A bucket holds an assortment of forage-sized fishes from Lion Bay on the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Species include saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis), and Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), among others.
Vanessa von Biela, Ph.D.
I am an aquatic ecologist focused on filling key information gaps about the structure, function, and drivers of aquatic ecosystems in the subarctic and Arctic to better inform management of public lands and resources.
My research program seeks to understand current limitations on the production of fishes and aquatic ecosystems to inform Federal and State agencies, Tribal entities, non-profits organizations, and the public given the importance of fish and aquatic species to economies, wellbeing, and culture. For example, the annual subsistence harvest per rural resident is 295 pounds of wild food of which 56% is fish. Access to my study areas is difficult because most of Alaska is not connected by road and requires complex logistics with boats and aircraft. I make research progress by leading teams that use a diverse set of tools that allow us to gain as much information as possible from each field trip and each fish: otolith growth, calorimetry, stable isotopes, heat shock proteins, and gene expression/mRNA.
Science and Products
Assessing heat stress in migrating Yukon River Chinook Salmon
We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
Tracing Mercury Through Lake Food Webs
Mercury concentrations in fish likely reflect different energy sources in lake food webs. Species, populations, or individuals may contain higher and variable concentrations of mercury, which may relate directly to prey mercury content, diets of fish, and fish foraging strategies.
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Nearshore systems provide habitat to a unique community of marine and diadromous (lives in both fresh and saltwater) fish and support high fish abundance.
Does fish prey influence red-throated loon productivity?
This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success to differences in the relative abundance, composition, and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities that vary in space and time.
Condition of Forage Fish in Prince William Sound During the Marine Heatwave
Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus ), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
Winter Habitat of Juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River
In the Arctic, rivers often freeze all the way to the bottom each winter leaving fish with limited habitat where they can survive.
Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas
In addition to the direct effects of sea ice loss on walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens ) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) that use ice as a platform, the decline of Arctic sea ice is predicted to promote a fundamental ecosystem shift from benthic animals that forage on the sea floor to pelagic animals that forage near the sea surface.
Lake Trout Biochronologies as Long-term Climate and Productivity Indicators in Alaska Lake Ecosystems
High latitude ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to long-term climate change, yet continuous, multidecadal indicators by which to gauge effects on biology are scarce, especially in freshwater environments.
Filter Total Items: 41
Assortment of fishes in bucket
A bucket holds an assortment of forage-sized fishes from Lion Bay on the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Species include saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis), and Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), among others.
Saffron cod and Arctic cod, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A saffron cod (left, Eleginus gracilis) and Arctic cod (right, Boreogadus saida) sit on a measuring board for comparison.
A saffron cod (left, Eleginus gracilis) and Arctic cod (right, Boreogadus saida) sit on a measuring board for comparison.
Forage sized fishes, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
An assortment of forage sized fishes from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska lie on a measuring board.
An assortment of forage sized fishes from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska lie on a measuring board.
A fourhorn sculpin
Fourhorn sculpin, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. A fourhorn sculpin sits in a net pen underwater.
Fourhorn sculpin, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. A fourhorn sculpin sits in a net pen underwater.
Eroding and slumping shoreline, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
An eroding and slumping shoreline adjacent to a fyke net fishing site in Lion Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
An eroding and slumping shoreline adjacent to a fyke net fishing site in Lion Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Slender eelblennys and fourhorn sculpin
Six slender eelblennys (Lumpenus fabricii) and two fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) lie on a measuring board. Fish collected from Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Six slender eelblennys (Lumpenus fabricii) and two fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) lie on a measuring board. Fish collected from Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus)
A pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A juvenile Dolly Varden
A juvenile Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the first summer at sea following freshwater rearing. Dolly Varden return to freshwater overwinter areas each winter because freshwater temperatures are warmer.
A juvenile Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the first summer at sea following freshwater rearing. Dolly Varden return to freshwater overwinter areas each winter because freshwater temperatures are warmer.
Deploying a CTD, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Vanessa von Biela (USGS-ASC) deploys a CTD to measure conductivity, temperature, and density of seawater in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS-ASC) deploys a CTD to measure conductivity, temperature, and density of seawater in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Vanessa von Biela, Research Fish Biologist
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Vanessa von Biela, Research Fish Biologist (AD)
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Pulling in a surface trawl net
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
USGS Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela in a boat near Flaxman Island, AK
USGS Alaska Science Center Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela near Flaxman Island in the eastern Beaufort Sea.
USGS Alaska Science Center Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela near Flaxman Island in the eastern Beaufort Sea.
Fyke net, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A fyke net is installed adjacent to Flaxman Island in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A fyke net is installed adjacent to Flaxman Island in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Measuring fish
Sean Burril (BOEM) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) measure and count fish in red floating net pen captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Sean Burril (BOEM) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) measure and count fish in red floating net pen captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A caribou stands next to a pipeline
A caribou (Rangifer tarandus) stands next to a pipeline. This photo was taken while conducting field work in Northern Alaska.
A caribou (Rangifer tarandus) stands next to a pipeline. This photo was taken while conducting field work in Northern Alaska.
