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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: 3099

Lichens from St. Matthew and St. Paul Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska Lichens from St. Matthew and St. Paul Islands, Bering Sea, Alaska

One hundred thirty-nine taxa of lichens including two lichen parasites are reported from St. Matthew and St. Paul Islands in the Bering Sea. Caloplaca lithophila is new to Alaska. Wide-ranging arctic-alpine and boreal species dominate the lichens; a coastal element is moderately represented, while amphi-Beringian species form a minor element. In comparison with St. Paul Island, St...
Authors
Stephen S. Talbot, Sandra Looman Talbot, John W. Thomson, Wilfred B. Schofield

The role of hybridization in the distribution, conservation and management of aquatic species: Symposium review The role of hybridization in the distribution, conservation and management of aquatic species: Symposium review

This issue of Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries contains six papers addressing several critical aspects of hybridization in fishes and aquatic organisms. Hybridization is a phenomenon long recognized in fishes (Hubbs, 1920, 1955; Schwarz, 1981), as well as in other plant and vertebrate taxa, despite some rather dogmatic proclamations to the contrary, e.g., comments made by David...
Authors
John Epifanio, Jennifer L. Nielsen

Predation on waterfowl in arctic tundra and prairie breeding areas: A review Predation on waterfowl in arctic tundra and prairie breeding areas: A review

Predation is a natural component of waterfowl population biology, but environmental alterations have changed the magnitude and importance of predation on waterfowl breeding areas. We reviewed the status of waterfowl populations, adaptations of waterfowl that minimize impacts of predation, and the impacts of predation on waterfowl populations in 2 major North American breeding areas, the...
Authors
Marsha A. Sovada, R. Michael Anthony, Bruce D.J. Batt

Geographic variation of PCB congeners in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard east to the Chukchi Sea Geographic variation of PCB congeners in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard east to the Chukchi Sea

We present data on geographic variation in polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in adult female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard eastward to the Chukchi Sea. Blood samples from 90 free-living polar bears were collected in 1987–1995. Six PCB congeners, penta to octa chlorinated (PCB-99, -118, -153, -156, -180, -194), were selected for this study. Differences between areas...
Authors
M. Andersen, E. Lie, A.E. Derocher, S.E. Belikov, A. Bernhoft, Andrei N. Boltunov, G.W. Garner, J.U. Skaare, Øystein Wiig

Estimates of shorebird populations in North America Estimates of shorebird populations in North America

Estimates are presented for the population sizes of 53 species of Nearctic shorebirds occurring regularly in North America, plus four species that breed occasionally. Population estimates range from a few tens to several millions. Overall, population estimates most commonly fall in the range of hundreds of thousands, particularly the low hundreds of thousands; estimated population sizes...
Authors
R. I. G. Morrison, Robert E. Gill, B. A. Harrington, S. K. Skagen, G. W. Page, C. L. Gratto-Trevor, S. M. Haig

Topography and flooding of coastal ecosystems on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska: Implications for sea level rise Topography and flooding of coastal ecosystems on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska: Implications for sea level rise

We measured surface elevations, stage of annual peak flooding, and sedimentation along 10 toposequences across coastal ecosystems on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta in western Alaska during 1994-1998 to assess some of the physical processes affecting ecosystem distribution. An ecotype was assigned to each of 566 points, and differences in elevations among 24 ecotypes were analyzed within
Authors
Torre Jorgenson, Craig R. Ely

Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1999 Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1999

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska - Fairbanks, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, has maintained a seismic monitoring program at potentially active volcanoes in Alaska since 1988 (Power and others, 1993; Jolly and others, 1996). The primary objectives...
Authors
Arthur D. Jolly, Scott D. Stihler, John A. Power, John C. Lahr, John Paskievitch, Guy Tytgat, Steve Estes, Andrew B. Lockhart, Seth C. Moran, Stephen R. McNutt, William R. Hammond

Effects of recent climate warming on caribou habitat and calf survival Effects of recent climate warming on caribou habitat and calf survival

Migratory Barren-Ground Caribou Rangifer tarandus granti are the most important subsistence resource for northern indigenous peoples. They are likely to respond to global climatic changes that affect the distribution of their forage resources and the availability of forage through the year. The Porcupine Caribou herd is a large, internationally migratory herd of about 128,000 individuals...
Authors
Brad Griffith, David C. Douglas, Donald E. Russell, Robert G. White, Thomas R. McCabe, Kenneth R. Whitten

Serologic survey for canine coronavirus in wolves from Alaska Serologic survey for canine coronavirus in wolves from Alaska

Wolves (Canis lupus) were captured in three areas of Interior Alaska (USA). Four hundred twenty-five sera were tested for evidence of exposure to canine coronavirus by means of an indirect fluorescent antibody procedure. Serum antibody prevalence averaged 70% (167/240) during the spring collection period and 25% (46/185) during the autumn collection period. Prevalence was 0% (0/42) in...
Authors
Randall L. Zarnke, Jim F. Evermann, Jay M. Ver Hoef, Mark E. McNay, Rodney D. Boertje, Craig L. Gardner, Layne G. Adams, Bruce W. Dale, John W. Burch

Sex-biased gene flow in spectacled eiders (Anatidae): Inferences from molecular markers with contrasting modes of inheritance Sex-biased gene flow in spectacled eiders (Anatidae): Inferences from molecular markers with contrasting modes of inheritance

Genetic markers that differ in mode of inheritance and rate of evolution (a sex-linked Z-specific microsatellite locus, five biparentally inherited microsatellite loci, and maternally inherited mitochondrial [mtDNA] sequences) were used to evaluate the degree of spatial genetic structuring at macro- and microgeographic scales, among breeding regions and local nesting populations within...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, Margaret R. Petersen, Raymond L. Fields, Sandra L. Talbot, John M. Pearce, Ronald K. Chesser
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