Chucks of ice floats in 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.
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.
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Ice floating in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Chucks of ice floats in 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.
Surface trawl retrieval
The field crew pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska on the back deck of the R/V Proteus.
The field crew pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska on the back deck of the R/V Proteus.
USGS Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by hand
USGS Alaska Science Center Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by hand to examine forage fish prey available for red-throated loons in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska,
USGS Alaska Science Center Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by hand to examine forage fish prey available for red-throated loons in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska,
Looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) examines the empty cod end of a surface trawl net while looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) examines the empty cod end of a surface trawl net while looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Saffron cod and Arctic cod
A saffron cod (front, Eleginus gracilis) and an Arctic cod (behind, Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A saffron cod (front, Eleginus gracilis) and an Arctic cod (behind, Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along Beaufort Sea
Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).
Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).
USGS scientists departing for a day of field work
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Sarah Laske, Vanessa von Biela, and Ashley Stanek near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska departing for a day of field work in the nearshore Beaufort Sea, to study fish community response to environmental conditions including sea ice, water temperature and salinity.
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Sarah Laske, Vanessa von Biela, and Ashley Stanek near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska departing for a day of field work in the nearshore Beaufort Sea, to study fish community response to environmental conditions including sea ice, water temperature and salinity.
Under Ice Habitat in Canning River Delta
In the Arctic, rivers are often thought to freeze completely during winter. Since fish need liquid water to survive, there are few places where they can live. Fish usually inhabit deep river channels and areas where springwater enters a stream.
In the Arctic, rivers are often thought to freeze completely during winter. Since fish need liquid water to survive, there are few places where they can live. Fish usually inhabit deep river channels and areas where springwater enters a stream.
Juvenile Chum salmon
Image of the juvenile Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) that first confirmed successful reproduction of Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic. This fish was captured on August 10, 2017, in Jago Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, U.S.A.
Image of the juvenile Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) that first confirmed successful reproduction of Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic. This fish was captured on August 10, 2017, in Jago Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, U.S.A.
The catch from a fyke net set near Kaktovik, Alaska
Biologists identify species, count, measure length, and release thousands of fish each year to understand how fish use nearshore habitats.
Biologists identify species, count, measure length, and release thousands of fish each year to understand how fish use nearshore habitats.
Underwater image of fish captured by a fyke net
An underwater image of fish captured by a fyke net near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, USA. The small silver fish with dark backs are young-of-year (age-0) Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) and the flatfish are Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis).
An underwater image of fish captured by a fyke net near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, USA. The small silver fish with dark backs are young-of-year (age-0) Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) and the flatfish are Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis).
A fyke net set to catch nearshore fish near Kaktovik, Alaska
A fyke net or fish trap used for continuous sampling of nearshore fish in shallow waters. Fish swimming along the beach are stopped by a small-mesh net that guides them in to one of these two underwater fish traps that are set side by side. Researchers visit nets at least once a day to identify, count, and release fish.
A fyke net or fish trap used for continuous sampling of nearshore fish in shallow waters. Fish swimming along the beach are stopped by a small-mesh net that guides them in to one of these two underwater fish traps that are set side by side. Researchers visit nets at least once a day to identify, count, and release fish.
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Saffron cod captured near Kaktovik Alaska
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured near Kaktovik Alaska
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured near Kaktovik Alaska
Young of year Arctic cisco
Young of year Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis).
Young of year Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis).
Fyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with Kaktovik, AK in the background
Fyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with the town of Kaktovik, Alaska in the background
Fyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with the town of Kaktovik, Alaska in the background
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through benthic invertebrates for bivalves
ANSEP intern Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through a catch of benthic invertebrates for bivalves on the Norseman II. This was from the Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas project.
ANSEP intern Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through a catch of benthic invertebrates for bivalves on the Norseman II. This was from the Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas project.
Measuring an Arctic grayling from the Mackenzie River, Canada
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Biologist measuring a Mackenzie River Arctic grayling, Canada
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
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Ice floating in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska
Chucks of ice floats in 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.
Chucks of ice floats in 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.
Surface trawl retrievalThe field crew pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska on the back deck of the R/V Proteus.
The field crew pulls in a surface trawl net in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska on the back deck of the R/V Proteus.
