Alaska is simultaneously a landscape of extremes requiring specialized adaptations by plants and animals to survive the winters and a landscape of abundance that supports breeding birds each summer from as far away as Africa. Terrestrial Alaska also supports iconic species such as caribou and muskoxen whose population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology are researched by USGS scientists. Alaska is also bounded by 3 oceans and has a strong marine connection. USGS scientists conduct research that informs the management and conservation ecosystems that supports species such as sea ducks, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears.
Alaska Research
Polar Bear Research
Walrus Research
Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
USGS Arctic Research
Ecosystems on the Edge: Landscape and Fire Ecology of Forests, Deserts, and Tundra
Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Recovery Studies
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Marine Ecosystems
Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology
Sea Ice - Habitat Dynamics
Broad-scale Research Conducted Across the 1002 Area and the NPR-A of Alaska
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic data is available from the button below.
Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Occurrences Interpreted from Satellite Imagery
Observation Data of Migratory Birds during Spring and Fall Migration and their use of Habitats in the Yakutat Foreland of Alaska
Intertidal Temperature Data from Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
GIS and Hydraulic Model data in Support of a Geomorphic and Hydraulic Assessment of Glacial Outburst Floods on the Snow River near Seward, Alaska
Sea Otter Spraint Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound
Intertidal Mussel (Mytilus) Data from Prince William Sound, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
Aerial Photo Imagery from Fall Waterfowl Surveys, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2017-2019
Assessing the Status and Trends of Seabirds and Forage Fish in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
Intertidal and Subtidal Sea Otter Prey Sampling in Mixed Sediment Habitat in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1998 to 2011
Walrus Haulout Aerial Survey Data Near Point Lay Alaska, Autumn 2018 and 2019
Inventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic publications is available from the button below.
Survival and reproduction in Arctic caribou are associated with summer forage and insect harassment
Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
In hot water? Patterns of macroinvertebrate abundance in Arctic thaw ponds and relationships with environmental variables
Temperature variations in the northern Gulf of Alaska across synoptic to century-long time scales
Evidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting
Evaluating the efficacy of aerial infrared surveys to detect artificial polar bear dens
Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
Regional walrus abundance estimate in the United States Chukchi Sea in autumn
Comparison of indices to infer population dynamics of black brant
Harmful algal blooms in the Alaskan Arctic: An emerging threat as oceans warm
First juvenile Chum Salmon confirms successful reproduction for Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic
Explore our software related to Alaska Bioregions and Arctic
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
Arctic Shorebird Population Model
Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates database (CEE-TV)
The Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates database (CEE-TV) contains contaminant exposure and effects information for terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles) that reside in estuarine and coastal habitats along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coasts including Alaska and Hawaii and in the Great Lakes Region.
R script for email delivery of sea ice imagery and charts to users with limited bandwidth
- Overview
Alaska is simultaneously a landscape of extremes requiring specialized adaptations by plants and animals to survive the winters and a landscape of abundance that supports breeding birds each summer from as far away as Africa. Terrestrial Alaska also supports iconic species such as caribou and muskoxen whose population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology are researched by USGS scientists. Alaska is also bounded by 3 oceans and has a strong marine connection. USGS scientists conduct research that informs the management and conservation ecosystems that supports species such as sea ducks, seabirds, walrus, and polar bears.
