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
Filter Total Items: 19
Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
This data release includes 4 child items with geospatial datasets that characterize the distribution of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweeds in waters of southwestern Alaska and Baja California, Mexico. Child Item 1: "Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska Peninsula and Nunivak Island" Child Item 2: "Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Togiak...
Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains information on the seasonal diversity and abundance of arthropods collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2012 and 2014-2107. Researchers with the US Geological Survey began studying the reproductive ecology of birds at a site on the Colville River near the Beaufort Sea coast in 2011. Researchers concurrently collected arthropods at 3-day intervals...
Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains two tables with information on seasonal values for temperature, wind, and snow cover collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2018. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey used an on-site weather station to automatically record the temperature and speed and direction of the wind across the duration of their field season. Researchers also...
Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains multiple tables with information on avian demographics collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2018. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey began studying the reproductive ecology of birds at a site on the Colville River near the Beaufort Sea coast in 2011. Researchers monitored the nests of geese, shorebirds, and landbirds at this study site
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 sets containing: (1) sample collection and influenza A virus (IAV) screening information for wild ducks, (2) water temperature data from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA (3) water quality measurement from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA, (4) genetic sequence data for IAVs recovered from replicate...
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
These data are in two tables relating to fall age ratios (number of juvenile birds : total birds aged) of Black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) staging in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska since 1963. The first file is observation data for the birds' age classes during surveys and associated survey characteristics. The second file contains model-based estimates of age ratios by year along with SE...
Filter Total Items: 24
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
Animals exhibit varied life-history traits that reflect adaptive responses to their environments. For Arctic-breeding birds, traits related to diet, egg nutrient allocation, clutch size, and chick growth are predicted to be under increasing selection pressure due to rapid climate change and increasing environmental variability across high-latitude regions. We compared four migratory...
Authors
Daniel Ruthrauff, Vijay Patil, Jerry Hupp, David Ward
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) deposited by wild birds into the environment may lead to sporadic mortality events and economically costly outbreaks among domestic birds. There is a paucity of information, however, regarding the persistence of infectious IAVs within the environment following deposition. In this investigation, we assessed the persistence of 12 IAVs that were present in the...
Authors
Andrew Ramey, Andrew Reeves, Benjamin Lagasse, Vijay Patil, Laura Hubbard, Dana W. Kolpin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Deborah Repert, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson
The extent and variability of storm‐induced temperature changes in lakes measured with long‐term and high‐frequency data The extent and variability of storm‐induced temperature changes in lakes measured with long‐term and high‐frequency data
The intensity and frequency of storms are projected to increase in many regions of the world because of climate change. Storms can alter environmental conditions in many ecosystems. In lakes and reservoirs, storms can reduce epilimnetic temperatures from wind‐induced mixing with colder hypolimnetic waters, direct precipitation to the lake's surface, and watershed runoff. We analyzed 18...
Authors
Jonathan Doubek, Orlane Anneville, Gael Dur, Aleksandra Lewandowska, Vijay Patil, James Rusak, Nico Salmaso, Christian Seltmann, Dietmar Straile, Pablo Urrutia-Cordero, Patrick Venail, Rita Adrian, Maria B. Alfonso, Curtis DeGasperi, Elvira de Eyto, Heidrun Feuchtmayr, Evelyn Gaiser, Scott Girdner, Jennifer Graham, Hans-Peter Grossart, Josef Hejzlar, Stephan Jacquet, Georgiy Kirillin, Maria Llames, Shin-Ichiro Matsuzaki, Emily Nodine, Maria Piccolo, Donald Pierson, Alon Rimmer, Lars Rudstam, Steven Sadro, Hilary Swain, Stephen Thackeray, Wim Thiery, Piet Verburg, Tamar Zohary, Jason Stockwell
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with university, Federal, Tribal, and independent partners, conducts fundamental research on the distribution, vulnerability, and importance of permafrost in arctic and boreal ecosystems. Scientists, land managers, and policy makers use USGS data to help make decisions for development, wildlife habitat, and other needs. Native villages...
Authors
Mark Waldrop, Lesleigh Anderson, Mark Dornblaser, Li Erikson, Ann Gibbs, Nicole Herman-Mercer, Stephanie R. James, Miriam Jones, Joshua Koch, Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Kristen Manies, Burke Minsley, Neal Pastick, Vijay Patil, Frank Urban, Michelle Walvoord, Kimberly Wickland, Christian Zimmerman
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Change Science Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Volcano Science Center
Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
The long-term persistence of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is threatened by sea-ice loss due to climate change, which is concurrently providing an opportunity in the Arctic for increased anthropogenic activities including natural resource extraction. Mitigating the risk of those activities, which can adversely affect the population dynamics of the southern Beaufort Sea (SBS)...
Authors
Todd Atwood, Jeffrey Bromaghin, Vijay Patil, George Durner, David Douglas, Kristin Simac
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
The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) encompasses more than 9.5 million hectares of federally managed land on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, where it supports a diversity of wildlife, including millions of migratory birds. Within the NPR-A, Teshekpuk Lake and the surrounding area provide important habitat for migratory birds, including large numbers of waterfowl...
Authors
Paul Flint, Vijay Patil, Bradley Shults, Sarah Thompson
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 19
Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska and Baja California, Mexico
This data release includes 4 child items with geospatial datasets that characterize the distribution of eelgrass (Zostera marina) and seaweeds in waters of southwestern Alaska and Baja California, Mexico. Child Item 1: "Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Alaska Peninsula and Nunivak Island" Child Item 2: "Mapping Data of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Distribution, Togiak...
Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Arthropod Abundance Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains information on the seasonal diversity and abundance of arthropods collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2012 and 2014-2107. Researchers with the US Geological Survey began studying the reproductive ecology of birds at a site on the Colville River near the Beaufort Sea coast in 2011. Researchers concurrently collected arthropods at 3-day intervals...
Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Environmental Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains two tables with information on seasonal values for temperature, wind, and snow cover collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2018. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey used an on-site weather station to automatically record the temperature and speed and direction of the wind across the duration of their field season. Researchers also...
Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska Avian Demographic Data from the Colville River Delta, Alaska
This data release contains multiple tables with information on avian demographics collected at the Colville River Delta, Alaska, 2011-2018. Researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey began studying the reproductive ecology of birds at a site on the Colville River near the Beaufort Sea coast in 2011. Researchers monitored the nests of geese, shorebirds, and landbirds at this study site
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 sets containing: (1) sample collection and influenza A virus (IAV) screening information for wild ducks, (2) water temperature data from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA (3) water quality measurement from four wetlands within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, USA, (4) genetic sequence data for IAVs recovered from replicate...
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
These data are in two tables relating to fall age ratios (number of juvenile birds : total birds aged) of Black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) staging in Izembek Lagoon, Alaska since 1963. The first file is observation data for the birds' age classes during surveys and associated survey characteristics. The second file contains model-based estimates of age ratios by year along with SE...
Filter Total Items: 24
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
Animals exhibit varied life-history traits that reflect adaptive responses to their environments. For Arctic-breeding birds, traits related to diet, egg nutrient allocation, clutch size, and chick growth are predicted to be under increasing selection pressure due to rapid climate change and increasing environmental variability across high-latitude regions. We compared four migratory...
Authors
Daniel Ruthrauff, Vijay Patil, Jerry Hupp, David Ward
Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands Evidence for interannual persistence of infectious influenza A viruses in Alaska wetlands
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) deposited by wild birds into the environment may lead to sporadic mortality events and economically costly outbreaks among domestic birds. There is a paucity of information, however, regarding the persistence of infectious IAVs within the environment following deposition. In this investigation, we assessed the persistence of 12 IAVs that were present in the...
Authors
Andrew Ramey, Andrew Reeves, Benjamin Lagasse, Vijay Patil, Laura Hubbard, Dana W. Kolpin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Deborah Repert, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson
The extent and variability of storm‐induced temperature changes in lakes measured with long‐term and high‐frequency data The extent and variability of storm‐induced temperature changes in lakes measured with long‐term and high‐frequency data
The intensity and frequency of storms are projected to increase in many regions of the world because of climate change. Storms can alter environmental conditions in many ecosystems. In lakes and reservoirs, storms can reduce epilimnetic temperatures from wind‐induced mixing with colder hypolimnetic waters, direct precipitation to the lake's surface, and watershed runoff. We analyzed 18...
Authors
Jonathan Doubek, Orlane Anneville, Gael Dur, Aleksandra Lewandowska, Vijay Patil, James Rusak, Nico Salmaso, Christian Seltmann, Dietmar Straile, Pablo Urrutia-Cordero, Patrick Venail, Rita Adrian, Maria B. Alfonso, Curtis DeGasperi, Elvira de Eyto, Heidrun Feuchtmayr, Evelyn Gaiser, Scott Girdner, Jennifer Graham, Hans-Peter Grossart, Josef Hejzlar, Stephan Jacquet, Georgiy Kirillin, Maria Llames, Shin-Ichiro Matsuzaki, Emily Nodine, Maria Piccolo, Donald Pierson, Alon Rimmer, Lars Rudstam, Steven Sadro, Hilary Swain, Stephen Thackeray, Wim Thiery, Piet Verburg, Tamar Zohary, Jason Stockwell
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with university, Federal, Tribal, and independent partners, conducts fundamental research on the distribution, vulnerability, and importance of permafrost in arctic and boreal ecosystems. Scientists, land managers, and policy makers use USGS data to help make decisions for development, wildlife habitat, and other needs. Native villages...
Authors
Mark Waldrop, Lesleigh Anderson, Mark Dornblaser, Li Erikson, Ann Gibbs, Nicole Herman-Mercer, Stephanie R. James, Miriam Jones, Joshua Koch, Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Kristen Manies, Burke Minsley, Neal Pastick, Vijay Patil, Frank Urban, Michelle Walvoord, Kimberly Wickland, Christian Zimmerman
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Change Science Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Volcano Science Center
Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska Analyses on subpopulation abundance and annual number of maternal dens for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea, Alaska
The long-term persistence of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is threatened by sea-ice loss due to climate change, which is concurrently providing an opportunity in the Arctic for increased anthropogenic activities including natural resource extraction. Mitigating the risk of those activities, which can adversely affect the population dynamics of the southern Beaufort Sea (SBS)...
Authors
Todd Atwood, Jeffrey Bromaghin, Vijay Patil, George Durner, David Douglas, Kristin Simac
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
The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) encompasses more than 9.5 million hectares of federally managed land on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, where it supports a diversity of wildlife, including millions of migratory birds. Within the NPR-A, Teshekpuk Lake and the surrounding area provide important habitat for migratory birds, including large numbers of waterfowl...
Authors
Paul Flint, Vijay Patil, Bradley Shults, Sarah Thompson
*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