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: 3087
Geographic variation in survival and migratory tendency among North American Common Mergansers Geographic variation in survival and migratory tendency among North American Common Mergansers
Movement ecology and demographic parameters for the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser americanus) in North America are poorly known. We used band-recovery data from five locations across North America spanning the years 1938–1998 to examine migratory patterns and estimate survival rates. We examined competing time-invariant, age-graduated models with program MARK to study sources of...
Authors
John M. Pearce, John A. Reed, Paul L. Flint
Variability in colony attendance of crevice-nesting horned puffins: Implications for population monitoring Variability in colony attendance of crevice-nesting horned puffins: Implications for population monitoring
It is difficult to survey crevice-nesting seabirds because nest-sites are hard to identify and count, and the number of adult birds attending a colony can be extremely variable within and between days. There is no standardized method for surveying crevice-nesting horned puffins (Fratercula corniculata), and consequently little is known about abundance or changes in their numbers. We...
Authors
A.M.A. Harding, John F. Piatt, G.V. Byrd, Scott A. Hatch, N. B. Konyukhov, E.U. Golubova, J.C. Williams
Oceanographic conditions structure forage fishes into lipid-rich and lipid-poor communities in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA Oceanographic conditions structure forage fishes into lipid-rich and lipid-poor communities in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA
Forage fishes were sampled with a mid-water trawl in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, USA, from late July to early August 1996 to 1999. We sampled 3 oceanographically distinct areas of lower Cook Inlet: waters adjacent to Chisik Island, in Kachemak Bay, and near the Barren Islands. In 163 tows using a mid-water trawl, 229437 fishes with fork length
Authors
Alisa A. Abookire, John F. Piatt
Effects of dietary selenium exposure in captive American common eiders Effects of dietary selenium exposure in captive American common eiders
We conducted two studies of Se exposure in captive common eiders (Somateria mollissima). In Study 1, eiders were fed diets with added Se (as L-selenomethionine) in concentrations increasing from 10 ppm to 80 ppm. In Study 2, eiders received control, low exposure (20 ppm Se), and high exposure (60 ppm Se) diets. One duck in the high exposure group in Study 2 died after 36 days. Remaining...
Authors
J. C. Franson, D. J. Hoffman, A. M. Wells-Berlin, Matthew C. Perry, V. S. Bochsler, D.L. Finley, Paul L. Flint, T. Hollmen
Population status of Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula Population status of Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula
The Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare seabird that nests in alpine terrain and generally forages near tidewater glaciers during the breeding season. An estimated 95% of the global population breeds in Alaska, with some unknown proportion breeding in the Russian Far East. A global population estimate using bestavailable data in the early 1990s was 20,000...
Authors
Thomas I. van Pelt, John F. Piatt
North American Brant: Effects of changes in habitat and climate on population dynamics North American Brant: Effects of changes in habitat and climate on population dynamics
We describe the importance of key habitats used by four nesting populations of nearctic brant (Branta bernicla) and discuss the potential relationship between changes in these habitats and population dynamics of brant. Nearctic brant, in contrast to most geese, rely on marine habitats and native intertidal plants during the non-breeding season, particularly the seagrass, Zostera, and the
Authors
David H. Ward, Austin Reed, James S. Sedinger, Jeffrey M. Black, Dirk V. Derksen, Paul M. Castelli
From the field: Brown bear habituation to people — Safety, risks, and benefits From the field: Brown bear habituation to people — Safety, risks, and benefits
Recently, brown bear (Ursus arctos) viewing has increased in coastal Alaska and British Columbia, as well as in interior areas such as Yellowstone National Park. Viewing is most often being done under conditions that offer acceptable safety to both people and bears. We analyze and comment on the underlying processes that lead brown bears to tolerate people at close range. Although...
Authors
Stephen Herrero, Tom Smith, Terry D. DeBruyn, Kerry Gunther, Colleen A. Matt
Observer variability in pinniped counts: Ground-based enumeration of walruses at haul-out sites Observer variability in pinniped counts: Ground-based enumeration of walruses at haul-out sites
Pinnipeds are often monitored by counting individuals at haul-out sites, but the often large numbers of densely packed individuals at these sites are difficult to enumerate accurately. Errors in enumeration can induce bias and reduce precision in estimates of population size and trend. We used data from paired observers monitoring walrus haul-outs in Bristol Bay, Alaska, to quantify...
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, C.V. Jay, M.B. Cody
Testing archival tag technology in coho salmon Testing archival tag technology in coho salmon
Archive tags with temperature and light-geolocation sensors will be monitored for post-smolt coho salmon in Cook Inlet. Light/location relationships specific to the Gulf of Alaska developed under Project 00478 will be applied in this study of movement and migration paths for coho salmon during maturation in ocean environments in Cook Inlet. Salmon for this study will be reared in...
Authors
Jennifer L. Nielsen, Philip Richards, Thor Tingey, Derek Wilson, Christian E. Zimmerman
Using Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imagery to detect polar bear maternal dens: Operations manual Using Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imagery to detect polar bear maternal dens: Operations manual
Recent research has shown that Forward Looking Infia-Red (FLIR) imagery can detect polar bear dens despite total snow cover over their deming habitat. FLIR imagers detect a AT or difference in temperature between objects in the imager's field of view. During the Arctic winter, the groundlsnow surface is typically cold, providing a dark background in the FLIR imager. Sources of heat...
Authors
Geoffrey S. York, Steven C. Amstrup, Kristin S. Simac
Seafloor habitat mapping and classification in Glacier Bay, Alaska: Phase 1 & 2 1996-2004 Seafloor habitat mapping and classification in Glacier Bay, Alaska: Phase 1 & 2 1996-2004
Glacier Bay is a diverse fjord ecosystem with multiple sills, numerous tidewater glaciers and a highly complex oceanographic system. The Bay was completely glaciated prior to the 1700’s and subsequently experienced the fastest glacial retreat recorded in historical times. Currently, some of the highest sedimentation rates ever observed occur in the Bay, along with rapid uplift (up to 2.5...
Authors
Philip N. Hooge, Paul R. Carlson, Jennifer Mondragon, Lisa L. Etherington, G.R. Cochran
Alaska resource data file: Iditarod quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Iditarod quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
Thomas K. Bundtzen, Marti L. Miller, Charles C. Hawley