Mayumi L Arimitsu, Ph.D.
Forage fish, seabirds, predator-prey interactions, glacier-marine ecosystems, marine heatwaves, climate change
I lead research to identify factors influencing the status and trends of rare or threatened species on DOI lands, to understand the effects of glacier dynamics on coastal fjord ecosystems, and to document impacts of novel ocean climate patterns on the functioning of marine food webs. As the Pelagic Lead for the Gulf Watch Alaska long-term monitoring program I coordinate research integration across sampling programs for forage fish, marine birds, humpback whale, and killer whales.
Professional Experience
2009 - Present Research Ecologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Juneau
2007 - 2009 SCEP, USGS Alaska Science Center, Juneau
2001 - 2007 Fishery Biologist USGS Alaska Science Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2016 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska Fisheries
M.Sc. 2009 University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska Fisheries
B.Sc. 1998 U.C. Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California Biology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Pacific Seabird Group
Kittlitz's Murrelet Technical Committee
American Fisheries Society
Honors and Awards
2022 American Fisheries Society invited keynote speaker
2019 Sitka Whalefest invited speaker
2009 and 2010, Best student presentation, North Pacific Research Board
2007 USGS Star Award for Exceptional Performance
2005 USFWS Award of Appreciation, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Science and Products
Pacific Sand Lance Energy Density, Length, and Age, Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2012-2016
Glacier Runoff in Gulf of Alaska Fjords, 2004-2011
Biogeochemical Subsidies from Glacier Runoff into Alaska Coastal Marine Food Webs, Gulf of Alaska, 2012-2013
Appendix 7: Application of joint dynamic species distribution models to at-sea survey data for seabirds in the Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea
Melanism in a Common Murre Uria aalge in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Diet analysis using generalized linear models derived from foraging processes using R package mvtweedie
Another bad year for seabirds on Gull Island
Kittlitz’s murrelet seasonal distribution and post-breeding migration from the Gulf of Alaska to the Arctic Ocean
Monitoring the recovery of seabirds and forage fish following a major ecosystem disruption in Lower Cook Inlet
Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave
Reduced quality and synchronous collapse of forage species disrupts trophic transfer during a prolonged marine heatwave
Heatwave-induced synchrony within forage fish portfolio disrupts energy flow to top pelagic predators
Forecasting community reassembly using climate-linked spatio-temporal ecosystem models
Seabird synthesis
Extreme mortality and reproductive failure of common murres resulting from the northeast Pacific marine heatwave of 2014-2016
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
Pacific Sand Lance Energy Density, Length, and Age, Prince William Sound, Alaska, 2012-2016
Glacier Runoff in Gulf of Alaska Fjords, 2004-2011
Biogeochemical Subsidies from Glacier Runoff into Alaska Coastal Marine Food Webs, Gulf of Alaska, 2012-2013
Appendix 7: Application of joint dynamic species distribution models to at-sea survey data for seabirds in the Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea
Melanism in a Common Murre Uria aalge in Kachemak Bay, Alaska
Diet analysis using generalized linear models derived from foraging processes using R package mvtweedie
Another bad year for seabirds on Gull Island
Kittlitz’s murrelet seasonal distribution and post-breeding migration from the Gulf of Alaska to the Arctic Ocean
Monitoring the recovery of seabirds and forage fish following a major ecosystem disruption in Lower Cook Inlet
Ecosystem response persists after a prolonged marine heatwave
Reduced quality and synchronous collapse of forage species disrupts trophic transfer during a prolonged marine heatwave
Heatwave-induced synchrony within forage fish portfolio disrupts energy flow to top pelagic predators
Forecasting community reassembly using climate-linked spatio-temporal ecosystem models
Seabird synthesis
Extreme mortality and reproductive failure of common murres resulting from the northeast Pacific marine heatwave of 2014-2016
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