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Polar Bears

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The long-term persistence of polar bears is linked to the health of the Arctic marine ecosystem, particularly the availability of sea ice habitat. The USGS polar bear research program addresses changes in sea ice and other factors that may influence the long-term persistence of polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea of northern Alaska and across the circumpolar Arctic.

Nearshore Marine Ecosystems

Nearshore systems are the habitats in which most people interact with marine environments, and they have high economic, recreational, and ecological values. Nearshore ecosystems include eelgrass and seaweeds, benthic invertebrate and fish, and a unique group of top predators, including sea otters. USGS research addresses natural and human-induced changes to this ecosystem and all its components.

Walruses

The Pacific walrus is a species of conservation concern and cultural significance for Alaska and Chukotka Native People. It ranges across continental shelf waters of the Chukchi and Bering seas, and forages on the seafloor for a wide range of invertebrates (primarily clams and marine worms) and even some vertebrates. The goal of USGS Pacific walrus research is determine the consequences of changes to the continental shelf ecosystem in the Bering and Chukchi sea for the Pacific walrus population. 

Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology

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Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds of more than 90 different species. All of these birds depend on the sea to provide a wide variety of food types including krill, forage fish, and squid. Seabird populations are also affected by human activities that have direct impacts (pollution, bycatch in fishing gear) and indirect effects (global warming alters food availability) on birds. USGS research is quantifying how variability in marine environments regulates seabird food supplies, seabird foraging success and population dynamics. 

Habitat Dynamics

Each year the Arctic landscape transitions from a dark and frigid winter to a highly productive summer. Wildlife species synchronize their migrations and reproductive cycles to capitalize on the flourishing habitat conditions that accompany long summer days. However, natural weather variability as well as climate warming can influence the availability and quality of habitats during key stages of migration and reproduction. USGS research uses satellite imagery and weather data to quantify the dynamics of habitat conditions across the Arctic and help improve our understanding of how weather and seasonality can affect wildlife movements and population fluctuations.

Ecosystems Analytics

The Ecosystems Analytics group uses novel and cutting edge statistical, mapping, and graphical methods to conduct research on a variety of taxa. Our overarching goal is to help inform wildlife and land management decisions through assisting partners with designing monitoring programs, analyzing existing data, and developing new research projects. Our focus often involves modeling wildlife population dynamics through space and time and predicting how populations may respond to ecological and anthropogenic changes in the future.

Arctic

The Arctic ecosystem is rapidly changing and numerous wildlife species and their habitats are responding to these changes.  USGS research quantifies the responses (positive, negative, and stable) of wildlife species and their habitats to ecosystem change in the Arctic and makes information on these responses available to inform management decisions related to development of oil and gas resources, sport and subsistence harvest, and population trends of northern latitude wildlife populations.

Eelgrass

Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.