USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
John A Reed
John is a Data Manager and Wildlife Biologist at the Alaska Science Center.
I work with our Data Management Team and science staff to organize, document, review, archive, and publish data from all research disciplines at the Alaska Science Center (ASC). We focus on timely scientific data publication, following the Federal Open Data directive, USGS Fundamental Science Practices (FSP) guidance, and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles. We continually work to improve access to, documentation and utility of, and processing efficiency of ASC data products.
My wildlife focus has been field and laboratory studies of waterfowl demographics and disease throughout the state of Alaska. I have been involved in many research projects at the Alaska Science Center, including field work with gulls and loons around coastal Alaska, caribou in Denali National Park, walrus in the Chukchi Sea, and sea otters in Prince William Sound.
Professional Experience
2018 – Present Data Manager, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
2000 – 2018 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
Education and Certifications
M.A. 1999 University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado Behavioral Ecology
B.A. 1991 Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa Biol
Science and Products
Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA
Negligible evidence for detrimental effects of Leucocytozoon infections among Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
Evidence for continental-scale dispersal of antimicrobial resistant bacteria by landfill-foraging gulls
Satellite tracking of gulls and genomic characterization of fecal bacteria reveals environmentally mediated acquisition and dispersal of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Evidence for haemosporidian parasite infections in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) sampled in Alaska during the breeding season
Evidence for the exchange of blood parasites between North America and the Neotropics in blue-winged teal (Anas discors)
Habitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Evidence for intercontinental parasite exchange through molecular detection and characterization of haematozoa in northern pintails (Anas acuta) sampled throughout the North Pacific Basin
Prevalence, transmission, and genetic diversity of blood parasites infecting tundra-nesting geese in Alaska
Antibodies to H5 subtype avian influenza virus and Japanese encephalitis virus in northern pintails (Anas acuta) sampled in Japan
Long-term effects of the 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill: Sea otter foraging in the intertidal as a pathway of exposure to lingering oil
Cytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of the timeline of chronic exposure of Barrow’s goldeneyes to residual Exxon Valdez oil
Avian Influenza Research
Q&A: Legacy Research Data
Alaska Science Center Data Policy
Bird Species Checklists from USGS Alaska Science Center Field Camps
Blood Parasite Infection Data from Blue-winged Teal, Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) and USA (Texas, Louisiana), 2012-2013
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
Sea Otter at Knight Island (Prince William Sound) Alaska
Sea Otter at Knight Island (Prince William Sound) Alaska
Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Northern Pintail pair on water. Photo taken on the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Northern Pintails, a duck species that, in Alaska, nests throughout the state and in adjacent regions of Russia and Canada.
Northern Pintail pair on water. Photo taken on the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Northern Pintails, a duck species that, in Alaska, nests throughout the state and in adjacent regions of Russia and Canada.
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 13
Assessment of variation in the detection and prevalence of blood parasites among sympatrically breeding geese in western Alaska, USA
Haemosporidian parasites may impact avian health and are subject to shifts in distribution and abundance with changing ecologic conditions. Therefore, understanding variation in parasite prevalence is important for evaluating biologically meaningful changes in infection patterns and associated population level impacts. Previous research in western Alaska, US, indicated a possible increase in LeucoAuthorsRaymond M. Buchheit, Joel Schmutz, John A. Reed, Brian D. Uher-Koch, Andrew M. RameyNegligible evidence for detrimental effects of Leucocytozoon infections among Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) breeding on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska
