Seasonal Ice Zone Observing Network (SIZONet)

SIZONet is an interdisciplinary project that implements an integrated program for observing seasonal ice in the context of a changing Arctic. In addition to sampling sea ice state variables, the observation system design is guided by the concept of Sea-Ice System Services (SISS). By assessing the nature and extent of SISS, an integrated observation network is being built that is also responsive to sea ice user information needs. The project's overarching scientific goal is to track intertwined changes and selected important impacts in a rapidly evolving Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ) in order to improve our understanding and predictions of the Arctic sea ice cover.

As part of SIZONet and as a contribution to the International Polar Year (IPY) project, Sea Ice Knowledge and Use (SIKU) sea ice observations are carried out by sea ice experts from different Alaska coastal communities. These observations are entered into a database that will facilitate synthesis of different types of sea ice knowledge and expertise, and can help track sea ice change from a user perspective. For more information, refer to the evolving SIZONet project Web site.


Lead   Hajo Eicken
Organization   Geophysical Institute - University of Alaska Fairbanks
Country   United States
Geographic
Coverage		   Bering and Chukchi Sea
Communities   Barrow and Wales
Related
Organizations
  • Sea Ice Knowledge and Use (SIKU) – IPY project
  • Native Village of Wales
  • Barrow Arctic Science Consortium
  • North Slope Borough of Alaska
Web site   SIZONet
SIZONE Swath Viewer satellite image
 

Satellite image from the SIZONet Swath Viewer application accessible on the SIZONet Data Web page. Image credit: NASA; high-reolution image

 

Culture & Community

Alaska Native Knowledge NetworkExplore publications, curriculum resources, cultural resources, and Alaskan Indigenous knowledge sytems at the Alaska Native Knowledge Network Web site.

 

Related Resources

Native Village of Wales, AlaskaVisit the Native Village of Wales to learn about one of the oldest communities in the Bering Strait region of northwestern Alaska. The site overs topics such as the history, culture, and economy of the region.