USFWS’ Arctic Focal Area: Conserving Fish and Wildlife Populations in a Changing Landscape Philip Martin and Jim Zelenak November 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges Endangered Species Endangered Species

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges Endangered Species Endangered Species Marine Mammals Marine Mammals

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges Endangered Species Endangered Species Marine Mammals Marine Mammals Migratory Birds Migratory Birds

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges Endangered Species Endangered Species Marine Mammals Marine Mammals Migratory Birds Migratory Birds Inter-jurisdictional Fish Inter-jurisdictional Fish

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources NationalWildlife Refuges National Wildlife Refuges Endangered Species Endangered Species Marine Mammals Marine Mammals Migratory Birds Migratory Birds Inter-jurisdictional Fish Inter-jurisdictional Fish Subsistence Resources Subsistence Resources

Heightened Concern for Arctic Fish and Wildlife Climate Change Forum (February 2007) Recent Climate Data Sea-ice Observations and Models Observed and Predicted Impacts to Ice- dependent Species

Predicting Habitat Change

Thermokarst Pits and Polygons, NPR-A Most of the troughs and pits developed since 1989

October 2002 Storm at Barrow

Salt-killed Tundra Resulting From Storm Surges, Fish Creek Delta, Alaska.

(Mars and Houseknecht 2007)

Migratory Birds Wetland Habitat Structure/Composition Wetness Vegetation

Migratory Birds Wetland Habitat Structure/Composition Wetness Vegetation Temperature Permafrost Degradation Precipitation- Evaporation Ratio Salinization

What changes in populations, biodiversity, key species, and living resources are associated with Arctic Change? Whatimpact does Arctic Change have on living resources (biomass, diversity, distribution, health, physiological status, and annual biological phenomena [phenology])?What impact does Arctic Change have on living resources (biomass, diversity, distribution, health, physiological status, and annual biological phenomena [phenology])? How does Arctic Change, as reflected in populations, biodiversity, key species, and ecosystems, interact with driving forces such as harvesting and cumulative impacts of regional development?How does Arctic Change, as reflected in populations, biodiversity, key species, and ecosystems, interact with driving forces such as harvesting and cumulative impacts of regional development? How do changes in species composition and trophic dynamics associated with Arctic Change affect ecosystem structure and function, including biogeochemical cycles?How do changes in species composition and trophic dynamics associated with Arctic Change affect ecosystem structure and function, including biogeochemical cycles? What are the most sensitive biotic indicators of Unaami (e.g., indicator species, genetic change, demography, and recruitment, abundance.)?What are the most sensitive biotic indicators of Unaami (e.g., indicator species, genetic change, demography, and recruitment, abundance.)?

Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources Habitat Change Responding to Change: Partners in Management Ecosystem Processes Resource Management Agencies: BLM, NMFS, MMS, ADFG, NSB Research Community: USGS, NOAA, SEARCH, NSSI, NSF, NGOs