Cave and coastal features inventory: Kenai Fjords National Park
Markus J and Kurtz D. 2015. Cave and coastal features inventory: Kenai Fjords National Park. Natural Resource Report. NPS/KEFJ/NRR—2015/1089. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ) encompasses more than 400 miles of irregular and rugged coastline bordering the Gulf of Alaska. Storm surges, tides, currents, glaciers and tectonic processes create a highly dynamic environment and result in nearly constant changes to the coast. Erosional processes have formed many caves and coastal features such as arches and sea stacks. These features are incredibly scenic and have great recreational appeal. In addition, they provide habitat for thousands of seabirds and may have been used as grave sites by native people in the past. Despite this, the caves and coastal features of KEFJ have never been formally studied or documented and little is known about them. The goal of this project was to complete an inventory of KEFJ caves and coastal features, resulting in a baseline dataset from which we can better manage these potential wildlife habitats and monitor for changes in these features. The data collection for this project occurred from June 2015 through August 2015 and was entirely boat-based. The features were documented as cave, shelter, arch, stack or unique feature. In total, 829 features were mapped including 488 caves, 122 shelters, 68 arches, 76 stacks, and 75 unique features. The feature types were well-distributed throughout the park coast. The largest caves were found on the outer coast and at Aialik Cape, where wave exposure is greatest. The most features by park region were found on the outer coast and the least in Northwestern Fiord. The majority of features were littoral. The ArcGIS dataset and corresponding feature photographs form a foundation that future wildlife, archeological, and geological studies may reference and build upon.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Markus, Julie; Kurtz, Deb
- Date of Issue
- 2015-11
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- KEFJ , NRSS , SWAN
- Keywords
- Alaska, ARCH, Caves, Coastal Features, Inventory, KEFJ, Kenai Fjords, sea stacks, Seabirds, window
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Coastal/Oceanographic Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Subsurface Geologic Processes | Cave/Karst Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Intertidal Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Birds