Southeast Alaska
Why the Tongass is Vital to Alaska’s Wildlife
The Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska is the world’s largest intact coastal temperate rainforest, covering 16.7 million acres. It is also the largest U.S. National Forest, and has been continually inhabited by Alaska Natives for over 10,000 years. The forest is the traditional homeland of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, and the name Tongass is a transliteration of Taant'a Ḵwáan, a territory of the Tlingit people that includes Kichx̱áan, also known as Ketchikan.
The region is renowned for its old-growth trees (some over 800 years old!), abundant brown bears, massive salmon runs, and the highest concentration of bald eagles on earth.
Key Facts About the Tongass
Home to 70 percent of the wildlife species found in Alaska, and 40 percent of the bird species.
Drained by over 19,000 miles of streams and rivers, many sustaining immense populations of salmon.
Stores about 20 percent of all carbon sequestered in the entire national forest system.
Wildlife of the Tongass
Alexander Archipelago WOlves
Marbeled Murrelet
Threats and Concerns
The Tongass is home to some of the richest wildlife habitats in North America, but many of the species that depend on the rainforest are \vulnerable to environmental change and human activity. Old-growth logging removes the large trees, dense canopy, and forest floor habitat that animals rely on for shelter, nesting, and food. Species such as the Alexander Archipelago wolf, Sitka black-tailed deer, northern goshawk, and the marbled murrelet are especially affected when forests become fragmented by roads and clear-cut areas.
Declining salmon populations also have widespread consequences throughout the ecosystem. Salmon are a vital food source for bears, bald eagles, otters, and countless other species. When warming waters, habitat destruction, or pollution reduce salmon runs, the effects ripple across the entire food web. Even the forest itself is impacted, as salmon carry marine nutrients inland that help nourish plants and trees.
Climate change is further disrupting wildlife behavior and survival patterns. Warmer winters and changing seasonal cycles can alter migration, breeding, and feeding habits. Melting glaciers and changing rainfall patterns threaten freshwater habitats that many fish and amphibians depend on. Coastal species are also increasingly vulnerable to ocean warming and acidification, which can affect shellfish and marine food sources.
As industrial development and climate pressures continue to grow, conservation efforts are becoming increasingly important to protect the fragile balance between the Tongass rainforest and the wildlife that depend on it for survival.
Our Work in the Tongass
Bill Sherwonit’s piece on 2019/2020 Prince of Wales wolf overharvest