,Eazi-BreedCIDR,PfizerAnimalHealth,www.pfizerah.comprogress

IntheEarlyBredGroup,radiotelemetryrecordedmountsinsixofsevenfemalesonAug.30–31.Ofthese,oneabortedinMarchandonediedfromunrelatedcauses.TheremainingfourareduetocalveduringthefirstweekofMay.

In theLateBredGroup, two females lost theirCIDRsand, therefore, were not synchronizedwith the others andonediedfromunrelatedcauses.Radiotelemetryonlyrecordedmountsontwofemales.CalvingisexpectedinmidMay.impact

Theimpactofthetimingofbreedingongestationlength,pregnanyrate,calfsex,calfbirthweight,andcalfsurvivalallhave important implicationson the successfulmanagementofmuskoxenincaptivity.

grants/fundingUSDAHatch

Reindeer geneticsM.A. Cronin, Milan Shipka, Greg Finstad, Jan Rowell; M.D.MacNeil(USDA);J.C.Patton(PurdueUniv.)purpose

We sought to develop methods for molecular geneticassessment of reindeer, and assess genetic variation andgeneticcomponentofperformancetraitvariationinreindeer.approach

We are emulating the USDA research program forassessingquantitative trait loci in cattle to assess molecular geneticvariationinreindeerandtodetermineassociationsorgeneticvariationandperformancetraits.progress

WehaveestablishedageneticdatabaseforAlaskareindeerand begunwork similar to that used to assess the geneticsofcattleperformancetraits.SamplesfromtheUAFreindeerherdwerecollectedin2006.In2008DNAwasextractedbyJ.C.PattonatPurdueUniversityandsenttotheARSlabinMiles City,Montana. Initial analysis at Purdue has shownthreek-caseinallelesthatoccurintwohomozygotesandtwo

First reindeer calf of 2009 with its mother at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm.AFEs photo by NANcy tArNAi

27


heterozygotesinfouroftheuniversityreindeer.ThesewillbecomparedwithotherAlaskaherds.impact

The project will provide information for reindeerhusbandry selection and breeding programs in Alaska.Parentsof calves canbe identified,whichwill aid inopen-rangemanagement.Inthelongterm,thiswillcontributetomoreefficientreindeerproduction.grants/funding


Habitat use, diet, and herd composition of Seward Peninsula reindeer during the breeding seasonLeslieDavis,Greg Finstadpurpose

Reindeer producers on the Seward Peninsula needadditional information on where free-ranging reindeer goandwhat forages they consume during fall to identify keyseasonal grazingareas.Reindeerundergorutduringthistimewhen females are attempting to replenish fat and tissue tosupportwintergestationandspringlactation.Thegoalofthisprojectwastointegratehighresolutionanimallocationdatawithvegetationmappingcapabilitiestoexaminemovementpatterns,habitatchoice,diet,andherdcompositionduringthebreedingseason.approach

TenexperimentalsatellitecollarsemployingtheIridiumsatellite constellation were deployed onto female reindeerduring the June 2009 handling of the Lee herd. FourteentraditionalVHF-radiocollarsoutfittedwith“store-on-board”GPS unitswere deployed to increase sample size for rangeutilizationstudy.FieldobservationsweremadeJuly19–22,July 30, August 25–28, Sept 3–6, and Oct. 10–12. Dataincludedherddemographics andantler category (harvestedor not). Fecal samples were collected for diet compositionanalysis.progress

ApresentationontheprojectwasgiventotheReindeer Herders Association during the annual meeting, March2010.Twenty-fourcompositefecalsamples(eightfromeachtemporalperiod)weresenttotheWildlifeHabitatLaboratory,WashingtonStateUniversity,foradietcompositionanalysis.Iamcurrentlyworkingondemographicandpositionaldataanalysis.impact

This projectwill promotemore intensivemanagementof reindeer during a critical period in their reproductivecycle.Outputs from thisprojectwillbeused tomodel theanimal/landscape interface to identify preferred seasonalhabitats and diet in an effort to set baseline requirementsforrotationalgrazingstrategiesneededbyNaturalResourceConservationServicelandmanagersandreindeerproducers.

grants/fundingUSDAHatch

Hematological, immunological, and serum chemistry reference ranges for reindeer ZoePurtzer,AntonyC.Bakke(OregonHealth&ScienceUniv.);Greg Finstad purpose

Thepurposeof thisprojectwas todevelopgender,agerelated, and seasonal hematological, immunological, andserumchemistryreferenceranges.Thereferencerangeswillbe used to establish herd health standards and provide abaselineforfuturestudiesofdiseaseinreindeer.approach

BloodandserumsampleswerecollectedseasonallyfromhealthyreindeerintheReindeerResearchProgramofvariousagesandreproductivestatus.Bloodandserumsampleswerealso collected opportunistically from any sick or injuredreindeer.SampleswereshippedtoOregonHealthandScienceUniversity. Complete blood counts were performed on anautomatedhematologyanalyzerandmanualdifferentialswereperformed by microscopy. The automated measurementsincluded total white blood cell count, platelet count, andredbloodcellenumeration.Manualcountswereperformedonfixedbloodsmears,stainedwithaWright-Giemsastain.Red blood cells and platelets were graded formorphologyusing standard pathology descriptors. On each slide, 200white blood cells (WBCs) were counted to determine themanualcelldifferential.ThemanualcountincludedWBCscategorizedas lymphocytes,monocytes,neutrophils,bands,eosinophils,andnucleatedredbloodcells.

Serumsampleswerefrozenandarchivedforlateranalysis.In collaboration with Abaxis, Inc., serum chemistries wereperformed withVetscan comprehensive diagnostic profiles.TheVetscanprofileincludesthirteenanalytes,whichevaluatemultiple organ function. Serum proteins were analyzed byserumproteinelectrophoresis(SPEP)toestablishagerelatedchangesinproteincontent.progress

Hematologicalmeasurementsrevealedseveralagerelatedtrends.Hemoglobinincreaseswithage.NucleatedRBCsandtotalWBCsdecreasewithage.The fractionofneutrophils,eosinophils, and monocytes increase with age, while thelymphocytesdecrease.

Serum chemistries were performed on ill animals andrevealedincreasesinbothglucoseandaspartatetransaminase(AST)compared tonormalhealthycontrols.Samples from30animalswerecomparedtootherstudiesonreindeer(UAFrangestudyandBronxZoodatabase)andrevealedbothagerelatedandseasonaldifferences.

Serum protein analysis was conducted on 30 samples.This analysis also revealed several age related trends.Newborn calves have very low levels of gamma globulin(antibodies)anddonotreachadultlevelsforseveralmonths(three to sixmonths of age). Some calveswith illness have

28


significantincreaseingammaglobulins, indicatingarobustimmuneresponse.Gammaglobulinsalsoincreasedwithage,duetoimmunesystemmaturationandexposuretoantigens(bacteria, fungi,virus,parasites) intheenvironment.Othersystemic changeswere noted, such as decreases in albuminandincreasesinclottingproteinsduringillness.

Hematologicalandserumchemistryrangesfortheentirecaptiveherdarenearcompletion.impact

Referencerangesarebasichealthparameters,criticalforthe health management of any animal production system.Establishing reference ranges will enhance the ability ofAlaska’sreindeerindustrytoidentifyandcontroldisease.Inturn,thiswillleadtoenhancedlocalfoodproduction,foodsecurity,andcommercialenterprise.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Artificial insemination in reindeer using thawed frozen semen Milan Shipka, Janice Rowellpurpose

Our objective is to customize established artificialinsemination(AI)techniquesusingfrozenthawedsemenforuseinfarmedAlaskareindeer.approach

Semenwascollectedfroma15-month-oldreindeerbullinSaskatchewan,Canada,processedtoafinaldilutionof3.5x107spermper0.5ccstraw,frozenandshippedtoAlaska.Spermmotilitywas70percent(fresh)and45percent(thawed)with68percentnormalsperm.Weappliedawhite-taileddeerAIprotocolto8nulliparous,2.5-year-oldcaptivereindeerattheUAFAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation.ThefemalesweresynchronizedwithCIDR-b,*modifiedtofitthesmallerreindeervagina,usingatwoCIDR,14-dayschedule.At removal of the secondCIDR, the females received 200IUPMSGi.m.[intramuscular](foureachreceivedPG600orPMSG,SigmaChemicals).Atthetimeofbreeding,onefemale’svaginawastoosmalltoaccommodatethespeculumand shewasdropped from the study.The remaining sevenfemales exhibited signs of estrus (copious, clearmucus) atinsemination.Intra-cervicalinseminationtookplace55hoursafterCIDRremovalonSept,24,2009.Serumcollected11weekspost-inseminationandassayedforPSPBindicatedonepregnant, one possibly undergoing pregnancy loss and fivenon-pregnantfemales.progress

On April 22, 2010 a 5.5 kg male calf was born.Gestation lengthwas 212 days, a relatively short gestationconsistentwith the latebreeding.Toourknowledge this isthefirst confirmed report of a live calf born fromartificialinseminationtechnologyusingfrozensemen.impact

This is the first important step in customizing AItechnology for the Alaska reindeer industry. Future efforts

will be directed toward improving pregnancy rates andsimplifyingtheestroussynchronizationprotocol.

* CIDR =Controlled InternalDrug Releasing device,Eazi-BreedCIDR,PfizerAnimalHealth,www.pfizerah.comgrants/funding

USDAHatch

Effect of progesterone and melatonin on gestation length in reindeerJanice Rowell, Milan Shipkapurpose

Weinvestigatedthepotentialofa)progesteroneandb)melatonintoaccelerateearlyembryonicgrowthasevidencedbya shortenedgestation lengthwithoutcompromisingcalfbirthweight.BAckgRound:

Reindeer bred early in the breeding season (Aug. 27)have a longer mean gestation length (224.7 ± 0.73 days)comparedtoreindeerbredlaterinthebreedingseason(Sept.25:216.2±1.02days).Theunderlyingmechanismsforthisphenomenonareunknown,althoughthereissomeevidencein domestic ruminantsthatelevatedprogesteroneinthefirst4-10daysofgestationmayenhancetrophoblastgrowthandembryonicdevelopment.Wehavefoundhigher(P<0.001)progesteroneconcentrations inreindeerbred latecomparedto progesterone concentrations when these same reindeer werebredearlyintheseason.Wehypothesizethiscouldbeaneventdrivenbytheseasonalhormonemelatonin.

Thisstudyaddressesthefollowinghypotheses:• Hypothesis 1: Elevated progesterone during the

first5-12dayspost-conceptionwill improvepregnancyrate and shorten gestationlengthinreindeerbredearlyintheseason(Aug.27/28).

• Hypothesis 2: Exposure to subcutaneousmelatonin implants (24mg) for 21 days before estrussynchronizationwillimprovepregnancyrateandshortengestationlengthinreindeerbredearlyintheseason(Aug.27/28).

approach and progressHypothesis 1: Elevated progesterone during the first

5-12 days post-conception - Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station

TwentyreindeerhadestrussynchronizedusingmodifiedCIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Releasing device, Eazi-Breed CIDR, Pfizer Animal Health, www.pfizerah.com)on Aug. 17, 2009. At CIDR removal seven days later thereindeerweregiven15mgofPGF

2αandweredividedequallybetweentwoharemswheretheyremainedwiththebullsforsevendays.Atharembreak-up,fivefemalesfromeachharem(Group1, total females 10) received a secondCIDR for afurthersevendays(estimated5-12dayspost-breeding)whiletheremainingreindeer(Group2,also10members)actedasanearly-bredcontrol.OnSept.15thereindeerwereplacedin pens with a genetically different bull from their harembull.Calving dates and calf birthweightswill be collected

29


duringspring2010andhairsamplesfromcow/calfpairswillbeanalyzedattheUCDavisgeneticslabtoconfirmsireand,hence,timeofbeeding.

Hypothesis 2: Exposure to melatonin – Robert G. White Large Animal Research Station

Twentyreindeerweredividedintotwogroupsbalancedfor age andweight.Gr. 1 received a subcutaneous implantat the base of the left ear containing 24 mg melatonin(manufacured by Melatek, LLC and sold through MWIVeterinarySupply,www.melatek.net)onJuly28,2009(threeweeksbeforeestrussynchronization).Bothgroupshadestrussynchronized with modified CIDRs on Aug. 18, 2009.CIDRswereremovedsevendayslaterandthereindeergiven15mgPGF

2αi.m.andplacedinoneoftwoharems.Femalestreatedwithmelatoninweredividedbetweenthetwoharems.Theyremainedinharemforsevendaysafterwhichthebullswere removedand the females remained together andweremanagedidenticallyuntilcalving.impact

Understanding these mechanisms and ultimately theirpotential impact on blastocyst survival, fetal developmentand calf growth are important to breedingmanagement ofreindeer, especially if techniques like artificial inseminationaretobeapplied.grants/funding

USDAHatchandWesternSungrantCenter

High Latitude Range Management curriculumGreg Finstad,LeeHaugenpurpose

The HLRM curriculum was amended to includecourseworkandtraininginthemeatscienceswithdeliveryofaMobileSlaughterUnittoNome,Alaska.approach

AMobile Slaughter Unit was designed with increasedfloorspacetoaccommodateon-siteobservationandhands-on training of students in the slaughtering and processingof reindeer carcasses. The HLRM curriculum providescourseworkforlocalpeopletocommerciallydevelopavailablenaturalresourcesinasustainablemanner.progress

Two HLRM courses were taught this year while onestudentwillhavecompletedcertificaterequirementsandwillbegraduatinginMay2010.Workbeganontheoperationalplans and meat science instructional manual and materials to beusedinconjunctionwiththeMSU.impact

This curriculumprovides a critical link to integrate aneducationalplatformwithlocalanimalproductionresearch,andtoprovidetheregionaleconomywithahighlymarketableproduct.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on feed intake and weight gain of reindeerGreg Finstad,GeorgeAguiarpurpose

Abarley-basedrationhasbeendevelopedbytheReindeer Research Program which is readily consumed by reindeer andresults inrapidweightgain.However, the feedingofapredominatelygraindiettoaruminantcanleadtometabolicdisturbances such as acidosis. The conventional livestockindustryusesdietarybuffers (e.g.bicarbonates,hydroxides,and silicates) toneutralize ruminalacidity,whichpromotesanimal performance. The purpose of this project was toevaluatetheeffectonfeedintakeandperformanceofreindeerfed a cereal grain-based diet supplemented with sodiumbicarbonate.approach

The project was conducted at the Agricultural andForestryExperimentStationwithreindeerfromtheReindeerResearch Program. In May of 2009 twelve cow/calf pairswererandomlyallocatedintotreatmentandcontrolgroups.Alltwelvecow/calfpairswerefeda60percentbarley-based,milled ration ad lib for five weeks. The treatment groupwas fed a ration supplemented with 1.5 percent sodiumbicarbonateofthetotalfeedfed.Dailydrymatterintakeoffeedwasmonitoredandrecordedandcow/calfpairsweighedweekly.progress

Animalsfedthesodiumbicarbonatesupplementeddietate significantly less and gained less than control animalsduringthefive-weektrial.impact

Feedinghighenergydietssupplementedwith1.5percentsodiumbicarbonateisacommonpracticetoreduceeconomiclossduetoacidosisinfeedlotbeefproduction.Resultsfromour study suggest that commonly used techniques in thebeef industrymaynotbeapplicable toreindeeroperations.Preliminary results confirm that a barley-based dietsupplementedwithsodiumbicarbonateat1.5percentcausesa decrease inDMI along with a decrease in weight gain.Reducingthepercentageofsodiumbicarbonatesupplementwithin a barley-based ration may prove to be effective inreindeer.grants/funding

USDAHatch

biofuelsLow NOx biodiesel production from Pacific Island feedstocksJ. Andres Soria;RichardOgoshi(Univ.ofHawaii);IanGurry(AmericanSamoaCommunityCollege);MariMarutani(Univ.ofGuam);DilipNandwani(NorthernMarianasCollege);JamesCurrie(CollegeofMicronesia);DarrinMarshall(UAA)

30


purposeThis multistate, collaborative project is designed to

produce low NOx-emission biodiesel from tropical plantsthat grow in thePacific Islands andHawaii, as ameansofdeveloping a sustainable and environmentally friendlyfuel source that can help offset petroleum-based fuel andemissions.Selectedplantsincludejathropa and coconut.approach

The collaborating teams from the Pacific Islands andHawaiiwillcollectthefruitsfromtheselectedtreespeciesandextracttherawoil.TheoilwillbeshippedtotheUAFAFESPalmerResearch&ExtensionCenterforcharacterizationandtransformationintobiodiesel.Thebiodieselwillberuninavehicleanditsbehaviormeasuredusingadynamometerandemissionsanalyzer.Acorrelationbetweentheemissionsandbiodieselcharacteristicsalongwiththeoriginalharvestingsitewillhelpdeterminetheenvironmentalfactorsthatinfluencethefinalproductbehaviorinthevehicleuse.progress

Collaborators from the Pacific Islands have shippedcoconut,kamani,andjathropaoilsfromtheCommonwealthof theNorthernMarianas Islands.OtherpartnershavenotyetshippedanysamplestoUAFforconversionandanalysis.impact

Thedevelopmentofarenewablefuelsourcefromlocallyavailablespeciesisamajorbenefitoftheresearch,especiallyforthesmallisolatedcommunitiesinthePacificRim,which,justlikeinAlaska,relyonimportedfuels.Thedevelopmentofacleanerbiodiesel thatcanbeused tooffset theirdieseluse,suchasinoutdoormotors,isabenefitofconsideration.Furthermore, the researchmaybe a catalyst for promotinga secondary industry, in the planting, growing, managing,harvesting,andprocessingoftheoilspeciesstudied.grants/funding

WesternSungrantCenter

Potential perennial lignocellulosic energy crops for AlaskaStephen D. Sparrow, Mingchu Zhangpurpose

The high cost of petroleum-based fuels in Alaska,particularly inremoteareasofruralAlaska,hasresultedinhigh interest in local, renewable energy sources, includinggrowingcropsforbioenergy.Thepurposeofthisresearchistoscreenvarioustrees/shrubs,perennialgrasses,andperennialforbsaspotentialbioenergycropsforAlaskaandtodeterminebest management practices for efficiently producing bio-energycrops.approach

Field research plots were established at Fairbanks andPalmerin2008.In2009,threewillowspecies,felt-leafwillow(Salix alaxensis), Pacific willow (S. lasiandra), and balsampoplar (Populus balsamifera) were established on poorlydrained soil at Fairbanks.The same species plus two alder specieswereplanted inunreplicatedplots atDelta Junction

in2009.Grassplotspreviouslyestablishedforotherpurposeswere used for biomass energy trials in 2008 at Fairbanksandagainharvestedin2009.Inaddition,grassplotsfromapreviousstudyatDeltaJunctionwereusedforbiomasstrialsin 2009 and includedCarlton smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis),Nortrantuftedhairgrass(Dechampsia caespitosa),andWainwrightslenderwheatgrass(Elymus trachycaulus)managedunder three nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100 kg N/ha)andthreeharvesttimingregimes(twocutsperseason,singleharvestinthefall,singleharvestinspringofsucceedingyear).progress

AtFairbanks, for fallharvest at thehighnitrogen rate,yieldsaveragedovertwoyearswere7,950kgdrymatterperhaforsmoothbromegrass,6,470kg/haforhairgrassand5,650kg/haforwheatgrass.Smoothbromegrasshadmuchhigherwatercontentthanthenativegrasses; thiswouldreduce itsgross energy value. Spring harvest yields were 3,775 kg/haforsmoothbromegrass,5650kg/hafortuftedhairgrass,and4,430 kg/ha for slender wheatgrass, indicating significantyieldlossesoverwinter,especiallyforsmoothbromegrass.AtDeltaJunctionin2009forthefallharvestunderthehighNrate, smoothbromegrassproduced6,710kg/hadrymatter,tuftedhairgrassproduced7,100kg/haandslenderwheatgrassproduced 5,190 kg/ha.We do not yet have spring harvestyieldsatDeltaJunction.Atbothlocations,harvestingtwice(mid-seasonandatendofseason)producedsimilaryieldstoasingleharvestattheendofthegrowingseason,indicatingnoadvantagetoatwo-harvestmanagementregime.DrymatteryieldsforallspecieswereincreasedbyadditionofNfertilizerup to thehighestNrate.Apreliminary studyatFairbanksshowed yields of 5,530 kg/ha for fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) and 6,490 kg/ha for bluejoint reedgrass(Calamagrostis canadensis),bothspeciesnativetothearea.Weintendtoaddadditionalspeciesandstudysitesin2010.impact

Sincethestudyisinitsinfancy,itistooearlytoprovideimpacts.Expectedimpactsincludeprovisionofmanagementinformation for farmers and communitieswishing to growbiomasscropsforenergyuseinAlaska.grants/funding

USDA-NIFA,Hatch

controlled environment productionLight emitting diodes (LEDs) for greenhouse cropsMeriam Karlsson,JeffWernerpurpose

Light emitting diodes show promise to complementand replace thehigh intensitydischarge (HID) lampsnowcommonlyusedforlightingcropsingreenhouses.ThisstudywasinitiatedtoevaluateplantgrowthanddevelopmentunderlightfromLEDs.approach

LEDswereused to grow theblack-eyedSusan cultivarToto. Three panels of LEDs were evaluated. One panel

31


was assembled of red LEDs (peak emission at 665 nm)supplemented with 10 percent blue LEDs (peak emissionat 456 nm).The tri-band panel had a combination of 40percentred(660nm),40percentorange-red(630nm),and20percentblue(460nm)LEDs.ThethirdpanelconsistedofallwhiteLEDs.Thefrequentlyusedhigh-pressuresodium(HPS)andmetalhalide(MH)lampsforgreenhouselightingwerealsoincluded.Theairtemperaturewasaconstant68°Fandthelightintensityforalllamptypeswasapproximately750 foot-candles. Net photosynthetic rates were measuredwhentheplantshadfullydevelopedbudsbutnoopenflowers.progress/result

PlantgrowthandfloweringwereslightlyfasterundertheHPSandMHlamps.Still the ratesofphotosynthesisweresimilar,suggestingtheintensityoflighttobemoreimportantfor driving photosynthesis and growth than the type ofspectrumtheLEDsorHIDlampsprovided.impact/implications

Tomakegreenhouseproductionfeasibleundertheshortdaysandlowlightconditionsofthenorth,energyeffectivelightingtechnologiesarerequired.Thecharacterizationoflesselectricalenergyuse,extendedlamplifeandopportunitiesforcustomizing the type of light has brought attention to thetechnology of LEDs for greenhouse lighting. Results fromthisstudysuggestthepotentialforusingLEDstolightfuturegreenhouses,althoughadditionalresearchoncropresponsesisneeded.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Specialty plastic coverings and strawberriesMeriam Karlsson,JeffreyWernerpurpose

High tunnels offer opportunities to increase yield,improvequality, and extend thefield season forhighvaluecrops.Undernorthernconditionswithnaturallyextremedaylengths and short seasons, high tunnels coveredwith non-traditional plastic materials may more effectively supportcropproductivity.approach

The strawberriesTributeandFernwereevaluatedinthefieldandinhightunnelscoveredwiththematerialsK50Clear,K50 IR/AC, andKoolLite380 fromKlerk’sPlasticProductManufacturing (Richburg,SouthCarolina)andaVisqueenmaterial called Solatrol.Tribute is a day-neutral strawberryandFernisaneverbearingselection.progress/result

Harvest started at the endof July and continueduntilendof season frost onSeptember20.All fourhigh tunnelenvironmentsresultedinhigheryieldsthanthefielddespiteanexceptionallywarm2009season.FerninthehightunnelwithaKoolLite380coveringhadthehighestyieldat12.6ozperplant.Theharvestwasreducedtoabout8ozperplantfortheK50Clear,K50IR/AC,andSolatrolenvironments.In comparison, the outside production was 4.7 oz. The

KoolLite380 covering was also most favorable for Tribute(8.9oz), followedbyK50Clear andK50 IRat8.2ozperplant.Outside thehigh tunnels,yieldwas3.8ozperplantforTribute.TheKoolLite380materialwascomparabletothecommonlyusedK50Clear,whichmoderatestheenvironmentduringhightemperaturepeaks.Duringthewarmsummerof2009,theimprovedtemperaturecontrolinKoolLite380hightunnelswasbeneficialforgrowingstrawberries.impact/implications

Theresultssuggesthightunnelsaresuitableforgrowingstrawberries.The KoolLite380material is a good coveringmaterialforstrawberriesduringexceptionallywarmseasons.Wehave shownearlier that theK50IR/ACcoveringkeepstheenvironmentslightlywarmerasnighttemperaturedropsinthefall.Sinceweatherconditionsareunpredictable,usingseveralhightunnelsandcoveringmaterialsisrecommendedtoensureongoingproductionthroughouttheseason.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Retractable flat-roof high tunnel JeffreyWerner,Meriam Karlssonpurpose

In thisproject, theuse andapplicationof a retractableflat-roofhightunnelaretestedtoimprovecropperformanceunderfieldseasonconditions.approach

A retractable double-layer flat-roof high tunnel waserected on the FairbanksExperimentFarmduringthe2009fieldseason.progress/result

Theflatroofhightunnelcoversafieldareaof36by60feetwith12feettallposts.Thestructureisequippedwithonelayeroftranslucentmaterialandonelayerofblackoutcoveringforphotoperiodiccontrol.Thecoveringsareretractedusinggearmotors(RW4-2,RidderDriveSystems)andcontrolledindependentlywithan integratedclimatecontroller (iGrow1400, Link4 Corporation). The material for the roof is aknittedaluminizedPLS40ABRI fabric (45percent shade,ABLudvigSvensson)suitabletoretainwarmertemperaturesduring colder periods and reflect heat during hot days.Toallowrollup,thetransparentwallmaterialisapolyethylenecurtain (LSSolarWovenUltraPoly,ABLudvigSvensson).TheblackoutmaterialfortheroofandwallsisXLSObscuraFirebreak(ABLudvigSvensson).impact/implications

Opportunity to protect crops from inclement weatheralongwith theability topullback thecovering fornaturalventilation, direct sunlight, and field exposure presentoptimalconditionsforcropproductivity.Comparinggrowthunder twilight-extendedcontinuouslighttoconditionswithtraditionaldailycyclesoflightanddarkwillprovideinsightson plant responses for crop establishment, early seasondevelopment, flowering and fruit set, plant growth habits,frostprotection,yield,andcropquality.

32


grants/fundingUSDAHatchand

Apples in high tunnelsKendraCalhoun,Meriam Karlssonpurpose

This research project is investigating the potential todomesticallygrowappletreesoncold(zone2)sitesininteriorAlaska.approach

Wehave constructed twohigh tunnels (42by96 feet)and planted more than 39 apple varieties inside and in the field adjacent to the structures.We have beenmonitoringclimateandtreedevelopmentsuchasfloweringandfruitingsince2007.OursiteislocatedontheFairbanksExperimentFarmattheUniversityofAlaskainFairbanks,Alaska.progress/result

Atotalof12treesin2008and27treesin2009floweredalthoughwedidnotexpectfloweringandfruitsetuntilthethirdfullgrowingseason.ThefirstopenflowerswereobservedonMay26andfloweringcontinuedthroughthefirstweekofJune.Fifteenofthe27floweringtreesproducedapples.Allfruit-yieldingtreeswereinsidethehightunnelswhilethetwofloweringtreesoutsidedidnotproduceapples.

The harvest was small but more than exceededexpectations.Thesolublesolidcontent(SSC)wasdeterminedinsamplesfromeachharvestedvariety.TheSSClevelisanindicationofthefruitsugarcontentexpressedin°Brix.Theapples varied in size from20 to200gwith sugar contentsbetween6and20°Brix.ThevarietiesAdvance,ArcticRed,Heyer12,Norland,NovaSibirski,Parkland,PF-12,PrairieSun,RedHeart,Rescue,Ukalskoje, and18-8-11producedapplesin2009.Heyer12hadthelargestandRedHeatandRescue the smallest-sized apples.The sweetest apples wereUkalskoje,andRedHearthadthelowestSSCvalues.impact/implications

Weexpecttoidentifyspecificapplevarietiesthatsurviveand produce fruit in zone 2, and explore the use of hightunnelsforappleproductionintheInteriorandotherareasofAlaska.Wearehopingformorecompleteflowering,fruitset,andyieldduringthe2010fieldseasonwithanexpectationof80to90percentofthetreesproducingapples.grants/funding

USDAHatch,CES,SARE

Arsenic absorption in vegetablesJeffBue,JeffreyWerner,Meriam Karlssonpurpose

This study was initiated to evaluate if lettuce absorbsarsenicinwaterusedforirrigation.approach

Two groups of lettuce were grown in greenhouseconditions. The control group was irrigated with wateruncontaminated with arsenic. The treatment group wasirrigatedwithwaterspikedwitharsenictoalevelof1ppm

(1mg/liter).The samplesweredigestedusing amicrowavedigesterandanalyzedforarseniccontent.progress/result

We found that the arsenic concentration in the lettucegrown using arsenic-contaminated water was 1.125 ppmcompared to a concentration of 0.024 ppm in the controlgroup.impact/implications

HighlevelsofarsenicingroundwaterandwellsarenotuncommonaroundFairbanksduetothegeologicalmineralsofthebedrock.Questionsfrequentlyariseconcerninguptakeinvegetablegardenswhenwateredwitharsenic-contaminatedwell water.The results suggest lettuce takes up significantamounts of arsenic when irrigated with arsenic-containingwater. More research is needed to establish absorptionabilitiesofothergardenvegetablesbesideslettuce,aswellastherelationbetweentheconcentrationintheirrigationwaterand the arsenicconcentrationinvegetables.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Flowering primrose Meriam Karlsson,JeffreyWernerpurpose

Longdaysoracoolingperiodhavebeenusedtopromptflowering in primrose (primula). Flowering in the recentlyreleasedprimrosesOrionandPrimeraisnotwellunderstoodorknown.Thisstudywasinitiatedtoevaluatetheeffectofcooling and day length on the development of flowers intheseselections.approach

Seven-week-old seedlings of Orion and Primera wereplacedat40°Ffortwo,four,orsixweeksandthentransferredtoagreenhousekeptatapproximately68°F.Incomparison,one setofprimroses remained in thegreenhousewithoutacooltreatment.Plantswerealsogrownatshortandlongdaysat 60 or 68°F.Time to floweringwas recorded as the firstflowerswerefullydevelopedandopen.progress/result

Theresponsetodaylengthwaslimitedforbothselectionswithjustafewdaysfasterfloweringatlongdays.Floweringat60°Fandlongdayswasrecordedafter52daysforPrimeraand after 62 days for Orion. A 36-day greenhouse periodwas sufficient for flowering in Primera after two weeks ofcooling.ThequickestfloweringforOrionwasat47daysinthegreenhousefollowingfourweeksofcooling.Sixweeksofcoldresultedindelayedfloweringforbothvarieties.impact

Understandingpatternsofcropdevelopmentinresponseto climatic conditions is useful for efficient greenhouseproduction,particularlyasenergycostsarehighandefficientuseofheatedgreenhousespaceisessential.grants/funding

USDAHatch

33


Field and high tunnel production of snap beansMeriam Karlsson,JeffWernerpurpose

Wecompared theyieldof snapbeansgrown in ahightunnelenvironmentwiththeproductivityofbeansgrowninanunprotectedopenfield.approach

The selected cultivarswereConcesa,Provider, Stayton,andGoldRush.Providerisawell-establishedgreenbeanfornorthern conditions, Concesa and Stayton produce tenderbean pods of smaller diameter, andGoldRush is a yellowwax-typesnapbean.Thebeanswereseededinagreenhouseand transplantedninedays later, on June4, 2009, inhightunnelandfieldlocations.progress/result

HarvestwasinitiatedonJuly25andcontinuedthroughSeptember1.Thehightunnelenvironmentwasbeneficialforthe includedcultivarsdespitethewarmsummerconditionsof2009.Providerhadthehighestyieldforathree-foot-longdoublerowofbeans,at14lbs.ThehightunnelyieldforGoldRush and Stayton was 12 lbs. Under field conditions, theharvestwassimilar (11.5 lbs) forProvider,GoldRush,andStayton.Concesaproducedthesmallestamountsofbeansat8.5lbsinthehightunneland7.8lbsinthefield.Theaverageweightofindividualpodswas0.28ouncesforProvider,0.23ounces forGoldRush,0.17ounces forConcesa, and0.15ouncesforStayton.impact/implications

High tunnels are advantageous even during seasons offavorable weather conditions for producing snap beans. Inaddition to promoting yields, a high tunnel environmentoften results in exceptional quality beans for capturingpremiumpriceonhigh-endspecialtymarkets.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Early short day treatment of sunflowersMeriam Karlsson,JeffWernerpurpose

The sunflower selections Red/Lemon Bicolor in theProCut series and Sunbright Supreme were evaluated forfloweringunderfieldconditions.approach

The sunflowers were seeded in a greenhouse andtransplanted into the field fourteen days later. Groups ofplantsweregrowninacontrolledenvironmentusinghigh-pressuresodiumlampsorlightemittingdiodes(LEDs)andinagreenhousewithnaturallight.Theseedlingsweregrownfromgerminationtotransplantingunder16-hourlongdaysorwithdarkfrom6pm to 8 Amforshortdays.progress/result

Sunbright Supreme flowered forty-five days fromplanting after short days during the seedling stage. Incomparison, longdays resulted in amonth-later flowering.

TheonlyexceptionwasunderLEDswhere shortand longday conditions resulted in slowerflowering independentofthedaylength.Earlyfloweringcamewithshorterplantsat42inchescomparedto76inchesforthelaterfloweringplants.WehaveshownearlierthatR/LBicolorhaslimitedresponseto early day length conditions. The results here confirmthosefindingswithfloweringapproximatelyfiftydaysfromtransplantingindependentofearlydaylengthconditions.impact/implications

Providingshortdayspriortotransplantingwillshortentime to flower for some types of sunflower.More researchis needed to determine the potential for using LEDs toadministerashortdaytreatmenttohastenflowering.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Working with local greenhousesJeffreyWerner,Meriam Karlssonpurpose

Wehavedevelopedpartnershipswith localgreenhousestofieldtestresearchfindingsanddevelopbestmanagementprocedures for high-latitude greenhouse operations. Thesepartnerships also offer opportunities for high school andcollegestudentstoparticipateinapprenticeworktraining.approach

At the greenhouse operated by the Pike’s WaterfrontLodge,techniquessuitablefornorthernconditionsareusedand demonstrated throughout the summer season. Theproductiongreenhouseheatedandpoweredfromgeothermalresources at the Chena Hot Springs Resort uses growingtechniques modified for year-round crop production.Educational tours and programs on production techniquesandUAFresearchresultsaregivendailythroughouttheyearatChenaHotSpringsResortandduringthesummeratPike’sgreenhouse.progress/result

Thegeothermalgreenhouseproducessufficientamountsof lettuce and tomatoes to support the restaurant at the ChenaHotSpringsResort.The large seasonalvariations inlight, day length, and temperature necessitate continuousadjustmentsinproductionapproachandmanagement.Thesechallengingconditionsstimulateresearchonthefundamentalunderstandingofplantsforcontinuousdevelopmentofmosteffective crop production methods. In Pike’s greenhouse,plants are grown for landscapingof theproperty aswell astomatoesfortherestaurantduringthesummermonths.

