USGS - science for a changing world

Alaska Science Center

white dothome: white dotscience: white dothighlights: white dotmaps, products & publications: white dotpartners & education: white dotcontact us:   white dotinternal:
Weather Underground at Alaska Science Center.

ABOUT THE ALASKA
SCIENCE CENTER

SCIENCE OFFICES

CONFERENCES

USGS ALASKA DATA RESOURCES

OTHER ALASKA AREA
SCIENCE OFFICES

Weekly Highlights for 8-30-2012

Departmental/Bureau News

A. Upcoming Events


No Upcoming Events highlights for this week

B. Current


International Pilot Project Tests UAVs to Monitor Polar Bears
USGS Alaska Science Center scientist Seth Stapleton will be in Nunavut, Canada, in early September to evaluate the utility of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and very high resolution satellite imagery to monitor polar bears. The pilot study will take place in the Foxe Basin region (north of Hudson Bay), and will include a ground-truthing helicopter aerial survey, an UAV survey that will capture still imagery and high resolution video, and procurement of high resolution satellite imagery. Data from the multiple collection methods will generate independent abundance estimates and allow feasibility of the methods to be compared. This research is part of an initiative within the USGS polar bear research program to develop less-invasive techniques. The study is an international collaboration with the Government of Nunavut Department of Environment; local Hunting and Trapping Organizations; Defence Research and Development Canada; Environment Canada; Polar Geospatial Center, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada; and the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Contact: Todd Atwood Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7093

USGS Speaks at Public Lecture Program
On August 31, John Pearce with the USGS Alaska Science Center will participate in "Coffee With a Scientist" at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Pearce will give a talk titled "Avian Health at the Edge of Continents" regarding the research being conducted by USGS to track disease ecology of birds in Alaska in relation to outbreaks of pathogens in other parts of the world that are linked to Alaska by migratory flyways. For more information visit: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/avian_influenza/.
Contact: John Pearce Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7094

Press Inquiries/Media

In August, USGS Alaska Science Center scientists Margaret Petersen and Matt Sexson were interviewed by Beth Peluso (Audubon Alaska) for an article that will be published in the November issue of Alaska Magazine. The article, tentatively titled "The Mystery of the Disappearing Sea Ducks" provides a brief overview of Spectacled Eider ecology and the contribution of satellite telemetry data collected by USGS biologists in 1993 through 1996 and 2008 through 2012. A map of satellite telemetry data and internet links to project photos was also provided. More information on Spectacled Eiders may be found at: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/seaducks/spei/index.php
Contact: Margaret Petersen Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7180

On August 28, Todd Atwood, USGS Alaska Science Center Research Wildlife Biologist, was contacted by Nadine Tayar, Assistant Producer for the science documentary series Nature Shock. Nature Shock is a long-running series in the UK that takes a wildlife mystery and through interviews with scientists and eyewitnesses, follows the course of the investigation. Todd answered questions about the status of the Polar Bear Project's investigation into the cause of hair loss observed during the spring field season.
Contact: Todd Atwood Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7093

Publications

No Publications highlights for this week

Hazards

No Hazards highlights for this week

Return to Highlights page

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://alaska.usgs.gov/announcements/news/highlights.php?monthid=8&day=30&hyear=2012
Page Contact Information: ascweb@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: June 12 2013 16:00:09.