Emperor Geese (Anser canagicus) are iconic waterfowl endemic to Alaska and adjacent areas of northeastern Russia that are considered to be near threatened by the International Union for Conservation. This species has been identified as harboring diverse viruses and parasites which have, at times, been associated with disease in other avian taxa. To better assess if disease represents a vulnerabiliAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, Raymond Bucheit, Brian D. Uher-Koch, John Reed, M. Andreina Pacheco, Ananias Escalante, Joel SchmutzEvidence for continental-scale dispersal of antimicrobial resistant bacteria by landfill-foraging gulls
Anthropogenic inputs into the environment may serve as sources of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and alter the ecology and population dynamics of synanthropic wild animals by providing supplemental forage. In this study, we used a combination of phenotypic and genomic approaches to characterize antimicrobial resistant indicator bacteria, animal telemetry to describe host movement patterns, and aAuthorsChristina Ahlstrom, Mariëlle L. van Toor, Hanna Woksepp, Jeffrey C Chandler, John Reed, Andrew B. Reeves, Jonas Waldenström, Alan B. Franklin, David C. Douglas, Jonas Bonnedahl, Andrew M. RameySatellite tracking of gulls and genomic characterization of fecal bacteria reveals environmentally mediated acquisition and dispersal of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Gulls (Larus spp.) have frequently been reported to carry Escherichia coli exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR E. coli); however, the pathways governing the acquisition and dispersal of such bacteria are not well-described. We equipped 17 landfill-foraging gulls with satellite transmitters and collected gull fecal samples longitudinally from four locations on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska to asAuthorsChristina Ahlstrom, Jonas Bonnedahl, Hanna Woksepp, Jorge Hernandez, John Reed, T. Lee Tibbitts, Björn Olsen, David C. Douglas, Andrew M. RameyEvidence for haemosporidian parasite infections in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) sampled in Alaska during the breeding season
We assessed hematozoa infection in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) at two areas in Alaska. No Haemoproteus or Plasmodium species were detected. Leucocytozoon prevalence was 6.5% for adults across sites and 41.9% for juveniles sampled in the Arctic, providing evidence for local transmission. All Leucocytozoon haplotypes were previously detected in waterfowl.AuthorsJohn A. Reed, Matthew G. Sexson, Matthew M. Smith, Joel A. Schmutz, Andrew M. RameyEvidence 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 SoosHabitat use and foraging patterns of molting male Long-tailed Ducks in lagoons of the central Beaufort Sea, Alaska
From mid-July through September, 10 000 to 30 000 Long-tailed Ducks (Clangula hyemalis) use the lagoon systems of the central Beaufort Sea for remigial molt. Little is known about their foraging behavior and patterns of habitat use during this flightless period. We used radio transmitters to track male Long-tailed Ducks through the molt period from 2000 to 2002 in three lagoons: one adjacent to inAuthorsPaul L. Flint, John A. Reed, Deborah Lacroix, Richard LanctotEvidence for intercontinental parasite exchange through molecular detection and characterization of haematozoa in northern pintails (Anas acuta) sampled throughout the North Pacific Basin
Empirical evidence supports wild birds as playing a role in the interhemispheric exchange of bacteria and viruses; however, data supporting the redistribution of parasites among continents are limited. In this study, the hypothesis that migratory birds contribute to the redistribution of parasites between continents was tested by sampling northern pintails (Anas acuta) at locations throughout theAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, Joel A. Schmutz, John A. Reed, Go Fujita, Bradley D. Scotton, Bruce Casler, Joseph P. Fleskes, Kan Konishi, Kiyoshi Uchida, Michael J. YabsleyPrevalence, transmission, and genetic diversity of blood parasites infecting tundra-nesting geese in Alaska
A total of 842 blood samples collected from five species of tundra-nesting geese in Alaska was screened for haemosporidian parasites using molecular techniques. Parasites of the generaLeucocytozoon Danilewsky, 1890, Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890, and Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885 were detected in 169 (20%), 3 (<1%), and 0 (0%) samples, respectively. Occupancy modeling was used to estimate prevAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, John A. Reed, Joel A. Schmutz, Tom F. Fondell, Brandt W. Meixell, Jerry W. Hupp, David H. Ward, John Terenzi, Craig R. ElyAntibodies to H5 subtype avian influenza virus and Japanese encephalitis virus in northern pintails (Anas acuta) sampled in Japan