ThesustainableenergyapproachatChenaHotSpringsResort draws constant interest and the well-attendededucationalprogramsonoperationandproductionmethodsat thegeothermalgreenhouseareconductedseveral timesaday.AtPike’s,cropproductiontechniquesandinformationabout UAF research and Alaska agriculture are presentedat daily formal and self-guided educational tours. Theseinstructional programs at Chena Hot Springs and Pike’sattractparticipants fromthe localpopulation,visitors from

34


variouspartsofAlaska,andtouristsfromallovertheworld.Thesocio-economicbackgroundsandeducationallevelsvaryextensivelyamongtheattendingindividuals.

The Chena Hot Springs and Pike’s greenhouses, incollaboration with UAF and SNRAS, also offer trainingand summer job opportunities for high school FFA andcollege students. At Pike’s, in addition to taking care ofthe greenhouse and the grounds, the students provide thedailyeducationalprogramsandanswerquestions related togreenhouse and local crop production, and their summeremploymentexperience.impact

Opportunity to view practical applications stimulatesinterest and encourages Alaskans to develop greenhouseprojects for production and education. Practical hands-ontraining prepares students for successful careers followinghighschoolandcollege.ThesepartnershipsalsooffereffectiveinformationdisseminationonUAF research to commercialproducersandthepublic.grants/funding

USDA Hatch; Chena Hot Springs Resort, Pike’sWaterfrontLodge(in-kinddonations)

field crops & field managementSelection, variety testing, and evaluation of cultural practices for alternative agronomic crops for AlaskaRobertM.VanVeldhuizen,Mingchu Zhang, Stephen D. Sparrowpurpose

This ongoing research provides a yearly update ofinformation on new and better adapted agronomic cropvarieties (small grains and oilseeds) and their response todrylandfarmingconditionsandharvestmethodsatFairbanks,DeltaJunction,andPalmer.Italsoprovidesadatabaseforlocalproducerstodeterminetheeconomicviabilityforthosecrops.approach

Weusevarietytrials forcontinuedevaluationofspring6-row feed barley, 6-rowhulless barley selections, hard redspringwheat,andoilseedsincludingPolishcanola,Argentinecanola,hybridcanola,orientalandbrownmustards,yellowmustard, camelina, and dwarf, open-pollinated SunwheatselectedfromnorthernCanadianandUSsourcesfortestingagainstthestandardAlaskavarieties(Otalspringfeedbarley,Thualhullessbarley,Ingalhardredspringwheat,andRewardPolishcanola)forearlymaturityandhighyields.Replicatedtrialsof all varietieswereplantedat all three test locations,withtheexceptionofoilseedvarietieswhichweretestedonlyatFairbanksandDeltaJunction.progress

Summer growing conditions at all three locationswereslightly warmer and drier compared with the long-term

averages.Smallgrainandoilseedyieldswereaboutequaltothelongtermaverage.Averagetestweights(anindicatorofripeness)were lower thanthe longtermaveragedue to thedrier conditions. Plant height characteristics and lodgingwere about equal to the long-term average values. Averageyields for the feed barley at all locationswere about equalto the standard test variety,Otal.The final selection froma hulless, 6-row, barley cross that was made in 2008 wasofficiallyreleasedin2009as‘Sunshine’.Sunshinehadhigheryields,onetotwodaysearliermaturityand15percentbetterlodging resistance compared to the standard hulless barley,Thual, at all locations. Average yields for hard red springwheatwereaboutequaltothestandardtestvariety,Ingalatallthreelocations.WinterryewastestedonlyattheFairbankslocationwithyieldsslightlyhigherthanwheatbutmaturitywas significantly later. Argentine canola, hybrid canola,oriental,brownandyellowmustardyieldsweresignificantlylowerthanstandardtestvariety,RewardPolishcanola.Theyarelatermaturingwhichresultedingreen,unripe,andhighmoisture seed at harvest. The Polish canola and camelina varietieshadaverageyieldssimilartothestandardtestvariety,Reward, at the Fairbanks and Delta Junction locations.The dwarf, open-pollinated Sunwheat variety, MidnightSunflower,resultedinyieldsthatwereslightlyhigherthanthelong-termaverage.TherewerenooilseedtrialsplantedatthePalmerlocation.For2010,testingofspringandfallplantedsmallgrainsandoilseedvarietieswillcontinue.

ThreeharvestmethodsforPolishcanolaweretestedagainin2009inanattempttoincreaseseeduniformityatharvestwith an increase in yields and adecrease inhighmoisture,green seed.The threemethods included direct combining,sprayingwithaglyphosphateherbicide(Roundup)tokilltheweedstwoweekspriortocombining,andpushingwithatoolbarsixtoeightinchesoffthegroundtocrimpthemainstemandhalttranslocationofmoistureuptheplantthreeweeksbefore combining.The bestmethod at both locations wasspraying,withhigherthanaverageyieldsandacorresponding1percentgreenseed.Thenextbestmethodwaspushing,withlowerthanaverageyieldsand3percentgreenseed.Theworstmethodwasdirectcombining,withbelow-averageyieldsand4percentgreenseed.

Results fromphosphorus rate andapplicationmethodsfor barley fertilization indicate that a medium rate ofphosphorus applied as a bandwith the seed produced thehighest yields.Continued research into fertilizer carry-overwillbeconductedin2010atalllocations.

The use of a urea volatilization inhibitor to reducenitrogen loss on fall and spring fertilizer applications onbromegrasshaywas continued in2009.Preliminary resultsshowedsignificantammoniavolatilizationoccurringwithoutapplicationof the inhibitor.Thehighest lossoccurredwiththe fall application.Thiswillbe continued into2010withanadditionaltreatmentofaspring/summersplitapplication.impact

ThereleaseofthenewhullessbarleySunshinestimulatedan increased interest in growing adapted small grains

35


for human consumption in both large and small scaleproduction.The harvestmethod of spraying Polish canola with glyphosphate resulted in 2 percent green seed or lessforthethirdstraightyear.Theoilfromthisseedissuitableforuseashumanconsumptionorasabiofuel.ThismakesPolishcanolaaviablecropforAlaska.Resultsfromboththephosphorus and nitrogen (urea) studies show an increasednutrient plant use efficiency and prevention of loss to theenvironment.grant/funding

Hatch General Project Grant—Alternative AgronomicCropsforAlaska(ALK08-06,CRIS0215263)

The effect of forage variety and color of plastic wrap on haylage quality and quantity in AlaskaNorman Harris,BethHallpurpose

Hayproducersoftendonothavesufficientdryweatherto produce good quality hay in southcentral Alaska. Theproduction of haylage, fermented hay, is a viable solutionbecauseitrequireslesstimebetweenthecuttingandbalingof forage. This study examines techniques for productionof quality haylage in Alaska and develops remote sensingtechniquesforestimationofbiomassproduction.approach

Different types of forage were harvested at two timesduringthesummerforhaylageproduction.Thisyearwebaledthehaylageusingthreedifferentcolorsofplasticwrap;black,white, and green. Self-recording thermistors were insertedintothebales torecordtemperaturesat theplastic’s surfaceandat the centerof thebale.At the endof a three-monthstorageperiod,sampleswerecollectedforfiberanalysisandhighperformanceliquidchromatography.Thermistorswereremovedatthistime.progress

Thecoloroftheplasticwraphadaneffectonthesurfacetemperature of the plastic.Thewhite plasticwrap reachedamaximumtemperatureof52°Cwhileboththeblackandgreen plastic almost reached 60°C. However, the internaltemperatures for all bales were not statistically different,around 23°C. Black-wrapped bales showed a darkening ofouter layers indicativeofheatdamagewhilegreen-wrappedbales producedbaleswhichwere visually greenerwhen fedouttotheanimals.impact

Haylage can supply a high-quality feed thatwill fosterincreasedmilkandmeatproductioninAlaska.Asecurelocalsupply of meat and milk will benefit Alaska’s consumers.Remotesensingtechnologywillprovidefarmerswithawaytobetterestimateproductionallowingthemtomakeinformeddecisionsconcerningtheiroperations.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Annual flower cultivar trialsPatricia S. Holloway,GrantE.M.Matheke,KatherineDiCristina;EttaGardiner,JudyWeber(GBGvolunteers)purpose

Annual flowers were evaluated for their usefulness inhomeandcommerciallandscapes.approach

Three hundred fifty-six annual flowers were grown asbeddingplants in a greenhouse (exceptdirect seeded sweetpeas)andtransplantedoutdoorsattheGeorgesonBotanicalGarden during the first week of June.The trials includedforty-sixpastandcurrentawardwinnersfromtheAllAmericaSelections Program. Flowers were grown in unreplicatedbedsforthreeseasons,andplantswereevaluatedweeklyforflowering season, flower quality and quantity, plant heightandspread,diseaseproblems,andfrosttolerance.progress

Seventy-sevenofthe307cultivarstestedshowedexcellentperformancewithanoverallratingof‘4’(outstandingquality,bestofitskind)for2009.Plantsthatratedhighestinflowerquantity, quality and foliage quality included: AfricandaisyBuffBeauty; asterStarlightMix;bidensGoldenStar;butterflyflowerAngelWings;CaliforniapoppyJellyBeans;chrysanthemum Dunnetti Choice Mix; coleus ChocolateSplash, Versa Burgundy to Green, and VersaWatermelon;dahliasBigWow,EmoryPaul,GrandPrix,JayleenG,KelvinFloodlight, Maggie C, Myrtle’s Folly, Redskin, SummerBreeze;dianthusBouquetRose;floweringflaxCharmerMix;GaillardiaMesaYellow;feathergrassCapriccio;greatquakinggrass; Laurentia Avante Garde Blue; marigolds TaishanOrange, PetiteHarmony;milk thistleVariegated;morninggloryGrandpaOtt’s;mosquitoflowerPrettyRose;nemesiaDanish Flag; nicotiana Aztec Sweet Scent; osteospermumBalladeMix;oxypeytalumHeavenBorn;andpansiesMatrixYellowClear,PromisePureSilverAzure,andXXLGolden.impact

Thegreenhouse/nursery/landscapeindustryisthelargestagriculturalindustryinAlaska,andbeddingplantproductionisthebiggestcomponentofthatindustry.ThesetrialsprovidebasicinformationonadaptabilityofflowerstointeriorAlaskagardensforhomeandcommercialuse.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Arctic and subarctic plant genetic resources conservation, research, and information management AlbertoPantoja,BonnieFurman,NancyRobertson,JoeKuhl(ARS)Note:pleaseseeinformationabouttheAgriculturalResearchSer-viceunderPartners&Collaborators,p.9.

purposeAgriculturaldevelopmentincircumpolarregionsdepends

upontheavailabilityofabroadgeneticbaseofplantcultivars

36


adaptedtolongday,shortseason,andcoolclimateconditions.Thebiologicalpropertiesofmosthigh-latitudenativeplantandcropspeciesarepoorlyunderstood,especiallyinplanthardinesszonesnot found intheconterminousUS.Characterizationsof germplasm and subsequent documentation of data arecritical forgermplasmmanagementandutilization, and thedevelopmentofnewcropsfornorthernlatitudes.There isaneedforincreasedresearchtoimprovemanagementofarctic/subarcticgermplasmandtounderstanddiseaseetiologies,host-pathogen interactions, and disease vector relationships.Thegoalsofthisprojectaretoconserve,evaluate,anddistributeabroadspectrumofgeneticresourcesofplantsadaptedtoshortcoolseasonsandalongphotoperiod,togenerateandmanageassociatedinformation,andtoprovideascientificbaseforitsuseinresearchandcropimprovement.approach

The USDA/ARS/National Plant Germplasm System(NPGS)isresponsibleformaintainingadiversecollectionofplantgeneticmaterialintheUS.TheSubarcticAgriculturalResearchUnit is the primaryUS location for preservationof plant germplasm important as food, feed, medicine,land reclamation, and site remediation in arctic/subarcticzones.This project is the only ARS plant genetic resourceconservationunitinthecircumpolarregion.ThegermplasmcollectioninPalmermaintainsapproximately400accessions.Research projects on targeted plant species include, butare not limited to,: Rheum, Carex, Juncus, Calamagrostis, Deschampsia,andAngelicaspp.Otherspeciessuchaspotato,lupine, clover,blackmedic,barley, currant, strawberry, andotherfruitsarebeingstudiedorwillbestudiedonthePalmersitetohelpotherNPGSunits.

Toachieveourobjectives,we:• Conserve and regenerate priority crops, crop

varieties, native species, and other NPGS geneticresourcesadaptedtocircumpolarandotherhighlatituderegionsefficientlyandeffectivelyanddistributesamplesandassociatedinformationworldwide.

• Strategically expand the genetic diversity ingenebankcollectionsandimproveassociatedinformationforprioritygeneticresourcesofcrops,cropvarieties,andnative plant genetic resources adapted to circumpolarandotherhighlatituderegions.

• Strategically characterize (“genotype”) andevaluate(“phenotype”)priorityRheum, Deschampsia,andother selected genetic resources formolecularmarkers,morphological descriptors, and key agronomic orhorticulturaltraits.

• Elucidatetheeffectsofkeyassociatedinsects and pathogens on selected crops, crop varieties, and nativeplantgeneticresourcesadaptedtocircumpolarandotherhighlatituderegions.

progress and impactConsiderableprogresshasbeenmade in theevaluation

ofthePalmergermplasmcollection.Acompleteinventoryofseedholdings,includingupdatingtaxonomicidentification,germinationstatus,seedweightandnumberofseedhasbeen

completed. Information has been updated on theGenetic Resources Information Network database (GRIN) as wellasonseedcontainers.HistoricalinformationofrhubarbhasbeencorrectedandupdatedonGRIN.

gERminAtion tEStingCompleted germination testing for SARU germplasm

collection. The seed of species such as Carex, Juncus, andCalimagrostis has been in storage formany years subsequentto their transfer to Alaska and seed health was known tobe compromised. Germination testing was carried out.Knowledgeofthestatusofthecollectionisimperativeforfutureconservation,regeneration,andutilizationofthecollection.

hAiRgRASSFifty-five morphological characters and sequenced

nuclearandchloroplastregionsfromarcticDeschampsiawereevaluated. Deschampsia species have been widely utilizedfortheirabilitytostabilizedisturbedareas, includingmetalcontaminatedsites.Italsorepresentsagenuswithcircumpolardistribution at both poles. To access the completeness ofthe NPGS collection it is first necessary to determine thephylogeneticrelationshipofnaturallyoccurringpopulations.Molecular data were collected and evaluated to carry outphylogeneticinferences.

RhuBARBAmplified fragment length polymorphisms previously

applied to rhubarb cultivars in the Palmer germplasmcollection were added to GRIN. A total of 1,400 AFLPmarkershadbeenpreviouslygenerated for46accessionsoftheSARURheumcollectionandtheresultspublished.ThesedatawereaddedtoGRINforaccessbyotherNPGRscientists.

Phenotypic descriptors for Rheum were incorporatedinto GRIN. A total of 26 morphological descriptors werecompleted for accessions of the SARU rhubarb collection.Characterizationofexistingcollectionsisimportantfortheirutilization and future expansion. Existing relationships canalsobeelucidatedandgapsidentified.ThesedataarenowonGRINforutilizationbythepublic.

DigitalimagestodocumenteachoftheRheum accessions were uploaded into the GRIN system. Digital imageryof collection accessions provides a means to documentphenotypes as well as horticulturally important traits.Farmersandscientistscannowaccessthese imagestoassisttheirutilization.

BluEBERRY StudYA blueberry study was initiated in collaboration with

growersintheKenairegionofAlaskaandthenationalClonalGermplasmrepositoryinCorvallis,Oregon.Ninevarietiesofcultivatedblueberryarebeinggrownintwolocations.

lEgumESLegumes are being grown in collaboration with the

Plant Germplasm Introduction andTesting Research Unit

37


in Pullman,Washington.Twohundredeighty-fiveaccessionsfrom the lentil core collection, 17 varieties of peas and 10accessionsofScorpiurusarebeinggrowntotestsurvivalandproductivityunderAlaskagrowingconditions.

viRuS dEtEctionSampledrhubarbfromgermplasmcollectionforpotyvirus

detection,andmorepreciselyforspeciesidentificationsuchasTurnipmosaicvirus.Initiatedpotato and carrotsamplingforAngelicavirusY (AnVY)detection. Initiated large scalepurification for AnVY antiserum production. Continuedsampling barley/grasses/oats plant species for Barley/Cerealyellowdwarfvirusstrains.Confirmedthreeplantvirusesfrompotatosurveybytheirpartialgenomicsequences.Continuedcollectionsandcharacterizationsofpathogensfromdiseasedsmall fruits (blueberry, raspberry, lingonberry, gooseberry,and currant).

Several native larkspur plants in an ornamental gardenwere severely stuntedwithdiscolored leaves.Thepathogenresponsibleforthediseasewasdeterminedtobeanewplantvirus,classifiedwiththepotyviruses,andtentativelynamedDelphinium vein-clearing virus. New viruses detected in nativeplantsmayposeasemergingpathogensthatmayactaspotentialthreatstocropsandhomegardens.

inSEct PEStSInitiatedsamplingAgropyronspeciestoidentifypossible

insectsaffectingseedset.

RhuBARB APhidSTheinsectfaunaassociatedtoRheumspeciesislittleknown

andthereisnoconsensusontheaphidspeciesassociatedwiththis plant. This work was initiated to identify the aphidsassociatedwith rhubarb in theUSDA rhubarb collection inAlaskaandtoidentifypotentialvectorsofvirus.Basedontheirdisease transmission, potential, and abundance in rhubarbfields, fouraphidspecieswere identifiedaspotentialvectors.Information(speciescomposition,phenology,andabundance)needed todevelop integratedpestmanagementsprograms isnowavailabletogrowersandresearchersworkingonrhubarb.

Peonies as field grown cut flowers—field productionPatricia S. Holloway,ShannonPearce,JaniceHanscompurpose

Wehaveconductedresearchsince2001toassistgrowersin identifying all components of peony field cut flowerproductionanddistribution,fromfieldselectionandplantingto post-harvest handling and packaging for export. Thisexperiment addressed three components of the productioncycle:fieldplantingdates,rootqualityandplantproductivity,andpost-harvesthandlingofcutstems.approach

Fifteenrootsoffourpeonycultivarswerepurchasedinlatesummer2007fromonecommercialsource.Fiverootsofeachcultivar were planted immediately into prepared Fairbanks

silt loamsoil.Theremainingrootswerestoredinplasticbagscontainingaslightlymoistenedwoodchip/sawdustmixturefollowing treatment with elemental dusting sulfur andmaintainedat34˚F(1˚C)+2˚Finacoldroom.Fiverootsofeachcultivarwereremovedfromcoldstorageon4April2008andpottedintoapeat-litegreenhousemixandgrownin3gal(11 liter) containers in the greenhouseuntil 1 June.Plantswerewatered, fertilized, andhardenedoff in lateMay, andfieldplanted16July.Thethirdsetofrootswasremovedfromthecooleron14Mayandplantedimmediatelyintothesamefieldasthefall-sownandcontainerizedroots.Datacollectioncommenced in June 2009, one full season after plantingand consisted of non-destructive counts of vegetative andreproductive stems and stemheight.Countswere repeatedinJulyafternewgrowthwasobservedonsomeplants.Datawereanalyzedbytwo-wayanalysisofvarianceforcultivarandplantingdateeffectsandinteraction.SarahBernhardtrootsandcrownbudswereweighed,countedandmeasuredpriortoplanting inorder to learn if a correlationexistsbetweenroot quality and subsequent growth and flowering. Rootswere planted in the same field as above in autumn, 2008.Data on plant growth were collected beginning in midsummer,2009.InJuneandJuly2009,floweringstemswereharvestedattheproperstageforcutflowerproductionandhandledinavarietyoftreatments:directlyintoavase,placed

Shannon Pearce at the Fairbanks Experiment Farm summer 2009 in a peony trial patch.


38


directlyintobucketsofwater,heldforoneorthreehoursdryorplaceddirectlyintoacoldroomwithorwithouttrimmingthestems,at(34˚F).Onceinthecoldroom,stemswereheldforoneweekdryorinwater,thenwereplacedincontainersofwateratroomtemperature(68˚F)torecordvaselife.progress

In a comparisonofplanting times (autumn, spring,oras containerized plants in midsummer), Sarah BernhardtandFelixCrouseshowednodifferenceinshootnumberandgrowthonefullyearafterplanting.DuchessdeNemoursandAlexanderFlemingshowedsignificantreductions ingrowthcomparedtotheothercultivars,andwesuspectdiseaseratherthanplantingtimeastheproblem.InalltreatmentswherebudbreakhadoccurredinstoragewithDuchessdeNemoursandAlexanderFleming,newshootsrotted,andrecoverywasslow.Atreatmentofelementalsulfurwasnotsufficienttoprotectrootsfromstoragerot.Threerootattributeswerecorrelatedwith the totalnumberof stemsproduced: totalnumberofeyesperplant,totalnumberofrootsperplantandrootfreshweight. Characteristics such as root length and maximumdiameter were not correlated with subsequent growth.Wefoundno relationshipbetween any root characteristics andnumberoffloweringstemsandfoliageheightinthefirstyear.Bestmethodsofhandlingpeonycutflowersforgreatestvaselife include cutting peonies dry and storing themdry in acooler(34˚F)at80+%relativehumidityuntilshipping.Useofwaterinbucketsinthefieldorpulsingflowerswithwaterin the cooler does not improve vase life of peonies.Underoptimumconditions,SarahBernhardtpeonies lastedup to15daysinavase,8-9daysfrombudbreaktofullbloom,andanadditional5-6daysinfullbloom.Chillinginacooleristhemostimportantattributetolongvaselife.impact

There are 33 Alaska peony growers statewide, 15 ofwhomhaveatleast500peoniesintheground.Thebaselineinformation collected in these studies is critical to theidentificationofbestmanagementpracticesforAlaskabothin identifying potential pest problems and elucidating bestmethodsofshippingaqualityproducttotheLower48andpotentiallyworldmarkets.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Commercial Horticulture Program: potatoesJeff Smeenkpurpose

Our goals for the potato projects are to determinethe marketable yields of established yellow-fleshed potatovarietiesthatarenewtoAlaskatablestockpotatogrowers;andtodevelopnewvarietiesofpotatoesforAlaskanichemarkets.The purpose of both the survey and the evaluation of thenon-commercial potatoproducers is to evaluate the risk toAlaska’scommercialseedindustryposedbynon-commercialgrowersthatdonotfollowtheindustrysanitationprotocols.approach and results:

yellow-Fleshed PoTATo TriAls: Eleven yellow-skinnedvarieties, fourdark red-skinnedvarieties and two light red-skinned varieties of yellow-fleshed potatoes were evaluatedfor marketable yields at the Matanuska Experiment Farmat Palmer. Of the yellow-skinned varieties, Satina, YellowFinn,andNicolahadthehighestyields(0.68,0.59,and0.56lbspersqftrespectively).Ofthedarkred-skinnedvarietiesDesireehadthehighestmarketableyield(0.44lb/sqft),andRedGoldledthelightred-skinnedvarieties(0.49lb/sqft).Nineofthevarietieswereduplicatedinthe2009trialwithseedgrowninAlaska(in2008)comparedtoseedgrowninMaine(in2008).The2009yielddatawasinconclusive,withtheAlaska-grownseedout-producingtheMaine-grownseedinfiveofthevarietiesandtheMaineseedout-producingthelocalseedtheotherfourtimes.Thistrialwillberepeatedin2010toseeifthetrendisconsistentovermultipleyears.

novelTy PoTATo evAluATion ProjecT: Eight advancedbreeding lines were evaluated for marketable yields in areplicated trial. The outstanding 2009 growing seasonresultedinlargerthanexpectedtubersforfiveofthevarieties.While these lines were selected for the trait of producingmanysmalluniformtubersthelongergrowingseason,alongwithadequateirrigation,causedseveralofthelinestobulkupandproducesignificantnumbersofUS#1marketabletubers.To screen new material approximately 2,500 accessionswereplanted and about100 lineswere selected for furtherevaluationin2010.

PoTATo virus survey oF non-commerciAl PoTATo Producers: 171 test potatoes from 49 separate plots representing 29communitiesweresproutedinthegreenhouseandfoliagewassenttoacommerciallaboratory(Agdia,Inc.)tobescreenedforPotatoVirusX,PotatoLatentVirus,PotatoLeafRollVirus,andasuiteofPotyviruses.Only3percentoftheplantswerepositiveforinsect-transmittedviruses(fourplantshadPotatoLeafRollVirusand1planthadPotatoVirusA).NoPotatoLatentViruswasobservedand9percentofthesamples(15plants)werepositiveforthemechanicallytransmittedPotatoVirusX.

PoTATo evAluATion by non-commerciAl Producers: Certifiedseedoffivevarietieswassenttosixnon-commercialgrowersforyieldandviruspressureevaluation.Samplesofthetrialswere returned and stored over the winter. The materialis currently growing in the greenhouse and the first 100sampleshavebeensenttothecommerciallaboratoryforvirusscreening.Theresultsareexpectedinmid-May2010.impact

Theimpactoftheyellow-fleshedpotatotrialistoprovideactual yield data for the growers tomake varietal selectiondecisionson.Severalgrowershaveorderedseedofsomeofthevarietiestoevaluatethemundertheirproductionsystem.Thenoveltyevaluationprogramistoonewtohaveimpactonthepotatomarket.Topselectionsarebeingevaluatedbyselectednon-commercial growers to determine market potential.Themajorimpactofthevirussurveyprojectistodocumentthepresenceof low levelsofpotatoviruses in ruralAlaska.Awareness of locations with potato viruses will help seed

39


producersbettermanagetheirdisease-freeseedpotatocrops.ThesepotatofieldtrialsarearesultofasuccessfulUAF-ARScollaboration.grants/funding

FundingfromUSDA-ARS–IntegratedPestManagementProgram

Heirloom vegetable trialsGrantE.M.Matheke,Patricia S. Holloway,KatieDiCristinapurpose

Twenty-sixmodernandheirloomvegetablesweregrownat the Georgeson Botanical Garden in the Ohlsen FamilyFoodGarden to compare yield and quality of older, open

pollinatedcultivarswithmodernhybrids.approach

Cabbage, cucumber, and winter squash cultivars weregrown fromgreenhouse transplants;bushbeans,beets, andkohlrabiweredirectseededintoreplicatedplotsonprepared,fertilized (500 lb/acre 20-10-10s) Tanana silt loam soils.Cucumber and squash transplants were grown throughinfrared-transmittingplasticmulch.Plotsweretrickleirrigatedandhandweeded all summer, thenharvested as vegetablesmatured.Theharvestwasweighedandyieldrecordedalongwithavisualinspectionfordiseasesandinsectdamage.progress

Bush beans yielded 0.44- 1.12 kg/m for all cultivars(modern: Provider,Oregon 54; heirloom:BushBlueLake,Black Valentine), and there were no differences amongcultivars, either modern or heirloom. There was also nodifference among modern or heirloom cultivars of beet(1.16–1.86 kg/m; modern: Red Ace; heirloom: Chioggia,Early BloodTurnip, Egyptian), cabbage (2.12–4.31 kg/m;modern:Arrowhead,Tobia,Deadon;heirloom:EarlyJerseyWakefield, Glory of Enkhuizen, January King), cucumber(5.25-8.3kg/m;modern:Genuine;heirloom:StraightEight,LongGreenImproved,Marketmore76)andkohlrabi(1.90–3.46kg/m;modern:Kolibri,Winner;heirloom:EarlyPurpleVienna,EarlyWhiteVienna)cultivars.OnlyBlueHubbardheirloomsquashout-yieldedallothercultivarsbymorethantwotimes(7.62–1.7kg/m;modern:HeavenlyHubbard,RedOctober;heirloom:BostonMarrow,BlueHubbard).impact

Nationwide, there is great interest in growing open-pollinated, heirloom cultivars. This comparative studywill assist gardeners and growers in determining how wellheirloom vegetablesyieldcomparedtonewer,moreexpensivehybrids.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Vegetable cultivar trialsGrantE.M.Matheke,KatieDiCristina,Patricia S. Holloway;AlfredaGardinerpurpose

Vegetables were grown to evaluate their usefulness inhome and market gardens and to compare new cultivarstostandardsthathavebeengrownintheTananaValleyformanyyears.approach

Eachvegetablecultivaristestedforthreeyearsandwherepossible,comparedtolong-termstandardcultivarsthathaveproven valuable over many years.Warm-season vegetables,celery, leeks, and cole crops were started as greenhousebeddingplantsandtransplantedoutdoorsduringthelasttwoweeks ofMay.All other vegetableswere direct seeded intoFairbankssiltloamsoilfollowingfertilizationwith10-20-20s(4lbper100sqft,195gpersqmeter).Plotswereirrigatedasneeded,andharvestbeganthethirdweekofJunewithspinach

Potatoes in Galena. photo by JodiE ANdErsoN

40


andcontinuedthreetimesweeklythroughSeptember.Dataconsisted of yield aswell as observations on disease, insectpests,off-typeplants,anddeformities.progress

Thefollowingcultivarsreceivedaverygoodtoexcellentratingfollowingthreeyearsofevaluation:artichokeImperialStar; bean Carson Yellow Wax; beets Chiogga, Cylindra,Scarlet Supreme; Brussels sprouts Jade Cross E; cabbagesDeadon,Earliana,JanuaryKing,GloryofEnkhuizen,Tobia,Arrowhead II, Early Jersey Wakefield; carrots Adelaide,Bolero, Sweetness, Tendersweet, Thumbelina; cauliflowersAmazing,Apex,Fremont,Minuteman,SnowCrown;celeryFlorida 683; cucumbers Genuine, Sweet Success, SweeterYet, H-19 little leaf; eggplant Tango; kales Red Russian,Winterbor; kohlrabis Kolibri, Early Purple Vienna, EarlyWhiteVienna;leeksArena,KingRichard,GiantMusselburg;lettucesRevolution,Oscarde;peppersAceFajitaBell,Gypsy,BlushingBeauty;pumpkinsConnecticutField,Lumina,NewEnglandPie,Racer,RockStar;radishRudi;spinachMelody,Spaulding; summer squashMagda, Papaya Pear, Superpik,Eight Ball Jade Bar, One Ball, Raven; winter squash BlueHubbard,BonBon,HeavenlyHubbard;Swiss chardBrightYellow;andturnipTokyoCross.impact

The vegetable cultivar trials provide information forhome and market gardeners to identify appropriate highyielding,goodqualityvegetablesfortheTananaValley.grants/funding

USDAHatch

food policy, security, & sovereigntyMeasuring food security in Alaska Joshua Greenberg,CharlesCasterpurpose

TheaccessofAlaskans tohealthy andaffordable foodsis of primary concern to the state. This study begins aprocesstowardassessingAlaska’scapacitytoprovidefoodforAlaskans.It isalsointendedtoassistcitizens,communities,andthestateinexpandingthiscapacitywiththeendgoalofmakingAlaskamorefoodsecure.approach

AsurveyisbeingdevelopedofcommunityfoodproducersintheInteriorregionofAlaska.Theintentistodevelopaneffective survey instrument that can be extended to otherregionsofthestate.progress

BackgroundresearchonAlaskafoodproductionsystemsand available food production data has been completed.Initialcontactwithkeyinformantshasbeenmade.impact

Increased reliance on imported food has weakenedAlaska’s food security. Effective planning to address thisvulnerability requires understanding Alaska’s current foodproductionanditsabilitytomeetstateneeds.

grants/fundingADAPandUSDAHatch

pests & disease controlIntegrated pest management for Alaska AgricultureAlbertoPantoja,DennisFielding,JeffConn,SteveSeefeldt(ARS)purpose

Since 1973, the winter temperatures in Alaska haveincreasedby2-3˚Cresulting in increasedconcentrationsofinsectsanddiseasesandrenewedattentiontothedevelopmentofthepotentialofagriculturalexpansioninthecircumpolarregion.However,informationonbiologicalpropertiesofhighlatitude pests (weeds,diseases,andinsects),pest interactionwithcrops,andknowledgeofbestpestmanagementpracticesfor agricultural andnatural areas in arctic/subarctic regionsislacking,poorlydocumented,ornotwelldeveloped.Thereisaneedforincreasedresearchtoimprovemanagementandto understand the biology of invasive plants, diseases, andinsectpestsinsub-arcticregions.TheSubarcticAgriculturalResearchUnitistheonlyunitoftheUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture, AgriculturalResearch Service that addressesarctic and subarctic Integrated Pest Management (IPM)research strategies. Primary goals are to develop effective,economical pest management strategies with a minimumof adverse environmental impacts. Objectives includeidentification of insect pests of agricultural importance,predictionofpestdamage,developmentofculturalpracticesfor the integratedmanagement ofweeds and grasshoppers;evaluationoftheecologicalimpactofweeds,andpreventingtheestablishmentofnewinvasivepestsinAlaska.TheworkonIPMwill contribute toenhancedproductivity,profitability,andenvironmentalqualityofAlaska’s farmingindustryandnatural resource areas by reducing threats posed by insectpests,weeds,andpathogensthroughresearchandtechnologytransferresultinginnewandinnovativeIPMstrategies.

Theover-archinggoalof thisproject is todevelopnewknowledge to increase the understanding andmanagementofthebiologyandecologyofnon-indigenousinvasiveplantsandinsectpestsinsub-arcticagriculturalsystems,especiallyinplanthardinesszonesnotfoundintheconterminousUnitedStates.Theproposedresearchprogramisdesignedtoprovideintegratedpestmanagementtechnologiesforweedandinsectcontrol insubarcticenvironmentstosupporttheexpansionofstate,national,andinternationalagriculture.Ourresearchanddevelopmentprogramsprovideuser-friendly,economical,and environmentally acceptable technologies for pestmanagement in subarctic environments. The technologiesdeveloped in Alaska will be relevant to other countries insubarcticenvironments.Theresearchagendaisderivedfromdiscussions with collaborating scientists, Alaska producers,and state and federal agencies. This will be achieved byaccomplishingthefollowingobjectives:1)Monitorandmap

41


thedistributionandspreadofweedsand invasiveplants inhigh-latitudeagriculturalsystemsandimmediatelyadjoiningnatural land for patterns of diversity, origin, and spread toprovidestrategiesforintegratedweedmanagementprogramsin a changing climate;2)Determine expandinghabitatsofselect insect pestsandinsectvectors,includinggrasshoppersasamodel,toelucidatetheimpactoflandscape and climate variables on IPM strategies for sustainable, high-latitudeagriculturalsystems.approach, progress, and impact

Herbicideselectionisnotonlybasedoncontrollingtheweed. Orange hawkweed is a troublesome invasive weedin pastures and open fields in Alaska. ARS Researchersin Fairbanks, Alaska, determined that two herbicides,AminopyralidandClopyralid,wereveryeffectiveatcontrollingorangehawkweed.Aminopyralid isbestusedwheregrassesarethedesirablevegetation,whereasClopyralid,whichdoesnotcontrolasmanybroadleafplantspecies,wouldbebestinareaswheremaintainingspeciesdiversityisdesired.Selectionofthemostappropriateherbicideshouldnotbebasedsolelyon its impact on the intended weedspecies.

