Images

Scientists anticipate that the fish community in the lagoons near Kaktovik, Alaska, Beaufort Sea, now includes more saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) and larger saffron cod, like the one pictured here, given that the species has a higher thermal tolerance than many other co-occurring marine fishes.

Measuring temperature and dissolved oxygen in impounded water of beaver dam on the Wrench Creek, Noatak National Preserve.

Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) and Dolly varden (Salvelinus malma)  from impounded water of beaver dam on the Wrench Creek, Noatak National Preserve. 

Gnawed tree from beaver activity on tributary of the Agashashok River, Noatak National Preserve

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver dam crossing mainstem of Rabbit Creek near the headwaters, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Measuring the amount of water impounded by a beaver dam on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument. 

Beaver dams on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Beaver swimming near dam on Rabbit Creek, Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)

Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) char captured in brackish water along the Beaufort Sea coastline. Dolly Varden are an important subsistence fish across their range.

Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska.

Arctic smelt (Osmerus dentex) captured along the Beaufort Sea coastline in Alaska. This species is a close relative of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax).

USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Vanessa von Biela (left) and Sarah Laske (right) prepare to empty the daily catch from a fyke net in Kaktovik Lagoon, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, Beaufort Sea.

Scientists Sarah Laske (USGS ASC), Daniel Fraser (University of Texas and Beaufort Lagoons LTER), and Ashley Stanek (USGS ASC), empty the daily catch of nearshore fishes from a fyke net to a floating net pen in Jago Lagoon in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Note the slumping tundra right along that coastline.

Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019

Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019.

Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019.

Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019.

Short-tailed Shearwater die-off in the Bering Sea. Emaciated Short-tailed Shearwater carcasses littered the beaches of Bristol Bay during the summer of 2019