John M. Pearce, Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 42
Q&A: USGS and the 2025 Anchorage Bike to Work Day
For the May 16, 2025, Anchorage Bike to Work Day, the USGS Alaska Science Center will again host a station along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail where people can learn about the USGS streamgage on the creek and about the common birds of Chanshtnu. Chester Creek or Chanshtnu, which means ‘grass creek’ in the Dena’ina language, runs for about 20 miles from the Chugach mountains in the...
Eelgrass
Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
High Priority Species for Avian Influenza in Alaska
In early 2006, an Alaska Interagency Avian Influenza Working Group was formed to develop a ranking matrix for selecting priority species to be sampled within Alaska. Most wild bird species with populations that utilize areas of both Alaska and Asia were identified and considered in the ranking exercise. Based on scoring criteria, 28 target species were chosen for sampling. Alaska is a...
Sea Duck Research
USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Natural Resources Preservation Program
This is a nation-wide collaborative program, supported by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, through which USGS and National Park Service staff address priority research needs identified by the National Park Service. On this page, we highlight research taking place in Alaska as part of this program.
Q&A: Marine Ecosystems Research at the USGS Alaska Science Center
The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader and collaborator in marine ecosystems research on topics ranging from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small pelagic forage fish (food for Pacific walrus, sea otters, and marine birds) to polar bears (an apex predator in the Arctic). Here, we highlight current research by the USGS Alaska Science Center that focuses on marine ecosystems of Alaska.
Filter Total Items: 29
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 80
Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic
Large research studies are often challenged to effectively expose and document the types of information being collected and the reasons for data collection across what are often a diverse cadre of investigators of differing disciplines. We applied concepts from the field of information or data modeling to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative to...
Authors
Dennis H. Walworth, John M. Pearce
Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic
Arctic wildlife species face a dynamic and increasingly novel environment because of climate warming and the associated increase in human activity. Both marine and terrestrial environments are undergoing rapid environmental shifts, including loss of sea ice, permafrost degradation, and altered biogeochemical fluxes. Forecasting wildlife responses to climate change can facilitate...
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Paul L. Flint, Mark S. Udevitz, Joshua C. Koch, Todd C. Atwood, Karen L. Oakley, John M. Pearce
Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini) Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)
Many environments occupied by North American sea ducks are remote and difficult to access, and as a result, detailed information about life history characteristics that drive population dynamics within and across species is limited. Nevertheless, progress on this front during the past several decades has benefited by the application of genetic technologies, and for several species, these
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, John M. Pearce, Kim T. Scribner
Microsatellite variation and rare alleles in a bottlenecked Hawaiian Islands endemic: implications for reintroductions Microsatellite variation and rare alleles in a bottlenecked Hawaiian Islands endemic: implications for reintroductions
Conservation of genetic biodiversity in endangered wildlife populations is an important challenge to address since the loss of alleles and genetic drift may influence future adaptability. Reintroduction aims to re-establish species to restored or protected ecosystems; however, moving a subset of individuals may result in loss of gene variants during the management-induced bottleneck (i.e
Authors
Michelle H. Reynolds, John M. Pearce, Philip Lavretsky, Pedro P. Seixas, Karen Courtot
Changing Arctic ecosystems: resilience of caribou to climatic shifts in the Arctic Changing Arctic ecosystems: resilience of caribou to climatic shifts in the Arctic
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative strives to inform key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information and forecasts for current and future ecosystem response to a warming climate. Over the past 5 years, a focal area for the USGS CAE initiative has been the North Slope of Alaska. This region has experienced...
Authors
David D. Gustine, Layne G. Adams, Mary E. Whalen, John M. Pearce
Changing Arctic ecosystems: ecology of loons in a changing Arctic Changing Arctic ecosystems: ecology of loons in a changing Arctic
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative informs key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information on current and future ecosystem response to a changing climate. From 2010 to 2014, a key study area for the USGS CAE initiative has been the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. This region has experienced rapid...
Authors
Brian D. Uher-Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Mary E. Whalen, John M. Pearce
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 42
Q&A: USGS and the 2025 Anchorage Bike to Work Day
For the May 16, 2025, Anchorage Bike to Work Day, the USGS Alaska Science Center will again host a station along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail where people can learn about the USGS streamgage on the creek and about the common birds of Chanshtnu. Chester Creek or Chanshtnu, which means ‘grass creek’ in the Dena’ina language, runs for about 20 miles from the Chugach mountains in the...
