Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Fatty Acid Data, Spring Samples 2004-2016

Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program
Publication_Date: 20240126
Title:

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

Suggested Citation: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program, 2024, Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear fatty acid data, spring samples 2004-2016: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NIMT90

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NIMT90
Larger_Work_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center
Publication_Date: 1984
Title:

Response of Polar Bear Populations to a Rapidly Diminishing Sea Ice Environment

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: website
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Alaska Science Portal
Issue_Identification: 16

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Anchorage, Alaska
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

This is a link to the broader USGS Alaska Science Center research project supported by these data. Users will find a description of the research project and links to associated reports, publications, and data products.

Online_Linkage: https://alaska.usgs.gov/portal/project.php?project_id=16

Description:

Abstract:

These data consist of the fatty acid composition (percent of mass) of adipose tissue samples from polar bears in Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea. Fat biopsy samples were collected from polar bears that were either captured or biopsy darted along the north coast of Alaska or on offshore ice during March, April, or May from 2004 to 2016. The data also include an identification code unique to an individual bear, sex, age class, and the date of sample collection.

Purpose:

These data were collected to estimate polar bear diet composition using quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA; Iverson et al. 2004, Bromaghin et al. 2017).

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20040326
Ending_Date: 20160423

Currentness_Reference: observed

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned

Spatial_Domain:

Description_of_Geographic_Extent:

Range of the southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population along the northern coast of Alaska and ice-covered habitat offshore.

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -165.85
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -141.00
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 72.81
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 67.32

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Metadata Identifier
Theme_Keyword: USGS:ASC592

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: Biota
Theme_Keyword: Environment

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NASA GCMD Earth Science Keyword Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Animals/Vertebrates
Theme_Keyword: Mammals
Theme_Keyword: Carnivores
Theme_Keyword: Bears
Theme_Keyword: Pelagic habitat

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS CSA Biocomplexity Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Threatened species
Theme_Keyword: Marine mammals
Theme_Keyword: Diets

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Marine ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Coastal ecosystems
Theme_Keyword: Biological informatics

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Fatty Acids
Theme_Keyword: Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis
Theme_Keyword: QFASA

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)
Place_Keyword: Alaska
Place_Keyword: Beaufort Sea
Place_Keyword: Arctic

Taxonomy:

Keywords/Taxon:

Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Taxonomic_Keywords: Mammals
Taxonomic_Keywords: Polar Bear

Taxonomic_System:

Classification_System/Authority:

Classification_System_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: ITIS Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: online database
Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: ITIS-North America

Other_Citation_Details:

Taxonomic details retrieved December 1, 2023 from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System online database: https://www.itis.gov

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK

Taxonomic_Procedures:

Species were identified by skilled observers in the field based on general appearance. Polar bears are not easily confused with other species.

Taxonomic_Completeness:

Taxonomy is complete for all samples. No vouchers were collected.

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subkingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Bilateria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infrakingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Deuterostomia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chordata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Vertebrata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraphylum
Taxon_Rank_Value: Gnathostomata
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Superclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Tetrapoda
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Mammalia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Subclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Theria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Infraclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Eutheria
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Carnivora
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Suborder
Taxon_Rank_Value: Caniformia
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursidae
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus
Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ursus maritimus
Applicable_Common_Name: Polar Bear
Applicable_Common_Name: TSN: 180542

Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:

It is requested that the Suggested Citation of this USGS data release be included in any publications that reference or utilize these data.

Point_of_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Data_Set_Credit:

Melissa A. McKinney (McGill University, formerly University of Connecticut), Jennifer Bourque (University of Connecticut)

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: McKinney, M.A.
Originator: Atwood, T.C.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Peacock, E.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:

Temporal Complexity of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Diets During a Period of Increasing Land Use

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecosphere
Issue_Identification: 8(1):e01633

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

McKinney, M.A., Atwood, T.C., Iverson, S.J., Peacock, E., 2017. Temporal complexity of southern Beaufort Sea polar bear diets during a period of increasing land use. Ecosphere 8(1):e01633 doi10.1002/ecs2.1633

