Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings In-Depth Active
Descriptions of the full Weekly Findings and links to more information.
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Describing Critical Water Sources for Arctic River Ecosystems
Aufeis is a critical source of water in northern Alaska, and its presence may help us better understand subsurface hydrology in a region with few wells. A new study on what controls the formation of aufeis in northern Alaska can help predict where this ice may occur and the size of aufeis as the Arctic warms. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15106. Learn More>>
Contact: Josh Koch, Research Hydrologist
Geese Migrating over the northeast Pacific often Fly at the Height of Wind-turbine Blades
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is interested in predicting collision risks with possible future offshore windfarms along the Pacific coast of North America. A new study determines how environmental conditions, such as wind and precipitation, affect the selection by birds for certain altitudes above the water. The study found that migrating geese frequently fly at the same height as wind-turbine rotor blades and the results could guide management of wind turbines to minimize collisions with migrating waterfowl. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14612. Learn More>>
Contact: Emily Weisser, Wildlife Biologist
Determining the Importance of Post-den Emergence Behavior of Polar Bears
A new study examined the duration of the post-den emergence period in polar bears and its potential importance in affecting cub survival. The study found that cub survival was higher when females and cubs had a longer period of time near the den after first emerging. This suggests that access to the den site during that period of first emergence may be important for new polar bear cubs. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae010. Learn More>>
Contact: Karyn Rode, Research Wildlife Biologist
Environmental data can determine changes in a polar bear population when direct data collection is not feasible
The USGS Alaska Science Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently used environmental and ecological data to estimate indicators of polar bear population health in the Chukchi Sea region of Alaska during 2018-2022, when direct observations of polar bears was not possible because of poor sea ice conditions. Estimates for indicators, such as body condition and recruitment, remained largely stable and within the range of values observed earlier (2008-2017). This study provides a template for using environmental and ecological data to assess potential changes in polar bear populations during times when direct data collection is not feasible. The report is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111638. Learn More>>
Contact: Karyn Rode, Research Wildlife Biologist
Environmental changes that fueled sea star declines along the Pacific coast
The USGS Alaska Science Center, NOAA, and colleagues from several universities recently examined the effects of the wasting epidemic on sea star populations across the eastern Pacific (from Alaska to Mexico) over the last decade. Out of 65 sea star species examined, about 12 species were clearly impacted by sea star wasting. Elevated sea surface temperature, low wave exposure and freshwater discharge were associated with the sea star wasting outbreak. This determination of which factors drive sea star wasting could help with predicting future outbreak areas. Understanding the level of baseline prevalence of wasting may assist monitoring programs in detecting the start of new outbreaks. The report is available at https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/727969. Learn More>>
Contact: Sarah Traiger, Biologist
eDNA Applications for Salmon Research and Monitoring
The development and application of molecular tools to detect and quantify environmental DNA - or eDNA - has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of aquatic ecosystems. In a new synthesis report, authors from the USGS Alaska Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Alaska Fairbanks summarize previous use of eDNA for describing the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon. The authors summarize prior work in the context of advances, opportunities, and challenges to help fishery managers determine suitable roles for eDNA analyses in their decision-making processes. The report is available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.11038. Learn More>>
Contact: Andrew Ramey, Research Wildlife Geneticist
Rapid Population Decline in McKay’s Bunting
The McKay’s Bunting is Alaska’s only endemic landbird, breeds solely on two remote islands (St. Matthew and Hall islands) in the central Bering Sea, and is designated as a species of high conservation concern due to its small population size and restricted range. A new report by USGS Alaska Science Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Images Unlimited, describes a 38% decline (average 3% decline per year) in the McKay’s Bunting population between 2003 and 2018. The findings highlight the species’ current status relative to international standards for vulnerable species designation. The report is available here: https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad064. Learn More>>
Contact: Rachel Richardson, Wildlife Biologist
Descriptions of the full Weekly Findings and links to more information.
