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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: 3097

Energy dynamics, foraging ecology, and behavior of prenesting greater white-fronted geese Energy dynamics, foraging ecology, and behavior of prenesting greater white-fronted geese

We collected greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) on their nesting grounds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, when they arrived and again before incubation during 1986 and 1987. Body mass, water content, crude fat, and crude protein increased in female geese between arrival and incubation onset in 1986 and 1987 (P = 0.0001, 0.0002, 0.0329, and 0.0003, respectively)...
Authors
D.A. Budeau, John T. Ratti, Craig R. Ely

Change-in-ratio estimators for populations with more than two subclasses Change-in-ratio estimators for populations with more than two subclasses

Change-in-ratio methods have been developed to estimate the size of populations with two or three population subclasses. Most of these methods require the often unreasonable assumption of equal sampling probabilities for individuals in all subclasses. This paper presents new models based on the weaker assumption that ratios of sampling probabilities are constant over time for populations...
Authors
Mark S. Udevitz, Kenneth H. Pollock

Mortality of seabirds in the Japanese land-based gillnet fishery for salmon Mortality of seabirds in the Japanese land-based gillnet fishery for salmon

Mortality rates of seabirds in the Japanese land-based drift gillnet fishery for salmon were assessed from 413 gillnet sets made by Japanese research vessels in offshore areas used by the commercial fleet. Sixteen species of seabirds were recorded in nets. Shearwaters, primarily Short-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris), and to a lesser extent Sooty Shearwaters (P. griseus)...
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Robert H. Day

Variable first prebasic molt in Rio Grande and Merriam's wild turkeys Variable first prebasic molt in Rio Grande and Merriam's wild turkeys

Gallinaceous birds typically retain the juvenal ninth (JIX) and tenth (JX) primary wing feathers during the first prebasic molt (Petrides 1945, terminology follows Humphrey and Parkes 1959). However, not all Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) retain JIX and JX during this molt. Some retain only JX (reviewed by Lewis 1967), and in 21% of 125 Florida Wild Turkeys (M. g. osceola), all 10...
Authors
Joel A. Schmutz, Richard W. Hoffman

Birds of the Kilbuck and Ahklun mountain region, Alaska Birds of the Kilbuck and Ahklun mountain region, Alaska

Between 1952 and 1988, we studied the abundance, distribution, occurrence, and habitats used by birds in the northwest portion of Bristol Bay and the adjacent Kilbuck and Ahklun mountains. In the 809 days we were present, we conducted 53 studies or surveys of birds in the region. We gathered information on 185 species, of which 65% (121) nested, 10% (19) probably nested, and 11% (21)...
Authors
Margaret R. Petersen, Douglas N. Weir, Matthew H. Dick

Growth rate is negatively correlated with hatch date in Black Brant Growth rate is negatively correlated with hatch date in Black Brant

Arctic geese nest in a highly seasonal environment in which ungrazed plants reach peak nitrogen concentrations when goslings hatch (Sedinger and Raveling 1986). Grazing by geese prolongs peak nutrient concentrations but reduces food availability. This should cause nutrient availability to decline seasonally. Here, we test the hypothesis that late-hatching goslings of Black Brant (Branta...
Authors
James S. Sedinger, Paul L. Flint

Seasonal patterns of prey availability and the foraging behavior of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in a waterfowl nesting area Seasonal patterns of prey availability and the foraging behavior of arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) in a waterfowl nesting area

The foraging behavior of arctic foxes was observed in a waterfowl nesting area on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska in 1985–1986. Observations were made during peak fox activity from two towers, 3 m high, located in different community types. Data were collected continuously for individual foxes on specific activities, the community in which activities occurred, and the type of food...
Authors
Alice Stickney

Evidence for color phase effects on the breeding and life history of Northern Fulmars Evidence for color phase effects on the breeding and life history of Northern Fulmars

About 15% of Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) breeding on the Semidi Islands in 1979 had light-phase plumage; the remainder were dark. Fulmars of different plumage types mated indiscriminantly, but the lighter member of a mixed pair was more likely to be male than female. Pairs that included at least one light-phase member had lower breeding success than dark/dark pairs in one of...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch

A comparison of aerial and boat-based surveys for marbled murrelets in southeast Alaska, July 23-28, 1991 A comparison of aerial and boat-based surveys for marbled murrelets in southeast Alaska, July 23-28, 1991

Aerial and boat-based surveys for Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) were conducted simultaneously over short transect distances (ca. 2 km) in three different areas of the Alexander Archipelago to assess the accuracy and variability of aerial counts compared to boat-based counts. Additional aerial surveys were conducted over a wider geographic area to assess temporal and...
Authors
John F. Piatt, Bruce Conant, Chris Iverson

Effects of wind-hardened snow on foraging by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Effects of wind-hardened snow on foraging by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Various methods were investigated for assessing the relationship between wind-hardened snow (upsik) and forage availability to reindeer. Mean bottom area of individual craters was not a function of depth, hardness or integrated hardness. Individual crater area was partially dependent on specific cratering time (r2 = .60). Cratering time per active period increased with integrated snow...
Authors
W. B. Collins, T. S. Smith

Apparatus for precise regulation and chilling of water temperatures in laboratory studies Apparatus for precise regulation and chilling of water temperatures in laboratory studies

Laboratory simulation of water temperature regimes that occur in subarctic rivers through winter necessitates the ability to maintain near‐freezing conditions. A heat‐exchanging apparatus is described that provided a convenient means of simulating the range of temperatures (0.5–12°C) that incubating eggs of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) typically experience in south‐central Alaskan...
Authors
D.B. Wangaard, John P. McDonell, Carl V. Burger, R.L. Wilmot
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