Researchers will discuss the greening of the Arctic
As arctic sea ice melts earlier every year, the surrounding tundra warms, making a nice incubator for a baby forest. It sounds simple enough, but such complex emerging systems require a team of scientists to understand.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., researchers who work on that understanding will gather in the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Convention Center's Northern Latitudes room to discuss recent observations of warming in the Arctic. The presentation is part of the Science for Alaska lecture series sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and the Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
Seven scientists, including UAF's Skip Walker, Uma Bhatt, Vladimir Romanovsky and Martha Raynolds, will discuss their collection of ground data across the North American and Russian Arctic, permafrost and patterned ground, soil fungi, shrubs, and links to changes in sea ice and climate. They will be joined by Ronald Daanen, with the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys; J.J. Frost, with ABR Inc.; and Ina Timling, a doctoral degree candidate at UAF.
Science for Alaska lectures will continue on Tuesday evenings through Feb. 25.
All lectures are free. Following each lecture, audience members can meet the scientists and ask questions.