Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
Return to Ecosystems
The USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative:
This initiative has been a primary way for the USGS Alaska Science Center to conduct research and collaborations in the Arctic portions of Alaska. The objectives of this initiative are as follows:
- Quantify the responses of wildlife species and their habitats to ecosystem change in the Arctic,
- Provide projections of likely future wildlife and habitat responses, and
- Make information publicly available to inform land and species management decisions and Alaska Native subsistence and co-management council actions.
Research Conducted Through the Initiative:
The USGS conducts natural hazard and resource assessments of the Earth’s ecosystems and the response of those ecosystems to environmental change, human activities, and land use. Information on recent USGS assessments in the Arctic can be found on the USGS Arctic Ecosystems Assessments Factsheet and on this page.
USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems initiative research and collaborations for 2025 – 2027 will focus on the following topics:
- Arctic Water Ecosystems (Rusting of Arctic Rivers, heat stress in salmon, and permafrost)
- New Capacities for Arctic Mammal Research (caribou, polar bears, walrus, and sea otters)
- Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Arctic Birds
Past efforts of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative have provided significant understanding and collaborations on the following topics. See the Science, Publications and Data tabs above for more information on these topics.
- Hydrology
- Wildlife Species of Management Concern
- Minimizing the Effects of Artic Energy Development on Wildlife
- Biosurveillance of Wildlife Pathogens in the Arctic
- Algal Toxins in the Arctic
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers
Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska
Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Walrus Research
Walrus Research
Working with management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners
Working with management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Resources that have ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value
Resources that have ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 7
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 43
No Result Found
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 76
Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned? Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned?
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are experiencing rapid and substantial changes to their environment due to global climate change. Polar bears of the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) have historically spent most of the year on the sea ice. However, recent reports from Alaska indicate that the proportion of the SB subpopulation observed on-shore during late summer and early fall has increased. Our...
Authors
K. Lillie, E. Gese, Todd Atwood, Sarah Sonsthagen
Comparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic Comparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic
Identifying factors influencing nest survival among sympatric species is important for understanding and managing sources of variation in population dynamics of individual species. Three species of loons nest sympatrically in northern Alaska and differ in body size, life history characteristics, and population trends. We tested the effects of competition, nest site selection, and water...
Authors
Brian Uher-Koch, Joshua Koch, Kenneth Wright, Joel Schmutz
Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments
Generalist feeding strategies are favoured in stressful or variable environments where flexibility in ecological traits is beneficial. Species that feed across multiple habitat types and trophic levels may impart stability on food webs through the use of readily available, alternative energy pools. In lakes, generalist fish species may take advantage of spatially and temporally variable...
Authors
Sarah Laske, Amanda Rosenberger, Mark Wipfli, Christian Zimmerman
A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in Alaska use the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for maternal denning. Pregnant bears den in snow banks for more than 3 months in winter during which they give birth to and nurture young. Denning is one of the most vulnerable times in polar bear life history as the family group cannot simply walk away from a disturbance without jeopardizing survival...
Authors
George Durner, Todd Atwood
Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17 Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17
We summarize recent (2002–17) publicly available information from studies within the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as terrestrial and coastal ecosystems elsewhere on the Arctic Coastal Plain that are relevant to the 1002 Area. This report provides an update on earlier research summaries on caribou (Rangifer tarandus), forage quality and quantity, polar bears...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Todd Atwood, David Douglas, Layne G. Adams, Heather Johnson, Stephen Arthur, Christopher Latty
Nutrient dynamics in partially drained arctic thaw lakes Nutrient dynamics in partially drained arctic thaw lakes
Thaw lakes are ubiquitous on arctic coastal plains (ACPs). While many thaw lakes have steep banks, stable water levels, and static surface areas, others only partially fill their basins and vary in area over the summer. These partially drained lakes (PDLs) are hydrologically connected to the wetlands immediately surrounding them. Heat and nutrient availability limit aquatic productivity...
Authors
Joshua Koch, Tom Fondell, Joel Schmutz, Sarah Laske
Environmental and ecological conditions at Arctic breeding sites have limited effects on true survival rates of adult shorebirds Environmental and ecological conditions at Arctic breeding sites have limited effects on true survival rates of adult shorebirds
Many Arctic shorebird populations are declining, and quantifying adult survival and the effects of anthropogenic factors is a crucial step toward a better understanding of population dynamics. We used a recently developed, spatially explicit Cormack–Jolly–Seber model in a Bayesian framework to obtain broad-scale estimates of true annual survival rates for 6 species of shorebirds at 9...
Authors
Emily L. Weiser, Richard Lanctot, Stephen Brown, H. River Gates, Rebecca L. Bentzen, Joel Bety, Megan Boldenow, Willow English, Samantha E. Franks, Laura Koloski, Eunbi Kwon, Jean-Francois Lamarre, David Lank, Joseph Liebezeit, Laura McKinnon, Erica Nol, Jennie Rausch, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Nathan Senner, David Ward, Paul F. Wood, Brett Sandercock
Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic
The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is a candidate to be listed as an endangered species under United States law, in part, because of climate change‐related concerns. While the population was known to be declining in the 1980s and 1990s, its recent status has not been determined. We developed Bayesian models of walrus population dynamics to assess the population by...
