Environment > Land
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS | Plants | Animals
PHYSICAL ASPECTS | Geology/Geomorphology/Geophysics | Geodesy | Geological Maps | Other Maps | General
FRESH WATER | Rivers and Lakes | Water Resources and Data
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS
Plants
Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska Anchorage >
Alaska Exotic Plant Information Center (AKEPIC)
http://akweeds.uaa.alaska.edu
Database and mapping application that provides geospatial information for non-native plant species in Alaska and the Yukon Territory.Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Mapping (CAVM) Project
http://www.geobotany.uaf.edu/cavm
An international effort to map the vegetation and associated characteristics of the circumpolar region using a common base map which is a false color infrared image created from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data.Global Invasive Species Database
http://www.issg.org/database/welcome
The database provides text information on invasive species and is searchable by species name, location, habitat, and/or organism type.National Park Service > Alaska Region Inventory and Monitoring Program > Vegetation Inventory
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/akro/inventory/landcover.cfm
Contains monitoring, data management, reports, publications, among others. Further resources include several inventories: the Landcover Inventory covers 54.6 million acres of Alaska parklands and the Soils Inventory covers 46 million parklands.State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game > Refuges, Sanctuaries, Critical Habitat Areas and Wildlife Ranges
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=maps.refugeboundaries
The Department's approximations of all refuge area boundaries in Alaska are offered as Google Earth KML file downloads, available for all refuge areas.State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game > Tundra Habitats
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/species/wildlife_action_plan/appendix5_tundra_habitats.pdf
A presentation of native tundra plant and animal species, arranged by Arctic, Alpine, and Maritime Tundra.Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas (TAGA)
http://www.arcticatlas.org
A web-based multi-scale collection of geobotanical maps and related material. Covering several research sites across Alaska, the geobotanical atlas contains data related to geology, topography landforms, surficial geomorphology, soils, and vegetation.University of Alaska Anchorage > Alaska Natural Heritage Program > Botany
http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/botany
Rare and invasive plant species biology research, with a focus on habitat modeling, biogeography, reproductive ecology and evolution, and ecological impacts of non-native plants. Resources include Rare Plant Species lists, rare plant field guide and conservation status, and the Alaska Exotic Plants Information Clearinghouse (AKEPIC).US Forest Service > The Alaska Vegetation Classification
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications/pnw_gtr286/pnw_gtr286a.pdf
Published version of a comprehensive and agglomerative vegetation classification system in use across Alaska since 1976. Classifying existing vegetation exclusively, it focuses on 888 known plant communities in Alaska and a hierarchical system with five levels of resolution.
Animals
Arctic Biodiversity Data Service
http://www.abds.is
Part of the Arctic Portal, the ABDS is a repository of Arctic biodiversity data. Resources include mapping services, datasets, graphics and publications from circumpolar contributors.Arctic Report Card: Update for 2012 > Caribou and Reindeer
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/reportcard/caribou_reindeer.html
A report explaining current pan-Arctic population of Arctic reindeer and caribou (Rangifer) population trends.Circum-Arctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network (CARMA)
http://www.carmanetwork.com
An online mapping interface for viewing wild rangifer species, including reindeer and caribou. Features of the site include specific herd information, herd movement data and animation, and other resources.NOAA > Arctic Theme Page > What Has Been Happening to Polar Bears in Recent Decades?
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/essay_schliebe.html
A scientific essay discussing current polar bear (Ursus maritimus) population trends across the Arctic, as well as threats and indicators as future predictors.US Fish and Wildlife Service > Endangered Species, Alaska Region
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/endangered
The site contains text information and status of listed species, candidate species, candidate conservation, permits, grants, and recovery plans and reviews.USGS > Alaska Science Center > Biological Resources of Alaska
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology
USGS web repository of various biology resources. Resources include scientific projects arranged by topic (Fish and Fisheries, Mammals, Birds, and Ecosystems and Habitats) and publications.USGS > Alaska Science Center > Polar Bears
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/polar_bears/index.html
USGS Polar Bear Research page that highlights the population dynamics and habitat research carried out by the Alaska Science Center. Resources include publications and products, satellite tracking of polar bears that is updated monthly, and research on the polar bear and sea ice relationship, among others.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS
Geology/Geomorphology/Geophysics
Arctic Institute of North America > Arctic Geophysics
http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic22-3-225.pdf
Published article on Arctic Geophysics, with a focus on history and bathymetry in the Arctic.State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys > Publications Search
http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/publications
DNI Publication search portal that allows users to search DGGS, MIRL, USGS, and USBM publication databases, among others.Universistetet i Oslo > Periglacial Geomorphology
http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/geofag/GEG2130/h08/undervisningsmateriale/GEG2130 Periglacial geomorphology.pdf
A presentation on Periglacial Gepmorphology. Content includes periglacial climates, permafrost, weathering, and thermokarst, among others.USGS Alaska Science Center > Geologic Science of Alaska
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/geology
USGS page for geology and geological resources of Alaska. Programs that are presented include Alaska Mineral Resource, Hazards, and Energy in Alaska. Resources include products and publications, Alaska Resource data files, Mineral Resources online spatial data, and energy and mineral links, among others.USGS Alaska Science Center > Geographic Science of Alaska
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/geography
USGS page for geography and geographic science in Alaska. Resources include the Alaska Geographic Data Clearinghouse (AGDC), the Cold Regions Lake and Landscape Research Group, the National Landcover Database, as well as publications and data.