Weed seeds can survive for years in the cold soils ofAlaska.Weed seeds that can survive for years in soils cancauseproblemsinthefuture.ARSresearchersinFairbanks,Alaska,determinedthat12of17weedspeciesstillhadviableseedafterbeingburied for25years insoils.Variabilitywashighbetweenreplicates showingthat someseedburial sitesaresaferthanothersforcontinuingseedviability.Theresultsofthisresearchhighlighttheimportanceofdevelopinglong-termstrategiesforthecontrolofweedsincoldclimates.

Grasshoppers may become an annual occurrencein northern regions with changing climate. Currently,grasshopper eggs in this region require two years to hatch.Cohorts inodd-numberedyearsaresparse,whereascohortsof even-numbered years are abundant. ARS researchersfromFairbanksdevelopedpredictionmodelsindicatingthatan increaseof3 to4°Cinsummertemperatureswill resultin a significant proportion of the grasshopper populationswitchingtoaone-yearlifecycle,causingabreakdownofthealternate-yearpopulationdynamics.

Wireworms from interior Alaska are different thanPalmer. Wireworms are becoming more of a problemin potato producing areas, especially where potatoes areseasonally rotated with grasses, like in interior Alaska.ARS entomologists from Fairbanks determined the speciescompositionandseasonalbiologyofadultelateridsassociatedwithpotatoproduction at two localities in interiorAlaska:FairbanksandDeltaJunction.Thespeciescompositionwasdifferentbetweenlocalities;inspiteofthehighestinsecttrapcatch recorded, insect counts in Fairbanks remained lowduringmostoftheseason,indicationthepestloweconomicimportance under the study area.This represents the firstlongtermreportonspeciesdiversityofelateridsinpotatoesfrom interior Alaska and the first time elaterids have beenshownassociatedwithpotatoesinDeltaJunction.

PotAto SEEdThis is part of a collaborative research project with

Jeff Smeenk of SNRAS. Seven non-commercial producerscollaborated with UAF and ARS researchers in a sentinelpotatostudytogrowfivevarietiesofcertifiedseedpotatoesin communities aroundAlaska.During2009 research siteswere inspected for virus symptoms.None of the plants atany site exhibited virus symptoms.While no potatoes hadaphids, 60 aphids were collected from nearby plants.TheARS entomology team identified the aphids as membersof the Euceraphis (18 percent), Myzus (63 percent), andMacrosiphum(18percent)genera.

A colored-flesh potato study was initiated in 2010.Replicatedtrialswereestablishedatsixsitesanddemonstrationplotswereestablishedattwelveadditionalsitestodetermineboth the adaptability of the material and the consumeracceptance of the newmaterial.All sites received the samefournovelcolored-fleshvarietieswhichweredevelopedandselected through the ongoing collaborative effort betweenARSandUAF.

ApotatobiomassstudyhasbeenestablishedattheMEFandthestatewidenetworkofpotatocollaboratorswillsendthetwolargestpotatoesfromeachvariety.Analyticprotocolsare being developed to evaluate the biomass potentials ofthevarietiesandtodetermine impactsofharvestdatesandproductionlocationsontheextractablecompounds.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Distribution, transmission, and molecular characterization of potato phytoplasmas in AlaskaJenifer H. McBeathpurpose

I am investigating the distribution, host range, modeof transmission, and molecular characterization of potatowitches’ broom and other phytoplasma diseases found inAlaska.Athoroughunderstandingofthesediseaseswillaideffectivemanagement and eradicationof thesequarantineddiseases.approach

Toinvestigatethepresenceofphytoplasmainpotatoes,includingpotentiallatentinfection,Icollectedsamplesfrompotato plants in seed lots on farms in the Delta, Eielson,Nenana,Palmer,andWasillaareas.Becauseoftheextremelylowphytoplasmadiseaseincidence,Iconductedasystematicvisual survey of the potato fields for phytoplasma diseases.When I found plants displaying symptoms resemblingphytoplasma,Iharvestedandtestedtheentireplantforthepresenceofphytoplasmadisease.Cloverandotherpotentialwild hosts such as leafhoppers in the potato fields andadjacent areas are also examined and identified, harvested,andtested.Purifiednucleicacidsofasteryellowphytoplasma(phytoplasma group 16Sr I) and clover proliferation andvincarosettephytoplasma(bothmembersofgroup16SrVI)

42


will be obtained as controls.The sequences of 16S rDNAobtainedfromplantsandleafhopperswillbeanalyzedandthephytogeneticdistancetreeofphytoplasmasfoundinAlaskawillbeconstructedbycomparingtheir16SrDNAsequencewiththoseofotherphytoplasmas.progress

FromJunethroughAugust2009,potatoplantsdisplayingsymptomsofphytoplasmadiseaseswerecollectedfromthreefarms in Delta and Point MacKenzie, Alaska. (One asteryellow-diseasedplantwas found.)Thenumbersofwitches’broomandotherphytoplasmadiseasedplants foundinthepotatofieldswere low.Tuberscollectedfromthesediseasedplantsweremaintainedingrowthchambersandcoldroomsfor long-termobservationsandanalysis,respectively.Leavesandstemsharvestedfromdiseasedandhealthypotatoplantswerethenstoredinadeepfreezertoawaitfurtheranalysis.impact

In2003AlaskabecamethefirstUSstateabletoexportseed potatoes to China.Twoofthefourpathogensquarantinedby China are phytoplasmas. A clearer understanding ofthesediseasesinAlaskawillaidthedevelopmentoftoolsforeffectivemanagementofthem.grants/funding

USDAHatch

range managementSpatially modeling the distribution of beef cattle and reindeer on ranges at high latitudes in AlaskaNorman Harris,BethHall,RandyFulweber,Greg Finstadpurpose

ThepromotionofmeatanimalproductionisculturallyandeconomicallyimportantinAlaska.Abetterunderstanding

of animal interactions with their environment will allowproducers to optimize feed rations and minimize adverseimpacts to the landscape.approach

Observationalandtrackingcollardataofdomesticbeefcattle, and semidomestic livestock, reindeer, are analyzedusing spatial/temporal techniques to develop parametersspecific to high-latitude areas for use with the KRESSpredictivemodelingprogram.progress

Data collection for a project studying the relationshipbetween thermal patterns and reindeer calving sites on theSeward Peninsula has been completed. A predictivemodelwas developed by analyzing thermal data and correlatingenvironmentaldatawithlandscapefeatures.Themodelwastestedagainstaverificationdatasetofknownanimalpositionsto assessmodel performance. Amaster’s thesis is currentlybeingwritten.Wearestillconvertingthelastofourpositionaldata for cattle into digital format. Cattle in Alaska showsimilaractivitypatternstoanimalsinotherregionsindicatingthat these activities are unaffectedbyday length.Low-costGPStrackingcollarsweretestedandwillcollecttwo-seconddataforfiveandahalfdaysusingfourD-cellbatteries.Fivecollarsarenowbeingassembledusingthisdesign.impact

ThesemodelingeffortswillgiveAlaskameatproducersmoretoolsfordevelopingcost-effectiveanimalmanagementstrategiesbyincorporatingnormalanimalbehavioralpatternsand environmental factors. The resulting strategies willbenefitlocalconsumersbyfosteringfurtherdevelopmentofanAlaska-basedmeatindustry.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Cattle at the Matanuska Experiment Farm, 2009.AFEs photo

43


High-Latitude Soils

soils Are the fundamental natural resource.They are thebaseforproductionofcrops,rangeforanimals,andforest

growthandyield.Soilsmustbeconsideredintransportationandbuildingconstruction,andplayaprimaryroleinoil,gas,coal,andmineralextraction.Knowledgeaboutcold-climatesoils is crucial for sustainableAlaska resourcemanagement.Climatevariabilityaffectsoursoilbase.Coldsoilsareexperi-encingsignificantchangesthatareinturncausingchangesinnaturalandmanagedecosystems.

Research on high-latitude soils at SNRAS/AFES isfocusedonsoilpropertiesastheyrelatetosoilquality,abilitytoresistandrecoverfromdisturbance,andsoilproductivity;plantnutritionandsoilfertility;andsoilmanagement,landreclamation,andremediationofcontaminatedsoils.SNRAS/AFESresearchersstudytheorigin,formation,andclassificationof soils; permafrost soil characteristics, limitations, andpotential uses; soil responses to and influences on climatechange;soilbiologyandprocessesofborealecosystemsinamanagementcontext;andlong-termsoildata.

high-lAtitudE SoilS REPoRtS:(note: authors listed below are SNRAS researchers)

43 • carbon in soilsCarbon cycle science in the Alaska coastal temperate rainforestDavidD’Amore,DavidValentineImpacts of experimentally induced drought on soil respiration in interior AlaskaDavidValentine,JohnYarieLog decomposition in interior AlaskaJ.Yarie

45 • soil fertilityCharacterizing active soil organic matter pools contributing to soil nitrogen availabilityM.Zhang,AlanZhaoCharacterizing active soil organic matter pools contributing to soil nitrogen availabilityM.Zhang,AlanZhaoEvaluation of phosphorus fractionation and determination methodsM.Zhang,S.D.Sparrow,B.VanVeldhuizen,d.masiak

46 • soil propertiesAssembly, verification, standardization, and analysis of soil pedon data for Alaska with special regard to carbon storage assessmentChien-LuPing,GaryMichaelsonSoils of the arctic tundra in northern AlaskaC.L.Ping,etal.

Key soil properties affecting thermokarst formation in North Slope, AlaskaChien-LuPing,GaryMichaelsonHydric soils study in Alaska C.L.Ping,GaryMichaelson,CindyStiles,MarkClark

carbon in soilsCarbon cycle science in the Alaska coastal temperate rainforestDavidD’Amore(USDepartmentofAgricultureForestService,UAF);David Valentine purpose

Forestsaremajorareasofcarboncaptureworldwideandcarbonaccountingisapriorityforlandmanagementagenciesasameanstomitigategaseousemissions.Forestedecosystemsplayanimportantroleinmitigatingexcesscarbonemissionsin the balance of carbonon earth.Worldwide estimates ofcarbon fluxes are important in understanding gross andnetfluxesofcarbonbetweentheatmosphereandterrestrialecosystems, such as forests. Several important biomes lackdetailed carbonfluxestimates that areused tovalidate andcalibrateglobalmodels.OneoftheseareasistheNorthPacificcoastal margin, including the coastal fringe of southeastAlaska. This project was designed to provide a means tomeasureforestcarbonfluxesacrossarangeofecosytemtypesandscalethesefluxesuptothecoastal temperaterainforestregionforuseincarbonfluxmodels.approach/methods

Measurements of carbon fluxes from terrestrial andaquaticecosystemshavebeentakenacrossasuiteofreplicated,nested study siteswithinmajor ecosystem types in forestedwatersheds.Thesemeasurements are being combined withassociatedcharacteristicsofforeststandstoquantifycarbonsequestrationratesincoastaltemperaterainforests.progress

Measurements of soil respiration rates and associatedtemperature have been combined to establish temperature-drivenmodelsofsoilrespirationratesacrossthehydrologicgradient of ecosystems for southeast Alaska soils. Thesemodels can be applied to similar ecosystems through GIScoverages to upscale estimates of respiration at catchment,watershed,orregionalscalesofmeasurement.Soilrespiration fluxeshavebeencomparedtodissolvedorganiccarbonfluxesfromthereplicatedcatchmentstoestablishratiosforthesetwoimportantcarbonexportpathways in thecoastal temperaterainforest.Thesedataprovidemeasuredvaluesforcalibratingecosystemmodels of carbonflux from the catchments thatwillbefinalizedduringthenextphaseoftheproject.impact

This research has provided the foundation for modelsof carbon fluxes across ecosystem types in the coastaltemperate rainforest. These measurements are closelyassociatedwithvariationsintemperatureandsoilmoisture.Thisassociationisbeingcoupledwithpredictedchangesin

44


regionaltemperatureandprecipitation to provide predictions of carbon flux changes due to climate shifts in the coastaltemperate rainforest. This information will also provideinformationonthemagnitudeofthecarbonsinkorsourceof the coastal temperate rainforest that can be applied toregionalandnationalcarbonaccountinggoals.grants/funding

USForestService

Impacts of experimentally induced drought on soil respiration in interior AlaskaDavid Valentine, John Yariepurpose

This study examineshow the timingof experimentallyinduceddroughtaffectsdecompositionandsoil respiration.Wehypothesizedthat:• snowmelt exclusion would result in an early-seasondrought that would slow tree growth (most ringwidthgrowth occurs relatively early in the growing season)withoutsignificantlyslowingsoilcarbonmineralization,and• throughfall exclusion would result in late-seasondrought that would slow soil carbon mineralizationwithoutsignificantlyaffectingtreegrowth.

approach/methodsThisstudyusesexistingsummermoistureexclusionsites

(threereplicate10x15mplotsinbothuplandandfloodplainlandscapepositions)thathavebeenmaintainedbytheForest SoilsResearchLaboratorysince1989,andaddsanadditionalset of three replicate15x15m snowmelt exclusionplots inbothlandscapepositions.Allrespirationanddecompositionmeasurements began in 2006 in the throughfall exclusionsites,andbeganthesummerfollowingthesnowmeltexclusiontreatment i.e., 2009 in upland sites, 2010 in floodplainsites).Followingestablishmentofsoilrespirationcollars,soilrespiration rates have beenmonitored at biweekly intervalsduringeachgrowingseasonusingaLiCor6262infraredgasanalyzer. Surface soil and air temperatures weremonitoredconcurrentlywiththerespirationmeasurements.progress

Soilrespirationratesin2009continuedtobesignificantlylowerinsummerdroughttreatmentsitesthaninthecontrolsites in both upland and floodplain landscape positions.However, it is not clear yet to what extent differencesin autotrophic respiration (Ra, root respiration) andheterotrophic(Rh,mostlymicrobialrespiration)contributedtotheoveralldifferenceinrespiration.Anewmasterofsciencestudent,EmilySchwing,willusethreeapproachestoaddressthis question during summer 2010. Snowmelt exclusionshelterswerecompletedinfloodplainsitesinsummer2009.impact

Wealreadyknowthatthetimingofmoisturestresshasimportant impacts onfire behavior and severity inAlaska’sboreal forests: late season drought tends to allow morecompletecombustionofsurfaceorganicfuels,whichinturn

makesitmorelikelyforbroadleafdeciduoustreestodominatethepost-fire burned area.This studywill enable us also toexaminehowthetimingofmoisturestressalsoaffectscarboncapture and loss in mid-successional, broadleaf deciduousstands.Iftheresultssupportourhypotheses,thenecosystemmodelerswill have a basis for projecting how boreal forestcarbonbalancemightbealteredbyadryingclimate.grants/funding

McIntire-Stennis,LTER,USForestService

Log decomposition in interior AlaskaJ. Yariepurpose

Logs are a significant carbon andorganicmatter inputintotheforestfloorinnaturalforestecosystems.Thisinputwill have implications on the carbon, organic matter, andnutrientdynamicsofforestsoils.Thepurposeofthisstudyis to document the decompositiondynamicsof logswithininteriorAlaska.approach

Fifteenlogswereplacedontheforestfloorinforeststandsfor eachmajor upland and floodplain vegetation type.Thespecies sampled were aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.),birch (Betula neoalaskana Sarg.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench)Voss)andblackspruce(Picea mariana(Mill)B.S.P.)in upland locations and alder (Alnus tenuifoliaNutt.),balsampoplar (Populus balsamiferaL.),whitespruce,andblackspruceinfloodplainlocations.Eachvegetationtypewasreplicatedsixtimes.Thelogswere4metersinlengthandhadaminimumdiameteronthesmallendof10cm.Also,sample locationswereestablishedinrecentlyburnedecosystemsofuplandandfloodplain white and black spruce. Individual logs will besampledtomonitorchangesinlogcarbon,nutrient,cellulose,andligninconcentrationsoverthenextcentury.Duetothetimingof initial establishmentof all sites, field samplingofdecomposedlogswilloccuronayearlybasis.Thesequenceforsamplingwillfollowaconsistenttimeframeof0,2,5,10,15,20,25,30,andat10-yearintervalstillyear100.progress

Currentlyall timezero, two,five,andten-yearsampleshave been collected for the unburned alder, aspen, birch,balsam poplar, floodplain white spruce, and upland whitespruce sites. Two of the three sets of the 15-year samplesfrom the unburned sites have been completed. Chemicalanalysis is continuing on the collected samples. Additionalsites that represent floodplainblacksprucesitesandburnedwhiteandblacksprucesites inbothuplandandfloodplainlocations have been established.The initial results indicatethat alder displayed the highest decomposition rates withonly34percentofitsoriginalwoodweightremainingafter10 years while floodplain white spruce and birch showedthe slowest ratesofdecompositionwith72percentand70percent,respectively,remainingafter10years.Aspen,balsampoplar,anduplandwhitesprucehad53percent,60percent,and69percentoftheirwoodweightremainingafter10years

45


ofdecomposition.Lossofthemassofcarbonfromthelogsrangedfrom48to50percent.impact

Atthistimeitisnotclearwhateffectcoarsewoodydebrishas on the carbon dynamics of the taiga forest in interiorAlaska.However,itappearstotakeonlyasingledecadeforthelogstolosehalfoftheircarbon.Theresultsofthisstudywill help to develop a clear picture of log decompositiondynamicsonthecarbonbalanceofforestsininteriorAlaska.grants/funding

McIntire-Stennis,LTER

soil fertilityCharacterizing active soil organic matter pools contributing to soil nitrogen availabilityM. Zhang,AlanZhaopurpose

The goal for the project is to provideways tomanagenitrogen fertilizers. We laid out a field experiment withsmooth bromegrass(Bromus inermisLeyss.)attheFairbanksExperimentFarmoftheUniversityofAlaskainMay2004.Therewerethreefertilizertreatments:1)Check(0-30-30);2)Lownitrogen(50-30-30);and3)Highnitrogen(150-30-30),and two cutting frequencies: one cutting per year and twocuttingsperyear.Inthespring2006,isotope15Nenrichedurea(10percent)wasappliedinthefertilizertreatedplotsin1mx1mmicroplots.Plantsamplesfromthemicroplotsweretaken in June, July, andAugust in 2006, 2007, and2008.Themicroplotswere subdivided intoquarters; soil samplesweretakenfromasuccessivequarterinAugust2006,2007,and2008.SoilsamplesfromtheDeltaJunctionareaforthreelanduseswerealsocollectedandusedforincubation

progressSoil sampleswith15Ntreatmentwere incubatedat90

percentfieldcapacityandat15˚Cfor200days.Destructivesoilsamplesweretakenatdifferenttimeintervalstodetermine15Nreleaseofappliedfertilizernitrogeninsoils.Thesampleswere extracted by distilled water, and 15N in soil samplesbefore and after extraction was determined. To furtherunderstand water extractable labile organic nitrogen andcarboninhighlatitudesoils,anotherincubationexperimenthasbeenconductedwith soil samples from three landuses(Conservation Reserve Program, forest, and agriculture).Water extractable nitrogen and carbon, mineral nitrogen,fluorescence emission and excitation matrix of water-extractablecarbonandnitrogeninincubatedsamplestakenatdifferenttimesaretobedetermined.Characterizationofwater-extractable carbon and nitrogen from the three landusespriortoincubationwascompleted.impact

The results showed that residual 15N fertilizer in soilwasreleasedfourweeksafterincubation,indicatingresidualfertilizernitrogenwasstillinthelabilenitrogenpool.Solubleorganic nitrogen in soils before incubation was higher inagriculturalsoilsthaninforestandCRPsoils.Air-dryingandsievingprocessescanincreasesoil-solubleorganiccarbon,butthese increasesmostly occurred in soluble carbon fractionsof less than1kD[kiloDalton] fraction.FluorescenceEEM[ExcitationEmisionMatrix]contourcurvesandPARAFACanalysisindicatedthreecomponentsinsolubleorganiccarbon:humic-,fulvic-,andtyrosin-likematerials.Thedeterminationofalabilenitrogenpoolfromdifferentnitrogenapplicationrates and soils under different land uses further illustratestheuniquenessofsoillabilenitrogenfractionsunderAlaskaclimaticconditions.

Log decomposition, soil respiration, revegetation, and forest health studies are among the many research topics at SNRAS. photo by gLENN p. JUdAy

46


grants/fundingMcIntire-Stennis,Hatch

Evaluation of phosphorus fractionation and determination methodsM. Zhang, S.D. Sparrow,B.VanVeldhuizen,d.masiakpurpose

In previous phosphorus (P) studies, we fractionated Pfollowing a sequentialP fractionationmethoddescribed inthe literature. In that study,we found someproblemswithrespecttothePdeterminationmethod.AssuchwecomparedthreedifferentPdeterminationmethods(AlpkemContinuousFlow Analyzer, Bausch & Lomb spectrophotometer, andICP).TheprincipleforAlpkemContinuousFlowAnalyzerand the spectrophotometer methods are all based on theMurphy-Rileymethodfordeterminationoforthophosphateinsolution,butoneiscontinuousflow,theotherismanual.WhenammoniumpersulphatedigestedsolutionsampleswereusedfortotalPdeterminationinAlpkem,precipitantsformedandthecontinuousflowwasplugged.Assuch,atraditionalspectrophotometerhastobeusedforPdetermination,anditisthereforenecessarytocompareifthesetwoinstrumentscanresultinasimilarPdeterminationfromthesamesolutionsample.TheICPmethod,ontheotherhand,determinesthetotalPinsolutionsamples.ToaccuratelyassesssoilPstatusunderdifferentmanagement,athoroughevaluationofthesethreemethodsincombinationwithsequentialPfractionationisneeded.approach

Weuseda0-5cmdepth soil sample froma long-termtillage and straw management experiment started in 1983near Delta Junction (64.8o N, 147.7o W). Sequential Pfractionationof the soil samplewasbasedon themodifiedHedleymethod.Thesolutionsamplesforeachfractionationweredividedintothreesubsamples,andPinthesampleswasdetermined respectively by ICP, AlpkemContinuous FlowAnalyzer,andaspectrophotometer(Spectronic70,Bausch&Lomb).Thereweretenreplicatesforeachfractionation.progress

The results showed P in solution was below dictionlimits of all three instruments in fractionation #6 (1 MHCl extraction), #7 (concentrated HCl extraction), and#8 (digested concentrated HCl extraction). Among thethree determination methods, there were differences for Pconcentration.Theoretically,PmeasuredfromICPshouldbehigher than thePmeasured from the colorimetricmethodofAlpkemandspectrophotometer.However,inourresults,P from ICP determination was lower for the #3 fraction(digestedNaHCO3), #4 fraction (0.1MNaOH), and #5fraction(digested0.1MNaOH).Also, for the #2and#4fractions,themeasuredPwashigherforthespectrophotometerthantheAlpkem.impact

TheresearchwastoevaluatePdeterminationmethods,andsuchevaluationwillhelpresearcherstouseappropriate

means for understanding P status in soil under differentmanagementregimes,sothattheresultscanhelptoimprovePfertilizeruseefficiencybycrops.grants/funding

Hatch

soil propertiesAssembly, verification, standardization, and analysis of soil pedon data for Alaska with special regard to carbon storage assessmentChien-Lu Ping,GaryMichaelsonpurpose

Weareassemblingandsummarizingintoamoreusefulformexistingsoilsdata.Thedatahasbeencollectedoverthelast sixty-plus years across the state of Alaska by multiplesources including NRCS, the University of Alaska’s soilslaboratories,andothers.approach

Dataisbeingcollectedfromvarioussourcesandenteredintoastandardizeddigitalformat.Thenitisexploredrecordby record to identify missing and incorrect points and toassess methodologies used in obtaining data.Missing dataand disparate methodologies are identified and the courseofactionisdeterminedifpossibletocorrelateexistingdataandprovide estimates formissingdatawhere correlates arereasonably possible. Finally, data will be assembled withdetailedmetadataandexplanationsandanalysisofdatawillbeperformedalongwithcalculationsof soil carbon stocks.Datawillbesummarizedfortheregionsofthestateandthenewdatasetpublishedforgeneraluse.progress

Datahasbeencollectedforover500Alaskasoilpedons.Initial correlationsoforganiccarbonandbulkdensitydatahave beenmade for pedons with disparatemethodologies.Initial calculations for carbon stocks have been made fornearly250pedons.impact

SubsetsofthisnewdatasetwereavailableearlierandusedinmultiplemodelingandassessmentprojectsforestimatingcarbonstocksofArcticandpermafrostaffectedsoils.Initialdata was summarized for soils under black spruce stands acrossAlaskaandpublishedinSoil Science Society of America Journal.Whenthecompletedatasetbecomesavailableitwillbeaninvaluabletoolthatwillbeusedfarintothefutureinglobalsystemsmodelingstudies.grants/funding

Hatch,StateofAlaska

Soils of the arctic tundra in northern AlaskaC.L. Ping,M.T.Jorgenson,G.J.Michaelson,M.Kanevskiy,Y.Shurpurpose

OurintentwastodeterminethedistributionofsoiltypesinarctictundraofAlaska.

47


approachSoil landscape andmicrotopography relationshipswere

formulatedandthedistributionofsoiltypeswasdelineatedbased on such relationships using soils data from previousNSFandUSDAprojects.progressSoil diStRiBution:

TherearetwomajorphysiographicregionsinArcticAlaska:the ArcticFoothillsandtheArcticCoastalPlain.InthenorthernpartoftheArcticFoothills,mostsoilsformincarbonate-richloess of Holocene age, the drainage is somewhat poor andthe landcover type is nonacidic tundra (MNT) dominatedby the genusDryas, herbs, and low shrubs. Dominant soiltypes in the northern Foothills are AquicMolliturbels andRuptic-Histic Aquiturbels. Southward, there is a decreasedloessinfluencewithincreaseddominanceofglacialmoraineasparentmaterialaccompaniedwithanincreaseinprecipitation andtemperature.Thelandcovertypechangestomoistacidictundra (MAT)andsoildrainage ispoor.Thedominant soiltypesonthesouthernfoothillsareRupticHistoturbels.Mostof the organic soils are Histels, formed along the narrowstreambanksandinlimiteddepressions.SoilsunderboththeMNTandMATarehighlycryoturbated,mainlyduetotheactivityofnonsortedcircles(frostboils)whichhavechurnedthesurfaceorganiclayersdowntotheloweractivelayerswithsome encasement in the upper permafrost.Exceptonexposedhilltops, the depth of cryoturbation judged by the presenceofconcentratedorganicmatter isusuallywithin1.3m.Thelandscapeof theArcticCoastalPlain is characterizedby icewedgepolygons,generallylow-centerpolygonsonthewesternpartandhigh-centeredpolygonsontheeasternpart.Mostofthesoilsonthecoastalplainareice-richaveraging80%icebyvolume.However,forthewesternpartofthecoastalplainnearly60%isdominatedbythawlakesequencelandformswithlandcover type dominated bywet nonacid tundra (WNT).Theparentmaterials include alluvium, glaciomarine, and eoliandeposits.Ontheaveragethevolumeofice-wedgeandgroundice reaches 20%, andfield evidence showing frost churningoforganicscommonlyreachestwotothreemeters.Thusthecryoturbationprocessinthethawlakelandscape is due to the combination of ice wedge formation,mixing through thawlakecyclesandfrostboilactivity.ThedominantsoiltypesareRuptic-Histic Aquiturbels, Ruptic Histoturbels, Glacistels,and Glacic Historthels. In the eastern part of the coastalplain,theparentmaterialisdominantlymorainefollowedbyeolian and alluvium.The average volume of icewedge andgroundiceisabout10%.Thedominantsoiltypesintheeastinclude Ruptic-Histic Aquiturbels and Ruptic Histoturbels.Deltalandformsconstitutenearly25%oftheArcticcoastlineof northernAlaska. Soils formed innewly depositeddeltaicsedimentslackcryoturbationandpermafrostwithinonemeterandareclassifiedasGeleaquents,thosewithpermafrostwithinonemeterareTypicAqorthelsandSulfuricAquorthels.ERoSion:

TheArcticCoastPlainofAlaskaisnotonlythreatenedwith an increased rate of permafrost degradation but also

coastal erosionduetoglobalwarming.Basedonobservationoverthepastfiftyyearsthereisacceleratederosionalongthecoast. Because of the high ice content and accelerated icewedge deterioration, the erosion rate in the area with thehighest ice wedge contents (>20%) has reached 13m peryear.Alongwithlandloss,theerodedcoastlinealsoexportednearly one half million tons of carbon into the ArcticOceanannually.Insummary,cryopedogenesisontheArcticFoothills is manifested mainly through nonsorted circleformationwhereasontheArcticCoastalPlain,especiallythewet western part, cryopedogenesis ismanifested through acombinationof icewedge formation, thaw lakecycles, andnonsortedcircleformation.impact

TheresultsofthisworkhavebeenincorporatedintotheCircumpolar Atlas published by the EuropeanUnion JointResearchCommitteeaspartoftheglobalchangeassessment.Detailed soils and ground ice descriptions and data fromacrosstheextensiveregionsofnorthernAlaskaareforthefirsttimeavailableinthenationaldatabase.grants/funding


Key soil properties affecting thermokarst formation in North Slope, AlaskaChien-Lu Ping,GaryMichaelsonpurpose

We are characterizing soil properties important to soilthermo-insulation, stability, and strength that affect thesusceptibilityoftundratothermokarstdamageonthenorthslopeofAlaska.approach

Datacollectedforsoilsof64sitesacrossthearcticNorthSlopeofAlaskawereanalyzed,includingupdateddatafromcollectionsitesinvestigatedinthe2009fieldseason.progress

Soil BD, water content, and texture are important tosoil thermo-insulation, stability, and strength that eachaffect the susceptibility of tundra to thermokarst damage.Thesepropertiesare important in threecomponentsof thesoil profile 1) the organic surface layer that insulates thepermafrost,2)themineralactivelayerthatprovidesweight-bearingstrengthand3)theupperpermafrostthatisoftenice-richandmustbemaintainedinthefrozenstate.Weexamineddataavailableforsoilsof64sitesfromacrossthearcticnorthslope of Alaska. Site soil profile datawere averagedwithinthethreeprofilecomponentsforthemajorlandscapeunits:CoastalLowlandsandUpland/Foothills,andforterrainunitswithinthelandscapes.

Fortheorganicsurfacelayer:thickness,bulkdensity,andwater content are variable both on amicro and landscapescale. Bulk density of this layer tends to be higher on theCoastalLowlands(average0.38gcm-3)thanontheUplandFoothills (average 0.21 g cm-3) contributing to regionaldifferences in heat transfer and the potential for surface

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compaction.Organic layers of theUpland/Foothills terraintendtobemoreinsulatingbutcouldbemoresusceptibletocompactionthanthoseoftheCoastalLowlands.

Themineral active layers of theUplandFoothills havehigher soil BD and soil textures are heavier than those ofthe Coastal lowlands (average 1.22 g cm-3 /loamy in theUpland/Foothills andaverage1.03gcm-3 /sandy loamforthe Coastal Lowlands). Differences result from disparateregional factors suchas landscape evolutionand thehigheraveragesoilorganicmattercontentsintheCoastalLowlandsoils compared to theUpland Foothills, average 9.0% and5.5%Crespectively.

The upper permafrost (to1meter) isgenerallyhigh involumetricwaterandsegregated icecontent (52-81%),butthePolygenicandLaketerrainunitsoftheCoastalLowlandsalongwiththeUplandareastendtobehigherinvolumetricwater/ice(average72-76%)thantheFoothillstussocktundra area(average52%)toonemeter’sdepth.impact

Project data were presented at the first annualTundraTravelConferenceheld inAnchorageMarch30,2010.Forthefirsttimeonthenorthslopeallavailablesoilpedondataforthenorthslopewassummarizedfortheregionsimpactedby tundra travel and ice road construction.These data arenow available to support tundra travel regulation decisionsandfortheevaluationofpotentialthermokarstconsequencesbasedonmeasuredregionalsoilproperties.grants/funding

Hatch,StateofAlaska

Hydric soils study in Alaska C.L. Ping,GaryMichaelson,CindyStiles,MarkClarkpurpose

WearecomparingtheeffectivenessofMRIS(ManganeseReduction Indicators in Soils) and IRIS (Iron ReductionIndicatorsinSoils)tubesasindicatorsforreducingconditionsin volcanic ash-derived soils, soils with seasonal frost, andsoilswithhighpH.approach

The study is in cooperation with the USDA-NRCSNational Soil Survey Center and the NRCS Alaska StateOffice. Five test siteswere selected; one is a calcareous fenat Sukakpak Mountain (Dalton Highway Milepost 203)in the Brooks Range of Alaska. This installation locationwas selected because of previously observed high pH/Ehconditionsandthepresenceofhydricsoilsandasupportinghydrophyticvegetationcommunity.HeretenMRISandfiveIRIStubeswereinstalledonJuly12,2009.

AsecondlocationwithsomewhatpoorlydrainedsoilswaschosentoinstallMRIStubestodetermineifoxideremovalcould occur in problematic soils.This locationwas on theUniversity ofAlaskaFairbanks arboretumnear SmithLakeandthesoilsbelongtotheChatanikaseries.FiveMRIStubeswereinstalledonthelocationfromAugust18–25,2009.

A third locationwas chosen to install IRIS tubes in avolcanicash-derivedsoilwithalongsaturationperiodintheUpperSusitnaValley.

The fourth location is onAdak Island of theAleutianIslandswheresoildrainageisrestrictedbyacementedtephralayer at about 60 cm, thus wetlands develop in microlowpositionsinanhummockylandscape.ThreeIRIStubeswereinstalledinAugust2009.

The fifth site is at the UAF Matanuska ExperimentFarmwherefourlocationswereidentifiedtorepresenteachlandform position along a toposequence. At each site fiveIRISandMRIStubeswere installed in late spring2010totestifthereduction/oxidationfeaturesinthesoilsarecausedbyseasonalfrostratherthanprolongedsaturation.progress

Atthefirstsite,theMRIStubeswereremovedfromthesoilsbecauseofthehighpercentage(>50%)ofoxideremovalindicating strong reduction.The IRIS tubeswerepulled toexamine both when the MRIS tubes were removed (fourdays)andaftera sixweek installationperiod.Thesix-weekperiodistheusualrecommendationforIRISinstallationtodetectreducingconditionsinsoils.Atfourdays,onlysmallspotshadbeguntoberemovedfromthesurfacesoftheIRIStubes.When the tubeswere taken out after sixweeks, theoxideremovalintheupper15cm(6inches)offourofthefivetubeswas<30%andfourofthefivetubeshad10–20%ofblackdepositwithintheupper15cmofthetubelengthsthatwaslaterdeterminedtobepyrite(FeS2).

