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Climate Change and Alaskan Wetlands

Climate Change and Alaskan Wetlands. Sadie Iverson SWES 574. Wetlands in Alaska. As of 1990, only 0.1% lost. Walker et al. 2005. Wetland Types. Many varieties Peatlands (muskegs) Marshes (salt and freshwater) Some affected by permafrost. Copper River Delta, southeast Alaska.

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Climate Change and Alaskan Wetlands

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  1. Climate Change and Alaskan Wetlands Sadie Iverson SWES 574

  2. Wetlands in Alaska As of 1990, only 0.1% lost Walker et al. 2005

  3. Wetland Types • Many varieties • Peatlands (muskegs) • Marshes (salt and freshwater) • Some affected by permafrost Copper River Delta, southeast Alaska

  4. Wildlife Signficance • Examples: • Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta (at left) • Copper River Delta bna.birds.cornell.edu

  5. Climate Change • 0.6°C warming over 20th century • Causes • End of Little Ice Age • Excess greenhouse gases

  6. Arctic Impact? • Importance of ice • Atmospheric effects • Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, 2004

  7. Why Alaska? • Arctic effects • Heavily mapped for oil and mineral exploration • Low population density (fewer human effects) A muskeg

  8. Methane Effect • Alaska produces 7% of the Arctic’s methane • Attributed to warming of peatlands Felzer and Hu 2004

  9. Successional Effect • Encroachment of scrubby trees like spruce • Typical of warming eras in history • Potential effects not fully understood Sturm 2001

  10. Wetland Loss Example • Kenai Peninsula Lowlands

  11. Kenai Results Muskegs, kettle ponds turn to wet soil or uplands Rise in temperature, lowering of moisture (Klein et al. 2005)

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