Images

USGS uses small uncrewed aerial systems, also known as drones for science, to survey walrus herds and carcasses on remote Alaskan beaches. The USGS visual observer, Christina Ahlstrom, keeps her eyes on the survey drone while the remote pilot prepares it to survey the walrus herd that is visible in the distance behind her on the beach. 

Aerial survey drone prepared for flight positioned on the beach near walrus calf carcasses. When sea ice retreats from large regions of the Chukchi Sea large herds of female and young walruses come to shore to rest.

Sign along a wall adjacent to a parking lot in downtown Anchorage warn motorists and passersby about the hazard presented by unreinforced masonry walls. 

USGS is flying drones for science, small uncrewed areal systems (sUAS), to surveys walruses when they rest on shore. The sUAS makes minimal sound due it is broad wing and is flown high above the walrus herds to enables survey data collection with minimal risk to walruses.

Two adult walrus carcasses on the beach observed during the summer after a large group of walruses had rested on shore.  USGS is collaborating with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management to screen walruses for wildlife diseases and algal toxins.  The University of Alaska Fairbanks is collaborating with USGS to validate drone survey metho

Orcas (Orcinus orca) of the AD8 pod search for schools of salmon in Amalik Bay. Orca populations have declined significantly since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. By collecting photos of saddle patches and dorsal fin notches, scientists are able to identify unique individual whales.

Male orca (Orcinus orca) AD37 "Brit" of pod AD8, swims next to a scientific research skiff in Amalik Bay. Orca populations have declined significantly since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. By collecting photos of saddle patches and dorsal fin notches, scientists are able to identify unique individual whales.

Male orca (Orcinus orca) AD37 "Brit" of pod AD8, swims in front of a scientific research skiff in Amalik Bay. Orca populations have declined significantly since the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. By collecting photos of saddle patches and dorsal fin notches, scientists are able to identify unique individual whales.

A cluster of mussels (Mytilus spp.) and barnacles at one of five rocky intertidal sampling sites in Katmai National Park and Preserve. An annual assessment of mussel size and density allows scientists to quantify change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

A cluster of fucus (Fucus distichus) mussels (Mytilus spp.) and barnacles at one of five rocky intertidal sampling sites in Katmai National Park and Preserve. An annual assessment of estimate percent cover and densities of intertidal invertebrates and algae is used to quantitatively assess change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

A USGS scientist collects information on intertidal communities during low tide at Takli Island. The purpose of the collection is to estimate percent cover and densities of intertidal invertebrates and algae to assess change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

A bright red Pacific blood star (Henricia leviuscula) rests among the algae, barnacles, and limpets at low tide in Kalfia Bay. Beginning in 2014, a marine heat wave prompted the spread of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome throughout the Gulf of Alaska region.

A typical rocky intertidal monitoring site within Katmai National Park and Preserve. An annual assessment of estimate percent cover and densities of intertidal invertebrates and algae is used to quantitatively assess change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

A mottled sea star (Evasterias troschelii) rests among the algae, barnacles, and limpets at low tide in Kalfia Bay. Beginning in 2014, a marine heat wave prompted the spread of Sea Star Wasting Syndrome throughout the Gulf of Alaska region. The symptoms of the syndrome included twisted arms, white lesions, deflated arms, arm loss, and body disintegration.

A pair of Black Katy Chiton (Katharina tunicate) at one of five rocky intertidal sampling sites in Katmai National Park and Preserve. An annual assessment of chiton density allows scientists to quantify change in communities from sheltered rocky shorelines.

Katmai National Park and Preserve supports a large population of Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). In summer, eagles are commonly observed scavenging on fish carcasses along beaches and streams.

Katmai National Park and Preserve is home to over 2,200 brown bears (Ursus arctos). Bears that live along the Katmai coast are known to swim several miles across the ocean in search of marine mammal carcasses, marine invertebrates, and beach grasses. 

A Black-footed Albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) carcass lies on the beach of Hallo Bay. Since the massive die-off of Common Murres in the Gulf of Alaska during 2015-2016, coastal communities across Alaska have annually reported dead and dying seabirds on their beaches.

A crew of scientists walk the rocky beaches of Nukshak Island in Katmai National Park and Preserve looking for sea otter carcasses and skulls.

This is a community flyer for distribution in Point Lay, Alaska, to alert community members of USGS activities in the area. A collaborative team of USGS, the North Slope Borough, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Point Lay residents will assist in surveys of walrus carcasses at a remote coastal haulout that has been used by hundreds of thousands of walruses e

Katmai National Park and Preserve is home to over 2,200 brown bears (Ursus arctos). Brown bears are omnivores that frequently "graze" in meadows along the Katmai coast until the salmon runs start in late July.