For the Media

Introduction
What's New
Media Contact
Images and Video
Background
Graphics

 

 

Introduction
ABoVE is a NASA-led, 10-year field experiment designed to better understand the ecological and social consequences of environmental change in one of the most rapidly changing regions on Earth. Satellite, airborne, and ground observations across Alaska and Canada will help us better understand the local and regional effects of changing forests, permafrost, and ecosystems – and how these changes could ultimately affect people and places beyond the Arctic. 

What's New
In the spring and summer of 2017, ABoVE will conduct an intensive series of research flights. Eight aircraft outfitted with a variety of sensors will fly primarily from Fairbanks, Alaska and Yellowknife, Canada. This ambitious airborne campaign seeks to capture new insights into vegetation structure and function, permafrost thaw, and the exchange of water vapor, energy, carbon dioxide and methane between land-water surface and the atmosphere.

Flights began on May 22 with the AIRMOSS and UAVSAR instruments deployed on NASA's G-III and C-20A aircraft, respectively, and will wrap up in late September with final flights by the CARVE campaign. In addition to the airborne campaign, about 200 scientists from NASA and partner organizations will be in the field throughout the spring, fall, summer conducting ground-based research.

To read more about the summer of 2017 activities >>

Media contact
Journalists interested in ABoVE can contact:

Patrick Lynch
Office of Communications, Goddard Space Flight Center
patrick.lynch@nasa.gov

There are opportunities to fly along on some research flights. Please reach out with as much lead time as possible.

Images and Video

• ABoVE Earth Right Now Flickr Album >>
• ABoVE video resources >>

Background

• NASA Arctic Field Campaign to Examine Ecosystem Impacts of Changing Climate – August 2015 >>
  As part of a broad effort to study the environmental and societal effects of climate change, NASA has begun a multi-year field campaign to investigate ecological impacts of the rapidly changing climate in Alaska and northwestern Canada, such as the thawing of permafrost, wildfires and changes to wildlife habitats. The Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) will bring together on-the-ground research in Alaska and northwestern Canada with data collected by NASA airborne instruments, satellites and other agency programs, including SMAP, OCO-2, and upcoming ICESat-2 and NISAR missions.
  

• NASA Study Details of a Greening Arctic – June 2016 >>
  The northern reaches of North America are getting greener, according to a NASA study that provides the most detailed look yet at plant life across Alaska and Canada. In a changing climate, almost a third of the land cover – much of it Arctic tundra – is looking more like landscapes found in warmer ecosystems.
  

• 'Notes from the Field' blog posts from ABoVE scientists >>

• Earth Expedition blog posts >>

Graphics

	Fact Sheet
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	ABoVE Poster Suitable for Printing
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	Study Domain
			JPEG (1024x696) TIF (1000x680)
	Scaling Diagram
			Gradient background (PPT-wide) Gradient background (PPT) JPEG- wide JPEG
	Vulnerability Framework
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• NASA Official: Jon Ranson | Curator: Leanne Kendig
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