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Christian E Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Actionable science to inform decision makers, managers, and the public

Professional Experience

  • 2017 - Present   Center Director, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska 

  • 2015 - 2017        Chief, Water and Interdisciplinary Studies Office, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 2002 - Present  Chair Scientific and Technical Committee, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 2001-2015          Research Fish Biologist, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK

  • 2000 - 2001       Scientist, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

  • 1995 - 1997       Fishery Biologist, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon

  • 1993 - 1995       Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

  • 1992                    Fishery Biologist, Thomas R. Payne and Associates/Pacific Land and Water Resources Consultants, Arcata, California

  • 1991                     Teaching Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California

  • 1990 - 1991        Research Assistant, Institute of Limnology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

  • 1989 - 1990       Biological Technician, Redwood National Park, Arcata, California

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D.  2000      Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR    Fishery Science

  • M.S.    1996      Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR    Fishery Science

  • B.S.     1992      Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA    Fishery Biology

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15
Filter Total Items: 65
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

A spawining sockeye salmon with it's back out of the water in a side channel of the Matanuska River.

By
Alaska Science Center
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

A spawining sockeye salmon with it's back out of the water in a side channel of the Matanuska River.

By
Alaska Science Center
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

Scenic view of the Matanuska River with a bridge spanning across. This photo was part of an erosion project on the river.

By
Alaska Science Center
A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

Scenic view of the Matanuska River with a bridge spanning across. This photo was part of an erosion project on the river.

By
Alaska Science Center
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Scenic photo of McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Scenic photo of McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River looking towards the mountains.

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River looking towards the mountains.

By
Alaska Science Center
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

A morning fog on the Pilgrim River. The camp is from the thermal ecology of sockeye salmon project.

By
Alaska Science Center
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

A morning fog on the Pilgrim River. The camp is from the thermal ecology of sockeye salmon project.

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Biologists are checking a fyke net in the Pilgrim River for juvenile sockeye salmon to tag with archival tags.  Unfortunately none were large enough for tagging.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Biologists are checking a fyke net in the Pilgrim River for juvenile sockeye salmon to tag with archival tags.  Unfortunately none were large enough for tagging.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap on the Kwethluk River. Biologists are capturing chum salmon juvenile smolt.

By
Alaska Science Center
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap on the Kwethluk River. Biologists are capturing chum salmon juvenile smolt.

By
Alaska Science Center
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A side channel of the Matanuska River. Results from this study were published in Curran, J.H., McTeague, M.L., Burril, S.E., and Zimmerman, C.E., 2011, Distribution, persistence, and hydrologic characteristics of salmon spawning habitats in clearwater side channels of the Matanuska River, southcentral Alaska: U.S.

By
Alaska Science Center
A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A side channel of the Matanuska River. Results from this study were published in Curran, J.H., McTeague, M.L., Burril, S.E., and Zimmerman, C.E., 2011, Distribution, persistence, and hydrologic characteristics of salmon spawning habitats in clearwater side channels of the Matanuska River, southcentral Alaska: U.S.

By
Alaska Science Center
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska
Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska
Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

A weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska.  This weir was used to count chum and coho salmon adults.

By
Alaska Science Center
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

A weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska.  This weir was used to count chum and coho salmon adults.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake which is at the headwaters of the Pilgrim River.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake which is at the headwaters of the Pilgrim River.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, on the Seward Peninsula near Salmon Lake, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, on the Seward Peninsula near Salmon Lake, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
Filter Total Items: 72

Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments

Generalist feeding strategies are favoured in stressful or variable environments where flexibility in ecological traits is beneficial. Species that feed across multiple habitat types and trophic levels may impart stability on food webs through the use of readily available, alternative energy pools. In lakes, generalist fish species may take advantage of spatially and temporally variable prey by co
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Patterns and controls of mercury accumulation in sediments from three thermokarst lakes on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska

