Alpine Ecosystems Research Initiative of Alaska (AERIAL)

Statement of Purpose

AERIAL is a science-based, multi-agency working group whose functions are to:

• Establish a broad, ecosystem-function framework to integrate regional alpine/subalpine research efforts
• Stimulate collaborative projects in high-priority research subject-areas of the alpine/subalpine zone
• Understand, document, and project changes in the function and composition of this system

Through:

• Formalization of a network of investigators in relevant disciplines (from botany and wildlife biology to hydrology and biogeography, etc.).
• Providing communication and dissemination tools (e.g., a website & list serve)
• Identifying high-priority research needs

• Institutionalizing a bi or tri-annual forum associated with other relevant professional conferences to share research findings relevant to the subalpine/alpine zone 
  
• Pursuing collaborative funding opportunities to leverage and coordinate research efforts

• Synthesizing what is known or predicted about impacts of climate change on alpine ecosystems, by drawing parallels and contrasts to Arctic-tundra systems
• Exploring resources to establish long-term research sites that will serve as a foundation for understanding change and functioning of local alpine ecosystems.

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) are the forming a research group to stimulate collaborative and multi-disciplinary research in the alpine/subalpine zone of Southeast Alaska, as well as explore the impacts of climate change in this zone. Whereas the arctic has traditionally received the bulk of attention in high-latitude systems, especially with the growing context of climate change (Post et al., 2009), there are unexplored parallels and important distinctions between arctic and alpine systems that merit attention; yet there has been little research focus and synthesis of knowledge about alpine ecosystems in the region.

Because so little is currently known about the alpine/subalpine zone in Southeast Alaska, the near-term goalsof the group are to convene and:

• Establish a broad network of investigators in relevant disciplines (zoology, botany, hydrology, climatology, snow science, remote sensing, lichenology, soil and microbial scientists, biogeography, etc.)
• Allow individuals to informally present research findings and/or knowledge relevant to the alpine zone
• Identify high-priority research needs and explore ways to meet those needs

The 2 longer term goals and products we hope to develop with the group are:

• To produce a review and synthesis-oriented article (e.g. Post et al. 2009 ) establishing what is known or predicted about impacts of climate change on alpine ecosystems, by drawing parallels and contrasts to Arctic systems
• Establishment of a collaborative, long-term monitoring network that integrates with other high-elevation monitoring efforts (e.g. GLORIA, LTER, JIRP) as well as serves as a foundation to understand change and functioning of alpine ecosystems more locally

Contacts:

Karen Blejwas, ADFG-Nongame Program, 907-465-4328, karen.blejwas@alaska.gov

Sanjay Pyare, UAS, Environmental Sciences and Geography Program, sanjay.pyare@uas.alaska.edu

Kevin White, ADFG-Wildife Conservation, 907-465-4102, kevin.white@alaska.gov