Alaska ResearchFilter Total Items: 22Polar Bear Research
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...Walrus Research
The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology
Alaska's coastal and offshore waters provide foraging habitat for an estimated 100 million birds comprising more than 90 different species; from loons and seaducks that nest inland, to petrels and puffins that breed on islands off shore. All these birds depend on the sea to provide a wide variety of food types— from clams, crabs and urchins nearshore— to krill, forage fish, and squid offshore. The...Changing Arctic Ecosystems
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.USGS Arctic Research
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for biodiversity, national security, cultural and economic sustainability, and support a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. USGS and collaborators provide information about its ecosystems, natural hazards, geologic resources, coasts, and wildlife that are used by...Ecosystems on the Edge: Landscape and Fire Ecology of Forests, Deserts, and Tundra
Climate changes and interacting disturbances such as wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, and erosion and flooding can perturb and reorganize ecosystems.Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Recovery Studies
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern.Terrestrial Ecosystems
The USGS conducts research on trust Department of Interior migratory bird and mammal species and their habitats to inform agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service in their natural resource management decisions.Marine Ecosystems
The USGS conducts research on marine wildlife, habitats, and processes to provide science to inform our partners as they make decisions relative to species status, resource use, and human activities.Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology
Permafrost thaw is leading to a myriad of changes in physical and chemical conditions throughout the Arctic.Sea Ice - Habitat Dynamics
Sea Ice Present, Future and Ice Loss and WildlifeBroad-scale Research Conducted Across the 1002 Area and the NPR-A of Alaska
Selected Bibliography of Broad-scale Research Involving USGS and Conducted Across the 1002 Area and the NPR-A of Alaska Compiled as of 12/17/2018 - Data
Recent data (2020-2022) related to USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic data is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 25Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Occurrences Interpreted from Satellite Imagery
This data release contains maps, geospatial files, and a table of the satellite imagery types with the dates when they were collected and examined to interpret the presence of, and area occupied by, walruses at terrestrial haulouts. Estimates of the land area occupied by walruses are provided based on interpretation by experienced image reviewers. The images are from a variety of Earth observing sObservation Data of Migratory Birds during Spring and Fall Migration and their use of Habitats in the Yakutat Foreland of Alaska
This data package presents raw legacy data collected during 1980 on the Yakutat Forelands of southeast Alaska. The data were collected to identify and understand the occurrence and distribution of birds and mammals in the ocean and wetlands near Yakutat. Migration "sea watches", aerial surveys, and ground plot surveys were conducted in the foreland area of Yakutat in spring (April - May) and fallIntertidal Temperature Data from Kachemak Bay, Prince William Sound, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program. This dataset consists of date, time, and temperature measurements from intertidal rocky sampling sites, including predicted tide height at the time of the reading, which is used to distinguish air from water temperature readings. The data are provided as comma separated values (.csv) files derived from data downloadedGIS and Hydraulic Model data in Support of a Geomorphic and Hydraulic Assessment of Glacial Outburst Floods on the Snow River near Seward, Alaska
Provided here are three data packages: (1) geospatial vector data showing mapped main channels and alluvial fan extents in the lower 10 kilometers of the Snow River flood plain near Seward, Alaska as part of an assessment of river channel stability under an outburst flood regime, (2) a height-above-river raster produced from 2008 lidar bare-earth elevations for the lower 10 kilometers of the SnowSea Otter Spraint Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program. This dataset consist of observations of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) fecal samples (spraint). Observers examined fresh spraint piles to identify major prey classes in the samples and to determine sea otter diets in the Gulf of Alaska region.Intertidal Mussel (Mytilus) Data from Prince William Sound, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program and describe mussel sampling and observations conducted in the northern Gulf of Alaska. This dataset consists of six comma separated files (.csv): 1) mussel sampling site layout information, 2) mussel counts for mussels greater than 20 millimeters in a quadrat, 3) mussel size measurements for mussels greater than 20 miMapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
Coastal waters of southwestern Alaska the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico contain extensive beds of seagrass (eelgrass: Zostera marina and widgeongrass: Ruppia marina). Provided here are vector and raster geospatial datasets that characterize the distribution of seagrass, seaweeds, and other coastal habitats in waters adjacent to five National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska (Togiak, NWR, Izembek NWRAerial Photo Imagery from Fall Waterfowl Surveys, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, 2017-2019