The biogeochemical cycle of mercury will be influenced by climate change, particularly at higher latitudes. Investigations of historical mercury accumulation in lake sediments inform future predictions as to how climate change might affect mercury biogeochemistry; however, in regions with a paucity of data, such as the thermokarst-rich Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP), the trajectory of mercur
Authors
Samantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Brian A. Branfireun, Joshua C. Koch, Heidi K. Swanson
By
Alaska Science Center

Grand challenges for integrated USGS science — A workshop report

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a long history of advancing the traditional Earth science disciplines and identifying opportunities to integrate USGS science across disciplines to address complex societal problems. The USGS science strategy for 2007–2017 laid out key challenges in disciplinary and interdisciplinary arenas, culminating in a call for increased focus on a numbe
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, Martin B. Goldhaber, Julio L. Betancourt, Jill S. Baron, Sky Bristol, Mary Cantrill, Paul E. Exter, Michael J. Focazio, John W. Haines, Lauren E. Hay, Leslie Hsu, Victor F. Labson, Kevin D. Lafferty, K. A. Ludwig, Paul C. D. Milly, Toni L. Morelli, Suzette A. Morman, Nedal T. Nassar, Timothy R. Newman, Andrea C. Ostroff, Jordan S. Read, Sasha C. Reed, Carl D. Shapiro, Richard A. Smith, Ward E. Sanford, Terry L. Sohl, Edward G. Stets, Adam J. Terando, Donald E. Tillitt, Michael A. Tischler, Patricia L. Toccalino, David J. Wald, Mark P. Waldrop, Anne Wein, Jake F. Weltzin, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science and Decisions Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Land Use Land Cover Modeling

Migration trends of Sockeye Salmon at the northern edge of their distribution

Climate change is affecting arctic and subarctic ecosystems, and anadromous fish such as Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are particularly susceptible due to the physiological challenge of spawning migrations. Predicting how migratory timing will change under Arctic warming scenarios requires an understanding of how environmental factors drive salmon migrations. Multiple mechanisms exist by which
Authors
Michael P. Carey, Christian E. Zimmerman, Kevin D. Keith, Merlyn Schelske, Charles Lean, David C. Douglas
By
Alaska Science Center

Potential effects of permafrost thaw on arctic river ecosystems

No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan A. O'Donnell, Christian E. Zimmerman, Michael P. Carey, Joshua C. Koch
By
Alaska Science Center

Top-down control of invertebrates by Ninespine Stickleback in Arctic ponds

Despite their widespread presence in northern-latitude ecosystems, the ecological role of Ninespine Stickleback Pungitius pungitius is not well understood. Ninespine Stickleback can occupy both top and intermediate trophic levels in freshwater ecosystems, so their role in food webs as a predator on invertebrates and as a forage fish for upper level consumers probably is substantial. We introduced
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, William J. Kane, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Cooperative Research Units

Widespread kelp-derived carbon in pelagic and benthic nearshore fishes

Kelp forests provide habitat for diverse and abundant fish assemblages, but the extent to which kelp provides a source of energy to fish and other predators is unclear. To examine the use of kelp-derived energy by fishes we estimated the contribution of kelp- and phytoplankton-derived carbon using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes measured in muscle tissue. Benthic-foraging kelp greenling
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Seth D. Newsome, James L. Bodkin, Gordon H. Kruse, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Using thermal limits to assess establishment of fish dispersing to high-latitude and high-elevation watersheds

Distributional shifts of biota to higher latitudes and elevations are presumably influenced by species-specific physiological tolerances related to warming temperatures. However, it is establishment rather than dispersal that may be limiting colonizations in these cold frontier areas. In freshwater ecosystems, perennial groundwater springs provide critical winter thermal refugia in these extreme e
Authors
Karen M. Dunmall, Neil J. Mochnacz, Christian E. Zimmerman, Charles Lean, James D. Reist
By
Alaska Science Center

Surface water connectivity drives richness and composition of Arctic lake fish assemblages

Surface water connectivity can influence the richness and composition of fish assemblages, particularly in harsh environments where colonisation factors and access to seasonal refugia are required for species persistence. Studies regarding influence of connectivity on Arctic fish distributions are limited and are rarely applied to whole assemblage patterns. To increase our understanding of how su
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Trevor B. Haynes, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Joshua C. Koch, Mark S. Wipfli, Matthew Whitman, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Cooperative Research Units