Geodesy
NOAA Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS)
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/CORS
CORS provids Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data consisting of carrier phase and code range measurements in support of three dimensional positioning, meteorology, space weather, and geophysical applications. Resources include data products, CORS maps, articles, and presentations, among others.NOAA Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D)
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/GRAV-D
GRAV-D is a proposal by the National Geodetic Survey to re-define the vertical datum of the US by 2021. The proposal consists of three campaigns, all of which are outlined in the Project Plan on the page. Further resources include data products, publications, informational materials, and the Geoid Slope Validation Survey of 2011, among others.NOAA National Geodetic Survey Data Explorer
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/NGSDataExplorer
The National Geodetic Survey Data Explorer is an interactive mapping tool that allows users to interactively search and view geographic locations while also using symbology and map layers. The Explorer also links to data and imagery, tools, surveys, and publications, among others.Arctic Institute of North America > Geodetic Investigations in the Canadian Arctic
http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/arctic7-3&4-191.pdf
Geodetic Investigations in the Canadian Arctic presents the history of geodesy in the Canadian Arctic, starting from 1935. The article also addresses challenges and limitation of geodesy in the Arctic Canada.NASA Technical Reports Server > COLD MAGICS – Continuous Local Deformation Monitoring of an Arctic Geodetic Fundamental Station
http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20110011881_2011012396.pdf
A technical report on the experience gained in a project to continuously monitor the local tie at the Geodetic Observatory in Ny-Alesund, Norway. Limitations and results are addressed, along with a presentation of the history and methodology used.
Geological Maps
USGS Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2408 >
Surficial Geologic Map of the Hughes Quadrangle, Alaska
http://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/2002/2408
Surficial Geologic Map of the Hughes Quadrangle, Alaska. Along with an article-based pamphlet, resources include a digital database for the map.USGS Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-2409 >
Surficial Geologic Map of the Bettles Quadrangle, Alaska
http://pubs.usgs.gov/mf/2002/2409
Surficial Geologic Map of the Bettles Quadrangle, Alaska. Along with an article-based pamphlet, resources include a digital database for the map.USGS Scientific Investigations Map 2817-B >
Geologic Map of the Ikpikpuk Quadrangle, Alaska
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2005/2817b
Geologic Map of the Ikpikpuk Quadrangle, Alaska. Along with an article-based pamphlet, resources include a GIS data package.USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3036 >
Surficial Geologic Map of the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3036
Surficial Geologic Map of the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska. Along with an article-based pamphlet, resources include a metadata folder.USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3125 >
Surficial Geologic Map of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3125
Surficial Geologic Map of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Along with an article-based pamphlet, resources include a metadata folder.
Other Maps
Alaska Mapped: Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative
http://www.alaskamapped.org/sdmi
SDMI seeks to provide an accurate, current, seamless, statewide base map. In addition to the interactive and customizable mapping tool, available resources are data services, documents, and program-related documentation such as imagery whitepapers, summaries, and the SDMI Strategic Plan.Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)
http://arctic-sdi.org
SDI is a pan-Arctic cooperative initiative among ten national mapping agencies that seeks to jointly develop an Arctic spatial data infrastructure while addressing specific issues of the Arctic. Resources include publications, meetings and conferences, and news.Audubon Alaska > Arctic Marine Synthesis: Atlas of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas
http://ak.audubon.org/arctic-marine-synthesis-atlas-chukchi-and-beaufort-seas
Comprehensive atlas of the Chuckchi and Beaufort seas containing information on physical oceanography, water column and benthic life, fish, birds, mammals, climate change, and energy development.Data.gov/Ocean > Arctic Region Data
http://www.data.gov/communities/node/237/data_tools/arctic
Searchable database of water-related datasets and research for Alaska and the Arctic region. Research and data are available for many agencies.Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA)
https://www.erma.unh.edu/arctic/erma.html#x=-157.26928&y=70.57612&z=5&layers=12959+12913+12921+12920
ERMA is an interactive map that brings together real-time and static datasets through multi-topic layers that address topics such as bathymetry, marine debris, coastal resources and habitats, and land use and land cover, among others.State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Land & Water > Map Gallery
http://www.dmlwmaps.dnr.alaska.gov/PublicMapsGallery1-4
A collection of interactive maps for DNR that cover diverse topics, including special management lands, land use, oil and gas, navigable waters, and land status, among others.Toolik-Arctic Geobotanical Atlas (TAGA)
http://www.arcticatlas.org
TAGA combines geobotanical themes such as geology, topography landforms, surficial geomorphology, soils, and vegetation into a multi-scale collection of geobotanical maps and related material.