Atthesecondsite,therewaslessthan30%oxideremovalfromtheMRIStubesafter6weeks.Atthethirdsite(UpperSusitnaValley)therewasnodetectableoxidesremovalafterayear,thusMRIStubeswillbeinstalledtodetermineifthissoiliswetbutnotreduced.ThreeIRIStubesthatwereinstalledinAugust2009atthefourthlocation(Adak)werepulledoutaftersixweeksandmorethan30%ironoxideswereremoved.ThefifthsiteatPalmerisinstalledandremovaloftubewillbeginneartheendofApril.

TheMRIStubesprovedeffectiveashydricsoilsindicatorsinsoilswithhighpH/Ehwhichwouldfacilitatethewetlanddelineationprocess.Inthesecondsite,theimperfectdrainedChatanikaseriesdoesnotmeetthecriteriaofhydricsoilsandthusnotwetlandcriteria.

The Upper Susitna site may experience oxyhydriccondition.More tests will be done on this site. On AdakIsland,sincetheIRIStubesreactedwellunderoverarelativelylong period,MRIS tubeswill be tested to see if reductionoccurswithinfewdays.impact

Although validation work continues, both the MRISand IRIS tubehaveproven effective in identifying reducedconditions in agreement with soil observations indicatingthey will be likely candidates to be certified for use byenvironmentalconsultantsinthefieldtoaidinthewetlanddelineationprocess.grants/funding

Hatch,StateofAlaska

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Management of Ecosystems

siTuATed AT highlatitudes,Alaskaisabellwetherfortheef-fectsofclimatechange.Itsclimatevariesstronglywithits

broadvarietyinlandscape,fromtheextremenortherntun-dra to theTongassNationalForest to theAleutian Islands.The large landareaandcoastlineofAlaskacombinedwithitssignificantproportionofpubliclandsmakemanagementofnaturallandscapesanimportantandchallengingfeatureofpolicyandplanninginthestate.SNRASandAFESresearchand analysis examine the sensitivity of northern resourcestoclimatevariabilityandchange;biodiversityandwildlandcrop opportunities, conservation biology, and revegetation;resourcemanagement systems; forestmeasurement systems,forestgrowthandyield,boreal forest silvicultureand foresthealth;wildlandfire andfire effects andmanagement;wil-derness ecosystem management, and the wildland-urbaninterface.

mAnAgEmEnt of EcoSYStEmS REPoRtS:(note: authors listed below are SNRAS researchers)

49 • climate research & global changeAlaska climate change: 2009 updateGlennJudayInternational collaboration in anthropology and archeology of wood use and climate change research GlennJuday,ClaireAlixEvapotranspiration from boreal forest landscapesJohnD.Fox,Jr.

52 • education & outreachMonitoring seasons through global learning communitiesElenaB.Sparrow,DavidVerbyla,etal.Resilience and Adaptation Program / Integrative Graduate Education Research TraineeshipGaryKofinas,etal.

53 • fire-related studiesCollaborative research: Impacts of climatic change on the boreal-forest fire regimes of Alaska: lessons from the past and prospects for the futureT.ScottRupp,MarkOlson,etal.

55 • forest health & growthThe browning of the boreal forest: Evidence from historic satellite imageryDave Verbyla,BeckyBairdDynamics and management of Alaska boreal forestsJingjing Liang

Resilience and Adaptation Program / Integrative Graduate Education Research Traineeship

Gary Kofina

Photo monitoring forest development and healthGlennJudayInfluence of precipitation timing on tree growth in upland and floodplain forest ecosystems in interior AlaskaJ. YarieRelationship of tree growth to environmental and soil fertility factors for 40 years in interior AlaskaJ. Yarie,K.VanCleveThe Yukon River Basin project—the Densmore Tree Regeneration InstallationGlenn JudayNatural regeneration of white spruce 2009Glenn JudayRemotely sensed evidence of shrub expansion in the arctic tundraDave Verbyla,KenTapeThe Yukon River Basin project—2010 Yukon Flats studiesGlenn JudayComparing forest growth from tree rings and satellite NDVI measurementsGlenn Juday,Valerie Barber,ClaireAlix,Patricia Heiser

60 • invasive plant managementInvasive Plant Management Plan for UAFMarieHeidemann,Susan ToddRemote sensing techniques for the study of white sweet clover on the Matanuska River floodplainNorman Harris,BethHall

61 • willdlife studiesCaribou genetics and managementM.A. CroninGrizzly bear genetics M.A. CroninPolar bear genetics M.A. CroninCan Kenai River chinook salmon survive watershed land use changes? Historical land use effects on salmon in Alaska’s Kenai River Watershed Susan“Shana”Loshbaugh,Susan Todd

climate research & global changeAlaska climate change: 2009 updateGlenn Judaypurpose

This project continues to examine the influence ofweather,especiallyweatherextremesandclimatechange,on

50


agricultureandforestryinthefarnorth.Weareidentifyingthe history, risks, and opportunities of climate change andclimatevariabilityastheyaffectnaturalandmanagedforests.approach

Long-term records of daily, seasonal, and yearlytemperature and precipitationwereupdatedwiththehelpofthe AlaskaClimateResearchCenter.Alaskaclimatedatabaseswere compared to significant events affecting forests, landmanagement,andagricultureinAlaska.progress

In interiorAlaska the summerof2009represented thesecondwarmestJulywiththehighestmeandailymaximumtemperatureforanymonthinthe104-yearFairbanksrecord.The summer as a whole (May:August) ranked fifteenth inmean temperature at Fairbanks, and it would have rankedhigherexceptfortheoccurrenceofcoolweatherinthesecondhalfofAugust(monthlyrank69).However,thefirsthalfofSeptemberwasthewarmestonrecord.Thenumberofdayswithmaximum daily temperature equal to or greater than70˚Fin2009(75days)wastiedforfifthgreatestwith2004therecordwarmsummeroverall.Thenumberofconsecutivefrost-freedays(growingseasonlength)in2009totaled131,alsorankedfifthhighestatFairbanks.Thesnow-freeseasonbegan early at most low elevation locations in 2009, withnearly continuous above-freezing temperatures atFairbanksfrom mid-April onward. Daily record warm temperaturesoccurred in late April. The Fairbanks April through Julyprecipitationtotalwasthesixthlowestintherecord,andJulywasthedriestsummermonthintherecord.In2009,Barrowexperienced the eighth warmest mean annual temperatureinthe89yearsofcontinuousrecordsandtiedforthethirdwarmestsummer(May:August).Inthe92yearsofrecordatAnchorage,2009wasthenineteenthwarmestsummerbutthethirty-secondinmeanannualtemperature.WarmweatheratAnchoragewasconcentrated inJuly,whichexperiencedtheeleventhhighestmonthlymeantemperatureoftherecord.Atthe Juneau airport station,theJuly2009meantemperaturewasthirdhighestandveryclosetothehighestinthe66-yearrecord.impact/implications

The result of the hot, dry conditions of 2009 wasanotherextremefireyear,withtheseventhlargestareaburnedin Alaska since 1950 at 1.19mill. ha (2.95mill. ac).Thecombinationofwarmthanddrynesswas severe. In the latestages of thefire season in earlyAugust 2009, extremefirebehavior began, including rapid spread through normallylow-combustibility fuel types such as broadleaf tree (aspen and birch)stands.IninteriorAlaska,earlyandextendedwarmseasonswithextremewarmthrapidlydepletesnowpack(theprincipalcontributortoannualsoilmoisturesupply),causingreduced tree growth onmost low elevation forest sites thefollowingyear.JulytemperatureisthebestsingletemperaturepredictorofwhitesprucegrowthonlowelevationsitesintheInterior,withwarmyearscausingreducedgrowthprimarilyinthefollowingyear.Asaresult,itishighlylikelythat2010

whitesprucegrowthonlow-elevationsitesintheInteriorwillbeextremelylow,andstress-relatedforesthealthvulnerabilitywill be high. Favorable spring weather (early warmth)in 2010 would very likely result in a severe 2011 spruce budwormoutbreak.Althoughseaicecanstronglyaffectlocaltemperatures at Barrow, if a temperature regime similar to2009continues,majornegativeanomaliesofseaicedurationandthickness,comparedtothelong-termrecord,arealmostcertain to result.Warm season temperatures in the treelessNorthSlopetundraregioninlandofBarrowwereverynearthe minimum requirements for white spruce tree survivalin2009andseveralprecedingyears.Weatherconditions in2009insouthcentralAlaskawerefavorableforabuildupofsprucebarkbeetlepopulationsin2010and2011.

Alaska weather in 2009 received a moderately strongwarming influence from El Niño, the periodic short-termtemperature anomaly in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.However, solar activity was at the lowest levels of the lastcentury during 2009, constituting a cooling influence.Fromthelonger-termperspective,whileAlaskacontinuestoexperienceshort-andmedium-termclimatevariabilityfromsolar and ocean/atmosphere influences, there is consistentevidence of directional change inmostweather parametersrelevant to forestry and agriculture. In 2008 Alaskaexperiencedtemperaturesinthemiddlerangeofthelast100years of record, although it was not the start of a coolingtrend.Instead,in2009elevatedtemperatures,typicalofthelastfewdecades,returnedasanticipatedandpredicted.grants/funding

Support was provided by the MacIntire StennisCooperativeForestryProgramandtheUSGeologicalSurvey,YukonRiverBasincooperativeprojectwithUAF.

International collaboration in anthropology and archeology of wood use and climate change research Glenn Juday,ClaireAlixpurpose

ThisisanewprojecttoexchangeinformationwithFrenchresearch groups to convey new findings in Alaska climateandtreeringresearch,newdiscoveriesinthearchaeologyofwooduseintheAlaskaArctic,andresultsofanthropologicalstudies of today’s use ofwood in ruralAlaska.Theprojectalso involves comparing stable isotopeandotherpropertiesofwoodandicecorestoexplorepossiblenewapplications.approach

Thewidthoftreeringscanbeaffectedbymanyfactorsother thanweather and climate, andwhen confirmation isneeded of an interpretation of environmental change oreventsthatisbasedonringwidthalone,stableisotopeshavebeen found tobeveryuseful inanumberof cases.Severalisotopes in tree rings can be referenced to isotope contentofGreenlandandAntarcticicecores,andevenshortAlaskaice cores. Advanced processing and careful technique arerequired in measuring isotopic content of wood samples

51


or else measurement uncertainty will be nearly equal toisotopedifferencesinsamplescausedbyactualchangeintheenvironment.

ResultsofthelatestAlaskafieldstudiesinthearcheologyofwooduse andof the latest dendrochronology studies offloodplainwhitesprucearebeingpresentedtoFrenchresearchteamsforuseincollaborativeefforts,technicalpublications,and a planned synthesis publication. The capabilities ofa major European-wide laboratory in comparing stableisotopes in wood and ice cores are being explored forapplication to Alaska studies. Results of reconstructions ofpastenvironments fromwoodsamplesarebeingappliedtoarchaeologicalstudies.Studiesofcontemporaryusesofwoodinwestern andnorthernAlaska arebeingused to interpretarchaeologicalmaterialobjects.progress

SeminarsClaireAlixwas invited topresentwere giventothepublicandtoanthropologyandarchaeologyresearchgroupsworkingontheuseofwoodintheArcticatthe(1)Laboratoire des Musées de France (Louvre), (2) Maisonde l’Archéologie et de l’Ethnologie, Université Paris XNanterre, and (3)Centre d’Etudes PréhistoireAntiquité etMoyenAge(Antibes).Aseminarandinformationexchangetookplace at theLaboratoiredesSciencesduClimat etdel’Environnementforgroupsworkingoncarboncycling,treering studies, climatemodeling, and climate reconstruction.Collaborationsareplanned.impact

Resultsofstudiesofthecurrentavailabilityofwoodinnorth andwest Alaska and the selection of types of woodbypeoplehavehelpedimprovetheinterpretationofancientenvironmentsandancientwaysoflifeofnativeAlaskans.Animprovedunderstandingofthedifferentresponsesofborealtreestotemperatureincreasesisleadingtoimprovedmodels

of carbon cycling.Alaskadata on the climate sensitivity ofborealtreesarebeingcomparedwithsatelliteremotesensingreconstructeddataongrossphotosynthesis.Thecollaborationwill continue as amember of this team takes up a facultyChair of Excellence inArchaeology of theAmericas at theSorbonneinParis.grants/funding

USDAMcIntire-Stennis

Evapotranspiration from boreal forest landscapesJohn D. Fox, Jr.purpose

Mygoalistoassesswhichofseveralmethodsforestimatingpotential evapotranspiration and actual evapotranspiration aremostsuitableformanagementpurposesinAlaska’sborealregions.Evapotranspirationisthecomponentofthelandscape’swater budget that is very sensitive to changes in vegetativecover and landuse, including timberharvest,wildfire, andclimate change.Since annualprecipitationandannual lakeevaporationarethoughtnearlyequalinmagnitudeinAlaska’sboreal forest, small changes in evaporation or precipitationcan affect the netwater gain or loss in awater body.Thiswarrants a better understanding of the evaporative processand amore reliablemethodof calculating itunder specificconditions.Thisprojectwillhelpdevelopthatcapability.approach

I am reviewing methods used and values obtainedfor potential evapotranspiration (PET) and actualevapotranspiration reported for Alaska in the literature.FromsimpletocomplexPETmethods,Iamassessingtheirsensitivity to themethods for estimatingnet radiation andtheparticularwind functionused. Iwill usewaterbalanceaccountingmodelstoestimateactualevapotranspirationandsensitivitytodatasourcesandassumptions,andwillestimateopen-waterevaporationfromaclosedlakeusingshort-termlakelevelmeasurements.progress

Afterconfirmingnosignificanttrendinfifty-eightyearsof pan evaporation data for Fairbanks, concentration hasbeen on utilizing physically based methods of estimatingpanevaporationfromreadilyavailableweatherdata.Anotherseason of continuous pan-evaporation measurements wascollectedalongwithairandwatertemperature,windspeedand global irradiation.While original formulations of thePenmanmethodseemtotrackpanevaporationingeneral,themodifiedPenPanmethodbetteraccounts for the longdaysandlowsunanglesfoundintheborealregions.Muchofthesuccessofestimatingevaporationisafunctionofthesuccessin estimating global and net radiation. The biggest factorofuncertaintyaffectingthesevariables isoftenportrayedascloud cover.This studyhas looked at112weather stationsacross theUSandhas foundthat theamountofexplainedvariance (R2) betweenmonthlymean daily ratio of globalradiationtoextraterrestrialradiationandmonthlymeandaily

Sample from the Climate and Tree Ring Laboratory.photo by gLENN p. JUdAy

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sky cover tobe increasedby anaverageof40.6percentbyincluding the predictable factor of optical path length forthesun’sraysthroughtheatmosphereatdifferent latitudes.TheaverageR2forthelinearrelationwithskycoverwas52percent,whiletheaverageR2withtheenhancedmodelwas92percent.Iamintheprocessofexpandingthisanalysistonon-USsitesaroundtheworld.

Aninfluenceonvegetationwateruseintheborealforestis thenumber of days inwhich the average temperature isabovefreezing.Thishasbeenusedasanindexofthegrowingseason lengthor the frost-freeperiod.While recent reportshave claimed 45–50 percent increases in growing seasonlength in Fairbanks, our analysis found a significant trendof increasednumberofdaysbetween lastandfirst frosts inthe rangeof22–39percent,dependinguponhow locationchanges and missing data are handled. This was over theperiodof1906–2006.

Water balance calculations in boreal settings do notfully support claims of increasing evapotranspiration withincreasing temperature. While there may be increases inpotentialevapotranspiration,wefoundthisdoesnottranslatedirectlyintoincreasedactualevapotranspiration.impact

Progress in 2009 yielded practical insights as issuesof climate change, wildfire management, and landscapehydrologyloomlargeinthenorth.Withincreasedapplicationsofremotesensing,GIS,andtechniquestodownscaleclimateprojections from global climate models, it becomes evenmore important to have good ground-basedmeasurementsand physically based model outputs available to validatespatialandtemporalextrapolations.Anundergraduateseniorthesiswascompletedbasedonthisprojectandanotheroneinitiated.grants/funding


education & outreachMonitoring seasons through global learning communitiesElena B. Sparrow, David Verbyla;ElissaLevine(NASAGoddard);RebeccaBoger(BrooklynCollege);LeslieS.Gordon(GordonConsulting);KimMorris(UAFGeophysicalInstitute);MarthaR.Kopplin(IARC)purpose

Ourmainobjectivesare1)toprovideK-12teachersandtheir students opportunities to participate in Earth systemscienceresearchandthefourthInternationalPolarYear(IPY)byconductinginvestigationsontheirbiomes,and2)tousesuch research and activities to teach and learn aboutEarthsystemscienceandthenatureofscience,inquiry,andscienceprocessskills.approach

RuralandurbanAlaskaK-12teachers,aswellasteachersfrom other parts of the United States and the world, are

beingprovidedprofessionaldevelopment(PD)workshopstoengage their students in studying seasons and investigatingtheir biomes using the “Earth as a system” approach. Bymonitoringtheseasons,studentsarelearninghowinteractionswithin theEarth systemaffect their local environment andhow their local environment in turn affects regional andglobalenvironments.DuringthePDinstitutes,teacherslearnto use standardized scientific measurements and protocolsdeveloped by this project that is also called Seasons andBiomes, the Global Learning and Observations to Benefitthe Environment (GLOBE) program, other Earth SystemScience research programs, and best teaching practices ininquiry-andproject-basedlearning.Newprotocolsarebeingdeveloped and/or adapted as needed to help teachers andstudentsmonitor seasons (internannual variability) in theirbiomes.Teachersandstudentshavealsobeenconnected toscientistsfromtheInternationalArcticResearchCenterandthe School ofNatural Resources and Agricultural Sciencesat the UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,aswellas fromotheruniversitiesandfederalagencies.progress

Inadditiontonewmeasurementprotocols,wedevelopednewlearningactivities(suchastheLeafInquiry,GettingtoKnowYourTerrestrialBiomes,HowtoMakeaClimograph,SettingUpaStudySite) to support studentunderstandingof science concepts in the protocols and in the project.Professional development workshops for K-12 teachers,GLOBE Partner Coordinators, and teacher trainings wereconductedinAlaskainFebruaryandOctober,inAustraliainJune,NigeriainAugust,andinTanzaniainSeptemberfor121teachers,teachertrainers,andscientists.impact

Seventeenpresentationsaswellaseightpublicationshaveresulted from thisproject this year.Notonlyhave teachersbeen implementing the protocols and activities in theirclassrooms—teaching their students what they learned atthe PDworkshops—but some teachers and teacher trainerparticipants of this project have also conducted ten PDworkshops for 220 teachers and ten pre-service teachers.Analysis of both the project-provided content assessmentsandtheteacher-designedassessmentsindicatedthatstudentsmadesignificantgainsintheirunderstandingsaboutbiomes,seasons, Earth as a system, changes in ice in their localenvironment,andtheinquiryprocess.grants/funding


Resilience and Adaptation Program / Integrative Graduate Education Research TraineeshipGary Kofinas;TerryChapin,BerniceJoseph(CRCD);CraigGerlach(Anthropology);Julie Lurman Joly, Joshua Greenberg, David Valentine;MarkHerrmann(SchoolofManagement);andotherUAFfaculty

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purposeThe Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP) is a

UAF graduate program that trains scholars, policymakers,community leaders, and managers to address issues ofsustainabilityinanintegratedfashion.RAPpreparesstudentsto address a major challenge facing humanity: to sustainthedesirable featuresofEarth’s ecosystemsand society at atimeofrapidchange.TheRAPissponsoredbytheNationalScienceFoundation(NSF)throughitsIntegrativeGraduateEducationandResearchTraineeship(IGERT)program.

As directed byNSF, IGERTprograms are intended tochange the culture of graduate education by encouraginginterdisciplinary research by PhD students. This goal ismotivatedbythebeliefthatquestionsattheintersectionoftwo ormore disciplines are themost critical to the futureofour society.The IGERTatUAFmeets thisobjectivebyfocusing on issues of sustainability through the study ofsocial-ecologicalsystemsandtheirresilienceandadaptation.approach

RAP is open to master’s- and PhD-level students ofparticipatingdepartments,includingSNRAS.PhDstudentsare supported with an IGERT Fellowship for two years.Allstudentsintegratesocialandnaturalscienceasapartoftheir dissertation research and take theRAP core classes—Regional Sustainability, Integrated Assessment & AdaptiveManagement,andtheResilienceSeminar.Thesecoursesaretaughtbyafacultyteamwithexpertiseinthesocial,economic,and ecological dimensions of sustainability. Studentsparticipate in summer internships after their first year togain experience and insight outside their home disciplines.Along with hosting guest scholars and visiting lecturers,RAPsponsorsspecialprogramsthatbuildacommunityforinterdisciplinaryinquiry.progress

In2009-10thirty-fivegraduatestudentswereenrolledinRAP,withtwenty-fiveatthePhDlevel.SNRAShasassumeda lead role in RAP through faculty participation and theinvolvement of interdisciplinary PhD and natural resourcemanagement graduate students. Examples of past researchtopics of graduate students working with SNRAS facultyinclude: climatechangeanditseffectsonsubsistencesystems,alternative energy options for villages of Alaska, the effectofagencycultureonmarinemammalco-management,andthe use and implementation of community sustainabilityindicatorsinpublicdecisionmaking.impact

RAP has developed into an internationally recognizedgraduateprogram.Facultyandstudentsarecontributingtounderstandingofresilience,adaptability,andtransformationofsocial-ecologicalsystemsoftheNorth,anddevelopingnewmodels for partnering with local communities in research.The program has also strengthened inter-departmentalcooperation across campus and created an interdisciplinarycommunity of young scholars. In 2007 RAP hosted ameeting of seventy-five PhD students from twenty-sevenother IGERTs with a sustainability theme from across the

country.The event demonstrated RAP’s leadership amongtheseprogramsandthecommoninterest,benefits,andspecialchallengesfacingstudentsseekingtodointegratedresearch.grants/funding

National Science Foundation Integrated GraduateEducationResearchTraineeshipprogram

fire-related studiesCollaborative research: Impacts of climatic change on the boreal-forest fire regimes of Alaska: lessons from the past and prospects for the futureFengShengHu,PhilipHiguera(Univ.ofIllinois);T. Scott Rupp,MarkOlsonpurpose and approach

This project confronts the current poor understandingoffireresponsestoclimaticchangeinAlaskabyintegratingpaleorecordsandcomputermodeling.Thecenterpieceoftheprojectisitsinnovativeandrigorousapproachtounderstandpatterns and mechanisms of climate-fire-vegetationinteractions from the recent geological past through thenearfuture.Theresearcherswillmonitorcharcoal processes (dispersal, transport, and deposition) of contemporary andrecent burns to parameterize a newly developed numericalmodel of charcoal-fire relationships (CharSiM), a tool thatgreatlyenhancestherigoroffire-historyreconstruction.Theresultingknowledgewillbeappliedtointerpretfirehistoriesofthepast6,000years(focusingontheneoglacialtransitionandoscillationsassociatedwiththeLittleIceAge)fromsedimentcharcoal data collectedwith statistical criteria in two studyareas that are characterized by contrasting fire regimes andrecentclimateanomalies.Thesefirerecordswillbecomparedwith climatic and vegetational reconstructions using state-of-the-art paleoecological and geochemical techniques. Aniterative paleodata-modeling approach will be applied toelucidate mechanistic processes of climate-vegetation-fireinteractions(e.g.,lead-lagrelationship,fueldynamics)usingALFRESCO,amodeldevelopedandwelltestedforstudyingAlaskaborealecosystems.Finally,theimprovedALFRESCOwillbeusedtosimulateregionalfireregimesforthenext100yearsbasedonasuiteofforecastclimatescenarios.progress

Thisisyearfourofafour-yearpaleo-modelingproject.Due to complications in processing and analyzing thepaleodataano-costone-yearextensionwasgrantedbyNSFtocompletethemodelingobjectives.Wehavefocusedprimarilyonmodelingfire-climate relationships and the influenceofvegetationincludingfeedbacks.WehaveafullyimplementedmodelthatisavailabletostateandfederallandmanagersinAlaska (and to the general public; see www.snap.uaf.edu/downloads/boreal-alfresco).impact

This project promises to bring new insights into thevariabilityofborealfireresponsestoclimaticchangeandto

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improvetherobustnessofakeymodelforpredictingfuturechangesinborealecosystems.Theprognosticsimulationsofthetwenty-first-centuryfireregimeswillbedirectlyrelevanttofiremanagementplanningandpolicy.grants/funding


Post-fire studies supporting computer-assisted management of fire and fuels during a regime of changing climate in the Alaska boreal forestT. Scott Rupp, Daniel Mann,MarkOlson;KarenMurphy(USFWS)purpose and approach

LandmanagersfaceuniquechallengesinAlaska.Mostoftheborealforestiscurrentlymanagedaswilderness.Thoughlargelyfreeofdirecthumanimpacts,theborealforestgrowsin a region that is now experiencing significant climatechanges.Also, thefireecologyofAlaska is relativelypoorlyunderstood, and these data gaps hinder effective fuel andfiremanagement there.Tomeet these challenges, we havedevelopedthecomputermodelBorealALFRESCOforuseasamultidisciplinaryplanningtoolandasanoperationaltoolforassessingfuelsandfirehazards.BorealALFRESCOsimulatestheresponsesofborealforestvegetationonreallandscapestochangesinfiremanagement,ignitionfrequency,andclimate.progress

In collaboration with the UAF Scenarios Network forAlaska & Arctic Planning initiative statewide simulationsof future fire regimes based on IPCC climate projectionshave been completed. Statewide and regional reports havebeencreatedforusebyfederallandmanagementagencies—primarilyUS Fish andWildlife Service andNational ParkService (see www.snap.uaf.edu/downloads/reports-boreal-alfresco). A manuscript presenting projected fire activitythroughthiscenturywassubmitted(still inreviewprocess)andafinalreporttothefundingagency(Joint Fire Science Program)hasbeensubmitted.impact

Thisprojectwillprovidelandmanagerswiththeabilitytosimulatetheresponseoffuturefireregimestoachangingclimate.Thesemodelsimulationsalsowillprovidepotentialnaturalvegetationgroupsandestimatesoffirereturnintervalsrequired for federally mandated Fire Regime ConditionClasses (FRCC) mapping. These combined capabilitieswill enable Boreal ALFRESCO to simulate the impacts ofclimatechangeonFRCC—anovelabilitythathasimportantramificationsforlong-termforestmanagement.grants/funding

JointFireScienceProgram

Quantifying the effects of fuels reduction treatments on fire behavior and post-fire vegetation dynamicsT. Scott Rupp;RogerOttmar,BretButler(USFS);RobertSchmoll (AlaskaDivisionofForestry)RandiJandt,Kato

Howard(BLMAlaskaFireService);SkipTheisen(BLM)purpose and approach

Concerns about wildland fuel levels and a growingwildland-urban interface have pushed wildland fire riskmitigation strategies to the forefront of fire managementactivities. Mechanical (e.g., shearblading) and manual(e.g., thinnings) fuel treatments have become the preferredstrategyofmanyfiremanagers andagencies.However, fewobservationsexistthatdocumenttheactualeffectofdifferentfuel treatments on fire behavior. Alaska’s federal and statefire management agencies have identified this data gap astheirmostimportantfirescienceresearchneedandpriority.To address this need, our project will quantify the effectsof differentmechanical andmanual fuel treatments onfirebehaviorandtransferthatinformationtothefederalandstatefire management community through a series of technicalreportsandpeer-reviewedjournalarticles.progress

Our study site at the Nenana Ridge Ruffed GrouseProject Area located thirty miles southwest of Fairbanks,Alaska,representsanideallocationbecauseofitsproximitytoFairbanks,existingroadnetwork,andlargearea(600acres)ofhomogenousblacksprucefuels.Inspringandsummer2006twoexperimentalburnunits(approximately200acreseach)were laid out.Within each burn unit four fuel treatmentplots(5acres)wereestablished.Ineachunittwoshearbladetreatments and two 8 x 8 ft thinnings pruned to four feetwere established. We inventoried the existing vegetation,includinggroundvegetation,understoryandoverstorytreesandtreecrowns,organiclayer,anddead-downwoodysurfacefuels throughout the treatments and surrounding controlvegetation matrix. Following treatments we re-inventoriedtheunderstoryandoverstorytreesandtreecrowns,organiclayer, and dead-down woody surface fuels. Following wet2007and2008fireseasonsweweresuccessfulinburningoneoftheunitsonJune17,2009.Wedocumentedfirebehaviorfromthetimeof ignitionuntil steady-statebehaviorceasedusingacombinationofcameras,video,directobservations,andthermaldataloggers.Consumptionplotswerelocatedinbothtreatmentunits(thinningsandshearbladings)andthecontrolvegetation.Thesecondunitwillbeburnedinsummer2010ifweatherandresourcespermit.Followingcompletionofthesecondburnseveralpeer-reviewedjournalarticleswillbeproduced.impact

We anticipate that this research will lead to the firstquantified tests of the effects of fuel reduction treatmentsonfirebehaviorinAlaska.Ourresultswillprovidethedatarequiredbyfirebehaviormodels(FARSITE,BEHAVE,andNEXUS), fuels characterization system (FCCS), and fireeffectsmodels(CONSUME).Wehopetodevelopguidelinesdirectedatsamplingdesignandmethodologyissuesthatcanbe used to assist in carrying out other experimental burnswhentheopportunityarises.grants/funding

BureauofLandManagement

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forest health & growth (seealsoforests&forestproducts,underNaturalResourcesUse&Allocation,p.68)

The browning of the boreal forest: Evidence from historic satellite imageryDave Verbyla,BeckyBairdpurpose

ThepurposeofthisstudywastodocumenttrendsinaremotelysensedvegetationindexatseveralspatialscalesattheBonanzaCreekExperimentalForest.approach

A time series of Landsat imagery from themid 1980sto2009wasusedinthisstudy.TheNormalizedDifferenceVegetation Index (NDVI) from Landsat sensor data wasused as an index of forest productivity during the peakgrowingseasonperiodofeachyear.Spectralreflectancewasnormalized so that unvegetated dark and bright surfaces(wateranddrysoil)hadsimilarreflectancevaluesthroughoutthe twenty-three-year timeseries.WethencomputedmeanNDVIfromahierarchyofspatialscalesincludinglandscapeunits (uplands, active floodplain, lowlands), north versussouth-facingslopesinuplandlandscapes,andwithinstandsofdifferentvegetationtypes.progress

Therewas a significantdecrease inNDVI values at allspatial scales studied. The only units that had increasingNDVIwerewithinre-vegetatingareasthatburnedin1983and 2001. Most vegetation types had similar decreasingtrends, except aspen which was infested with a defoliatinginsect (large aspen tortrix) in the mid 1980s. In generalthe strongest decreasing trend was from theTanana River floodplain forests. The interannual trend varied amonglandscapeunits.Forexample,in2006themeanNDVIfromwetlands was above the trend line, while themeanNDVIfromuplandandfloodplainregionswasbelowtheirrespectivetrendlines.impact

WeconfirmedatlandscapescaleadecliningNDVItrendthathasbeenestablishedusingregionalremotesensing.Theobservedtrendmayberelatedtoincreasedinsectinfestationanddroughtstressassociatedwithawarmingclimate.grants/funding


Dynamics and management of Alaska boreal forestsJingjing Liangpurpose

IsoughttodevelopadetailedandaccurateforestgrowthmodelfortheAlaskaborealforestsandtoapplythismodeltostudyforestmanagementininteriorAlaska.

approachAnempiricalmatrixmodelwascalibratedwithplotand

treedatafromover400CooperativeAlaskaForestInventoryplots.Themodelwastestedonover200validationplotsandwasfoundtobeaccurateandreliable.Thepresentmodelwasappliedona typicalcommercial stand in interiorAlaska tostudyaforestmanagementregimethatiscommonlyusedintheregion.progress

Despitethecomparativelylowfinancialreturns,currentmanagement regimesmay generally benefitwildlife speciesby maintaining continuous forest cover and decent standdiversity, and properly managed forests have potential fortimberproductionandwood-basedenergy.impact

AusefulforestgrowthmodelisfinallydevelopedfortheAlaskaborealforests.Themodelcouldsubstantiallyimproveour understanding of the dynamics and management ofAlaska’svastforestresources,andhencewillencouragebetterforestmanagementandlocaleconomicdevelopment.grants/funding


Photo monitoring forest development and healthGlenn Juday purpose

This project uses repeat photography to documentpatternsandevents inforestdevelopmentandforesthealthonalong-termbasisfollowingforestfire,andthebackgroundof natural forest change in forest types of commercialmanagement value.The study began in 1989 in BonanzaCreekExperimentalForest(BCEF),andisbeingexpandedtoResearchNaturalAreasintheTananaValleyStateForestonsitestypicalofmanagedborealforests.approach

This projectmonitors post-1983 fire succession in theBCEF LongTerm Ecological Research (LTER) site. Long-termmonitoring photos are taken in six stand typesmadeupof three forest types (white spruce, aspen,Alaskabirch)inthematureforestconditionandthesamethreeinyoungpost-fireregeneratingforest.Fivephotopointsareestablishedin reference standhectares,consistingof thecenterofeachquarter-hectare plus the center of the hectare.Two of thestandtypes(burnedaspenandunburnedwhitespruce)havetwo different hectares photographed, for a total of eightlocations. In each location photos taken to parallel to theaxes of the plot perimeterwhich are roughly north, south,east,west,andup.Theentiresetofphotosforalllocationsandalldirectionsistaken(A)inspringbetweenthetimeofsnowpackdisappearance andbudburst, (B) inmidsummer,and(C)inthefallbetweenthetimeofleaffallandstartofsnowpack.AspecialairphotoseriesofthesixBCEFstandswasalsotakeninMay2009.

