Kristin Simac
Logistical support for Polar Bear Research Group
Coordination of sample collections for Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue and Archival Program
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2001 Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK Environmental Science
B.S. 1984 Willamette University, Salem, OR Biology
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity
The effects of declining Arctic sea ice on local ecosystem productivity are not well understood but have been shown to vary inter-specifically, spatially, and temporally. Because marine mammals occupy upper trophic levels in Arctic food webs, they may be useful indicators for understanding variation in ecosystem productivity. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators that...
Authors
Karyn D. Rode, Ryan H. Wilson, David C. Douglas, Vanessa L Muhlenbruch, Todd C. Atwood, Eric V. Regehr, Evan Richardson, Nicholas Pilfold, Andrew E. Derocher, George M. Durner, Ian Stirling, Steven C. Amstrup, Michelle St. Martin, Anthony M. Pagano, Kristin S. Simac
An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus), with its wide-ranging movements, solitary existence and seasonal reproduction, is expected to favor chemosignaling over other communication modalities. However, the topography of its Arctic sea ice habitat is generally lacking in stationary vertical substrates routinely used for targeted scent marking in other bears. These environmental constraints may...
Authors
Megan A. Owen, Ronald R. Swaisgood, C. Slocomb, Steven C. Amstrup, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Allan P. Pessier
Effects of capturing and collaring on polar bears: findings from long-term research on the southern Beaufort Sea population Effects of capturing and collaring on polar bears: findings from long-term research on the southern Beaufort Sea population
Context: The potential for research methods to affect wildlife is an increasing concern among both scientists and the public. This topic has a particular urgency for polar bears because additional research is needed to monitor and understand population responses to rapid loss of sea ice habitat. Aims: This study used data collected from polar bears sampled in the Alaska portion of the...
Authors
Karyn D. Rode, Anthony M. Pagano, Jeffrey F. Bromaghin, Todd C. Atwood, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Steven C. Amstrup
Mapping polar bear maternal denning habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska with an IfSAR digital terrain model Mapping polar bear maternal denning habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska with an IfSAR digital terrain model
The National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A) in northeastern Alaska provides winter maternal denning habitat for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and also has high potential for recoverable hydrocarbons. Denning polar bears exposed to human activities may abandon their dens before their young are able to survive the severity of Arctic winter weather. To ensure that wintertime petroleum...
Authors
George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Steven C. Amstrup
Long-distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea during years of extensive open water Long-distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea during years of extensive open water
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) depend on sea ice for catching marine mammal prey. Recent sea-ice declines have been linked to reductions in body condition, survival, and population size. Reduced foraging opportunity is hypothesized to be the primary cause of sea-ice-linked declines, but the costs of travel through a deteriorated sea-ice environment also may be a factor. We...
Authors
Anthony M. Pagano, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, G.S. York, Steven C. Amstrup
Development of a murre (Uria spp.) egg control material Development of a murre (Uria spp.) egg control material
The Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Project (STAMP) is a collaborative Alaska-wide effort by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS/AMNWR), the US Geological Survey's Biological Resources Division (USGS/BRD), the Bureau of Indian Affairs Alaska Region Subsistence Branch (BIA/ARSB), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology...
Authors
Stacy S. Vander Pol, M.B. Ellisor, Rebecca S. Pugh, P.R. Becker, D.L. Poster, M.M. Schantz, S.D. Leigh, B.J. Wakeford, David G. Roseneau, Kristin S. Simac
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 21
Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity Spring fasting behavior in a marine apex predator provides an index of ecosystem productivity
The effects of declining Arctic sea ice on local ecosystem productivity are not well understood but have been shown to vary inter-specifically, spatially, and temporally. Because marine mammals occupy upper trophic levels in Arctic food webs, they may be useful indicators for understanding variation in ecosystem productivity. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators that...
Authors
Karyn D. Rode, Ryan H. Wilson, David C. Douglas, Vanessa L Muhlenbruch, Todd C. Atwood, Eric V. Regehr, Evan Richardson, Nicholas Pilfold, Andrew E. Derocher, George M. Durner, Ian Stirling, Steven C. Amstrup, Michelle St. Martin, Anthony M. Pagano, Kristin S. Simac
An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear An experimental investigation of chemical communication in the polar bear
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus), with its wide-ranging movements, solitary existence and seasonal reproduction, is expected to favor chemosignaling over other communication modalities. However, the topography of its Arctic sea ice habitat is generally lacking in stationary vertical substrates routinely used for targeted scent marking in other bears. These environmental constraints may...
Authors
Megan A. Owen, Ronald R. Swaisgood, C. Slocomb, Steven C. Amstrup, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Allan P. Pessier
Effects of capturing and collaring on polar bears: findings from long-term research on the southern Beaufort Sea population Effects of capturing and collaring on polar bears: findings from long-term research on the southern Beaufort Sea population
Context: The potential for research methods to affect wildlife is an increasing concern among both scientists and the public. This topic has a particular urgency for polar bears because additional research is needed to monitor and understand population responses to rapid loss of sea ice habitat. Aims: This study used data collected from polar bears sampled in the Alaska portion of the...
Authors
Karyn D. Rode, Anthony M. Pagano, Jeffrey F. Bromaghin, Todd C. Atwood, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Steven C. Amstrup
Mapping polar bear maternal denning habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska with an IfSAR digital terrain model Mapping polar bear maternal denning habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska with an IfSAR digital terrain model
The National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A) in northeastern Alaska provides winter maternal denning habitat for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and also has high potential for recoverable hydrocarbons. Denning polar bears exposed to human activities may abandon their dens before their young are able to survive the severity of Arctic winter weather. To ensure that wintertime petroleum...
Authors
George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, Steven C. Amstrup
Long-distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea during years of extensive open water Long-distance swimming by polar bears (Ursus maritimus) of the southern Beaufort Sea during years of extensive open water
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774) depend on sea ice for catching marine mammal prey. Recent sea-ice declines have been linked to reductions in body condition, survival, and population size. Reduced foraging opportunity is hypothesized to be the primary cause of sea-ice-linked declines, but the costs of travel through a deteriorated sea-ice environment also may be a factor. We...
Authors
Anthony M. Pagano, George M. Durner, Kristin S. Simac, G.S. York, Steven C. Amstrup
Development of a murre (Uria spp.) egg control material Development of a murre (Uria spp.) egg control material
The Seabird Tissue Archival and Monitoring Project (STAMP) is a collaborative Alaska-wide effort by the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS/AMNWR), the US Geological Survey's Biological Resources Division (USGS/BRD), the Bureau of Indian Affairs Alaska Region Subsistence Branch (BIA/ARSB), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology...
Authors
Stacy S. Vander Pol, M.B. Ellisor, Rebecca S. Pugh, P.R. Becker, D.L. Poster, M.M. Schantz, S.D. Leigh, B.J. Wakeford, David G. Roseneau, Kristin S. Simac