Alaska recognizes the climate change effects

Alaska Fish and Wildlife managers have a plan of the State, in anticipation of the effects on the Arctic waters, the fishing industry and wildlife resources caused by climate change published.

The state has sued to overturn the Federal Republic of listing polar bears as threatened because of declining habitat of sea ice, but the 19-page report released this week begins with the recognition that scientific evidence show more traditional and climate change at an unprecedented rate in the Arctic.

"We have to see what the company can occur," said Doug Vincent-Lang, endangered species coordinator for the Department of Fish and Game.

The report entitled "Climate Change Strategy", said warming temperatures and changes in changes in rainfall, flows, the loss of sea ice has increased wildfire model, melting permafrost and coastal erosion.

Warming and precipitation changes will affect the amount of fresh water and quality throughout Alaska and is likely to affect wetlands, rivers and lakes, especially shallow lakes obtained from the permafrost, the report said.

The report predicts that access for fishermen in the waters of change, livelihood opportunities could. Distribution of fish can be changed with a shift of species tolerant of warmer waters, he said.

Changes in patterns of fire affect some terrestrial species, and help others, the report said. For example, elk in some areas, fires the most experienced, while the peaks and other species could benefit depends on ancient forests suffer.

Distribution of seal species could change because of changing sea ice conditions, according to the report. Acidification of the oceans will change and affect the marine food chain, from fish trade.

The report is the result of efforts by the former governor Sarah Palin, the Working Group on Climate Change to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska began format.

Vincent-Lang said the Department of Fish and Game out of the debate on climate change was caused, but he thought it was that time to take stocking of the effects are on the rise.

This is no different, he said, looking at the way in which oil and gas or other human activities may harm fish and wildlife.

"Climate change is," he said. "As a result of climate change, what are some things that we expect to go to fish and wildlife do occur, and as such, we can adapt our management program to ensure that we made further development and use sustainable use of these resources? "

The report is used to obtain regional director, the climate is a factor in wildlife management, said Vincent-Lang. It will also underline that climate change will be included as a variable in research planning.

A major action before, "said the report will address gaps in information about the largest species of Alaska whose conservation, so that step can be taken to prevent the threat before.

"As climate change adds an additional burden for the money, we would be able to gather more information and better able to provide this, so do not read the list under the Endangered Species Act to manage," said Vincent -Lang.