Abstract
 Wetland Drying and Succession across Kenai Peninsula Lowlands, Southcentral Alaska Track: Ecology and Conservation Author(s): Eric Klein, Edward Berg, Roman Dial This study documents the scale and intensity of drying over the last half century in the Kenai lowlands of southcentral Alaska. Using historical aerial photos and field sampling of wetlands including muskegs, kettle ponds, and closed and open basin lakes, we present data on drying and successional changes in woody vegetation between 1950 and 1996. The results of this study suggest that the Kenai Peninsula is becoming both woodier in its vegetation and drier. A regional analysis of 1,113 random points indicated increased forest cover and decreased open and wet areas in both burned and unburned areas between 1950 and 1996. A census of water bodies in three subregions indicates that almost two-thirds of water bodies visited show some level of decrease in spatial area. More than 80 percent of field sites visited have experienced some level of drying, where vegetation transects indicate substantial invasion into former lake beds by facultative upland plants. Eric Klein URS Corp. Environmental and Planning 2700 Gambell Street Suite 200 Anchorage , AK 99503 US Phone: (907) 562-3366 Fax: (907) 562-1297 E-mail: eric_klein@urscorp.com Edward Berg U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biology P.O. Box 2139 Soldotna , AK 99669 US Phone: (907) 260-2812 E-mail: edward_berg@fws.gov Roman Dial Alaska Pacific University Environmental Science 4101 University Drive Anchorage , AK 99508 US Phone: (907) 564-8296 E-mail: roman@alaskapacific.edu |
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