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.1633

Cross_Reference:

Citation_Information:

Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center - Ecosystems Analytics
Originator: USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research
Publication_Date: 2023
Title:

Diet Composition of Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears Sampled in Spring from 2004 to 2016 Estimated with Quantitative Fatty Acid Signature Analysis

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Series_Information:

Series_Name: USGS Data Release
Issue_Identification: doi:10.5066/P976BY21

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Other_Citation_Details:

USGS Alaska Science Center - Ecosystems Analytics Program, USGS Alaska Science Center - Polar Bear Research Program, 2023, Diet composition of southern Beaufort Sea polar bears sampled in spring from 2004 to 2016 estimated with quantitative fatty acid signature analysis: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P976BY21

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.5066/P976BY21

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Polar bears captured for the first time were given a unique identifying number tattooed on the buccal cavity side of the left and right upper lips and a numbered plastic ear tag in both ear pinnae so they could be identified upon recapture in subsequent years. Upon recapture, dentifying numbers, sex, and age were extracted from the USGS Alaska Science Center Polar Bear Research program database. Identities are double-checked in the field and during data capture using an identification reference document and/or laptop database. Age class is determined from a birth year that is assigned based on annual growth circuli in a vestigial tooth extracted the first time an individual bear is captured or the size of dependent young captured with the mother. Sex is determined by inspection of captured bears. The exceptions are that the sex and age class of 24 bears biopsied in 2012 (records with an alphanumeric identification code starting with "SBPB") were determined based on a close-range visual assessment of polar bear body size and shape by experienced polar bear biologists. The accuracy of the fatty acid composition data is dependent on lab equipment and assumed to be high.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Attribute values fall within expected ranges. The fatty acid percentages are non-negative and will, except for potential rounding error, sum to 100%.

Completeness_Report: No data were omitted and there are no missing data.
Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:

Fat biopsy samples were collected from polar bears that were either captured or biopsy darted along the north coast of Alaska or on offshore ice during March, April, or May from 2004 to 2016.

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Lab
Methodology_Description:

Lipid was extracted from each polar bear adipose tissue sample and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared following Budge et al. (2006). FAME were analyzed in duplicate using temperature-programmed gas chromatography on a Perkin Elmer Autosystem II capillary gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame ionization detector (FID), using a polar column (Agilent Technologies, DB-23; 30 m x 0.25 mm ID; Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada). Additional details about laboratory analysis can be found in Budge et al. (2006).

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Budge, S.M.
Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Koopman, H.N.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:

Studying trophic ecology in marine ecosystems using fatty acids: a primer on analysis and interpretation

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Marine Mammal Science
Issue_Identification: 22(4):759-801

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Budge, S.M., Iverson, S.J., Koopman, H.N. 2006. Studying trophic ecology in marine ecosystems using fatty acids: a primer on analysis and interpretation. Marine Mammal Science 22(4):759-801 doi:10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00079.x

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00079.x

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2006

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Budge et al. 2006
Source_Contribution:

Summarizes laboratory protocols for processing adipose tissue samples to produce fatty acid composition data.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Iverson, S.J.
Originator: Bowen, W.D.
Originator: Blanchard, W.
Publication_Date: 2004
Title:

Quantitative Fatty Acid Signature Analysis: A New Method of Estimating Predator Diets

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: journal article
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecological Monographs
Issue_Identification: 74(2):211–235

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Iverson, S.J., Bowen, W.D., Blanchard, W., 2004. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis: A new method of estimating predator diets. Ecological Monographs 74(2):211–235 doi:10.1890/02-4105

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1890/02-4105

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2004

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Iverson et al. 2004
Source_Contribution:

Presents methods of estimating diet composition using fatty acid composition data.

