Methods
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, Paul A. Smith, Ann Manning, Jennie Rausch, Stephen Brown
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, editor(s)
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: A decade of monitoring
Detecting declines in population size is one of the highest priorities of the shorebird initiatives in Canada and the United States. The quantitative goal is 80% power to detect a 50% decline, occurring during no more than 20 years, with a significance level of 0.15, using a two-tailed test, and...
Summary
Jonathan Bart, Paul A. Smith
Jonathan Bart, Victoria Johnston, editor(s)
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: a decade of monitoring
This chapter summarizes results in previous chapters by providing estimated densities and population sizes, in the areas we have surveyed, for Alaska, Canada, and both regions combined. A total of 1,554 rapid plots, covering 232 km2, and 83 intensive plots were surveyed during the study. The monograph presents >600 density...
Migration of Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi): Evidence of freshwater resident life history types
Christian E. Zimmerman, P.S. Rand, M. Fukushima, S.F. Zolotukhin
2012, Environmental Biology of Fishes (93) 223-232
Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) range from the Russian Far East mainland along the Sea of Japan coast, and Sakhalin, Kuril, and Hokkaido Islands and are considered to primarily be an anadromous species. We used otolith strontium-to-calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) to determine the chronology of migration between freshwater and saltwater and identify...
The footprint of Alaskan tundra fires during the past half-century: implications for surface properties and radiative forcing
Adrian V. Rocha, Michael M. Loranty, Phil E. Higuera, Michelle C. Mack, Feng Sheng Hu, Benjamin M. Jones, Amy L. Breen, Edward B. Rastetter, Scott J. Goetz, Gus R. Shaver
2012, Environmental Research Letters (7)
Recent large and frequent fires above the Alaskan arctic circle have forced a reassessment of the ecological and climatological importance of fire in arctic tundra ecosystems. Here we provide a general overview of the occurrence, distribution, and ecological and climate implications of Alaskan tundra fires over the past half-century using...
Using rocks to reveal the inner workings of magma chambers below volcanoes in Alaska’s National Parks
Michelle L. Coombs, Charles R. Bacon
2012, Alaska Park Science (11) 26-33
Alaska is one of the most vigorously volcanic regions on the planet, and Alaska’s national parks are home to many of the state’s most active volcanoes. These pose both local and more distant hazards in the form of lava and pyroclastic flows, lahars (mudflows), ash clouds, and ash fall. Alaska’s...
Airborne electromagnetic imaging of discontinuous permafrost
B. J. Minsley, J.D. Abraham, B. D. Smith, J. C. Cannia, C.I. Voss, M.T. Jorgenson, Michelle Ann Walvoord, B.K. Wylie, L. Anderson, L.B. Ball, M. Deszcz-Pan, T.P. Wellman, T. A. Ager
2012, Geophysical Research Letters (39) 1-8
The evolution of permafrost in cold regions is inextricably connected to hydrogeologic processes, climate, and ecosystems. Permafrost thawing has been linked to changes in wetland and lake areas, alteration of the groundwater contribution to streamflow, carbon release, and increased fire frequency. But detailed knowledge about the dynamic state of permafrost...
Genetic and morphological divergence among Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations breeding in north-central and western North America
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Robert N. Rosenfield, John Bielefeldt, Robert K. Murphy, Andrew C. Stewart, William C. Stout, Timothy G. Driscoll, Michael A. Bozek, Brian L. Sloss, Sandra L. Talbot
2012, The Auk (129) 427-43
Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations breeding in the northern portion of the species' range exhibit variation in morphological traits that conforms to predictions based on differences in prey size, tree stand density, and migratory behavior. We examined genetic structure and gene flow and compared divergence at morphological traits (PST) and...
Paired serologic and polymerase chain reaction analyses of avian influenza prevalence in Alaskan shorebirds
John M. Pearce, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Jeffrey S. Hall
2012, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (48) 812-814
Surveillance has revealed low prevalence of avian influenza viruses (AIV) in shorebirds except Ruddy Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) on the North American Atlantic coast. Similarly, of five species of shorebirds surveyed in Alaska in 2010, Ruddy Turnstones had the highest AIV antibody prevalence; prevalence of AIV RNA was low or zero....
