DOCSLIB.ORG

From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007: Chapter 3: Northern Canada

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007: Chapter 3: Northern Canada CHAPTER 3 Northern Canada Lead authors: Chris Furgal1 and Terry D. Prowse2 Contributing authors: Barry Bonsal (Environment Canada), Rebecca Chouinard (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada), Cindy Dickson (Council of Yukon First Nations), Tom Edwards (University of Waterloo), Laura Eerkes-Medrano (University of Victoria), Francis Jackson (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada), Humfrey Melling (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Dave Milburn (consultant), Scot Nickels (Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), Mark Nuttall (University of Alberta), Aynslie Ogden (Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources), Daniel Peters (Environment Canada), James D. Reist (Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Sharon Smith (Natural Resources Canada), Michael Westlake (Northern Climate ExChange), Fred Wrona (Environment Canada and University of Victoria) Recommended Citation: Furgal, C., and Prowse, T.D. (2008): Northern Canada; in From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007, edited by D.S. Lemmen, F.J.Warren, J. Lacroix and E. Bush; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON, p. 57-118. 1 Departments of Indigenous Studies and Environment and Resource Studies, Trent University, Peterborough, ON 2 Environment Canada and University of Victoria, Victoria, BC CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................... 61 2 REGIONAL OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................................... 62 2.1 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................... 62 2.2 Socioeconomic, Health and Demographic Conditions and Trends............................................... 64 2.3 Climatic Conditions, Past and Future ................................................................................................ 67 2.3.1 Past Climate ................................................................................................................................ 67 2.3.2 Future Climate............................................................................................................................ 68 3 IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGING CLIMATE FOR THE ARCTIC ENVIRONMENT ............................... 74 3.1 Sea Ice ..................................................................................................................................................... 74 3.2 Snow Cover ............................................................................................................................................ 74 3.3 Glaciers and Ice Sheets ......................................................................................................................... 75 3.4 Permafrost.............................................................................................................................................. 75 3.5 River and Lake Ice................................................................................................................................. 77 3.6 Freshwater Discharge............................................................................................................................ 77 3.7 Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Stability ................................................................................................... 77 3.8 Terrestrial Vegetation Zones and Biodiversity .................................................................................. 78 3.9 Freshwater Ecosystems......................................................................................................................... 78 4 IMPLICATIONS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTATION WITHIN KEY SECTORS ....................................................................................................................................... 79 4.1 Hydroelectric Development................................................................................................................. 79 4.2 Oil and Gas............................................................................................................................................. 79 4.3 Mining .................................................................................................................................................... 80 4.4 Infrastructure......................................................................................................................................... 80 4.5 Transportation....................................................................................................................................... 82 4.5.1 Marine Traffic ............................................................................................................................. 82 4.5.2 Freshwater Transport................................................................................................................. 85 4.5.3 Winter Roads .............................................................................................................................. 86 4.6 Forestry................................................................................................................................................... 87 4.7 Fisheries.................................................................................................................................................. 93 4.8 Wildlife, Biodiversity and Protected Areas........................................................................................ 96 4.9 Tourism................................................................................................................................................... 99 5 COMMUNITIES, HEALTH AND WELL-BEING ............................................................................................. 99 5.1 Direct Impacts on Health and Well-Being....................................................................................... 100 5.2 Indirect Impacts on Health and Well-Being.................................................................................... 101 5.3 Adaptive Capacity ............................................................................................................................... 105 6 CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................................................... 