A5039362777- Avian ecology and behavior
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Marine animal studies overview
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Marine and fisheries research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Mercury impact and mitigation studies
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Climate change and permafrost
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Climate variability and models
- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Heavy metals in environment
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Selenium in Biological Systems
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
United States Geological Survey
2015-2024
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
2014-2024
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center
1996-2022
Johns Hopkins University
2022
International Rescue Committee
2022
United States Department of the Interior
2012
Auburn University
2003
Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
2000
University of Alaska Fairbanks
1992-1998
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
1996
Analysis of a 60 km segment the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast using time‐series aerial photography revealed that mean annual erosion rates increased from 6.8 m −1 (1955 to 1979), 8.7 (1979 2002), 13.6 (2002 2007). We also observed spatial patterns have become more uniform across shoreline types with different degrees ice‐richness. Further, during remainder 2007 ice‐free season 25 occurred locally, in absence westerly storm event. Concurrent arctic changes potentially responsible for this shift...
We studied relationships between body size of female Black Brant goslings (Branta bernicla nigricans) late in their growth period and first year survival, eventual adult size, breeding propensity, volume clutches they eventually produced to examine the relationship fitness this population. indexed by calculating PC1 scores based on either culmen tarsus, or culmen, mass. Gosling (PC tarsus) was positively correlated with resighting rate (P = 0.005), indicating that larger survived at a higher...
Arctic geese nest in a highly seasonal environment which ungrazed plants reach peak nitrogen concentrations when goslings hatch (Sedinger and Raveling 1986). Grazing by prolongs nutrient but reduces food availability. This should cause availability to decline seasonally. Here, we test the hypothesis that late—hatching of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) grow more slowly than those hatching early. We substracted sizes wild from captive—reared same age regressed differences against...
The global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus has stimulated interest in a better understanding mechanisms dispersal, including potential role migratory birds as carriers. Although wild have been found dead during outbreaks, evidence suggests that others survived natural infections, and recent studies shown several species ducks capable surviving experimental inoculations shedding virus. To investigate possibility means dispersal into North America, we monitored for...
Abstract The role of migratory birds in the movement highly pathogenic (HP) avian influenza H5N1 remains a subject debate. Testing hypotheses regarding intercontinental low (LPAI) viruses will help evaluate potential that wild could carry Asian‐origin strains HP to North America during migration. Previous American assessments LPAI genetic variation have found few Asian reassortment events. Here, we present results from whole‐genome analyses isolates collected Alaska northern pintail ( Anas...
Condition indices are commonly used in an attempt to link body condition of birds ecological variables interest, including demographic attributes such as survival and reproduction. Most based on mass adjusted for structural size, calculated simple ratios or residuals from regressions. However, often applied without confirming their predictive value (i.e., being validated against measured values fat protein), which we term ‘unverified’ use. We evaluated the ability a number unverified...
Estimates of juvenile survival from hatch to fledging provide important information on waterfowl productivity. We develop a model for estimating young fledging. Our enables interchange individuals among broods and relaxes the assumption that within have independent probabilities. The requires repeated observations individually identifiable adults their offspring are not identifiable. A modified Kaplan-Meier procedure (Pollock et al. 1989a,b) Mayfield (Mayfield 1961, 1975; Johnson 1979) can...
Although continental populations of avian influenza viruses are genetically distinct, transcontinental reassortment in low pathogenic (LPAI) has been detected migratory birds. Thus, genomic analyses LPAI could serve as an approach to prioritize species and regions targeted by North American surveillance activities for foreign origin highly (HPAI). To assess the applicability this approach, we conducted a phylogenetic population genetic analysis 68 viral genomes isolated from northern pintail...
We analyzed variation in egg size of Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) relation to clutch size, laying date, female age, year, and position the sequence. A total 3,478 eggs was measured over three years. Egg increased with decreased did not detect a negative phenotypic correlation between size. However, overlap volumes for clutches different sizes indicated trade offs occurred among individuals comparable investments their clutches. Received 1 October 1991, accepted 30 March 1992.
We examined seroprevalence (presence of detectable antibodies in serum) for avian influenza viruses (AIV) among 4,485 birds, from 11 species wild waterfowl Alaska (1998–2010), sampled during breeding/molting periods. Seroprevalence varied (highest eiders (Somateria and Polysticta species), emperor geese (Chen canagica)), ages (adults higher than juveniles), across geographic locations the Arctic Peninsula) years tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus). All rates excess 60% were found...