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progress/result The 2009 ground photo data set included 17 photo

dates. The entire project photo set from 1989 onward,totaling7,175photosfromeightlocations,wasrenamedwithstandard syntax foreaseof search.Everyphotowasqualitycheckedforpropercorrespondencebetweennameandscene.The entire set of 7,175 digital pictures totals 38.5 GB ofdata.Ametadatafilewasdevelopedasaguidetotheproject.The entire databasewas archived onCDs, and distributedtotheBonanzaCreekLTERdatamanagerandtotheUSGSYukonRiverBasinproject.Targetflasherpanelswereplacedonthegroundatthecenterandeachcornerofthereferencestandhectaresfortheaerialphotoprojectsothathigh-qualitypositioncontrolcouldbeobtainedinthephotos.Patternsofchangewereidentifiedfromtheearliestphotodates.impact/implications

For over a century, foresters and forest scientists haveunderstoodandappliedtheconceptofecologicalsuccession,which is the gradual, stepwise, and ordered replacementof one ecological community with another through timefollowing an initial disturbance and culminating in a finalstageofforestdevelopment.Becauseofthelongperiodsthatare required for the completion of successional processes,ideasabouthowsuccessionproceedshavelargelycomefromcomparingaseriesofdifferentsitesthathaveexperiencedthesameamountoftimesincedisturbance,supplementedbyafew long-termstudiesbasedon somekeymeasurements.Acomprehensive,annualvisualrecordofboththedevelopingnewforestandthecourseofchangeintheoriginalforestthatwasnotdisturbedhasnotbeenavailablebefore.Thisprojectisnoworganizedandarchivedsothatfutureuserscaneasilyandquicklyaccesssucharecord.grants/funding


Influence of precipitation timing on tree growth in upland and floodplain forest ecosystems in interior AlaskaJ. Yariepurpose

Seasonalprecipitationquantitiesarepredictedtochangeaspartoftheclimatechangedynamicsthatarepredictedtooccurintheborealforest.Inanattempttodocumentchangesinforestgrowththatmightoccurasaresultofprecipitationchanges a set of drought experiments was establishedin hardwood ecosystems in both upland and floodplainlocationsininteriorAlaska.Theoverallobjectiveofthestudyis to determine the influence of summer rainfall or springsnowmeltonthegrowthoftreesinbothuplandandfloodplainlocations. The initial hypotheses were: (1) forest growthin upland birch/aspen (Betula neoalaskana Sarg./Populus tremuloidesMichx.)standsisstronglycontrolledbysummerrainfall, and (2) forestgrowth infloodplainbalsampoplar/whitespruce (Populus balsamiferaL./Picea glauca(Moench)Voss)ecosystemswillshownorelationshiptosummerrainfall

due to the influence of groundwater, linked to river flowdynamics,onsoilmoisturerechargeand(3)forestgrowthinbothuplandandfloodplainlocationsisstronglytiedtosoilmoisturerechargeresultingfromspringsnowmelt.approach

PVCgreenhousepanelswereused toconstruct a coverunder the overstory canopy in each replicate upland andfloodplain summer drought site.The coverswere designedto prevent summer rainfall from entering the soil andrechargingsoilwaterduringthegrowingseason.Thecovers,designedtodrainrainfallofftheplot,wereplacedonwoodenframing.On thefloodplain sites thehigh endof the coverwas at approximately two meters and the low end at onemeterabovetheground.Ontheuplandsitesthecoverswereparalleltotheslopingsurfaceoftheplot.Aholewasplacedinthecoveratthelocationofeachtreeandadamwasplacedup-slope from each tree to force drainage ofwater aroundthetreeandoffofthetreatmentarea.Thesnowmeltremovalcovers were constructed using plywood, placed on 2x4framingthatwassetdirectlyontheforestfloor.Topreventsnowmeltdrainageintotheholesaroundtrees,thesnowpackwas removed from theplywood surface in the springpriortothestartofthesnowmeltperiod(earlyApril).Therainfallcovers were assembled in lateMay of each year and takendownbeforethefirstsnowfallinearlySeptember.Basedonthe average precipitation characteristics during the studyperiod, the summer rainfall exclusion reduced the annualinputsby46percentwitharangefrom22.7to72.1percent.Thesnowmeltcoversareassembledandremovedwithinonedayoftheplacementorremovalofthethroughfallcovers.progress

Summer rainfall exclusion from the upland sitessignificantly decreased growth for birch in 1992 and 1993andbalsampoplarin1992.Inallotheryearsbirch,balsampoplar,andwhitesprucedisplayedanonsignificantdecreasein growth. Aspen showed no treatment effect. Tree basalarea growth was significantly decreased on the floodplainsitesdue to summer rainfall exclusion forbalsampoplar in1992andwhitesprucefrom1990through2009.Thiswasthefirstyearof treatment inuplandsites for the snowmeltremoval. However the early soil moisture estimates usingTDR equipment (currently installed in one replicate site)indicatedasignificantdifferenceinsoilmoistureimmediatelyafter soil thaw.After a singleyearof treatment treegrowthintheuplandsiteswaslowerinthetreatedsitesthaninthecontrol.Basalareagrowthforthetreatedtreesbyspecieswas0.6,0.6,0.08and-0.1sq.cmforaspen,birch,poplar,andsprucecomparedtothecontrolplotwith2.9,1.1,3.0and2.0sqcm,respectively.impact

Inuplandsitessoilmoisturerechargefrommeltingsnowpackisamajormoisturesupplyfortreegrowthalthoughitisnotclearifasignificantmoisturelimitationoccursduringthesummereveninthecontrolplots.Howeverinthefloodplainstandstreegrowthwashighlydependentonseasonalrainfalleventhoughthegroundwatertablewaswithintherooting

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zoneandthesoilsweresuppliedwithaspringrechargeduetosnowmelt.Anumberoffactorsareprobablycausingthisstrong relationship.These include rootingdistribution, soiltexture,andtheelectricalconductivityof thegroundwaterwhichissufficientlyhightolimitmoistureuptake.grants/funding


Relationship of tree growth to environmental and soil fertility factors for 40 years in interior AlaskaJ. Yarie,K.VanClevepurpose

Fertilization and thinning studies were developed inbirch, aspen, and white spruce forest types, representingyoung,middle,andoldageclassesinthecommonforesttypesininteriorAlaska.Thestudieswerestartedinthelate1960s.Both climatic and tree growth monitoring has continuedthrough 2009.These measurements represent a long-termrecordoftreegrowthandclimatedataforanagesequenceofforeststands.approach

Treegrowthandtheeffectsoffertilizationandthinningare being monitored on a yearly basis. The result is thedevelopmentofalong-termdataset.progress

Thecomparativeanalysisofthislargedatasetindicatesthat nutrient limitationsmay only occur during the yearlyspringgrowthperiodafterwhichmoistureavailabilityistheprimarycontrolof treegrowthonwarmsites.Temperaturedynamics, both air and soil, set seasonal bounds on thenutrient/moisture dynamics. Both air and soil temperaturelimitations are the primary control of growth dynamics inthe colder topographic locations in interior Alaska. Theselocations are usually dominatedby black spruce vegetationtypes. A seasonal progression of growth controlling factorsoccursandit isstronglytiedtothestatefactorstructureofthe landscape.

impactThe long-term perspective indicates that changes in

the annual and seasonal precipitation dynamics as a resultof climate change will have a substantial impact on treegrowthandforestecosystemdynamicsininteriorAlaska.Themagnitude of these changeswill be tied to growing seasontemperature dynamics, vegetation type present on the site,andagestructureofthevegetation.grants/funding


The Yukon River Basin project—the Densmore Tree Regeneration InstallationGlenn Juday; Roseann Densmore (USGS);DavidSpencerpurpose

The Densmore Tree Regeneration Installation (DTRI)was established in 1985–86 in the portion of the BonanzaCreekExperimentalForestaffectedbytheRosieCreekFireof1983asacooperativeUAFandUSGSstudy.TheearlygoalsofDTRIweretodeterminetheinteractingeffectsofdifferentsitepreparationtreatmentsversustreeregenerationtechniquesonwhitespruceestablishmentandearlygrowth.Thepurposeof thecurrent study is todocument the rateofgrowthandsurvivalofalltreespeciesandtomeasurecarbonaccumulationin artificially regenerated stands inmiddle life, especially inthecontextofchangingclimate.Thecurrent study isbeingconducted through the Yukon River Basin (YRB) project,a cooperative effort of the US Geological Survey with theUniversityofAlaskaasalocalpartner.TheYRBprojectispartofaplannednationalClimateEffectsNetwork,designedtoassessmajorclimate-relatedchangestoecosystemfunction.approach

TheDTRI covers 29.4 ha (72.7 ac) and is one of thelargestandmostcomprehensivetreeregenerationinstallationsin Alaska. The study was designed by Dr. John Zasada,USDAForestServiceResearchsilviculturalist,andRosanneDensmore, USGS revegetation scientist. Site preparationwork at DTRI was conducted in 1985 and seeding andplantingofwhitesprucetookplacein1986.AtthisstageoftheYRBwork, thegoalsare togeo-referenceall treatmentsand plots, rehabilitate plot markers, transfer original datatomoderndigital formats,andsurveyoverall conditionsaspreparationforthefirstcycleofremeasurementsince1997.progress/result

Werelocatedandrehabilitated306plotmarkerpostsindense, shrubby vegetation last visited twelve years ago.Weobtained 165 precision (sub-meter) GPS readings of keylocations,and207keydistancemeasurements.Weproducedthe first precisemaps of the installation and adjacent area,andgeo-registeredspecificsub-partsofDTRIonclose-scaleaerialphotographytakeninMay2009.Wetransferrednearlyalloftheoriginalfielddatafrompaperformstodigitalfiles.impact/implications

TheDTRIistheprincipalmanagedforestenvironmentavailablefordetectingandquantifyingclimatechangeeffects

The crosscut sawing event at the ever-popular Forest Sports Festival, on the Fairbanks Experiment Farm.

UAF mArkEtiNg photo by mEgAN otts

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in boreal Alaska.The installation has many characteristicsthatmakeitaparticularlyvaluableresearchsite.TheDTRIareaiscurrentlyavigorous,young(twenty-threeyearsoldin2009)forestwithnumeroustreatmentsadjacenttocontrols(untreated areas), providing opportunities to evaluatethe basic parameters of short-rotation biomass energyproduction.The installation is adjacent to on-site weatherstationsmaintainedby theBonanzaCreekLTERand largenaturalforestreferencestandsthathavebeenmonitoredsincethemid-1980s,sothatmostLTERexperimentalresultsaredirectlyapplicabletoDTRI.Finally,becauseofthelarge-scalereplicationoftreatmentsinDTRI,siteswithknownhistoriesoftreatmentsandearlyforestcharacteristicsareavailablefordestructiveanalysisinmeasuringbiomassandwoodproductyield.Apilotprogramoftreeremeasurementisplanned,andcost estimates for fullmeasurement arebeingdeveloped.Auserscommitteeofscientistsandmanagersisplanned.grants/funding

Support was provided by the McIntire StennisCooperativeForestryProgramandtheUSGeologicalSurvey,YukonRiverBasincooperativeprojectwithUAF.

Natural regeneration of white spruce 2009Glenn Judaypurpose

Thisisalong-termstudyofwhitesprucethatregeneratednaturally following the 1983 Rosie Creek Fire. The 2009growing season represents the twenty-first year of datacollectioninthestudyandthetwenty-seventhgrowingseasonsincethefire.This is the longestandmostdetailed look inboreal Alaska at the amount, survival, and performance ofnatural tree regeneration followingwildfire on a large plotbasis.approach

EverywhitesprucetreethatoccursintheReserveWestreferencehectare(2.47acres)atBonanzaCreekExperimentalForestLTERhasbeenmappedandmeasuredannuallysince1988. During the 2009 annual survey, the measurementsmade included (a) white spruce survival, (b) 2009 heightgrowth,and2009baseandbreastheightdiameter,(c)totalheight, and (d)budwormdamage level.Aclose-scale aerialphotowastakeninearlyMay,2009atthetimeofbudburst/leafexpansioninordertobeabletoidentifyindividualtreecrownswithinthehectare.progress

In 2009, 2,265 white spruce trees weremeasured andentered into the long-term database. Average 2009 heightgrowth of all trees was 12.2 cm (max = 95 cm), which is0.6cmlessthan2008growth.Averagetotalheightwas153cm(max867cm).Slightlylessthan79percentofthewhitespruce trees were taller than 50 cm and about 40 percentweretallerthan137cm,orbreastheight(theconventionalmeasurementpointfordiameter).Attheendof2009aboutahalfpercent fewer trees (7percent)were freeof all shadefromcompetingtreesthanin2008,andaboutahalfpercent

fewertrees(18.5percent)werepartiallyshadedbyneighbortreesthanin2008.Thegreatmajorityofwhitespruce(74.5percent)wereundershadeofothertrees.Attheendof2009theaveragestemdiameterwas3.2cmatgroundleveland2.8cmatbreastheight. In2009 sprucebudwormdamagewaspracticallyabsent,withonly15percentoftreeshavinganydamage,andnearlyallofthatonlyatthethresholdlevelfordetection.Thepatternof the locationofdominant crownsseenin2009aerialphotographyshowsthataspenarelosingcompetitivepositiontoneighboringwhitespruceandAlaskabirchbecauseof low foliagemass and cover, even in aspentreeswithsuperiorheightadvantage,presumablybecauseofasuccessionofyearswithheavytoveryheavyleafdamagefromaspen leafminer.impact/implications

Twenty-six years after a moderate- to severe-intensitywildfire,theprocessofforminganewforestatthissitehasgone through some rapid but distinct changes. The newgeneration of white spruce all came from seed, with themajorseedcropyearsin1983,1987,and1990,andalmostno other years represented. A few dozen 1998 and 2003seedcropseedlingswerealiveintheplotin2009,buttheyhavealmostnopotentialtobecomedominanttreeswithoutmajordisruptionofthecanopytoallowthemtoescapetheirprofoundlysuppressedcondition.Broadleaftreesregeneratedboth from seed and from stem sproutsof trees alive at thetimeofthe1983fire.Eventhoughthediameterandheightdistributions of all white spruce in 2009 suggest a steadyrecruitmentofnewtreesintothepopulationtookplace,thenewspruceforestessentiallydevelopedfromthreeseedcropyears.The timing and abundance of those seed cropsweredecisive influences on the composition of the new forest.Othernotable eventsoccurred in the early yearsof the lifeofthisstand,includingrapideliminationofsuitablespruceseedbed conditions, moose browsing and insect damageon broadleaf trees, stem breakage from extreme snowloads, crushingofnew trees snagfall, two sprucebudwormoutbreaks, repeatedandextensiveclippingof spruce shootsbysquirrels,andrecorddroughts.Thenewforestmaynowbeenteringaperiodofconsolidationandslowerchange,butatotherpointsinthelifeofthisprojectwhensuchprojectionsseemed reasonable, subsequent events proved them to bewrong. Continued monitoring represents the best way toaddressthisimportantissue.grants/funding


Remotely sensed evidence of shrub expansion in the arctic tundraDave Verbyla,KenTapepurpose

ThepurposeofthisstudywastomapshrubexpansionusinghistoricsatelliteimageryinarcticAlaska.

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approachAtimeseriesofLandsatimageryfromthemid1980sto

presentwas used in this study.TheNormalizedDifferenceVegetationIndex(NDVI) fromLandsatTMdatawasusedas an index of shrub areas. Tall shrub areas, because ofrelativelyhighleafareahavethehighestNDVIamongtundra vegetationtypes.progress

WeassessedtheexpansionofNDVIacrossfourregionalframes in the arctic foothills in northeast Alaska.We usedan NDVI threshold of >0.6 as a proxy for shrub pixels.Withineachregionalframe,thedistributionofhighNDVIpixelsin1986mostlyfollowedchannelsinthelandscape.In2009,adjacentareasalsohadhighNDVI, likelyasaresultfrom shrub expansion,which is consistentwithfield-basedhistoricphotography.AlsothemeanNDVIwithinhigh1986NDVIareasdidnotsignificantlyincreasein2009,whiletheareasmapped as shrub expansion did significantly increaseinNDVIvalue since themid-1980s,consistentwithshrubexpansion.impact

Basedonthisstudyandfield-basedrepeatphotography,muchoftheshrubexpansionhasoccurredindrainagesandis likely to continue due to awarming arctic climate.TheexpansionofshrubsinarcticAlaskacanpromoteapositivefeedbackwhereshrubstrapwind-blownsnow,thusinsulatingthe ground in the winter and accelerating soil warming,leadingtoincreasedshrubgrowthandexpansion.grants/funding


The Yukon River Basin project—2010 Yukon Flats studiesGlenn Juday purpose

TheYukonRiverBasin (YRB)Project is a cooperativeeffort of the USGeological Survey with the University ofAlaskaasalocalpartner.TheYRBisdesignedtounderstandandpredictclimate-inducedchangestotheair,water, land,andbiotawithintheYRB,particularlyastheyaffectecosystemfunctionsofcarbonandwatercycling.AnoverallYRBgoalisdeveloppredictivecapabilitiesbeforepotentialadaptationstrategiesarelostandmorecostlyresponsesbecomenecessary.A 2009 prototype field campaign was carried out on anintensivestudyareaontheYukonFlatsbyaUSGSteamatBootLakeandCanvasbackLake,andaUAFteamworkingalongtheYukonRiverintheYukonFlats.Thegoalsofthis2009 project were to determine the climate sensitivity ofwhiteandblacksprucetreegrowthintheflats.approach

A river-based expedition traveled from the Dalton HighwayBridgetotheYukonFlats,coveringabout300miles.Theexpeditioncollectedsawndisksofwoodordrilledcoresfrom a total of 92 trees at 10 locations along the transect.Manyweredeadtrees(recentlyfallen),ortreesabouttofall

intotheriverfrombankerosion,orthatwerekilledbya2004forest fire.The sampled siteswere evenly spaced along theroute.Ofthe55coresand125disksections,95werewhitespruce,84wereblack spruce, andonewasaspen.Multiplesectionswerecutalongthelengthofsomeofthefallendeadtrees.progress/result

Wesandedandmarkedthetreeringsonabout100ofthe125disk sections.Wemeasuredabout60 ring-width seriesandbegan analysisof the climate sensitivityof tree growthattheYukonRiverBridge,BootLake,andCanvasbackLakefieldstudysites.impact/implications

Preliminaryresultssuggestsimilarclimatefactorscontrolblacksprucegrowthaspreviouslydiscoveredforwhitespruce,and that recent warm temperatures are the least favorableperiodofgrowthforthepasttwocenturies.Nearlyalltreeswere negative responders, meaning that they grew less assummer (especially July) temperatures increased and grewmore as summer temperatures decreased. Spruce budwormreproduction, a major cause of tree death in Canada, wasdiscoveredinthetopsoffelledblackspruce.Willowleafblotchminer damagewas extensive across theYukon Flats.Thesefindings are consistent with effects of climate warmingdocumentedelsewhereinborealAlaska.grants/funding


Comparing forest growth from tree rings and satellite NDVI measurementsGlenn Juday;PieterBeck(WoodsHoleResearchInstitute);Valerie Barber,ClaireAlix,Patricia Heiser purpose

The purpose of this project is to compare ground-based tree growth measurements from productive, low-elevationsitesacrosstheborealforestportionofAlaskawithlong-term satellite-based measurements that estimate totalphotosynthesisontheEarth’ssurface.approach

ThisprojectisacollaborationwithPieterBeckandScottGoetzofWoodsHoleResearchInstitute,whoareassemblingsatellite data series. The UAF participants assembled tree-ringmeasurementsofthegrowthofwhitespruceandblacksprucesamplesfrom856treescollectedfrom1987to2009in46white spruce standsand42black spruce stands.Thesampled standswere distributed from theAlaskaRange inthe south to the BrooksRangeinthenorth,neartheAlaska-YukonTerritoryborderintheeasttothelimitoftreegrowthinwesternAlaska.Treegrowthwascomparedwiththerecordofsatellite-sensedNormalizedDifferenceofVegetationIndex(NDVI),indexedtoreflectgrossphotosynthesisoftheEarth’ssurface.Growing seasonphotosynthesiswas calculated at8kmspatialresolutionusingtheGlobalInventoryMapping&

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MonitoringSystem(GIMMS)NDVIdataset,andgrowingseason length from the Moderate Resolution ImagingSpectroradiometer(MODIS)dataset.progress/result

Analysisisstillunderway.Todemonstratereliableresults,treegrowthshouldbothincreaseeachyearNDVIdoeswithinagivenpixel,anddecreaseinthesameyearsasNDVI.Also,in a given yearwhereNDVI increased in some pixels anddecreasedinotherstreegrowthshoulddemonstratethesamespatialpatternofincreasesanddecreases.impact/implications

Alaskatreeringseriesarerepresentedinpubliclyaccessibletreeringdatabases.However,untilrecentlymostsamplesoftree growth inAlaskawere collected from trees growing atcold treeline sites for research projects designed primarilyto reconstructpastclimates. In suchclimate reconstructionstudies,sampledtreepopulationsincreasedingrowthduringwarmyearsanddecreasedingrowthincoldyears.However,treeline trees occur on sites marginal of productivity, andtree cover is not dominant over the 8km by 8km satellitepixeloftheEarth’ssurfacewheretheyoccur,sothatthetreegrowth generally does not dominate the total amount ofphotosynthesisinthepixel.Asaresult,onlyweakrelationshipsbetweenNDVIandringwidthserieshavebeenestablishedtodate.Bycontrast,ourtreesampleshavebeenfocusedonlowelevationsitesthatarethemostproductiveandhavethegreatest potential for commercial timber management. Ifsuccessful, this projectwould establish a rapid and reliablewaytoobtainanapproximateindexofforestgrowthacrosstheentireborealregion.grants/funding

Funding was provided by UAF (MacIntire StennisCooperative Forestry program), USGS Yukon River Basinproject,NASA,CentreNationaldelaRechercheScientifique,BureauofLandManagement,andUAFGeistFund.

invasive plant management (seealsorangemanagement,underHigh-LatitudeAgriculture,p.42)

Invasive Plant Management Plan for UAFMarieHeidemann,Susan Toddpurpose

Thepurposeofthismaster’sdegreeprojectistopreventthe spread of invasive plants from the UAF campus tothe surrounding natural ecosystems of interior Alaska bydeveloping an Invasive Plants Management Plan for thecampus. The plan will spell out management actions formanagingexistinginvasiveplantsoncampusandpreventingtheirestablishmentandspreadinthefuture.approach

Throughout theUS andCanada, communities, states,andprovinceshavefoundthebestwaytodealwithinvasivespecies is to develop a comprehensive plan that tackles the

problem from a number of angles and that considers theunderlyingcausesoftheweedinfestation.Themostsuccessfulplans aredeveloped in collaborativeprocessesby a teamofstakeholders.WewillfollowthismodelatUAF.progress

Amapofthecurrentdistributionof invasiveplantsoncampuswasproducedinsummer2008.Inthefallof2009,aUAFInvasivePlantTaskForcewasestablishedwhichincludedinvasiveplantexperts,campuslandscapingstaff,faculty,andstudents.Thesetwostepsprovidedthegroundworkforthisprojecttodevelopaplan.AdraftoftheplanwillbeproducedbyJuly2010andfinalizedbyDecember2010.impact

The plan will have an impact on invasive plants oncampus and also elevate UAF’s status as a model of goodenvironmental stewardship. We are ahead of many othercampuses and communities andourworkon theplanwillhelpothersdeveloptheirinvasiveplantplans.grants/funding

USDAHatchandUnitedStatesForestService

Remote sensing techniques for the study of white sweet clover on the Matanuska River flood plainNorman Harris,BethHall;TriciaWurtz(USFS)purpose

Thisstudyisdirectedatmapping,overtime,infestationsofwhitesweetclover(Melilotus albaDesr.)ontheMatanuskaRiver floodplain using near-earth remote sensing to detectchangesinthepopulationdynamicsbetweensweetcloverandnativevegetation.approach

From June through October, spectral data is acquiredmonthly, or asweather permits, from an altitude of 122musing a small, tethered, helium-filled blimp carrying twodigitalcameras,onecollectingcolorandtheothercollectinginfrared imagery. Images from both cameras are processedtocreatefour-bandspectralimagerywhichisthensubjectedto unsupervised and supervised classification techniques toidentifytargetedspecies.Photosarealsophotogrammetricallyprocessed to createorthorectifiedmosaicsof the study areausingadensegroundcontrolnetwork.progress

Thisstudyisinitssixthyear.Earlieranalysisofspectraldata indicated thatwhite sweet cloverwas easiest todetectusingthevisible-lightspectralbandstakenlateinthegrowingseason,SeptemberorOctober,whenphenologicaldifferencesbetween the white sweet clover and other vegetation wereat their greatest. At the end of their biennial cycle, whitesweet clover dies and turns pink-brown in color. Plants intheirfirstyearofgrowthremaingreenwhiletheotherfloodplain vegetation exhibits a color change to shades of redor yellow. These phenological differences are not stronglylinkedtocalendardatesbutaredependentonenvironmental

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conditions.Infraredimagerydidnotimprovedetectionrates.In 2009 we acquired imagery late in the growing season,August27andagainonSeptember29.Wearecontinuingtostudyplantpopulationdynamicstobettermodelsusceptibilitytoweedestablishment.Wehaveacquiredourfifth,andlast,high-resolutionLIDAR(laserimagingdetectionandranging)dataset.Time-changemodelingwithLIDARdatageneratederosion/depositionmapswhichwereusefulformodelingthespreadofwhitesweetclover.impact

Land managers can effectively and cost-efficiently useremote sensing data to detect and monitor major sweetcloverinfestationsifthedataissupportedwithground-basedobservationstodetectproperphenologicalstagesforimaging.Remote sensing is unlikely to detect initial infestationsof scattered small plants. A probability model will allowlandmangers to better use scarce resources to combat theestablishmentofinvasivespeciesincriticalhabitats.grants/funding

UnitedStatesForestServiceandUSDAHatch

wildlife studiesCaribou genetics and managementM.A. Cronin;M.D.MacNeil(USDA);J.C.Patton(PurdueUniv.);S.Haskell,W.B.Ballard(TexasTechUniv.);L.E.Noel,M.Butcher(EntrixInc.);W.Streever(BPExplorationAlaskaInc.)purpose

This project assesses caribou (Rangifer tarandus)demography,includinginteractionsamongherdsandeffectsrelated to oil field development. Understanding ultimateand proximate causes of animal behavior can helpwildlifemanagersdevelopandemployeffectivemitigationmeasureswhenpotentialadverseimpactsfromhumandisturbanceareofconcern.approach

To assess herd interactions, genetic variation will bedetermined among the arcticAlaska herds.Comparison ofdemographyandgeneticsisintegraltoourapproach.progress

Papers fromour studywerepreviouslypublished.Newmolecular markers from cattle will be applied to Alaskacaribouin2010.impact

On Alaska’s North Slope, understanding cariboudemography is an integral part of the multiple-usemanagementofoil andgas andwildlife.Landandwildlifemanagers can use this study to developmore effective andflexiblemitigationmeasuresforindustry.grants/funding


Grizzly bear genetics M.A. Cronin;R.Shideler(AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame);J.C.Patton(PurdueUniversity);S.C.Amstrup(USGeologicalSurvey)purpose

ThisprojectassessesgrizzlybeardemographyandgeneticvariationinNorthAmerica.approach

Molecular genetics technology is used to quantify thefamilyrelationshipsofbears,numbersofbearscontributingto breeding, and genetic variation in bears across westernNorthAmerica.progress

Assessment of grizzly bear demographics and geneticsis continuing with analysis of additional genetic markers,including functional genes (k-casein, Mc1r, and majorhistocompatibilty complex). Review of the literature isprovidingcomparativeassessmentofgeneticvariation.impact

TheprojectprovidesareviewofgeneticfactorsinfluencingthedemographyofgrizzlybearsinAlaskaandotherareasofNorthAmerica,particularlyimmigrationandemigration.grants/funding


Polar bear geneticsM.A. Cronin;S.A.Amstrup,S.Talbot(USGeologicalSurvey)purpose

Thisprojectaimstoimproveunderstandingofpolarbeardemographics,withparticularemphasisonpotentialchangesdue to climatechange.approach

Moleculargenetics isused toassess the levelofgeneticvariation of bears in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas innorthernAlaskaandcompareitwiththatinotherworldwidesubpopulations.Geneticsisalsobeingusedtounderstandthetimingandnatureofevolutionofpolarbearsfromancestralbrownbears.progress

Wearecontinuingassessmentofpolarbeargeneticswithanalysisoffamily-levelrelationshipsandparentageandgeneticvariationatnucleargenelocirelatedtofitness(k-caseinandmajorhistocompatibilitycomplex,Mc1r,Mc4r).Paperswerepublishedin2006and2009.impact

This study is helping quantify genetic variation andsubpopulationdifferentiationaswellasclarifytheevolutionaryrelationshipsofpolarbearsandbrownbears.Suchinformationis potentially useful in populationmanagement and policyformulationat thenationaland international levels.This isparticularlyimportantbecauseoftheMay2008EndangeredSpeciesActlistingofpolarbearsasathreatenedspecies.

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grants/fundingTheprojectisfundedwithanaturalresourcesgrantfrom

theAlaskaLegislaturetoSNRAS.

Can Kenai River chinook salmon survive watershed land use changes? Historical land use effects on salmon in Alaska’s Kenai River Watershed Susan“Shana”Loshbaugh,Susan Toddpurpose

The purpose of this master’s degree project is to seewhether there is a link between land development andsalmonproductivity in theKenaiRiverWatershed (KRW).Land use changes that reduced the quality of freshwaterhabitatareconsideredaprimaryreasonfor thedeclineandextinctionofsalmonstocksinthePacificNorthwest.CouldthesamethinghappentotheKenaiRiver?Iamexaminingthelandusechangesinthewatershedoverthepastcenturytoconsiderwhethertheriver’sfamouschinooksalmonrunsaresustainableiftheseland-usetrendscontinue.approach

Approaches from historical research, interdisciplinarylandscapescience,andgeographicinformationsystems(GIS)

willbeusedtodescribethewatershed’sland-usehistorytoseeifthereisalinkbetweenlandusechangesandtheproductivityofsalmonruns.ThestudywillalsocomparetheKRWwithland-usehistoriesofothersalmon-producingwatershedsandsuggest ways to maintain or enhance the resilience of theKRWsocial-ecologicalsystem.progress

Historic maps, census data, aerial photographs, anddocumentshavebeen collected andanalyzed.GISmapsofthe historic changes to thewatershed have been compiled.Interviews with long-term residents are complete and theprojectshouldbefinishedbyOctober2010.impact

Although the KRW appears undisturbed compared tomany salmon-producing watersheds in other states, overthepast sixtyyearsurban sprawl anddevelopment close tothe river have dramatically altered the riparian vegetation.However, there are still extensive forested areas along theriver,soitmaynotbetoolatetoavoidthefateofsomanysalmon riversintheLower48.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Kenai River, June 2008. photo by FrANk kovALchEk, WikimEdiA commoNs, crEAtivE commoNs AttribUtioN 2.0 gENEric LicENsE

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Natural Resources Use & Allocation

resource mAnAgemenT inAlaska isconstrainedbyneeds tofulfill public expectations, follow processes that are le-

gallyrequired,andmeetthesubstantiverequirementsofstateand federal lawsandpolicies.Tobe implementedproperly,resource management programs must be solidly based onreliable information that can successfullymeet legal reviewand gainpublic acceptance.The costs of harvestingAlaskaresourcescanbehigh,andmostAlaskaproductsfacestrongcompetitioninglobalmarkets.Toremaincompetitive,Alaskaresourcesmustbeharvestedorextractedefficientlyandmar-ketedeffectively.Theymustalsobedevelopedandusedwithcognizance of non-extractive users. Outdoor and wildlandrecreationandnature-basedtourismhavebecomearelativelylargepartoftheAlaskaeconomyandsocialfabric.Thissec-torishighlydependentontheuser-relevantmanagementofpubliclandresources.