The imagery and annotations presented here were generated while testing an aerial photographic survey design to improve repeatability, transparency, and estimation of variance for annual population estimates of geese staging at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska. This dataset includes 1) 131,031 .JPG images captured from a small fixed-wing occupied aircraft, usually at an altitude of about 457 m, over IzembekAssessing the Status and Trends of Seabirds and Forage Fish in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska
This data release is composed of six datasets regarding colonial seabirds and forage fish at two seabird nesting colonies on Gull and Chisik Islands in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. These data were collected to detect changes in the breeding population of Black-legged Kittiwakes and Common Murres on two nesting colonies in lower Cook Inlet and to compare those counts to baseline counts from 1995-1999.Intertidal and Subtidal Sea Otter Prey Sampling in Mixed Sediment Habitat in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, 1998 to 2011
This dataset provides clam species abundance and size data from intertidal and subtidal mixed sediment habitats in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GBNPP). Data are provided for all observed clams, horse mussels, or urchins 14 mm or larger. Sampling involved excavating 25 cm of substrate from quadrats (approximately 0.25 sq meter) along transects at random and selected sites, 10 quadrats atWalrus Haulout Aerial Survey Data Near Point Lay Alaska, Autumn 2018 and 2019
This dataset consists of the complete set of aerial imagery and data from walrus haulouts collected by unoccupied aerial system (UAS) surveys near Pt. Lay, Alaska, during the autumns of 2018 and 2019. The data include: 1) georeferenced digital aerial imagery and flight logs from UAS surveys, and 2) orthoimages derived from the aerial imagery and flight logs by standardized structure from motion alInventory Data of Lowland-Breeding Birds and Associated Vegetation Types on the Alaska Peninsula, 2004-2007
These are data from a stratified random survey to inventory the birds breeding in lowlands (elevation below 100m) of the Alaska Peninsula, during summers 2004-2007. Data were collected at 792 points on 52 5-km x 5-km plots. The data are in six tables: 1) geographic coordinates of the bounding corners of each of the 52 plots, 2) geographic coordinates of each of the 792 bird count points, 3) counts - Publications
Recent publications (2020-2022) related to USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic research are listed below. A complete listing of USGS Alaska Bioregions and Arctic publications is available from the button below.
Filter Total Items: 46Survival and reproduction in Arctic caribou are associated with summer forage and insect harassment
Investigators have speculated that the climate-driven “greening of the Arctic” may benefit barren-ground caribou populations, but paradoxically many populations have declined in recent years. This pattern has raised concerns about the influence of summer habitat conditions on caribou demographic rates, and how populations may be impacted in the future. The short Arctic summer provides caribou withAuthorsHeather E. Johnson, Beth Lenart, Dave Gustine, Layne G. Adams, Perry BarbozaModeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
Although polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) subpopulation have commonly created maternal dens on sea ice in the past, maternal dens on land have become increasingly prevalent as sea ice declines. This trend creates conditions for increased human–bear interactions associated with local communities and industrial activity. Maternal denning is a vulnerable period in theAuthorsVijay P. Patil, George M. Durner, David C. Douglas, Todd C. AtwoodIn hot water? Patterns of macroinvertebrate abundance in Arctic thaw ponds and relationships with environmental variables
Ongoing environmental change across the Arctic is affecting many freshwater ecosystems, including small thaw ponds that support macroinvertebrates, thus potentially affecting important forage for fish and bird species. To accurately predict how fish and wildlife that depend on these macroinvertebrates will be affected by ecosystem change at high latitudes, understanding proximate factors that inflAuthorsKirsty E. B. Gurney, Joshua C. Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, J. H. Schmidt, Mark S. WipfliTemperature variations in the northern Gulf of Alaska across synoptic to century-long time scales
Surface and subsurface moored buoy, ship-based, remotely sensed, and reanalysis datasets are used to investigate thermal variability of northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) nearshore, coastal, and offshore waters over synoptic to century-long time scales. NGA sea surface temperature (SST) showed a larger positive trend of 0.22 ± 0.10 °C per decade over 1970–2021 compared to 0.10 ± 0.03 °C per decade overAuthorsSeth L. Danielson, Tyler D. Hennon, Daniel Monson, Robert M. Suryan, Rob W. Cambell, Steven J. Baird, Kristine Holderied, Thomas J. WeingartnerEvidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting
Mussels occupy a key middle trophic position in nearshore food webs linking primary producers to predators. Climate-related environmental changes may synergistically combine with changes in predator abundance to affect intertidal ecosystems. We examined the influence of two major events on mussel (Mytilus trossulus) abundance in the northern Gulf of Alaska: the recent Pacific marine heatwave (PMH,AuthorsSarah Beth Traiger, James L. Bodkin, Heather Coletti, Brenda Ballachey, Dean Thomas, Daniel Esler, Katrin Iken, Brenda Konar, Mandy Lindeberg, Daniel Monson, Brian H. Robinson, Robert M. Suryan, Ben WeitzmanEvaluating the efficacy of aerial infrared surveys to detect artificial polar bear dens
