Long-term climate patterns in Alaskan surface temperature and precipitation and their biological consequences

Simpson, J. J.; Hufford, G. L.; Fleming, M. D.; Berg, J. S.; Ashton, J. B.

Abstract:

Mean monthly climate maps of Alaskan surface temperature and precipitation produced by the parameter-elevation regression on independent slopes model (PRISM) were analyzed. Alaska is divided into interior and coastal zones with consistent but different climatic variability separated by a transition region; it has maximum interannual variability but low long-term mean variability. Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)- and El Nin??o southern oscillation (ENSO)-type events influence Alaska surface temperatures weakly (1-2 ??C) statewide. PDO has a stronger influence than ENSO on precipitation but its influence is largely localized to coastal central Alaska. The strongest influence of Arctic oscillation (AO) occurs in northern and interior Alaskan precipitation. Four major ecosystems are defined. A major eco-transition zone occurs between the interior boreal forest and the coastal rainforest. Variability in insolation, surface temperature, precipitation, continentality, and seasonal changes in storm track direction explain the mapped ecosystems. Lack of westward expansion of the interior boreal forest into the western shrub tundra is influenced by the coastal marine boundary layer (enhanced cloud cover, reduced insolation, cooler surface and soil temperatures). In this context, the marine boundary layer acts in an analogous fashion to the orographic features which form the natural boundaries of other Alaskan ecosystems. Variability in precipitation may play a secondary role.

Genre:

Article

ProdID:

70024733

Citation Author:

Simpson, J. J.; Hufford, G. L.; Fleming, M. D.; Berg, J. S.; Ashton, J. B.

Citation Contributing Office:

Citation Datum:

Citation Day:

Citation Edition:

Citation Editor:

Citation End Page:

1184

Citation Issue:

Citation Keywords:

Citation Language:

English

Citation Larger Work Title:

IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Citation LatN:

Citation LatS:

Citation LonE:

Citation LonW:

Citation Month:

Citation No Pagination:

Citation Number Of Pages:

Citation Online Only Flag:

Citation Phsyical Description:

Citation Projection:

Citation Public Comments:

Citation Publisher:

Citation Series:

Citation Series Code:

Citation Series Number:

Citation Search Results Text:

Long-term climate patterns in Alaskan surface temperature and precipitation and their biological consequences; 2002; Article; Journal; IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing; Simpson, J. J.; Hufford, G. L.; Fleming, M. D.; Berg, J. S.; Ashton, J. B.