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Publications

USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.

Filter Total Items: 3090

Serum biochemistry of captive and free-ranging gray wolves (Canis lupus) Serum biochemistry of captive and free-ranging gray wolves (Canis lupus)

Normal serum biochemistry values are frequently obtained from studies of captive sedentary (zoo) or free-ranging (wild) animals. It is frequently assumed that values from these two populations are directly referable to each other. We tested this assumption using 20 captive gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Minnesota, USA, and 11 free-ranging gray wolves in Alaska, USA. Free-ranging wolves had
Authors
Peter Constable, Ken Hinchcliff, Nick Demma, Margaret Callahan, B.W. Dale, Kevin Fox, Layne G. Adams, Ray Wack, Lynn Kramer

Double-stocking for overcoming damage to conifer seedlings by pocket gophers Double-stocking for overcoming damage to conifer seedlings by pocket gophers

A 5-yr study was conducted on national forests in Idaho and Oregon to evaluate how doubling the seedling stocking rate of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) would relate to 5-year survival and the uniformity of distribution of seedlings in the presence of northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) damage. Either 4 or 8 seedlings were planted in 40-m2 subplots (1000 or 2000 seedlings/ha)...
Authors
Richard M. Engeman, Richard M. Anthony, Victor G. Barnes, Heather W. Krupa, James Evans

Grizzly bears and calving caribou: What is the relation with river corridors? Grizzly bears and calving caribou: What is the relation with river corridors?

Researchers have debated the effect of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAP) and associated developments to caribou (Rangifer tarandus) of the central Arctic herd (CAH) since the 1970s. Several studies have demonstrated that cows and calves of the CAH avoided the TAP corridor because of disturbance associated with the pipeline, whereas others have indicated that female caribou of the CAH...
Authors
Donald D. Young, Thomas R. McCabe

Dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in waterfowl (family Anatidae): Characterization of a sex-linked (Z-specific) and 14 autosomal loci Dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms in waterfowl (family Anatidae): Characterization of a sex-linked (Z-specific) and 14 autosomal loci

Canada goose (Branta Canadensis) and harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) DNAs were digested with Sau3AI, and size selected (300-700 bp) fragments were ligated into BamHI-digested pBluscriptII KS+. The enrichment protocol of Ostrander et al.1 was followed. The resulting libraries were screened using a [ƴ-32P]ATP end-labelled (CA)20 oligonucleotides as a hybridization probe...
Authors
W.G. Buchholz, John M. Pearce, Barbara J. Pierson, Kim T. Scribner

Observations of geese foraging for clam shells during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Observations of geese foraging for clam shells during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

We studied the behavior of geese on exposed river ice during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The predominant behavior while on the ice for both sexes was foraging; however, females foraged more than males. Visual inspection of the ice revealed no potential plant or animal food items. However, numerous small (
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Ada C. Fowler, Grace E. Bottitta, Jason L. Schamber

Seabirds of the Chukotka Peninsula, Russia Seabirds of the Chukotka Peninsula, Russia

We conducted seabird surveys along the entire coast of the Chukotka Peninsula (northwestern Siberia, Russia) from 1983 to 1991. We present the first comprehensive descriptions of the distribution and size of Chukotkan seabird colonies. Thirteen species of seabirds were recorded breeding on the peninsula, with an additional 13 migrant or vagrant species. Our estimate that at least 3 300...
Authors
N. B. Konyukhov, L. S. Bogoslovskaya, B. M. Zvonov, Thomas I. van Pelt

Alaska resource data file: McCarthy quadrangle Alaska resource data file: McCarthy quadrangle

Descriptions of the mineral occurrences shown on the accompanying figure follow. See U.S. Geological Survey (1996) for a description of the information content of each field in the records. The data presented here are maintained as part of a statewide database on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences throughout Alaska.
Authors
Donald Richter

Birds of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia: Historical and biogeographic comparisons Birds of the Indigirka River Delta, Russia: Historical and biogeographic comparisons

We documented the breeding status and relative abundance of all avian species on the coastal portion of the Indigirka River Delta during spring and summer 1993-95. Data on avifaunal composition were then compared to data from adjacent areas from Eastern Siberia to the Chukotka Peninsula to evaluate how species composition changes longitudinally within the arctic and typical tundra zones...
Authors
John M. Pearce, Daniel Esler, Andrei G. Degtyarev

A model of northern pintail productivity and population growth rate A model of northern pintail productivity and population growth rate

Our objective was to synthesize individual components of reproductive ecology into a single estimate of productivity and to assess the relative effects of survival and productivity on population dynamics. We used information on nesting ecology, renesting potential, and duckling survival of northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Alaska, 1991-95...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand, Robert F. Rockwell

Damage reduction to ponderosa pine seedlings from northern pocket gophers by vegetation management through grass seeding and herbicide treatment Damage reduction to ponderosa pine seedlings from northern pocket gophers by vegetation management through grass seeding and herbicide treatment

2,4-D herbicide treatment was applied to 2 treatment units to remove the forbs that are the preferred food of pocket gophers. One of these units also was seeded with grasses prior to the 2,4-D treatment. The effect of 2,4-D and grass seeding plus 2,4-D treatments were compared to an untreated control unit. Long-term monitoring (7 yr) was conducted on the 3 units for vegetative cover (7...
Authors
Richard M. Engeman, V.G. Barnes, R.M. Anthony, Heather W. Krupa
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