Daniel Esler, Ph.D.
Dan is a Research Wildlife Biologist with the Alaska Science Center and leads the Nearshore Marine Ecosystem Research Program. His work focuses on nearshore marine monitoring, drivers of variation in nearshore systems, sea duck ecology and conservation, and program management.
Professional Experience
2013 - Present Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center
2001 - 2013 Research Scientist, Centre for Wildlife Ecology, Simon Fraser University, Delta, British Columbia
1990 - 2001 Research Wildlife Biologist, USGS/US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Biological Science Center/Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1990 Biological Technician, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 Wildlife Technician, Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, Okeechobee, Florida
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2000 Oregon State University Wildlife Science
M.S. 1988 Texas A&M University Wildlife Ecology
B.S. 1985 Northland College Biology/Outdoor Education
Affiliations and Memberships*
Affiliate Faculty - University of Alaska Fairbanks, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
Adjunct Professor - Simon Fraser University
The Wildlife Society
Pacific Seabird Group
Sea Duck Joint Venture Continental Technical Team
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata)
Intertidal Soft-Sediment Bivalves from Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
Data for Evaluating Efficacy of 1- versus 2-prong Radio Transmitter Attachment for Scoters in Alaska and Washington, 2008-2010
Marine Bird and Mammal Survey Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
Data for Gene Transcription Patterns in Response to Low Level Petroleum Contaminants in Mytilus trossulus from Field Sites and Harbors in Southcentral Alaska
Sea Otter Gene Transcription Data from Kodiak, the Alaska Peninsula, and Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2005-2012
Black Oystercatcher Nest and Diet Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Prince William Sound
Harlequin duck capture and EROD activity data from Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2011, 2013, 2014
Evidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting
Abundance and distribution of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in the southcentral Alaska stock, 2014, 2017, and 2019
Genetic variation in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the North Pacific with relevance to the threatened Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment
Strong evidence for two disjunct populations of Black Scoters Melanitta americana in North America
Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave
High site fidelity does not equate to population genetic structure for common goldeneye and Barrow's goldeneye in North America
Reliability of external characteristics to age Barrow’s goldeneye
A synthesis of ten years of chemical contaminant monitoring data in National Park Service - Southeast and southwest Alaska networks
Annual winter site fidelity of Barrow's goldeneyes in the Pacific
Wasting disease and static environmental variables drive sea star assemblages in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Attaching transmitters to waterbirds using one versus two subcutaneous anchors: Retention and survival trade-offs
Variation in abundance of Pacific Blue Mussel (Mytilus trossulus) in the Northern Gulf of Alaska, 2006–2015
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Tracking Data for Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata)
Intertidal Soft-Sediment Bivalves from Prince William Sound, Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
Data for Evaluating Efficacy of 1- versus 2-prong Radio Transmitter Attachment for Scoters in Alaska and Washington, 2008-2010
Marine Bird and Mammal Survey Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, and Kenai Fjords National Park
Data for Gene Transcription Patterns in Response to Low Level Petroleum Contaminants in Mytilus trossulus from Field Sites and Harbors in Southcentral Alaska
Sea Otter Gene Transcription Data from Kodiak, the Alaska Peninsula, and Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2005-2012
Black Oystercatcher Nest and Diet Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Prince William Sound
Harlequin duck capture and EROD activity data from Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2011, 2013, 2014
Evidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting
Abundance and distribution of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in the southcentral Alaska stock, 2014, 2017, and 2019
Genetic variation in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the North Pacific with relevance to the threatened Southwest Alaska Distinct Population Segment
Strong evidence for two disjunct populations of Black Scoters Melanitta americana in North America
Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave
High site fidelity does not equate to population genetic structure for common goldeneye and Barrow's goldeneye in North America
Reliability of external characteristics to age Barrow’s goldeneye
A synthesis of ten years of chemical contaminant monitoring data in National Park Service - Southeast and southwest Alaska networks
Annual winter site fidelity of Barrow's goldeneyes in the Pacific
Wasting disease and static environmental variables drive sea star assemblages in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Attaching transmitters to waterbirds using one versus two subcutaneous anchors: Retention and survival trade-offs
Variation in abundance of Pacific Blue Mussel (Mytilus trossulus) in the Northern Gulf of Alaska, 2006–2015
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government