110 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................. 111 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................... 112 58 | From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate KEY FINDINGS e climate of the Arctic has shown an unprecedented rate of change during the past 50 years. Over the last half century, the Canadian Arctic has experienced significant increases in both temperature and precipitation, consistent with trends in other circumpolar regions. Increases in air temperature have resulted in many of the most extreme warm years throughout the entire Canadian North being recorded in the last decade, with the greatest temperature increases observed over the western Arctic. All global climate models project continued increases in temperature and precipitation over the Canadian Arctic, with greatest temperature changes at higher latitudes. As a result, there will continue to be significant changes in the physical environment, particularly in the cryosphere (snow, glaciers, permafrost and river/lake/sea ice). ere is increasing evidence that changes in climate are already having impacts on ecological, economic and human systems in northern regions, and that some individuals, communities and institutions are already taking action to reduce harmful impacts. Current levels of exposure to climate-related changes and sensitivities, as well as limitations in adaptive capacity, make some northern systems and populations particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Key findings include the following: • Climate-induced changes in the cryosphere (permafrost, sea ice, lake ice and snow) have important implications for infrastructure maintenance and design. Much of the infrastructure in the North is dependent upon the cryosphere to, for example, provide stable surfaces for buildings and pipelines, contain wastes, stabilize shorelines and provide access to remote communities in the winter. Permafrost warming and thaw may require remedial action or further engineering modifications to existing infrastructure. Waste retention ponds and lakes that rely on the impervious nature of permafrost to retain environmentally hazardous materials are a particular concern. Climate change is already being considered in the design of most major projects in the North, including tailings containment structures, pipelines and roads, and large buildings. In the longer term, marine and freshwater transportation will need to shi its reliance from ice routes to open-water or land-based transport systems. Coastal areas and communities will also become more vulnerable to erosion due to loss of sea ice compounded by increased storminess and rising sea levels. Changes in the timing of river flows will require modifications to the infrastructure and flow strategies used in generating hydroelectricity. • As the climate continues to change,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • By Sina Muster Et Al
    Reply to Reviewer #1 Interactive comments on “PeRL: A Circum-Arctic Permafrost Region Pond and Lake Database” by Sina Muster et al. We sincerely thank the reviewer for his/her positive and constructive comments on our manuscript. Our responses to the reviewer’s comments are highlighted in bold. Changes done in the manuscript are marked in italic. Page and line numbers refer to the marked-up manuscript version which is attached to this review as well as the new supplement. Anonymous Referee #1 Received and published: 10 February 2017 This manuscript describes a database (PeRL) that maps ponds and lakes for the Circum-Arctic Permafrost region. The authors provide detailed information on the generation of the database, how images were processed and classified. Additionally, they discuss classification accuracy and uncertainty as well as the potential use of the database. This database is a very valuable contribution to the scientific community as well as potential stakeholders from outside science. As the authors describe, classifying the area of waterbodies in the Arctic is crucial, as it impacts permafrost degradation and carbon fluxes of permafrost lowlands. The introduction is very well written and delivers the right message on why this database is useful. The second chapter defines ponds and lakes, which I thought was really useful, since I usually don’t think about lakes and ponds, and chapter three explained the study areas. Up to this point I could easily follow the manuscript and I don’t have any major comments. Chapter four deals with the generation of the PeRL database and because image processing or classification are not my expertise I cannot comment much on the correctness of the methods.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change in the North
    Climate Change in the North 2018 Manitoba Envirothon Study Guide The Arctic is still a cold place, but it is warming faster than any other region on Earth. Over the past => years, the Arctic’s temperature has risen by more than twice the global average. Increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are the primary underlying cause: the heat trapped by greenhouse gases triggers a cascade of feedbacks that collectively amplify Arctic warming. 4 Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA) 2017 and future consequences of Arctic climate change and its effects on Arctic snow, water, ice and permafrost conditions. Cryospheric change and variability are fundamentally linked to climate change and climate variability. Global climate models use mathematical formulations of atmospheric behavior to simulate climate. Tese models reproduce historical climate variations with considerable success, and so are used to simulate future climate under various scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions. Tese simulations of possible future conditions are driven by different atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration trajectories (known as Representative Concentration Pathways or RCPs), which provide a means to examine how future climate could be affected by differences in climate policy scenarios and greenhouse gas emissions. Tese scenarios of future atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations used to drive global climate models have been employed to estimate future trajectories in Arctic temperature and their impacts on major components of the Arctic cryosphere (snow, permafrost, sea ice, land-based ice), establishing pan-Arctic projections. SWIPA 2017 has relied on the global scenarios and climate projections of the Fifth IPCC Assessment Report (IPCC, 2013, 2014a,b) as the ‘climate Figure 1.1 Te Arctic, as defined by AMAP and as used in this assessment.