The need to balance economic development with impacts to Arctic wildlife has been a prominent subject since petroleum exploration began on the North Slope of Alaska, USA, in the late 1950s. The North Slope region includes polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation, which has experienced a long-term decline in abundance. Pregnant polar bears dig dens in snow drifts durAuthorsSusannah P Woodruff, Justin J Blank, Sheyna S Wisdom, Ryan H. Wilson, George M. Durner, Todd C. Atwood, Craig J Perham, Christina HM PohlPrioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) encompasses more than 9.5 million hectares of federally managed land on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, where it supports a diversity of wildlife, including millions of migratory birds. Within the NPR-A, Teshekpuk Lake and the surrounding area provide important habitat for migratory birds and this area has been designated by the BureauAuthorsPaul L. Flint, Vijay P. Patil, Bradley Shults, Sarah J. ThompsonPrioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) encompasses more than 9.5 million hectares of federally managed land on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, where it supports a diversity of wildlife, including millions of migratory birds. Within the NPR-A, Teshekpuk Lake and the surrounding area provide important habitat for migratory birds and this area has been designated by the BureauAuthorsPaul L. Flint, Vijay P. Patil, Bradley Shults, Sarah J. ThompsonRegional walrus abundance estimate in the United States Chukchi Sea in autumn
Human activities (e.g., shipping, tourism, oil, gas development) have increased in the Chukchi Sea because of declining sea ice. The declining sea ice itself and these activities may affect Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) abundance; however, previous walrus abundance estimates have been notably imprecise. When sea ice is absent from the eastern Chukchi Sea, walruses in waters of the UAuthorsAnthony S. Fischbach, Rebecca L. Taylor, Chadwick V. JayComparison of indices to infer population dynamics of black brant
To aid managers in assessing status of Pacific black brant Branta bernicla nigricans (hereafter brant), I examined pre-existing long-term data series from summer, fall staging, and wintering areas to infer overall population processes and assessed the utility of the various data sources. Variation in demographic parameters measured in subarctic and Arctic locations suggests some form of metapopulaAuthorsPaul L. FlintHarmful algal blooms in the Alaskan Arctic: An emerging threat as oceans warm
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) present an emerging threat to human and ecosystem health in the Alaskan Arctic. Two HAB toxins are of concern in the region: saxitoxins (STXs), a family of compounds produced by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella, and domoic acid (DA), produced by multiple species in the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. These potent neurotoxins cause paralytic and amnesic shellfishAuthorsDonald Anderson, Evangeline Fachon, Katherine Hubbard, Kathi Lefebvre, Peigen Lin, Robert Pickart, Mindy Richlen, Gay Sheffield, Caroline R. Van HemertFirst juvenile Chum Salmon confirms successful reproduction for Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic
The distributional extent of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in the North American Arctic is unresolved. While adult Pacific salmon have a recurring presence across the Alaskan North Slope and into the Canadian Arctic, it is uncertain if these fish are part of established Arctic populations, vagrants from outside sources reproducing unsuccessfully, or both. Here we present the first confirmed recAuthorsKaren M. Dunmall, Darcy G. McNicholl, Christian E. Zimmerman, Sara E. Gilk-Baumer, Sean E. Burril, Vanessa R. von Biela - Software
Explore our software related to Alaska Bioregions and Arctic
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
We have archived the derived data files and R/JAGS code for our analysis as a U.S. Geological Survey data release (link ). The code is divided into three R scripts: 1) pbdens_landdens_JWM.r contains R code for fitting hierarchical Bayesian models of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution for the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) subpopulation, 1982-2015. This script requires the installationArctic Shorebird Population Model
R script to run one example of the stochastic matrix models run by Weiser et al. to simulate shorebird population trends and elasticities.Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates database (CEE-TV)
The Contaminant Exposure and Effects-Terrestrial Vertebrates database (CEE-TV) contains contaminant exposure and effects information for terrestrial vertebrates (birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles) that reside in estuarine and coastal habitats along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coasts including Alaska and Hawaii and in the Great Lakes Region.
R script for email delivery of sea ice imagery and charts to users with limited bandwidth
This software package represents an effort to enable access of sea ice charts and imagery in support of daily logistics planning where internet bandwidth and geoprocessing abilities are limited. The script acquires, processes and delivers these data in a format that may be manipulated by openly available virtual globe software, be visualized by software commonly installed on all smart phones and c