Authors
Rebecca Taylor, Mark Udevitz, Chadwick Jay, John Citta, Lori Quakenbush, Patrick Lemons, Jonathan Snyder
Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses
The accelerating rate of anthropogenic alteration and disturbance of environments has increased the need for forecasting effects of environmental change on fish and wildlife populations. Models linking projections of environmental change with behavioral responses and bioenergetic effects can provide a basis for these forecasts. There is particular interest in forecasting effects of...
Authors
Mark Udevitz, Chadwick Jay, Rebecca Taylor, Anthony S. Fischbach, William Beatty, Shawn Noren
Effects of industrial and investigator disturbance on Arctic-nesting geese Effects of industrial and investigator disturbance on Arctic-nesting geese
Oil and gas development on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, USA may have effects on Arctic-nesting birds. To estimate effects of industrial activity and investigator disturbance on avian productivity, we monitored nests of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) with digital cameras and periodic nest visits during 2013–2014 at 2 sites on the ACP. A disturbed site was...
Authors
Brandt Meixell, Paul Flint
Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears
We evaluated total mercury (THg) concentrations and trends in polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation from 2004 to 2011. Hair THg concentrations ranged widely among individuals from 0.6 to 13.3 μg g–1 dry weight (mean: 3.5 ± 0.2 μg g–1). Concentrations differed among sex and age classes: solitary adult females ≈ adult females with cubs ≈ subadults > adult males ≈...
Authors
Melissa McKinney, Todd Atwood, Sara Pedro, Elizabeth Peacock
Growth of black brant and lesser snow goose goslings in northern Alaska Growth of black brant and lesser snow goose goslings in northern Alaska
Gosling body mass can affect first year survival, recruitment, adult body size, and future fecundity of geese, and can serve as an indicator of forage availability and quality on brood-rearing areas. From 2012–2014 we measured body mass of 76 black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) and 268 lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) goslings of known age on the Colville River...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, David Ward, Kyle Hogrefe, James Sedinger, Philip Martin, Alice Stickney, Tim Obritschkewitsch
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
Return to Ecosystems
The USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative:
This initiative has been a primary way for the USGS Alaska Science Center to conduct research and collaborations in the Arctic portions of Alaska. The objectives of this initiative are as follows:
- Quantify the responses of wildlife species and their habitats to ecosystem change in the Arctic,
- Provide projections of likely future wildlife and habitat responses, and
- Make information publicly available to inform land and species management decisions and Alaska Native subsistence and co-management council actions.
Research Conducted Through the Initiative:
The USGS conducts natural hazard and resource assessments of the Earth’s ecosystems and the response of those ecosystems to environmental change, human activities, and land use. Information on recent USGS assessments in the Arctic can be found on the USGS Arctic Ecosystems Assessments Factsheet and on this page.
USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems initiative research and collaborations for 2025 – 2027 will focus on the following topics:
- Arctic Water Ecosystems (Rusting of Arctic Rivers, heat stress in salmon, and permafrost)
- New Capacities for Arctic Mammal Research (caribou, polar bears, walrus, and sea otters)
- Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Arctic Birds
Past efforts of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative have provided significant understanding and collaborations on the following topics. See the Science, Publications and Data tabs above for more information on these topics.
- Hydrology
- Wildlife Species of Management Concern
- Minimizing the Effects of Artic Energy Development on Wildlife
- Biosurveillance of Wildlife Pathogens in the Arctic
- Algal Toxins in the Arctic
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers
The Rusting of Arctic Rivers
Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska
Orange streams are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Walrus Research
Walrus Research
Working with management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners
Working with management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research
Resources that have ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value
Resources that have ecological, recreational, subsistence, and economic value
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 7
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 43
No Result Found
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 76
Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned? Development of on-shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: Inherited or learned?
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are experiencing rapid and substantial changes to their environment due to global climate change. Polar bears of the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) have historically spent most of the year on the sea ice. However, recent reports from Alaska indicate that the proportion of the SB subpopulation observed on-shore during late summer and early fall has increased. Our...
Authors
K. Lillie, E. Gese, Todd Atwood, Sarah Sonsthagen
Comparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic Comparative nest survival of three sympatric loon species breeding in the Arctic
Identifying factors influencing nest survival among sympatric species is important for understanding and managing sources of variation in population dynamics of individual species. Three species of loons nest sympatrically in northern Alaska and differ in body size, life history characteristics, and population trends. We tested the effects of competition, nest site selection, and water...
Authors
Brian Uher-Koch, Joshua Koch, Kenneth Wright, Joel Schmutz
Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments
Generalist feeding strategies are favoured in stressful or variable environments where flexibility in ecological traits is beneficial. Species that feed across multiple habitat types and trophic levels may impart stability on food webs through the use of readily available, alternative energy pools. In lakes, generalist fish species may take advantage of spatially and temporally variable...
