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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: 3087

Inventory of marine and estuarine fishes in southeast and central Alaska National Parks Inventory of marine and estuarine fishes in southeast and central Alaska National Parks

As part of a national inventory program funded by the National Park Service, we conducted an inventory of marine and estuarine fishes in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Sitka National Historical Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in 2001 and 2002. In addition, marine fish data from a previous project that focused...
Authors
Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Michael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Martin D. Robards, Alisa A. Abookire, Gary S. Drew

Alaska resource data file: Valdez quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Valdez quadrangle

The data presented here are maintained as part of a statewide database on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences throughout Alaska.
Authors
Travis L. Hudson

Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: annual report 2002 Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: annual report 2002

Since 1995, the number of sea otters in Glacier Bay proper has increased from around 5 to more than 1200. Sea otter distribution is mostly limited to the Lower Bay, south of Sandy Cove, and is not continuous within that area. Concentrations occur in the vicinity of Sita Reef and Boulder Island and between Pt. Carolus and Rush Pt. on the west side of the Bay, although there have been...
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Kimberly A. Kloecker, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, Heather A. Coletti, Janet Doherty

Unlocking the secrets of Lake Clark sockeye salmon Unlocking the secrets of Lake Clark sockeye salmon

Sockeye salmon are a cornerstone species in many Alaska watersheds. Each summer, adults lay eggs in rocky nests called “redds,” and they die soon after. In spring, their fry emerge from gravels and then rear in a nearby freshwater lake for one year or more before migrating as smolt to the sea. During this smolt phase, an olfactory map of their route is imprinted on their memories...
Authors
Carol Ann Woody

Protocols for long-term monitoring of seabird ecology in the Gulf of Alaska Protocols for long-term monitoring of seabird ecology in the Gulf of Alaska

Seabird populations will need to be monitored for many years to assess both recovery and ecological conditions affecting recovery. Detailed studies of individual seabird colonies and marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Alaska have been conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the auspices of damage assessment and restoration programs of the Trustee...
Authors
John F. Piatt, G. Vernon Byrd, Ann Harding, Arthur B. Kettle, Sasha Kitaysky, Michael A. Litzow, David G. Roseneau, Michael T. Shultz, Thomas I. van Pelt

Phylogeography of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in western North America Phylogeography of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in western North America

Using molecular genetic markers that differ in mode of inheritance and rate of evolution, we examined levels and partitioning of genetic variation for seven nominal subspecies (11 breeding populations) of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) in western North America. Gene trees constructed from mtDNA control region sequence data show that subspecies of Canada Geese do not have distinct mtDNA...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, Sandra L. Talbot, John M. Pearce, Barbara J. Pierson, K.S. Bollinger, Dirk V. Derksen

Demography of Dall's sheep in northwestern Alaska Demography of Dall's sheep in northwestern Alaska

Dall’s sheep in northwestern Alaska declined in the early 1990s following the severe 1989-90 and 1990-91 winters. In the Baird Mountains of Noatak National Preserve, estimates of adult sheep declined by 50% from 800 in 1989 to under 400 in 1991. Population counts remained low throughout 1991 to 1996, reaching a minimum of 244 adult sheep in 1996. Few lambs were observed during annual...
Authors
Christopher Kleckner, Mark S. Udevitz, Layne G. Adams, Brad S. Shults
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