Purpose

In the Arctic as elsewhere, the flow of water has a great influence on humans. The hydrological cycle is the process by which water (including ice and snow as well as the liquid form) circulates through the Arctic system. Evaporation leads to clouds, from which comes precipitation. Rain affects plant growth and contributes to rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Snow blankets the landscape, and snowmelt causes a huge pulse of freshwater in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Ice and permafrost shape the landscape and seascape as well. Feedbacks among all these processes make detecting and anticipating change a complex undertaking. Nonetheless, the implications of hydrological changes for humans may be critical.

The purpose of this workshop was to identify and discuss the types of research projects that investigate the links between humans and hydrology in the Arctic. Many of these links have been identified (see Table 5-2, below, from Vörösmarty et al., 2001). The CHAMP initiative presents a great opportunity to create a strong human dimensions component in hydrology research, closely linked with research on the physical and biological aspects of the hydrological cycle. By identifying research ideas at the project level, the workshop can provide ideas for proposals to the HARC initiative at NSF.

CHANGING
PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT		 HUMAN DIMENSION IMPACTS
Infrastructure Transportation Other Economic Activities Subsistence,
Traditional Activities		 Health
Permafrost Building, water & power systems Roads, runways Pipelines Overland travel, subsistence resources Water supplies, waste disposal
Precipitation, runoff Riverbank erosion, flooding, water supplies Roads, navigable waters Mining & industrial wastes Overland travel, subsistence resources Water-borne illness
Storms, fog Coastal wave erosion Sea, air Fire prevention Subsistence
hunting & fishing		 Accidents
Snow Cover Snow removal Winter travel
avalanches		 Water supply Overland travel, subsistence resources Water supply
River & sea ice Coastal/riverside erosion Shipping routes & season Hydropower Subsistence
hunting, travel		 Accidents
Summer temperature Foundation instability Permafrost and ice-road degradation Tourism Changes in species and migration routes Insects, vector-borne illness
Sea level Coastal flooding, erosion Shipping facilities Village relocation Coastal cemeteries or artifacts Freshwater salinization
Ocean circulation Harbor siting Shipping Commercial fisheries Subsistence hunting & fishing Contaminant transport
Contaminants Water supply/ treatment Spill prevention remediation Commercial fisheries Subsistence hunting & fishing Human exposure

Format

The workshop followed the same format as previous HARC online workshops. The two moderators started and guided the discussion. The forum was open for the entire three-day period so comments could be posted at the convenience of each participant. Moderators were Larry Hinzman, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Larry Hamilton, University of New Hampshire, with support from Henry Huntington, HARC SMO.

Outcome

Both the final report and transcript of the workshop are available in PDF format for download:

Humans and Arctic Hydrology Workshop Report (PDF - 43 KB)
Humans and Arctic Hydrology Workshop Transcript (PDF - 171 KB)

Opening Questions

To get the workshop started, we asked the following questions:

  1. Societal Vulnerability and Impacts: What types of studies can determine societal vulnerability and impacts, in the following areas, to changes in the hydrological cycle and related processes?
    Infrastructure (industrial development, community location & facilities, etc.)

    • Transportation
    • Fisheries
    • Other economic activities (e.g., tourism)
    • Traditional hunting, fishing, gathering
    • Health
    • Combined vulnerability

  2. Human Influences on Hydrologic Processes: What types of studies can determine human influences on the hydrological cycle and on the physical and biological processes that are controlled by hydrology?
    Infrastructure and development

    • Water use
    • Pollution and disturbance
    • Landscape change (e.g., from reindeer overgrazing)
    • Combined impacts

  3. Implications of Hydrologic Change: In what other ways are changes in hydrologic processes in arctic regions likely to affect the individual, the community, industry, and society (both in and outside the Arctic), and how can these be studied?