Unified Interior Regions
Region 11: Alaska
Alaska Science Center
4210 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-7000
Volcano Science Center
4230 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 786-7497
Climate Adaptation Science Center
4230 University Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: 907-301-7830
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USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.
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Arctic Science for Decision Maker
2020 USGS Alaska Annual Science ReportChange-in-ratio methods for estimating population size
Change-in-ratio (CIR) methods can provide an effective, low cost approach for estimating the size of wildlife populations. They rely on being able to observe changes in proportions of population subclasses that result from the removal of a known number of individuals from the population. These methods were first introduced in the 1940’s to...
McCullough, Dale R.; Barrett, Reginald H.; Udevitz, Mark S.; Pollock, Kenneth H.Changes in Alaskan soft-bottom prey communities along a gradient in sea otter predation
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris), well documented as "keystone" predators in rocky marine communities, were found to exert a strong influence on infaunal prey communities in soft-sediment habitats. Direct and indirect effects of sea otter predation on subtidal soft-bottom prey communities were evaluated along a temporal gradient of sea otter occupancy...
Kvitek, R.G.; Oliver, J.S.; DeGange, A.R.; Anderson, B.S.Depositional history, nannofossil biostratigraphy, and correlation of Argo Abyssal Plain Sites 765 and 261
Sediments from the Argo Abyssal Plain (AAP), northwest of Australia, are the oldest known from the Indian Ocean and were recovered from ODP Site 765 and DSDP Site 261. New biostratigraphic and sedimentologic data from these sites, as well as reinterpretations of earlier findings, indicate that basal sediments at both localities are of Late...
Stewart, Sondra K.; Kennett, Diana; Mazzullo, Elsa K.; Dumoulin, Julie A.; Bown, Paul R.Distribution, numbers, and habitat of Bristle-thighed Curlews (Numinous tahitiensis) on Rangiroa atoll
We assessed the numbers, distribution, and habitat of Bristle-tithed Curlews (Numinous tahitiensis) on Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, during a visit in April 1988. We estimated a total of 250-350 curlews on the atoll. These birds were seen only on the southern and western rims, where they were most common on (1) saltpans within clusters of...
Gill, Robert E.; Redmond, Roland L.Intraspecific mitochondrial DNA variation in North American cervids
Symptoms appeared when quail and pheasants were fed diets containing 0.025-0.050% DDT. Symptoms appeared sooner as percentages increased. Young birds seemed more resistant than adults. Median lethal quantity for adult quail was about 1,200 mg./Kg. Young quail showed no ill-effects after ingesting 3,000 mg./Kg. during 10-week period. Adult...
Cronin, M.A.Intraspecific variation in egg shape among individual emperor geese
Within-clutch variability in shape of 1743 eggs from 301 nests of Emperor Geese (Chen canagicus) laid over a 5-yr period was measured. Individual females laid similar shaped eggs in successive years, and eggs among clutches within females could not be distinguished. Cluster analysis correctly identified 69.9% of 136 known conspecific parasitic...
Petersen, Margaret R.Lower Cretaceous smarl turbidites of the Argo Abyssal Plain, Indian Ocean
Sediments recovered during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 123 from the Argo Abyssal Plain (AAP) consist largely of turbidites derived from the adjacent Australian continental margin. The oldest abundant turbidites are Valanginian-Aptian in age and have a mixed (smarl) composition; they contain subequal amounts of calcareous and siliceous...
Stewart, Sondra K.; Kennett, Diana; Mazzullo, Elsa K.; Dumoulin, Julie A.Molt frequency and size class distribution in the California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus), at San Nicolas Island, California
Bodkin, James L.; Browne, L.B.Paleomagnetism and geochronology of 23 Ma gabbroic intrusions in the Keku Strait, Alaska, and implications for the Alexander Terrane
Samples of Tertiary gabbro from 24 sites in the Keku Strait, Alaska, help constrain the displacement history of the Alexander terrane. Step heating experiments on a plagioclase separate from these previously undated intrusions indicate a discordant 40Ar/39Ar age of 23.1 ± 1.7 Ma. The characteristic magnetization resides in magnetite, is easily...
Haeussler, Peter J.; Coe, Robert S.; Renne, Paul R.Paleomagnetism of the Late Triassic Hound Island Volcanics: Revisited
The collision and accretion of the Alexander terrane profoundly influenced the geologic history of Alaska and western Canada; however, the terrane's displacement history is only poorly constrained by sparse paleomagnetic studies. We studied the paleomagnetism of the Hound Island Volcanics in order to evaluate the location of the Alexander terrane...
Haeussler, Peter J.; Coe, Robert S.; Onstott, T.C.Reproductive ecology of Emperor Geese: Survival of adult females
Life history theory predicts a decrease in survival with increased reproductive effort of individuals. This relationship, however, is highly variable among and within species. I studied the nesting success and survival of adult female Emperor Geese during 1982-1986 and found no direct evidence that differential reproductive effort as measured by...
Petersen, Margaret R.Reproductive implications of egg-size variation in Black Brant
We analyzed variation in egg size of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) in relation to clutch size, laying date, female age, year, and position in the laying sequence. A total of 3,478 eggs was measured over three years. Egg size increased with clutch size and female age, and decreased with laying date, year, and position in the laying...
Flint, Paul L.; Sedinger, James S.Stay up-to-date with what is happening in the Alaska Region by checking out our different social media accounts. You can also contact Alaska Regional Office staff or Center Directors for more information.