John Piatt, Ph.D.
Seabirds, marine food webs and impact of climate change on marine ecosystems
My research has been conducted mostly in the north Pacific and Atlantic oceans, with a focus on studies of seabird biology at colonies and ecological factors that influence seabird populations and distribution at sea. Research topics also include feeding ecology of seabirds (especially Auks), forage fish (such as capelin and sand lance), groundfish, marine mammals, food webs, oceanography, marine ecosystems; and threats to seabirds from climate change, heatwaves, overfishing, net bycatch, and oil spills.
Professional Experience
1987-Present Sr Scientist, USGS Alaska Science Center, AK
1982-1987 Res. Assoc., Nfld. Inst. for Cold Ocean Sci., MUN, NL
1978-1981 Fish. Obs./Wildl. Biol., DFO Canada/MacLaren Marex, NL
1974-1977 Res. Asst., Chemistry & Biochemistry Departments, MUN, NL
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1987 Marine Biology, Memorial Univ. of Newfoundland (MUN), Canada
B.Sc. (Honours) 1977 Biochemistry, MUN, Canada
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member (2021): Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Am. Ornith. Soc., Pac. Seabird Grp., Am. Fish. Soc.
Editorial, Boards, Panels and Offices
Editor, Marine Ecology Progress Series (2007-2021)
Assoc. Editor, The Auk (2006-2013)
Chairman (1993-1994), Pacific Seabird Group (Research and Conservation)
Board or Science Panel service to North Pacific Research Board (2004-2011), Sound Experience (2014-2018), CA Fish & Game Commission (2003-2006), NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center (2000-2002)
Board or Science Panel service to Steller Sea Lion Recovery Team Advisory Panel (1999-2001), Cook Inlet Keepers (1996-2003), Alaska Sea Life Center (1995-1999)
Affiliate Professor – U. Washington (UW, 2004-2020); Oregon State U. (OSU, 2011-2015), MUN (1992-1996)
Visiting Scholar – UW (1997-1998)
Invited Scholar - Norwegian Inst. Nature Res., Norway (1991)
Supervisor for 3 PhD, 13 MSc students at 9 univ. in the UK (Glasgow, Durham), Canada (MUN, U.Vic), & the U.S. (UW, U.Alaska, UCSC, OSU)
Ext. examiner for 6 PhD. & 2 MSc theses (CAN, US, AUS)
Honors and Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), Pacific Seabird Group
US DOI, Secretary, Award for Exceptional Service (1990)
US DOI, Secretary, Award for Extraordinary Contributions (2011)
USGS, Director, Certificate of Appreciation (2011)
USGS, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions (2006)
USGS, Special Act Service Award (1997)
USFS, Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service (1997)
USGS Quality (Step) Awards (2) for Exceptional Performance
USGS/NBS/FWS Performance/Star Awards (24 during 1987-2020) for Outstanding Achievement
USFWS, Regional Director, Special Action Award (1990)
Science and Products
Energy density and variability in abundance of pigeon guillemot prey: Support for the quality-variability trade-off hypothesis
Spatiotemporal predictability of schooling and nonschooling prey of Pigeon Guillemots
Small boats disturb fish-holding marbled murrelets
Population status of Kittlitz's and Marbled Murrelets and surveys for other marine bird and mammal species in the Kenai Fjords area, Alaska
A genetic study to aid in restoration of murres, guillemots and murrelets to the Gulf of Alaska
Inventory of marine and estuarine fishes in southeast and central Alaska National Parks
Advection, pelagic food webs and the biogeography of seabirds in Beringia
Assessing chick growth from a single visit to a seabird colony
Deciphering the social structure of Marbled Murrelets from behavioral observations at sea
Variation in plumage, molt, and morphology of the Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) in Alaska
Variance in prey abundance influences time budgets of breeding seabirds: Evidence from pigeon guillemots Cepphus columba
Breeding ecology of Horned Puffins (Fratercula corniculata) in Alaska: annual variation and effects of El Niño
Science and Products
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Energy density and variability in abundance of pigeon guillemot prey: Support for the quality-variability trade-off hypothesis
1. The quality-variability trade-off hypothesis predicts that (i) energy density (kJ g-1) and spatial-temporal variability in abundance are positively correlated in nearshore marine fishes; and (ii) prey selection by a nearshore piscivore, the pigeon guillemot (Cepphus columba Pallas), is negatively affected by variability in abundance. 2. We tested these predictions with data from a 4-year studyAuthorsMichael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Alisa A. Abookire, Martin D. RobardsSpatiotemporal predictability of schooling and nonschooling prey of Pigeon Guillemots
Low spatiotemporal variability in the abundance of nonschooling prey might allow Pigeon Guillemots (Cepphus columba) to maintain the high chick provisioning rates that are characteristic of the species. We tested predictions of this hypothesis with data collected with beach seines and scuba and hydroacoustic surveys in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, during 1996–1999. Coefficients of variability were 20–211AuthorsMichael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Alisa A. Abookire, Suzann G. Speckman, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Jared D. FigurskiSmall boats disturb fish-holding marbled murrelets
