Decadal Micro-Topographic Change in Tundra Near Point Barrow, Alaska
Devan R. Berry, Craig E. Tweedie, Robert D. Hollister and Patrick J. WebberSummary: The relative elevation between samplings was found to have changed over the 28 year period. As the IBP Topographical maps (Figs. 2 to 5) demonstrate, there have been shifts in both the relative maximum and minimum elevation ranges between 1973 and 2001 relative to the common zero point.
There was also found to be changes in the range of elevation on the micro-topography grid (Figs. 6 to 9) relative to the common zero point. Whereas there was a relative decrease in elevation range on the topographic grid, the range in elevation on the micro grid increased. When the recent history of the area is examined, there is a correlation between the lowering of a lake (Middle Salt Lagoon in 1945) and the draining of two other lakes (Footprint Lake and Dry Lake in 1950), all of which are in close proximity to the Topographic Grid, and the shift in relative topography. This draining, has probably caused a lowering of the water table and has undoubtedly lowered the entire area's elevation and possibly vegetation composition and possibly vegetation composition.2
This demonstrates that there is dramatic land cover change taking place in the tundra, and near Barrow, which lends to the idea that there should be more re-examinations of old plots and grids. Such studies could provide further insight to natural geologic and biological cycles.
Continue browsing this poster: