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Founded in 2008, the Cooperative Institute for Alaska Research
(CIFAR) conducts ecosystem and environmental research related to Alaska
and its associated Arctic regions, including the Gulf of Alaska, Bering
Sea, Chukchi/Beaufort Seas, and Arctic Ocean. CIFAR continues to facilitate
the developed long-term collaboration between NOAA and the University of
Alaska begun under the Cooperative Institute of Arctic Research in 1994,
within which targeted research, technology, education and outreach can be
developed and sustained. CIFAR plays a central role in communication and
coordination between NOAA, researchers, management agencies, non-governmental
organizations, Alaska communities, and the general public in collaborative
research, education, and outreach efforts.
CIFAR conducts research in three thematic areas: 1) Ecosystem Function
– Gain sufficient knowledge of Alaskan ecosystems to forecast their response
to both natural and anthropogenic change; 2) Coastal Hazards
– Improve understanding of coastal hazards, storms, and tsunamis that affect
Alaska’s population, ecosystems and coast to improve weather forecast and
warning accuracy; and 3) Climate Change and Variability
– Foster climate research targeted at societal needs and advance Arctic
climate research to improve predictive capacity of climate variations affecting
coastal regions and ecosystems.
CIFAR's research activities assist NOAA in four of its Mission Goals: (1)
Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through
an ecosystem approach to management; 2) Understand climate variability and
change to enhance society's ability to plan and respond; (3) Serve society's
needs for weather and water information; and (4) Support the Nation's commerce
with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation.
