Journal

Defining the Arctic is Complex

As I have been learning as much as I can about the Arctic Ocean, the North Slope of Alaska, who owns the Arctic, and Polar regions in general I have come to understand that defining the Arctic is more complex that I would have guessed.

Starting with the Arctic Circle as political boundary is a reasonable place to begin. Then if we look a little closer at the bioclimatic subzones we see that they, as most ecological boundaries, are not straight lines (or circles in this polar context).

Arctic Defined by Vegetation Zones;
Map credit: Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna. High and low Arctic terrestrial boundaries were defined by the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Mapping Project - Bioclimatic subzones. Sub Arctic boundary was defined by the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (ABA). https://www.arcticcentre.org/EN/arcticregion/Maps/definitions

Perhaps we consider the political boundaries of the region by the Arctic Council Working Groups or the US Arctic Research Commission definition from the Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA).

The Arctic Region Defined by the Arctic Council Working Groups
The Arctic Region Defined by the Arctic Council Working Groups; AHDR: Arctic Human Development Report, four million people live inside this border. AMAP: Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme Working Group; CAFF: Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna;

Sarah with Iñupiatun RosettaStone Language Learning CD-ROM
While visiting the local Utqiagvik public library we found free copies of the Iñupiatun RosettaStone Language Learning CD-ROM.

A few things we know about defining the Arctic

  • The Arctic circle (66°30′ N) is sometimes referred to as defining the Arctic

  • The 10 °C line (area in which the average summer temperature is less than 10 °C (50 °F)) has been the traditional definition commonly used

  • Treeline has been used as a delimiting line for the Arctic ecology contexts

  • The Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR) emphasizes that the Arctic is a homeland for peoples, and therefore includes the social, economic, political, and ecological processes that are the critical properties for the functioning of the Arctic System

  • The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) focuses on the environmental conditions in the Arctic, and therefore chooses to use a definition based on the general function of the Arctic environmental system.

  • Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna(CAFF) focuses on the Arctic from an ecosystem point of view.

Maps of the Arctic Region
Maps of the Arctic Region https://www.arcticcentre.org/EN/arcticregion/Maps

Explore The Arctic Centre Maps

The Arctic Centre Maps

Then, consider these questions and respond with your thoughts in the comment box below.

  • How might the definitions of the Arctic shift with time into the future? Or have they shifted?

  • Which definition(s) most resonates with you and the things you care the most about? If you had to only use one definition, which would you choose?

  • As an international definition, how would you recommend the Arctic Council (8 countries) determine the most inclusive equitable definition of the Arctic?

Exploring Local Culture

Joining locals for local cuisine of eskimo donuts, goose soup, tuttu (caribou) soup, and King Eider soup at the US Fish and Wildlife Service spring community meeting in Utqiagvik.
Joining locals for local cuisine of eskimo donuts goose soup, tuttu (caribou) soup, and King Eider soup at the US Fish and Wildlife Service spring community meeting in Utqiagvik.

Sarah with polar bear skull
Sarah holding a polar bear skull at the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Utqiagvik. Photo by Ignatius Rigor

Engage with IABP AK Spring 22 Deployment Expedition

Details
Author
Sarah Johnson
Date
Location
UIC Science Naval Arctic Research Laboratory
Expedition
International Arctic Buoy Program
Weather Summary
Cold, sunny, windy clear blue sky day
Temperature
2° F; 30 degrees below freezing
Wind Speed
20mph
Wind Chill
-20° F

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