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Karen L. Oakley Title: Supv. Biologist Address: 4210 University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508-4626 Phone: (907) 786-7076 Fax: (907) 786-7150 Email: koakley@usgs.gov

Education and/or Training

M.S.	1981	University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK	Biology
B.S.	1975	Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA	Ecology

Areas of Specialization and/or Research Interests

Since 2005, I have served as Chief of the Marine & Freshwater Ecology Branch (MFEB) at the USGS Alaska Science Center. The branch includes ecological research programs on marine mammals (polar bears, Pacific walrus, sea otter), seabirds, marine and freshwater fish, habitat dynamics, biometrics and quantitative ecology. I previously worked in the branch focusing on long-term ecological monitoring program design. In my current position as a research manager, I focus on strategic science planning and communications, budget, review of products, safe and efficient operations, and staff development. I lead Theme 1 of the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative, to project the future status of polar bears and walruses in the rapidly changing Arctic.

Professional Experience

2005-present	Supervisory Fish & Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
1994 - 2005	Fish and Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1994	Fish and Wildlife Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska
1987 - 1989	Legislative Analyst, House of Representatives Research Agency, Juneau, Alaska
1984 - 1987	Habitat Biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Anchorage, Alaska
1982 - 1983	Research Analyst, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Anchorage, Alaska

Professional Activities and/or Memberships

Ecological Society of America

Significant Recent Publications

Van Hemert, C., J. Pearce, K. Oakley, and M. Whalen. 2013. Wildlife disease and environmental health in Alaska. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2013-3027, 4 p.

Oakley, K., M. Whalen, D. Douglas, M. Udevitz, T. Atwood, and C. Jay. 2012, Changing arctic ecosystems—Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2012-3131, 4 p.

Oakley, K. L., L. P. Thomas, and S. G. Fancy. 2003. Guidelines for long-term monitoring protocols. Wildlife Society Bulletin 31(4):1000-1003. [pdf file - 94 KB]

MacCluskie, M. and K.O. Oakley. 2005. Central Alaska Network Vital Signs Monitoring Plan. Unpublished Report. National Park Service, Fairbanks, AK.

Roland, C., E. Debevec, P. Miller, K. Oakley. 2004. Monitoring vegetation structure and composition at multiple spatial scales in the Central Alaska Network. Unpublished Report. National Park Service. Fairbanks, Alaska, 2004.

Oakley, K. L. 2003. Designing long-term monitoring: some rules of thumb. Poster presentation at National Park Service, Inventory and Monitoring Program, Annual Meeting, August 18-22, 2003, Washington, D.C. [pdf file - 461 KB]

Caughlan, L. and K. L. Oakley. 2002. Cost considerations for long-term ecological monitoring. Ecological Indicators 14:1-12. [pdf file- 2.2 MB]

Oakley, K. L., S. L. Boudreau, and S. Humphrey. 2001. Recommended features of protocols for long-term ecological monitoring. Pp. 415-419 in Crossing boundaries in park management: Proceedings of the 11th Conference on Research and Resource Management in Parks and on Public Lands. D. Harmon, editor. The George Wright Society, Hancock, MI.

Oakley, K. L. and S. L. Boudreau. 2000. Conceptual design of the long-term ecological monitoring program for Denali National Park and Preserve. USGS Alaska Biological Science Center and Denali National Park and Preserve. 116 pp.

Oakley, K. L., E. M. Debevec, and E. A. Rexstad. 1999. Development of a long-term ecological monitoring program in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (USA). Pages 307-314 in C. Aguirre-Bravo and C.R. Franco, compilers. North American Science Symposium: Toward a Unified Framework for Inventorying and Monitoring Forest Ecosystem Resources. Guadalajara, Mexico (November 2-6, 1998). Proceedings RMRS-P-12. U.S. Departement of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO.

Oakley, K., and K. Kuletz. 1996. Population, reproduction, and foraging of Pigeon Guillemots at Naked Island, Alaska, before and after the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Pp. 759-769 in S. D. Rice, R. B. Spies, D. A. Wolfe, and B. A. Wright, editors. Proceedings of the Exxon Valdez oil spill symposium. American Fisheries Society Symposium 18:759-769.

Murphy, E. C., A. A. Hoover-Miller, R. H. Day, and K. L. Oakley. 1992. Intracolony variability during periods of poor reproductive performance at a Glaucous-winged Gull colony. Condor 94:598-607.[pdf file - 793 KB]

Murphy, E. C., R. H. Day, K. L. Oakley, and A. A. Hoover. 1984. Dietary changes and poor reproductive performance in Glaucous-winged Gulls. Auk 101:532-541.[pdf file - 658 KB]

Day, R. H., K. L. Oakley and D. R. Barnard. 1983. Nest sites and eggs of Kittlitz's and Marbled Murrelets. Condor 85:265-273. [pdf file - 759 KB]

Divorky, G. J., K. L. Oakley, and H. R. Huber. 1979. Pomarine jaeger preys on adult Black-legged Kittiwake. Wilson Bulletin 91:329. [pdf file - 56 KB]

Websites of Interest

Changing Arctic Ecosystems, Theme I (polar bears and walruses)
Polar Bears
Pacific Walrus
Sea Otters and Nearshore Ecosystems
Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology
Biometrics
Douglas Argos-Filter Algorithm