Alaska Science Center - Biological Science Office Sea Duck Projects
Post-nesting
ecology of sea ducks in Alaska
The
sea duck tribe, Mergini, has 15 diverse species that nest in North
America including eiders, harlequin, long-tailed duck, scoters,
goldeneye, bufflehead, and mergansers. The status and health of
sea duck populations are of local, regional, national, and international
concern. Within the four flyways of North America declines have
been reported for 11 populations or species, 3 species or populations
are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act or by the Committee
on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and the status
of 13 species or populations is unknown: only 6 species or populations
are believed to be increasing and 5 are probably stable (Petersen
and Hogan 1996; International Waterfowl Symposium 7:62-67). Basic
understanding of harvest, distribution, habitat requirements,
basic breeding and post-nesting ecology, populations dynamics,
and statistically valid population monitoring is lacking; thus,
most management decisions are based on little or no information
regarding the consequences of management actions. Studies are
designed to anticipate and address priority needs of management
in relation to seaduck populations. The project will be subdivided
into various parts to address various species and habitats throughout
the state of Alaska and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
Studies:
Monitoring
Beaufort Sea Waterfowl and Marine Birds -
The
sea duck tribe, Mergini, has 15 diverse species that nest in North
America including eiders, harlequin, long-tailed duck, scoters,
goldeneye, bufflehead, and mergansers. The status and health of
sea duck populations are of local, regional, national, and international
concern. Within the four flyways of North America declines have
been reported for 11 populations or species, 3 species or populations
are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act or by the Committee
on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and the status
of 13 species or populations is unknown: only 6 species or populations
are believed to be increasing and 5 are probably stable (Petersen
and Hogan 1996; International Waterfowl Symposium 7:62-67). Basic
understanding of harvest, distribution, habitat requirements,
basic breeding and post-nesting ecology, populations dynamics,
and statistically valid population monitoring is lacking; thus,
most management decisions are based on little or no information
regarding the consequences of management actions. Studies are
designed to anticipate and address priority needs of management
in relation to seaduck populations. The project will be subdivided
into various parts to address various species and habitats throughout
the state of Alaska and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
