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Publications

USGS research activities relevant to Alaska have yielded more than 9400 historical publications. This page features some of the most recent newsworthy research findings.

Filter Total Items: 2892

Marine birds

In this chapter we review existing knowledge of marine birds in the Gulf of Alaska. Three estuarine systems in the Gulf provide critical habitat for migratory shorebirds and waterfowl: 1) the Stikine River Delta, 2) Cook Inlet, and 3) the Copper River Delta. Over 20 million waterbirds are estimated to use the latter system during spring migration. Western sandpipers, dunlin, and northern pintails
Authors
Anthony R. DeGange, Gerald A. Sanger

Alaska goose populations: Past, present and future

Many people think Alaska remains a pristine wilderness and that wildlife populations are still at prehistoric levels. This very likely is not true for the 11 species and subspecies of geese that nest in Alaska. Large, widely dispersed populations of geese were observed near the turn of the century. Even in the early 1970s, it was estimated that Alaskan habitats were used by 915,000 nesting and 100
Authors
James G. King, Dirk V. Derksen

Research on polar bears in Alaska, 1983-1985

Research on the ecology and status of polar bear populations in Alaska has continued since 1967. Research was a joint U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Alaska Department of Fish and Game effort until passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, and has been largely a Federal effort since then. In 1985, Alaskan polar beer research continues to be carried out by the Research Division of the U.S
Authors
Steven C. Amstrup

Potassium-argon ages of volcanic rocks from near Ankara, Central Turkey

No abstract available.
Authors
Jay A. Ach, Frederic H. Wilson

Scale-dependent correlation of seabirds with schooling fish in a coastal ecosystem

The distribution of piscivorous seabirds relative to schooling fish was investigated by repeated censusing of 2 intersecting transects in the Avalon Channel, which carries the Labrador Current southward along the east coast of Newfoundland. Murres (primarily common murres Uria aalge), Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica, and schooling fish (primarily capelin Mallotus villosus) were highly aggregat
Authors
Davod C. Schneider, John F. Piatt

Fish assemblages in Macrocystis and Nereocystis kelp forests off Central California

The abundance and species composition of conspicuous fishes were compared within two canopy forming kelp forests (giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, and bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana) in Central California. The primary investigative method was a subtidal belt transect, in which visual observation was used. The species composition of fish assemblages in the two canopy types was similar. Densities
Authors
James L. Bodkin

A sublittoral population of Pleurophycus gardneri Setchell and Saunders 1900 (Phaeophyceae: Laminariaceae) in central California

Published distributional records for the stipitate kelp Pleurophycus gardneri Setchell and Saunders 1900 (Phaeophyceae: Laminariaceae) indicae a geographic range from Montague Island (59°58’N, 147°22W), Alaska to Fort Bragg (39°27’N, 123°47’W), California (Druehl 1969, 1970; Kjeldsen 1972). P. gardneri is found primarily in rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal locations (Scagel 1967; Nicholson 19
Authors
Glenn R. VanBlaricom, Daniel C. Reed, Christopher Harrold, James L. Bodkin

What won't Turnstones eat?

The Turnstone Arenaria interpres probably has one of the most varied diets of any wader species. Besides the 'normal' foods taken (see, e.g., Prater 1972, Nettleship 1973, Jones 1975), a considerable variety of 'unusual' foods and feeding behaviours has also been reported. Items taken include soap, gull excrement, dog food, potato peels, cheese, oatmeal, and the flesh of dead animals, including bi
Authors
Robert E. Gill

A natural epizootic of infectious haematopoietic necrosis in imported Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., reared in the enzootic region

In June 1984, fry of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., (0-3 g mean weight), being reared in a hatehery operated by the University of Washington, began to die and infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) was diagnosed. A total of 40 000 fry were being held in 11 tanks. Mortality due to IHN was noticeable in three tanks, losses being heavy in one and moderate in two. Gross examination of the fish fai
Authors
D. Mulcahy, J. Wood

Occurrence of anadromous brown trout in two lower Columbia River tributaries

No abstract available.
Authors
P.A. Bisson, J.L. Nielsen, M.W. Chilcote, B. A. Crawford, S.A. Leider

Polar Bear

No abstract available.
Authors
Steven C. Amstrup