Eelgrass
Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.
High Priority Species for Avian Influenza in Alaska
In early 2006, an Alaska Interagency Avian Influenza Working Group was formed to develop a ranking matrix for selecting priority species to be sampled within Alaska. Most wild bird species with populations that utilize areas of both Alaska and Asia were identified and considered in the ranking exercise. Based on scoring criteria, 28 target species were chosen for sampling. Alaska is a...
Sea Duck Research
USGS research on sea ducks is designed to anticipate and address priority information needs of management agencies. Additionally, work is focused on individual species biology, migration and population status and trends because until recently, very little was known about sea ducks in Alaska.
Natural Resources Preservation Program
This is a nation-wide collaborative program, supported by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, through which USGS and National Park Service staff address priority research needs identified by the National Park Service. On this page, we highlight research taking place in Alaska as part of this program.
Q&A: Marine Ecosystems Research at the USGS Alaska Science Center
The USGS Alaska Science Center is a leader and collaborator in marine ecosystems research on topics ranging from ocean bottom-dwelling invertebrates and small pelagic forage fish (food for Pacific walrus, sea otters, and marine birds) to polar bears (an apex predator in the Arctic). Here, we highlight current research by the USGS Alaska Science Center that focuses on marine ecosystems of Alaska.
Filter Total Items: 29
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 80
Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic
Large research studies are often challenged to effectively expose and document the types of information being collected and the reasons for data collection across what are often a diverse cadre of investigators of differing disciplines. We applied concepts from the field of information or data modeling to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative to...
Authors
Dennis H. Walworth, John M. Pearce
Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic Forecasting wildlife response to rapid warming in the Alaskan Arctic
Arctic wildlife species face a dynamic and increasingly novel environment because of climate warming and the associated increase in human activity. Both marine and terrestrial environments are undergoing rapid environmental shifts, including loss of sea ice, permafrost degradation, and altered biogeochemical fluxes. Forecasting wildlife responses to climate change can facilitate...
Authors
Caroline R. Van Hemert, Paul L. Flint, Mark S. Udevitz, Joshua C. Koch, Todd C. Atwood, Karen L. Oakley, John M. Pearce
Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini) Phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics of North American sea ducks (tribe: Mergini)
Many environments occupied by North American sea ducks are remote and difficult to access, and as a result, detailed information about life history characteristics that drive population dynamics within and across species is limited. Nevertheless, progress on this front during the past several decades has benefited by the application of genetic technologies, and for several species, these
Authors
Sandra L. Talbot, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, John M. Pearce, Kim T. Scribner
Microsatellite variation and rare alleles in a bottlenecked Hawaiian Islands endemic: implications for reintroductions Microsatellite variation and rare alleles in a bottlenecked Hawaiian Islands endemic: implications for reintroductions
Conservation of genetic biodiversity in endangered wildlife populations is an important challenge to address since the loss of alleles and genetic drift may influence future adaptability. Reintroduction aims to re-establish species to restored or protected ecosystems; however, moving a subset of individuals may result in loss of gene variants during the management-induced bottleneck (i.e
Authors
Michelle H. Reynolds, John M. Pearce, Philip Lavretsky, Pedro P. Seixas, Karen Courtot
Changing Arctic ecosystems: resilience of caribou to climatic shifts in the Arctic Changing Arctic ecosystems: resilience of caribou to climatic shifts in the Arctic
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative strives to inform key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information and forecasts for current and future ecosystem response to a warming climate. Over the past 5 years, a focal area for the USGS CAE initiative has been the North Slope of Alaska. This region has experienced...
Authors
David D. Gustine, Layne G. Adams, Mary E. Whalen, John M. Pearce
Changing Arctic ecosystems: ecology of loons in a changing Arctic Changing Arctic ecosystems: ecology of loons in a changing Arctic
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative informs key resource management decisions for Arctic Alaska by providing scientific information on current and future ecosystem response to a changing climate. From 2010 to 2014, a key study area for the USGS CAE initiative has been the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. This region has experienced rapid...
Authors
Brian D. Uher-Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Mary E. Whalen, John M. Pearce