    [Show full text]
  • EXPERIENCES 2021 Table of Contents
    NUNAVUT EXPERIENCES 2021 Table of Contents Arts & Culture Alianait Arts Festival Qaggiavuut! Toonik Tyme Festival Uasau Soap Nunavut Development Corporation Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum Malikkaat Carvings Nunavut Aqsarniit Hotel And Conference Centre Adventure Arctic Bay Adventures Adventure Canada Arctic Kingdom Bathurst Inlet Lodge Black Feather Eagle-Eye Tours The Great Canadian Travel Group Igloo Tourism & Outfitting Hakongak Outfitting Inukpak Outfitting North Winds Expeditions Parks Canada Arctic Wilderness Guiding and Outfitting Tikippugut Kool Runnings Quark Expeditions Nunavut Brewing Company Kivalliq Wildlife Adventures Inc. Illu B&B Eyos Expeditions Baffin Safari About Nunavut Airlines Canadian North Calm Air Travel Agents Far Horizons Anderson Vacations Top of the World Travel p uit O erat In ed Iᓇᓄᕗᑦ *denotes an n u q u ju Inuit operated nn tau ut Aula company About Nunavut Nunavut “Our Land” 2021 marks the 22nd anniversary of Nunavut becoming Canada’s newest territory. The word “Nunavut” means “Our Land” in Inuktut, the language of the Inuit, who represent 85 per cent of Nunavut’s resident’s. The creation of Nunavut as Canada’s third territory had its origins in a desire by Inuit got more say in their future. The first formal presentation of the idea – The Nunavut Proposal – was made to Ottawa in 1976. More than two decades later, in February 1999, Nunavut’s first 19 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) were elected to a five year term. Shortly after, those MLAs chose one of their own, lawyer Paul Okalik, to be the first Premier. The resulting government is a public one; all may vote - Inuit and non-Inuit, but the outcomes reflect Inuit values.
    [Show full text]
  • STATEMENT to the COMMITTEE on SCIENCE, SPACE and TECHNOLOGY of the UNITED STATES HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES Hearing on Climate S
    STATEMENT TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hearing on Climate Science: Assumptions, Policy Implications and the Scientific Method 29 March 2017 Judith A. Curry Climate Forecast Applications Network Georgia Institute of Technology [email protected] Major points: • Scientific progress is driven by the creative tension spurred by disagreement, uncertainty and ignorance. • Progress in understanding the climate system is being hampered by an institutionalized effort to stifle this creative tension, in the name of a ‘consensus’ that humans have caused recent climate change. • Motivated by the mandate from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the climate community has prematurely elevated a scientific hypothesis on human-caused climate change to a ruling theory through claims of a consensus. • Premature theories enforced by an explicit consensus building process harm scientific progress because of the questions that don’t get asked and the investigations that aren’t undertaken. As a result, we lack the kinds of information to more broadly understand climate variability and societal vulnerabilities. • Challenges to climate research have been exacerbated by: o Unreasonable expectations from policy makers o Scientists who are playing power politics with their expertise and trying to silence scientific disagreement through denigrating scientist who do not agree with them o Professional societies that oversee peer review in professional journals are writing policy statements endorsing the consensus and advocating for specific policies • Policymakers bear the responsibility of the mandate that they give to panels of scientific experts. The UNFCCC framed the climate change problem too narrowly and demanded of the IPCC too much precision – where complexity, chaos, disagreement and the level of current understanding resists such precision.
