David Douglas
Satellite remote sensing of landscape features that possess high-frequency dynamics, such as sea ice distribution and vegetation phenology, and spatial analyses of how wildlife migrations are influenced by habitat and weather dynamics.
My projects aim to pioneer new analytical avenues in applied wildlife research by combining remote sensing with traditional wildlife studies to answer questions about habitat use and animal movements at landscape scales. The studies I engage align with Department of Interior priorities in the Arctic by addressing a growing need to understand how changes in climate or land use practices affect wildlife migrations, habitat availability, habitat quality, and population dynamics. Climate is the overarching force that controls wildlife habitat resources in the Arctic, so understanding linkages between the physical and biological environment is critical for making informed management decisions in the face of accelerating warming and expanding human activities. My expertise includes tracking wildlife by satellite, monitoring sea ice and vegetation changes by satellite, and the implications of future climate change on Arctic wildlife in general.
Professional Experience
1986 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1985 - 1986 Biological Technician Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Fairbanks, Alaska
1980 - 1984 Biological Technician US Forest Service, Region 4, Ogden, Utah
Education and Certifications
M.S. 1986 Washington State University, Pullman, WA Wildlife Biology
B.A. 1982 Utah State University, Logan, UT Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Science and Products
Sea Ice - Habitat Dynamics
Distribution and Movements of Polar Bears
Polar Bear Population Dynamics
Habitat Dynamics
Circumpolar assessment of ecological mismatch between avian herbivores and plant phenology
Tracking Data for Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
Tracking data for Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii)
Tracking Data for Northern Pintails (Anas acuta)
Tracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
Tracking Data for Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa)
Drivers and environmental responses to the changing annual snow cycle of northern Alaska
Increased Arctic sea ice drift alters adult female polar bear movements and energetics
Decadal declines in avian herbivore reproduction: density-dependent nutrition and phenological mismatch in the Arctic
Migration trends of Sockeye Salmon at the northern edge of their distribution
Uncertainties in forecasting the response of polar bears to global climate change
Seasonal movements of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in western North America as revealed by satellite telemetry
Habitat degradation affects the summer activity of polar bears
Collar temperature sensor data reveal long-term patterns in southern Beaufort Sea polar bear den distribution on pack ice and land
Arctic sea ice a major determinant in Mandt's black guillemot movement and distribution during non-breeding season
Forecasting the relative influence of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on polar bears
Evidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors)
Improve wildlife species tracking—Implementing an enhanced global positioning system data management system for California condors
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 41
Sea Ice - Habitat Dynamics
Sea Ice Present, Future and Ice Loss and WildlifeDistribution and Movements of Polar Bears
Polar bears are tied to the sea ice for nearly all of their life cycle functions. Most important of these is foraging, or access to food. Polar bears almost exclusively eat seals, and they are equally as dependent upon the sea for their nutrition as are seals, whales, and other aquatic mammals. Polar bears are not aquatic, however, and their only access to the seals is from the surface of the sea...Polar Bear Population Dynamics
Information on the status and trends of polar bear populations are needed to inform management of polar bears under US laws and international agreements. The USGS maintains a long-term research program focused on the population dynamics of the southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population. In addition, the USGS collaborates with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in population studies in the Chukchi...Habitat Dynamics
The Habitat Dynamics Project examines how short and long-term changes in the environment affect the distribution and survival of wildlife populations.Circumpolar assessment of ecological mismatch between avian herbivores and plant phenology
The timing of breeding is constrained in Arctic ecosystems and small temporal differences in when individuals breed can have large effects on fitness. Arctic ecosystems are generally warming more rapidly than other ecosystems which, for migratory species, can cause an imbalance, or mismatch, between when they have evolved to breed versus when it is optimal to breed environmentally. Geese are abund - Data
Filter Total Items: 41
Tracking Data for Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 50 satellite transmitters attached to Tundra Swans on their breeding range in arctic and western Alaska, 2008. Five data files are included in the "rawData" folder of this data package. Two data files (with identical content) contaTracking data for Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 92 satellite transmitters attached to adult Yellow-billed Loons on their breeding range in Arctic Alaska and Canada, 2002-2017. Five data files are included in the "rawData" folder of this data package. Two data files (with identicTracking Data for Northern Pintails (Anas acuta)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 129 satellite transmitters attached to Northern Pintail ducks on their winter range in Japan, 2007-2009. Five data files are included in the "rawData" folder of this data package. Two data files (with identical content) contain theTracking Data for Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from 42 satellite transmitters attached to Blue-winged Teal ducks on their breeding range in Saskatchewan and Alberta (August 2013) and spring staging areas in Texas and Louisiana (March 2015). Five data files are included in the "rawDaTracking Data for Marbled Godwits (Limosa fedoa)
This metadata document describes the data contained in the "rawData" folder of this data package. This data package contains all data collected by the Argos System from nine satellite transmitters attached to Marbled Godwits on their breeding range in southwest Alaska, USA. Five data files are included in the "rawData" folder of this data package. Two data files (with identical content) contain th - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 149
Drivers and environmental responses to the changing annual snow cycle of northern Alaska
On the North Slope of Alaska, earlier spring snowmelt and later onset of autumn snow accumulation are tied to atmospheric dynamics and sea ice conditions, and result in environmental responses.Linkages between atmospheric, ecological and biogeochemical variables in the changing Arctic are analyzed using long-term measurements near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska. Two key variables are the dateAuthorsChristopher J. Cox, Robert S. Stone, David C. Douglas, Diane Stanitski, George J. Divoky, Geoff S. Dutton, Colm Sweeney, J. Craig George, David U. LongeneckerIncreased Arctic sea ice drift alters adult female polar bear movements and energetics
