From reach to region: promoting a voluntary, statewide freshwater temperature monitoring network in Alaska

We will present the motivation, objectives, strategy, and activities of the Western Alaska Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) in promoting development of a statewide, voluntary participation network for monitoring freshwater temperatures.  Hydrologic processes greatly influence Alaska’s physical and biological resources and the human communities that depend upon them, and these processes will be greatly impacted by expected changes in climate. Yet our understanding of those impacts is limited by both (i) lack of data and (i) lack of regional-scale syntheses. Regional trends can better reveal long-term patterns and better support hind- and fore-casting of stream and lake temperatures –important steps in assessing how changes in hydrology will impact other physical and biological processes. 
Water temperature is an important hydrologic characteristic because of what it influences and what it is influenced by. It is also relatively inexpensive to measure at a site. Many groups monitor water temperature or are considering doing so. While their objectives differ, this broad interest provides an opportunity for coordinated monitoring to reduce costs and inform land and resource decision making, and research, at multiple spatial scales.  
The LCC is advancing this through development of: a statewide inventory of data; minimum data standards for regional trend assessments; regional coordinators to engage partners, identify and resolve barriers, and coordinate syntheses; pilot regional analyses in areas w/ adequate data; and other activities.  The LCC is a partnership focused on improving conservation of western Alaska's natural and cultural resources through providing improved tools and knowledge related to climate changes and impacts.