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
Icefield-to-ocean linkages across the northern Pacific coastal temperate rainforest ecosystem
Evidence for the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon in a proglacial stream food web
Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord
Oceanographic gradients and seabird prey community dynamics in glacial fjords
Status and trend of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Glacier Bay, Alaska
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak and Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Kittlitz’s and Marbled Murrelets in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska: At-sea distribution, abundance, and foraging habitat, 2006–08
Distribution and spawning dynamics of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Glacier Bay, Alaska: A cold water refugium
Status review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution of ground-nesting marine birds along shorelines in Glacier Bay, southeastern Alaska: An assessment related to potential disturbance by back-country users
Distribution of pelagic forage fishes in relation to the oceanography of Glacier Bay
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
Icefield-to-ocean linkages across the northern Pacific coastal temperate rainforest ecosystem
Evidence for the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon in a proglacial stream food web
Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord
Oceanographic gradients and seabird prey community dynamics in glacial fjords
Status and trend of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Glacier Bay, Alaska
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris in Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Status and distribution of the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris along the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak and Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Kittlitz’s and Marbled Murrelets in Kenai Fjords National Park, south-central Alaska: At-sea distribution, abundance, and foraging habitat, 2006–08
Distribution and spawning dynamics of capelin (Mallotus villosus) in Glacier Bay, Alaska: A cold water refugium
Status review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia
Distribution of ground-nesting marine birds along shorelines in Glacier Bay, southeastern Alaska: An assessment related to potential disturbance by back-country users
Distribution of pelagic forage fishes in relation to the oceanography of Glacier Bay
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