Recent reductions in thickness and extent have increased drift rates of Arctic sea ice. Increased ice drift could significantly affect the movements and the energy balance of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) which forage, nearly exclusively, on this substrate. We used radio-tracking and ice drift data to quantify the influence of increased drift on bear movements, and we modeled the consequences forAuthorsGeorge M. Durner, David C. Douglas, Shannon Albeke, John P. Whiteman, Steven C. Amstrup, Evan Richardson, Ryan H. Wilson, Merav Ben-DavidDecadal declines in avian herbivore reproduction: density-dependent nutrition and phenological mismatch in the Arctic
A full understanding of population dynamics depends not only on estimation of mechanistic contributions of recruitment and survival, but also knowledge about the ecological processes that drive each of these vital rates. The process of recruitment in particular may be protracted over several years, and can depend on numerous ecological complexities until sexually mature adulthood is attained. We aAuthorsMegan V. Ross, Ray T. Alisaukas, David C. Douglas, Dana K. KellettMigration trends of Sockeye Salmon at the northern edge of their distribution
Climate change is affecting arctic and subarctic ecosystems, and anadromous fish such as Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are particularly susceptible due to the physiological challenge of spawning migrations. Predicting how migratory timing will change under Arctic warming scenarios requires an understanding of how environmental factors drive salmon migrations. Multiple mechanisms exist by whichAuthorsMichael P. Carey, Christian E. Zimmerman, Kevin D. Keith, Merlyn Schelske, Charles Lean, David C. DouglasUncertainties in forecasting the response of polar bears to global climate change
Several sources of uncertainty affect how precisely the future status of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) can be forecasted. Foremost are unknowns about the future levels of global greenhouse gas emissions, which could range from an unabated increase to an aggressively mitigated reduction. Uncertainties also arise because different climate models project different amounts and rates of future warmingAuthorsDavid C. Douglas, Todd C. AtwoodSeasonal movements of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in western North America as revealed by satellite telemetry
The Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) is a widespread raptor whose abundance and distribution fluctuates in response to the varying amplitudes of its prey, which are predominately microtines. Previous efforts to describe the seasonal movements of Short-eared Owls have been hindered by few band recoveries and the species' cryptic and irruptive behavior. We attached satellite transmitters to adult ShoAuthorsJames A. Johnson, Travis L. Booms, Lucas H. DeCicco, David C. DouglasHabitat degradation affects the summer activity of polar bears
Understanding behavioral responses of species to environmental change is critical to forecasting population-level effects. Although climate change is significantly impacting species’ distributions, few studies have examined associated changes in behavior. Polar bear (Ursus maritimus) subpopulations have varied in their near-term responses to sea ice decline. We examined behavioral responses of twoAuthorsJasmine V. Ware, Karyn D. Rode, Jeffrey F. Bromaghin, David C. Douglas, Ryan H. Wilson, Eric V. Regehr, Steven C. Amstrup, George M. Durner, Anthony M. Pagano, Jay Olson, Charles T. Robbins, Heiko T JansenCollar temperature sensor data reveal long-term patterns in southern Beaufort Sea polar bear den distribution on pack ice and land
In response to a changing climate, many species alter habitat use. Polar bears Ursus maritimus in the southern Beaufort Sea have increasingly used land for maternal denning. To aid in detecting denning behavior, we developed an objective method to identify polar bear denning events using temperature sensor data collected by satellite-linked transmitters deployed on adult females between 1985 and 2AuthorsJay W Olson, Karyn D. Rode, Dennis L. Eggett, T. S. Smith, R. R. Wilson, George M. Durner, Anthony S. Fischbach, Todd C. Atwood, David C. DouglasArctic sea ice a major determinant in Mandt's black guillemot movement and distribution during non-breeding season
Mandt's black guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii) is one of the few seabirds associated in all seasons with Arctic sea ice, a habitat that is changing rapidly. Recent decreases in summer ice have reduced breeding success and colony size of this species in Arctic Alaska. Little is known about the species' movements and distribution during the nine month non-breeding period (September–May), when chanAuthorsG.J. Divoky, David C. Douglas, I. J. StenhouseForecasting the relative influence of environmental and anthropogenic stressors on polar bears
Effective conservation planning requires understanding and ranking threats to wildlife populations. We developed a Bayesian network model to evaluate the relative influence of environmental and anthropogenic stressors, and their mitigation, on the persistence of polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Overall sea ice conditions, affected by rising global temperatures, were the most influential determinantAuthorsTodd C. Atwood, Bruce G. Marcot, David C. Douglas, Steven C. Amstrup, Karyn D. Rode, George M. Durner, Jeffrey F. BromaghinEvidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors)
Blue-winged teal (Anas discors) are abundant, small-bodied dabbling ducks that breed throughout the prairies of the northcentral USA and central Canada and that winter in the southern USA and northern Neotropics. Given the migratory tendencies of this species, it is plausible that blue-winged teal may disperse avian pathogens, such as parasites causing avian malaria, between spatially distant areaAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, John A. Reed, Patrick Walther, Paul Link, Joel A. Schmutz, David C. Douglas, David E. Stallknecht, Catherine SoosImprove wildlife species tracking—Implementing an enhanced global positioning system data management system for California condors
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) staff in the Pacific Southwest Region and at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex requested technical assistance to improve their global positioning system (GPS) data acquisition, management, and archive in support of the California Condor Recovery Program. The USFWS deployed and maintained GPS units on individual Gymnogyps californianus (CaliAuthorsRobert G. Waltermire, Christopher U. Emmerich, Laura C. Mendenhall, Gil Bohrer, Rolf P. Weinzierl, Andrew J. McGann, Pat K. Lineback, Tim J. Kern, David C. Douglas - Software
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*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