Sound natural resource economics requires developingand sharing information to establishmore effectivemarketmechanisms, identifying new resource use opportunities,and developing non-market valuation systems. Research innaturalresourcesatSNRASandAFESfocusesonintegratedstudies of economic, managerial, and ecological aspectsof natural resource use and allocation: multi-resourceplanning and the process of determining public resourcepolicy; non-market resource economics; outdoor recreationresource management; resource economics and policyimpact assessment; rural community culture and economicdevelopment analysis; nature-based tourism; environmentallaw and policy; new product opportunities in forests andwildlands;andsubsistenceresourcesystems.

nAtuRAl RESouRcES REPoRtS:(note: authors listed below are SNRAS researchers)

64 • biomassEstablishment and evaluation of native willows, alder and cottonwoods for biomass productionNorman Harris, Stephen Sparrow, J. Andres SoriaPyrolysis of Alaska biomassJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKingGasification of Alaska biomassJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKingSalmon waste gasificationJ. Andres Soria,ShawnFreitas

66 • fisheries & fishery productsAnalysis of minimum size limit for Eastern Bering Sea tanner crab fisheries Joshua Greenberg,GordonKruse,WilliamBechtolConverting Alaska fish byproducts into value-added ingredients and productsAlbertoPantoja,PeterBechtel,CynthiaK.Bower(ARS)

The effects of changing fishery regulations to local participation in the Bristol Bay salmon fisheryJoshua Greenberg

68 • forests & forest productsA bark thickness model for white spruce in Alaska northern forestsThomasMalone,Jingjing LiangLumber grade and yield for Alaska birch KevinCurtis,Valerie BarberChemical characterization of Alaska treesJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKingMoisture content determination of fire-killed trees in interior AlaskaJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKing,Norman Harris,BethHall,Valerie BarberSitka Tribe Harvesting Survey Valerie BarberNon-destructive testing of Alaska tree speciesValerie Barber,LarsenHessAnatomical and mechanical properties of woods used to manufacture bassoonsKatyLevings,Valerie Barber

71 • policy & planningInternational Polar Year: Impacts of high-latitude climate change on ecosystem services and societyT. Scott Rupp, Gary KofinasEndangered Species Act science and managementM.A. CroninWhen laws affecting the environment conflict: Focus on public landsJulie Lurman Joly

72 • recreationMonitoring indicators in Denali National ParkPeter J. FixSquirrel River sport hunter studyPeter J. Fix,AndrewM.Harrington

73 • revegetationRevegetation of a gravel-extraction operationNorman Harris,BethHall,DotHelm

73 • water & wetlandsLake level changes at Harding LakeJohn D. Fox, Jr.Feasibility study for development of a storm water utility in the City of FairbanksJacksonFox,Susan ToddImpacts of water and sanitation projects on communities in GhanaJosieOsafo-AduSam,Susan Todd

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Status and distribution of wetland habitats in the Greater Fairbanks AreaJenniferJenkins,Susan Todd

biomass (seealsobiofuelsunderHigh-LatitudeAgriculture,p.29)

Establishment and evaluation of native willows, alder and cottonwoods for biomass productionNorman Harris, Stephen Sparrow, J. Andres Soria;PeggyHunt(AlaskaDNR)purpose

This project is designed to determine the feasibilityof growing endemic Alaska woody species as sustainableagriculturalcropsforbioenergyandbioproductapplications.High-resolution remotely sensed images will be used toevaluateplantgrowthandestimatebiomassaccumulation.approach

PlotsofselectedwoodyspecieswillbeestablishedatthePlantMaterialsCenter(PMC),locatedinPalmer,andattheUAFFairbanksExperimentFarm.Growthandmortalitydatawill be collected to determine the best species for biomassproduction. Imagery, using our small, tethered, helium-filled blimp carrying two digital cameras, will be acquiredofexistingplotscontaining30-yearoldtreesatthePMCtodevelop models for accurately estimating biomass. Modelswillbecalibratedandassessedusingdestructivesamplingofselectedtrees.progress

ImagerywasobtainedofestablishedwillowtestplotsatthePlantMaterialsCenteronSeptember28,2009.Ourimagerywasacquiredwitharesolutionof2cmonaside.Preliminaryanalysis indicated that using imagery for biomass estimatesmaybedifficultbecauseoftherasterformatofdigitalterrainmodels.Wehaveaccuracylimitationsthatareinherentinthemappinggradeglobalpositioningunit(lessthanonemeter)weuse to collect ground control points and the resolutionofourimagery.Terrainmodelsusingaresolutionof2.5cmhad inherent noisewhilemodels using a 25 cm resolutionwerenotfine-grainedenoughtodetectsmalltrees.Ourinitialmodelingrunsindicatethatamodelwithsresolutionof5cmonasideworkedbest.Estimatesofbiomasswouldbelimitedtomultiplesof25cm2.Futureworkwilluseavector-basedsoftwareprogramtomodeltreebiomass.impact

The production of biomass will allow Alaskans todeveloparenewablesourceofbiomassforenergyproductionandbioproductapplications.Thiswillallowpeopletoweanthemselves from expensive, nonrenewable energy sourcesand allow them tohave greater control of somenecessitiesrequiredforlifeinAlaska.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Pyrolysis of Alaska biomassJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKing;ArmandoG.McDonald(Univ.ofIdaho)purpose

The production of bio-oil as a stable liquid substratetohold the chemicalsproducedby theheatingofwood intheabsenceofoxygen(pyrolysis)isamajorgoalforfindingalternatives to petroleum. This multistate collaborativeresearchprojectisgearedtowardbuildingacustompyrolysisunitandperformingtheinitialinvestigationsofAlaskawoodyspeciesasreactedinthisapparatus.approach

Apyrolysis reactorwas designed by J.A. Soria atUAFand fabricated at the University of Idaho in 2009. Thereactor,housedatthePalmerResearch&ExtensionCenter’sRenewable-BasedHydrocarbons (RBH) Laboratory, is abletoprocess1kg/hrofAlaskabiomasstoconductfundamentalresearchintheproductionofbio-oilanditscharacterization.The bio-oil is analogous to petroleum oil, where a seriesof compounds can be extracted and refined into variousproducts.Beingaliquid,bio-oilcanbestoredandtransportedin similar fashion to petroleum, but processing varies, andfundamental research in this area continues tobeanactivearenaatthenationalandinternationallevel.Alaskabiomassisbeingpyrolyzedindifferingconditionsandthereactionsandproducts characterized for degree of completion, chemicalcomposition,andanalysisofbio-char,bio-oil,andsyn-gasbychromatographyandspectroscopytechniques.progress

Thepyrolysis reactor is installedat theRBHfacility inPalmer. Controllers and peripheral equipment continue tobe designed to automate the equipment operations aswellas data gathering techniques.Work relatedwith this phaseis expected to be completed by the end of the summer of2010. Alder and black spruce samples have been collectedandprocessed/preparedforpyrolysistreatment.Thesespecieswillyieldbio-oilandbio-charwhichwillbecharacterizedinsummer/fall2010.impact

The production of bio-oil from pyrolysis of Alaskaspecies has not been fully investigated. Facilities in Alaskadidnotexistuntilnow,andassuchthisresearchprovidesafirstinunderstandingthefundamentalprinciplesofpyrolysisforAlaskabiomass,aswellasestablishingthebasicresearchequipment and infrastructure with which to continue andexpand this work. Future phases of research will involvecatalytic upgrading of the bio-oil into diesel boiling rangefuels,andassessingitspotentialapplicationsastransportation andheatingfuelalternatives.grants/funding

USDAWoodUtilizationResearchGrant 09—BiofuelsModule

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Gasification of Alaska biomassJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKingpurpose

Gasification is a thermochemical technique that,undercontrolled conditions, can produce a gaseous combustiblemixturethatcanoperatesmallinternalcombustionenginesand displace natural gas for some applications such ascooking and heating.Alaska biomass has not been studiedfroma fundamental perspectiveunder gasification regimes.Factorssuchaschemicalcomposition,moisture,andreactorconditions all play a significant role in the quality of thegasproduced.This is thefirst fundamental studyofAlaskalignocellulosicbiomassundergasification.approach

Alaska lignocellulosic biomass will be processed intocompressed logs and various particle sizes which will beintroducedinasmallfixedbeddowndraftgasifier.Thereactionconditionswillbeanalyzedusingprobes,andresponsesurfaceoptimizationproceduresemployedtoimprovethegasificationprocess. Analysis of the produced gases will occur usingchromatographyandmassspectrometry.Elementalanalysis,caloricvaluedetermination,andchemicalcompositionoftheraw feedstock aswell as of the products after reactionwillbe conducted.The combination of data from the reactionparameters, results, andbaseline informationwill allow theresponse surfacemethodusedtooptimize the systemtobetailoredtothespecificspeciesofbiomassandyieldthehighestproductionofcombustiblegas.Themethodsusedwillenableanunderstandingofwhat theoutputmaybe ifparameterssuch asmoisture are changed, leading topractical rangeofbiomassattributesthatcouldstillproduceusablegas,outsideofidealconditions.progress

Wehaveconductedgasificationrunsonsmalldiameteralder wood, yielding promising results in the productionof syn-gas from this fast growing, low value species. Theelementalanalysis,basicchromatography,andcaloriccontenthavebeencompleted,andtwopublicationsdetailingthealderruns in contrast to salmon/aldermixturesarebeingprepared.OtherspeciesoflignocellulosicAlaskabiomasshavenotbeenstudiedyet,andthisispartoftheongoingworkatthePalmerResearch&ExtensionCenter.impact

Theproductionof a gas fuel that canbeuseddirectlyin generatingmechanical power using internal combustionenginescanplayasignificantroleinremotelocationsinthestate,wherecurrentfragmentedenergyinfrastructuremakesittooexpensivetopipenaturalgas.Theutilizationoflocalbiomass resources for the production of such a fuel mayprove important in diversifying the energy portfolio of thestateandenablethegrowthofasecondaryindustryoutsideof dimensional lumber products that can capitalize on theutilizationofAlaskabiomassresources.grant/funding

USDAWoodUtilizationResearch10

Salmon waste gasificationJ. Andres Soria,ShawnFreitas;CindyBower,PeterBechtel(USDAARS)purpose

Alaska produces 100,000metric tons of salmon wasteyearly.Thesewastestreamsincludeheadsandviscerawhichhavenocommercialvalue.Bycombiningthesewasteswithanother low-value biomass stream in the way of small-diameter black spruce and alder, themixturemay be usedin gasification, leading to the production of a combustiblegasthatcanrunsmallcombustionengines.This isthefirststudy to investigate thesewaste streams for theproductionandcharacterizationofenergy-specificuses.approach

Small-diameteralderandblacksprucewereharvestedatthePalmerResearch&ExtensionCenterandthematerialsprocessed into sawdust. Salmon wastes from commercialfishing processors in Kodiak Island were mixed with thesawdustinavarietyofratios,notsurpassing25percentfishdue to highmoisture content.Themixture of salmon andwoodsawdustwascompressedinto“firelogs”threeinchesindiameterandplacedinsideafixedbeddowndraftgasifier.

Inparallel,fundamentalresearchintothecharacterizationof the individual raw feedstocks, different mixtures, andrelatedproductsisbeingconductedtoqualifyandquantifythebestconditionsunderwhichgasificationtechnologycanbe used to produce a combustible gas mixture.The long-term goal is to design reactor and reaction conditions thatwilloptimizetheproductionofcombustiblegasfromtheseAlaska-specific waste streams, and be able to run a smallgeneratortopoweramodestloadof2kW.progress

Wehavecompletedthepilotscalegasificationruns,andfound the optimal range of fish and alder wood to use toproduceahighqualitycombustiblegas.Theworkhasresultedinonemaster’sthesisandthreepublications(inprocess).impact

Thisisthefirstfundamentalandappliedresearchstudyto focusongasifyingAlaskawoodand salmon,andoneofthe first studies anywhere to optimize salmon and woodbiomass for syn-gas production.This information providesthebasisfordesignandoperationofnewreactorsystemsthatcan serve as the building blocks to direct heating systems,combinedheatandpowersystems,orprocessheatforfisheryoperations.Thefundamentalworkgeneratedbythisresearchis now being used by the principle investigator to designfeedstocksforupgradingviacatalysisofthesyngasintohighgradehydrocarbonliquidfuels.grants/funding

JointVentureAgreementwithUSDAARSAlaska.

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fisheries & fishery productsAnalysis of minimum size limit for Eastern Bering Sea tanner crab fisheries Joshua Greenberg,GordonKruse,WilliamBechtolpurpose

Ourpurposeistoassistfisherymanagersandregulatorsinthedeterminationofwhetherareductionintheminimumsize limit for the tanner crab fishery in theEasternBeringSeamaybeappropriatetobetterattainfisherymanagementobjectives to optimize sustained yields while maintainingspawningbiomass.approach

Simulated tanner crab catches at various size limits areextrapolatedfromhistoriccatchandobserverdata.Effectsofsize limits to the fleet performance are estimated from theextrapolateddata.Historicex-vesselprices,wholesaleprices,and fishery quota prices and lease rates are examined toexplorehowchangesinfisheryharvestsandsizeofcrabwillaffecttheeconomicperformanceofthecrabfishingindustry.progress

The initial analyses were completed and preliminaryfindings reported. The study will be completed next yearandfindingsprovidedtoindustry,fisherymanagers,andtheAlaskaBoardofFisheries.impact

TheBeringSeatannercrabfisheryhashistoricallybeena major component of the Alaska crab fishing industry.DeclinestothesizeatmaturityformaletannercrabsintheBeringSeahavecompromisedtheeconomicprofitabilityofthis commercial fishery and had important consequencestotheunderlyingstockdynamics.Areducedsizelimitmayenhance the contribution this fishery makes to the crabfishingindustryinthestateandthenation.grants/funding

USDAHatch

Converting Alaska fish byproducts into value-added ingredients and productsAlbertoPantoja,PeterBechtel,CynthiaK.Bower(ARS)

Note:Thisprojecthasseveralcomponents,allinvolvingtheutiliza-tionoffishprocessingbyproducts.

purposeThe Alaska seafood industry harvests more than 50

percentofthetotalUScatch;however,muchoftheprocessingbyproduct is underutilized or discarded. The total Alaskaseafoodharvestin2008wasover2millionmetrictons(MT)per year, resulting in over 1.1 millionMT of byproducts.Thesebyproductscouldbeprocessedintomorethan200,000MToffishmealsandoilsandothervalue-addedbyproductswith an annual value in excess of $200,000,000. Further,these byproducts contain fractions that could be recoveredandutilizedashigh-valuefeedandfoodingredientssuchas

increasing the content of omega-3 fatty acids in feeds andfoods, increasingfeedintakeandincreasingperformanceoffarmedfish.Inaddition,specialtyproteinandoilsupplementscanpotentiallyreducecurrentlevelsoffishmealandoilusedinfeeds.

This research project focuses on increasing the valueof Alaska seafood processing byproducts through thedevelopmentofscientificinformationandmethodsrequiredtousethesematerialsasfoodandfeedingredients.Theover-archinggoalofthisprojectistodevelopnewknowledgetoincrease the value of underutilized byproducts as food andfeed ingredients in a sustainable manner. Development ofeffectivemeansofdealingwiththesebyproductswillreducepotential deleterious environmental impacts and increase the economic viability of the seafood industry and thecommunitiesthatdependonthem.Theaquacultureindustrywillbenefitfromagreatersupplyandgreaterchoiceoffeedingredients,andtheprospectofswitchingfromdependenceonoceanharvestsofindustrialfishusedtoproducefishmealandoiltosustainableproducedgrainsandoilseeds.approach, progress, and impactAlASkA fiSh PRotEin mEAl And oil QuAlitY

ThechemicalandnutritivequalityofAlaskabyproductfish meals was evaluated. The quality of these meals wasindistinguishable from commercial meals for shrimp and,withoneexception,informulationsforPacificthreadfinandrainbowtrout.AlargestudyfoundAlaskaseafoodbyproductswerewellsuitedforinclusionintotroutdietstoenhancefilletomega-3fattyacidlevels.StudieswerecompleteusingAlaska“organic”mealsandoilsasaquaculturefeeds.

PERSiStEnt oRgAnic contAminAntS in BYPRoductSThe presence of persistent organic pollutants in

Alaska byproducts needs to be determined. Scientists withthe USDA/ARS Subarctic Research Unit in Fairbanks,Alaska collaborated with scientists from the Institute ofEnvironmental andHumanHealth,TexasTechUniversity,to screen a number of fish oils and meals made fromAlaska byproducts. Results indicated the persistent organiccontaminants(organochlorinepesticidesandpolychlorinatedbiphenyl)werenotdetectedinanyofthesamplesanalyzedwithadetectionlimitof0.8partsperbillionforDDEand0.4partsperbillionforaselectedPCB.TheseresultssuggestedbyproductsfromcoldwatermarinefishcaughtinAlaskaareverylowinpersistentorganicpollutants.

SnAck foodS fRom SAlmon BYPRoduct PowdERSManyAlaskaproductsareatadisadvantageincompeting

in internationalmarketsdue inpart tohigh transportation costs. One way to reduce transportation costs and avoidrefrigerationistodevelopnewproductsmadefromdriedfishbyproductpowders.ScientistsfromUSDA/ARSlaboratoriesin Albany,California,andFairbanksusedan infrareddryertomakedried salmonflakes thatwere subsequentlymilledtopowder.Thepowderswereformulatedwithstarch,water,and seasonings and extrusion molded for deep frying and

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infrareddrying.Theseshelf-stablefishsnacksproducedfromsalmonbyproduct powders can be incorporated into shelf-stableethnicfishsnacksaswellaspetfoods.

chondRoitin SulfAtE fRom fiSh hEAdS And SkAtE SkElEtonS

There is potential to utilize fish processing byproductsfor the production of chondroitin sulfate; however, thereis the need to determine the concentration and chemical characteristicsofchondroitinsulfatefoundintheconnectivetissuesofbyproductssuchasfishheadsandskatebodies.Twoseparateanalyticaltechniques,HPLCanddimethylmethylenebluestaining,wereadaptedtodeterminechondroitinsulfatecontent in the heads of different salmon species and thecartilaginousmaterial in skate bodies.Results usingHPLCanalysis showed salmon heads had on average 15-23mg/gtotal chondroitin sulfate (dry weight basis), while Skatesampleshadonaverage19-29mg/g.Theresultsofthisstudyimply that extraction of chondroitin sulfate from fisheriesbyproducts ispossibleandmay lead to thedevelopmentofvaluablenewproducts.

PhYSicAl And chEmicAl PRoPERtiES of commERciAl SAlmon oil

ThereisinterestinutilizingAlaskapollockandsalmonoilsasfoodandfeedingredients.However,changesincompositionofthecommercialoilsduringtheharvestingseasonmustbeevaluatedintermsofoilquality,concentrationsoffatsolublevitamins,compositionoflongchain3-omegafattyacids,andquantityoffreefattyacids.AstudywasconductedbyUSDA/ARS scientists in Fairbanks and industry collaborators toexaminethephysicalandchemicalpropertiesofcommercialfish oil collected from two different salmon oil and mealprocessing plants over one entire salmon fishing season.ResultsindicatedtheoilsweregoodsourcesofvitaminsA,D,andEandtherewerenolargechangesseeninthefattyacidprofilesorvitaminlevelsoverthecourseofthefishingseason,although stepsmay be needed to protect the oils collectedearlyintheseason.Overthecourseofafishingseason,thesesalmonoilsareofhighandgenerallyconsistentquality.

uv-B light And fiSh Skin gElAtin PRoPERtiESCold-waterfishskingelatinshavecharacteristicphysical

properties significantly different from either warm-waterfishskinormammaliangelatins;however,someapplicationsrequireimprovementofphysicalpropertiestoresemblethoseofothertypesofgelatins.

Collaborating scientists at theUSDA/ARS laboratoriesin Albany, California, and Fairbanks embarked on studiestoalterthephysicalpropertiesofdriedcoldwaterfishskingelatinsusingUV-Blight.ResultsindicatedthatUV-Blightcaninduceproteinchainmodificationstothedriedandmilledcoldwaterfishskingelatins.Themodificationscanincreasegel strength, gel set temperature, and aqueous viscosity aswellasaffectthemechanicalpropertiesofgelatinfilms.UV-Bmodifiedcold-waterfishskingelatinscanbeusedforspecific

applications as food thickeners and emulsifiers at differenttemperatureranges.

dEhYdRAting Pollock SkinS PRioR to ShiPmEntPollock skins destined for gelatin production currently

mustbetransportedtoprocessingfacilitiesoutsideofAlaska.Untreated, the skins contain roughly 80 percent water,makingtransportexpensive.ARSresearchershavedeterminedthat dehydrating fish skins using chemical desiccants priorto transport can stabilize thematerial and reduce shippingweight. Results show that dehydration does not harm thefunctionalpropertiesofgelatin,includinggelstrength,gellingtemperature, and viscosity.This research suggests that fishskinscanbeeconomicallystabilizedfortransportthroughtheuseof reusabledesiccantscommonlyemployed in the foodindustry.

ShRimP-fEEding StimulAntS foR uSE with PlAnt-BASEd diEtSPacificwhiteshrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)showreduced

growthwhenfeddietswheresoyproteinissubstitutedforfishmeal.Additionally,thereislittleinformationonthefeedingstimulant properties of Alaska fish processing byproductsreportedforPacificwhiteshrimp.ScientistsfromtheOceanicInstitute incollaborationwiththeUniversityofAlaskaandUSDA/ARS scientists conducted three trials to evaluateeffectsofnineAlaskafisheriesbyproducts(byproductmealsfrom different species, bone, liver, and other meals) andfeedingstimulants inplant-baseddietsforthePacificwhiteshrimp.ResultsfoundthatAlaskabyproductscanbeeffectivesupplementsinstimulatingshrimpfedsoyproteinbaseddietstoincreaseconsumptionandtheeffectdependedoninclusionlevels.Shrimpaquaculturistscanremedyreducedgrowthdueto plant based diets by stimulating increased consumptionrateswithselectedbyproductsofAlaskafishprocessing.

fiSh BonE mEAlS AS A SouRcE of diEtARY PhoSPhoRuSAlaska fish bones can be made into a meal that may

becomeausefuldietaryphosphorussourceforrainbowtrout.Scientists at the University of Idaho in collaboration withUniversityofAlaskaandUSDA/ARSscientistsevaluatedthephysicalandchemicalpropertiesofbonemealsderivedfromAlaskapollock.Performancecharacteristicsweredeterminedfor rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a balanceddietarymixofplantproteinssupplementedwitheitherfishbonemeal (FBM)derivedfromAlaskanseafoodprocessingbyproductsordicalciumphosphate.SevenexperimentaldietswereformulatedtocontaintwolevelsofdicalciumphosphateortwolevelsoftwodifferentkindsofFBM.Resultsindicatedthat these meals were inferior to dicalcium phosphate asdietary phosphorus sources. These results suggest that thephosphorus in bone meals produced from Alaska seafoodprocessingwastemayrequireadditionalprocessingtoincreasephosphorusavailability.EnERgY fRom PYRolYSiS of SAlmon BYPRoductS

Onepotentialuse forunusedfishprocessingbyproductisasanenergy source forheatingdwellings,wateretc.This

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research project conducted by a collaboration ofUniversityof Alaska and USDA/ARS Fairbanks researchers optimizedconditionsofpyrolysisforusingsalmonprocessingwastestogenerateenergy.Alaskasalmonwasteproductsandalderwoodwere pelletized and gasified to produce a combustible gas.Resultsindicatedthatupto21percentsalmonwasteenhancedthe gasification of alder. This research can potentially beapplied to heat greenhousesinremoteAlaskafishingvillages,therebyincreasingaccessofgarden-freshfoodsandextendingtheir growing season. (See “PyrolosisofAlaskabiomass,”p.64,and“GasificationofAlaskabiomass,”p.65.)

nAnofiBERS fRom fiSh gElAtin Thisstudytestedthepotentialofusinggelatinfromfish

skintomakenanofibers.GelatinwaspreparedfromAlaskapollockskinsandused to spinnanofibers.PollockGelatin/Poly (Vinyl Pyrrolidone) and other combinations wereevaluated for their ability tobe electrospun intonanofiber.Characteristics of the nanofibers parameters affecting thespinning process were evaluated. Pollock gelatin/polynanofibershavethepotentialtobemadeintomanyproductsincluding controlled release of drugs since the nanofibershaveveryhighsurfaceareas.grants/funding

USDA/ARSSubarcticResearchUnit

The effects of changing fishery regulations to local participation in the Bristol Bay salmon fisheryJoshua Greenbergpurpose

The economic performance of the Bristol Bay salmonfishery has been hampered by competition from farmedsalmon.Thestatehasdualobjectivesofimprovingthefishery’seconomicviabilitywhilemaintainingitscontributiontotheregionalandstateeconomy.Thisstudywillexaminetheeffectofaregulatorychangeinthefisherytolocalparticipationinthefisheryandfisheryperformance.approach

The study will rely on qualitative and quantitativemethods to examine the double stacking issue. A surveyapproachwillbeusedtoexaminetheoriginal intentoftheAlaska Board of Fisheries in passing the double stackingregulation.Timeseriesanalysiswillbeusedtoexaminetherelationshipbetweenthedoublestackingregulationandlocalandregionalparticipationinthefishery.progress

The study is in the beginning stage. Fishery permitinformationhasbeenexaminedtoprovideinsightintorecentchangesthathaveoccurredinthefishery.Adraftsurveyhasbeenconstructed.Initialinvestigationofapplyingtimeseriesanalysistoaddressthispolicyquestionhasbeencompleted.impact

This study is expected to contribute to improvedassessmentofpolicytradeoffsinAlaskastatesalmonpolicy,

and to improve the ability of state fishery regulations toachieve policygoals.grants/funding

USDAHatch

forests & forest products(seealsoforesthealth&growth,underManagementofEcosystems,p.55)

A bark thickness model for white spruce in Alaska northern forestsThomas Malone,Jingjing Liangpurpose

WedevelopedamodeltopredictbarkthicknessofwhitespruceinAlaskanorthernforests.approach

Anempiricalregressionmodelwascalibratedwithalargesample collected through interior and southcentral Alaska.Geographicdifferencehasbeentestedtoshowthatthemodelcouldbeappliedstatewide.progress/impact

This study is finished.An articlewas published in theInternational Journal of Forestry Research.Thebarkthicknessmodelmaycontributetothestudyoftreevolumeandbiomassof Alaska’s northern forest species, and hence will supportpotential studies on forest biomass and management.ThemodelisalsosupportiveofAlaska’secologicalandeconomicimprovement.grants/funding


Lumber grade and yield for Alaska birch KevinCurtis,Valerie Barberpurpose

Alaska birch from Fairbanks and Matanuska-SusitnaValleywillbeused forproduct recovery (yield studies)andtoevaluatelumberdryingcharacteristics.Specificgoalsare:

• Evaluate whether lumber grade (of recoveredlumber) is commensurate with log grade (determinedbeforesawing);

• Evaluate theminimumdiameterofbirch sawlogthat can be profitably sawn by operators in southeastAlaska;

• Evaluatethepotential forproducingvalue-addedwoodproductsfromlowergradebirch.

approachSixteen trees from Fairbanks and sixteen from the

Matanuska-Susitna Valley will be cut for the project anddelivered to Palmerwhere theywill bemilled into lumber,dried, planed, and then scaled and graded. They will beevaluated according to the National Hardwood LumberAssociation lumber standards and board foot volume oflumber recovered will be measured. Lumber value will bedetermined based on current hardwood market values.

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Lumber valuewill be determined in twoways: dollars perhundred cubic feet of log scale ($/CCF); and dollars perthousandboardfeetlumbertally($/MLT).Lumbervaluewillbecorrelatedwithlogdiameter.progress

TreeswerecutintheNenanaStateForestanddeliveredtoPalmer.Treeswerealsocollected fromthePalmerTrunkRoadExtensionProjectinOctober2009.impact

Birch isanunderutilized tree inAlaskaandcurrently isusedprimarily forfirewood. Some ismilled anddried, andused for cabinets and other products. Alaska birch species(Betula neoalaskana and B. kenaica)aredifferent frombirchfoundinthelower48states(Betula papyrifera or paper birch).Research is still being conducted todetermine if they are asubspeciesofpaperbirchoriftheyareaspecificspecies.YieldandgradingstudiesofAlaskabirchhavenotyetbeendonebutareneededtomanagethespeciesandputavalueonthewood.grants/funding

USDA-WoodUtilizationResearch–09

Chemical characterization of Alaska treesJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKingpurpose

Alaskatreesareunderstoodfromanecologicalperspective,but little fundamental research exists on the chemicalcomposition of the lignocellulosic stock of the state.Thisongoingresearchprojectisdesignedtoprovidefundamentalcompositionaldataofthelignocellulosicbiomassinthestateby conducting chemical characterization of the availablebiomass.approach

Characterization of wood involves the determinationof carbohydrate, lignin, extractives, and inorganics. Basedon this information, further breakdown of these fractionsis possible, leading to the determination of specific sugars,propyl-phenoliccompounds,andaromaticswhichcanplayasignificantroleindiscoveringsecondaryvalue-addedproducts,particularlyinthefieldsofpharmaceuticalandneutraceuticalapplications.Chemical characterization involves liquid andgas chromatographic tools and mass spectra to determinethe chemical species found. Caloric analysis and inorganiccompounds(ash)isalsoperformedasameansofcollectingfundamentalinformationandproducingabaselinedatabaseto complement the existingbodyof knowledge inphysicalattributesofdimensional lumber and the ecological roleoftreesinthelocalecosystemsacrossthestate.progress

We have done analysis on a variety of additionalspecies, with some of the data being included in a newupdatedpublicationfromtheForestServicetitledFuelwood Characteristics of Northwestern Conifers and Hardwoods,published by the Pacific Northwest Research Station.TheworkonextractivesiscontinuingwiththehelpofthePlantMaterialsCenterinPalmer.

impactThechemicalcharacterizationofwoodfills thevoid in

knowledge in the fundamental understanding of the localbiomassresource.Itprovidesnewinformationthatcanleadto the development of secondary value-added industries,including pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, fuels, additives,resins,andmanyotherspecializedproducts.grants/funding

USDAWoodUtilizationResearch09

Moisture content determination of fire-killed trees in interior AlaskaJ. Andres Soria,MagdalenaKing,Norman Harris,BethHall,Valerie Barberpurpose

Alaska’sinteriorforestsareunderanaturalfiredisturbanceregime that results in large areas beingburned yearly.Verylittleinformationexistsonthequality,fromachemicalandphysicalperspective,ofthestandingdeadwood.Thisprojectisdesignedtofillthisgapbyfocusingontheareasaffectedbythefiresof2000and2006intheInterior.Theresearchprojectwill alsodevelop remote sensingalgorithms toestimate thebiomass availablewithin the affected areasbyusingopticalimagerytakenbyablimp.approach

The team traveled to the locations along the roadsystemthatwereaffectedbyfiresbetween2000and2006inthe Interior.At each location,plots and treeswere selectedbasedonBAF10prismmethodology,noting the landscape characteristicsandforeststructure.Representativesamplesoffire-killed treeswere harvested and taken to the laboratoryfor further analysis. Determination of moisture was doneby gravimetric and electrical resistance methods, whilechemical and physical characterization was done based onASTMstandardsforwood.Additionaldeterminationofheatcontent for potential recovery of biomass for heating fuelwas performed based on ASTM standards. Spatial analysisincorporatingfielddatawithlaboratoryresultsisbeingusedtocreateGISmapsthatcanserveasmanagementtools fortheutilizationandrestorationofthisvastbiomassresource.progress

The final report was prepared for delivery in summer2010.Weexpecttwopublicationstocomeoutofthisstudy.impact

The state of Alaska has a very small forest productsindustry, which has traditionally been focused on largediameter trees forproducingdimensional lumberproducts.The study will offer insight into the properties andcharacteristicsoffire-killedtreesthatcanpotentiallybeusedinavarietyofapplicationsincludingheatingfuel,compositematerials,andotherspecializedvalue-addedproducts.grants/funding

JointVentureAgreement,USDAForestService—PacificNorthwestSitkaForestProductsandUtilizationGroup

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Sitka Tribe Harvesting Survey Valerie Barber;PollyBass(SitkaTribeofAlaska)purpose

Ourpurposewastosurveyandbetterunderstandtheuseand importance of native plants in southeast Alaska. SitkaTribe has 17 different tribal groups under its jurisdiction.We are surveying these groups’ annual harvesting practices(past and present) of non-timber forest products. SitkaTribeisalsoconductinginterviewswithelderstorecordandpreserve harvesting practices information.TheUAF ForestProducts/Wood Utilization Research program is using thesurveytoassessinterestandresourcesinpotentialnon-timberforestproductbusinesses.approach

Surveyors were hired in each community to gatherinformation from the local inhabitants with a readymadesurvey. Many of these communities are primarily NativeAlaskanbutthesurveyisnotlimitedtoonlyNativeAlaskans.progress

Over the course of three years, elders and staffconducted432surveysandinterviewsin15southeastAlaskacommunities. Plant harvester respondents included elders,tribalcitizens,andcommunitymembers.

The project employed tribal citizens and providededucation on non-forest timber product businesses andmarketing, while evaluating the interest in and resourcesavailableto initiatesuchenterprises.Surveyedcommunitiesincluded Sitka, Craig, Kake, Yakatat, Hoonah, Kasaan,Hydaburg, Klawok, Ketchikan, Saxman, Skagway, Haines,Klukwaan,Douglas,andAngoon.impact

Hiring surveyors fromeachcommunityprovided somemuch-needed cash; several communities are excited aboutpotentialnon-timberforestproductbusinesses.

Traditionalplants are an important food andnutritionsourceforover90percentofthosesurveyed.Individualsdesiremoreinstructiononthesafepreparationoftraditionalplant-basedfoods,othertraditionalusesofplants,ethicalgatheringguidelines, subsistence, and small business enterprises andmarketing.

Mostharvestersareopentothemarketingoftraditionalspeciesbylocalsatasustainablelevel.Theprojectidentifiedthe need for a Southeast Alaska Kayaani Commission orsimilarorganization.CommissionersandsurveyrespondentssuggestedaresolutiongobeforetheAlaskaNativeSisterhood/Alaska Native Brotherhood Grand Camp and the AlaskaFederationofNativestodrawawarenesstotheneedfornativespecies subsistencerights,knowledgepreservation, research,and resource protection. A resolution would encouragestatewide andnationwide recognition for theprotectionofnativeplantspeciesandknowledge.grants/funding

USDAWoodUtilizationResearch–09

Non-destructive testing of Alaska tree speciesValerie Barber,LarsenHesspurpose

Ourintentistouseportableacousticaltestingequipmenttodeterminewoodqualityonstandingtreesandcutlogsbydevelopingstandardcurvesofspeedofsoundvs.soundnessoftree.Weseektodeterminetherelationshipbetweenstandingtreesandcutlogs.approach

WeusedFibreGen’sDirectorST300totestforsoundnessandrotinstandingbirch.TheDirectorST300isaportabledevice used tomeasure the speed of soundwaves throughstandingtrees.Wecutdownanumberoftreesandcutthemintodiscreet lengths,andthenusedFibreGen’sHM200ondiscreet size logs todetermine the relationshipbetween thetwo.TheHM200 is aportabledeviceused tomeasure thespeed of sound through cut logs.With these tools we candetermine the amount of rot in each tree and evaluate therelationshipbetweensoundnessandacousticmeasurements.AlltreespeciesinAlaskawillbeevaluatedandstandardcurvesdeveloped.progress

Thirty-eight birch trees ranging from very rotten toverysoundandhighqualitywoodweresampled(usingtheST300 for standing trees andHM200 for logs) as a seniorthesisproject; the resultswerepresented inawritten thesisandapresentation.Anothersixteenbirchweremeasuredandsoundtreescollectedforamillstudy.Anotherseniorthesiswillevaluateaspen.Preliminarydatahasbeencollected.impact

By applying this method, property owners can makebetterforestrydecisionsregardingsafety,profitmaximization,wildlifehabitat,andaesthetics.grants/funding


Anatomical and mechanical properties of woods used to manufacture bassoonsKatyLevings,Valerie Barberpurpose

We sought to examine Alaska hardwoods for theirresonancepotentialforuseinbassoonbells.approach

We are first determining anatomical and mechanicalfeaturesthatcharacterizeagoodbassoonresonancewoodbycomparingknownresonancewoods(Acerspp.andDalbergia melanoxylon)toaknownnon-resonantwood(Juglans nigra).Using the features found, we are then examining Alaskahardwoods.

Microscopic analyses will be used to explore cellcharacteristics; these include transmitted light microscopy(LM), confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomicforcemicroscopy(AFM).Vibrationandsoundtestswillbeconductedonthewoodsusedaswallmaterialforthebassoon.