A saffron cod
A saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida)
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Arctic smelt
Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), Beaufort Sea, Alaska. An Arctic smelt or rainbow smelt, (Osmerus mordax) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), Beaufort Sea, Alaska. An Arctic smelt or rainbow smelt, (Osmerus mordax) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study site will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study site will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Science and Products
Assessing heat stress in migrating Yukon River Chinook Salmon
We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
Tracing Mercury Through Lake Food Webs
Mercury concentrations in fish likely reflect different energy sources in lake food webs. Species, populations, or individuals may contain higher and variable concentrations of mercury, which may relate directly to prey mercury content, diets of fish, and fish foraging strategies.
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Nearshore systems provide habitat to a unique community of marine and diadromous (lives in both fresh and saltwater) fish and support high fish abundance.
Does fish prey influence red-throated loon productivity?
This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success to differences in the relative abundance, composition, and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities that vary in space and time.
Condition of Forage Fish in Prince William Sound During the Marine Heatwave
Changes in the body condition of a key forage fish species, Pacific sand lance ( Ammodytes personatus ), are examined to understand how energy transfer to predators may have been disrupted during the recent marine heatwave in the North Pacific (late 2013 to mid 2016).
Winter Habitat of Juvenile Dolly Varden in the Canning River
In the Arctic, rivers often freeze all the way to the bottom each winter leaving fish with limited habitat where they can survive.
Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas
In addition to the direct effects of sea ice loss on walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens ) and polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) that use ice as a platform, the decline of Arctic sea ice is predicted to promote a fundamental ecosystem shift from benthic animals that forage on the sea floor to pelagic animals that forage near the sea surface.
Lake Trout Biochronologies as Long-term Climate and Productivity Indicators in Alaska Lake Ecosystems
High latitude ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to long-term climate change, yet continuous, multidecadal indicators by which to gauge effects on biology are scarce, especially in freshwater environments.
Filter Total Items: 41
Assortment of fishes in bucket
A bucket holds an assortment of forage-sized fishes from Lion Bay on the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Species include saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis), and Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), among others.
A bucket holds an assortment of forage-sized fishes from Lion Bay on the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Species include saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis), Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis), and Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), among others.
Saffron cod and Arctic cod, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A saffron cod (left, Eleginus gracilis) and Arctic cod (right, Boreogadus saida) sit on a measuring board for comparison.
A saffron cod (left, Eleginus gracilis) and Arctic cod (right, Boreogadus saida) sit on a measuring board for comparison.
Forage sized fishes, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
An assortment of forage sized fishes from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska lie on a measuring board.
An assortment of forage sized fishes from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska lie on a measuring board.
A fourhorn sculpin
Fourhorn sculpin, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. A fourhorn sculpin sits in a net pen underwater.
Fourhorn sculpin, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. A fourhorn sculpin sits in a net pen underwater.
Eroding and slumping shoreline, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
An eroding and slumping shoreline adjacent to a fyke net fishing site in Lion Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
An eroding and slumping shoreline adjacent to a fyke net fishing site in Lion Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Slender eelblennys and fourhorn sculpin
Six slender eelblennys (Lumpenus fabricii) and two fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) lie on a measuring board. Fish collected from Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Six slender eelblennys (Lumpenus fabricii) and two fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) lie on a measuring board. Fish collected from Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus)
A pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A pacific capelin (Mallotus villosus) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A juvenile Dolly Varden
A juvenile Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the first summer at sea following freshwater rearing. Dolly Varden return to freshwater overwinter areas each winter because freshwater temperatures are warmer.
A juvenile Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the first summer at sea following freshwater rearing. Dolly Varden return to freshwater overwinter areas each winter because freshwater temperatures are warmer.
Deploying a CTD, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Vanessa von Biela (USGS-ASC) deploys a CTD to measure conductivity, temperature, and density of seawater in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS-ASC) deploys a CTD to measure conductivity, temperature, and density of seawater in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Vanessa von Biela, Research Fish Biologist
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Vanessa von Biela, Research Fish Biologist (AD)
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela investigates how heatwaves and other climate-driven stressors may affect Alaska’s spawning Pacific salmon in the future.
Pulling in a surface trawl net
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
USGS Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela in a boat near Flaxman Island, AK
USGS Alaska Science Center Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela near Flaxman Island in the eastern Beaufort Sea.
USGS Alaska Science Center Research Fish Biologist Vanessa von Biela near Flaxman Island in the eastern Beaufort Sea.
Fyke net, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A fyke net is installed adjacent to Flaxman Island in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A fyke net is installed adjacent to Flaxman Island in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Measuring fish
Sean Burril (BOEM) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) measure and count fish in red floating net pen captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Sean Burril (BOEM) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) measure and count fish in red floating net pen captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A caribou stands next to a pipeline
A caribou (Rangifer tarandus) stands next to a pipeline. This photo was taken while conducting field work in Northern Alaska.
A caribou (Rangifer tarandus) stands next to a pipeline. This photo was taken while conducting field work in Northern Alaska.
A saffron cod
A saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida)
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Four Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska This study will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
Arctic smelt
Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), Beaufort Sea, Alaska. An Arctic smelt or rainbow smelt, (Osmerus mordax) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Arctic smelt (Osmerus mordax), Beaufort Sea, Alaska. An Arctic smelt or rainbow smelt, (Osmerus mordax) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska
A scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study site will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
A scenic view of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This study site will evaluate the nearshore marine feeding areas of breeding adult red-throated loons and assess the response of loon reproductive success and nutritional content of nearshore fish communities.
*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