WAS 
Keology of Tundra Invertebrates 
at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska 
STEPHEN F. MacLEAN, JR. 
Department of Biological Sciences 
and Institute of Arctic Biology 
University of Alaska 
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 
Introduction 
Research on tundra invertebrates at Barrow 
has emphasized three main points: (1) the abun- 
dance and biomass of invertebrates in various 
tundra habitats; (2) adaptations of invertebrates 
to tundra conditions, and (3) their functional 
role in the tundra ecosystem. The tundra at 
Prudhoe Bay, while structurally similar to that 
of Barrow in a number of ways, offers milder 
summer conditions and a wider variety of 
habitats than is found at Barrow. Thus, research 
was planned to extend the observations made at 
Barrow and to determine the similarity in taxo- 
nomic structure, abundance, and function of the 
invertebrate community at the two sites. Obser- 
vations were made in two seasons, 1971 and 
1972. 
Study Areas 
Five study plots were selected for intensive 
study in 1971 in the Prudhoe Bay area. The 
plots were chosen to provide at least visually 
homogeneous stands of major topographic- 
vegetation features of the region. Two study 
plots (Nos. 4 and 5) were on the drained lake 
basin that was intensively sampled for primary 
production data. The remaining three plots were 
on the elevated bench west of the lake basin. 
Plot 1: Dryas integrifolia dry heath 
Plot 2: Carex aquatilis wet swale 
Plot 3: Dryas integrifolia and graminiform 
mesic heath 
Plot 4: Drained lake basin 
Plot 5: Drained lake basin 
Vegetational features of this area are reported in 
greater detail by Webber and Walker (this vol- 
ume). 
The above study plots were again sampled in 
1972. In addition, two new plots were establish- 
ed north of drilling pad F. They were selected to 
avoid any possible influence of human activity 
and were located on avian study plot C (Norton 
et al., this volume). 
Plot 6: Carex aquatilis wet meadow 
Plot 7: Dryas integrifolia and graminiform 
mesic heath. 
Methods 
1. Species Diversity. An extensive collec- 
tion of insects was made in 1971 in an effort to 
sample all habitats in the Prudhoe Bay area. 
Identification of specimens by authorities on the 
various taxonomic groups ts still in progress, and 
only partial results can be presented at this time. 