Influence of basin- and local-scale environmental conditions on nearshore production in the northeast Pacific Ocean

Nearshore marine habitats are productive and vulnerable owing to their connections to pelagic and terrestrial landscapes. To understand how ocean basin- and local-scale conditions may influence nearshore species, we developed an annual index of nearshore production (spanning the period 1972–2010) from growth increments recorded in otoliths of representative pelagic-feeding (Black Rockfish Sebastes
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Christian E. Zimmerman, Gordon H. Kruse, Franz J. Mueter, Bryan A. Black, David C. Douglas, James L. Bodkin
By
Alaska Science Center

Reconstructing turbidity in a glacially influenced lake using the Landsat TM and ETM+ surface reflectance climate data record archive, Lake Clark, Alaska

Lake Clark is an important nursery lake for sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska, the most productive wild salmon fishery in the world. Reductions in water clarity within Alaska lake systems as a result of increased glacial runoff have been shown to reduce salmon production via reduced abundance of zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. In this study, we recons
Authors
Carson Baughman, Benjamin M. Jones, Krista K. Bartz, Daniel B. Young, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Evidence of bottom-up limitations in nearshore marine systems based on otolith proxies of fish growth

Fish otolith growth increments were used as indices of annual production at nine nearshore sites within the Alaska Coastal Current (downwelling region) and California Current (upwelling region) systems (~36–60°N). Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) were identified as useful indicators in pelagic and benthic nearshore food webs, respectively. To examine
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Gordon H. Kruse, Franz J. Mueter, Bryan A. Black, David C. Douglas, Thomas E. Helser, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15
Filter Total Items: 65
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

A spawining sockeye salmon with it's back out of the water in a side channel of the Matanuska River.

By
Alaska Science Center
Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

A spawining sockeye salmon with it's back out of the water in a side channel of the Matanuska River.

By
Alaska Science Center
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River
A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

Scenic view of the Matanuska River with a bridge spanning across. This photo was part of an erosion project on the river.

By
Alaska Science Center
A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

A bridge over the Matanuska River

Scenic view of the Matanuska River with a bridge spanning across. This photo was part of an erosion project on the river.

By
Alaska Science Center
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Scenic photo of McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Scenic photo of McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River looking towards the mountains.

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River looking towards the mountains.

By
Alaska Science Center
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

A morning fog on the Pilgrim River. The camp is from the thermal ecology of sockeye salmon project.

By
Alaska Science Center
The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

The morning fog on Pilgrim River, Alaska

A morning fog on the Pilgrim River. The camp is from the thermal ecology of sockeye salmon project.

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

By
Alaska Science Center
Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

Aerial view of the Pilgrim River field camp

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Biologists are checking a fyke net in the Pilgrim River for juvenile sockeye salmon to tag with archival tags.  Unfortunately none were large enough for tagging.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Checking a fyke net near the shore of the Pilgrim River

Biologists are checking a fyke net in the Pilgrim River for juvenile sockeye salmon to tag with archival tags.  Unfortunately none were large enough for tagging.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net in the Nome River
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Checking a fyke net from a boat in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Checking a fyke net in the Nome River

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Juvenile salmon trapping on the Nome River, Alaska

Biologists checking a fyke net as part of a fish project for the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation.  Otoliths were extracted and read for ages from the fish captured in this fyke net.

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Alaska Science Center
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap on the Kwethluk River. Biologists are capturing chum salmon juvenile smolt.

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Alaska Science Center
An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap used to catch salmon smolt

An inclined plane trap on the Kwethluk River. Biologists are capturing chum salmon juvenile smolt.

By
Alaska Science Center
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel
A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A side channel of the Matanuska River. Results from this study were published in Curran, J.H., McTeague, M.L., Burril, S.E., and Zimmerman, C.E., 2011, Distribution, persistence, and hydrologic characteristics of salmon spawning habitats in clearwater side channels of the Matanuska River, southcentral Alaska: U.S.

