Daniel Esler, Ph.D.
Dan is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the Alaska Science Center and leads the Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research Program. His work focuses on nearshore marine monitoring, drivers of variation in nearshore systems, sea duck ecology and conservation, and program management.
Professional Experience
2013 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center
2001 - 2013 Research Scientist, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Delta, British Columbia
1990 - 2001 Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS/US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Biological Science Center/Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1990 Biological Technician, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 Wildlife Technician, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Okeechobee, Florida
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2000 Oregon State University Wildlife Science
M.S. 1988 Texas A&M University Wildlife Ecology
B.S. 1985 Northland College Biology/Outdoor Education
Affiliations and Memberships*
Affiliate Faculty - University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Adjunct Professor - Simon Fraser University
The Wildlife Society
Pacific Seabird Group
Sea Duck Joint Venture Continental Technical Team
Science and Products
Survival of surf scoters and white-winged scoters during remigial molt
Phenology and duration of remigial moult in Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) and White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca) on the Pacific coast of North America
Spatiotemporal associations between Pacific herring spawn and surf scoter spring migration: evaluating a "silver wave" hypothesis
Predation rates, timing, and predator composition for Scoters (Melanitta spp.) in marine habitats
Predation rates, timing, and predator composition for scoters (Melanitta spp.) in marine habitats
Cytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of the timeline of chronic exposure of Barrow’s goldeneyes to residual Exxon Valdez oil
Stopover habitats of spring migrating surf scoters in southeast Alaska
Survival of captive and free-ranging Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) following surgical liver biopsy
PCB exposure in sea otters and harlequin ducks in relation to history of contamination by the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Evaluation of a portable automated serum chemistry analyzer for field assessment of harlequin ducks, Histrionicus histrionicus
Cytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of oil exposure in harlequin ducks up to 20 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Evaluating the validity of using unverified indices of body condition
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Survival of surf scoters and white-winged scoters during remigial molt
Phenology and duration of remigial moult in Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) and White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca) on the Pacific coast of North America
Spatiotemporal associations between Pacific herring spawn and surf scoter spring migration: evaluating a "silver wave" hypothesis
Predation rates, timing, and predator composition for Scoters (Melanitta spp.) in marine habitats
Predation rates, timing, and predator composition for scoters (Melanitta spp.) in marine habitats
Cytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of the timeline of chronic exposure of Barrow’s goldeneyes to residual Exxon Valdez oil
Stopover habitats of spring migrating surf scoters in southeast Alaska
Survival of captive and free-ranging Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) following surgical liver biopsy
PCB exposure in sea otters and harlequin ducks in relation to history of contamination by the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Evaluation of a portable automated serum chemistry analyzer for field assessment of harlequin ducks, Histrionicus histrionicus
Cytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of oil exposure in harlequin ducks up to 20 years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Evaluating the validity of using unverified indices of body condition
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government