Publications

McFarland, H. R., M. DeLue and R. Boyce. 2023. IARC Review 2022 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub winter 2023 newsletter shares how Inupiat observers describe rapid environmental changes in Arctic coastal Alaska.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Glenn, E. Lindley, R. Thoman, K. Pikok, J. Jones, J. Leavitt, B. Adams, C. SimsKayotuk, G. Omnik, R. Schaeffer, A. VonDuyke. 2023. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue VIII [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

This report is designed for state government and Alaska citizens. It addresses the first of four priority lines of effort identified in Alaska’s Arctic Policy, “promoting economic and resource development,” through the topic of energy.

Lovecraft, A., Boylan, B., Burke, N., Glover, A., Parlato, N., Robb, K., Thoman, R., Walsh, J., &
Watson, B. (2023). Alaska’s changing Arctic: Energy
issues and trends for the Alaska State Legislature
and its citizens (M. Biermann & H. McFarland, Eds).
Center for Arctic Policy Studies, International Arctic
Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks

This report provides comprehensive information on the 2016-2019 drought that hit southeast Alaska. It provides a look at a very “non-traditional” drought in one of the wettest parts of the world. It can be used by Tribes, communities and decision makers in southeast Alaska as a ready resource of “what happened” to inform planning, adaptation and mitigation activities.

Hoell, A., Thoman, R., McFarland , H. R. & Parker, B. 2022. Southeast Alaska drought [report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center 2022 Annual Report contains stories and overviews of AK CASC activities over the past year. In this year’s report read more about the CASC’s expanding capacity through new partnerships, a citizen science project exploring the future of Alaska’s berries, graduate student work on wildfire in the boreal forest, and more.

Delue, M., Tankersley, M. D., 2022, Alaska CASC Annual Report 2021 [report]. Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub summer 2022 newsletter shares how Inupiat observers describe rapid environmental changes in Arctic coastal Alaska.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Thoman, R. Glenn, E. Lindley, K. Pikok, J. Jones, B. Adams, C. SimsKayotuk, J. Leavitt, G. Omnik, S. Patkotak, R. Schaeffer, A. Ravelo. 2022. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue VII [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Bering Sea is experiencing many changes. These pages share observations and research that is happening in and around the region. This year’s report focuses on six topics identified by our Community Advisory Panel. The Alaska Ocean Observing
System and International Arctic Research Center compiled the information from many sources, with funding from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Prewitt, J. and H. R. McFarland, editors. Bering Science: Spring 2022 Bering Region Ocean Update, Issue 4 [newsletter]. Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage, Alaska.

Research highlights, accomplishments and updates of the International Arctic Research Center in 2021.

McFarland, H. R. and M. DeLue. 2022. IARC Review 2021 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Although southeast Alaska is one of the rainiest areas in North America, it was plagued by drought from October 2016 to December 2019. The Southeast Alaska Drought project explored the likelihood of future droughts like it.

McFarland, H. R., A. Hoell, R. Thoman & B. Parker. 2022. Southeast Alaska drought future [outreach flyer]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Although southeast Alaska is one of the rainiest areas in North America, it was plagued by drought from October 2016 to December 2019. The Southeast Alaska Drought project explored the impacts of this drought on the people and environment of southeast Alaska

McFarland, H. R., R. Thoman, A. Hoell & B. Parker. 2022. Southeast Alaska drought impacts [outreach flyer]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Although southeast Alaska is one of the rainiest areas in North America, it was plagued by drought from October 2016 to December 2019. The Southeast Alaska Drought project explored the causes of this drought.

McFarland, H. R., R. Thoman, A. Hoell & B. Parker. 2022. Southeast Alaska drought causes [outreach flyer]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Although southeast Alaska is one of the rainiest areas in North America, it was plagued by drought from October 2016 to December 2019. The Southeast Alaska Drought project explored this drought in the context of past droughts in the region.

McFarland, H. R., A. Hoell, R. Thoman & B. Parker. 2022. Southeast Alaska drought history [outreach flyer]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub winter 2021 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Thoman, B. Adams, O. Ahkinga, C. SimsKayotuk, G. Omnik, S. Patkotak, R. Schaeffer, E. Lindley, K. Pikok, R. Glenn. 2021. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue VI [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub fall 2021 factsheet highlighting achievements.

McFarland, H. R. & D. Hauser. 2021. AAOKH by the numbers [factsheet]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The AK CASC 2021 Annual Report contains stories and overviews of CASC activities over the past year. In this year’s report read more about the establishment of the Tribal Resilience Learning Network, the development of climate scenarios for key partners, a new fire behavior prediction application, and more. A link to an audio version of this report is available on page 1.