Authors
Sarah Laske, Amanda Rosenberger, Mark Wipfli, Christian Zimmerman
A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska A comparison of photograph-interpreted and IfSAR-derived maps of polar bear denning habitat for the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in Alaska use the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for maternal denning. Pregnant bears den in snow banks for more than 3 months in winter during which they give birth to and nurture young. Denning is one of the most vulnerable times in polar bear life history as the family group cannot simply walk away from a disturbance without jeopardizing survival...
Authors
George Durner, Todd Atwood
Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17 Summary of wildlife-related research on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2002–17
We summarize recent (2002–17) publicly available information from studies within the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as terrestrial and coastal ecosystems elsewhere on the Arctic Coastal Plain that are relevant to the 1002 Area. This report provides an update on earlier research summaries on caribou (Rangifer tarandus), forage quality and quantity, polar bears...
Authors
John Pearce, Paul Flint, Todd Atwood, David Douglas, Layne G. Adams, Heather Johnson, Stephen Arthur, Christopher Latty
Nutrient dynamics in partially drained arctic thaw lakes Nutrient dynamics in partially drained arctic thaw lakes
Thaw lakes are ubiquitous on arctic coastal plains (ACPs). While many thaw lakes have steep banks, stable water levels, and static surface areas, others only partially fill their basins and vary in area over the summer. These partially drained lakes (PDLs) are hydrologically connected to the wetlands immediately surrounding them. Heat and nutrient availability limit aquatic productivity...
Authors
Joshua Koch, Tom Fondell, Joel Schmutz, Sarah Laske
Environmental and ecological conditions at Arctic breeding sites have limited effects on true survival rates of adult shorebirds Environmental and ecological conditions at Arctic breeding sites have limited effects on true survival rates of adult shorebirds
Many Arctic shorebird populations are declining, and quantifying adult survival and the effects of anthropogenic factors is a crucial step toward a better understanding of population dynamics. We used a recently developed, spatially explicit Cormack–Jolly–Seber model in a Bayesian framework to obtain broad-scale estimates of true annual survival rates for 6 species of shorebirds at 9...
Authors
Emily L. Weiser, Richard Lanctot, Stephen Brown, H. River Gates, Rebecca L. Bentzen, Joel Bety, Megan Boldenow, Willow English, Samantha E. Franks, Laura Koloski, Eunbi Kwon, Jean-Francois Lamarre, David Lank, Joseph Liebezeit, Laura McKinnon, Erica Nol, Jennie Rausch, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Nathan Senner, David Ward, Paul F. Wood, Brett Sandercock
Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic
The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is a candidate to be listed as an endangered species under United States law, in part, because of climate change‐related concerns. While the population was known to be declining in the 1980s and 1990s, its recent status has not been determined. We developed Bayesian models of walrus population dynamics to assess the population by...
Authors
Rebecca Taylor, Mark Udevitz, Chadwick Jay, John Citta, Lori Quakenbush, Patrick Lemons, Jonathan Snyder
Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses
The accelerating rate of anthropogenic alteration and disturbance of environments has increased the need for forecasting effects of environmental change on fish and wildlife populations. Models linking projections of environmental change with behavioral responses and bioenergetic effects can provide a basis for these forecasts. There is particular interest in forecasting effects of...
Authors
Mark Udevitz, Chadwick Jay, Rebecca Taylor, Anthony S. Fischbach, William Beatty, Shawn Noren
Effects of industrial and investigator disturbance on Arctic-nesting geese Effects of industrial and investigator disturbance on Arctic-nesting geese
Oil and gas development on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska, USA may have effects on Arctic-nesting birds. To estimate effects of industrial activity and investigator disturbance on avian productivity, we monitored nests of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons) with digital cameras and periodic nest visits during 2013–2014 at 2 sites on the ACP. A disturbed site was...
Authors
Brandt Meixell, Paul Flint
Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears Ecological change drives a decline in mercury concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears
We evaluated total mercury (THg) concentrations and trends in polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation from 2004 to 2011. Hair THg concentrations ranged widely among individuals from 0.6 to 13.3 μg g–1 dry weight (mean: 3.5 ± 0.2 μg g–1). Concentrations differed among sex and age classes: solitary adult females ≈ adult females with cubs ≈ subadults > adult males ≈...
Authors
Melissa McKinney, Todd Atwood, Sara Pedro, Elizabeth Peacock
Growth of black brant and lesser snow goose goslings in northern Alaska Growth of black brant and lesser snow goose goslings in northern Alaska
Gosling body mass can affect first year survival, recruitment, adult body size, and future fecundity of geese, and can serve as an indicator of forage availability and quality on brood-rearing areas. From 2012–2014 we measured body mass of 76 black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) and 268 lesser snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) goslings of known age on the Colville River...
Authors
Jerry Hupp, David Ward, Kyle Hogrefe, James Sedinger, Philip Martin, Alice Stickney, Tim Obritschkewitsch