James L Bodkin
Population biology and ecology of marine mammals, population estimation, predator/prey relations, carnivora, coastal marine ecology, marine conservation.
Professional Experience
2013 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist Emeritus, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1990 - 2013 Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1990 Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Koyukuk Wildlife Refuge, Galena, AK
1986 - 1989 Fish and Wildlife Biologist, National Ecology Research Center, Santa Cruz, CA
Education and Certifications
M.S. 1986 California Polytechnical University, San Luis Obispo, CA Biology
B.S. 1975 California State University, Long Beach, CA Wildlife Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society for Conservation Biology
American Society of Mammalogy
Society for Marine Mammalogy
The Wildlife Society
Science and Products
Sea otter foraging behavior and hydrocarbon levels in prey
An intersection model for estimating sea otter mortality along the Kenai Peninsula
An overview of sea otter studies
Age-specific reproduction in female sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from south-central Alaska: Analysis of reproductive tracts
Annual and Spatial Variation of the Kelp Forest Fish Assemblage at San Nicolas Island, California
Molt frequency and size class distribution in the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus), at San Nicolas Island, California
Extent, causes and timing of moose calves mortality in western interior Alaska
Patterns of seabird and marine mammal carcass deposition along the central California coast, 1980-1986
Evaluation of sea otter capture after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Morro Bay dredging project -- sea otter study
Effects of kelp forest removal on associated fish assemblages in central California
Mortalities of kelp-forest fishes associated with large oceanic waves off central California, 1982-1983
Science and Products
- Science
- Data
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 136
Sea otter foraging behavior and hydrocarbon levels in prey
Following the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS), Prudhoe Bay crude oil from the vessel spread on the sea surface and covered coastal shores from western Prince William Sound (PWS) to the Alaska Peninsula. In PWS alone. acute mortality of sca otters at the time of the spill was estimated to be greater than 2000 (Doroff et al. 1993; Garrott et al. 1993).Shoreline oiling was observed on approximately 24%AuthorsAngela M. Doroff, James L. BodkinAn intersection model for estimating sea otter mortality along the Kenai Peninsula
We developed an intersection model to integrate parameters estimated from three distinct data sets that resulted from the Exxon Valdez oil spill: (1) the distribution, amount, and movements of spilled oil; (2) the distribution and abundance of sea otters along the Kenai Peninsula; and (3) the estimates of site-specific sea otter mortality relative to oil exposure from otters captured for rehabilAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, Mark S. UdevitzAn overview of sea otter studies
The Exxron Valdez oil spill (EVOS) on 24 March 1989 threatened extensive areas of prime sea otter (Enhydra lutris) habitat along the coasts of south-central Alaska. The spill occurred in northeastern Prince William Sound (PWS), and oil moved rapidly south and west through PWS into the Gulf of Alaska. Much of the coastline of western PWS was heavily oiled, and the slick eventually spread as far souAuthorsBrenda E. Ballachey, James L. Bodkin, Anthony R. DeGangeAge-specific reproduction in female sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from south-central Alaska: Analysis of reproductive tracts
We estimated age at sexual maturity and age-specific reproductive rates by examining carcasses and reproductive tracts from 177 female sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Carcasses were recovered from south-central Alaska, Primarily from western Prince William Sound, as a result of the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. We found 65% of our sample to be sexually mature. Sexual maturity was first attainedAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, Daniel M. Mulcahy, Calvin J. LensinkAnnual and Spatial Variation of the Kelp Forest Fish Assemblage at San Nicolas Island, California
The kelp forest fishes of San Nicolas Island, California were studied from 1981-1986 to examine the causes of among-site and among-year variation in the fish assemblages. Fish counts and seven physical and biological variables were recorded at six sites around the island every spring and fall. Over the study period, a total of 45 fish species from 18 families were recorded, though members of niveAuthorsR.J. Cowen, James L. BodkinMolt frequency and size class distribution in the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus), at San Nicolas Island, California
No abstract available.AuthorsJames L. Bodkin, L.B. BrowneExtent, causes and timing of moose calves mortality in western interior Alaska
We examined the causes and timing of moose (Alces alces) calf mortality during 1988 90 in 2 locations in western interior Alaska. Annual survival rates of all calves in 1988 (0.34, n = 42) and 1989 (0.29, n=47) on the Nowitna National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and in 1990 (0.25, n = 62) on the Koyukuk NWR were not significantly different. Survival rates of male and female calves were not significantlAuthorsTimothy O. Osbourne, Thomas F. Paragi, James L. Bodkin, Andre J. Loranger, W. N. JohnsonPatterns of seabird and marine mammal carcass deposition along the central California coast, 1980-1986
At monthly intervals from February 1980 through December 1986, a 14.5-km section of central California coastline was systematically surveyed for beach-cast carcasses of marine birds and mammals. Five hundred and fifty-four bird carcasses and 194 marine mammal carcasses were found. Common murres, western grebes, and Brandt's cormorants composed 45% of the bird total. California sea lions, sea otterAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, Ronald J. JamesonEvaluation of sea otter capture after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Prince William Sound, Alaska
After the T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill into Prince William Sound, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Exxon Company, U.S.A., began rescuing sea otters (Enhydra lutris). The primary objective of this operation was to capture live, oiled sea otters for cleaning and rehabilitation. Between 30 March and 29 May 1989, 139 live sea otters were captured in the sound and transported to rehabilitation centAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, F. WeltzMorro Bay dredging project -- sea otter study
No abstract available at this timeAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, G. B. RathbunEffects of kelp forest removal on associated fish assemblages in central California
Visual surveys along subtidal belt transects were used to compare fish assemblages on an experimental and a control site before and after the removal of a canopy-forming kelp forest. The giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C.A. Agardh was removed at the holdfast from approximately equals 1 ha of high relief structurally complex rock substratum. The abundance of seven species of fish, of which fivAuthorsJames L. BodkinMortalities of kelp-forest fishes associated with large oceanic waves off central California, 1982-1983
Observations of three incidents of the mass mortality of nearshore fishes are reported; each corresponded to periods of high-amplitude, long-period swells during the 1982-1983 El Niño event along the coast of central California. Members of the nearshore kelp forest fish assemblage, primarily of the genus Sebastes, accounted for 96% of the observed mortalities and S. mystinus (blue rockfish) aloneAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, Glenn R. VanBlaricom, Ronald J. Jameson - News
*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