The two previous tundra ecology expeditions, conducted in 1994 along the Siberian north coast and in 1999 throughout the Canadian Arctic, left a missing link around the Bering Strait. Hence Alaska and Chukotka will be a prime target for the tundra ecology studies during Beringia 2005. A reconnaissance tour was made to Anadyr in the fall of 2003 and in the summer of 2004 two of us from Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, Anders Karlqvist and Magnus Augner made a similar visit to Alaska. The purpose was to establish contacts, to visit potential research sites and to learn about local logistics. We were accompanied by Craig Tweedie, a scientist from Michigan State University, with a lot of experience from research in Alaska and familiar with local conditions. NSF supported the trip. This support and Craig’s experience and engagement were very valuable, and highly appreciated.

Alaska is not a virgin territory from a scientific point of view. A great deal of biological and geological studies have been made over the years. Sometimes such studies have been part of major development projects such as the Alaska Pipeline or the Red Dog Mine. Furthermore permanent research establishments such as the Barrow Research Station or the Toolik Lake station provide infrastructure and facilities for temporary research efforts as well as for long term monitoring. Our research activities in Beringia 2005 needs to build on this knowledge and opportunities for cooperation.

Three main areas were visited; Nome, Kotzebue and Barrow. These areas represent a south-north climatic gradient with tundra landscape accessible from roads and within short flying distance. In addition the possibility to have a site on St. Lawrence Island was explored (but not visited during our trip). The island can be reached easily by regular flights but there is no local transport or accommodation available on the island.

Contacts with local authorities and interest groups provided us with information of importance for further planning as well as giving people early information of the expedition next summer. An important message was to avoid interference with whaling and other hunting activities. The schedule of Beringia 2005 does not overlap with the sensitive time for the marine mammals and hence conflicts with local hunting interests seem not to be a problem. On the whole we got a very positive response and with the expectation that the expedition could involve and be of benefit for the local population.

Barrow will most likely be a key site for Beringia 2005 with its well-developed support for research, as well as its being well connected by air to Fairbanks and Anchorage. We are also planning for a major rotation of personnel at Barrow with the departure of leg 3 with the icebreaker Oden across the Arctic Ocean. Barrow provides excellent tundra sites nearby and in addition Akasuk, a village some 100 km south of Barrow on the foothills of the Brooks range, would offer additional possibilities.

Our trip started in Fairbanks and via Nome and Kotzebue we arrived in Barrow where we spent a couple of days with discussions, presentations and field excursions. During the trip back we had the opportunity to travel by truck the Dalton highway from Prudhoe Bay to Fairbanks, visiting Toolik Lake en route. Our reconnaissance trip ended in Anchorage. During our stay in Fairbanks and Anchorage several contacts and discussions with regional authorities were undertaken.