    [Show full text]
  • MODERN PROCESSES and PLEISTOCENE LEGACIES by Louise M. Farquharson, Msc. a Dissertation Submitted In
    ARCTIC LANDSCAPE DYNAMICS: MODERN PROCESSES AND PLEISTOCENE LEGACIES By Louise M. Farquharson, MSc. A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geology University of Alaska Fairbanks December 2017 APPROVED: Daniel Mann, Committee Chair Vladimir Romanovsky, Committee Co-Chair Guido Grosse, Committee Member Benjamin M. Jones, Committee Member David Swanson, Committee Member Paul McCarthy, Chair Department of Geoscience Paul Layer, Dean College of Natural Science and Mathematics Michael Castellini, Dean of the Graduate School Abstract The Arctic Cryosphere (AC) is sensitive to rapid climate changes. The response of glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost-influenced landscapes to warming is complicated by polar amplification of global climate change which is caused by the presence of thresholds in the physics of energy exchange occurring around the freezing point of water. To better understand how the AC has and will respond to warming climate, we need to understand landscape processes that are operating and interacting across a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. This dissertation presents three studies from Arctic Alaska that use a combination of field surveys, sedimentology, geochronology and remote sensing to explore various AC responses to climate change in the distant and recent past. The following questions are addressed in this dissertation: 1) How does the AC respond to large scale fluctuations in climate on Pleistocene glacial-interglacial time scales? 2) How do legacy effects relating to Pleistocene landscape dynamics inform us about the vulnerability of modern land systems to current climate warming? and 3) How are coastal systems influenced by permafrost and buffered from wave energy by seasonal sea ice currently responding to ongoing climate change? Chapter 2 uses sedimentology and geochronology to document the extent and timing of ice-sheet glaciation in the Arctic Basin during the penultimate interglacial period.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Prosperity Is National Prosperity
    NORTHERN ECONOMIC FUTURES COMMISSION NORTHERN PROSPERITY IS NATIONAL PROSPERITY A STRATEGY FOR REVITALISING THE UK ECONOMY REPORT IPPR North and the Northern Economic Futures Commission November 2012 © IPPR North 2012 Institute for Public Policy Research ABOUT IPPR NORTH IPPR North is IPPR’s dedicated thinktank for the north of England. With bases in Newcastle and Manchester, IPPR North’s research, together with our stimulating and varied events programme, seeks to produce innovative policy ideas for fair, democratic and sustainable communities across the north of England. IPPR North specialises in regional economics, localism and community policy. Our approach is collaborative and we benefit from extensive sub-national networks, regional associates, and a strong track record of engaging with policymakers at regional, sub-regional and local levels. IPPR North 3rd Floor, 20 Collingwood Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1JF T: +44 (0)191 233 9050 E: [email protected] www.ippr.org/north Registered charity no. 800065 November 2012. © 2012 The contents and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors only. BOLD IDEAS for CHANGE NORTHERN PROSPERITY IS NATIONAL PROSPERITY A STRATEGY FOR REVITALISING THE UK ECONOMY IPPR North and the Northern Economic Futures Commission November 2012 in partnership with partly funded by EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future European Regional Development Fund 2007-13 i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Northern Economic Futures Commission is made up of 16 high-profile figures bringing expertise from a wide range of disciplines and interests. Commissioners draw together knowledge and experience of a wide range of business sectors, economic experts and other civic leaders from across the north of England.