Population fragmentation and inter-ecosystem movements of grizzly bears in Western Canada and the Northern United States
M.F. Proctor, David Paetkau, B. N. McLellan, G.B. Stenhouse, K.C. Kendall, R.D. Mace, W.F. Kasworm, C. Servheen, C.L. Lausen, M.L. Gibeau, W.L. Wakkinen, M.A. Haroldson, G. Mowat, C.D. Apps, L.M. Ciarniello, R.M.R. Barclay, M.S. Boyce, C.C. Schwartz, C. Strobeck
2012, Wildlife Monographs 1-46
Population fragmentation compromises population viability, reduces a species ability to respond to climate change, and ultimately may reduce biodiversity. We studied the current state and potential causes of fragmentation in grizzly bears over approximately 1,000,000 km 2 of western Canada, the northern United States (US), and southeast Alaska. We...
Microsatellite marker isolation and development for the giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
Rebecca K. Toussaint, G. Kevin Sage, Sandra L. Talbot, David Scheel
2012, Conservation Genetics Resources (4) 545-548
We isolated and developed 18 novel microsatellite markers for the giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) and examined them for 31 individuals from Prince William Sound (PWS), Alaska. These loci displayed moderate levels of allelic diversity (averaging 11 alleles per locus) and heterozygosity (averaging 65%). Seven loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium...
Shorebird surveys in western Alaska
Brian J. McCaffery, Jonathan Bart, Catherine Wightman, David J. Krueper
2012, Book chapter, Arctic shorebirds in North America: A decade of monitoring
Surveys for breeding shorebirds were conducted during 2001-2002 in four National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in western Alaska - Alaska Maritime, Alaska Peninsula, Yukon Delta and Selawik. The sizes of our study areas on and adjacent to these four refuges were 9,243 km2, 24,493 km2, 853 km2, and 15,170 km2, respectively....
Assessment of pingo distribution and morphometry using an IfSAR derived digital surface model, western Arctic Coastal Plain, Northern Alaska
Benjamin M. Jones, G. Grosse, Kenneth M. Hinkel, C.D. Arp, S. Walker, R.A. Beck, J. P. Galloway
2012, Geomorphology (138) 1-14
Pingos are circular to elongate ice-cored mounds that form by injection and freezing of pressurized water in near-surface permafrost. Here we use a digital surface model (DSM) derived from an airborne Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IfSAR) system to assess the distribution and morphometry of pingos within a 40,000 km2 area on the...
Anthropogenic aerosols as a source of ancient dissolved organic matter in glaciers
Aron Stubbins, Eran Hood, Peter A. Raymond, George R. Aiken, Rachel L. Sleighter, Peter J. Hernes, David Butman, Patrick G. Hatcher, Robert G. Striegl, Paul F. Schuster, Hussain A.N. Abdulla, Andrew W. Vermilyea, Durelle T. Scott, Robert G.M. Spencer
2012, Nature Geoscience (5) 198-201
Glacier-derived dissolved organic matter represents a quantitatively significant source of ancient, yet highly bioavailable carbon to downstream ecosystems. This finding runs counter to logical perceptions of age–reactivity relationships, in which the least reactive material withstands degradation the longest and is therefore the oldest. The remnants of ancient peatlands and forests...
Numerical simulations examining the possible role of anthropogenic and volcanic emissions during the 1997 Indonesian fires
Melissa A. Pfeffer, Barbel Langmann, Angelika Heil, Hans-F. Graf
2012, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health (5) 277-292
The regional atmospheric chemistry and climate model REMOTE has been used to conduct numerical simulations of the atmosphere during the catastrophic Indonesian fires of 1997. These simulations represent one possible scenario of the event, utilizing the RETRO wildland fire emission database. Emissions from the fires dominate the atmospheric concentrations of...
Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2010
Julie A. Dumoulin, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, editor(s)
2011, Professional Paper 1784
The collection of papers that follows continues the series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigative reports in Alaska under the broad umbrella of the geologic sciences. This series represents new and sometimes-preliminary findings that are of interest to Earth scientists in academia, government, and industry; to land and resource managers;...
Multilocus phylogeography and population structure of common eiders breeding in North America and Scandinavia
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Sandra L. Talbot, Kim T. Scribner, Kevin G. McCracken
2011, Journal of Biogeography (38) 1368-1380
Aim Glacial refugia during the Pleistocene had major impacts on the levels and spatial apportionment of genetic diversity of species in northern latitude ecosystems. We characterized patterns of population subdivision, and tested hypotheses associated with locations of potential Pleistocene refugia and the relative contribution of these refugia to the post-glacial colonization...
Peat
L.E. Apodaca
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 86-87
In 2010, domestic production of peat, excluding Alaska, was estimated to be 612 kt (674,600 st), compared with 609 kt (671,300 st) in 2009. In 2010, imports increased to 947 kt (1.04 million st), compared with 906 kt (998,600 st) in 2009. Exports were estimated to have decreased to 69...
