Recent findings by USGS Alaska Science Center staff and their collaborators, updated weekly.
Click the title to see the full description and links to more information.
![Skinny Common Murre flying over water with keel protruding. lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_2497ed_B.jpg?itok=5pdu5idP)
Mechanisms by Which Heatwaves Impact Seabirds
Short summary: Effects of ocean heatwaves on some seabirds, such as the common murre, are well documented, but how other seabirds respond to marine heatwaves was poorly understood.
Rusting Rivers in Arctic Ecosystems
Rapid warming of the Arctic is altering hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological characteristics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Describing Critical Water Sources for Arctic River Ecosystems
Aufeis, also known as icings, forms when groundwater flows to surface during the winter and freezes and is a source of water in northern Alaska.
![Flying, banded Greater White-fronted geese in northern Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/edit6-21-1300484.jpg?itok=ptjkO1bZ)
Geese Migrating over the northeast Pacific often Fly at the Height of Wind-turbine Blades
How do migrating geese select their flight altitudes over the open ocean and is this at the same height as wind-turbine rotor blades?
Determining the Importance of Post-den Emergence Behavior of Polar Bears
The number of days after emerging from a winter den can be critical for polar bear cub survival.
![Polar bear laying on the ice just at the edge of the water with paws handing over edge.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/PolarBear2.jpg?itok=p8nh9PaT)
Environmental data can determine changes in a polar bear population when direct data collection is not feasible
This study and others provide a template for using environmental and ecological data that can improve polar bear population monitoring.
Recent findings by USGS Alaska Science Center staff and their collaborators, updated weekly.
Click the title to see the full description and links to more information.
![Skinny Common Murre flying over water with keel protruding. lower Cook Inlet, Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/DSC_2497ed_B.jpg?itok=5pdu5idP)
Mechanisms by Which Heatwaves Impact Seabirds
Short summary: Effects of ocean heatwaves on some seabirds, such as the common murre, are well documented, but how other seabirds respond to marine heatwaves was poorly understood.
Rusting Rivers in Arctic Ecosystems
Rapid warming of the Arctic is altering hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological characteristics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Describing Critical Water Sources for Arctic River Ecosystems
Aufeis, also known as icings, forms when groundwater flows to surface during the winter and freezes and is a source of water in northern Alaska.
![Flying, banded Greater White-fronted geese in northern Alaska](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/thumbnails/image/edit6-21-1300484.jpg?itok=ptjkO1bZ)
Geese Migrating over the northeast Pacific often Fly at the Height of Wind-turbine Blades
How do migrating geese select their flight altitudes over the open ocean and is this at the same height as wind-turbine rotor blades?
Determining the Importance of Post-den Emergence Behavior of Polar Bears
The number of days after emerging from a winter den can be critical for polar bear cub survival.
![Polar bear laying on the ice just at the edge of the water with paws handing over edge.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/PolarBear2.jpg?itok=p8nh9PaT)
Environmental data can determine changes in a polar bear population when direct data collection is not feasible
This study and others provide a template for using environmental and ecological data that can improve polar bear population monitoring.