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Alaska Science Center
A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A Matanuska River side channel

A side channel of the Matanuska River. Results from this study were published in Curran, J.H., McTeague, M.L., Burril, S.E., and Zimmerman, C.E., 2011, Distribution, persistence, and hydrologic characteristics of salmon spawning habitats in clearwater side channels of the Matanuska River, southcentral Alaska: U.S.

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Alaska Science Center
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

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Alaska Science Center
Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

Spawning sockeye salmon in the Grand Central River, near Nome, Alaska

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Alaska Science Center
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska
Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska
Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

A weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska.  This weir was used to count chum and coho salmon adults.

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Alaska Science Center
A weir on the Snake River to count chum and coho salmon, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

Fish weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska

A weir on the Snake River, near Nome, Alaska.  This weir was used to count chum and coho salmon adults.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake which is at the headwaters of the Pilgrim River.

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Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake

Sockeye salmon in shallow waters of Salmon Lake which is at the headwaters of the Pilgrim River.

By
Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, on the Seward Peninsula near Salmon Lake, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
Sockeye salmon spawning in Grand Central River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, Alaska

Sockeye salmon spawning in the Grand Central River, on the Seward Peninsula near Salmon Lake, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Fish River on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Scenic view of the Fish River on Seward Peninsula, Alaska.

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

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Alaska Science Center
Filter Total Items: 72

Generalist feeding strategies in Arctic freshwater fish: A mechanism for dealing with extreme environments

Generalist feeding strategies are favoured in stressful or variable environments where flexibility in ecological traits is beneficial. Species that feed across multiple habitat types and trophic levels may impart stability on food webs through the use of readily available, alternative energy pools. In lakes, generalist fish species may take advantage of spatially and temporally variable prey by co
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Patterns and controls of mercury accumulation in sediments from three thermokarst lakes on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska

The biogeochemical cycle of mercury will be influenced by climate change, particularly at higher latitudes. Investigations of historical mercury accumulation in lake sediments inform future predictions as to how climate change might affect mercury biogeochemistry; however, in regions with a paucity of data, such as the thermokarst-rich Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP), the trajectory of mercur
Authors
Samantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Brian A. Branfireun, Joshua C. Koch, Heidi K. Swanson
By
Alaska Science Center

Grand challenges for integrated USGS science — A workshop report

Executive SummaryThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has a long history of advancing the traditional Earth science disciplines and identifying opportunities to integrate USGS science across disciplines to address complex societal problems. The USGS science strategy for 2007–2017 laid out key challenges in disciplinary and interdisciplinary arenas, culminating in a call for increased focus on a numbe
Authors
Karen E. Jenni, Martin B. Goldhaber, Julio L. Betancourt, Jill S. Baron, Sky Bristol, Mary Cantrill, Paul E. Exter, Michael J. Focazio, John W. Haines, Lauren E. Hay, Leslie Hsu, Victor F. Labson, Kevin D. Lafferty, K. A. Ludwig, Paul C. D. Milly, Toni L. Morelli, Suzette A. Morman, Nedal T. Nassar, Timothy R. Newman, Andrea C. Ostroff, Jordan S. Read, Sasha C. Reed, Carl D. Shapiro, Richard A. Smith, Ward E. Sanford, Terry L. Sohl, Edward G. Stets, Adam J. Terando, Donald E. Tillitt, Michael A. Tischler, Patricia L. Toccalino, David J. Wald, Mark P. Waldrop, Anne Wein, Jake F. Weltzin, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science and Decisions Center, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Land Use Land Cover Modeling

Migration trends of Sockeye Salmon at the northern edge of their distribution

Climate change is affecting arctic and subarctic ecosystems, and anadromous fish such as Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are particularly susceptible due to the physiological challenge of spawning migrations. Predicting how migratory timing will change under Arctic warming scenarios requires an understanding of how environmental factors drive salmon migrations. Multiple mechanisms exist by which
Authors
Michael P. Carey, Christian E. Zimmerman, Kevin D. Keith, Merlyn Schelske, Charles Lean, David C. Douglas
By
Alaska Science Center