    [Show full text]
  • Canadian-Geography-And-Mapping
    Canadian Geography and Mapping Skills Encouraging Topic Interest Keep a class collection of maps showing population, climate, topography, etc., to help students develop an understanding and appreciation of different types of maps. The Government of Canada website (http://gc.ca/aboutcanada-ausujetcanada/maps-cartes/maps-cartes-eng.html) and tourism bureaus are great sources of free maps. Encourage students to add to the class collection by bringing in a variety of maps for roads, tourist attractions, neighbourhoods, parks, amusement parks, floor plans, etc. Also have atlases and other resources handy for further study. Vocabulary List Record new and theme-related vocabulary on chart paper for students’ reference during activities. Classify the word list into categories such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, or physical features. Blackline Masters and Graphic Organizers Use the blackline masters and graphic organizers to present information, reinforce important concepts, and to extend opportunities for learning. The graphic organizers will help students focus on important ideas, or make direct comparisons. Outline Maps Use the maps found in this teacher resource to teach the names and locations of physical regions, provinces, territories, cities, physical features, and other points of interest. Encourage students to use the maps from this book and their own information reports to create an atlas of Canada. Learning Logs Keeping a learning log is an effective way for students to organize thoughts and ideas about concepts presented. Student learning logs also provide insight on what follow-up activities are needed to review and to clarify concepts learned. Learning logs can include the following types of entries: • Teacher prompts • Connections discovered • Students’ personal reflections • Labelled diagrams and pictures • Questions that arise • Definitions for new vocabulary Rubrics and Checklists Use the rubrics and checklists in this book to assess students’ learning.
    [Show full text]
  • Arctic Science Day
    Arctic Science Day An Introduction to Arctic Systems Science Research Conducted at the Centre for Earth Observation Science (U of MB) Produced by: Michelle Watts Schools on Board Program Coordinator Arctic Geography – a brief introduction The Arctic Region is the region around the North Pole, usually understood as the area within the Arctic Circle. It includes parts of Russia, Scandinavia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. The Arctic is a single, highly integrated system comprised of a deep, ice covered and nearly isolated ocean surrounded by the land masses of Eurasia and North America. It is made up of a range of land-and seascapes from mountains and glaciers to flat plains, from coastal shallows to deep ocean basins, from polar deserts to sodden wetlands, from large rivers to isolated ponds. Sea ice, permafrost, glaciers, ice sheets, and river and lake ice are all characteristic parts of the Arctic’s physical geography (see circumpolar map) Inuit Regions of Canada (www.itk.ca) Inuit Regions of Canada – See Map Inuit Nuanagat There are four Inuit regions in Canada, collectively known as Inuit Nunangat. The term “Inuit Nunangat” is a Canadian Inuit term that includes land, water, and ice. Inuit consider the land, water, and ice, of our homeland to be integral to our culture and our way of life. Inuvialuit (Northwest Territories) The Inuvialuit region comprises the northwestern part of the Northwest Territories. In 1984, the Inuvialuit, federal and territorial governments settled a comprehensive land claims agreement, giving Inuvialuit surface and subsurface (mining) rights to most of the region. The Agreement ensures environmental protection, harvesting rights and Inuvialuit participation and support in many economic development initiatives.
    [Show full text]
  • Empowering Europe's Future
    Empowering Europe’s Future: Governance, Power and Options for the EU in a Changing World =?EL7DD?=H;L?:7D?;BA;E>7D;8;HD?9;B;;F7JH?9?7B;M?I © European Union, 2013. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The findings of this Trend Report are the responsibility of Chatham House and FRIDE, and do not necessarily express the opinions of the EU institutions. Chatham House and FRIDE were commissioned to produce the report ‘Empowering Europe’s Future: Governance, Power and Options for the EU in a Changing World’ by the European Commission at the request of an inter-institutional task force, with full respect for their intellectual independence. Catalogue number: NJ-30-13-616-EN-C ISBN (online): 978-84-616-7353-7 Legal deposit: M-34623-2013 Empowering Europe’s Future: Governance, Power and Options for the EU in a Changing World =?EL7DD?=H;L?:7D?;BA;E>7D;8;HD?9;B;;F7JH?9?7B;M?I EMPOWERING EUROPE’S FUTURE: GOVERNANCE, POWER AND OPTIONS FOR THE EU IN A CHANGING WORLD 1 andShiftingPower Complexity Interdependence, Summary Executive 9 Preface 7 Acknowledgements Authors About the 17 ofcontents Table 4 10 6 4 and Governance Cooperation Competition, 3 andPowers Power 59 Vulnerability and 2 Conflict 45 35 3.2 andrenewal Major powers –fragility 3.1 andpoliticsintheaugmentedworld Power capabilities 2.5 Military 2.4 andspace Cyber-security andconflict resources ofclimate, The intersection 2.3 2.2 crime andorganised Terrorism 45 49 trends 2.1 Conflict 1.3 anddisruptions threats Opportunities, 39 1.2 powerCumulative shifts 1.1 andshifting
