Images

A young male Pacific walrus moving up the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)

An adult female Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)

A young male Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)

Two Common Murre chicks on rock ledge at Gull Island, Alaska.

North fork of the Agashashok River located in Noatak National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Recent observations from Arctic Alaska indicate that waters draining permafrost landscapes may be susceptible to iron and carbon mobilization following thaw.

Scientists anticipate that the fish community in the lagoons near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, now includes more saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) and larger saffron cod, like the one pictured here, given that the species has a higher thermal tolerance than many other co-occurring marine fishes.

Measuring temperature and dissolved oxygen in impounded water of beaver dam on the Wrench Creek, Noatak National Preserve.

Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma)  from impounded water of beaver dam on the Wrench Creek, Noatak National Preserve. 

Gnawed tree from beaver activity on tributary of the Agashashok River, Noatak National Preserve

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver dam crossing mainstem of Rabbit Creek near the headwaters, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver swimming near dam on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Measuring the amount of water impounded by a beaver dam on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument. 

Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska.

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Vanessa von Biela (left) and Sarah Laske (right) prepare to empty the daily catch from a fyke net in Kaktovik Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Beaufort Sea.

Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

Scientists Sarah Laske (USGS ASC), Daniel Fraser (University of Texas and Beaufort Lagoons LTER), and Ashley Stanek (USGS ASC), empty the daily catch of nearshore fishes from a fyke net to a floating net pen in Jago Lagoon in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Note the slumping tundra right along that coastline.

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) char captured in brackish water along the Beaufort Sea coastline. Dolly Varden are an important subsistence fish across their range.

Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).