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AllanalyseswillbeusedasabasisofcomparisonfortheAlaskawoodstobeevaluatedforbassoonmanufacture.Thefinaltestwill be on a concert stagewith bells constructed from theAlaskawoodsandplayedonapolypropylenebassoon.progress

We photographed and measured fresh samples andherbarium slides for the analyses. Preliminary LM resultsindicatethattheamountandpositioningofparenchymaareimportant. CLSM micrographs showed that parenchymaoverall hadmore lignin content than the other twomajorcell types. Attempts at embedding wood for TEM wereunsuccessful, and micrographs could not be generated.Duringvibrationtesting, itwas foundthatoneof thedataacquisition components was not sensitive enough to getaccuratereadings.impact

Information from this study will bemade available tomusicians and bassoon manufacturers so informed woodchoicescanbemadewithoutthewastenormallyassociatedwithwoodtestingininstrumentmanufacturing.grants/funding


policy & planning(seealsofoodpolicy,underHigh-LatitudeAgriculture,p.40)

International Polar Year: Impacts of high-latitude climate change on ecosystem services and societyF.S.Chapin,III(UAFInstituteofArcticBiology);T. Scott Rupp, Gary Kofinas;T.Heppa(NorthSlopeBoroughWildlifeDepartment)purpose and approach

Arctic environmental and ecological changes have hadprofoundsocialimpactsonindigenousandnon-indigenouspeoplebecauseofboththelargemagnitudeofchangesandthe generally strong dependence on renewable resourcesthatcharacterizesnorthernsocieties.Ecosystemservices,thebenefitsthatsocietyderivesfromecosystems,arethecriticallinkbetweenenvironmentalandecologicalchangesandtheirimpactsonsociety.Althoughweknowinageneralsensethatnorthern ecosystemservicesarechanging,theoverallpatterns,causes, interactions, and consequences of these changes aretoopoorlyknown(orareconsideredonlyinisolationfromotherchanges)toprovidepolicymakersandthepublicwithafirmfoundationforpolicyformulationandchange.Thegoalsof this researchare to (1)document thecurrent status andtrends in ecosystem services in the arctic andboreal forest,(2) project future trends in these services; and (3) assessthe societal consequences of altered ecosystem services andcontributetoadaptivecapacity.progress

Inyearthreeofthisprojectmodelingeffortshavefocusedon(1)thedevelopmentofdownscaledhistoricandprojected

datasetsofclimate,(2)preliminarysimulationsofstatewidevegetationandfiredynamicscomponent.Objectives1and2arenowcomplete.Wealsodevelopedmethodologiestoassesspast and future response of ecosystem services to climatechange through the integration of local knowledge andscience.Kofinas hasworkedwithDr.ToddBrinkman, thepostdoctoralfellowoftheproject,toimplementthisobjective.Focusgroupinterviewsinfoursubsistence-basedvillageswerecompleted, documenting local knowledge of “availability”of important harvested resources. A modeling frameworkwasdevelopedbyBrinkmanthatdrawsonlocalknowledgeand best available science to project future conditions.Engagement with stakeholders will in the future use theseintegrated projections to discuss community adaptationstrategies.TheseactivitiesleveragedstronglyontheresourcesandexpertiseoftheUniversityofAlaskaSNRAS’sstatewideScenariosNetworkforAlaskaPlanning(SNAP)initiative.impact

Ecosystem services are the single most critical linkbetween climate change and societal consequences. Byfocusingonthiscriticallink,weare,bydefinition,addressingthoseecologicalchangesthataremostimportanttosociety.By working with communities and other stakeholders toidentify the ecosystem services of greatest concern andlearningfromthosecommunitiesabouttheconsequencesofchanges in these services,we are integrating ecological andsocial dimensions of that linkage,with the explicit goal ofhelpingcommunitiesdecidewhichpolicyoptionstheywishtoconsider.grants/funding


Endangered Species Act science and managementM.A. Croninpurpose

This project aims to assess science used in policyformationandimplementationoftheEndangeredSpeciesAct(ESA).approach

Scientific information is synthesized for assessment ofESA issues includingdesignationof subspeciesanddistinctpopulationsegmentsforESAlisting,assessmentofthreatenedor endangered status, and possible management actionsto achieve specific objectives. Information is translated fordisseminationtopolicymakersandmanagers.Collaborationwithstateandfederalagencybiologistsispartofthiseffort.progress

SinceAugust2004,informationhasbeenprovidedtotheAlaskagovernor’soffice,theAttorneyGeneral,statelegislators,and the natural resource industries on several Alaska ESAissues,includingpolarbears,belugawhales,Stellersealions,seaotters,eiders,loons,goshawks,wolves,andspeciesintheother forty-nine states. Review and assessment of scientificandmanagementdocumentshavebeendone for severalofthesespecies.

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impactThiswork allowspolicymakers andmanagers tobetter

understandthesciencebeingusedinESAissues.grants/funding


When laws affecting the environment conflict: Focus on public landsJulie Lurman Jolypurpose

Theobjective is to identify situations inwhich lawsorpolicies with conflicting purposes or methodologies are inplace, to analyze that legal conflict in order to understandhow itmanifested andwhat its practical consequences are,andperhapstorecommendchanges.approach

1. I am examining the issue of Assisted Migration, amethod of dealing with increasingly endangered flora andfaunainatimeofclimatechange,whichiscurrentlybeingdebatedbyconservationbiologists.

2.Iamexamininghowthecourtshavefailedtoproperlyapplythe“BestScientificDataAvailable”standardandwhatstatisticshavetosayaboutwhat“scientific”reallymeans.

3. I am following up on earlier work examining thepotential for direct conflict between the state’s IntensiveManagementstatuteandtheenablinglegislationforcertainfederal landmanagementagencies.The initialwork lookedat the issue from the perspective of the National ParkService.This followupworkexaminesthesameissues fromtheperspectiveoftheUSFishandWildlifeServiceandtheNationalWildlifeRefugesystem.progress

1.Our analysis of the existing legal support and legalobstacles to Assisted Migration has been completed. Themanuscript describing this work can now be found at:JulieLurmanJolyandNellFuller,“AdvisingNoah:ALegalAnalysis of Assisted Migration,” 39 Environmental Law Reporter10413,2009.

2. This work analyzes why the courts have not givenmeaningtotheterm“scientific”andattemptstodefinewhat“scientific”oughttomeanwithinthecontextofthestatutesinwhichthe“BestScientificDataAvailable”criteriaappears.AmanuscripthasbeenacceptedbytheStanford Environmental Law Journalandwillbepublishedinthesummerof2010.

3. After an analysis of the applicable statutes and caselawwascompleteditwasclearthattheconflictinquestionisimpairingtheFishandWildlifeService’sabilitytomeetitsstatutorygoalsregardingrefugemanagementshouldpreempttheserulesonrefugelands.ThismanuscripthasbeenacceptedforpublicationandwillappearintheJune2010issueoftheAlaska Law Review.impact

1.As theconceptofAssistedMigrationbecomesahottopic in conservation biology circles it will be useful for

scientists,conservationists,andadvocatestounderstandthelegalregimeinwhichsuchaprogramwouldhavetooperate.

2.Thisworkwill be of interest to all federal land andresourcemanagerswhooperateunderastatutethatcontains“best scientificdata available” language.Failure to considerwhetherdatais“scientific”canhavesignificantmanagementrepercussions.

3.Thisproject’sfindingsmaykeepfederallandmanagersfrom running afoul of the law and risking expensive andtime-consuming legal challenges. It should provide federallandmanagerswith a clearer understanding of their dutiesand responsibilities and provide state managers with abetterunderstandingofthelawsthatconstraintheirfederalcounterparts.grants/funding

USDA,Hatch.WhenLawsAffectingtheEnvironmentConflict:FocusonPublicLands

recreationMonitoring indicators in Denali National ParkPeter J. Fixpurpose

In 2006 Denali National Park and Preserve (DNPP)finalized itsBackcountryManagementPlan (BCMP).Thatplansetforththemanagementdirectionofthebackcountry,and seeks to preserve the unique character of backpackinginDenali. A key component of the plan is indicators andstandards. Indicators are conditions important to thebackcountry experience in Denali and standards are themaximum acceptable level of the indicators. The BCMPidentified five indicators for resource conditions and fiveindicatorsforsocialconditions.

Theindicatorsofresourceconditionsare:• Trailandcampsitedisturbance;• Evidenceofmodernhumanuse;• Landscapemodifications;• Litterandhumanwaste;• Naturalsounddisturbance.

Theindicatorsofsocialconditionsare:• Encounterswithpeople;• Encounterswithlargegroups;• Campingdensity;• Accessibility;• Administrativepresence.

AsspecifiedintheBCMP,severaloftheseindicatorsaretobemeasuredbyvisitorsurveyonceeveryfiveyears.ThisstudywillserveasthefirstmeasureoftheindicatorsaftertheBCMPhasbeenadopted.approach and progress

Visitors hikinginthebackcountry(bothdayhikersandovernightbackpackers)willbesampledandaskedtofillouta survey. The survey will ask what level of the indicatorstheyencounteredwhileinthebackcountry.ThesurveywasdevelopedandapprovedbytheOfficeofManagementand

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Budgetin2009;thesurveywillbeadministeredinsummer2010.impact

TheresultsofthissurveywillhelpDNPPdetermineifcurrent conditions in thebackcountryarewithin standardsspecifiedintheBCMP.Adaptivemanagementwillbeappliedasneeded.grants/funding

ThisprojectwasfundedbytheNationalParkService.

Squirrel River sport hunter studyPeter J. Fix,AndrewM.Harringtonpurpose

Thisprojectwasdesigned toassist theBureauofLandManagement in developing a management plan for theSquirrelRiverarea.Astudywasdesignedtoprovidemanagersinformation regarding the extent and causes of conflictbetweenresidentsandnon-residentsandtogatherinformationtoassistinimplementingBenefitsBasedManagement.Thisphaseofthestudyfocusedonsporthunters.approach and progress

AmailsurveywassenttohunterswhoreturnedaSquirrelRiverareaharvesttagtotheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameduring2006–2008.Onehundredeighty-foursurveyswerecompleted(55percentresponserate).Fortheanalysis,these184surveyswerecombinedwith17surveyscompletedonsiteinfall2008attheKotzebueairport.impact

This studywill assist theBureauofLandManagementinunderstandingthenatureandextentofconflictonlandstheBLMmanagesaswellasprovideguidanceindevelopingappropriate management plans. Results showed that mostsporthunterswerefromtheLower48(73percent),andmanyhadhuntedintheareabefore.Caribouwastheprimaryfocusof thehunt for77percentof the respondents. In additionto harvesting game, important reasons for visiting the areaincludedescapingcrowds,experiencingnature,andexploringthearea.Ofparticular interesttothisstudy,themeanlevelof crowdingwas very low (1.3 on a 9-point scalewhere 1= not at all crowded) and, of twelve statements regardingpotentialsourcesofconflict,onlytwowereratedabove“slightproblem:”lackofmeatprocessingfacilitiesinKotzebueandlackofmeatshippingfacilitiesinKotzebue.grants/funding

This project was funded by the Bureau of LandManagementtostudyrecreationissuesinthestate.

revegetationRevegetation of a gravel-extraction operationNorman Harris,BethHall,DotHelmpurpose

While many studies have dealt with revegetation ofminingoperations,littleworkhasbeendoneonrevegetation

of gravel-extraction operations in southcentralAlaska.Thisstudyaddressesthatlackofinformation.approach

Timeseriesaerialphotographyusingourblimpplatformand ground-based plot frame photography is being usedto study revegetation of a gravel-extraction site on theMatanuskaExperimentFarm.Thephotographywillbeusedtodocumentandquantifyprogressinthere-establishmentofvegetationandcoverageofbareground.progress

Thiswastheeighthyearofa long-termstudy.Imagerywas taken on September 16, 2009. Ground-based plotphotographywasalsoobtainedatthistimeforhigh-resolutioncoverestimatestocalibrateandtestvegetationindices.Whilechickweedinitiallyinfestedthesiteduringthefirstcoupleofyears,ithassincedecreasedinabundanceandisonlyaminorcomponentnow.Otherproblemspecies(whitesweetclover,hawksbeard, bird vetch, and pepperweed) have increasedslightly over last year. Annual ryegrass persists in the area;however, native bluejoint is increasing. Shrubs, wild roseand cranberry, and birch are becomingmore visible abovethe herbaceous layer and easily detected in remote sensingimagery.impact

Thisstudywillhelplandmanagerstodevelopeffectiverevegetation strategies and cost-effective methods tomonitor the progress of remediation efforts. The use ofdigitalphotography isa rapidandeffectivemethod for themonitoringofrevegetationefforts.grants/funding

USDAHatch

water & wetlandsLake level changes at Harding LakeJohnD.Fox,Jr.purpose

HardingLakeisanimportantrecreationallakeininteriorAlaska thathas experiencedperiodsofdeclining lake levelsdue to thedivergenceof amajor feeder stream.This studyfocuses on reconstructing historic lake levels and lake levelchanges,measuring current levels, and developing amodelthat might be useful in developing operational rules for acontrolstructureonthedivergentstream.approach

Historic lake levels are being explored through aerialphotography/imagery and ground photographs of the lakeand lakeshore, and by locating original survey meandercorners.A recording lake level gauge and rain gauges havebeen installed to better understand the within-season andbetween-seasondynamicsof the lake.An interactivemodelhas been created that captures the general dynamics of thelakewaterbalance.

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progressReviewofmaps,aerialphotographs,groundphotographs,

and land survey notes rendered valuable evidence on thehistory of lake level changes from the early 1920s to thepresent. It facilitated the hypothesis that the regimen ofHarding Lake changed after a flood in 1967 that resultedin the capture of Rogge Creek by a new channel flowingtowardtheSalchaRiver.MonthlywaterbalancesimulationsofHardingLakewerecalibratedwithmeasuredwater leveldatafrom2004–2008.Themodelwasthenusedtoestimateunknown historic contributions from Rogge Creek from1950–2003andtospeculateonthefuturelakelevels.Winterlake levelmeasurements revealedan initialdecline followedbyaperiodof littlechange.Onereasonableexplanationoftheseperplexingwinterchanges,thatstillneedstobetested,is that thewater level drops in earlywinter as ice thickensaroundtheperipheryofthelakeandbecomesgrounded.Thiseffectively reduces thevolumeof liquidwater (andfloatingice)inthelake.Onceiceformationproceedsfromthelakeperimeter towhere thewater isdeeper than themaximumicethickness,thelakelevelholdssteadyuntilbreakup.Thesummerof2009wasmarkedbythelakeholdingsteadythe

increasedlevels from2008.Itappearsthatthe inputtothelake fromRoggeCreekwas just enough to counterbalancethenetlossesfromevaporationandseepage.Futurelakelevelswill be largely dictatedbyprecipitation, sinceduring rainydaysevaporativelossisreduced,waterisaddeddirectlytothelake,andrunofffromRoggeCreekisincreased.Adjustmentsto thecontrol structureonRoggeCreekmaybeneededtoensurethatsignificantcontributionstothelakeoccur.SomeconcernexiststhatthenewchannelflowingtotheSalchaatthediversionstructuremayexperienceacceleratederosionaldown-cuttingduetotheloweredbaseleveloftheSalchariverrelativetoHardingLake.impact

Theinformationcollectedforthisprojecthascontributedto the design and operation of the Rogge Creek diversionstructureandprovidedprojectionsofitsimpactonlakelevels.InformationcontinuestobesharedwiththeStateofAlaskaDept. ofNaturalResources, andDept.ofFish&Game. Ipresented a poster and extended abstract at the AmericanWater Resources Specialty Conference summarizing thisstudy.Froma scientificperspective thisprojectunderscores

Boat launch at Harding Lake, about 40 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. John Fox has been studying change in the lake’s water levels .photo by bEEbLEbrox, WikimEdiA commoNs, crEAtivE commoNs AttribUtioN-shArE ALikE 3.0 UNportEd

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the importance of site-specific data for precipitation and stream flow measurements, and the difficulty of assessingnetgroundwaterflowforthelake.Observationsalsosupportthe hypothesis that lake evaporation may be higher thanpreviouslyexpected,particularlyinthefall.grants/funding


Feasibility study for development of a storm water utility in the City of FairbanksJacksonFox,Susan Toddpurpose

Thepurposeofthismaster’sdegreeprojectistodetermineif the City of Fairbanks would save money on legally-mandated storm water management services by creating astormwaterutility.approach

Thisprojectwillassessthefollowing:• Thecostofexistingcitystormwatermanagement

services;• Theexpectedfuturecostofrequiredstormwater

management services, including capital improvementsandlargedeferredmaintenanceprojects;

• Thecostofestablishingastormwaterutility;• Alternativeutilityfeestructures.

progressWork began in September 2009 and is expected to be

completedbyfall2010.impact

InJune2005,theUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyrequiredthecity to institutenewstormwatermanagementprograms, including illicit discharge detection/elimination,construction site storm water management, and otheractivities.Complyingwith these requirements has placed asubstantialburdenonthecity’sgeneral fund, includingthecreationofanewenvironmentalmanagerpositiontodirectthe development and implementation of the city’s stormwatermanagementservices.Thecityisthereforeconsideringdevelopingastormwaterutilitytorepresentanequitablewayfor the community to share the cost of this public service.This feasibility study will benefit not only Fairbanks butmanyothercommunities inthefarnorthtodecidehowtopayforstormwatermanagement.

Impacts of water and sanitation projects on communities in GhanaJosieOsafo-AduSam,Susan Toddpurpose

ThisPhDprojectconsiderstheimpactsofwaterwellsoncommunitylifeintwovillagesinGhana,withemphasisonitseffectsonwomenandchildren.approach

A combinationof interviews, surveys, local school andclinic records, and participant observation will be used toassesstheimpacts.

progressInitial fieldwork was completed in August 2009; final

fieldworkwillbecompletedinthesummerof2010.impact

Water,sanitation,andhygieneeducationprojectsarevitalinGhana,whereinadequatewaterandsanitationcontributeto over 70 percent of diseases.Women and girls spend anaverageoffourhourseachdayobtainingthefamily’swater.This time commitment limitswomen’s ability to take partindecision-makingandfoodproductionandit iscommonfor girls to be pulled out of school to helpwith this task.Anticipated types of impacts include improved health,improved farming output due to reliable access to water,increased schoolattendancebygirls,more time forwomento be involved in decision-making roles and economicallyproductivework,andgreatergenderequity.grants/funding

TheprojectisfundedbytheNyarkoaFoundation.

Status and distribution of wetland habitats in the Greater Fairbanks AreaJenniferJenkins,Susan Toddpurpose

The purpose of this master’s degree project was todelineatewetlandhabitatsintheFairbanksarea.approach

Using 2007 and 2002 imagery, wetlands within theGreater FairbanksAreawere delineated using an on-screen(head-up)methodandclassifiedusinganimageinterpretationguide developed by the US Fish and Wildlife ServiceFairbanks FieldOffice.Once delineation and classificationwerecomplete,datawerefieldchecked.progress

Theprojectwascompletedinthefallof2009.impact

Itisnotpossibletoprotectwetlandhabitatsifyoudon’tknowwheretheyareandthatisessentiallywhatthesituationhasbeenintheFairbanksarea.Theimagesprovidedbythiseffort are at a higher resolution than anything previouslyavailable in Fairbanks; the database was created using alocally developed classification system. Fairbanks has seenconsiderable development in areas that are predominantlywetlandhabitats.Asthesehabitatsarelostand/ordegraded,thereisagrowingneedtoassesstheacreage, locations,andtypes of wetlands in the Fairbanks area. This project willfacilitatesuchanassessment.grants/funding

The work is supported by the US Fish and WildlifeService.

76


Index to ReportsSymbols4-HClub24

AAbaxis,Inc.27

ACCAP.See Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy

ACEP.See Alaska Center for Energy and Power

acidosis 29

AdakIsland48

AdequateYearlyProgress16

AFES.See Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station

AgCanada13

Agdia,Inc.38

AgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation28,29

AgriculturalResearchService9,13,35,40.See United States Department of Agriculture

AgriculturalSoilsResearchLaboratory13

Aguiar,George24,29

AlaskaBoardofFisheries66,68

AlaskaCenterforClimateAssessmentandPolicy9,21

AlaskaCenterforEnergyandPower9

AlaskaClimateChangeStrategy9

AlaskaClimateResearchCenter50

AlaskaCommunityAgricultureAssociation9

AlaskaDepartmentofFishandGame 13,61,73

AlaskaDepartmentofForestry22

AlaskaDepartmentofNaturalResources 14

AlaskaDivisionofAgriculture13

AlaskaDivisionofForestry54

AlaskaFederationofNatives70

AlaskaGeographicAlliance10

AlaskaNativeSisterhood/AlaskaNativeBrotherhoodGrandCamp70

AlaskaPeonyGrowersAssociation9

AlaskaRange59

AlaskaRegionForestService9

AlaskaResidentsStatisticsProgram10

AlaskaSeaLifeCenter10

Albany,California66,67

alder 30,44,64,65,68

ALFRESCO53,54

AllAmericaSelectionsProgram35

alpacas 25

AmericanSamoaCommunityCollege29

AmericanWaterResourcesSpecialtyConference74

ammonia 34

Anchorage22,48,50

AnchorageFireDepartment22

Angoon70

antelope,pronghorn25

anthropology10,50,51

antler 27

aphids 37,41

apples 32

arboretum48

archaeology10,13,50,51

ArcticCoastalPlain47

ArcticCouncil17,18

ArcticFoothills47,59

ArcticMarineShippingAssessment17

ArcticOcean17,18,47

ARS.See Agricultural Research Service

arsenic 32

artificialinsemination28,29

aspen 14,44,50,55,56,57,58,59,70

AssistedMigration72

AT&T9

Australia52

Bbalsampoplar14,30,44,56

Barber,Valerie18,59,68,69,70

barley29,34,36

Barrow50

bassoonbells70–71

beans,bush39

beans,snap33

BeaufortSea61

BECRU.See Boreal Ecology Cooperative Research Unit

beddingplants35

beets39

beluga71

BeringSea66

bio-char64

biodiesel29,30

bioenergy30

biomass13,14,30,35,41,58,64,65,66,68,69

birch14,44,50,55,56,57,58,68,69,70,73

birdvetch73

bison25

black-eyedSusan30

blimp60,64,69,73

BLM.See Bureau of Land Management

blood27

blueberries36

bluejointreedgrass30,73

BonanzaCreekExperimentalForest 11,55,57,58

BonanzaCreekLong-TermEcologicalResearch10,58

BootLake59

BorealALFRESCO.See ALFRESCO

BorealEcologyCooperativeResearchUnit9,14

BPExplorationAlaskaInc.61

BristolBay68

BritishColumbia22

BritishColumbiaCoastalFireCenter22

bromegrass30,34,45

BronxZoo27

BrooklynCollege52

BrooksRange48,59

brownbears61

budburst55,58

BureauofLandManagement54,60,73

BureauofOceanEnergyManagement,Regulation,&Enforcement19

BurnSilver,Shauna19

Ccabbages39

camelina 13,34

Canada8,13,17,18,21,22,28,59,60,79

CanadianCoastGuard18

CanadianForestService22

canola 13,34,35

CanvasbackLake59

carboncycle43

caribou61,73

Caribou-PokerCreeksResearchWatershed11

carrots 37

cattle 24–25,26,42

CCHRC.See Cold Climate Housing Research Center

CEAL.See Controlled Environment Agriculture Laboratory

Centred’EtudesPréhistoireAntiquitéetMoyenAge51

cereal 13,29,37

CES.See Cooperative Extension Service

Chalkyitsik19

charcoal 53

ChenaHotSpringsRenewableEnergyCenter9

77


ChenaHotSpringsResort9,33,34

Cheshire,England12

chickweed73

China11,17,42

ChirikofIsland24–25

Chugachmiut22

ChukchiSea61

ClimateandTree-RingLaboratory13.See Wood Utilization Research

climatechange9,11,13,17,18,19,20,21,22,50,51,52,53,54,56,57,61,71,72

ClimateEffectsNetwork57

climatewarming59

clover 36,41

coconut 30

ColdClimateHousingResearchCenter10

CollegeofMicronesia29

combustionengines65

communications 9,13,14

CommunityAdaptationandVulnerabilityinArcticRegions19.See also International Polar Year

ConnectingAlaskaLandscapesinto the Future 21,22

ConservationReserveProgram45

ControlledEnvironmentAgricultureLaboratory11.See also Fairbanks Experiment Farm

controlled environments 14.See also greenhouses; See also high tunnels

CooperativeAlaskaForestInventory55

CooperativeEcosystemStudiesUnitNetwork10,19

CooperativeExtensionService10,21,24

CooperativeForestryProgram50

CopperRiverValley11

Corvallis,Oregon36

Craig70

cranberry73

Cronin,M.A.24,25,26,61,71

CRP.See Conservation Reserve Program

CTRL.See Climate and Tree-Ring Laboratory

cucumbers39

currants 36,37

curriculum 11,12,15,16,17,29

DDaltonHighway48,59

D’Amore,David43

Dawe,Jan12

deadwood69

decomposition 44–45

Delta Junction 13,30,34,41,45,46

Delta Junction Field Research Site 13

DenaliNationalParkandPreserve72

Denmark17

DensmoreTreeRegenerationInstallation57–58

DepartmentoftheInterior19

diseases 40,41

DNA25,42.See also genetics

Douglas70

drought44

DucksUnlimited22

Eecosystemservices71

eiders 71

Eielson41

elk25

ElNiño50

embryonicdevelopment28

EndangeredSpeciesAct61,71

EntrixInc.61

EnvironmentalProtectionAgency75

EnvironmentalStudiesandLearningPark14

EPSCoR10

erosion 47,59

estrus 28,29

Europe51

EuropeanUnion47

evapotranspiration 51,52

evolution 48,61

FFairbanks25,34,41,50,68,

75

FairbanksExperimentFarm11,13,24,26,31,32,37,45,57,64

FairbanksNorthStarBorough22

FFA24

Finstad,Greg24,26,27,29,42

fire50,53,58,59,69

firebehavior54

fire-climaterelationships53

fireweed30

fishbonemeal67

fishbyproducts66–68

fisheries21,66,67

Fish&Game.See Alaska Department of Fish & Game

fishprocessing66,67

fishskin67,68

Fix,PeterJ.72,73

flood60,74

floodplain44,51,55,56,60

flowers35

foodproduction13,24,28,40,75

foodsecurity40

forage13,14,27,35

ForestDynamicsandManagement11

ForestProductsProgram,UAF12,13.See also Wood Utilization Research

ForestSoilsResearchLaboratory13,44

Forest Sports Festival 8,57, 80

FortYukon19

Fox,Jr.,JohnD.51,73

Fresco,Nancy20,22

fuel,renewable30

fuels30,44,54,64,65,69

FWS.See United States Fish & Wildlife Service

Ggasification14,65,68

GBG.See Georgeson Botanical Garden

gelatin67

genderequity75

GeneticResourcesInformationNetwork36

genetics26,36,42,61

GeographyAction!10

GeographyAwarenessWeek10

GeophyicalInstitutePermafrostLab22

GeophysicalInstitute13,16,20,52

GeorgesonBotanicalGarden11,35,39.See also Fairbanks Experiment Farm

geothermalenergy33

Gerlach,CraigS.19,52

germplasm36,37

gestation25,26,27,28

Ghana 75

GiantTravelingMap10

globaleconomy18

GlobalLearningandObservationstoBenefittheEnvironment11,52

GLOBE.See Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment

glyphosphate34,35

GoogleEarth10,17,22

GoogleMaps10

gooseberries37

GordonConsulting52

goshawks71

GovernmentCanada22

grain13,14,29,34,66

grasses30,35,37,41

grasshoppers8,40,41

grazing27

Greenberg,Joshua24,40,52,66,68

greenhouselighting31

greenhouses30,31,33,34,68

Greenland 50

78


GRIN.See Genetic Resources Information Network

grizzlybears61

Guam 16,29

HHaines70

hairgrass30,36

HardingLake73–74

hardwood56,68

Harris,Norman24,35,42,60,64,69,73

Hatch,Ellen8,18,20,22

Hawaii30

hay14,34,35

haylage35

heirlooms 39

herbicides34,41

HighPlains,the20

hightunnels31,33.See also greenhouses

hiking72

Holloway,PatriciaS.24,35,37,39

Hoonah70

Hydaburg70

hydrocarbons14

hydroelectric22

hydrology52

hydropower21

hygieneeducation75

IIAB.See Institute of Arctic

Biology

icebreakers18

ice cores 50

ice road 48

indigenouspeople18,71.See also Native Alaskans

insects 36,40,55

InstituteforAppliedCircumpolarPolicy17,18

InstituteofArcticBiology21,22

InstituteofNorthernEngineering20,21WaterandEnvironmentalResearchCenter22

InstituteofWaterResources13

IntegratedPestManagement39–40

IntegrativeGraduateEducationand Research Traineeship 12,52–53

InternationalArcticResearchCenter19,52

InternationalPolarYear19,21,52,71

IPY.See International Polar Year

Iridium27

Jjathropa 30

Jenkins,Jennifer8,64,75

JointFireScienceProgram21,54

Joly,JulieLurman52,72

Juday,GlennP.49,50,55,57,58,59

Juneau 50,79

KKake70

Kaktovik19

kamani30

Karlsson,Meriam30,31,32,33

Kasaan70

KawerakReindeerHerdersAssociation10,27

KenaiPeninsula11

Kenairegion36

KenaiRiver62

Kepler-BradleyStateRecreationArea14

KerttulaHall14.See also Palmer Center for Sustainable Living

Ketchikan70

Klawok70

Klukwaan70

KodiakIsland65

Kofinas,Gary19,52,71

kohlrabi39

Kotzebue73

LLaboratoiredesMuséesde

France 51

LaboratoiredesSciencesduClimatetdel’Environnement51

lakes19

landscape 17,19,22,27,41,42,44,47,48,51,55,57,59,62,69

larkspur37

leafblotchminer59

leafhoppers41,42

leafminer58

LEDs.See light emitting diodes

legalchallenges72

legumes36

lettuce 32,33,40

Liang,Jingjing55,68

lightemittingdiodes30–31,33

lingonberries37

LittleIceAge53

livestock14,24,25,29,42

loam 37,39,48

LongTermEcologicalResearch9,10–11,14,44,45,55,56,58

loons 71

LTER.See Long Term Ecological Research

lumber13,65,68,69

lupine 36

MMaine38

Maisondel’Archéologieetdel’Ethnologie51

Malone,Thomas68

Mann,Daniel54

MapTEACH11,16–17

marine mammals 53

MatanuskaColonyHistoryCenter14.See also Palmer Center for Sustainable Living

MatanuskaExperimentFarm3,13,14,25,38,42,48,73

MatanuskaRiver60

Matanuska-SusitnaBorough14

Matanuska-SusitnaCollege14.See University of Alaska Anchorage

Matanuska-SusitnaValley11,68

MatanuskaValley14

MathinaCulturalContext11,15,16

Maynard,Jill8

McBeath,JeniferH.41

meat production 35,42

medicine 14,36

melatonin 28,29

micrographs71

MilesCity,Montana25,26

milk35

MineralsManagementService.See Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, & Enforcement

MobileSlaughterUnit29

moose 25,58

muskoxen25

mustard 34

MyWonderfulWorld10

NNASA11,60

NASAGoddard52

NationalGeographicSociety10

NationalHardwoodLumberAssociation68

NationalParkService54,72,73

NationalSoilSurveyCenter48

NativeAlaskans70.See also indigenous people

NaturalResourceConservationService 13,27,46,48

NatureConservancy21

NDVI.See Normalized Difference Vegetation Index

Nenana41

NenanaRidgeRuffedGrouseProjectArea54

Nigeria52

NoChildLeftBehindAct16

NormalizedDifferenceVegetationIndex55,59

79


NorthernClimateExchange21

NorthernMarianasCollege29

NorthernMarianasIslands30

NorthPole,the18

NorthSlope19,47,50,61,71

NorthwestTerritories22

Norway17

NRCS.See Natural Resource Conservation Service

NyarkoaFoundation75

Ooats 37

OceanicInstitute67

oilseed 13,34

omega-3fattyacid66

OneTreeAlaska12

Ontario22

OntarioMinistryofNaturalResources 22

OregonHealthandScienceUniversity27

PPacificNorthwestResearch

Station 11,69

PacificNorthwestSitkaForestProductsandUtilizationGroup 69

PacificOcean50

PacificRim30

Pacificthreadfin66

Palmer25,30,34,36,38,41,48,64,68,69

PalmerCenterforSustainableLiving14

PalmerResearch&ExtensionCenter30,64,65.See also Palmer Center for Sustainable Living

Paris,France51

pathogens36,37,40,42

peas 35,37

pedons 46

peonies 9,13,37–38

permafrost19,46,47,48

persistentorganicpollutants66

pesticides 66

pests 37,40,41

petroleum 14,30,64

PfizerAnimalHealth28

phytoplasmadiseases41–42.See also diseases

Pike’sWaterfrontLodge10,33

Ping,Chien-Lu43,46,47,48

PlantGermplasmIntroductionandTestingResearchUnit36

PlantMaterialsCenter64,69

PointMacKenzie42

polarbears61,71

policy15,18,22,40,53,54,61,68,71

pollock67,68

potatoes 36,37,38,39,41,42

potyviruses37,38.See also diseases

precipitation 21,44,47,50,51,56,57,74,75

primrose 32–33

progesterone28

ProjectJukebox19

Pullman,Washington37

PurdueUniversity26,61

pyrolysis64,68

Rrainbowtrout66,67

rainfall56

rainforest43,44

raspberries37

reindeer 10,12,24,25,26,27,28,29,42

ReindeerResearchProgram12,24,27,29.See also Fairbanks Experiment Farm

renewablefuel30

ResilienceandAdaptationProgram12,52,53

respiration 43,44,45

restaurant 10,33

ReturningtheElders’Gift16.See also Math in a Cultural Context

revegetation45,57,73

rhubarb36,37

rivers 19,62

RobertG.WhiteLargeAnimalResearch Station 25,29

RoggeCreek74

RosieCreekFire57,58.See also fire

Roundup 34.See also herbicides

Rowell,Janice25–26,26–27,28–29

ruminants 28,29

Rupp,T.Scott19,20,53–54,54,71

rut 27

rye34

ryegrass73

SSalcha River 74

salmon 62,65,66,67,68.See also fish

salmonflakes66

salmon oil 67

Saskatoon25

sawdust37,65

Saxman70

ScenariosNetworkforAlaskaandArcticPlanning12–13,17,20–22,53,54,71

Schwing,Emily44

seafood66,67

seafoodbyproducts66.See also fish byproducts

sea ice 17,18,50

sea otters 71

SeasonsandBiomes.See Monitoring Seasons Through Global Learning

SeattleFireLab22

semen 28

serum 27

SewardPeninsula12,27,42

SharingProject,The19

sheep,bighorn25

Shipka,Milan24,25,26,28

shrimp 66,67

shrubexpansion59

SigmaChemicals28

silt 37,39

Sitka69,70

SitkaTribeofAlaska70

Skagway70

SmithLake48

SNAP.See Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning

snapbeans33

snowfall56

snowmelt44

soil moisture 56

soil respiration 44

solaractivity50

SorbonneUniversity51

Soria,J.Andres29,64,65,69

SoutheastAlaskaKayaaniCommission70

soyprotein67

Sparrow,ElenaB.52

Sparrow,StephenD.13,30,34

spruce 14,44,46,50,51,54,55,56,57,58,59,64,65,68

sprucebarkbeetle50

sprucebudworm50,58,59

squash39

SquirrelRiver73

Steller sea lions 71

Stephens,Sidney16,19

stormwater75

strawberries31,36

subsistence19,53,70,71

SukakpakMountain48

SummerMathInstitute16

sunflowers13,33

Sunwheat34.See also grain

Sweden16

syn-gas64

TTanana 19

TananaChiefsConference22

Tanana River 55

TananaValley11,24,39,40

TananaValleyFair24

TananaValleyStateForest55

tannercrab66

Tanzania52

TexasTechUniversity61,66InstituteofEnvironmentalandHumanHealth66

thermokarsts47–48

80


Todd,Susan60,62,64,75

tomatoes 33

TongassNationalForest21

Trainor,Ellen8

Trainor,Sarah20,22

transportation 13,14,64,66marine 17–18

tree death 59

treerings13,50,59,60

tundra 46,47,48,50,58,59

turfgrass14

twilight31

UUAA.See University of Alaska

Anchorage

UAF.See University of Alaska Fairbanks

UAFInvasivePlantTaskForce60

UnitedKingdom17

UnitedStatesArmy22

UnitedStatesCoastGuard18

UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService 13,54,72,75

UnitedStatesForestService19,44,60,61

UnitedStatesGeologicalSurvey22,56,57,59,60

UniversitéParisXNanterre51

UniversityofAlaskaAnchorage14,29

UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks11,13,24,48,52

UniversityofGuam29

UniversityofHawaii29

UniversityofIdaho22,64,67

UniversityofNewHampshire10

UniversityoftheArctic17,18

UniversityofVictoria19

UpperSusitnaValley48

urbansprawl62

USGS.See United States Geological Survey

VValentine,DavidW.43,44,52

vegetables39

Venetie 19

Verbyla,Dave55,58

viruses 37,38,41

viscera 65

WWainwright19

Washington22

WashingtonStateUniversity27

Wasilla41

wastestreams65

watershed19,43,62

weatherstations50,51,58

weeds34,40,41.See also invasive plants

wetlands48,55,75

whales71

wheat34

wheatgrass30

Whitehorse21

whitesweetclover60–61,73

WilburforceFoundation21

wilderness20,54

wildfire51,52,58.See also fire

WildlandFireOperationResearch Group 22

WildlandFireScienceConsortium21,22

wildlife14,21,55,61,70

willow30,59,64

wireworms41

wolves71

WoodsHoleResearchInstitute59

WoodUtilizationResearch13,64,65,69,70,71

YYakatat70

Yarie,John44

YukonCollege21

YukonFlats59

Yukon-KoyukukSchoolDistrict16,17

YukonRiver19,50,56,57,58,59,60

YukonTerritory21,22,59

ZZhang,Mingchu13,30,34

2009 Forest Sports Festival, birling event.AFEs photo

81


2009 PublicationsAbstractsAguiar G, Finstad G. 2009. Supplemental feeding of SmoothBromegrass(Bromus Inermis)haylagetoreindeer.Abstract.WesternAlaskaInterdisciplinaryScienceConference.Nome,Alaska.March,2009.

