Alaska's Climate and Impacts on Ecosystems, Permafrost, and Natives

This article discusses Alaska's climate, climate changes, and their impacts on ecosystems, permafrost, and natives. It covers the melting of glaciers, erosion of coasts, and increase in wildfires. The government of Alaska should plan methods to control this before it becomes inhabitable for the people, plants, and animals to live.

Alaska- Its Climate and Impacts
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Alaska
Climate and its Impacts
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Contents
Alaska..........................................................................................................................................................3
The climate of Alaska...................................................................................................................................3
Climate changes in Alaska...........................................................................................................................3
Climate Impacts...........................................................................................................................................4
Change in Ecosystems.............................................................................................................................4
Permafrost...............................................................................................................................................5
Alaska natives..........................................................................................................................................5
Oceans and Coasts...................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................6

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Alaska
Alaska is a state in the United States located in the North West extreme of North America. On
the eastern side, it is bordered by the Canadian Administrative borders; the western part is
bordered by Attu Island or the Aleutian Islands. It also makes a maritime border with Russia
across the Bering Strait. On the northern side are the Chukchi and Beaufort sea- which is the
southernmost part of the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean lies to the south and south-west. In the
area, it is the largest state in the United States and seventh subnational division in the world. It is
most sparsely populated among 50 states of the US. It is also the most populous territory of
North America. Alaska was purchased from the Russian empire in March 1867 for 7.2 US
million dollars. It had undergone many administrative changes before it was declared a territory.
Tourism is a major part of its economy.
Climate of Alaska
The climate of Alaska is oceanic. On an annual record, Southeast Alaska is the wettest and the
warmest with higher precipitation throughout the year. Areas like Juneau and Ketchikan observe
a daytime temperature which is beyond freezing in the winter months. Interior climate of Alaska
is subarctic. Temperature and climate of western Alaska are determined by the Bering Sea and
the Gulf of Alaska. This region observes the maximum amount of precipitation. Highest and
lowest temperatures in Alaska are mostly felt near Fairbanks. The lowest temperature in Alaska
is recorded to be -62 degrees near Prospect Creek. Alaska experiences very long and cool winters
and very short cool summers. In July, the average temperature is recorded to be -1 degree. Snow
covers the ground for the most part of the year 1.
Climate changes in Alaska
The environmental protection agency in 2016, has reported that over the few years, Alaska has
gone up to almost 3 degrees in summer and 6 degrees in winter. This unusual increase in
temperature has led the Arctic sea ice to retreat. The seashores have started eroding, and the
glaciers have started shrinking. It is also noted that insect outbreaks and wildfires have become
very common in this area. If the temperature accelerates at this speed, the region of Alaska will
have to face infrastructure damage, with a major loss to the fishing industry. The conifers of the
temperate rainforest survive in a moist climate and are beyond the access of fire. If the
1 Littell, Jeremy S. 2018. "Drought And Fire In The Western USA: Is Climate Attribution Enough?". Current
Climate Change Reports 4 (4): 396-406. doi:10.1007/s40641-018-0109-y.

