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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: 3107

Breeding of Steller's Eiders, Polysticta stelleri, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Breeding of Steller's Eiders, Polysticta stelleri, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Historically, an unknown number of Steller's Elders nested along the outer coastal fringe of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, but no nests had been found since 1975. We located six nests from 1991-1998 and we conclude that Steller's Elders are still a regular breeder at low densities on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Authors
Paul L. Flint, M.P. Herzog

Community reorganization in the Gulf of Alaska following ocean climate regime shift Community reorganization in the Gulf of Alaska following ocean climate regime shift

A shift in ocean climate during the late 1970s triggered a reorganization of community structure in the Gulf of Alaska ecosystem, as evidenced in changing catch composition on long-term (1953 to 1997) small-mesh trawl surveys. Forage species such as pandalid shrimp and capelin declined because of recruitment failure and predation, and populations have not yet recovered. Total trawl catch...
Authors
P.J. Anderson, John F. Piatt

Digital data for the geologic framework of the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, and the Alaska Peninsula terrane Digital data for the geologic framework of the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, and the Alaska Peninsula terrane

These digital databases are the result of the compilation and reinterpretation of published and unpublished 1:250,000- and 1:63,360-scale mapping. The map area covers approximately 62,000 sq km (23,000 sq mi) in land area and encompasses much of 13 1:250,000-scale quadrangles on the Alaska Peninsula in southwestern Alaska. The compilation was done as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's...
Authors
Frederic H. Wilson, Robert L. Detterman, Gregory D. DuBois

One Northwest community - People, salmon, rivers, and the sea: Towards sustainable salmon fisheries One Northwest community - People, salmon, rivers, and the sea: Towards sustainable salmon fisheries

Pacific salmon management is in crisis. Throughout their range, salmon and steelhead populations are being adversely affected by human activities. Without coordinated, effective, and timely action, the future of the Pacific salmon resource is most certainly in doubt. To address the challenges that are currently facing salmon management, concerned citizens representing a diverse array of...
Authors
Donald D. MacDonald, Cleveland R. Steward, E. Eric Knudsen

Population demographics and genetic diversity in remnant and translocated populations of sea otters Population demographics and genetic diversity in remnant and translocated populations of sea otters

The effects of small population size on genetic diversity and subsequent population recovery are theoretically predicted, but few empirical data are available to describe those relations. We use data from four remnant and three translocated sea otter ( Enhydra lutris) populations to examine relations among magnitude and duration of minimum population size, population growth rates, and...
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, M. A. Cronin, K.T. Scribner

Discovery of a new Kittlitz's murrelet nest: Clues to habitat selection and nest-site fidelity Discovery of a new Kittlitz's murrelet nest: Clues to habitat selection and nest-site fidelity

On 13 June 1993, a new Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) nest was discovered near Red Mountain on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. The nest was on a 22° slope at about 900 m elevation with a northeast aspect, and contained a 60.2 × 40.6 mm egg that weighed 49.0 g. Downy feathers and weathered fecal material found at the nest indicated re-use from a previous year, suggesting...
Authors
John F. Piatt, Nancy L. Naslund, Thomas I. van Pelt

Changes in proximate composition and somatic energy content for Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) from Kachemak Bay, Alaska relative to maturity and season Changes in proximate composition and somatic energy content for Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) from Kachemak Bay, Alaska relative to maturity and season

Mean dry-weight energy values of adult Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) peaked in spring and early summer (20.91 kJg−1 for males, 21.08 kJg−1 for females), then declined by about 25% during late summer and fall (15.91 kJg−1 for males, 15.74 kJg−1 for females). Late summer declines in energy density paralleled gonadal development. Gender differences in energy density (males
Authors
Martin D. Robards, Jill A. Anthony, George A. Rose, John F. Piatt

Marine mammal survey and assessment methods Marine mammal survey and assessment methods

This volume comprises the proceedings of a symposium on marine mammal survey assessment methods, which took place in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Characteristics of the Alaskan 1-Km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data sets used for analysis of vegetation biophysical properties Characteristics of the Alaskan 1-Km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data sets used for analysis of vegetation biophysical properties

In this study, data characteristics for composited, multitemporal Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data sets for Alaska were assessed for a 7- year period from 1991 to 1997. This involved consideration of the satellite sensors used, data processing performed, and data set compilation, along with an analysis of acquisition date, solar zenith angle, satellite viewing angle...
Authors
Carl J. Markon
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