Module 2 - Natural History

Essential Question 1:
How are Alaska's natural systems interconnected?

All of Alaska’s natural systems (Lithosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and Climate Change) are interconnected in one way or another. And most likely, a change in one system will have an effect on one or more other systems. History and data collection have proven this over time.



I found a website that does a great job in explaining how each system is interconnected and it also gives a good visual of how it all works. This is much easier to understand than if I were to try to explain it in my own words.
Interaction among the Component of Climate Systems

As you can see all of the systems are interconnected to each other. One can’t study only one of the systems and determine exactly how it works without looking at all of them to get a better understanding of what is happening. This is why we need to take care of our planet and not disregard certain areas.

Essential Question 2:
How have Alaska's natural systems changed over time?

Alaska’s natural systems have changed over time in several different ways. Climate has had a big impact on the change in natural systems. Alaska used to be covered in ice back in the Ice Age. There was little to no life in the land at that time. Due to the increase in temperatures on Earth, the ice eventually melted away making a way for plants and animals to thrive and for human migration. All of which aided in making Alaska what it is today.

During the Pleistocene ice age, glaciers covered large areas of Alaska. Large glaciers can still be found in these areas. Two areas of Alaska, the interior lowland and arctic coastal plain, were not covered with ice during the Pleistocene.

Most of the glaciers that remain in Alaska are receding due to climate change. The factors that effect this change are temperature, humidity, slope, precipitation, wind speed, and reflectivity. Although air temperature around these glaciers have a more dominant effect, the other five still factor into the equation.

The lithosphere of Alaska has changed over the years. The Pacific and North American Plates are the major contributors in forming the mountains that we have. The 2 plates converge forcing the land to move and push upwards forming the great mountain ranges that we have today. As a result of these plates colliding, we have earthquakes and tsunamis. These earthquakes and tsunamis, change the physical structure of the land and shorelines. Erosion is also constantly changing the landscape. Heat, water and gravity all take part in that process of change. Warmer temperatures are also leading to the thawing of permafrost. Permafrost is all over in Alaska. Thawing will have drastic effects such as hurting the infrastructure of houses and buildings and changing the land.

A dozen Alaskan villages, including Shishmaref, are at some stage of moving because of climate-change-related impacts like coastal erosion and flooding.

The effects of changes in the natural systems, even in the tiniest way, can greatly change the land we live on. For example, if average temperatures go up or down one or two degrees, it can change the way the systems work. We may not be able to see it in our lifetime but the change is inevitable. Just by reading the information in this module, we can see evidence of it.




Module 2 Extend Question:
Describe the geography of the place where you live.

I live in Anchorage, AK. It is located in Southcentral Alaska. We are surrounded by the Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains and the Alaska Range. The Chugach mountain range to the East has peaks from 8,000 to 10,000 feet high. They block warm air from the Gulf of Mexico, keeping precipitation fairly low. The Alaska Range to the North protect the city form the cold air from the states interior.

View of Chugach Mountain Range for the air.

We get an amazing view of  Mt. Susitna. Also known as The Sleeping Lady. There is a great story behind The Sleeping Lady. If you haven’t heard it or read it please take a minute and look at this site

There are a lot of mudflats which are very dangerous. The tides come in very quickly and can even be seen. The Bore Tide is an amazing thing to watch because it looks like a wave coming in to the Inlet.
What is a Bore Tide?
In this video, you can see the mudflats and how fast the Bore Tide comes in.

Evaluate:
This Module had a lot of interesting information. It took me longer that I thought to get through it but it kept me engaged and wanting to read more. I learned a lot about Alaska’s natural systems and geography that I probably would have otherwise never learned had it not been for this class. I am definitely getting more accustomed to adding links and pictures.