USGS Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by handUSGS Alaska Science Center Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by hand to examine forage fish prey available for red-throated loons in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska,
USGS Alaska Science Center Biologist Ashley Stanek pulls a small mesh trawl net by hand to examine forage fish prey available for red-throated loons in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska,
Looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, AlaskaVanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) examines the empty cod end of a surface trawl net while looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Vanessa von Biela (USGS – ASC) examines the empty cod end of a surface trawl net while looking for fish in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Saffron cod and Arctic codA saffron cod (front, Eleginus gracilis) and an Arctic cod (behind, Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
A saffron cod (front, Eleginus gracilis) and an Arctic cod (behind, Boreogadus saida) from the Beaufort Sea, Alaska.
Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along Beaufort SeaArctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).
Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).
USGS scientists departing for a day of field workUSGS Alaska Science Center scientists Sarah Laske, Vanessa von Biela, and Ashley Stanek near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska departing for a day of field work in the nearshore Beaufort Sea, to study fish community response to environmental conditions including sea ice, water temperature and salinity.
USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Sarah Laske, Vanessa von Biela, and Ashley Stanek near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska departing for a day of field work in the nearshore Beaufort Sea, to study fish community response to environmental conditions including sea ice, water temperature and salinity.
Under Ice Habitat in Canning River DeltaIn the Arctic, rivers are often thought to freeze completely during winter. Since fish need liquid water to survive, there are few places where they can live. Fish usually inhabit deep river channels and areas where springwater enters a stream.
In the Arctic, rivers are often thought to freeze completely during winter. Since fish need liquid water to survive, there are few places where they can live. Fish usually inhabit deep river channels and areas where springwater enters a stream.
Juvenile Chum salmonImage of the juvenile Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) that first confirmed successful reproduction of Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic. This fish was captured on August 10, 2017, in Jago Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, U.S.A.
Image of the juvenile Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) that first confirmed successful reproduction of Pacific salmon in the North American Arctic. This fish was captured on August 10, 2017, in Jago Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, U.S.A.
The catch from a fyke net set near Kaktovik, AlaskaBiologists identify species, count, measure length, and release thousands of fish each year to understand how fish use nearshore habitats.
Biologists identify species, count, measure length, and release thousands of fish each year to understand how fish use nearshore habitats.
Underwater image of fish captured by a fyke netAn underwater image of fish captured by a fyke net near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, USA. The small silver fish with dark backs are young-of-year (age-0) Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) and the flatfish are Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis).
An underwater image of fish captured by a fyke net near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, USA. The small silver fish with dark backs are young-of-year (age-0) Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) and the flatfish are Arctic flounder (Liopsetta glacialis).
A fyke net set to catch nearshore fish near Kaktovik, AlaskaA fyke net or fish trap used for continuous sampling of nearshore fish in shallow waters. Fish swimming along the beach are stopped by a small-mesh net that guides them in to one of these two underwater fish traps that are set side by side. Researchers visit nets at least once a day to identify, count, and release fish.
A fyke net or fish trap used for continuous sampling of nearshore fish in shallow waters. Fish swimming along the beach are stopped by a small-mesh net that guides them in to one of these two underwater fish traps that are set side by side. Researchers visit nets at least once a day to identify, count, and release fish.
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic ciscoUnderwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Underwater photo of young of year Arctic cisco
Saffron cod captured near Kaktovik AlaskaSaffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured near Kaktovik Alaska
Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) captured near Kaktovik Alaska
Young of year Arctic ciscoYoung of year Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis).
Young of year Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis).
Fyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with Kaktovik, AK in the backgroundFyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with the town of Kaktovik, Alaska in the background
Fyke net set in Kaktovik Lagoon with the town of Kaktovik, Alaska in the background
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon RiverRandy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Randy Brown adjusts a fish wheel trap on the Yukon River that will catch Chinook salmon.
Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through benthic invertebrates for bivalvesANSEP intern Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through a catch of benthic invertebrates for bivalves on the Norseman II. This was from the Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas project.
ANSEP intern Jannelle Trowbridge sorts through a catch of benthic invertebrates for bivalves on the Norseman II. This was from the Ecosystem Shifts in Arctic Seas project.
Measuring an Arctic grayling from the Mackenzie River, CanadaMeasuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Biologist measuring a Mackenzie River Arctic grayling, CanadaMeasuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
Measuring an Arctic Grayling from the Mackenzie River in Canada. This was part of an Arctic Cisco project.
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*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