Anderson J.2009.Alaskancommunities’useoffishby-productasacomposttocontributetosustainablelivingpractices.BioCycle In-ternational Conference.SanDiego,CA.AbstractandPresentationinSession:CarcassComposting.(SeealsoPresentations)

Alexeev VA,Walsh JE, Sparrow EB. 2009. Modeling of ArcticClimate:Fairbanks-BarrowTopoftheWorldSummerSchool.Geo-physical Research Abstracts.Vol.11,EGU2009-3246,EGUGeneralAssembly2009.

BeckP,GoetzS,Juday GP,AlixC,BunnA,LloydA.2009.Chang-esinborealforestgrowthfromthegroundup:relatingborealtreegrowth to remotely sensed photosynthetic activity. 2009 NorthAmericanCarbonProgram,SanDiego,CA,17th–20thFebruary.Abstractswww.nacarbon.org/cgi-bin/meeting_2009/mtg2009_ab_detagenda.pl?poster_only=1.

deWit, Cary. 2009. Techniques for Assessing Sense of Place.”Abstracts of the Association of American Geographers 2009 Annual Meeting.LasVegas,March21–27,2009.

Karlsson M,Werner J.2009.High tunnelcoveringmaterials forNorthern field production. International Symposium on HighTechnology forGreenhouseSystems,QuebecCity,Canada, June14–19.GreenSys2009ScientificProgram,p.156.

Karlsson M,WernerJ.2009.Snapbeanyieldandphotosynthesisduringtwilightextendedfieldconditions.HortScience44:1127.

McRoy CP,Hinzman L,Walsh J, Sparrow E. 2009. Collabora-tionOpportunitieswiththeInternationalArcticResearchCenter(IARC)Proceedingsofthe16thInternationalSymposiumonPolarSciences.Polar Exploration with ARAON.Sung-HyunParkandTaeSiekRhee,editors.Incheon,Korea,June10–12,2009.

Sparrow E,YuleS,KopplinMR.2009.AWorldwideCommunityofPrimaryandSecondaryStudentsandTheirTeachersEngageinandContributetoGeoscienceResearch.Eos Trans. AGU90(53),FallMeet.Suppl.,AbstractED53D-0555.

Sparrow E, Zicus S,Miller A, Baird A, PageGA. 2009.Reach-ing Across the Hemispheres with Science, Language, Arts andTechnology.Eos Trans. AGU90 (53),FallMeet.Suppl.,AbstractU11C-0037.

Sparrow EB, Boger R, Yule S,Morris K, KopplinMR, Jaroen-sutasineeM,JaroensutasineeK,GordonLS,Verbyla D,ZicusS.2009.EcosystemMeasurementsinPrimaryandSecondaryStudentBiomeStudies.Proceedings of the 2009 Arctic Science Conference. Im-pact of the Environment on Human Health, Interdisciplinary Science and Education. Juneau,AlaskaonSeptember14–16.Abst.40,p.28.ArcticDivisionAmericanAssociationfortheAdvancementofScience.

Sparrow EB,BaesemanJ,SalmonR,YuleS.2009.EducationOut-reach in the Fourth International PolarYear. PublishedAbstract,Proceedings of Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth In-ternational Polar Year Symposium,heldattheUniversityofAlaskaFairbanks,Fairbanks,Alaska,March4–7,2009.InlandNorthwestResearchAlliance,IdahoFalls,Idaho,p.49.

Sparrow EB.2009.EarthScienceTeachingStrategiesUsedintheInternational Polar Year. Geophysical Research Abstracts. Vol. 11,EGU2009-6611-2,EGUGeneralAssembly2009.

Sparrow EB,MorrisK,JaroensutasineeM,JaroensutasineeK,YuleS,BogerR,GordonLS,YoshikawaK,KopplinMR,Verbyla DL. 2009.UseoftheSeasonsandBiomesProject inClimateChangeEducation.Geophysical Research Abstracts.Vol.11,EGU2009-8190,EGUGeneralAssembly2009.

WernerJ,OkadaY,Karlsson M.2009.Usinglightemittingdiodesinhighlatitudegreenhouseproduction.6thInternationalSympo-siumonLightinginHorticulture,Tsukuba,Japan.

Books or Book Chapters or SectionsBarber, Valerie A, Glenn Patrick Juday, RosanneD’Arrigo, Ed-wardBerg,BrendenBuckley,HenryHuntington,TorreJorgensen,DavidMcGuire,TomOsterkamp,BrianRiordan,AlexWhiting,GregWiles,MartinWilmking.2009.Chapter9:ASynthesisofRe-centClimateWarmingEffectsonTerrestrialEcosystemsofAlaska.Wagner,FredericH.,editor.In:Climate Warming in Western North America/Evidence and Environmental Effects. University of UtahPress,SaltLakeCity,UT.

Berkes,Fikret,Gary P. Kofinas,F.StuartChapinIII.2009.Con-servation,Community,andLivelihoods:Sustaining,RenewingandAdaptingCulturalConnectionstoLand.In:ChapinF.Stuart,G.Kofinas,andC.Folke,editors.Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: Resilience-Based Natural Resource Management in a Changing World.Springer-Verlag,NewYork.Pages129–147.

ChapinIIIFS,Kofinas GP,FolkeC,editors. 2009.Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: Resilience-Based Natural Resource Management in a Changing World. Springer-Verlag, New York.ISBN:978-0-387-73032-5.

Chapin III FS,Kofinas G, FolkeC.2009. A framework for understand-ingchangeinChapin,F.Stuart;GaryKofinas;Carl Folke editor.Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: Resilience-Based Natural Resource Management in a Changing World.Springer-Verlag,NewYork.Pages3–28.

Juday, Glenn Patrick.2009.BorealForestsandClimateChange.Pp.75–84,In:Oxford Companion to Global Change.OxfordUni-versityPress.684pp.ISBN:978-0-19-532488-4.

http://www.nacarbon.org/cgi-bin/meeting_2009/mtg2009_ab_detagenda.pl?poster_only=1

http://www.nacarbon.org/cgi-bin/meeting_2009/mtg2009_ab_detagenda.pl?poster_only=1

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Kofinas GP.2009.AdaptiveCo-managementinSocial-EcologicalGovernanceinI.Chapin,F.Stuart,G.Kofinas,andC.Folke,edi-tors. Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: Resilience-Based Natural Resource Management in a Changing World. Springer-Verlag,NewYork.Pages77–102.

Kofinas GP,ChapinIIIFStuart.2009.SustainingLivelihoodsandHumanWell-BeingduringSocial-EcologicalChangeinI.F.StuartChapin,G.P.Kofinas, andC. Folke, editors.Principles of Ecosys-tem Stewardship: Resilience-Based natural Resource Management in a Changing World.Springer-Verlag,NewYork.Pages55–75

Trainor SF,GodduhnA,DuffyLK,ChapinIIIFS,NatcherDC,Kofinas G,HuntingtonHP.2009.EnvironmentalInjusticeintheCanadianFarNorth:PersistentOrganicPollutantsandArcticCli-mate Impacts.Chapter 8 in:Concepts of Environmental Justice in Canada,U.B.C.Press.J.Agyeman,R.Haluza-Delay,P.ColeandP.O’Riley,Eds,pp.144–162.

Conference ProceedingsBailey JE,KennedyK.2009.AGuidetotheNeogeographyofAlas-ka,Eos Trans. AGU,90(52),FallMeet.Suppl.,AbstractIN22A-07,14–18December,SanFrancisco,California,USA.

Bailey JE,OrnduffT,KennedyK.2009.UsingGoogleEarthforK-12Education:ACollaborationBetweenGoogle and theUni-versityofAlaskaFairbanks,Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs,Vol.41,No7,p.385,18–21October,GSAAnnualMeeting,Portland,Oregon,USA.

Barber VA, Juday GP,OsterkampT,D’ArrigoR,BergE,BuckleyB,HuntingtonH,JorgensenT,McGuireD,RiordanB,WhitingA,WilesG,WilmkingM. 2009.Chapter 9:A Synthesis ofRe-centClimateWarmingEffectsonTerrestrialEcosystemsofAlaska.In:(Wagner,F.H.Ed.)Climate Warming in Western North America, Evidence and Environmental Effects.TheUniversityofUtahPress,2009,167pp.ISBN978-0-87480-906-0.

CameronW,DehnJ,Bailey JE,WebleyP.2009.VolcanoMonitor-ingUsingGoogleEarth,Eos Trans. AGU,Vol.90(52),FallMeet.Suppl., Abstract IN43A-1130, 14–18 December, San Francisco,California,USA.

Finstad G,BuckiC,AguiarG,WiklundE,BechtelP.2009.AlaskanFishByproductsasaFeedIngredientforReindeer.In:A Sustainable Future: Fish Processing Byproducts.BookofProceedings.Portland,Oregon.Feb.2009.

KennedyK,Bailey JE,OrnduffT.2009.UsingGoogleEarthforK-12Education,Eos Trans. AGU,Vol.90(52),FallMeet.Suppl.,Abstract IN33A-1021, 14–18December, San Francisco,Califor-nia,USA.

Liang J,BuongiornoJ.2009.OptimizingWoodQualityandStandDiversityinUneven-agedForestManagement.In:R.A.MonserudandD.Dykstra(Editor),2007 IUFRO Conference on Forest Growth and Timber Quality,Portland,OR.Pages169–176.

MarksM,WerneckeJ,Bailey JE.2009.ExploringwithGoogle’sGeospatialTools,Geological Society of America Abstracts with Pro-grams,Vol.41,No7,p.165,18–21October,GSAAnnualMeeting,Portland,Oregon,USA.

Journal ArticlesBrinkmanTJ,ChapinIIIFS,Kofinas G,PersonDK.2009.Link-inghunterknowledgewithforestchangetounderstandchangingdeerharvestopportunitiesinintensivelyloggedlandscapes.Ecology and Society14(1):36.[online]URL:http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss1/art36/

JohnP.Bryantetal.FireDrivesTranscontinentalVariationinTreeBirch Defense against Browsing by Snowshoe Hares. (ThomasMalone[juniorauthor])The American Naturalist,July2009,Vol.174,No.1.

BumgardnerM,Nicholls D,Barber V. 2009. Character-markedfurnituremadefromredalderharvestinsoutheastAlaska:productperspectivesfromconsumersandretailers.Canadian Journal of For-est Research.39(12):2450–2459.

Cronin MA,AmstrupSC,TalbotS,SageK,AmstrupKS.2009.Geneticvariation,relatedness,andeffectivepopulationsizeofpolarbears(Ursus maritimus)intheBeaufortSea,Alaska.The Journal of Heredity100:681–690.

Cronin MA,MechLD.2009.Problemswiththeclaimofecotypeandtaxonstatusofthewolf intheGreatLakesregion.Molecular Ecology18:4991–4993.

Cronin MA,ReneckerLA,PattonJC.2009.Geneticvariationindomesticandwildelk (Cervus elaphus). Journal of Animal Science 87:829–834.

DavidNichollsandValerie Barber.August2009.MouldedProd-ucts from Character-Marked Red Alder—Perspectives fromWood Products Manufacturers. Wood & Wood Products online journal. www.iswonline.com/ArticleLanding/tabid/67/Default.aspx?tid=2&heading=Web%20Exclusives&modid=499&ContentID=826070.

deSilvaSL,Bailey JE,MandtKE,ViramonteJM.2009.Yardangsinterrestrialignimbrites:SynergisticremoteandfieldobservationsonEarthwithapplicationstoMars,Planet.Space Sci.,58:459–471,doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.10.002.

ChristieA,Finstad G.2009.ReindeerinThe“GreatLand”:Alas-ka’sRedMeatIndustry.Journal of Agricultural & Food Information, 10:354–373.

GunnA,RussellD,WhiteR,Kofinas GP.2009.FacingaFutureofChange:WildMigratoryCaribouandReindeer.Arctic.Volume.62,Number.3(September2009)Pp.iii–vi

Johnstone J, Boby L,Tissier E,MackM,Verbyla D,WalkerX.2009.Postfireseedrainofblackspruce,asemiserotinousconifer,in forests of interior Alaska.Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 39:1575–1588.

Julie Lurman JolyandNellFuller.“AdvisingNoah:ALegalAnaly-sisofAssistedMigration,”39Environmental Law Reporter10413,2009.

Juday, Glenn P. 2009. Coincidence and Contradiction in theWarmingBoreal Forest.Witness the Arctic: Chronicles of the NSF Arctic Sciences Division.Fall2009.Volume13(3):1–4.

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Karlsson MG,WernerJW.2009.Hydroponicgreenhouselettuceproductioninasubarcticlocationusinggeothermalheatandpow-er.Acta Horticulturae843:275–281.

Lokken JA,Finstad GL,DunlapKL,DuffyLK. 2009.MercuryinlichensandreindeerhairfromAlaska:2005–2007pilotsurvey.Polar Record.45,368–374.

MaloneT,Liang J.2009.AbarkthicknessmodelforwhitespruceinAlaskanorthernforests.International Journal of Forestry Research doi:10.1155/2009/876965.

McBeathGA,McBeath JH. 2009. Environmental Stressors andFood Security in China. Journal of Chinese Political Science 14 (1):49–80.

OhseB,HuettmannF,Ickert-BondSM,Juday G.2009.ModellingthedistributionofWhitespruce(Picea glauca)forAlaskawithhighaccuracy:AnOpenAccesrole-modelforpredictingtreespeciesinlastremainingwildernessareas.Polar Biology32(12):17–19.DOI10.1007/s00300-009-0671-9.

RattenburyK,KiellandK,Finstad G,SchneiderW.2009.Arein-deerherder’sperspectiveoncaribou,weatherandsocio-economicchangeontheSewardPeninsula,Alaska.Polar Research28,71–88.

Rowell JE, Shipka MP.2009.Variationingestationlengthincaptivereindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Theriogenology 72:190–197.

Trainor SF,ChapinIIIFS,McGuireAD,CalefM,Fresco N,KwartM,DuffyP,LovecraftAL,Rupp TS,DeWildeL,HuntingtonO,Natcher DD. 2009. Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate-Related Fire Impacts in Rural and Urban Interior Alaska. Polar Research28:100–118.

WebleyPW,DeanK,Bailey JE,DehnJ,PetersonR.2009.VolcanicAshModelingforNorthPacificVolcanoesAutomatedOperationalMonitoringandVirtualGlobes.Natural Hazards: SI Aviation Haz-ards from Volcanoes,51:345–361.doi:10.1007/s11069-008-9246-2.

Webley PW, Dehn J, Lovick J, Dean KG, Bailey JE, Valcic L.2009. Near-Real-Time Volcanic Ash Cloud Detection: Experi-encesfromtheAlaskaVolcanoObservatory,inMastinL,WebleyP(eds.),VolcanicAshClouds,J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. Special lssue 186:79–90,doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2009.02.010.

Miscellaneous PublicationsEncyclopedia entriesMiller,MaynardM.,Donald F. Lynch.April2009.Alaska.Encyclo-paedia Britannica,onlineversion,www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12252/Alaska

Project summariesFix PJ. 2009.The Alaska Residents Statistics Program: Implica-tionforBenefitsBasedManagementinAlaska.Fairbanks,Alaska:SchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

Fix PJ,KrugerLE.2009.TheAlaskaResidentsStatisticsProgram:Implications for Management of the Chugach National Forest.SchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

Fix PJ,KrugerLE.2009.TheAlaskaResidentsStatisticsProgram:Implications for Management of the Tongass National Forest.SchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

HarringtonAM,Fix PJ.2009.AlaskaBenefitsBasedManagementSynthesis. Fairbanks, Alaska: Department of ResourcesManage-ment, School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

Presentations, Poster Sessions, Workshop PublicationsAnderson J.2009.Alaskancommunities’useoffishby-productasacomposttocontributetosustainablelivingpractices.BioCycleIn-ternationalConference.SanDiego,CA.AbstractandPresentationinSession:CarcassComposting.(SeealsoAbstracts)

Anderson J.2009.CompostingactivitiesandopportunitiesinruralAlaska.AlaskaTribalConferenceonEnvironmentalManagement.Anchorage,Alaska.GeneralSessionPresentation.

Anderson, Jodie and Jeff Smeenk. Alaska Potato Project: PotatoandPotatoVirusSurveyofNon-certifiedSeedGrowers.Posterpre-sentedatWesternAlaskaIntegratedScienceConference.

deWit, Cary.“TechniquesforAssessingSenseofPlace.”AssociationofAmericanGeographers2009AnnualMeeting.LasVegas,March21–27,2009.

OverbaughB,FixP.2009.AssessingvisitorexperiencesatprotectedareasinKamchatka.Posterpresentedatthe9thWorldWildernessCongress,Merida,Yucatan,Mexico,Nov.9–12,2009.

Smeenk, JeffandJimEricksen.Modifyingan1955AllisChalmersModelGTractorFromGasolinetoElectricPower.Posterpresentedatthe2010SAREConferenceinFairbanks.

Smeenk, Jeff andSeptemberMartin.YellowFleshedPotatoTrial:2008–2009Results.PosterpresentedatWesternAlaskaIntegratedScienceConference.

Trainor SF, Rupp TS,Murphy KA, Allen JL,Miller EA, JandtRR,OlsonDL,KoldenCA.WildlandFireScienceDeliveryandOutreachinAlaska.Poster.AssociationofFireEcology,4thInter-nationalFireCongress,Nov30–Dec.4,2009.Savannah,Georgia.

Trainor SF. ClimateImpactsinAlaska.PresentationattheNativePeople’sNativeHomelandsWorkshop,LakePrior,Minnesota.No-vember19,2009.

Trainor SF. Tools for Community Scenario Planning. Presenta-tionfortheAlaskaCommunity-BasedClimateChangeAdaptationOutreachProgramDevelopmentWorkshop.OrganizedbyAlaskaSeaGrantandAlaskaCenter forClimateAssessmentandPolicy.November17,2009.

Trainor SF.CommunicatingFireScienceInformation.Presentationforand facilitationofAlaskaFireScienceConsortiumWorkshopInauguralMeeting.October16,2009.

Trainor SF. Alaska Fire ScienceConsortium. Presentation at the2009AnnualFallFireReview,Fairbanks,Alaska.October15,2009.

http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=1042B019AD396D8B70AEE7C4D39AE290.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=6136060

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12252/Alaska

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/12252/Alaska

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Trainor SF.ClimateChange101presentedtoCooperativeExten-sion Service State Advisory Council. Fairbanks, Alaska. Oct. 2,2009.

Trainor SF,AndersonC,FergusonD,GarfinG.ClimateChange,WaterImpacts,andIndigenousPeoples:EngagingNativeKnowl-edge in Cross-Regional Comparison between Alaska, the PacificIslands, and theAmericanSouthwest.AmericanWaterResourcesAssociationSpringSpecialtyConferenceonManagingWaterRe-sourcesDevelopmentinaChangingClimate.Anchorage,Alaska,May4–6,2009.Alsosessionmoderator.

VanVeldhuizenB,ZhangM.2009.UAF-SNRAS/AFESAgrono-myResearch2003–2009.PresentedattheUAF/CESDeltaHarvestWrap-up,November19,2009,DeltaJunction,Alaska.

WhiteD,Rupp TS, Trainor SF.ClimateChange101WorkshoppresentedtotheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyAlaskaOf-fice,AnchorageAlaska.April1,2009.

WhiteD,Trainor SF.ClimateChange,What’stheBigDeal?Pre-sentationfortheOceanScienceLectureSeriesattheAlaskaSeaLifeCenter.SponsoredbytheAlaskaSeaLifeCenterandtheNationalParkServiceOceanAlaskaScienceLearningCenter.November9,2009.

Zhang M, Anderson J.2009.Compost:Alargepictureperspective.AlaskaForumontheEnvironment.Anchorage,Alaska.SessionPre-sentation:SolidWaste.

Zhang M, Smeenk J,KnightC,Anderson J.2009.CompostingopportunitiesaroundAlaska:aroundtable.SustainableAgricultureand Research Education Conference. Fairbanks, Alaska. GeneralSessionPresentation.

ReportsFix PJ. 2009. Alaska Residents Statistics Program Final Report.Fairbanks, Alaska: School of Natural Resources and AgriculturalSciences, Department of Resources Management, University ofAlaskaFairbanks.

Fix PJ.2009.MethodstoMeasuretheLevelofIndicatorsinDe-nali National Park and Preserve. Project report for theNationalParkService.Fairbanks,Alaska:SchoolofNaturalResourcesandAgriculturalSciences,DepartmentofResourcesManagement,Uni-versityofAlaskaFairbanks.

Fix PJ,SwanE,HarringtonAM.2009.EasternInteriorBBMFocusGroupKeyFindings.ReportfortheBureauofLandManagement.Fairbanks, Alaska: School of Natural Resources and AgriculturalSciences, Department of Resources Management, University ofAlaskaFairbanks.

HarringtonAM,Fix PJ.2009.BenefitsBasedManagementStudyfortheSquirrelRiverArea.ProjectreportforUSDIBureauofLandManagement. Fairbanks,Alaska:Department ofResourcesMan-agement,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

HarringtonAM,Fix PJ.2009.BenefitsBasedManagementintheWhite Mountains National Recreation Area: Winter RecreationStudy.ProjectreportforUSDIBureauofLandManagement.Fair-banks,Alaska:DepartmentofResourcesManagement,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.

Malone T, Liang J,PackeeEC.2009.CooperativeAlaskaForestInventory,USDAForestService,PacificNorthwestResearchSta-tion,PNW-GTR-785.Portland,OR.42pp.

Trainor SF (contributor).ARISAcommunityvisionforfutureRe-gionalIntegratedSciencesandAssessments(RISA)effortstomatchadvancesinclimateimpactssciencewiththeneedsofresourceman-agersandplanners.L.W.BinderandC.Simpson,Co-editors.July2009.

Trainor SF. Science Communication, Vulnerability Assessment,and Adaptation Planning for Climate Change in Alaska. InlandNorthwestResearchAlliance,Fairbanks,Alaska,March6,2009.

Lori Trummer, Thomas Malone. January 2008 (published2009). Assessments of paper birch trees tapped for sap har-vesting near Fairbanks Alaska. US Forest Service publicationR10-S&PF-FHP-2008-1.

LoriTrummer,ThomasMalone.May2009.SomeimpactstopaperbirchtreestappedforsapharvestinginAlaska.USForestServicepublicationR10-S&PF-FHP-2009-3.

AFES PublicationsAgroborealis articlesBarber, Valerie. 2009. A Log Cabin Building Workshop: fromhangertowoods.AlaskaAgriculturalandForestryExperimentSta-tion,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.Agroborealis40(1):6–14.

Barrick, Kenneth A.2009.HowtoSaveOldFaithful:GeyserPro-tectionAreas.AlaskaAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.Agroborealis40(1):23–32.

Fresco,NancyandF.StuartChapinIII.2009.BiomassFuels:Localenergy, local jobs, and community resilience.AlaskaAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStation,UniversityofAlaskaFairbanks.Agroborealis40(1):19–22.

VanVeldhuizenB.2009.TheMidnightSun-flower:abloomfornorthernbirds.Agroborealis40(1):15–18.

Miscellaneous PublicationsRobin Garber-Slaght, Stephen D. Sparrow, darleen t. masiak,GwenHoldmann. 2009. Opportunities for woody biomass fuelcropsinInteriorAlaska.AFESMP2009-09.8pp.

Karlsson M.Growing fresh vegetables:midnight sunlight& theEarth’swarmth.SNRAS/AFESMisc.Pub.No.MP2009-10.

Karlsson M. Growing under the midnight sun. SNRAS/AFESMisc.Pub.No.MP2009-06.

Variety Trials CircularsHolloway PS,MathekeGEM,GardinerA,HanscomJ,WeberJ.March2009.Annualfloweringplantevaluations2008.UniversityofAlaskaFairbanksAgriculturalandForestryExperimentStationVarietyTrial2009-01.

Holloway PS, Hanscom J, Gardiner A, Matheke GEM.March2009.Annualvegetabletrials2008.UniversityofAlaskaAgricul-turalandForestryExperimentStationVarietyTrial2009-02.

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FacultyJodie AndersonInstructor and Director, Alaska Community Horticulture ProgramMS, Brown Univ. ’94907.746.9461 • [email protected] www.uaf.edu/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/anderson/

John BaileyAsst. Research Professor ofPhD, Univ. of Hawaii ’05907.474.6504 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/www.snap.uaf.edu/earth

Valerie BarberAsst. Research Professor of Forest SciencesPhD, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’02907.746.9466 • [email protected]/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/vbarber/

Kenneth A. BarrickAssoc. Professor of GeographyPhD, Southern Illinois Univ., ’83907.474.6641 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Lawson BrighamDist. Professor of Geography & Arctic PolicyPhD, Univ. of Cambridge ’00. [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Matthew CroninResearch Assoc. Professor of Animal GeneticsPhD, Yale University, ’89907.746.9458 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/cronin-1/

Keith CunninghamResearch Asst. Professor of Remote SensingPhD, Univ. of Kansas, ’97907.474.6958 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Cary W. de WitAssoc. Professor of GeographyPhD, Univ. of Kansas, ’97907.474.7141 • [email protected] www.uaf.edu/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Gregory L. FinstadManager, Reindeer Research ProgramAsst. Professor of Range EcologyPhD, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’08907.474.6055 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/finstad/www.reindeer.salrm.uaf.edu

Peter J. FixAssoc. Professor of Outdoor Recreation ManagementPhD, Colorado State Univ., ’02907.474.6926 • [email protected]

Nancy FrescoResearch Asst. Professor of Landscape PlanningPhD, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’06907.474.2405 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Joshua A. GreenbergAssoc. Prof. of Resource EconomicsPhD, Washington State Univ., ’90907.474.7189 • [email protected]

Norman R. HarrisAdministrator, Palmer Center for Sustainable LivingAssoc. Prof. of Range ManagementPhD, Oregon State University, ’01907.746.9467 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/harris/

Current Facultywww.uaf.edu/snras/faculty/

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Bret LuickAssoc. Professor of Foods and NutritionPhD, Oregon State Univ., ’91907.474.5170 • [email protected]/snras/high-latitude-agriculturefaculty/luick/

Daniel MannAsst. Professor of GeographyPhD, Univ. of Washington, ’83907.474.7494 • [email protected] www.uaf.edu/snras/departments/geography/faculty/(no reports submitted)

Jenifer H. McBeathProfessor of Plant PathologyPhD, Rutgers Univ. ’74907.474.7431 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/mcbeath/

Chien-Lu PingProfessor of Agronomy, Soil ScientistPhD, Washington State Univ., ’73907.746.9462 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/ping/

Jan RowellResearch Assistant ProfessorPhD, Univ. of Saskatchewan, ’91907.474.6009 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/rowell/

T. Scott RuppDirector, Scenarios Network for Alaska & Arctic PlanningProfessor of ForestryPhD, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’98907.474.7535 • [email protected]/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/rupp/www.snap.uaf.edu

Mike SfragaAssoc. Dean, SNRAS and Director, University of Alaska Geography Program Asst. Professor of GeographyPhD, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’97907.474.7494 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

Patricia S. HollowayDirector, Georgeson Botanical GardenProfessor of HorticulturePhD, Univ. of Minnesota, ’82907.474.5651 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/holloway/

Patricia HeiserAsst. Professor of GeographyPhD, University of Alaska Fairbanks, ’97907.474.7068 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/(no reports submitted)

Julie Lurman JolyAssoc. Professor of Natural Resources Law and PolicyJD, Georgetown Univ. Law Center ’03907.474.6794 • [email protected]

Glenn P. JudayProfessor of Forest EcologyPhD, Oregon State Univ., ’76907.474.6717 • [email protected] www.uaf.edu/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/gjuday/

Meriam G. KarlssonDirector, Controlled Environment Agriculture Laboratory Professor of HorticulturePhD, Michigan State University, ’87907.474.7005 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/karlsson/

Gary KofinasDirector, Resilience and Adaptation ProgramAssoc. Professor of Resource Policy and ManagementPhD, Univ. of British Columbia, ’98907.474.7078 • [email protected]

Carol E. LewisDean, SNRAS and Director, AFESProfessor of Resources ManagementPhD, Georgetown Univ., ’70MBA, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’76907.474.7670 • [email protected]

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Milan P. ShipkaAssoc. Director, AFESProfessor of Animal SciencePhD, Utah State Univ., ’96907.474.7429 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/shipka/

Jeffrey SmeenkAsst. Professor of HorticultureHorticulture Extension SpecialistPhD, Michigan State Univ., ’03907.746.2773 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/smeenk/

J. Andres SoriaDirector, Renewable Hydrocarbons LaboratoryAssistant Professor of Wood ChemistryPhD, University of Idaho, ’05907.746.9484 • [email protected]/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/soria/https://sites.google.com/a/alaska.edu/jasoria/

Elena B. SparrowResearch Professor of Resource ManagementPhD, Colorado State Univ., ’73907.474.7699 • [email protected] www.iarc.uaf.edu/people/esparrow

Stephen D. Sparrow, Jr.Associate Dean, SNRASProfessor of AgronomyPhD, Univ. of Minnesota, ’81907.474.7620 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/ssparrow/

Sidney StephensPrincipal Investigator, MapTEACHInstructor of Science EducationMEd, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, ’86907.474.7628 • [email protected]

Susan ToddAssoc. Professor of Regional and Land Use PlanningPhD, Univ. of Michigan, ’95907.474.6930 • [email protected]

Sarah Fleischer TrainorResearch Asst. Professor of GeographyPhD, Univ. of California, Berkeley, ’02907.474.7878 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/

David ValentineProfessor of Forest SoilsPhD, Duke Univ., ’90907.474.7614 • [email protected]/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/valentine/

Dave VeazeyInstructor of GeographyDirector of Enrollment ManagementEdD, Univ. of Pennsylvania, ’06907.474.5276 • [email protected]/snras/departments/geography/faculty/www.uaf.edu/snras/students/generalinfo.html

David L. VerbylaProf. of Geographic Information SystemsPhD, Utah State Univ., ’88907.474.5553 • [email protected]/~dverbyla/www.uaf.edu/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/verbyla/

John A. YarieProfessor of SilviculturePhD, Univ. of British Columbia, ’78907.474.5650 • [email protected]/snras/departments/forestry/faculty/yarie/

Mingchu ZhangAssoc. Professor of Agronomy/Soil SciencePhD, Univ. of Alberta, ’93907.474.7004 • [email protected]/snras/departments/high-latitude-agriculture/faculty/zhang-1/

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EmeritiArthur L. Brundage,Prof.ofAnimalScienceRobert A. Dieterich,Prof.ofVeterinaryScienceDon H. Dinkel,Prof.ofPlantPhysiologyJames V. Drew,DeanofSALRM,DirectorofAFES,andProf.ofAgronomy(deceased)

Alan C. Epps,Prof.ofNaturalResourcesJohnD.Fox,Jr.,Assoc.Prof.ofForestryAnthony F. Gasbarro,Assoc.Prof.ofForestryExtensionFredric M. Husby,Prof.ofAnimalScienceAlan Jubenville,Prof.ofResourceManagementLeslie J. Klebesadel,Prof.ofAgronomyCharles W. Knight,Assoc.Prof.ofAgronomyCharles E. Logsdon,Prof.ofPlantPathologyJay D. McKendrick,Prof.ofAgronomyWilliam W. Mitchell,Prof.ofAgronomy

Bonita J. Neiland,Prof.ofLandResourcesandBotany(deceased)Edmund C. Packee,Prof.ofForestScienceSigmund H. Restad,Asst.Director,AlaskaAFESRoscoe L. Taylor,Prof.ofAgronomy(deceased)Wayne C. Thomas,Prof.ofEconomicsKeith Van Cleve,Prof.ofForestry(Soils)Robert B. Weeden,Prof.ofResourceManagementFrank J. Wooding,Prof.ofAgronomy(deceased)

Boreal Ecology Cooperative Research Unitwww.becru.uaf.edu

Teresa Nettleton Hollingsworth,ResearchEcologist(LTER),[email protected]

Trish Wurtz,ResearchEcologist(LTER),[email protected]

Alice Orlich, SNRAS graduate, at approximately 78˚N 145˚W in the Canada Basin of the Arctic Ocean, just north of the Beaufort Sea. Orlich describes her work there: “We were at a buoy deployment floe of multi-year ice…all the necessary work had been completed and we were awaiting a helo flight back to the ship.” Orlich is the recipient of a Space Grant fellowship, and has been taking ice observations and samples in a satellite validation project, comparing in-situ sea ice data with AMSR-E and SSM/I imagery and tracking the movement and deformation of the ice pack in the Arctic.

photo by mikE dEmpsEy

uaf school of natural resources & agricultural sciences ...uaf school of natural resources &...

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