Blood samples from 105 northern pintails (Anas acuta) captured on Hokkaido, Japan were tested for antibodies to avian influenza virus (AIV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and West Nile virus (WNV) to assess possible involvement of this species in the spread of economically important and potentially zoonotic pathogens. Antibodies to AIV were detected in 64 of 105 samples (61%). Of the 64 positAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, Erica Spackman, Jung-Yong Yeh, Go Fujita, Kan Konishi, Kiyoshi Uchida, John A. Reed, Benjamin R. Wilcox, Justin D. Brown, David E. StallknechtLong-term effects of the 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill: Sea otter foraging in the intertidal as a pathway of exposure to lingering oil
The protracted recovery of some bird and mammal populations in western Prince William Sound (WPWS), Alaska, and the persistence of spilled 'Exxon Valdez' oil in intertidal sediments, suggests a pathway of exposure to consumers that occupy nearshore habitats. To evaluate the hypothesis that sea otter (Enhydra lutris) foraging allows access to lingering oil, we contrast spatial relations between forAuthorsJames L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Heather A. Coletti, George G. Esslinger, Kimberly A. Kloecker, Stanley D. Rice, John A. Reed, Daniel H. MonsonCytochrome P4501A biomarker indication of the timeline of chronic exposure of Barrow’s goldeneyes to residual Exxon Valdez oil
We examined hepatic EROD activity, as an indicator of CYP1A induction, in Barrow’s goldeneyes captured in areas oiled during the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill and those from nearby unoiled areas. We found that average EROD activity differed between areas during 2005, although the magnitude of the difference was reduced relative to a previous study from 1996/1997, and we found that areas did not differ bAuthorsDaniel Esler, Brenda E. Ballachey, Kimberly A. Trust, Samuel A. Iverson, John A. Reed, A. Keith Miles, John D. Henderson, Bruce R. Woodin, John J. Stegeman, Malcolm McAdie, Daniel M. Mulcahy, Barry W. Wilson - Science
Avian Influenza Research
Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These...Q&A: Legacy Research Data
The term “legacy data” refers to project data that are complete, or may be resurrected in the future, that were previously stored in old or obsolete formats and thus, difficult to access. These data are an important record of past ecosystem status and part of the USGS commitment to deliver actionable information relevant to decision makers. Here, we discuss these data with the Alaska Science...Alaska Science Center Data Policy
The Data Policy for ASC staff and contractors requires that research data, computational models, software and scripts, web-based tools, and information products (collectively “data”) adhere to the following policy statements.Bird Species Checklists from USGS Alaska Science Center Field Camps
Scientists from the USGS Alaska Science Center regularly work in remote field camps, often for days or weeks at a time. Though not the primary research focus of these camps, many researchers maintain daily checklists of all bird species encountered during field work. These checklists can provide documentation of the presence, distribution, timing of arrival and departure, and breeding chronology... - Data
Blood Parasite Infection Data from Blue-winged Teal, Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) and USA (Texas, Louisiana), 2012-2013
This data set includes age, sex, location, and blood parasite infection data from Blue-winged teal (Anas discors) captured in Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan) and the USA (Texas, Louisiana) in 2012-2013. Infection data for three different genera of blood parasites are given as are GenBank accession numbers for genetic sequences obtained from positive infections. - Multimedia
USGS Scientist Andy Ramey releases a Northern Pintail Duck in JapanUSGS Scientist Andy Ramey releases a Northern Pintail Duck in Japan
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
USGS Alaska Science Center biologists Andrew Ramey and John Reed travelled to Japan to capture spring staging northern pintail ducks in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tokyo, Satoyama Research Society, and Kucharo Lake Waterfowl Observatory.
Sea Otter at Knight IslandSea Otter at Knight Island (Prince William Sound) Alaska
Sea Otter at Knight Island (Prince William Sound) Alaska
Black Scoter in Dutch Harbor, AlaskaBlack Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Black Scoter: Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, AlaskaSteller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Steller's Eider in Dutch Harbor, Alaska
Northern Pintail AlaskaNorthern Pintail pair on water. Photo taken on the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Northern Pintails, a duck species that, in Alaska, nests throughout the state and in adjacent regions of Russia and Canada.
Northern Pintail pair on water. Photo taken on the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Northern Pintails, a duck species that, in Alaska, nests throughout the state and in adjacent regions of Russia and Canada.
- News