USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Measuring and forecasting the response of wildlife populations to changes in ecosystem processes on the Arctic Coastal Plain (Loons and White-fronted Geese)
A project to understand temporal changes in nesting and foraging habitats of loons and geese to forecast the response of wildlife populations to changes in ecosystem processes on the Arctic Coastal Plain.Abstract
Large temperature changes have occurred in Alaska in recent decades. These changes are already affecting terrestrial vegetation types and wetlands. These physical processes of ecological change directly affect attributes of habitats that are vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) trust species such as migratory birds. These herbivores, insectivores, and piscivores may be affected by significant changes in habitat and forage that occur in response to physical changes and nutrient availability. Under any environmental change scenario, some species would be expected to decline with others expected to increase. Among the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) avifauna proposed for study as part of the Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) Initiative most are either declining or are expected to decline under current climate change projections (e.g., eiders and loons). In contrast, all four species of geese nesting on the ACP appear to be, to varying degrees, increasing and white-fronted geese have demonstrated the fastest rate of increase. Our primary goal was to evaluate potential physical and lower-trophic drivers of the observed population changes of different species.
Products
Contacts
Flint, Paul L., 907-786-7183Meixell, Brandt W., 907-786-7157
Schmutz, Joel A., 907-786-7186
Uher-Koch, Brian , 907-786-7052
Status: completed
Start Year: 2010
End Year: 2016
Project Sites
Location
North Slope BoroughUSGS Mission Area and Program
Ecosystems → Wildlife ProgramMajor Initiatives
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems InitiativeKeywords
Biosphere > Terrestrial Ecosystems > Alpine/TundraClimate Indicators