Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color Changes
Rapid lake growth due to glacier retreat in Alaska
Geochemical Data Portal of the United States and Territories
Q&A: USGS Ecosystems Provides Objective Science to Manage Lands, Fish, and Wildlife
Alaska Critical Mineral Resource Assessments
Alaska has potential for a wide range of critical minerals including, but not limited to, graphite, lithium, tin, tungsten, rare earth elements, and platinum-group elements.
Alaska has potential for a wide range of critical minerals including, but not limited to, graphite, lithium, tin, tungsten, rare earth elements, and platinum-group elements.
Alaska Science Center
The mission of the Alaska Science Center (ASC) 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.
Science Spotlight
Science Spotlight
Glaciers and Landscape Change
The USGS Benchmark Glacier Project is aimed at solving complex scientific problems in snow and ice across North America to promote enhanced monitoring, analysis, and prediction of mountain glacier change.
News
Alaska Science Center Newsletter - 2025 Yearly Review
Alaska Science Center Newsletter - 2025 Yearly Review
DOI scientists engage with Southeast Alaska Indigenous Guardians to discuss local sea otter ecology and economics
DOI scientists engage with Southeast Alaska Indigenous Guardians to discuss local sea otter ecology and economics
Ozette Lake: A natural seismograph along the northern Cascadia Subduction Zone (Video)
Ozette Lake: A natural seismograph along the northern Cascadia Subduction Zone (Video)
Publications
The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation The collective application of shorebird tracking data to conservation
Addressing urgent conservation issues, such as the drastic declines of North American migratory birds, requires creative, evidence-based, efficient, and collaborative approaches. The abundance of over 50% of monitored North American shorebird populations has declined by over 50% since 1980. To address these declines, we developed a partnership of scientists and practitioners called the...
Intertidal community responses to perturbations along Alaska park coastlines Intertidal community responses to perturbations along Alaska park coastlines
Nearshore ecosystems are highly productive zones with strong connections to both terrestrial and open ocean ecosystems. The rocky intertidal is a highly dynamic ecosystem and changes over a variety of spatial and temporal scales depending on the factors contributing to the change. Here we summarize how nearshore communities and species responded to several perturbations to intertidal...
Investigating the role of lake environments and food chains on the transfer of mercury to lake trout Investigating the role of lake environments and food chains on the transfer of mercury to lake trout
Mercury contamination can pose threats to fish, wildlife, and people. Methylmercury, found in fish, can be particularly detrimental, especially to children. This study explores the sources and concentrations of mercury and proposes how people can become aware and limit their exposure.
Science
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work with the Alaska Landbird Monitoring Survey (ALMS), Beak Deformities in Landbirds, and Boreal Partners in Flight (BPIF).
Shorebird Research
With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds...