Carryover effects associated with winter location affect fitness, social status, and population dynamics in a long-distance migrant
James S. Sedinger, Jason L. Schamber, David H. Ward, Christopher A. Nicolai, Bruce Conant
2011, American Naturalist (178) E110-E123
We used observations of individually marked female black brant geese (Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) at three wintering lagoons on the Pacific coast of Baja California—Laguna San Ignacio (LSI), Laguna Ojo de Liebre (LOL), and Bahía San Quintín (BSQ)—and the Tutakoke River breeding colony in Alaska to assess hypotheses about carryover...
Variation in spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta that winter in Japan
Jerry W. Hupp, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, Paul L. Flint, John M. Pearce, Ken-ichi Tokita, Tetsuo Shimada, Andrew M. Ramey, Sergei Kharitonov, Hiroyoshi Higuchi
2011, Journal of Avian Biology (42) 289-300
In North America, spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta vary because some individuals opportunistically nest at mid-latitudes in years when ephemeral prairie wetlands are available, whereas others regularly nest in arctic and sub-arctic regions where wetland abundance is more constant. Less was known about migration...
Variations in eruption style during the 1931 A.D. eruption of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska
Robert S. Nicholson, James E. Gardner, Christina A. Neal
2011, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (207) 69-82
The 1931 A.D. eruption of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska, progressed from subplinian to effusive eruptive style and from trachydacite to basaltic andesite composition from multiple vent locations. Eyewitness accounts and new studies of deposit stratigraphy provide a combined narrative of eruptive events. Additional field, compositional, grain size, componentry, density, and grain...
Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species
Jeffrey S. Hall, J. Christian Franson, Robert E. Gill Jr., Carol U. Meteyer, Joshua L. TeSlaa, Sean W. Nashold, Robert J. Dusek, Hon S. Ip
2011, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (5) 365-372
Background Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are considered one of the primary reservoirs of avian influenza. Because these species are highly migratory, there is concern that infected shorebirds may be a mechanism by which highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 could be introduced into North America from Asia. Large numbers of dunlin...
Evidence and implications of recent and projected climate change in Alaska's forest ecosystems
Jane M. Wolken, Teresa N. Hollingsworth, T. Scott Rupp, Stuart III Chapin, Sarah F. Trainor, Tara M. Barrett, Patrick F. Sullivan, A. David McGuire, Eugénie S. Euskirchen, Paul E. Hennon, Erik A. Beever, Jeff S. Conn, Lisa K. Crone, David V. D'Amore, Nancy Fresco, Thomas A. Hanley, Knut Kielland, James J. Kruse, Trista Patterson, Edward A.G. Schuur, David L. Verbyla, John Yarie
2011, Ecosphere (2) 1-35
The structure and function of Alaska's forests have changed significantly in response to a changing climate, including alterations in species composition and climate feedbacks (e.g., carbon, radiation budgets) that have important regional societal consequences and human feedbacks to forest ecosystems. In this paper we present the first comprehensive synthesis of...
Concentrations and bioaccessibility of metals in vegetation and dust near a mining haul road, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska
William G. Brumbaugh, Suzette A. Morman, Thomas W. May
2011, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (182) 325-340
Vegetation, sub-surface peat, and road dust were sampled near the Delong Mountain Transportation System (DMTS) haul road in northwest Alaska in 2005-2006 to document aluminum, barium, cadmium, lead, and zinc concentrations, and to evaluate bioaccessibility of these metals. The DMTS haul road is the transport corridor between Red Dog Mine...
Developing Gyrfalcon surveys and monitoring for Alaska
Mark R. Fuller, Philip F. Schempf, Travis L. Booms
2011, Conference Paper, Gyrfalcons and Ptarmigan in a Changing World
We developed methods to monitor the status of Gyrfalcons in Alaska. Results of surveys and monitoring will be informative for resource managers and will be useful for studying potential changes in ecological communities of the high latitudes. We estimated that the probability of detecting a Gyrfalcon at an occupied nest...
Mercury export from the Yukon River Basin and potential response to a changing climate
Paul F. Schuster, Robert G. Striegl, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft, John F. DeWild, Kenna D. Butler, Ben Kamark, Mark Dornblaser
2011, Environmental Science & Technology (45) 9262-9267
We measured mercury (Hg) concentrations and calculated export and yield from the Yukon River Basin (YRB) to quantify Hg flux from a large, permafrost-dominated, high-latitude watershed. Exports of Hg averaged 4400 kg Hg yr-1. The average annual yield for the YRB during the study period was 5.17 μg m-2 yr-1,...
