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Post-Fire Vegetation and Permafrost Monitoring in Noatak and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
Noatak National Preserve » Post-Fire Vegetation and Permafrost Monitoring in Noatak and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve » Document List
Between 1978-1982 Dr. Charles Racine and his colleagues established a series of plots for monitoring vegetation and permafrost recovery post fire in Noatak and Bering Land Bridge National Preserves. In 1981 and 1982 both tussock and non-tussock tundra fire plot sites in the Noatak NP were established in burned areas of varying ages, ranging from 2-4 wks post fire, 4-5 years and 10 years post fire (1972, 1977 and 1982 fires). Most of the sites have not been re-monitored with the exception of the 1977 fire at Bering Land Bridge on Imuruk Lake.
As part of the Arctic Network Inventory & Monitoring Program, Racine and NPS personnel propose to relocate and resample the Noatak fire plots established in 1981-82 and newly established plots by NPS staff in 2004. Re-measurements of the plots during the summer of 2005 would provide a 33-, 28-, 23- and 1-year comparative perspective on vegetation and permafrost recovery post fire in Noatak. The objectives of re-measuring these historic and recent plots would be to address the following questions:
1)How does the time since fire and burn severity affect the species composition, vegetation structure, and ground cover among varying vegetation types?
2)How does the time since fire and burn severity affect soil parameters (depth of active layer, thermokarst development)?
3)Do the vegetation and soil conditions of today suggest the presence of environmental factors in addition to post fire recovery, such as climate change? Particularly in relation to expansion of shrubs and trees i.e. alder, willow and spruce.
4)How rapidly does the fuel load return after fire in terms of both fine herbaceous fuels litter and woody fuels.
Eight sites were established in the 1980’s and are proposed to be visited in Noatak NP: Noatak River (near Tulugak Lake) – 1977 fire; Tulugak Lake – 1977 fire; Uchugrak Hills – 1977 fire; Kungiakrok Cr – 1982 fire; Mukachiak Cr – 1982 fire; Poktovik Cr – 1972 fire; Kugururok River – 1972 fire. In addition 6 plots were established in 2004 on the Uvgoon Fire by NPS fire staff.
A field crew of 4-5 people will base out of a base camp area on the north side of the Noatak River, south of Narvakrak Lake. The proposed dates of field work are July 21- July 31, 2005 in Noatak NP. On up to four days, a contracted Robinson 44 helicopter will be used to transport the crew to remote site locations within the study area. On these days, the helicopter will be used to pick up and drop off two groups of 2-3 individuals to remote sites. The helicopter and pilot will be stationed at Kelly Ranger Station.
Regional Fire Ecologist
National Park Service
201 First Ave. Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 455-0652
Fax:
Email: jennifer_allen@nps.gov
As part of the Arctic Network Inventory & Monitoring Program, Racine and NPS personnel propose to relocate and resample the Noatak fire plots established in 1981-82 and newly established plots by NPS staff in 2004. Re-measurements of the plots during the summer of 2005 would provide a 33-, 28-, 23- and 1-year comparative perspective on vegetation and permafrost recovery post fire in Noatak. The objectives of re-measuring these historic and recent plots would be to address the following questions:
1)How does the time since fire and burn severity affect the species composition, vegetation structure, and ground cover among varying vegetation types?
2)How does the time since fire and burn severity affect soil parameters (depth of active layer, thermokarst development)?
3)Do the vegetation and soil conditions of today suggest the presence of environmental factors in addition to post fire recovery, such as climate change? Particularly in relation to expansion of shrubs and trees i.e. alder, willow and spruce.
4)How rapidly does the fuel load return after fire in terms of both fine herbaceous fuels litter and woody fuels.
Eight sites were established in the 1980’s and are proposed to be visited in Noatak NP: Noatak River (near Tulugak Lake) – 1977 fire; Tulugak Lake – 1977 fire; Uchugrak Hills – 1977 fire; Kungiakrok Cr – 1982 fire; Mukachiak Cr – 1982 fire; Poktovik Cr – 1972 fire; Kugururok River – 1972 fire. In addition 6 plots were established in 2004 on the Uvgoon Fire by NPS fire staff.
A field crew of 4-5 people will base out of a base camp area on the north side of the Noatak River, south of Narvakrak Lake. The proposed dates of field work are July 21- July 31, 2005 in Noatak NP. On up to four days, a contracted Robinson 44 helicopter will be used to transport the crew to remote site locations within the study area. On these days, the helicopter will be used to pick up and drop off two groups of 2-3 individuals to remote sites. The helicopter and pilot will be stationed at Kelly Ranger Station.
Contact Information
Jennifer AllenRegional Fire Ecologist
National Park Service
201 First Ave. Fairbanks, AK 99701
Phone: (907) 455-0652
Fax:
Email: jennifer_allen@nps.gov