Field Notes from Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords National Park: Pictures of the glaciers at Kenai Fjords are compared in sequence. For instance, a picture of McCarty Glacier from 1909 precedes a picture of the same glacier in 2004. The video displays how the glaciers have receded over a century.

Kenai Fjords National Park: Experts track and discuss the rate at which Exit Glacier has receded over time. Methods of tracking the rate at which the glacier is receding are discussed as well as potential reasons the glacier is receding.

Kenai Fjords National Park: The video discusses how glaciers in Kenai Fjords serve as markers for climate change. It is discussed that the glaciers are indeed receding rapidly and what the park is doing to inform the public about the issue.

Kenai Fjords National Park: An introduction is given regarding inventory and management of biological park resources in southwest Alaska. Biological park resources refer to small mammals, freshwater fish, vascular plants, and the like. The reasons for inventorying are discussed.

Kenai Fjords National Park: This video discusses the inventory of freshwater fish. The various fishing methods to capture fish are shown as well as how the species are documented. The goal of the inventory is to document 90% of expected but previously undocumented species.

Kenai Fjords National Park: Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) are set up in isolated areas of Alaska to collect information on weather conditions. The video includes the benefits of these devices, their function, their components, and challenges that arise in data collection.

Kenai Fjords National Park: A research associate from the University of Alaska takes the viewer through the objectives of the inventory of small mammals. The trapping process and the overall benefits of this type of inventory are discussed.

Kenai Fjords National Park: The inventory of vascular plants is discussed. Collection protocols and the purpose of the inventories are included.

Kenai Fjords National Park: Future monitoring of the national parks of Alaska is discussed. The employees plan to use data from specific inventories to track biological and physical resources over time in order to guide the management of the resources.

Kenai Fjords National Park: National parks are not immune to pollution because they are protected areas. Garbage still washes on to the shores of Kenai Fjords National Park. This video discusses a cleanup effort undertaken at the park.