U S Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS Arctic

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service USFWS’ Arctic Focal Area: Conserving Fish and Wildlife Populations in a Changing Landscape Philip Martin and Jim Zelenak November 2007

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities • National Wildlife Refuges

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities • National Wildlife Refuges • Endangered Species

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities • National Wildlife Refuges • Endangered Species • Marine Mammals

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities • National Wildlife Refuges • Endangered Species • Marine Mammals • Migratory Birds

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Responsibilities • National Wildlife Refuges • Endangered Species • Marine Mammals • Migratory Birds • Inter-jurisdictional Fish

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources • National Wildlife Refuges • Endangered Species • Marine Mammals • Migratory Birds • Inter-jurisdictional Fish • Subsistence Resources

Heightened Concern for Arctic Fish and Wildlife • • Climate Change Forum (February 2007) Recent Climate Data Sea-ice Observations and Models Observed and Predicted Impacts to Icedependent Species

Predicting Habitat Change

Thermokarst Pits and Polygons, NPR-A Most of the troughs and pits developed since 1989

October 2002 Storm at Barrow

Salt-killed Tundra Resulting From Storm Surges, Fish Creek Delta, Alaska.

(Mars and Houseknecht 2007)

1949 2001

Migratory Birds Wetland Habitat Structure/Composition Vegetation Wetness

Migratory Birds Wetland Habitat Structure/Composition Vegetation Wetness Precipitation. Evaporation Ratio Salinization Temperature Permafrost Degradation

What changes in populations, biodiversity, key species, and living resources are associated with Arctic Change? • What impact does Arctic Change have on living resources (biomass, diversity, distribution, health, physiological status, and annual biological phenomena [phenology])? • How does Arctic Change, as reflected in populations, biodiversity, key species, and ecosystems, interact with driving forces such as harvesting and cumulative impacts of regional development? • How do changes in species composition and trophic dynamics associated with Arctic Change affect ecosystem structure and function, including biogeochemical cycles? • What are the most sensitive biotic indicators of Unaami (e. g. , indicator species, genetic change, demography, and recruitment, abundance. )?

Responding to Change: Partners in Management Fish and Wildlife Service Trust Resources Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes Resource Management Agencies: BLM, NMFS, MMS, ADFG, NSB Research Community: USGS, NOAA, SEARCH, NSSI, NSF, NGOs