The USGS Alaska Science Center Ecosystems Analytics program is a group of quantitative biologists and research statisticians who provide analytical support to USGS scientists to answer challenging ecological topics and management questions for USGS partners.
Vijay P Patil, Ph.D.
Population Ecology, Ecosystem Modeling, Arctic Climate Change, Ecohydrology, Trophic mismatch
I study Arctic wildlife and ecosystems with collaborators at the Alaska Science Center, Department of Interior agencies, and other state and local partners. My research focuses on four components: Vital rate estimation and demographic modeling, GIS spatial analyses to test hypotheses about wildlife movement patterns and habitat associations, ecosystems research, and analytical software development. I have used field and remote sensing data to model the distribution and abundance of polar bear dens, measure goose forage availability in Arctic wetlands, and design habitat protection scenarios to help mitigate potential impacts of oil and gas development on Alaskan waterfowl. I also recently developed an R package for working with phytoplankton taxonomic and functional trait data, as part of a collaborative effort to understand how climate change and extreme weather events affect lake ecosystems and phytoplankton communities. Current projects include development of a Bayesian hierarchical integrated population model (IPM) to evaluate the effects of phenology mismatch and density dependence on Arctic-breeding goose populations.
Professional Experience
December 2015 – Present Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2012 – 2015 Graduate Research Assistant, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
2010 – 2012 Field Crew Leader, Lab Supervisor, USGS Yukon River Basin Project
2010 Research Technician, USFWS BSEIRP Project, St. George AK
2007 – 2010 Teaching Assistant, Biology Department, University of Alberta
2006 Research Technician, various projects, USFWS/USGS, AK and Greenland
2005 – 2006 Intern, PRBO Conservation Science, Cape Crozier, Antarctica
2005 Biological Science Technician, USNPS, King's Canyon Natl. Park, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2018 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK Biology and Wildlife
M.Sc. 2010 University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Biological Sciences
B.S. 2005 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Natural Resources
Affiliations and Memberships*
GLEON (Global Lake Ecology Observation Network)
Co-PI, GEISHA (Global Evaluation of the Impacts of Storms on Freshwater Habitat and Structure of Phytoplankton Assemblages), USGS Powell Center Working Group
Science and Products
Waterfowl Research
Ecosystems Analytics
Goose Research
Annual Data and Model-based Estimates of Pacific Black Brant Age Ratios
Global Evaluation of the Impacts of Storms on freshwater Habitat and Structure of phytoplankton Assemblages (GEISHA)
Movements of Black Brant Tagged While Molting in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska Movements of Black Brant Tagged While Molting in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska
Vegetation Transects to Measure Effects of Snow Goose Grazing on the Colville River Delta, Alaska Vegetation Transects to Measure Effects of Snow Goose Grazing on the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Maps from 2016 and 2020, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Maps from 2016 and 2020, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska
Nesting Period Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in Alaska Nesting Period Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in Alaska
Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)
Timing of Occurrence of Waterfowl in U.S. Counties and Canadian Counties, Boroughs, Census Districts, and Other Populated Area Designations with Modeled Exposure Status to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in 2021-2022 Timing of Occurrence of Waterfowl in U.S. Counties and Canadian Counties, Boroughs, Census Districts, and Other Populated Area Designations with Modeled Exposure Status to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in 2021-2022
Soil and Vegetation Data from Lake-Margin Wetlands in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Soil and Vegetation Data from Lake-Margin Wetlands in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions
Data and Model-based Estimates from Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Fall Age Ratio Surveys at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Data and Model-based Estimates from Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Fall Age Ratio Surveys at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska

The USGS Alaska Science Center Ecosystems Analytics program is a group of quantitative biologists and research statisticians who provide analytical support to USGS scientists to answer challenging ecological topics and management questions for USGS partners.

Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.

Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Mapping eelgrass (Zostera marina) cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery Mapping eelgrass (Zostera marina) cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Using long-term ecological datasets to unravel the impacts of short-term meteorological disturbances on phytoplankton communities Using long-term ecological datasets to unravel the impacts of short-term meteorological disturbances on phytoplankton communities
Shortening migration by 4500 km does not affect nesting phenology or increase nest success for black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in Arctic and subarctic Alaska Shortening migration by 4500 km does not affect nesting phenology or increase nest success for black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in Arctic and subarctic Alaska
The effect of drying boreal lakes on plants, soils, and microbial communities in lake margin habitats The effect of drying boreal lakes on plants, soils, and microbial communities in lake margin habitats
Mapping eelgrass cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery Mapping eelgrass cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Mitigating risk: Predicting H5N1 avian influenza spread with an empirical model of bird movement Mitigating risk: Predicting H5N1 avian influenza spread with an empirical model of bird movement
Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels
Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
Arctic geese in North America Arctic geese in North America
Life-history attributes of Arctic-breeding birds drive uneven responses to environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle Life-history attributes of Arctic-breeding birds drive uneven responses to environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool
NPS Stream Navigability Model NPS Stream Navigability Model
North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool (NPPSD_viz) North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool (NPPSD_viz)
Eelgrass Biomass Model Eelgrass Biomass Model
algaeClassify algaeClassify
Bayesian Hierarchical Model of Whimbrel Survival Bayesian Hierarchical Model of Whimbrel Survival
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015) Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
Science and Products
Waterfowl Research
Ecosystems Analytics
Goose Research
Annual Data and Model-based Estimates of Pacific Black Brant Age Ratios
Global Evaluation of the Impacts of Storms on freshwater Habitat and Structure of phytoplankton Assemblages (GEISHA)
Movements of Black Brant Tagged While Molting in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska Movements of Black Brant Tagged While Molting in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska
Vegetation Transects to Measure Effects of Snow Goose Grazing on the Colville River Delta, Alaska Vegetation Transects to Measure Effects of Snow Goose Grazing on the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Maps from 2016 and 2020, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Maps from 2016 and 2020, Izembek Lagoon, Alaska
Nesting Period Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in Alaska Nesting Period Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in Alaska
Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Tracking Data for Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)
Timing of Occurrence of Waterfowl in U.S. Counties and Canadian Counties, Boroughs, Census Districts, and Other Populated Area Designations with Modeled Exposure Status to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in 2021-2022 Timing of Occurrence of Waterfowl in U.S. Counties and Canadian Counties, Boroughs, Census Districts, and Other Populated Area Designations with Modeled Exposure Status to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus in 2021-2022
Soil and Vegetation Data from Lake-Margin Wetlands in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge Soil and Vegetation Data from Lake-Margin Wetlands in the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge
Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions Temporal Viral Viability Data from Avian Influenza A Viruses Maintained in Alaska Wetlands Under Experimental and Environmental Conditions
Data and Model-based Estimates from Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Fall Age Ratio Surveys at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska Data and Model-based Estimates from Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) Fall Age Ratio Surveys at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska

The USGS Alaska Science Center Ecosystems Analytics program is a group of quantitative biologists and research statisticians who provide analytical support to USGS scientists to answer challenging ecological topics and management questions for USGS partners.
The USGS Alaska Science Center Ecosystems Analytics program is a group of quantitative biologists and research statisticians who provide analytical support to USGS scientists to answer challenging ecological topics and management questions for USGS partners.

Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.

Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Wildlife Biologist Vijay Patil explores the effects of climate change and shifting seasons on Arctic-nesting waterfowl.
Mapping eelgrass (Zostera marina) cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery Mapping eelgrass (Zostera marina) cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Using long-term ecological datasets to unravel the impacts of short-term meteorological disturbances on phytoplankton communities Using long-term ecological datasets to unravel the impacts of short-term meteorological disturbances on phytoplankton communities
Shortening migration by 4500 km does not affect nesting phenology or increase nest success for black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in Arctic and subarctic Alaska Shortening migration by 4500 km does not affect nesting phenology or increase nest success for black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) breeding in Arctic and subarctic Alaska
The effect of drying boreal lakes on plants, soils, and microbial communities in lake margin habitats The effect of drying boreal lakes on plants, soils, and microbial communities in lake margin habitats
Mapping eelgrass cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery Mapping eelgrass cover and biomass at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska, using in-situ field data and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery
Mitigating risk: Predicting H5N1 avian influenza spread with an empirical model of bird movement Mitigating risk: Predicting H5N1 avian influenza spread with an empirical model of bird movement
Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels Disparate data streams together yield novel survival estimates of Alaska-breeding Whimbrels
Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska Modeling the spatial and temporal dynamics of land-based polar bear denning in Alaska
Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska Prioritizing habitats based on abundance and distribution of molting waterfowl in the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska
Arctic geese in North America Arctic geese in North America
Life-history attributes of Arctic-breeding birds drive uneven responses to environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle Life-history attributes of Arctic-breeding birds drive uneven responses to environmental variability across different phases of the reproductive cycle
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool
NPS Stream Navigability Model NPS Stream Navigability Model
North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool (NPPSD_viz) North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool (NPPSD_viz)
Eelgrass Biomass Model Eelgrass Biomass Model
algaeClassify algaeClassify
Bayesian Hierarchical Model of Whimbrel Survival Bayesian Hierarchical Model of Whimbrel Survival
Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015) Code for analysis of polar bear maternal den abundance and distribution in four regions of northern Alaska and Canada within the Southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation boundary (1982-2015)
*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