Collaborative Research: Arctic Oases - How does the delayed release of winter discharge from aufeis affect the ecosystem structure and function of rivers

Project Duration: Apr-2016 - Mar-2019
Investigators:
  • Alex Huryn (University of Alabama)
  • Linda Deegan (Marine Biological Laboratory)
  • Ken Tape (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
  • Michael Gooseff


Aufeis seen in the middle of summer (2010), North Slope of Alaska.
Overview: The goal of this study is to assess the potential effects of aufeis on the structure and function
of arctic river-floodplain ecosystems in a warming climate. Aufeis are massive accumulations of ice that are features of many arctic rivers. Aufeis form during freeze-up when thickening surface ice causes local overflows. Successive cycles of overflow result in accumulations of enormous volumes of ice, with aufeis on some Alaskan rivers attaining thicknesses of 3-5 m, covering more than 20 square km, and storing as much as 30% of the annual river discharge.

Although aufeis have been studied by hydrologists and are known to be required for winter and spawning habitat for some fish, understanding of their ecology is poor. In recognition of this, we propose a targeted assessment of the ecological importance of a single aufeis as a first step toward developing an hypothesis-driven research program. To guide this process, we propose that aufeis be viewed as winter oases due to their wet bases that supply water and heat to otherwise frozen habitats. Aufeis function as summer oases by providing a stable supply of water to hyporheic and downstream habitats. We propose a 2-yr study to assess predictions based on a 4-dimensional conceptualization of the role of aufeis in rive ecosystems: 1) Longitudinal upstream-downstream discontinuities in seasonal water and nutrient supply, temperature, and consumer movements, 2) Lateral - their role in determining floodplain and riparian habitat complexity, 3) Vertical - their effect on hyporheic habitat volume and quality, and 4) Temporal changes in the timing of aufeis formation and melting. We propose that these dimensions will determine the role of aufeis in affecting arctic river ecosystems in a warming climate.
Graduate Students supported on this project:
  • Patrick Hendrickson (MS, University of Colorado)
  • Gina Lupo (MS, University of Alabama)
Collaborators:
  • Martin Briggs (USGS, Geophysics Branch)
  • John Lane (USGS, Geophysics Branch)
Published Results from this Project                                                                              (* indicates student lead author)

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Conference Presentations from this Project

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Theses/Dissertations from this Project

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This project is funded through the National Science Foundation's Division of Polar Programs.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under collaborative grant no. 1504453. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.