Daniel H Monson, Ph.D.
Dan is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the Alaska Science Center and sea otter research lead within the Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research Program. His work focuses on sea otter ecology and conservation including developing metrics of sea otter population status and exploring drivers of variation in sea otter foraging and demographic patterns.
Professional Experience
1995 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 Biologist, University of Minnesota, Antarctic Research Program, McMurdo, Antarctica
1992 - 1995 Graduate Research Assistant, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
1992 - 1995 Statistical Assistant, NBS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1987 - 1992 Biological Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
1985 - 1987 Research Assistant, University of Minnesota, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota
1983 - 1985 Biological Technician, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kawishawi Field Station, Ely, Minnesota
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2009 University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
M.S. 1995 University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Marine Science
B.S. 1983 Luther College, Decorah, IA Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
The Wildlife Society
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Ecological Society of America
Science and Products
Life history plasticity and population regulation in sea otters
Comparative demography of sea otter populations
Reproduction, preweaning survival, and survival of adult sea otters at Kodiak Island, Alaska
Experimental recovery of sea otter carcasses at Kodiak Island, Alaska, following the Exxon Valdez oil spill
Postrelease monitoring of radio-instrumented sea otters in Prince William Sound
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
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
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Filter Total Items: 66
Life history plasticity and population regulation in sea otters
We contrasted body condition, and age-specific reproduction and mortality between a growing population of sea otters (Enhydralutris) at Kodiak Island and a high-density near-equilibrium population at Amchitka Island, Alaska. We obtained data from marked individuals, population surveys, and collections of beach-cast carcasses. Mass:length ratios indicated that females (but not males) captured in 19AuthorsDaniel H. Monson, James A. Estes, James L. Bodkin, Donald B. SiniffComparative demography of sea otter populations
Population trends are poorly documented and demographic information is typically lacking for many carnivorous mammals. The sea otter (Enhydru lutris) has a well known history of decline and recovery, and while many other species have declined as precipitously, few have recovered so spectacularly. Generally speaking, northern populations (remnants within the range of E. l. lutris and E. l. kenyoni)AuthorsJames A. Estes, Daniel F. Doak, James L. Bodkin, Ronald J. Jameson, Daniel H. Monson, Jon Watt, M. Tim TinkerReproduction, preweaning survival, and survival of adult sea otters at Kodiak Island, Alaska
Radiotelemetry methods were used to examine the demographic characteristics of sea otters inhabiting the leading edge of an expanding population on Kodiak Island, Alaska. Fifteen male and 30 female sea otters were instrumented and followed from 1986 to 1990. Twenty-one percent of females were sexually mature (had pupped) at age 2, 57% by age 3, 88% by age 4, and 100% by age 5. Fifteen females prodAuthorsDaniel H. Monson, Anthony R. DeGangeExperimental recovery of sea otter carcasses at Kodiak Island, Alaska, following the Exxon Valdez oil spill
ound, Alaska, spilling approximately 11 million barrels of crude oil. Oil wasdeposited on beaches nearly 700 km from the spill site (Galt and Payton 1990,Piatt et al. 1990), affecting thousands of hectares of sea otter(Enhydra lutris)habitat. Two of the principal limitations in determining the initial effects of theExxon Valdez oil spill on seaAuthorsAnthony R. DeGange, Angela M. Doroff, Daniel H. MonsonPostrelease 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 for guidiAuthorsC. Monnett, L.M. Rotterman, C. Stack, Daniel H. MonsonDistribution 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 of highestAuthorsAnthony R. DeGange, Daniel H. Monson, David B. Irons, C.M. Robbins, David C. Douglas
*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