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
Alagnak watershed rainbow trout seasonal movement Alagnak watershed rainbow trout seasonal movement
Adult rainbow trout were radio-tagged in two locations in the Alagnak River drainage in 1997 and 1998 and radio-tracked until March 1999. The telemetry data indicate the two different sample groups exhibited independent movements with little geographic overlap. However, some tagged fish from each sample group migrated downstream to the same general area during the spawning season...
Authors
Julie M. Meka, E. Eric Knudsen, David C. Douglas
Foods, trophic relationships, and migration of Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters associated with squid and large-mesh driftnet fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean Foods, trophic relationships, and migration of Sooty and Short-tailed Shearwaters associated with squid and large-mesh driftnet fisheries in the North Pacific Ocean
We salvaged dead birds from high seas driftnets in the Central North Pacific Ocean during a study of the impact of high seas driftnet fishing on marine ecosystems. Digestive tract contents and stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in breast muscles of these birds were analyzed to assess the effect of driftnets on the trophic relationships of marine birds. The diets of Sooty (Puffinus...
Authors
Patrick J. Gould, Peggy H. Ostrom, William Walker
Temporal variation in phenotypic and genotypic traits in two sockeye salmon populations, Tustumena Lake, Alaska Temporal variation in phenotypic and genotypic traits in two sockeye salmon populations, Tustumena Lake, Alaska
Sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in two tributary streams (about 20 km apart) of the same lake were compared for temporal variation in phenotypic (length, depth adjusted for length) and genotypic (six microsatellite loci) traits. Peak run time (July 16 versus 11 August) and run duration (43 versus 26 d) differed between streams. Populations were sampled twice, including an overlapping...
Authors
Carol Ann Woody, Jeffrey B. Olsen, Joel H. Reynolds, Paul Bentzen
Cytochrome P450 1A induction in sea ducks inhabiting nearshore areas of Prince William Sound, Alaska Cytochrome P450 1A induction in sea ducks inhabiting nearshore areas of Prince William Sound, Alaska
Following the Exxon-Valdez oil spill, hepatic rates of EROD activity and thus, P450 1A expression, were significantly higher in harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) and Barrow’s goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) from oiled areas of Prince William Sound, Alaska when compared to birds from unoiled sites. Polychlorinated biphenyl exposure did not account for areal differences in P450...
Authors
Kimberly A. Trust, Daniel Esler, Bruce R. Woodin, John J. Stegeman
Historic and current use of Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, by Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas Historic and current use of Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska, by Belugas, Delphinapterus leucas
Dedicated at-sea surveys for marine birds and mammals conducted in lower Cook Inlet in late July and early August from 1995–99 failed to locate any belugas, Delphinapterus leucas. Surveys covered a total of 6,249 linear km and were conducted in both nearshore and offshore habitats. Sightings included 791 individual marine mammals of 10 species. Both historical data and local knowledge...
Authors
Suzann G. Speckman, John F. Piatt
Magma storage and mixing conditions for the 1953-1974 eruption of Southwest Trident volcano, Katmai National Park, Alaska Magma storage and mixing conditions for the 1953-1974 eruption of Southwest Trident volcano, Katmai National Park, Alaska
Between 1953 and 1974, approximately 0.5 km3 of andesite and dacite erupted from a new vent on the southwest flank of Trident volcano in Katmai National Park, Alaska, forming an edifice now known as Southwest (or New) Trident. Field, analytical, and experimental evidence shows that the eruption commenced soon after mixing of dacite and andesite magmas at shallow crustal levels. Four lava...
Authors
Michelle L. Coombs, John C. Eichelberger, Malcom J. Rutherford
Applying metapopulation theory to conservation of migratory birds Applying metapopulation theory to conservation of migratory birds
Metapopulation theory has proven useful for understanding the population structure and dynamics of many species of conservation concern. The metapopulation concept has been applied almost exclusively to nonmigratory species, however, for which subpopulation demographic independence—a requirement for a classically defined metapopulation - is explicitly related to geographic distribution...
Authors
Daniel Esler
Molecular genetic status of Aleutian Canada Geese from Buldir and the Semidi Islands, Alaska Molecular genetic status of Aleutian Canada Geese from Buldir and the Semidi Islands, Alaska
We conducted genetic analyses of Aleutian Canada Geese (Branta canadensis leucopareia) from Buldir Island in the western Aleutians and the Semidi Islands in the eastern portion of their breeding range. We compared data from seven microsatellite DNA loci and 143 base pairs of the control region of mitochondrial DNA from the two populations of Aleutian Canada Geese and another small-bodied
Authors
Barbara J. Pierson, John M. Pearce, Sandra L. Talbot, Gerald F. Shields, Kim T. Scribner
Colonization and development of stream communities across a 200-year gradient in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska Colonization and development of stream communities across a 200-year gradient in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
In May 1997, physical and biological variables were studied in 16 streams of different ages and contrasting stages of development following glacial recession in Glacier Bay National Park, southeast Alaska. The number of microcrustacean and macroinvertebrate taxa and juvenile fish abundance and diversity were significantly greater in older streams. Microcrustacean diversity was related to...
Authors
Alexander M. Milner, E. Eric Knudsen, Chad Soiseth, Anne L. Robertson, Don Schell, Ian T. Phillips, Katrina Magnusson
Movements and distribution of polar bears in the Beaufort sea Movements and distribution of polar bears in the Beaufort sea
We fitted 173 satellite radio collars (platform transmitter terminals) to 121 adult female polar bears in the Beaufort Sea and relocated the bears 44 736 times between 1985 and 1995. We regularly resighted many instrumented bears so that we could ascertain whether changes in movements or distribution were related to reproductive status. Mean short-term movement rates were less than 2 km...
Authors
Steven C. Amstrup, George M. Durner, I. Stirling, N.J. Lunn, F. Messier
Alaska resource data file: Chandalar quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Chandalar quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
Joe Britton