Chinook salmon released into Yukon River in Alaska, USA. Photo: USGS
Researchers at 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚听听have been awarded $3 million in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the changing climate and rivers of Alaska and western Canada.
Arctic temperatures are warming faster than nearly anywhere on Earth. It is not known how the rapid warming will impact river conditions, ice cover and fish, but the topic carries tremendous significance for native communities impacted by the changes. The researchers will work closely with native communities to examine the possible impacts of climate change on rivers, fisheries and water availability.听
The five-year project funded through the NSF鈥檚 鈥淣avigating the New Arctic鈥� program will result in improved monitoring and computer modeling of present and future river conditions in northern regions.听
鈥淩ivers and ice are crucial to the livelihood, transportation and subsistence of these communities,鈥� said Keith Musselman, a research associate at INSTAAR and the principal investigator on the project. 鈥淭his interdisciplinary effort will听help us learn from those who are being directly impacted by Arctic environmental changes.鈥�
The Yukon River, the fourth-largest in the world, is a central lifeline within the region. Historically, sturdy river ice has been a primary winter transportation corridor, allowing native residents to move supplies and reach traditional hunting grounds even without passable overland roads.
But the river ice has become less reliable in recent years, Musselman says. Early mid-winter breakups have become more frequent due to warming temperatures, severing communities from access to food and fuel.
鈥淚t鈥檚 become apparent just how dependent some areas are on stable river ice and how isolated they can become without it,鈥� he said.
Climate change is having other effects, too: In August 2019, Alaska-based scientists reported that heat stress killed several Alaskan salmon species in record numbers with some stream temperatures reaching record summertime highs.
The connection to local communities is key. Scientists at 抖阴旅行射 Boulder, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) will collaborate with the Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council,听a non-profit organization of 74 First Nations and Tribes that monitors the Yukon River watershed. In the first year, a Native Advisory Council consisting of elders will provide input into research directions to ensure the production of useable outcomes and actionable information.
While the project will primarily examine climate-related vulnerabilities, there is also much to be learned from successful adaptations that communities have already made, Musselman says.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 relatively rare for a research project to start with firsthand observations from communities,鈥� said Musselman. 鈥淪o rather than telling, we鈥檙e asking: How do these changes affect you? What would be useful to know? How have you adapted in response? And then we use that info to guide the project and develop ideas together.鈥�
The study will build upon a scientific and educational partnership between 抖阴旅行射 Boulder and the USGS through 抖阴旅行射鈥檚 Center for Water, Earth Science and Technology (CWEST). Researchers and scientists from 抖阴旅行射 and NCAR will听conduct computer simulations of weather, streamflow, river ice and water temperature for historical and potential future climate conditions over Alaska and western Canada. The data will then be used to create high-resolution models that can assess potential risks to Arctic river fish species.
In the project鈥檚 third year, a two-day Arctic Rivers Summit will be held in Anchorage, Alaska to bring together scientists, Native Community members and resource managers to discuss the findings and publish a study on the results.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to build out open lines of communication with those affected by climate change,鈥� said Musselman. 鈥淲e want to be asking the right questions and addressing concerns that have real impact within communities.鈥�
The project is a joint effort with researchers and support from 抖阴旅行射 Boulder鈥檚 Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research; the U.S. Geological Survey; the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals at Northern Arizona University; the University of Saskatchewan; and the University of Waterloo. NCAR will receive $0.8 million of the NSF funding.
