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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: 3090

Pattern of shoreline spawning by sockeye salmon in a glacially turbid lake: Evidence for subpopulation differentiation Pattern of shoreline spawning by sockeye salmon in a glacially turbid lake: Evidence for subpopulation differentiation

Alaskan sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka typically spawn in lake tributaries during summer (early run) and along clear‐water lake shorelines and outlet rivers during fall (late run). Production at the glacially turbid Tustumena Lake and its outlet, the Kasilof River (south‐central Alaska), was thought to be limited to a single run of sockeye salmon that spawned in the lakeˈs clear‐water
Authors
C. V. Burger, J.E. Finn, L. Holland-Bartels

GIS for mapping waterfowl density and distribution from aerial surveys GIS for mapping waterfowl density and distribution from aerial surveys

We modified standard aerial survey data collection to obtain the geographic location for each waterfowl observation on surveys in Alaska during 1987-1993. Using transect navigation with CPS (global positioning system), data recording on continuously running tapes, and a computer data input program, we located observations with an average deviation along transects of 214 m. The method...
Authors
W.I. Butler, R.A. Stehn, G.R. Balogh

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

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

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

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

Estimating prefledging survival: Allowing for brood mixing and dependence among brood mates Estimating prefledging survival: Allowing for brood mixing and dependence among brood mates

Estimates of juvenile survival from hatch to fledging provide important information on waterfowl productivity. We develop a model for estimating survival of young waterfowl from hatch to fledging. Our model enables interchange of individuals among broods and relaxes the assumption that individuals within broods have independent survival probabilities. The model requires repeated...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Kenneth H. Pollock, Dana Thomas, James S. Sedinger

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

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
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