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: 3090
Controls on accretion of flysch and melange belts at convergent margins: Evidence from the Chugach Bay thrust and Iceworm melange, Chugach accretionary wedge, Alaska Controls on accretion of flysch and melange belts at convergent margins: Evidence from the Chugach Bay thrust and Iceworm melange, Chugach accretionary wedge, Alaska
Controls on accretion of flysch and mélange terranes at convergent margins are poorly understood. Southern Alaska's Chugach terrane forms the outboard accretionary margin of the Wrangellia composite terrane, and consists of two major lithotectonic units, including Triassic-Cretaceous mélange of the McHugh Complex and Late Cretaceous flysch of the Valdez Group. The contact between the...
Authors
Timothy M. Kusky, Dwight Bradley, Peter J. Haeussler, Susan M. Karl
Foods of northern fulmars associated with high-seas drift nets in the transitional region of the North Pacific Foods of northern fulmars associated with high-seas drift nets in the transitional region of the North Pacific
We examined digestive tract contents and nitrogen stable isotope ratios in breast muscles of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) salvaged from squid and large-mesh drift nets in the transitional North Pacific. Lantern fishes (Myctophidae) were the principal prey item found in the digestive tracts. Pieces of unidentified fishes (probably Pacific pomfret Brama japonica) and shredded...
Authors
Patrick J. Gould, William Walker, Peggy H. Ostrom
Population genetics studies of the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): A summary and interpretation of results and research needs Population genetics studies of the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus): A summary and interpretation of results and research needs
A summary of population genetics data is presented for the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus). Current information on the ecology and behavior of the species is highlighted to aid in the interpretation of genetics results and to suggest future areas of research. Walruses are discontinuously distributed across the Arctic and are currently subdivided into six regional populations on the basis of...
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, Susan Hills, Steven R. Fain, Matthew A. Cronin
Aerial videography for estimating goose populations staging in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Aerial videography for estimating goose populations staging in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska
We conducted experimental photographic surveys of black brant and Canada geese in a pre-migration staging area on the Alaska Peninsula to compare precision and efficiency of this technique to currently employed ocular estimates. Video and digital cameras sensitive to near infrared and visible radiation were tested at various altitudes and with lenses of different focal length. Using...
Authors
R.M. Anthony, R.A. Stehn, W.H. Anderson
Isolation and characterization of novel waterfowl microsatellite loci: Cross-species comparisons and research applications Isolation and characterization of novel waterfowl microsatellite loci: Cross-species comparisons and research applications
Waterfowl constitute an ecologically diverse group which are the subject of extensive research (e.g. see reviews in Batt et al. 1992), and are intensively managed (Nichols et al.1995). Genetic studies utilizing allozyme electrophoresis and mitochondrial (mt)DNA have provided valuable information on waterfowl ecology and evolutionary history (Cooke & Buckley 1987). However, highly...
Authors
R.L. Fields, Kim T. Scribner
Variation in incubation periods and egg metabolism in mallards: Intrinsic mechanisms to promote hatch synchrony Variation in incubation periods and egg metabolism in mallards: Intrinsic mechanisms to promote hatch synchrony
We investigated factors affecting incubation time and metabolic rates of Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) eggs incubated under constant environmental conditions. Time required to reach the star-pipped stage of hatch varied significantly among females, but not with laying sequence or egg size. Metabolic rate of eggs varied positively with position in the laying sequence and tended to vary...
Authors
Margaret C. MacCluskie, Paul L. Flint, James S. Sedinger
Alaska resource data file: Killik River quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Killik River quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
Karen D. Kelley
Alaska resource data file: Misheguk Mountain quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Misheguk Mountain quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
J. H. Dover
Alaska resource data file: Coleen quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Coleen quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
J. H. Dover
Alaska resource data file: Christian quadrangle Alaska resource data file: Christian quadrangle
No abstract available.
Authors
J. H. Dover
Adaptation of a stage-projection model for species with multiple year reproductive cycles Adaptation of a stage-projection model for species with multiple year reproductive cycles
We apply stage projection matrices to multiple age and reproductive categories, deriving the stable age - reproductive category distribution for populations with multi-year reproductive cycles and identifying conditions for the existence of a dominant latent root. Given the stable distribution of age and reproductive category and the number of female young for each reproductive category...
Authors
James R. Gilbert, Mark S. Udevitz
Seasonal and annual survival of adult Pacific brant Seasonal and annual survival of adult Pacific brant
Declining mid-winter counts of Pacific brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) and reduced numbers of nesting birds on their main breeding grounds prompted us to assess factors that may be limiting recovery of this population. We estimated seasonal and annual survival rates of adult brant in 1986-93 from resightings of leg-banded birds. Brant were banded at a major colony on the Yukon...
Authors
David H. Ward, Eric A. Rexstad, James S. Sedinger, Mark S. Lindberg, Neil K. Dawe