Return to Weekly Findings
Describing Critical Water Sources for Arctic River Ecosystems
Aufeis is a critical source of water in northern Alaska, and its presence may help us better understand subsurface hydrology in a region with few wells. A new study on what controls the formation of aufeis in northern Alaska can help predict where this ice may occur and the size of aufeis as the Arctic warms. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15106. Learn More>>
Contact: Josh Koch, Research Hydrologist
Geese Migrating over the northeast Pacific often Fly at the Height of Wind-turbine Blades
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is interested in predicting collision risks with possible future offshore windfarms along the Pacific coast of North America. A new study determines how environmental conditions, such as wind and precipitation, affect the selection by birds for certain altitudes above the water. The study found that migrating geese frequently fly at the same height as wind-turbine rotor blades and the results could guide management of wind turbines to minimize collisions with migrating waterfowl. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14612. Learn More>>
Contact: Emily Weisser, Wildlife Biologist
Determining the Importance of Post-den Emergence Behavior of Polar Bears
A new study examined the duration of the post-den emergence period in polar bears and its potential importance in affecting cub survival. The study found that cub survival was higher when females and cubs had a longer period of time near the den after first emerging. This suggests that access to the den site during that period of first emergence may be important for new polar bear cubs. The paper is available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae010. Learn More>>
Contact: Karyn Rode, Research Wildlife Biologist
Environmental data can determine changes in a polar bear population when direct data collection is not feasible
The USGS Alaska Science Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently used environmental and ecological data to estimate indicators of polar bear population health in the Chukchi Sea region of Alaska during 2018-2022, when direct observations of polar bears was not possible because of poor sea ice conditions. Estimates for indicators, such as body condition and recruitment, remained largely stable and within the range of values observed earlier (2008-2017). This study provides a template for using environmental and ecological data to assess potential changes in polar bear populations during times when direct data collection is not feasible. The report is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111638. Learn More>>
Contact: Karyn Rode, Research Wildlife Biologist
Environmental changes that fueled sea star declines along the Pacific coast
The USGS Alaska Science Center, NOAA, and colleagues from several universities recently examined the effects of the wasting epidemic on sea star populations across the eastern Pacific (from Alaska to Mexico) over the last decade. Out of 65 sea star species examined, about 12 species were clearly impacted by sea star wasting. Elevated sea surface temperature, low wave exposure and freshwater discharge were associated with the sea star wasting outbreak. This determination of which factors drive sea star wasting could help with predicting future outbreak areas. Understanding the level of baseline prevalence of wasting may assist monitoring programs in detecting the start of new outbreaks. The report is available at https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/727969. Learn More>>
Contact: Sarah Traiger, Biologist
eDNA Applications for Salmon Research and Monitoring
The development and application of molecular tools to detect and quantify environmental DNA - or eDNA - has the potential to greatly improve our understanding of aquatic ecosystems. In a new synthesis report, authors from the USGS Alaska Science Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and University of Alaska Fairbanks summarize previous use of eDNA for describing the distribution, abundance, and health of Atlantic and Pacific salmon. The authors summarize prior work in the context of advances, opportunities, and challenges to help fishery managers determine suitable roles for eDNA analyses in their decision-making processes. The report is available here: https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.11038. Learn More>>
Contact: Andrew Ramey, Research Wildlife Geneticist
Rapid Population Decline in McKay’s Bunting
The McKay’s Bunting is Alaska’s only endemic landbird, breeds solely on two remote islands (St. Matthew and Hall islands) in the central Bering Sea, and is designated as a species of high conservation concern due to its small population size and restricted range. A new report by USGS Alaska Science Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Alaska Anchorage, and Images Unlimited, describes a 38% decline (average 3% decline per year) in the McKay’s Bunting population between 2003 and 2018. The findings highlight the species’ current status relative to international standards for vulnerable species designation. The report is available here: https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithapp/duad064. Learn More>>
Contact: Rachel Richardson, Wildlife Biologist