Aggression and coexistence in female caribou
Floyd W. Weckerly, Mark A. Ricca
2014, Arctic (67) 189-195
Female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are highly gregarious, yet there has been little study of the behavioral mechanisms that foster coexistence. Quantifying patterns of aggression between male and female, particularly in the only cervid taxa where both sexes grow antlers, should provide insight into these mechanisms. We asked if patterns of...
Spatial variability and landscape controls of near-surface permafrost within the Alaskan Yukon River Basin
Neal J. Pastick, M. Torre Jorgenson, Bruce K. Wylie, Joshua R. Rose, Matthew Rigge, Michelle Ann Walvoord
2014, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (119) 1244-1265
The distribution of permafrost is important to understand because of permafrost's influence on high-latitude ecosystem structure and functions. Moreover, near-surface (defined here as within 1 m of the Earth's surface) permafrost is particularly susceptible to a warming climate and is generally poorly mapped at regional scales. Subsequently, our objectives were to...
Development and characterization of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Alaska blackfish (Esociformes: Dallia pectoralis)
Matthew A. Campbell, George K. Sage, Rachel L. DeWilde, J. Andres Lopez, Sandra L. Talbot
2014, Conservation Genetics Resources (6) 349-351
Blackfishes (Esociformes: Esocidae: Dallia), small fishes with relictual distributions, are unique in being the only primary freshwater fish genus endemic to Beringia. Although the number of species of Dallia is debated, disjunct populations and distinct mitochondrial divisions that predate the end of the last glacial maximum are apparent. We developed...
2010 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory
Christina A. Neal, Julie Herrick, O.A. Girina, Marina Chibisova, Alexander Rybin, Robert G. McGimsey, Jim Dixon
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5034
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest at 12 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2010. The most notable volcanic activity consisted of intermittent ash emissions from long-active Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication regarding eruptions...
Prevalence, transmission, and genetic diversity of blood parasites infecting tundra-nesting geese in Alaska
Andrew M. Ramey, John A. Reed, Joel A. Schmutz, Tom F. Fondell, Brandt W. Meixell, Jerry W. Hupp, David H. Ward, John Terenzi, Craig R. Ely
2014, Canadian Journal of Zoology (92) 699-706
A total of 842 blood samples collected from five species of tundra-nesting geese in Alaska was screened for haemosporidian parasites using molecular techniques. Parasites of the generaLeucocytozoon Danilewsky, 1890, Haemoproteus Kruse, 1890, and Plasmodium Marchiafava and Celli, 1885 were detected in 169 (20%), 3 (<1%), and 0 (0%) samples, respectively. Occupancy modeling was used to...
Temperature data acquired from the DOI/GTN-P Deep Borehole Array on the Arctic Slope of Alaska, 1973-2013
Gary D. Clow
2014, Earth System Science Data (6) 201-218
A homogeneous set of temperature measurements obtained from the DOI/GTN-P Deep Borehole Array between 1973 and 2013 is presented; DOI/GTN-P is the US Department of the Interior contribution to the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P). The 23-element array is located on the Arctic Slope of Alaska, a region of cold...
Low-altitude photographic transects of the Arctic Network of National Park Units and Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, July 2013
Bruce G. Marcot, M. Torre Jorgenson, Anthony R. DeGange
2014, Data Series 846
During July 16–18, 2013, low-level photography flights were conducted (with a Cessna 185 with floats and a Cessna 206 with tundra tires) over the five administrative units of the National Park Service Arctic Network (Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Gates of the Arctic National Park and...
Three-dimensional seismic velocity structure and earthquake relocations at Katmai, Alaska
Rachel Murphy, Clifford Thurber, Stephanie G. Prejean, Ninfa Bennington
2014, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (276) 121-131
We invert arrival time data from local earthquakes occurring between September 2004 and May 2009 to determine the three-dimensional (3D) upper crustal seismic structure in the Katmai volcanic region. Waveforms for the study come from the Alaska Volcano Observatory's permanent network of 20 seismic stations in the area (predominantly single-component,...
Seismicity and seismic structure at Okmok Volcano, Alaska
Summer J. Ohlendorf, Clifford H. Thurber, Jeremy D. Pesicek, Stephanie G. Prejean
2014, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (278-279) 103-119
Okmok volcano is an active volcanic caldera located on the northeastern portion of Umnak Island in the Aleutian arc, with recent eruptions in 1997 and 2008. The Okmok area had ~900 locatable earthquakes between 2003 and June 2008, and an additional ~600 earthquakes from the beginning of the 2008 eruption...
Accuracy assessment of the U.S. Geological Survey National Elevation Dataset, and comparison with other large-area elevation datasets: SRTM and ASTER
Dean B. Gesch, Michael J. Oimoen, Gayla A. Evans
2014, Open-File Report 2014-1008
The National Elevation Dataset (NED) is the primary elevation data product produced and distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The NED provides seamless raster elevation data of the conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. island territories, Mexico, and Canada. The NED is derived from diverse source datasets that are processed...
The search for geologic evidence of distant-source tsunamis using new field data in California
Rick Wilson, Eileen Hemphill-Haley, Bruce Jaffe, Bruce Richmond, Robert Peters, Nick Graehl, Harvey Kelsey, Robert Leeper, Steve Watt, Mary McGann, Don F. Hoirup, Catherine Chague-Goff, James Goff, Dylan Caldwell, Casey Loofbourrow
2014, Open-File Report 2013-1170-C
A statewide assessment for geological evidence of tsunamis, primarily from distant-source events, found tsunami deposits at several locations, though evidence was absent at most locations evaluated. Several historical distant-source tsunamis, including the 1946 Aleutian, 1960 Chile, and 1964 Alaska events, caused inundation along portions of the northern and central California...
Distribution and landscape controls of organic layer thickness and carbon within the Alaskan Yukon River Basin
Neal J. Pastick, Matthew B. Rigge, Bruce K. Wylie, M. Torre Jorgenson, Joshua R. Rose, Kristofer D. Johnson, Lei Ji
2014, Geoderma (230-231) 79-94
Understanding of the organic layer thickness (OLT) and organic layer carbon (OLC) stocks in subarctic ecosystems is critical due to their importance in the global carbon cycle. Moreover, post-fire OLT provides an indicator of long-term successional trajectories and permafrost susceptibility to thaw. To these ends, we 1) mapped OLT and...
Physiological and ecological effects of increasing temperature on fish production in lakes of Arctic Alaska
Michael P. Carey, Christian E. Zimmerman
2014, Ecology and Evolution (4) 1981-1993
Lake ecosystems in the Arctic are changing rapidly due to climate warming. Lakes are sensitive integrators of climate-induced changes and prominent features across the Arctic landscape, especially in lowland permafrost regions such as the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Despite many studies on the implications of climate warming, how fish...
Experimental methods fail to address the questions posed in studies of surgical techniques
Daniel M. Mulcahy
2014, Fisheries Research (156) 1-5
No abstract available....
Avian influenza virus antibodies in Pacific Coast Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa)
James A. Johnson, Lucas H. DeCicco, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Scott Krauss, Jeffrey S. Hall
2014, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (50) 671-675
Prevalence of avian influenza virus (AIV) antibodies in the western Atlantic subspecies of Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) is among the highest for any shorebird. To assess whether the frequency of detection of AIV antibodies is high for the species in general or restricted only to C. c. rufa, we...
Influence of the Kingak Shale ultimate shelf margin on frontal structures of the Brooks Range in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska
Natalie E. Stier, Christopher D. Connors, David W. Houseknecht
2014, Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5056
The Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous Kingak Shale in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) includes several southward-offlapping depositional sequences that culminate in an ultimate shelf margin, which preserves the depositional profile in southern NPRA. The Kingak Shale thins abruptly southward across the ultimate shelf margin and grades into condensed shale, which...
Lack of sex-biased dispersal promotes fine-scale genetic structure in alpine ungulates
Gretchen H. Roffler, Sandra L. Talbot, Gordon Luikart, George K. Sage, Kristy L. Pilgrim, Layne G. Adams, Michael K. Schwartz
2014, Conservation Genetics (15) 837-851
Identifying patterns of fine-scale genetic structure in natural populations can advance understanding of critical ecological processes such as dispersal and gene flow across heterogeneous landscapes. Alpine ungulates generally exhibit high levels of genetic structure due to female philopatry and patchy configuration of mountain habitats. We assessed the spatial scale of...
