North Slope, Alaska, USA; Photo credit: Karim-Aly Kassam
The Linking Remote-Sensing Information with Natural History and Traditional Knowledge through Case Studies of Unusual Sea Ice Conditions Project tested a methodological approach for examining specific dynamic episodes of abnormal sea ice conditions in the American and Canadian Arctic.
The project explored the feasibility and practical applications of combining remotely-sensed information on episodes of change in sea ice conditions with surface observations of abnormal sea ice events based on the traditional knowledge of Arctic marine community members in Wainwright, Alaska.
Sea Ice at Barrow, Alaska, USA; Photo credit: Karim-Aly Kassam
The objective of this research was to demonstrate the value of facilitating communications between scientific and community-based environmental observers (i.e. local hunters), and to evaluate mechanisms for improving predictions of sea ice changes based on analyzing past events. Professor Kassam’s research involved developing a case study of Wainwright, Alaska on indigenous knowledge of sea ice and climate change.
Sea Ice at Barrow, Alaska, USA; Photo credit: Karim-Aly Kassam
Three graduate and undergraduate students were involved in this research. This project was funded by the National Science Foundation, USA.
