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Alaska Science Center

The mission of the Alaska Science Center is to provide objective and timely data, information, and research findings about the earth and its flora and fauna to Federal, State, and local resource managers and the public to support sound decisions regarding natural resources, natural hazards, and ecosystems in Alaska and circumpolar regions. We have offices in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks. 

News

Sixty-seven years and still digging! A brief history of the USGS Benchmark Glacier Project

Sixty-seven years and still digging! A brief history of the USGS Benchmark Glacier Project

Alaska Science Center Newsletter – 2024 Yearly Review

Alaska Science Center Newsletter – 2024 Yearly Review

USGS invests $3.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to map critical minerals across Alaska

USGS invests $3.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to map critical minerals across Alaska

Publications

Evaluating effects of tracking device attachment methods on Black Oystercatchers Haematopus bachmani

Advances in tracking technology are greatly improving our understanding of many aspects of avian ecology. However, the diversity of tracking devices and attachment methods necessitates better evaluation of how they affect particular taxa. We evaluated effects of tracking devices mounted on leg bands or attached using leg-loop harnesses on resighting rates of Black Oystercatchers...
Authors
Cole Rankin, Lena Ware, Brian H. Robinson, Daniel Esler, Heather Coletti, Mark Maftei, J. Mark Hipfner, David Green

Photogrammetry-based body condition for monitoring an Arctic marine mammal experiencing habitat loss

Monitoring animal body condition can provide insight on population responses to environmental change. Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) are experiencing loss of their sea ice habitat which has decreased the time that females spend foraging during a critical period of pregnancy and lactation. Here we investigate the potential for body condition to track demographic change and...
Authors
Karyn D. Rode, Anthony S. Fischbach, Mitzi Synnott, John Stewart, Nick Northcraft, Erika Allen, Kelly Trotto, Catherine Vancsok, Nicolas Issenjou, Sheriden Ploof, Stephanie Rager, Stacy DiRocco, Staci Owens, Adriane Prahl

A benchmark for computational analysis of animal behavior, using animal-borne tags

BackgroundAnimal-borne sensors (‘bio-loggers’) can record a suite of kinematic and environmental data, which are used to elucidate animal ecophysiology and improve conservation efforts. Machine learning techniques are used for interpreting the large amounts of data recorded by bio-loggers, but there exists no common framework for comparing the different machine learning techniques in...
Authors
Benjamin Hoffmann, Maddie Cusimano, Vittorio Baglione, Daniela Canestrari, Damien Chevallier, Dominic L. DeSantis, Lorene Jeantet, Monique Ladds, Takuya Maekawa, Mata-Silva Vicente, Victor Moreno-González, Anthony M. Pagano, Eva Trapote, Outi Vainio, Antti Vehkaoja, Ken Yoda, Katherine Zacarian, Ari Friedlaender

Science

Avian Influenza Research

Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These...
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Avian Influenza Research

Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These...
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Q&A: Marine Ecosystems Research at the USGS Alaska Science Center

The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader and collaborator in marine ecosystems research on topics ranging from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small pelagic forage fish (food for Pacific walrus, sea otters, and marine birds) to polar bears (an apex predator in the Arctic). Here, we highlight current research by the USGS Alaska Science Center that focuses on marine ecosystems of Alaska.
link

Q&A: Marine Ecosystems Research at the USGS Alaska Science Center

The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader and collaborator in marine ecosystems research on topics ranging from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small pelagic forage fish (food for Pacific walrus, sea otters, and marine birds) to polar bears (an apex predator in the Arctic). Here, we highlight current research by the USGS Alaska Science Center that focuses on marine ecosystems of Alaska.
Learn More

Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings In-Depth

Descriptions of the full Weekly Findings and links to more information.
link

Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings In-Depth

Descriptions of the full Weekly Findings and links to more information.
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