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: 3088
Iterative techniques for characterizing marine bird habitats with time-series of satellite images Iterative techniques for characterizing marine bird habitats with time-series of satellite images
Demonstrating long-term habitat use of marine habitats by seabirds is often complicated by short-term changes in habitat locations, persistence, and age. This paper describes iterative techniques for characterizing non-static habitats, such as meso-scale (10-100 km) ocean eddies and fronts, using time-series of satellite images that define sea surface conditions. Seabird use of satellite...
Authors
J. Christopher Haney
Remote characterization of marine bird habitats with satellite imagery Remote characterization of marine bird habitats with satellite imagery
Remote sensing techniques such as radar altimetry, synthetic aperture radar, coastal zone color scanning, and infrared radiometry provide effective, instantaneous, and relatively inexpensive means for characterizing critical habitats of marine birds. In order to make optimal use of satellite-derived data, the rationale for marine habitat classification is presented, and advantages and...
Authors
J. Christopher Haney
The Resurrection Peninsula ophiolite The Resurrection Peninsula ophiolite
The Resurrection Peninsula forms the east side of Resurrection Bay (fig. 3). Relief ranges from 437 m (1,434 ft) at the southern end of the peninsula to more than 1,463 m (4,800 ft) opposite the head of the bay. All rock units composing the informally named Resurrection Peninsula ophiolite of Nelson and others (1987) are visible or accessible by boat. "Ophiolite" has been a geologic term...
Authors
Steven W. Nelson, Marti L. Miller, Julie A. Dumoulin
Continued studies on opiods and hibernation: Does the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) hibernate? Continued studies on opiods and hibernation: Does the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) hibernate?
No abstract available.
Authors
David S. Bruce, Nancy K. Darling, Katheleen J. Seeland, Peter R. Oeltgen, Sita P. Nilekani, Steven C. Amstrup
Nest habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys Nest habitat use of Rio Grande wild turkeys
Nest habitat use of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) was studied along the South Platte River in northeast Colorado in 1986-87. Thirty-three of 35 nests were in riparian habitats. Nests were either in western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) (67%) or mixed forbs and grasses (33%). Early season nests were more likely to be in snowberry than late season nests...
Authors
Joel A. Schmutz, Clait E. Braun, William F. Andelt
Terrain, vegetation, and landscape evolution of the R4D research site, Brooks Range Foothills, Alaska Terrain, vegetation, and landscape evolution of the R4D research site, Brooks Range Foothills, Alaska
Maps of the vegetation and terrain of a 22 km2 area centered on the Department of Energy (DOE) R4D (Response, Resistance, Resilience to and Recovery from Disturbance in Arctic Ecosystems) study site in the Southern Foothills Physiographic Province of Alaska were made using integrated geobotanical mapping procedures and a geographic-information system. Typical land forms and surface f...
Authors
D.A. Walker, Emily F. Binnian, B. M. Evans, N.D. Lederer, E.A. Nordstrand, P.J. Webber
Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning in a free-ranging polar bear Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning in a free-ranging polar bear
The bright, fluorescent pink-colored remains of a polar bear were found on an Alaskan island with the gravel and snow adjacent to the bear colored bright purple. Traces of fox urine and feces found nearby were also pink. The punk and purple colors were due to rhodamine B, and ethylene glycol (EG) was present in the soil under the carcass. Evidence is given to suggest the bear consumed a...
Authors
Steven C. Amstrup, Craig L. Gardner, Kevin C. Myers, Frederick W. Oehme
Seasonal and annual variation in the diet of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in relation to the abundance of capelin (Mallotus villosus) off eastern Newfoundland, Canada Seasonal and annual variation in the diet of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in relation to the abundance of capelin (Mallotus villosus) off eastern Newfoundland, Canada
The importance of capelin as prey for cod has long been known (Thompson, 1943; and see Lilly (1987) for a review); however, no studies have been conducted on how the highly dynamic seasonal and yearly variations in capelin abundance affect cod diet. We studied the occurrence of capelin in cod stomachs in relation to the relative abundance of capelin at Witless Bay, Newfoundland (47°15’N...
Authors
David A. Methven, John F. Piatt
Preliminary geologic map of the Baird Mountains and part of the Selawik quadrangles, Alaska Preliminary geologic map of the Baird Mountains and part of the Selawik quadrangles, Alaska
No abstract available.
Authors
Susan M. Karl, Julie A. Dumoulin, Inyo Ellersieck, A. G. Harris, J.M. Schmidt
Autumn use of Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, by brant from different breeding areas Autumn use of Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, by brant from different breeding areas
Thirty-three adult brant (Branta bernicla) were radiomarked at 4 widely separated areas of the western Canadian arctic and 1 area in western Alaska during June-August 1987. Their use of the Izembek Lagoon on the Alaska Peninsula was monitored through the 1987 fall staging period (Sep-Dec). Eighty percent of the brant (n = 33), including ≥50% of individuals from each of the marking areas...
Authors
Austin Reed, Robert A. Stehn, David H. Ward
Impacts of petroleum development in the Arctic Impacts of petroleum development in the Arctic
In their article “Cumulative impacts of oil fields on northern Alaskan landscapes.” D. A. Walter et al. (1) document some direct and indirect impacts of petroleum development in the Arctic on selected portions of the Prudhoe Bay Oil field. While most of the kinds of impacts they discuss are valid points to consider in designing an arctic oil field, the magnitude of what they describe is...
Authors
Robertson S.B.