AK CSC researchers Scott Rupp, Uma Bhatt, Peter Bieniek, John Walsh, and Rick Lader contributed to a new report that found climate change has increased the probabilty of more extreme wildfires in Alaska.

The report identified climate change as the main factor for increasing the probablity of extreme weather events that occurred in 2015, such as droughts, flooding, fires, and abnormally high temperatures.

The report concludes that climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme wildfires for the present seasons in Alaska by 34-60 percent. 

The Inspiring Girls Expeditions is now accepting applications for their expeditions in the summer of 2017. This program is designed to allow girls ages 16 to 17 to learn about climate change, mountaineering, and to build confidence.

There will be three free expeditions, which include Girls on Ice Alaska sponsored by AK CSC, Girls on Ice Cascades, and Girls in Icy Fjords:

The USGS National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center (NCCWSC) and Alaska, South Central, and Southwest Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers (CSCs) are seeking Statements of Interest (SOIs) for research project funding in Fiscal Year (YR) 2017. 

SOIs are invited for projects that support regional NCCWSC/CSC science priorities. CSC funded projects cover a variety of topics that address the impacts of climate change on fish, wildlife, ecosystems, and the communities they support.

By Catherine Puckett, USGS.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks invites applications for a postdoctoral scientist to conduct wetland modeling and remote sensing studies as part of the Yukon Flats Thermokarst project and the Integrated Ecosystem Model for Alaska Project.

The successful candidate will primarily conduct modeling studies that include the development, parameterization, testing, analysis, and application of models that simulate the vegetation and carbon dynamics of wetland ecosystems in Alaska.

The Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (ACRC) is seeking a full-time Communications Specialist to guide and support their efforts in developing and implementing communication strategies about their projects and partnerships across Alaska.

AK CSC affiliates David McGuire and Vladamir Romanovsky took part in this project that has created a new permafrost map for regions worldwide. The map displays areas that are vulnerable to permafrost thaw, otherwise known as thermokarst. Researchers pursued this project in order to help esitmate landscape changes and carbon release due to a warming climate. 

Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning’s (SNAP) post-doctoral research fellow, Jane Wolken has been appointed as Alaska Climate Science Center’s Program Coordinator.

As Program Coordinator, Wolken will be collaborating with researchers, tracking research, implementing annual reports, and leading the Alaska Climate Science Center Fellows Program.

Approximately 25 to 50 percent of a living tree is made up of water, depending on the species and time of year. The water stored in trees has previously been considered just a minor part of the water cycle, but a new study by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists shows otherwise.

The Alaska Climate Science Center’s University Director, Scott Rupp was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Science (ACCCNRS) in April.