    [Show full text]
  • The Economy of the North
    84 Statistiske analyser Statistical Analyses Solveig Glomsrød and Iulie Aslaksen (eds.) The Economy of the North Statistisk sentralbyrå • Statistics Norway Oslo–Kongsvinger Statistiske analysar I denne serien blir det publisert analysar av statistikk om sosiale, demografiske og økonomiske forhold til ein breiare lesarkrins. Framstillingsforma er slik at publikasjonane også kan lesast av personar utan spesialkunnskapar om statistikk eller tilretteleggingsmetodar. Statistical Analyses In this series, Statistics Norway publishes analyses of social, demographic and economic statistics, aimed at a wider circle of readers. These publications can be read without any special knowledge of statistics and statistical methods. © Statistics Norway, December 2006 Standard symbols in the tables Symbol When using material from this publication, please give Statistics Norway as your source. Category not applicable . Data not available .. ISBN 82-537-7111-8 Printed version Data not yet available ... ISBN 82-537-7112-6 Electronic version Not for publication : ISSN 0804-3221 Nil - Subject Less than 0.5 of the unit employed 0 00.00.30 International overviews Less than 0.05 of the unit employed 0.0 01.02 Resources Provisional or preliminary figure * 01.03 Climate Break in the homogeneity of a vertical series — Break in the homogeneity of a horizontal series | Design/cover: Siri E. Boquist/Photos.com Print: Statistics Norway Revised since the previous issue r The Economy of the North Preface Preface The objective of The Economy of the North is to present a comprehensive overview of the economy of the circumpolar Arctic, including the traditional production activities of the indigenous people. The report discusses the importance of the Arctic economy from a global perspective, with particular focus on the natural resources in the Arctic region.
    [Show full text]
  • Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project Baseline Marine Mammal Studies
    Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project Baseline Marine Mammal Studies, September 2004 prepared by environmental research associates for Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Joint Venture 340 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8 LGL Report TA4079-1 June 2005 Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Project Baseline Marine Mammal Studies, September 2004 prepared by Ross Harris, Ted Elliott, and William E. Cross LGL Limited, environmental research associates 22 Fisher St., POB 280 King City, ON L7B 1A6 for Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Joint Venture 340 Park Place, 666 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC V6C 2X8 LGL Report TA4079-1 June 2005 Table of Contents Table of Contents Executive Summary......................................................................................................................................v 1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Background........................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Objectives ..........................................................................................................................................1 2. Methods ...................................................................................................................................................1 2.1 Survey Design....................................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Environmental and Hydrogeologic Conditions at Barrow, Alaska
    Overview of Environmental and Hydrogeologic Conditions at Barrow, Alaska By Kathleen A. McCarthy U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Open-File Report 94-322 Prepared in cooperation with the FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Anchorage, Alaska 1994 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Gordon P. Eaton, Director For additional information write to: Copies of this report may be purchased from: District Chief U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Earth Science Information Center 4230 University Drive, Suite 201 Open-File Reports Section Anchorage, AK 99508-4664 Box25286, MS 517 Federal Center Denver, CO 80225-0425 CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................. 1 Introduction............................................................... 1 Physical setting ............................................................ 2 Climate .............................................................. 2 Surficial geology....................................................... 4 Soils................................................................. 5 Vegetation and wildlife.................................................. 6 Environmental susceptibility.............................................. 7 Hydrology ................................................................ 8 Annual hydrologic cycle ................................................. 9 Winter........................................................... 9 Snowmelt period................................................... 9 Summer.........................................................
    [Show full text]