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: 3084
Brood habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys Brood habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys
Habitat use of 14 Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) broods was studied in riparian habitats in northeast Colorado in 1986-87. Of 191 locations, 78% were within the riparian zone, 11 % in agricultural uplands, and 11 % on the edge between these habitats. Use of habitats was dependent on time of day. Within the riparian zone, older broods used grazed areas more often than young...
Authors
Joel A. Schmutz, Clait E. Braun, William F. Andelt
Distribution and relative abundance of sea otters in south-central and south-western Alaska before or at the time of the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill Distribution and relative abundance of sea otters in south-central and south-western Alaska before or at the time of the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill
Surveys of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) conducted before, immediately after, or at the time of the TA^ Exxon Valdez oil spill were used to guide otter capture efforts and assess the immediate effects of the spill. Shoreline counts (by boat) of sea otters in Prince William Sound in 1984 suggested that a minimum of 4,500 sea otters inhabited nearshore waters of Prince William Sound. Areas...
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Daniel H. Monson, David B. Irons, C.M. Robbins, David C. Douglas
Site 765: Sedimentology Site 765: Sedimentology
Various techniques were used to decipher the sedimentation history of Site 765, including Markov chain analysis of facies transitions, XRD analysis of clay and other minerals, and multivariate analysis of smear-slide data, in addition to the standard descriptive procedures employed by the shipboard sedimentologist. This chapter presents brief summaries of methodology and major findings...
Authors
Distribution, age, and sex composition of sea otter carcasses recovered during the response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill Distribution, age, and sex composition of sea otter carcasses recovered during the response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill
Nearly 900 sea otter (Enhydra lutris) carcasses were recovered in or adjacent to coastal areas affected by the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill. The time of carcass recovery and the condition of carcasses indicate that most oil spill-induced mortality occurred early in the response period. In fact, by 19 May about 70% of the carcasses had been found. The majority of the carcasses (56%) were...
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Calvin J. Lensink
Postrelease monitoring of radio-instrumented sea otters in Prince William Sound Postrelease monitoring of radio-instrumented sea otters in Prince William Sound
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) that were captured in western Prince William Sound (PWS) or the Gulf of Alaska, treated, and held in captivity at the temporary rehabilitation centers established in response to the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill were instrumented with radio transmitters, released into eastern PWS, and monitored by radiotelemetry. We undertook the present study to gain information...
Authors
C. Monnett, L.M. Rotterman, C. Stack, Daniel H. Monson
Seasonal movements of adult female polar bears in the Bering and Chukchi seas Seasonal movements of adult female polar bears in the Bering and Chukchi seas
Ten adult female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were fitted with satellite telemetry collars during March 1986 in the Kotzebue Sound area of the Chukchi Sea. During March-April 1987, 2 of these bears were refitted with satellite telemetry collars and an additional 10 adult females were collared in the northern Bering and eastern Chukchi seas. Data for 1,560 point locations recorded...
Authors
Gerald W. Garner, Steven T. Knick, David C. Douglas
Incubation rhythm in the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis: Annual variation and sex roles Incubation rhythm in the Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis: Annual variation and sex roles
I monitored the incubation schedules of Fulmars Fulmarus glacialis in an Alaskan colony by observing nests where the male and female were of different colour phases. Complete shifts of up to 16 days were recorded; the average shift in mid-incubation was 4–6 days. Mean shift length was inversely correlated with hatching success in 5 years, suggesting that Fulmars adjusted their foraging...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch
The importance of subarctic intertidal habitats to shorebirds: A study of the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska The importance of subarctic intertidal habitats to shorebirds: A study of the central Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
A 6-year study of shorebird use of intertidal habitats of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta revealed this area to be one of the premiere sites for shorebirds throughout the Holarctic and worthy of designation as a Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. The study area, which covered 10% (300 km2) of the delta's intertidal flats, regularly hosted 17...
Authors
Robert E. Gill, Colleen M. Handel
Breeding seasons of oceanic birds in a subarctic colony Breeding seasons of oceanic birds in a subarctic colony
We studied the breeding seasons of marine birds on the Semidi Islands, western Gulf of Alaska, from 1976 to 1983. Distributions of laying or hatching observed in 11 species during 1–7 years are presented; less detailed information is available on the breeding schedules of three species. The combined laying period of 14 species lasted 3 months from mid-April to mid-July; the first eggs of...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch, Martha A. Hatch
The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and resource maps of the Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles, Alaska The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and resource maps of the Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles, Alaska
The Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles (1:250,000) are a part of the Alaska Peninsula in southwestern Alaska. This circular, in conjunction with a companion folio of MF-series maps, two I-series geologic maps, and three bulletins, represents the results of integrated field and laboratory studies on the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, paleontology...
Authors
Robert L. Detterman, J. E. Case, S. E. Church, J. G. Frisken, Frederic H. Wilson, M. E. Yount
Site 765: Sediment Lithostratigraphy Site 765: Sediment Lithostratigraphy
A 935-m-thick succession of Quaternary through Lower Cretaceous sediments was recovered at Site 765 (Fig. 10). A single core of Quaternary sediment was obtained from Hole 765A; drilling terminated and a new hole was drilled in an attempt to establish the mud line. Quaternary through middle Miocene sediments were cored in Hole 765B down to a depth of 395.6 mbsf. Middle Miocene through...
Authors