Abstract

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Paper
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