Welcome to the website of the Alaska Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists (SWS). SWS is an international organization of about 3,500 members dedicated to fostering sound wetland science, education, and management. We are in the process of updating our website and beginning to plan upcoming events, training sessions, and identify ways to increase networking opportunities among wetland scientists throughout Alaska. If you have any ideas or comments on how we may improve the Alaska Chapter, please don't hesitate to contact any one of our newly elected board members here.
Alaska Regional Supplement to the Corps Wetland Delineation Manual
The development of Regional Supplements is part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland-delineation procedures. This supplement is applicable to the Alaska Region.
Kenai Lowland Wetland Mapping and Classification
This extensive wetland mapping project's purpose is to give landowners, prospective land owners, managers and other interested parties access to a locally relevant wetland map so they can make informed decisions.
GINA: Geographic Information Network of Alaska
GINA is the University of Alaska's framework for organizing and sharing geographic data and technology among Alaska, the arctic and world communities.
Wetland drying and succession across the Kenai Peninsula Lowlands
This study documents the scale and intensity of drying over the last half century in the Kenai Lowlands of south-central Alaska.
2010 Alaska Moss Identification Workshops
For more information about these workshops please contact Blanka and/or Jon Shaw (blanka@duke.edu, shaw@duke.edu)
Workshop on Field Identification and Ecology of Mosses and Liverworts
This workshop will focus on the identification of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts) in the field using a hand lens. The class will visit a broad range of local habitats and become familiar with the dominant bryophyte genera and species characteristic of different ecological settings. Evening lectures will cover the classification and phylogeny of bryophytes, and overview of useful literature about bryophytes, ecology and reproductive biology, and morphological variation, in order to supplement field observations of species in nature.July 26-28, 2010
Location: Wrangell Mountains Center, McCarthy, Alaska: www.wrangells.org. Cost: $175
Workshop on Identification of Peatland Bryophytes with a focus on peat mosses (Sphagnum)
This 3-day workshop will focus on the identification of mosses and liverworts growing in peatland ecosystems, with a focus on Sphagnum (peat mosses). Each morning will feature a short lecture on morphology, ecology, evolution, and/or reproductive biology. The class will also examine plants microscopically and become familiar with the most important resources for peatland bryophyte identification. Afternoons will be spent in the field visiting a broad range of wetland/peatland sites characteristic of central Alaska. Students will make collections in the field to work on in the lab.August 5-7 or 8-10 , 2010
Location: University of Alaska, Fairbanks Museum.. Cost: $250