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temperature increases in summer, it will lead to more precipitation, which in turn will lead to the
development of fungi on the trees, and may also increase the risk of fire in those areas.
If the temperature increases during winter, the snow which used to cover most of the ground will
soon start melting, the roots of the trees will be n direct contact with the colder soil, resulting in
their damage. The yellow cedar trees are damaged as a result of this. Glaciers have also started
melting which will bring hydrological changes making the marine habitat in danger. Animals
like moose and mountain goat that are used to living in the snow and ultimately be declared
endangered2.
The Alaska Climate Change Sub-Cabinet has advised the Governor to look seriously into the
matters. They have advised them to plan strategies for climate change, reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions. Alternative methods can be used to protect their climate3.
Climate Impacts
Alaska is the largest state of the US and is almost 20% of the total area. It has on both sides, the
Arctic Circle, which declares the US as an Arctic Nation. It has 16 wildlife refuges accounting
for 60% of the total area which is controlled by the National Park Service4.
Over the years the temperature in Alaska is increasing by 3 degrees. This is much more than the
whole country is experiencing. This warming has accelerated to around 6 degrees in winters.
This has impacts on the following:-
 Change in Ecosystems
 Permafrost
 Alaska natives
 Oceans and coasts
Change in Ecosystems
The change in temperatures is causing the glaciers to melt. An increase in 2-4 degrees is
resulting in a huge amount of precipitation throughout the year. These changes are affecting the
2 Poppick, Laura. 2018. "Alaska Spotlights Its Health Risks From Climate Change". Eos 99.
doi:10.1029/2018eo095129.
3 Larsen, C. F., E. Burgess, A. A. Arendt, S. O'Neal, A. J. Johnson, and C. Kienholz. 2015. "Surface Melt
Dominates Alaska Glacier Mass Balance". Geophysical Research Letters 42 (14): 5902-5908.
doi:10.1002/2015gl064349.
4 Rosales, Jon, and Jessica Chapman. 2015. "Perceptions Of Obvious And Disruptive Climate Change:
Community-Based Risk Assessment For Two Native Villages In Alaska". Climate 3 (4): 812-832.
doi:10.3390/cli3040812.

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marine life, wildlife habitat and the terrestrial ecosystems. It might increase the growing season
of certain crops. Higher temperatures lead to drought and wildfire5.
the fire caused due to increase in temperature leading to
the destruction of wildlife and vegetation. [USGCRP2014]
Permafrost
Permafrost is a frozen ground. It is located few feet below the soil in cold regions. More than
80% of the surface of Alaska is permafrost. Now, since the temperature is increasing, it is
causing that frozen snow to melt. When the snow melts, it causes the roots of the plants to sink in
it, destroying vegetation. It also results in the damage of roads and homes, due to the formation
of cracks on the ground6.
Alaska natives
Alaska is sheltering almost 229 tribes which are experiencing the everyday changes in the
climate. These tribal generally depend on fishing and hunting of various animals like polar bears,
seals and walruses. As the glaciers are melting, it is causing the damage of animals and plants
growing there. It is also leading to water pollution, sewage contamination, and increase in
pollutants. Warming is also leading to an increase in pesticides in water which is coming from
the Arctic Ocean as rest of permafrost thawing. This increase is also leading to high sea levels
and loss of ice near the coasts7.
Damage to roads and homes as a result of
permafrost/erosion.
[The Alaska Conservation Federation]
5 Bieniek, Peter A., and John E. Walsh. 2017. "Atmospheric Circulation Patterns Associated With Monthly
And Daily Temperature And Precipitation Extremes In Alaska". International Journal Of Climatology 37:
208-217. doi:10.1002/joc.4994.
6 Frisch, L.C., J.T. Mathis, N.P. Kettle, and S.F. Trainor. 2015. "Gauging Perceptions Of Ocean
Acidification In Alaska". Marine Policy 53: 101-110. doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2014.11.022.
7 Wendel, JoAnna. 2015. "Obama Uses Alaska Tour To Focus On Climate Change". Eos 96.
doi:10.1029/2015eo035053.

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Oceans and Coasts
Ice generally floats on the surface of the ocean. It stays for the year to year, melts during summer
and re-freezes in winter. The rapid increase in temperature is causing the ice to melt. This
increase in low ice level is giving benefits to the country. It is opening ways of transportation, oil
and gas exploration, tourism etc. On the contrary, it is affecting the planktons growing in the
oceans, a huge threat to the fishes. The coastal areas are now subjected to erosion and flooding8.
Low ice level due to melting, resulting in a change
in ecosystems.
[US EPA 2015]
Conclusion
The major and important factor that is causing a disturbance in the climate of Alaska is the
increase in temperature. Rest all factors are dependent on it. The government of Alaska should
plan methods to control this before it becomes inhabitable for the people, plants and animals to
live.
8 Huntington, Henry P. 2016. "Fierce Climate, Sacred Ground: An Ethnography Of Climate Change In
Shishmaref, Alaska, By Elizabeth Marino". ARCTIC 69 (1): 110. doi:10.14430/arctic4553.

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