Mechanisms of drift-feeding behavior in juvenile Chinook salmon and the role of inedible debris in a clear water Alaskan stream
Jason R. Neuswanger, Mark S. Wipfli, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Nicholas F. Hughes
2014, Environmental Biology of Fishes (97) 489-503
Drift-feeding fish are challenged to discriminate between prey and similar-sized particles of debris, which are ubiquitous even in clear-water streams. Spending time and energy pursuing debris mistaken as prey could affect fish growth and the fitness potential of different foraging strategies. Our goal was to determine the extent to which...
Mercury concentrations in breast feathers of three upper trophic level marine predators from the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Robb S.A. Kaler, Leah A. Kenney, Alexander L. Bond, Collin A. Eagles-Smith
2014, Marine Pollution Bulletin (82) 189-193
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element distributed globally through atmospheric transport. Agattu Island, located in the western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, has no history of point-sources of Hg contamination. We provide baseline levels of total mercury (THg) concentrations in breast feathers of three birds that breed on the island. Geometric mean...
Lipid and moisture content modeling of amphidromous Dolly Varden using bioelectrical impedance analysis
J.T. Stolarski, F.J. Margraf, J.G. Carlson, T.M. Sutton
2014, North American Journal of Fisheries Management (34) 471-481
The physiological well-being or condition of fish is most commonly estimated from aspects of individual morphology. However, these metrics may be only weakly correlated with nutritional reserves stored as lipid, the primary form of accumulated energy in fish. We constructed and evaluated bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) models as an alternative...
Seasonal thaw settlement at drained thermokarst lake basins, Arctic Alaska
Lin Liu, Kevin Schaefer, Alessio Gusmeroli, Guido Grosse, Benjamin M. Jones, Tinjun Zhang, Andrew Parsekian, Howard Zebker
2014, The Cryosphere (8) 815-826
Drained thermokarst lake basins (DTLBs) are ubiquitous landforms on Arctic tundra lowland. Their dynamic states are seldom investigated, despite their importance for landscape stability, hydrology, nutrient fluxes, and carbon cycling. Here we report results based on high-resolution Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) measurements using space-borne data for a study area...
Reservoir controls on the occurrence and production of gas hydrates in nature
Timothy Scott Collett
2014, Book
Gas hydrates in both arctic permafrost regions and deep marine settings can occur at high concentrations in sand-dominated reservoirs, which have been the focus of gas hydrate exploration and production studies in northern Alaska and Canada, and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, off the southeastern coast of Japan, in the...
Multi-trophic resilience of boreal lake ecosystems to forest fires
Tyler L. Lewis, Mark S. Lindberg, Joel A. Schmutz, M.R. Bertram
2014, Ecology (95) 1253-1263
Fires are the major natural disturbance in the boreal forest, and their frequency and intensity will likely increase as the climate warms. Terrestrial nutrients released by fires may be transported to boreal lakes, stimulating increased primary productivity, which may radiate through multiple trophic levels. Using a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) design, with...
USGS US topo maps for Alaska
Becci Anderson, Tracy Fuller
2014, The Alaska Miner (42) 14-18
In July 2013, the USGS National Geospatial Program began producing new topographic maps for Alaska, providing a new map series for the state known as US Topo. Prior to the start of US Topo map production in Alaska, the most detailed statewide USGS topographic maps were 15-minute 1:63,360-scale maps, with...
Alaska
F. Stuart Chapin III, Sarah F. Trainor, Patricia Cochran, Henry Huntington, Carl J. Markon, Molly McCammon, A. David McGuire, Mark Serreze
J. M. Melillo, Terese Richmond, G.W. Yohe, editor(s)
2014, Report, Climate Change Impacts in the United States: The Third National Climate Assessment
Key Messages Arctic summer sea ice is receding faster than previously projected and is expected to virtually disappear before mid-century. This is altering marine ecosystems and leading to greater ship access, offshore development opportunity, and increased community vulnerability to coastal erosion. Most glaciers in Alaska and British Columbia are shrinking substantially. This...
