Demonstration project: Permafrost dynamics visualization tools for the community of Selawik

Previously, we developed 30-m resolution "proof-of-concept" permafrost change projections near the community of Selawik. These projections are based on the 30-m resolution ecotype maps, with about ten distinct ecotypes near the community. The climate forcing for all grid cells in the ecotype raster is assumed to be the same, and upscaling of the numerical results for 10 ecotypes to the entire area is obtained through the ecotype raster. Therefore, the computational time to make permafrost degradation projections near the community is rather small and could be accomplished on a portable computer within a few minutes. We are proposing to develop a scenario building software for the community of Selawik. The community planners will be able to change climate scenarios, modify ground properties based on local knowledge and thus identify local infrastructure vulnerable to climate change. We plan to conduct a few outreach meetings with the local government and assist with identification of permafrost thaw-related hazards in the community.

Figure 1. GIPL_GUI startup screen showing vegetation (i.e. ecotypes) around Selawik. Controls (Top arrow) allow for changing the view area, parameters of choice (Right arrow) and computational control for model projections of permafrost temperatures at depth for instance (Lower right arrow).

Figure 2. User can select multiple variables (Top arrow) to display for visualization at a given year by moving the slider (Bottom arrow).

Figure 3. GIPL_GUI computation run. Status is given in the lower right box (arrow) and the pop-up window.

Figure 4. GIPL_GUI can display a time-series of a variable like air temperature (Top arrow) in addition to the spatial plot. The slider number refers to year (Bottom arrow), in this case the start year of the RCP 4.5 forcing temperature time-series.