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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: 3104

Evaluation of sea otter capture after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska Evaluation of sea otter capture after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska

After the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill into Prince William Sound, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Exxon Company, U.S.A., began rescuing sea otters (Enhydra lutris). The primary objective of this operation was to capture live, oiled sea otters for cleaning and rehabilitation. Between 30 March and 29 May 1989, 139 live sea otters were captured in the sound and transported to...
Authors
James L. Bodkin, F. Weltz

Nest-site selection by Emperor Geese and Cackling Canada Geese Nest-site selection by Emperor Geese and Cackling Canada Geese

Differences were found in habitat structure between nest sites of Emperor Geese (Chen canagicus) and Cackling Canada Geese (Branta canadensis minima) during a 5-year study (1982-1986) at Kokechik Bay, Alaska. Emperor Geese tended to select sites that afforded concealment from avian predators before incubation began. Cackling Canada Geese tended to select sites that enhanced avoidance of...
Authors
Margaret R. Petersen

Tracking wildlife by satellite: Current systems and performance Tracking wildlife by satellite: Current systems and performance

Since 1984, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has used the Argos Data Collection and Location System (DCLS) and Tiros-N series satellites to monitor movements and activities of 10 species of large mammals in Alaska and the Rocky Mountain region. Reliability of the entire system was generally high. Data were received from instrumented caribou (Rangifer tarandus) during 91% of 318...
Authors
Richard B. Harris, Steven G. Fancy, David C. Douglas, Gerald W. Garner, Steven C. Amstrup, Thomas R. McCabe, Larry F. Pank

Site 766 Site 766

No abstract available.
Authors

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

Flexible time budgets in breeding Common Murres: Buffers against variable prey availability Flexible time budgets in breeding Common Murres: Buffers against variable prey availability

Mortality rates of canvasbacks were estimated from band-recovery records. The annual rate of mortality of immatures during the first year was 77 per cent. Annual mortality rates of adults ranged from 35 to 50 per cent. Mortality rates of females were higher than those of males. Relatively larger numbers of immatures and adult females were shot early in the hunting season, and relatively...
Authors
A.E. Burger, John F. Piatt

Extra-pair copulations in Black Brant Extra-pair copulations in Black Brant

Monogamy is the primary mating system among waterfowl, but extra-pair copulations (EPCs) have been documented in at least 39 species (McKinney et al. 1983). Extra-pair copulations occur in most Holarctic species of dabbling ducks (Anas spp.), but have been recorded in only three species of geese: Lesser Snow Geese, Chen caerulescens caerulescens (Mineau and Cooke 1979a), Ross’ Geese, C...
Authors
Daniel Welsh, James S. Sedinger

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

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

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

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

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
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