| Summary: | The Arctic tundra ponds at the International Biological Program (IBP) site in Barrow, Alaska were studied extensively in the 1970's; however, very little research has occurred there since that time. Due to the sensitivity of this region to climate warming, understanding any changes in the ponds' structure and function over the past 40 years can help identify any potential climate-related impacts. The principal objective of this project is to re-sample historic sites and, together with additional sampling methodologies, determine if the physical, chemical and biological environment of tundra ponds on Alaska's coastal plain have changed in response to recent warming and/or anthropogenic alteration. Ponds where historic research was conducted are being re-sampled and compared to similar sites along an anthropogenic pollution gradient. New understanding of controls of productivity in arctic ponds will be gained from this projects as a long-term monitoring program is developed for tundra ponds on the Arctic coastal plain.
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