Ecological investigations of the tundra biome in the Prudhoe Bay region, Alaska (1975) (20522531533)

Title: Ecological investigations of the tundra biome in the Prudhoe Bay region, Alaska

Identifier: ecologicalinvest00brow (find matches)

Year: 1975 (1970s)

Authors: Brown, Jerry, 1936-

Subjects: Tundra ecology

Publisher: (Fairbanks : University of Alaska)

Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library

Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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90 or nesting and which areas have lesser ecological benefits or costs. Although the speed of the present mapping method is acceptable for our current objectives we, as well as others, are exploring the possibility of using more rapid remote sensing methods such as computer classi- fication and plotting and color enhancement. In these endeavors, our present maps provide excel- lent and essential "ground truth." At the moment, however, it is our experience that automatic techniques cannot successfully pro- duce maps of large areas at scales of 1:3,000 or smaller because of the mosaic and patterning which makes each tundra landscape unit unique. Conclusions We have presented a vegetation map of a small portion of the Prudhoe Bay oil field. We believe the method of mapping we have develop- ed is simple, easily taught, reasonably rapid, and effective. From these maps, with the addition of simple field observations and measurements and with subsequent analysis, it will be possible to develop recommendations for the effective man- agement and husbandry of the tundra ecosystem at Prudhoe Bay. The permanent plots which we have established will serve as an important base- line against which the effects of the develop- ment of the oil field on the tundra ecosystem can be gauged. Acknowledgments We wish to acknowledge the many fruitful discussions we had with Dr. Kaye R. Everett, who produced the soils map which serves as a companion to our vegetation map. We thank John Batty, who acted as field assistant and gave unflaggingly of his expertise in tundra plant identification and vegetation mapping. Ms. Vicki Dow provided us with valuable drafting help in the production of the maps and figures. We would also like to thank Dr. Jerry Brown, Director of the Tundra Biome, who encouraged us to do this work; the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory at Point Barrow and Mukluk Freight Line at Prudhoe Bay, which provided field sup- port. The late Scott Parrish provided us with coordination background information on Prud- hoe Bay. The mapping project was primarily financed from Prudhoe Bay Environmental Sub- committee funds through a subcontract from the Tundra Biome Center, University of Alaska, to the University of Colorado. However, consid- erable degree of effort from the NSF Tundra Biome grant (GV-29350) to the University of Colorado was provided as similar efforts were under way on the Barrow site. References Britton, M. E. (1967). Vegetation of the Arctic tundra. Pages 67-130 in Arctic Biology (H. P. Hanson, ed.). Oregon State University Press. Brown, J. (1969). Soils of the Okpilak River region, Alaska. Pages 93-128 in The periglacial environment, past and present (T. L. Pe'we', ed.). McGill-Queen's University Press. Brown, J., R. K. Haugen, and S. Parrish (This volume). Selected climatic and soil thermal characteristics of the Prudhoe Bay region.

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Type 8 vegetation of active frost boils with little vegetation as a result of disturbance by road construction equipment.

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1975

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