Alaska North Slope Tundra Travel Model and Validation Study

摘要: The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division Mining, Land, and Water manages cross-country travel, typically associated with hydrocarbon exploration development, on Alaska's arctic North Slope. This project is intended to provide natural resource managers objective, quantitative data assist decision making regarding opening the tundra travel. DNR designed standardized, controlled field trials, baseline data, investigate relationships present between winter vehicle treatments independent variables ground hardness, snow depth, slab thickness, as they relate dependent active layer soil moisture, photosynthetically radiation (a proxy for plant disturbance). Changes in were used indicators disturbance. Two main community types studied: Coastal Plain (wet graminoid/moist sedge shrub) Foothills (tussock). constructed four models address physical properties: two each type, one predicting change depth a second moisture. also investigated limited potential management utility using temperature, amount (PAR) absorbed by plants, changes microphotography tools identification disturbance field. operated under assumption that abiotic factors moisture drive alteration vegetation structure composition. Statistically significant differences layer, at 15 cm temperature absorption found among treatment cells types. unable thoroughly interacting role due lack variability cover throughout period experimentation. was greater communities than those Plain. However overall level both less expected. In communities, hardness thickness play an important result treatment. had most influence Once certain minimum thresholds attained, it appeared little or no additive effect realized increased resistance studied. results this modeling set standard maximum permissible threshold below widely accepted Low Disturbance levels (as determined U.S. Fish Wildlife Service). followed validation study, which seemed support trial conclusions indicated exhibits conservative bias favor environmental protection. Finally established quick efficient tool visual estimations determine when investment measurements warranted. Visual Assessment System (VAS) plot taking during phases project.