Chiswell Project season wrap up – 2017

We had another successful year of remote video monitoring of the Chiswell Island Steller sea lion rookery!

Unexpected Company

ASLC researchers had some company while collecting samples on a beach in Lake Clark National Park!

A 45-year examination of moose genetic diversity on Isle Royale

This nutshell is based on a recently published paper: Decline of heterozygosity in a large but isolated population: a 45-year examination of moose genetic diversity on Isle Royale. Renae L. Sattler, Janna R. Willoughby and Bradley J. Swanson. PeerJ 2017 5:e3584. (https://peerj.com/articles/3584.pdf) Question: Should the loss of genetic diversity be a wildlife management concern for […]

Science “Rocks”!

Last week, we set out into Resurrection Bay on the ASLC research vessel Jubatus to test its new addition: an A-frame and winch system. The sturdy archway with hydraulic lift was outfitted to Jubatus to enable the deployment and retrieval of heavy moorings and equipment at sea, or in this case, some heavy rocks!

Seals, ships, and local conservation efforts

In the early 2000s, questions began to arise about whether the increasing number of visitors to Alaska were having negative impacts on seals. Were seals being disturbed by large cruise ships or smaller tour vessels visiting glaciers?

Sea ice and smartphones

Our research in the Arctic village of Wainwright, Alaska shows that although it faces a suite of challenges due to climate change, this Iñupiat community has a lot of tricks up its sleeve to keep the subsistence lifestyle alive. By harnessing the power of social media, decision analysis, and traditional knowledge, people in Wainwright use a diverse array of strategies that help them adapt to rapid environmental changes in the Arctic.