Potential effects of permafrost thaw on arctic river ecosystems

No abstract available.
Authors
Jonathan A. O'Donnell, Christian E. Zimmerman, Michael P. Carey, Joshua C. Koch
By
Alaska Science Center

Top-down control of invertebrates by Ninespine Stickleback in Arctic ponds

Despite their widespread presence in northern-latitude ecosystems, the ecological role of Ninespine Stickleback Pungitius pungitius is not well understood. Ninespine Stickleback can occupy both top and intermediate trophic levels in freshwater ecosystems, so their role in food webs as a predator on invertebrates and as a forage fish for upper level consumers probably is substantial. We introduced
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, William J. Kane, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Cooperative Research Units

Widespread kelp-derived carbon in pelagic and benthic nearshore fishes

Kelp forests provide habitat for diverse and abundant fish assemblages, but the extent to which kelp provides a source of energy to fish and other predators is unclear. To examine the use of kelp-derived energy by fishes we estimated the contribution of kelp- and phytoplankton-derived carbon using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes measured in muscle tissue. Benthic-foraging kelp greenling
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Seth D. Newsome, James L. Bodkin, Gordon H. Kruse, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Using thermal limits to assess establishment of fish dispersing to high-latitude and high-elevation watersheds

Distributional shifts of biota to higher latitudes and elevations are presumably influenced by species-specific physiological tolerances related to warming temperatures. However, it is establishment rather than dispersal that may be limiting colonizations in these cold frontier areas. In freshwater ecosystems, perennial groundwater springs provide critical winter thermal refugia in these extreme e
Authors
Karen M. Dunmall, Neil J. Mochnacz, Christian E. Zimmerman, Charles Lean, James D. Reist
By
Alaska Science Center

Surface water connectivity drives richness and composition of Arctic lake fish assemblages

Surface water connectivity can influence the richness and composition of fish assemblages, particularly in harsh environments where colonisation factors and access to seasonal refugia are required for species persistence. Studies regarding influence of connectivity on Arctic fish distributions are limited and are rarely applied to whole assemblage patterns. To increase our understanding of how su
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Trevor B. Haynes, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Joshua C. Koch, Mark S. Wipfli, Matthew Whitman, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Cooperative Research Units

Influence of basin- and local-scale environmental conditions on nearshore production in the northeast Pacific Ocean

Nearshore marine habitats are productive and vulnerable owing to their connections to pelagic and terrestrial landscapes. To understand how ocean basin- and local-scale conditions may influence nearshore species, we developed an annual index of nearshore production (spanning the period 1972–2010) from growth increments recorded in otoliths of representative pelagic-feeding (Black Rockfish Sebastes
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Christian E. Zimmerman, Gordon H. Kruse, Franz J. Mueter, Bryan A. Black, David C. Douglas, James L. Bodkin
By
Alaska Science Center

Reconstructing turbidity in a glacially influenced lake using the Landsat TM and ETM+ surface reflectance climate data record archive, Lake Clark, Alaska

Lake Clark is an important nursery lake for sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Alaska, the most productive wild salmon fishery in the world. Reductions in water clarity within Alaska lake systems as a result of increased glacial runoff have been shown to reduce salmon production via reduced abundance of zooplankton and macroinvertebrates. In this study, we recons
Authors
Carson Baughman, Benjamin M. Jones, Krista K. Bartz, Daniel B. Young, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center

Evidence of bottom-up limitations in nearshore marine systems based on otolith proxies of fish growth

Fish otolith growth increments were used as indices of annual production at nine nearshore sites within the Alaska Coastal Current (downwelling region) and California Current (upwelling region) systems (~36–60°N). Black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) and kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) were identified as useful indicators in pelagic and benthic nearshore food webs, respectively. To examine
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Gordon H. Kruse, Franz J. Mueter, Bryan A. Black, David C. Douglas, Thomas E. Helser, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Alaska Science Center
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