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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

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

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

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

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

Diurnal and seasonal patterns of colony attendance in the Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis Diurnal and seasonal patterns of colony attendance in the Northern Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis

The annual cycle of Northern Fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in the western Gulf of Alaska includes about six months from mid-April to mid-October when birds are associated with land at the Semidi Islands. The pre-laying stage in five years was marked by recurrent peaks in attendance that included up to 90% of the population, and alternate periods of 2 to 12 days when the breeding ground...
Authors
Scott A. Hatch

Reproductive performance of Rio Grande wild turkeys Reproductive performance of Rio Grande wild turkeys

Frequency, magnitude, and timing of reproduction in Rio Grande Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) hens were studied in northeastern Colorado in 1986 and 1987. All adults (n = 12) and 95% (n = 20) of yearlings were known to attempt nesting. Adults initiated first nest attempts earlier than yearlings in 1987 but not 1986. Adults and yearlings did not differ in clutch size or...
Authors
Joel A. Schmutz, Clait E. Braun

Baleen whales and their prey in a coastal environment Baleen whales and their prey in a coastal environment

Patterns of abundance of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales are described in relation to the abundance of their primary prey, capelin (Mallotus villosus), during 1982–1985 at Witless Bay, Newfoundland. The abundance ratio of the three whale species was 10:1:3.5, respectively. Abundance of all whale species was...
Authors
John F. Piatt, David A. Methven, Alan E. Burger, Ruth L. McLagan, Vicki Mercer, Elizabeth Creelman

Techniques for shipboard surveys of marine birds Techniques for shipboard surveys of marine birds

We describe shipboard and small boat techniques used by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska to survey marine birds at sea. The basis is a 10-min, 300-m-wide, strip transect taken from a platform moving at a constant speed in a constant direction. Special routines, such as instantaneous counts of traveling birds, are explained to help reduce biases caused by factors such as varying...
Authors
Patrick J. Gould, Douglas J. Forsell

Exxon Valdez bird toll Exxon Valdez bird toll

No abstract available.
Authors
John F. Piatt, Calvin J. Lensink
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