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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: 3084

Reproductive ecology of tundra swans on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska Reproductive ecology of tundra swans on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Management of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) is hampered by a lack of information on their nesting and brood-rearing ecology. We studied tundra swan nesting and brood-rearing ecology on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), Alaska, 1988-90. Nest success was 58% (n = 31) in 1988, 83% (n = 36) in 1989, 84% (n = 43) in 1990, and 76% (n = 110) for the 3 years. Nests were located...
Authors
Matthew J. Monda, John T. Ratti, Thomas R. McCabe

Chick movements and adoption in a colony of Black-Legged Kittiwakes Chick movements and adoption in a colony of Black-Legged Kittiwakes

We studied Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) in an Alaskan colony where movement of young among nests was possible because of moderate terrain and close nest spacing. Thirty-three percent of chicks in a focal group departed their nests prior to fledging, and seven of the vagrant chicks (58%) were adopted by foster parents. The overall frequency of adoption in three years was 8%...
Authors
Bay D. Roberts, Scott A. Hatch

Population cage experiments with a vertebrate: The temporal demography and cytonuclear genetics of hybridization on Gambusia fishes Population cage experiments with a vertebrate: The temporal demography and cytonuclear genetics of hybridization on Gambusia fishes

The dynamics of mitochondrial and multilocus nuclear genotypic frequencies were monitored for 2 yr in experimental populations established with equal numbers of two poeciliid fishes (Gambusia affinis and Gambusia holbrooki) that hybridize naturally in the southeastern United States. In replicated "small-pool" populations (experiment I), 1018 sampled individuals at six time periods...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, John C. Avise

Demographic and life history characteristics influence the cytonuclear composition of mosquitofish populations Demographic and life history characteristics influence the cytonuclear composition of mosquitofish populations

Experimental laboratory crosses and population experiments reveal significant differences in individual life-history traits and population demography between two related species of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki. With respect to life-history traits, progeny from G. holbrooki exhibit larger size at birth and earlier age at sexual maturity than do progeny from G. affinis...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, John C. Avise

Decoy trapping and rocket-netting for northern pintails in spring Decoy trapping and rocket-netting for northern pintails in spring

Decoy traps and rocket-nets were compared for capturing Northern Pintails (Anas acuta: hereafter pintails) during May 1991 on the Yukon Flats, Alaska. Males were captured at similar rates using both methods (1.38 vs. 1.07 males/trap d, respectively), but baited rocket-nets were more efficient than decoy traps for capturing females (0.52 vs. 0.12 females/trap d). There were no significant
Authors
J. Barry Grand, Thomas F. Fondell

Geologic framework of the Aleutian arc, Alaska Geologic framework of the Aleutian arc, Alaska

The Aleutian arc is the arcuate arrangement of mountain ranges and flanking submerged margins that forms the northern rim of the Pacific Basin from the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) eastward more than 3,000 km to Cooke Inlet (Fig. 1). It consists of two very different segments that meet near Unimak Pass: the Aleutian Ridge segment to the west and the Alaska Peninsula-the Kodiak Island...
Authors
Tracy L. Vallier, David W. Scholl, Michael A. Fisher, Terry R. Bruns, Frederic H. Wilson, Roland E. von Huene, Andrew J. Stevenson

Polar bear maternity denning in the Beaufort Sea Polar bear maternity denning in the Beaufort Sea

The distribution of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is circumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, but known locations of maternal dens are concentrated in relatively few, widely scattered locations. Denning is either uncommon or unknown within gaps. To understand effects of industrial development and propose increases in hunting, the temporal and spatial distribution of denning in the...
Authors
Steven C. Amstrup, Craig L. Gardner

Stream and floodplain restoration in a riparian ecosystem disturbed by placer mining Stream and floodplain restoration in a riparian ecosystem disturbed by placer mining

Techniques for the hydrologic restoration of placer-mined streams and floodplains were developed in Denali National Park and Preserve Alaska, USA. The hydrologic study focused on a design of stream and floodplain geometry using hydraulic capacity and shear stress equations. Slope and sinuosity values were based on regional relationships. Design requirements include a channel capacity for...
Authors
Kenneth F. Karle, Roseann V. Densmore

Map and table showing isotopic age data in Alaska Map and table showing isotopic age data in Alaska

The source of the data reported here is a compilation of radiometric ages maintained in conjunction with the Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP) studies for Alaska. The symbol shape plotted at each location is coded for rock type, whether igneous, metamorphic, or other; the color of the symbol shows the geologic era or period for the Sample(s) at each locale. A list of...
Authors
Frederic H. Wilson, Nora B. Shew, G.D. DuBois

Response of staging brant to disturbance at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Response of staging brant to disturbance at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska

Human disturbance of migrating waterfowl concerns managers of wildlife populations and refuges. Human disturbance may reduce food intake through interruption of foraging bouts or by displacement from feeding areas (Madsen 1985, Belanger and Bedard 1989), and it may increase energy expenditure from additional time in flight (Korschgen et al., 1985). Reduced food intake and increased...
Authors
David H. Ward, Robert A. Stehn, Dirk V. Derksen

The adaptive significance of hatching synchrony of waterfowl eggs The adaptive significance of hatching synchrony of waterfowl eggs

We estimated the amount of incubation time that first laid Black Brent eggs received before completion of the clutch. First laid eggs received up to 48 hours of incubation before the last egg was laid in Brent clutches. Waterfowl clutches usually hatch within a period of 24 hours, suggesting that some mechanism reduces developmental asynchrony during incubation. The combination of...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Mark S. Lindberg, Margaret C. MacCluskie, James S. Sedinger
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