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
Observations of geese foraging for clam shells during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska Observations of geese foraging for clam shells during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
We studied the behavior of geese on exposed river ice during spring on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The predominant behavior while on the ice for both sexes was foraging; however, females foraged more than males. Visual inspection of the ice revealed no potential plant or animal food items. However, numerous small (
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Ada C. Fowler, Grace E. Bottitta, Jason L. Schamber
Settlement rate of lead shot in tundra wetlands Settlement rate of lead shot in tundra wetlands
Several species of breeding waterfowl have been shown to be exposed to lead shot on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta, Alaska. I 'seeded' experimental plots with number 4 lead shot to determine the settlement rate of shot in wetland types commonly used by foraging waterfowl. I resampled plots for 3 years, using a suction dredge to remove sediment in 4-cm layers. There was no consistent...
Authors
Paul L. Flint
Effect of lead poisoning on spectacled eider survival rates Effect of lead poisoning on spectacled eider survival rates
Spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) populations on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Alaska, declined rapidly through the 1980s, and low adult female survival was suggested as the likely cause of the decline. We used mark-resighting techniques to study annual survival rates of adult female spectacled eiders at 2 sites on the Y-K Delta during 1993-96. Our data suggest survival...
Authors
J. Barry Grand, Paul L. Flint, Margaret R. Petersen, Christine L. Moran
Survival of Common Eider Somateria mollissima adult females and ducklings during brood rearing Survival of Common Eider Somateria mollissima adult females and ducklings during brood rearing
We studied survival of adult female and duckling Common Eiders during brood rearing at two sties o the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, in 1997. Duckling survival to 30 days of age was 19%±10% (95% CI). Seventy-three percent of radio-marked adult females had lost all their ducklings by 30 days after hatch. Duckling survival was not related to hatch date. We estimate an average of 0.84...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Christine L. Moran, J.L. Schamber
Hermit crabs in the diet of Pigeon Guillemots at Kachemak Bay, Alaska Hermit crabs in the diet of Pigeon Guillemots at Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Guillemots (Cepphus spp.) feed their chicks a diet that is almost exclusively fish. We observed Pigeon Guillemots (C. columba) at two colonies in Alaska where hermit crabs (Crustacea: Anomura) were a major part of the diet for some nestlings. Hermit crabs were delivered to three of five observed nests at one colony, comprised between 2% and 22% of the items delivered at those nests, and...
Authors
Michael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Jared D. Figurski
A model of northern pintail productivity and population growth rate A model of northern pintail productivity and population growth rate
Our objective was to synthesize individual components of reproductive ecology into a single estimate of productivity and to assess the relative effects of survival and productivity on population dynamics. We used information on nesting ecology, renesting potential, and duckling survival of northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Alaska, 1991-95...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, J. Barry Grand, Robert F. Rockwell
Seabirds of the Chukotka Peninsula, Russia Seabirds of the Chukotka Peninsula, Russia
We conducted seabird surveys along the entire coast of the Chukotka Peninsula (northwestern Siberia, Russia) from 1983 to 1991. We present the first comprehensive descriptions of the distribution and size of Chukotkan seabird colonies. Thirteen species of seabirds were recorded breeding on the peninsula, with an additional 13 migrant or vagrant species. Our estimate that at least 3 300...
Authors
N. B. Konyukhov, L. S. Bogoslovskaya, B. M. Zvonov, Thomas I. van Pelt
Alaska resource data file: McCarthy quadrangle Alaska resource data file: McCarthy quadrangle
Descriptions of the mineral occurrences shown on the accompanying figure follow. See U.S. Geological Survey (1996) for a description of the information content of each field in the records. The data presented here are maintained as part of a statewide database on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences throughout Alaska.
Authors
Donald Richter
Alaska resource data file: Lake Clark quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Lake Clark quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
Damon P. Bickerstaff
Effects of human activity on brown bear use of the Kulik River, Alaska Effects of human activity on brown bear use of the Kulik River, Alaska
I systematically observed brown bear (Ursus arctos) and human activity on a sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stream in Katmai National Park during fall 1993 and 1995. More than 700 hours of observations were used to determine the temporal and spatial use patterns by people and bears as well as the frequency, nature, and outcome of bear-human interactions. Bears altered their temporal...
Authors
Tom S. Smith
Geologic map of central (interior) Alaska Geologic map of central (interior) Alaska
Introduction: This map and associated digital databases are the result of a compilation and reinterpretation of published and unpublished 1:250,000- and limited 1:125,000- and 1:63,360-scale mapping. The map area covers approximately 416,000 sq km (134,000 sq mi) and encompasses 25 1:250,000-scale quadrangles in central Alaska. The compilation was done as part of the U.S. Geological...
Authors
Frederic H. Wilson, James H. Dover, Dwight Bradley, Florence R. Weber, Thomas K. Bundtzen, Peter J. Haeussler
Alaska resource data file: Tyonek quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Tyonek quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
Madelyn Millholland, J.R. Riehle