Walrus foraging marks on the seafloor in Bristol Bay, Alaska: A reconnaissance survey

Geo-Marine Letters
By: , and 

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Abstract

A reconnaissance sidescan sonar survey in Bristol Bay, Alaska revealed extensive areas of seafloor with features related to walrus foraging. They are similar to those seen in areas such as the outer Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea. Two types of feature were observed: (a) small (≪1 m diameter) shallow pits, often in clusters ranging in density from 5 pits per hectare to 35 pits per hectare; and, (b) more abundant, narrow, sinuous furrows, typically 5 to 10 m long with some reaching 20 m or more. Most foraging marks were in less than 60 m water depth in areas of sandy seafloor that were smooth, hummocky or characterized by degraded bedforms; the absence of foraging marks in other areas may be related, in part, to their more dynamic nature. The distribution of foraging marks was consistent in a general way with walrus locations from satellite telemetry studies.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Walrus foraging marks on the seafloor in Bristol Bay, Alaska: A reconnaissance survey
Series title Geo-Marine Letters
DOI 10.1007/s00367-004-0205-y
Volume 25
Issue 5
Year Published 2005
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Alaska Biological Science Center, Alaska Science Center
Description 7 p.
First page 293
Last page 299
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Bristol Bay
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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