Disturbance of seabirds by people at nesting colonies can reduce reproductive success and alter population demographics (Vermeer and Rankin 1984). In response to disturbance, adult seabirds may increase the incidence of alarm postures and alarm calling (Burger and Gochfeld 1993), increase heart and breathing rates (Culik and others 1990; Wilson and others 1991), reduce attendance of nest sites (OlAuthorsSuzann G. Speckman, John F. Piatt, Alan M. SpringerPopulation status of Kittlitz's and Marbled Murrelets and surveys for other marine bird and mammal species in the Kenai Fjords area, Alaska
The Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare seabird that nests in alpine terrain and generally forages near tidewater glaciers during the breeding season. More than 95% of the global population breeds in Alaska, with the remainder occurring in the Russian Far East. A global population estimate using best-available data in the early 1990s was 20,000 individuals. However, survey dAuthorsThomas I. van Pelt, John F. PiattA genetic study to aid in restoration of murres, guillemots and murrelets to the Gulf of Alaska
Genetic data are needed to aid in restoring several species of seabirds to the Gulf of Alaska. We analyzed sequence variation in mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite DNA and nuclear introns in samples of commom murres (Uria aalge), pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba) and marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) from throughout the North Pacific. Data were analyzed using traditional approaches, neAuthorsVicki L. Friesen, John F. PiattInventory of marine and estuarine fishes in southeast and central Alaska National Parks
As part of a national inventory program funded by the National Park Service, we conducted an inventory of marine and estuarine fishes in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Sitka National Historical Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in 2001 and 2002. In addition, marine fish data from a previous project that focused on forage fAuthorsMayumi L. Arimitsu, Michael A. Litzow, John F. Piatt, Martin D. Robards, Alisa A. Abookire, Gary S. DrewAdvection, pelagic food webs and the biogeography of seabirds in Beringia
Despite its great distance from productive shelf-edge habitat, the inner shelf area of the Bering Sea, from St. Lawrence Island to the Bering Strait, supports a surprisingly large number (>5 million) of seabirds during summer, mostly small plantivorous auklets (65%) and large piscivorous murres (19%) and kittiwakes (5%). This paradox of seabird biogeography is explained by the Anadyr “Green Belt”AuthorsJohn F. Piatt, Alan M. SpringerAssessing chick growth from a single visit to a seabird colony
We tested an approach to the collection of seabird chick growth data that utilizes a one-time sampling of chick measurements obtained during a single visit to a seabird colony. We assessed the development of Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla chicks from a sample of measurements made on a single day during six years and compared these results to linear growth rates (g/day), determined from reAuthorsJ. Benson, R.M. Suryan, John F. PiattDeciphering the social structure of Marbled Murrelets from behavioral observations at sea
We surveyed Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) daily from small boats in Auke Bay and Fritz Cove, Alaska, from May through August 1992 and 1993. Differences in numbers of juveniles and in the timing of their presence in the study area between the two years indicated that breeding phenology was late and productivity was low in 1992 compared to 1993. This difference was consistent with varAuthorsSuzann G. Speckman, John F. Piatt, Alan M. SpringerVariation in plumage, molt, and morphology of the Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) in Alaska
We studied molt and size variation in Whiskered Auklets collected at sea in August from the Aleutian Islands in 1992 and 1993. We evaluated size differences from external and skeletal measurements. Adults were molting extensively in August, indicating that molt began in July. Primaries 1-5 had been completely replaced, while primaries 6-8 were in various stages of replacement, and primaries 9 andAuthorsJay Pitocchelli, John F. Piatt, Harry R. CarterVariance in prey abundance influences time budgets of breeding seabirds: Evidence from pigeon guillemots Cepphus columba
We use data on pigeon guillemots Cepphus columba to test the hypothesis that discretionary time in breeding seabirds is correlated with variance in prey abundance. We measured the amount of time that guillemots spent at the colony before delivering fish to chicks ("resting time") in relation to fish abundance as measured by beach seines and bottom trawls. Radio telemetry showed that resting time wAuthorsMichael A. Litzow, John F. PiattBreeding ecology of Horned Puffins (Fratercula corniculata) in Alaska: annual variation and effects of El Niño
Both within and among seabird species, different aspects of breeding biology may respond to changes in prey availability in distinct ways, and the identification of species-specific breeding parameters that are sensitive to food availability is useful for monitoring purposes. We present data from a 5-year study (19951999) of the breeding ecology of Horned Puffins (Fratercula corniculata) in AlaskAuthorsA.M.A. Harding, John F. Piatt, Keith C. Hamer - 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