Barrow Arctic Research Center/Environmental Observatory

STATION NAME AND OWNER

The Barrow ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Research Center and Barrow Environmental Observatory are managed by UIC Science, a business unit of the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation.

LOCATION

Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow, 5256 inhabitants) is located at the northern tip of Alaska (USA) on the junction of the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The adjacent Barrow Environmental Observatory comprises 30.21 km2 of tundraA type of ecosystem in which tree growth is limited by low temperatures. The origin of the word is from from the Kildin Sami word t?ndâr, meaning "uplands" or "treeless mountain tract". In the northern... More, lakes, and wetlands reserved for scientific research including long-term environmental monitoring and habitat manipulation experiments.

BIODIVERSITYBiological diversity. The many and varied forms of life on Earth (collectively known as biota). As well as diversity of species (species diversity), there is also diversity within populations of a... More AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Utqiaġvik is characterised by a polar maritime climateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More but is semi-arid (c. 150 mm annual precipitation). It lies north of the tree-line so the dominant vegetation types are grass, moss and sedge. Virtually all land in the area is underlain by permafrostPermafrost is frozen ground that remains at or below zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) for two or more years. It forms in regions where the mean annual temperature is... More within a few meters of the surface. The landscape is characterised by thermokarstA landform that results when ground ice (ice-rich permafrost) melts. The melting leaves small, marshy hollows and hummocks in the land as the ground settles unevenly. See also thermokarst lake.... More lakes and drained lake basins undergoing plant succession. Polar bears and ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More foxes are endemic to the region. A large number of transient bird species migrate to the North Slope during the summer including snowy owl, tundraA type of ecosystem in which tree growth is limited by low temperatures. The origin of the word is from from the Kildin Sami word t?ndâr, meaning "uplands" or "treeless mountain tract". In the northern... More swan, snow bunting, and various species of geese and ducks, including the endangered Steller’s and spectacled eiders. Caribou are frequently observed in the area. During the spring, bowhead whales migrate close to shore, and both gray and beluga whales are often sighted during the summer.

HISTORY AND FACILITIES

Utqiaġvik has a long research history starting with the establishment of an observation station during the First International Polar Year (1882- 1883) – hosting near-continuous measurements since then. The ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Research Laboratory was established in 1947 and has supported a vast number of atmospheric, biological, oceanic, and terrestrial research activities. Present facilities include modern laboratories, storage, vehicle support, internet access, local accommodations, and cafeteria or self-catering facilities. UIC Science offices, labs, and conference rooms are centralized in the Barrow ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Research Center (BARC). The BARC, a modern, state of the art ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Research Facility built in 2007, is located at the now de-commissioned Naval ArcticDefinitions of the Arctic vary according to environmental, geographical, political, cultural and scientific perspectives. Some scientists define the Arctic as areas having a high latitude, long winters, short, cool summers,... More Research Laboratory (NARL) campus. UIC Science hosts 40 to 50 projects per year at the BARC. Restaurants, supplies, and grocery stores are available in town. Several other programs funded through the US government maintain additional facilities in Utqiaġvik including the National Weather Service and Earth System Research Laboratory (both part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin.), Atmospheric Radiation Measurement ClimateThe average weather we would expect over a long period of time (seasons, years, decades). Climate varies from place-to-place across the Earth. Climate is determined by long-term (over at least... More Research Facility (Dept. of Energy), and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Dept. of Interior). Additionally, the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management is based in Utqiaġvik.

GENERAL RESEARCH AND DATABASES

Approximately 40-50 individual research projects are supported annually. Much of the work at Utqiaġvik involves atmospheric chemistryThe study of matter at the atomic and molecular scale.... More, ecosystemAll the living organisms (including people) in an area as well as its physical environment, functioning together as a unit. An ecosystem is made up of plants, animals, microorganisms, soil,... More dynamics, plant/animal phenologyThe study of the timing of recurring natural events such as bud opening, egg laying or the arrival of a migratory animal. Many living organisms have defined life cycle events... More studies, and Climate ChangeAccording to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, climate change is change in the climate of the whole Earth or a region of the Earth that is believed... More monitoring. Many sea ice studies are also based in the area. Limnological and large animal physiology projects are occasionally undertaken.

HUMAN DIMENSION

Utqiaġvik has been occupied by humans for at least 1200 years, and a strong Inuit culture is still practiced today including subsistence hunting and whaling activities. English is the predominant language but many residents speak Iñupiaq. The village is the political, logistical, and administrative hub of the 245 000 km2 North Slope Borough, and as a result most modern conveniences are available. Summer tourism is an important part of the economy, and nearby resource extraction is becoming more prevalent. Several mobile phone carriers provide reliable service. Off -road access to the tundraA type of ecosystem in which tree growth is limited by low temperatures. The origin of the word is from from the Kildin Sami word t?ndâr, meaning "uplands" or "treeless mountain tract". In the northern... More (i.e. for hiking) requires a local land use permit. There are several gymnasiums open to the public and Barrow High School provides opportunities for spectator sports. Ilisaġvik College provides continuing education and vocational training to students throughout the region.

ACCESS

There is no year-round road access to Utqiaġvik, but the town is serviced by commercial airlines (Alaska Airlines, Wright Air Service) with multiple daily fl ights, year-round. Both fixed-wing aircrafts and helicopters can be chartered for research activities from vendors based in Fairbanks (800 km away) or Anchorage (1200 km away) and staged from the Barrow Airport. Additionally, multiple cargo airlines provide commercial shipping services and the US Postal Service delivers mail and small packages daily, including UPS and FedEx. There is no port facility, but resupply barges and boat access are available during the summer. Research facilities are located approximately 5 km north of the village and can be reached via the local road system. To view the web map of the area. Click here