We documented gosling size in late summer, adult body size, and clutch of known-age Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) females nesting on the Tutakoke River colony between 1986 1995. During this period, increased from 1,100 to >5,000 pairs. Gosling mass at 30 days age declined 764 ± SE 13 g 723 15 for males females, respectively, cohort, 665 18 579 1994 cohort. was directly negatively correlated with number broods. detected no trend individuals these cohorts; fact, adults 1992 cohorts...
We studied nesting chronology and success of Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) on the coastal Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska during summers 1991-1993. found a total 795 nests three annual searches 27.4 km2 area. Minimum nest density averaged 9.67 per km2. Nesting varied among years ranged from 43.12% in 1991 to 10.74% 1993 (average 23.95%). Most loss was result predation tidal flooding. Daily survival probability declined with initiation date all also age 1992. Clutch size 7.63 ± 0.067 (SE)...
Arctic wildlife species face a dynamic and increasingly novel environment because of climate warming the associated increase in human activity. Both marine terrestrial environments are undergoing rapid environmental shifts, including loss sea ice, permafrost degradation, altered biogeochemical fluxes. Forecasting responses to change can facilitate proactive decisions that balance stewardship with resource development. In this article, we discuss primary secondary physical climate-related...
Our objective was to synthesize individual components of reproductive ecology into a single estimate productivity and assess the relative effects survival on population dynamics. We used information nesting ecology, renesting potential, duckling northern pintails (Anas acuta) collected Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Alaska, 1991-95, model number ducklings produced under range nest success probabilities. Using average values 25% success, 11% survival, 56% probability from our study...
Populations of Stellers eiders (Polysticta stelleri) molting and wintering along the Alaska Peninsula have decliued since 1960's. We captured marked a large sample Steller's in 2 lagoons between 1975-97. used mark-recapture analysis techniques to estimate annual survival movement probabilitics within among for male female eiders. Estimates (±SE) were 0.899 = 0.032 females 0.765 0.044 males. Both sexes showed high rates fidelity specific locations (>95%) lagoons: yet we found no evidence that...
Spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) populations on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), Alaska, declined rapidly through 1980s, and low adult female survival was suggested as likely cause of decline. We used mark-resighting techniques to study annual rates spectacled eiders at 2 sites Y-K during 1993-96. Our data suggest may differ among sites. However, a model fit subset females for which we knew lead levels in blood suggests exposure influences survival. Adult exposed prior hatching...
The Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska is characterized by thermokarst lakes and drained lake basins, the rate coastal erosion has increased during last half-century. Portions coast are <1 m above sea level for kilometers inland, underlain ice-rich permafrost. Increased storm surges or terrestrial subsidence would therefore expand area subject to marine inundation. Since 1976, distribution molting Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) on shifted from inland freshwater marshes, such as those...
Amundson, C. L., P. L. Flint, R. A. Stehn, M. Platte, H. Wilson, W. Larned and J. B. Fischer. 2019. Spatio-temporal population change of Arctic-breeding waterbirds on the Arctic Coastal Plain Alaska. Avian Conservation Ecology 14(1):18. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01383-140118
We studied survival rates of Northern Pintail (Anas acuta; hereafter pintail) broods and ducklings along the lower Kashunuk River on Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Survival were determined for 770 in 111 broods. Brood sizes at hatch smaller 1993 versus 1991 1992. Duckling than those reported previous studies differed among years. declined with hatching date a rate 0.6% per day. Most mortality occurred during first 10 days after hatch. correlated annual seasonal variation nesting success....
Radio transmitters are an important tool in waterfowl ecology studies, but little is known about their effects on free-ranging geese. We attached to female brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) investigate migration schedules at a fall staging area, return rates nesting grounds, and of returning females subsequent breeding seasons. Radio-tagged (n = 62) carried either 35-g back-mounted with ribbon harnesses, or 26 32-g affixed plastic-coated wire harnesses (Dwyer 1972). Arrival departure Izembek...
Survival of young is an important and poorly understood component waterfowl productivity. We estimated survival black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) goslings during summers 1987-89 on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, to determine timing magnitude gosling mortality compare methods estimating survival. Eighty-two percent radio-tagged adult females (n = 61) fledged ≥1 (brood success). within broods by 3 methods: (1) changes in mean brood size through time, (2) observation associated with...