Telecoupling

Understanding Global Connections

Telecoupling research explores the novel and faster ways of connecting the whole planet — from big events like global climate change and natural disasters to daily occurrences like tourism, trade, migration, pollution spread, flows of information and financial capital, and invasion of animal and plant species. 

Bow of a ship on an icy ocean, creating a path through the ice. The sky is partially cloudy and blue, while the ocean is dark blue.

Community Vessel Traffic Summaries

We collect data on vessel traffic around Alaska, including the number and types of vessels traveling near participating communities. Each community summary includes an animation of vessel traffic, annual counts of unique vessels, and vessel counts by type.

Supporting Resources

Vessel Monitoring Factsheet

Learn how vessel traffic is monitored and how to interpret the information presented in the community summaries.

View the Factsheet

Vessel Traffic Hotspot Analysis

Explore Bella Block’s poster examining vessel traffic hotspots within IMO “Areas to be Avoided” in the Bering Sea and Bering Strait. AMSS 2024

View the Poster

Managing Increased Rates of Vessel Traffic in the Bering Strait

Explore vessel traffic patterns in the Bering Strait, how “Areas to Be Avoided” influence vessel behavior, and local perspectives on shipping and subsistence. ICASS 2024.

View the Presentation

Publications

  • Remer M.F., Block I.R., Perry E., Schmidt, J.I., Liu J. (2026) Alaska Visitors’ Knowledge about Invasive Species in a Warming Arctic. Biological Invasion. 28: 117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-026-03801-x

  • Block I.R., Remer M.F., Kapsar K.E., Schmidt J.I. (2025) Analysis on the effectiveness of International Maritime Organization’s ‘Areas to be Avoided’ policy on vessel traffic in the Bering Strait (2015–2022). Marine Policy 181, 106849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110797

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