General
Alaska State Geo-spatial Data Clearinghouse (ASGDC)
http://www.asgdc.alaska.gov
ASGDC provides maps, images and descriptions about Alaska geo-spatial data. Available datasets include biological, DNR land records, geoscience, and physical features, among others. Further resource include GIS by agency, interactive maps, and metadata.Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA) Portal
https://irma.nps.gov/App/Portal/Home
IRMA is the beginnings of a "one-stop" for data and information on park-related resources. Access to documents, reports, publications, data sets, and park species lists, among others, is available.National Park Service > Central Alaska Network > Inventory and Monitoring Program
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/cakn
The CAKN Inventory and Monitoring Program tracks three national parks and preserves in the Central Alaska Region through 34 key indicators in four categories (physical environment, plant life, animal life, and human use) in order to assess the overall health of the network. The 34 key indicators include air quality, climate, natural resource consumption, soundscape and specific species. Resources include publications, monitoring, and data management.USGS > Alaska Science Center > Alaska Science Portal
http://alaska.usgs.gov/portal
The Alaska Science Portal is a searchable map-based tool presenting information, data, and research programs in over 160 subjects under USGS jurisdiction in Alaska. Search options include by project name and can be filtered by region and scientist name.USGS > Earthquake Hazards Program
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map
The Earthquake Map monitors and auto updates every minute to reveal earthquake activity across the globe. Earthquakes details include location name, location longitude and latitude, time of occurrence, depth, and nearby cities. Search options can also be customized through various factors, including age, magnitude, and intensity.
FRESH WATER
Rivers and Lakes
Arctic Report Card: Update for 2011 > Lake Ice
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report11/lake_ice.html
The Arctic Report Card 2011 Update for Lake Ice reports ice coverage trends for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 time frames. Along with images, the Report covers freeze-up and break up periods, as well as ice cover duration.Arctic Report Card: Update for 2011 > River Discharge
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report11/river_discharge.html
The Arctic Report Card 2011 Update for River Discharge reports the total annual discharge into the Arctic Ocean from the six largest Eurasian rivers and the mean annual discharge from the four large North American rivers.NOAA National Weather Service > Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center
http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov
The Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center addresses issues and data for Alaskan rivers in four categories: Rivers and Hydrology, Precipitation and Weather, Breakup and Ice, and Climate and History.NOAA nowCoast
http://nowcoast.noaa.gov
NowCoast is a mapping tool that uses real-tile coastal observations and NOAA forecasts. Mapping layers include in situ station observations and remote sensor observations, meteorological and oceanographic analyses, model nowcast/forecast guidance, and hazard watches and warnings, among others.USGS Alaska Science Center > Cold Regions Lake and Landscape Research > Geotagged Photographs
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/geography/studies/akgrpgeotag.php
Geotagged photography from the Cold Regions Lake and Landscape Research program. Imagery is dated from August 2007 to June 2011 and focuses on the North Slope, the Yukon Delta, the Seward Peninsula, and the Alaskan interior.
Water Resources and Data
Arctic Report Card: Upate for 2011 > River Biogeochemistry
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/report11/river_biogeochemistry.html
The Arctic Report Card 2011 Update for River Biogeochemistry discusses the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux from five of the Arctic's six largest rivers in 2010 and the combined DOC flux since 2007, as well as combined river discharge trends.NOAA National Ocean Service > Data Explorer
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/dataexplorer
The Data Explorer provides centralized access to distributed NOS geospatial data, tools, applications and services. The content includes NOAA Nautical Charts, bathymetry, and shoreline data, benthic habitat maps, National Marine Sanctuaries Boundaries and protected areas data, among others.USGS Alaska Science Center > Water Resources of Alaska
http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/water
The USGS Water Resources of Alaska page contains resources for Alaska rivers, streams, ground water, and water quality. Real-time stream stage, streamflow, water-quality, and ground-water levels for over 200 sites in Alaska is available. Further resources include publications, Alaska water projects, and spatial data.USGS National Water Information System > Current Water Data for Alaska
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ak/nwis/rt
The USGS Current Water Data for Alaska includes daily streamflow conditions and real-time statewide streamflow table. Further resources include an interactive current conditions table and customizable time series table.