FINAL COMMISSION REPORT

Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission

Alaska State Legislature

March 17, 2008

Representative Ralph Samuels, ChairmanRepresentative Reggie Joule, Vice-Chairman

Research Needs Work Group

Recommendations on Research Needs Necessary to Implement an Alaska Climate Change Strategy

Submitted to the Alaska Climate Change Sub Cabinet‐June 2009

Research Needs Work GroupRecommendations on Research Needs Necessary toImplement an Alaska Climate Change Strategy

Overarching Needs Summary The overarching needs identified by the RNWG are: o Improved downscaled (local) climate models o Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring o Improved research infrastructure o Improved data integration and sharing o Multiple level decision making tools‐ o Adaptable legal and policy frameworks o Improved baseline mapping o Education and Outreach

Tier I

Improved downscaled (local) climate modelsUAF High Resolution Localized Forecasts for Managers and Policymakers (SNAP)FY11 (GF: $225.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $925.0) Multiple level decision making tools: and Education and Outreach‐UAF Climate Adaptation: Information on to Inform Planning and Preparation (ACCAP)FY11 (GF: $150.0, NGF: $450.0, Total: $600.0) Need for baseline environmental research and monitoringUAF Ecological Modeling: Responses of Biological Systems to Climate ChangeFY11 (GF: $200.0, NGF: $650.0, Total: $850.0)

Tier II

Improved research infrastructure UAF Climate Change Impacts on Transportation (UATC)FY11 (GF: $250.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $950.0)

Operating Requests

Responding to State’s NeedsUAF - Responding to Emerging Requests from the Climate Change SubcabinetFY11 (GF: $8,000k Total: $8,000k)

Improved downscaled (local) climate models:UAF - Improving Sea Ice ForecastsFY11 (GF: $1,500k, Total: $1,500k) Need for baseline environmental research and monitoringUAF - Ocean AcidificationFY11 (GF: $1,000k, Total: $1,000k) UAF - Commercial FisheriesFY11 (GF: $1,000k, Total: $1,000k) UAF - Coastal Erosion, InundationFY11 (GF: $1,000k, Total: $1,000k) UAF - Natural Hazards MonitoringFY11 (GF: $1,000k, Total: $1,000k) UAF - Permafrost DynamicsFY11 (GF: $1,000k Total: $1,000k)

Capital Requests

Improved data integration and sharingUAF - Climate Data ManagementFY11 (GF: $1,000.0, Total: $1,000.0) Improved baseline mapping UAF - Alaska Monitoring and Response CapabilityFY11 (GF: $4,000.0, Total: $4,000.0)

Improved research infrastructureUAF - Improving Weather PredictionsFY11 (GF: $1,000.0, Total: $1,000.0)

Capital Requests

Adaptable legal and policy frameworks UAF and UAA Legal and Policy Implications of Climate Change in AlaskaFY11 (GF: $250.0, NGF: $700.0, Total: $950.0)

The following proposals were submitted, but not reviewed nor discussed. It was decided to include them as second order priorities. Need for baseline environmental research and monitoring: UAF Forest Growth and Health ChangeBudget Request $400,000 (operating) $600,000 (capital) Copper River Watershed Sustainability and Ecology: “Glaciers to Bay”Budget Request $525,000 (operating) $900,000 (capital)

Operating Requests