Source_Information:

Source_Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Bromaghin, J.F.
Originator: Budge, S.M.
Originator: Thiemann, G.W.
Originator: Rode, K.D.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:

Simultaneous estimation of diet composition and calibration coefficients with fatty acid signature data

Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: publication
Series_Information:

Series_Name: Ecology and Evolution
Issue_Identification: 7(16):6103-6113

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: online
Publisher: Wiley

Other_Citation_Details:

Bromaghin, J.F., Budge, S.M., Thiemann, G.W., Rode, K.D., 2017. Simultaneous estimation of diet composition and calibration coefficients with fatty acid signature data. Ecology and Evolution 7(16):6103-6113 doi:10.1002/ece3.3179

Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.3179

Type_of_Source_Media: publication
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Single_Date/Time:

Calendar_Date: 2017

Source_Currentness_Reference: publication date

Source_Citation_Abbreviation: Bromaghin et al. 2017
Source_Contribution:

Presents methods of estimating diet composition using fatty acid composition data.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

Adipose tissue samples were processed in the labs of Melissa A. McKinney at the University of Connecticut (formerly) and McGill University (currently). Budge et al. (2006) provides a thorough summary of laboratory protocols and methods used to process adipose samples.

Process_Date: Unknown

Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84)
Ellipsoid_Name: World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84)
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: polarBear_fattyAcidComposition_beaufort_bromaghin.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table with fatty acid composition of polar bear adipose tissue from polar bears in Alaska's southern Beaufort Sea. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ID
Attribute_Definition: An identifier of an individual bear.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Records with a 4- or 5-digit numerical identification code represent bears that have been physically captured at some time during their lifetime. Records with a alphanumeric identifier beginning with "SBPB" are from bears from which a sample was obtained by remote biopsy darting and whose genetic data did not match that of a previously captured bear at the time these data were collated.

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Age
Attribute_Definition:

An indicator of the age class of an individual bear at the time it was sampled.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: adult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Adult bears are at least 5 years old.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: subadult
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:

Subadult bears are independent of their mother and from 2 to 4 years old.

Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Sex
Attribute_Definition: An indicator of the sex of an individual bear.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: female
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: A female bear.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: male
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: A male bear.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: Date
Attribute_Definition: The date this sample was collected.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Range_Domain:

Range_Domain_Minimum: 2004-03-26
Range_Domain_Maximum: 2016-04-23
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Date (YYYY-MM-DD)

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: c12.0 through c24.1w9
Attribute_Definition:

These 66 columns represent the percentage of mass of 66 different fatty acids identified from polar bear adipose tissue samples. Column labels are an abbreviated notation for each fatty acid. Full fatty acid names and the corresponding abbreviation are provided in the table "polarBear_fattyAcidNames_beaufort_bromaghin.csv" included with this data package. The percentage of fatty acids in each sample may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Percentage of each fatty acid in each sample.

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: polarBear_fattyAcidNames_beaufort_bromaghin.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:

Table that references abbreviated notations with full fatty acid names. The abbreviations correspond to column labels in the table "polarBear_fattyAcidComposition_beaufort_bromaghin.csv" included with this data package. Presented in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table.

Entity_Type_Definition_Source: Author defined

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: abbreviation
Attribute_Definition: Abbreviated notation for each fatty acid.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain:

Abbreviated notation for each fatty acid, corresponding to column labels in the table "polarBear_fattyAcidComposition_beaufort_bromaghin.csv".

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: fatty_acid
Attribute_Definition: Full names of each fatty acid.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:

Unrepresentable_Domain: Full names of each fatty acid.

Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing and Physical
Address: 4210 University Drive
City: Anchorage
State_or_Province: Alaska
Postal_Code: 99508
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 907-786-7000
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: ascweb@usgs.gov

Resource_Description:

The U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center is the authoritative source and distributor of these data.

Distribution_Liability:

Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes or on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name: CSV
Format_Information_Content:

Data are distributed in a Zip package containing data in CSV format and FGDC metadata in XML and HTML formats.

File_Decompression_Technique:

Compression applied by the 7-Zip utility using the default compression level [5]. The Zip package can be decompressed and unpacked by open source or commercially available unzip tools.

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.5066/P9NIMT90

Fees: None

Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bear Fatty Acid Data, Spring Samples 2004-2016

Metadata: