Alaska has warmed more than twice as rapidly as the rest of the United States. Water drives ecosystems and livelihoods in Alaska, and the resulting changes in snow, ice, and water have costs to natural resources and ways of life. These changes will continue for the foreseeable future as the climate continues to change.
The National Drought Resilience Partnership was initiated to promote stronger resilience on federal lands. As a partner in this effort, the U.S. Forest Service conducted a series of focused workshops across the country to build managers’ capacity to address the impacts of short- and long-term drought on forest and rangeland resources, thus informing projects to manage and restore natural resources.
The Forest Service Alaska Region 10 worked with USGS Alaska Climate Science Center to develop a document that examines changes in water dynamics, the resulting consequences for ecosystems and people, and management options for adapting to changing conditions. This state-wide summary provides the context for changing water dynamics in southcentral and southeastern Alaska on lands managed by the National Forest System. To find additional drought resources, maps, and applications explore the Forest Service Drought Gallery.