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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: 3071

Lead poisoning of spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and of a common eider (Somateria mollissima) in Alaska Lead poisoning of spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and of a common eider (Somateria mollissima) in Alaska

Lead poisoning was diagnosed in four spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and one common eider (Somateria mollissima) found dead or moribund at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska (USA) in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Ingested lead shot was found in the lower esophagus of one spectacled eider and in the gizzard of the common eider. Lead concentrations in the livers of the...
Authors
J. Christian Franson, Margaret R. Petersen, Carol U. Meteyer, Milton R. Smith

Critical thermal maxima of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fry under field and laboratory acclimation regimes Critical thermal maxima of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) fry under field and laboratory acclimation regimes

Juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) from three populations in Washington State were captured in the field and tested for critical thermal maximum (CTM). Tolerances varied among the populations (mean CTMs were 28.21, 29.13, and 29.23 °C) and exceeded published data from some laboratory tests. The population from a relatively cool stream had a lower CTM than the two populations...
Authors
John T. Konecki, Carol Ann Woody, Thomas P. Quinn

Correlation of Ordovician rocks of northern Alaska Correlation of Ordovician rocks of northern Alaska

The Ordovician sequences presented in this report were chosen to cover a range of depositional and structural settings found in northern Alaska. Consequently, the quality of lithostratigraphic, paleontologic, and sedimentologic data is variable. Until 1982, Ordovician rocks in northern Alaska were known only from a few, widely separated localities. Since then, several hundred Ordovician...
Authors
Anita G. Harris, Julie A. Dumoulin, John E. Repetski, Claire Carter

Wolf predation on caribou calves in Denali National Park, Alaska Wolf predation on caribou calves in Denali National Park, Alaska

During 1987-1991, 29 to 45 radio-collared caribou cows were monitored daily during calving each year and their calves were radio-collared (n = 147 calves) to investigate calf production and survival. We determined characteristics of wolf predation on caribou calves and, utilizing information from a companion wolf study, evaluated the role of spacing by caribou cows in minimizing wolf...
Authors
Layne G. Adams, B. Dale, L. David Mech

Nearshore distribution and abundance of Dungeness crabs in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska Nearshore distribution and abundance of Dungeness crabs in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

As part of an ongoing, multi-agency study to determine the effects of closure of the commercial fishery for Dungeness crabs, Cancer magister, on crab population structure we examined patterns of distribution and abundance of crabs in nearshore habitats at five locations in and near Glacier Bay National Park. Sampling was conducted in April and September 1992 and April 1993 prior to the...
Authors
Charles E. O’Clair, J. Lincoln Freese, Robert P. Stone, Thomas C. Shirley, Erica H. Leder, S. James Taggart, Gordon H. Kruse

Winter wolf predation in a multiple ungulate prey system, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska Winter wolf predation in a multiple ungulate prey system, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

We investigated patterns of winter wolf predation, including prey selection, prey switching, kill rates, carcass utilization, and consumption rates for four wolf packs during three different study periods (March 1989, March 1990, and November 1990) in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Wolves killed predominantly caribou (165 caribou, seven moose, and five Dall sheep...
Authors
Bruce W. Dale, Layne G. Adams, R. Terry Bowyer

Vegetation management for reducing mortality of ponderosa pine seedlings from Thomomys spp Vegetation management for reducing mortality of ponderosa pine seedlings from Thomomys spp

The effects of vegetation management on Mazama pocket gopher activity and damage to ponderosa pine seedlings were studied using atrazine herbicide to alter the habitat. Atrazine treatments were applied to a large treatment unit and observed effects were compared to an untreated control unit. The greatly reduced forb and grass cover on the treated unit was associated with a corresponding...
Authors
Richard M. Engeman, Victor G. Barnes, Richard M. Anthony, Heather W. Krupa

Release strategies for rehabilitated sea otters Release strategies for rehabilitated sea otters

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ (USFWS) Response Plan for sea otters (USFWS, in preparation), in the event of an oil spill, the decision to release sea otters from rehabilitation centers following treatment will be linked to the decision on whether to capture sea otters for treatment. Assuming a scenario similar to the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS), once the decision to...
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Brenda E. Ballachey, Keith Bayha
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