Effects of Climate Change on Ecosystems and Natural Resources of the Yukon River Basin

Yukon River: Entirely above 60 degrees N Freshwater source for Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean Potential large source of carbon to the coastal ocean

Integration of DOI Monitoring, Assessment, and Management Yukon Basin:  5 National Parks/ NRAs (Vital Signs)  8 Wildlife Refuges  3 Large military land holdings (CRREL)

Groundwater (DOC, DIC) PERMAFROST Surface runoff (DOC, DIC, POC, PIC) Sedimentation & Resuspension CO 2, CH 4 Decomposition of POC, DOC CO 2, CH 4 Decomposition Bank erosion (POC, PIC, DOC, DIC) CO 2 Photosynthesis Soil water (DOC, DIC) DOC, DIC Glacial runoff (PIC) CO 2 2 HCO CaCO 3 CO 2 Photosynthesis Carbon, Water, and Energy Budgets using a watershed as a common frame of reference

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

Tier 1: Research Installations USGS and UAF Research on the effects of wetter/dryer/warmer conditions on C flux Roofed plots Manipulated water table in wetlands

Hydrologic Data Collection- USGS/Canada Porcupine River Tanana River Yukon River Koyukuk River Whitehorse Fort Yukon Pilot Station StevensVillage Eagle Fixed Station Network Intensive Sampling June & Aug-Sept., 2002 June & Aug-Sept., 2003 Major Drainage Basins Porcupine R. Tanana R. Upper Yukon R. & Headwaters East Central Yukon R. Koyukuk R. & West, Lower Yukon R. Yukon R. at Eagle Yukon R. at Pilot Station Tanana R. Porcupine R. Yukon R. near Stevens Village LTER NOAA-IPY USGS Research Watersheds (Tier 1) and Fixed river stations (Tier 2)

Snow Depth Air Temperature Shortwave Radiation Permafrost Temperatures cm Datalogger And Power Solar Panel soil temperatures (5-120 cm) soil moisture active-layer depth & duration snow depth & duration albedo Terrestrial Atmospheric air temperature wind speed & direction cloudiness Tier 1,2: Active-Layer Monitoring Stations Each AL Station Monitors the Following Climate Parameters: Soil 15cm Wind Speed and Direction sample rate = 30 sec Estimated Costs Per Site Equipment and installation: 20K Operation per year: 5K

Tier 3: The Watershed as a landscape frame of reference Forest/landscape and hydrologic data collected intensively within each study watershed. Survey data (FIA plot grid) for linking to broader watershed or region. Models linking datasets for basin-wide water, energy, and carbon budgets. FIA Plot (hypothetical) USGS Gage (also hypoth). Riparian Study Research Area

Yukon Basin: 853,300 km 2 ~ 3.02% water ~ 1.08% river water ~ 0.52% Yukon River B. Wylie & B. Jones Detecting surface water change through remote sensing

CommunityViz USGS Decision Support Systems National Integrated Network (GC-IMS)

Science Priorities for the DOI Task Force Development of a DOI integrated science and monitoring plan Integration of existing monitoring networks Downscaling of models An adaptive management approach with USGS science and DOI resource Bureaus Building decision-making capabilities centered on a robust Global Change Information Management System (GC-IMS) Improving integration and access to USGS and other DOI Bureau data sets crucial to climate change science and resource management GC-IMS

Yukon-North Slope Regional Integrated Monitoring Systems (RIMS)

The Vision – A National Climate Effects Network A truly integrated National climate effect monitoring network capable at a range of temporal and spatial scales A truly integrated National climate effect monitoring network capable at a range of temporal and spatial scales A scientific team focused on early detection and scientific analysis in support of adaptation or mitigation strategies A scientific team focused on early detection and scientific analysis in support of adaptation or mitigation strategies An information dissemination and decision support system for cost effective, scientifically rigorous management and policy decisions An information dissemination and decision support system for cost effective, scientifically rigorous management and policy decisions The capacity for the next generation to protect and sustain our National trust resources through early detection of change The capacity for the next generation to protect and sustain our National trust resources through early detection of change