Arctic Ecology Laboratory

Small-Scale Decadal Change in Land Cover Near Barrow, Alaska

Results:

(1). Geomorphic Change: Minor change in geomorphic features. Largest change at troughs between polygons.	(2). Topographic Change (cm): Overall increase in elevation range. Greatest change at polygon troughs and low-centers. Polygon rims show little change.
(3). Active Layer Change (cm, distance between ground surface and permafrost): Overall increase in active layer depth. Increase greatest at troughs and low-centers. Least change at polygon rims.	(4). Compression Change (%): Compression occurred primarily at troughs. Expansion occurred primarily at polygon rims and polygon low-centers.
(5). Peg Height Change (cm): Lowest in troughs, highest at rims, generally intermediate height in low-centers. Suggests that soil development is most active at wet sites.	(6). Vegetation Change: Dramatic changes in vegetation. The three wettest vegetation types present in 1973 are almost completely absent in 2000.

Continue browsing this poster:

1. Beginning
2. Introduction & Relevance
3. Polygonized Tundra
4. Methods
5. Results
6. Summary
7. References