Project Overview

Approach

The Southeast Alaska Climate Adaptation Partnership (SEAK-AP) is a science-management partnership between the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center, USDA Northwest Climate Hub, Alaska Region, Tongass National Forest, as well as scientists from universities and non-profit organizations. This partnership was formed to enhance the understanding of climate change in Southeast Alaska, particularly in relation to the Tongass National Forest. A key product from this partnership is a climate change vulnerability assessment report that synthesizes the best available science on the effects of climate change in Southeast Alaska to support informed land management decisions.

The assessment report includes a review of historical climate trends and future climate projections, and provides an evaluation of climate change vulnerabilities of four primary resource areas in Southeast Alaska: hydrology, watersheds and salmon, vegetation and disturbance regimes, and wildlife. The assessment report can be used to identify key climate change vulnerabilities and important gaps in knowledge that need to be filled. This information can be used to develop adaptation strategies to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

Focus Area

This assessment covers all of the Southeast Alaska region, including the Tongass National Forest. The region extends 500 miles (805 kilometers), from the southernmost point on Prince of Wales Island, to its northernmost point near Yakutat. It is bordered to the east by the Canadian province of British Columbia, and to the west by the Gulf of Alaska. The Tongass National Forest, about 16.7 million acres (6.8 million ha), comprises 73 percent of Southeast Alaska and is the largest national forest in the United States. The remaining 27 percent of the region consists of state, private, Alaska Native, and other federal lands.

Southeast Alaska’s varied climate creates diverse microclimates and habitats across the region. This includes temperate rainforests, subalpine forests with a mix of deciduous trees and conifers, and alpine meadows located at over 2,500 feet (762 kilometers). The landscape also includes extensive riparian areas, muskegs, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and saltwater shorelines.

The Tongass National Forest and the surrounding ecosystems are integral to Southeast Alaska’s communities. The land has been stewarded by Alaska Native peoples for centuries and is used for many of their cultural practices. The ecosystem services provided by the Tongass support the livelihood of Alaska Natives and non-native residents alike. These crucial services have been impacted by rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and more severe storms. This in turn affects the hydrology, wildlife, and vegetation in the region.