Delue, M., Tankersley, M. D., 2021, Alaska CASC Annual Report 2021 [report]. Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

This Quick Guide to Climate Reports compares the five regional, national and international synthesis climate change reports that are most relevant and known in Arctic research: Arctic Report Card, State of the Climate, National Climate Assessment, IPCC, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme.

McFarland, H. R., J. Walsh, K. Timm, & R. Thoman 2021. Quick Guide to Climate Reports. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

An overview of environmental changes on Yukon Flats, Alaska. Highlights recent climate trends and impacts to wildlife, fish, the land and water.

Fox, J., M. Bertram, N. Guldager, R. Thoman, H. Carroll, R. Brown, B. Lake, Z. Grabinski & D. Vargas Kretsinger. (2021). Yukon Flats changing environment [outreach booklet]. H. R. McFarland, editor. Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge & International Arctic Research Center.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub spring 2021 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Thoman, C. SimsKayotuk, G. Omnik, S. Patkotak, R. Schaeffer, J. Leavitt, B. Adams, E, Lindley, K. Pikok, R. Glenn. 2021. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue V [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Bering Region Ocean Update project began in spring 2020, in part, to increase regional data sharing among federal, state, community and private sector partners. This is the third report. We provide a resource to state, federal, community and university partners to share recent observations with community members and other scientists and management agencies.

Prewitt, J. and H. R. McFarland, editors. Bering Science: Winter 2021 Bering region ocean update, Issue 3 [newsletter]. Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage, Alaska.

Research highlights, accomplishments and updates of the International Arctic Research Center in 2020.

McFarland, H. R. and M. DeLue. 2021. IARC Review 2020 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub winter 2020 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Thoman, J. Jones, G. Omnik. 2020. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue IV [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

An overview of Alaska’s vast, complex, and changing wildfire environment. Highlights recent wildfire trends in Alaska, their impacts to humans and wildlife, and the strong relationship between wildfire managers and scientists to improve fire-related decision making.

Grabinski, Z. & H. R. McFarland. (2020). Alaska’s changing wildfire environment [outreach booklet]. Alaska Fire Science Consortium, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The Ikaaġvik Sikukun fall 2020 newsletter shares perspectives on a Kotzebue-based research project from the Elders Advisory Council, explores how ugruk (bearded seal) hunting has changed over the past two decades, gives insights into the unusual sea ice conditions of 2019, and shows how the Ikaaġvik Sikukun documentary was filmed.

McFarland, H. R., A. Whiting, B. Shaeffer, C, Harris, J. Goodwin, R. Shaeffer, D. Hauser, C. Witte, A. Mahoney, S. Betcher, and C. Zappa. 2020. Ikaaġvik Sikukun: Bridging scientific & Indigenous communities—sea ice change in Kotzebue, Issue IV [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The update in the Bering Science series, this report shares summer ocean conditions in the Bering Sea and agency updates on pollock, crab, salmon, sea birds, gray whales, marine debris and more. Bering Science was created through a partnership between the Alaska Ocean Observing System and IARC.

Prewitt, J., H. R. McFarland, R. Thoman, M. McCammon. 2020. Bering Science: Fall 2020 Bering region ocean update, Issue 2 [newsletter]. Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage, Alaska.

This season’s SNAP Highlight features the new Alaska Community Wind Data Tool, which features detailed historical wind data for 67 communities across the state and highlights changes in wind patterns which can be expected in the near future according to models. The document also highlights both the Statewide Temperature Index tool, and the temperature change functions of the Community Charts Tool as handy sources of temperature information for Alaska. Finally two datasets are highlighted with detailed data now available on CKAN regarding Rain on Snow events and Projected Monthly Temperature change products.

DeLue, M. SNAP Highlights: Fall 2020 [outreach flyer]. Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

This Alaska Fire Science Consortium annual report details the 2019 program of work and includes: highlights and achievements, priorities and initiatives, and plans for the future.

York, A., Trainor, S. 2020. AFSC Annual Report [report], Alaska Fire Science Consortium, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

A public information report on the activities of the AK CASC for 2020. Find out more about the latest projects and recent developments out of the CASC.

Delue, M., Tankersley, M. D., 2020, Alaska CASC Annual Report 2020 [report]. Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Ikaaġvik Sikukun spring 2020 newsletter shares the results of Ikaaġvik Sikukun’s measurements on and under the ice to help answer questions posed by Indigenous Elders about ice seal and sea ice change in Kotzebue Sound.

