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: 3111
Intraspecific variation in nutrient reserve use during clutch formation by Lesser Scaup Intraspecific variation in nutrient reserve use during clutch formation by Lesser Scaup
We studied nutrient reserve dynamics of female Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) to identify sources of intraspecific variation in strategies of nutrient acquisition for meeting the high nutritional and energetic costs of egg formation. We collected data from interior Alaska and combined these with data for Lesser Scaup from midcontinent breeding areas (Afton and Ankney 1991), allowing a...
Authors
Daniel Esler, J. Barry Grand, Alan D. Afton
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
Estimating repeatability of egg size Estimating repeatability of egg size
Measures of repeatability have long been used to assess patterns of variation in egg size within and among females. We compared different analytical approaches for estimating repeatability of egg size of Black Brant. Separate estimates of repeatability for eggs of each clutch size and laying sequence number varied from 0.49 to 0.64. We suggest that using the averaging egg size within...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, R.F. Rockwell, J.S. Sedinger
Shallow-storage conditions for the rhyolite of the 1912 eruption at Novarupta, Alaska Shallow-storage conditions for the rhyolite of the 1912 eruption at Novarupta, Alaska
Recent studies have proposed contrasting models for the plumbing system that fed the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, Alaska. Here, we investigate the conditions under which the rhyolitic part of the erupted magma last resided in the crust prior to eruption. Geothermometry suggests that the rhyolite was held at ∼800-850 °C, and analyses of melt inclusions suggest that it was fluid saturated...
Authors
Michelle L. Coombs, James E. Gardner
Fine-scale population structure in Atlantic salmon from Maine's Penobscot River drainage Fine-scale population structure in Atlantic salmon from Maine's Penobscot River drainage
We report a survey of micro satellite DNA variation in Atlantic salmon from the unimpounded lower reaches of Maine's Penobscot River. Our analysis indicates that Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River are distinct from other populations that have little or no history of human-mediated repopulation, including two of its tributaries, Cove Brook and Kenduskeag Stream, another Maine river...
Authors
A.P. Spidle, Schill W. Bane, B.A. Lubinski, T.L. King
Corticosterone facilitates begging and affects resource allocation in the black-legged kittiwake Corticosterone facilitates begging and affects resource allocation in the black-legged kittiwake
Parent black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and their dependent chicks respond to food shortages by increasing circulating levels of corticosterone. To examine the behavioral significance of corticosterone release, we experimentally increased levels of circulating corticosterone in parents and chicks up to the levels observed during food shortages. We found that corticosterone...
Authors
Alexander S Kitaysky, John C. Wingfield, John F. Piatt
Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Aerial surveys, foraging observations, and intertidal clam sampling Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Aerial surveys, foraging observations, and intertidal clam sampling
Following translocations to the outer coast of Southeast Alaska in 1965, sea otters have been expanding their range and increasing in abundance. We began conducting surveys for sea otters in Cross Sound, Icy Strait and Glacier Bay, Alaska in 1994, following initial reports of their presence in Glacier Bay in 1993. Since 1995, the number of sea otters in Glacier Bay proper has increased...
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Kimberly A. Kloecker, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, J.D. DeGroot
Marine predator surveys in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Marine predator surveys in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
No abstract available.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Kimberly A. Kloecker, H.A. Coletti, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, Brenda E. Ballachey
Utility of stable isotope analysis in studying foraging ecology of herbivores: Examples from moose and caribou Utility of stable isotope analysis in studying foraging ecology of herbivores: Examples from moose and caribou
Recently, researchers emphasized that patterns of stable isotope ratios observed at the individual level are a result of an interaction between ecological, physiological, and biochemical processes. Isotopic models for herbivores provide additional complications because those mammals consume foods that have high variability in nitrogen concentrations. In addition, distribution of amino...
Authors
Merav Ben-David, Einav Shochat, Layne G. Adams
Use of Landsat MSS and TM imagery to improve reconnaissance geologic mapping in the Ruby quadrangle, west-central Alaska: A section in Geological studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1999 Use of Landsat MSS and TM imagery to improve reconnaissance geologic mapping in the Ruby quadrangle, west-central Alaska: A section in Geological studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1999
By using Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite images, the spatial relation of units JMtu (mafic, ultramafic, and sedimentary rocks, undivided) and PzZrqs (pelitic and quartzitic schist) of Wilson and others (1998) from the northeastern portion of the Ruby 1:250,000-scale quadrangle geologic map was further defined. The MSS image was first analyzed using spectral
Authors
Keith A. Labay, Frederic H. Wilson, Kuuipo A. Burleigh
Areal distribution, thickness, mass, volume, and grain size of tephra-fall deposits from the 1992 eruptions of Crater Peak vent, Mt. Spurr Volcano, Alaska Areal distribution, thickness, mass, volume, and grain size of tephra-fall deposits from the 1992 eruptions of Crater Peak vent, Mt. Spurr Volcano, Alaska
The Crater Peak flank vent of Mount Spurr volcano erupted June 27, August 18, and September 16-17, 1992. The three eruptions were similar in intensity (vulcanian to subplinian eruption columns reaching up to 14 km Above Sea Level) and duration (3.5 to 4.0 hours) and produced tephra-fall deposits (12, 14, 15 x 106 m3 Dense Rock Equivalent [DRE]) discernible up to 1,000 km downwind. The...
Authors
Robert G. McGimsey, Christina A. Neal, Colleen M. Riley
Alaska resource data file: Stepovak Bay quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Stepovak Bay quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
S. H. Pilcher