Arctic regions of Alaska are important for biodiversity, national security, cultural and economic sustainability, and support a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. USGS and collaborators provide information about its ecosystems, natural hazards, geologic resources, coasts, and wildlife that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
The United States is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, which is bounded by three oceans. The U.S. maintains tremendous interests and stewardship responsibilities in the region, especially as the region undergoes substantial environmental transformation.
The U.S. Geological Survey is a science agency within the Department of the Interior (DOI) and directs its research activities to critical science needs of DOI management agencies. In Alaska, USGS conducts research on geology, energy and minerals, natural hazards, water, ice dynamics, landscapes, and ecosystems. This work is primarily focused on lands and marine areas managed by the Federal government, such as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Water Resources research and monitoring is conducted with a range of Federal, State, local government, and other funding partners.
Research Plans and Strategies
USGS has roles in Arctic research plans and strategies. These documents provide pathways to improve coordination among federal agencies, indigenous communities, academic and non-federal researchers, the state of Alaska, nonprofits, the private sector and international organizations working in the Arctic.
IARPC Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026
USGS Science Strategy for Arctic Alaska, FY2022-2024
USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystem's 5-year Arctic Research Plan
National Strategy for the Arctic Region 2022
USGS Research and Collaborative Projects in the Arctic
The USGS and its partners have developed research goals to address important issues in a rapidly changing Arctic. Learn more about our integrated research on permafrost dynamics, coastal change, environmental health, ice and snow (cryosphere), energy resources, methane and gas hydrates, mineral resources, Arctic and boreal ecosystems, marine ecosystems, and terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
USGS offices/programs that contribute to research in the Arctic (in alphabetical order):
- Alaska Region
- Alaska Science Center (ASC)
- Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative (CAE)
- Central Energy Resources Science Center (CERSC)
-
Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs)
-
Climate Research and Development Program (CRDP)
- Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP)
- The Gas Hydrates Project (jointly with ERP)
- Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI)
- Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS)
- Energy Resources Program (ERP)
- Alaska Basins and Petroleum Systems Project
-
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC)
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGG)
-
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center (GMEG)
-
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC)
-
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC)
Below are science projects associated with Arctic research.
Q&A: Estimates of Abundance for Pacific Walrus
Q&A: Arctic Rivers Project
Q&A: Recent Research on Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears
Coastal Climate Impacts
Climate impacts to Arctic coasts
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
USGS Science Strategy for Arctic Alaska, FY2022-2024
Arctic Research Plan
Arctic Biogeochemical Response to Permafrost Thaw (ABRUPT)
Assessment of Critical Landscape Conditions and Potential Change in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to Support Habitat Management Decision Making
Identification of Regions in Alaska Susceptible to Landscape Deformation Due to “Climate Priming” of Permafrost Soils
Arctic Methane Dynamics
Below is multimedia associated with Arctic research.
Below are web tools related to Arctic research
Below are news items related to Arctic research.
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for biodiversity, national security, cultural and economic sustainability, and support a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. USGS and collaborators provide information about its ecosystems, natural hazards, geologic resources, coasts, and wildlife that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
The United States is an Arctic nation because of Alaska, which is bounded by three oceans. The U.S. maintains tremendous interests and stewardship responsibilities in the region, especially as the region undergoes substantial environmental transformation.
The U.S. Geological Survey is a science agency within the Department of the Interior (DOI) and directs its research activities to critical science needs of DOI management agencies. In Alaska, USGS conducts research on geology, energy and minerals, natural hazards, water, ice dynamics, landscapes, and ecosystems. This work is primarily focused on lands and marine areas managed by the Federal government, such as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Water Resources research and monitoring is conducted with a range of Federal, State, local government, and other funding partners.
Research Plans and Strategies
USGS has roles in Arctic research plans and strategies. These documents provide pathways to improve coordination among federal agencies, indigenous communities, academic and non-federal researchers, the state of Alaska, nonprofits, the private sector and international organizations working in the Arctic.
IARPC Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026
USGS Science Strategy for Arctic Alaska, FY2022-2024
USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystem's 5-year Arctic Research Plan
National Strategy for the Arctic Region 2022
USGS Research and Collaborative Projects in the Arctic
The USGS and its partners have developed research goals to address important issues in a rapidly changing Arctic. Learn more about our integrated research on permafrost dynamics, coastal change, environmental health, ice and snow (cryosphere), energy resources, methane and gas hydrates, mineral resources, Arctic and boreal ecosystems, marine ecosystems, and terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
USGS offices/programs that contribute to research in the Arctic (in alphabetical order):
- Alaska Region
- Alaska Science Center (ASC)
- Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative (CAE)
- Central Energy Resources Science Center (CERSC)
-
Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs)
-
Climate Research and Development Program (CRDP)
- Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP)
- The Gas Hydrates Project (jointly with ERP)
- Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (EarthMRI)
- Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS)
- Energy Resources Program (ERP)
- Alaska Basins and Petroleum Systems Project
-
Florence Bascom Geoscience Center (FBGC)
- Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center (GGG)
-
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center (GMEG)
-
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center (PCMSC)
-
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (WHCMSC)
Below are science projects associated with Arctic research.
Q&A: Estimates of Abundance for Pacific Walrus
Q&A: Arctic Rivers Project
Q&A: Recent Research on Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears
Coastal Climate Impacts
Climate impacts to Arctic coasts
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
USGS Science Strategy for Arctic Alaska, FY2022-2024
Arctic Research Plan
Arctic Biogeochemical Response to Permafrost Thaw (ABRUPT)
Assessment of Critical Landscape Conditions and Potential Change in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to Support Habitat Management Decision Making
Identification of Regions in Alaska Susceptible to Landscape Deformation Due to “Climate Priming” of Permafrost Soils
Arctic Methane Dynamics
Below is multimedia associated with Arctic research.
Below are web tools related to Arctic research
Below are news items related to Arctic research.