McFarland, H. R., C. Witte, J. Lindsay, C. Zappa, A. Mahoney, A. Whiting, D. Hauser, S. Betcher and V. Shaeffer. 2020. Ikaaġvik Sikukun: Bridging scientific & Indigenous communities—sea ice change in Kotzebue, Issue III [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

An overview of activities by the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy. The report focuses on science, decision-support, and capacity building for climate resilience in Alaska during the period of June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019.

Buxbaum, T.M. 2019. ACCAP Annual Report 2019 [annual report]. Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

This outreach publication features two powerful visualization tools key for the summer fire season: the Wildfire in Alaska Tool, and the Wildfire Daily Tally Count Tool. With the Wildfire in Alaska Tool researchers and the interested public gain access to near-real time fire activity alongside scientific data that provides ecological and historical context. For other parts of Alaska this season is dictated more by rain than fire. For these regions the document highlights two interesting visualisation tools to help users understand the past and future of precipitation in Alaska.

DeLue, M. SNAP Highlights: Summer 2020 [outreach flyer]. Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning, International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Bering Science shares what federal, state and university scientists are learning about some of the most striking changes in the Bering Sea region. The report focuses primarily on 2019 in the northern Bering Sea, with some information about the southern and eastern Bering and the southern Chukchi. Bering Science was created through a partnership between the Alaska Ocean Observing System and IARC.

McFarland, H. R., J. Prewitt, R. Thoman, M. McCammon. 2020. Bering Science: Spring 2020 Bering region ocean update, Issue I [newsletter]. Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage, Alaska.

With over 1,500 volunteers making berry observations in 45 different Alaskan communities, the Winterberry and Late Bloomers citizen science efforts investigate how shifting timing of the seasons in Alaska affects our wild berries. This Berry Times 2020 newsletter shares the stories and data from these projects.

Spellman, K.V., C. Buffington, C.P.H Mulder, P. Diggle, E.B. Sparrow. 2020. Berry Times: Community Report of the Winterberry and Late Bloomers Projects [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub spring 2020 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, R. Thoman, R. Schaeffer. 2020. AAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue III [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Ikaaġvik Sikukun spring 2019 newsletter discusses the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to help answer questions posed by Indigenous Elders about sea ice change in Kotzebue Sound.

McFarland, H. R., C. Zappa, N. Laxague, A. Whiting, A. Mahoney, D. Hauser, S. Betcher, and J. Lindsay. 2019. Ikaaġvik Sikukun: Bridging scientific & Indigenous communities—sea ice change in Kotzebue, Issue II [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Research highlights, accomplishments and updates of the International Arctic Research Center from November 2018–19.

McFarland, H. R., M. Tankersley, and R. Ellis. 2020. IARC Review 2019 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub fall 2019 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, J. Jones, H. Eicken, M. Druckenmiller, R. Glenn, and E. Sparrow. 2019. AAAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue II [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

A compilation of observations showing Alaska’s physical and biological changes, focusing on the 2014-2019 period.

Thoman, R., and J. E. Walsh. 2019. Alaska’s changing environment: documenting Alaska’s physical and biological changes through observations [outreach booklet]. McFarland, H. R., editor. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

An overview of winter sea ice conditions in the Bering Sea during winter 2019.

Thoman, R. 2019. Bering Sea: Winter 2019 sea ice conditions, Issue II [outreach publication]. Rosner, C., editor. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Ikaaġvik Sikukun spring 2019 newsletter highlights research that bridges scientific and Indigenous communities through sea ice change in Kotzebue Sound.

McFarland, H. R., A. Mahoney, D. Hauser, C. Zappa, A. Whiting, and S. Betcher. 2019. Ikaaġvik Sikukun—Bridging scientific & Indigenous communities: sea ice change in Kotzebue, Issue I [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Arctic Observatory & Knowledge Hub winter 2018 newsletter highlights current work to support community-based observations of Arctic change.

McFarland, H. R., D. Hauser, J. Jones, and H. Eicken. 2019. AAAOKH news: Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub, Issue I [newsletter]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Research highlights, accomplishments and updates of the International Arctic Research Center during January 2017 – October 2018.

McFarland, H. R., and N. Bauer. 2019. IARC Review 2018 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center 2018 Annual Report highlights some of the events, research activities, and accomplishments of the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center during 2018.

An overview of winter sea ice conditions in the Bering Sea.

McFarland, H. R., and R. Thoman. 2018. Bering Strait: An overview of winter 2018 sea ice conditions, Issue I [outreach booklet]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

A look back at IARC activities in 2016.

Timm, K., L. Heaney, and S. Bishop. 2016. IARC Review 2016 [annual report]. International Arctic Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Science, decision-support, and capacity building for climate resilience in Alaska.