Nearshore Benthic Systems in the Gulf of Alaska Annual Report for 2015
Coletti H, Esler D, Ballachey B, Bodkin J, Dean T, Kloecker K, Lindeberg M, Monson D, Weitzman B. 2016. Nearshore Benthic Systems in the Gulf of Alaska Annual Report for 2015. Anchorage, AK
Our field work for year 4 (the 2015 field season, with field work from April through July) was performed with no problems or concerns, with project components completed on schedule. We conducted 5 field trips, including 1 to Katmai National Park (KATM), 1 to Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ), 2 to western Prince William Sound (WPWS), and 1 to northern PWS (NPWS). At all areas, we re-sampled nearshore sites that were established in previous years. Work completed in all areas included monitoring of rocky intertidal sites, mussel sites, soft sediment sites, and eelgrass beds. At KATM, KEFJ, and WPWS, we also monitored black oystercatcher nests and collected sea otter forage data. We completed marine bird and mammal surveys in KATM and KEFJ, and sea otter carcass collections in WPWS, KATM and KEFJ. An aerial survey of sea otters in KATM was completed in July 2015. Additionally, we have continued to closely coordinate monitoring efforts with the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) nearshore project in Kachemak Bay (KBAY; K. Iken and B. Konar; GWA Nearshore Project 12120114-L).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Coletti, H; Esler, D; Ballachey, B; Bodkin, J; Dean, T; Kloecker, K; Lindeberg, M; Monson, D; Weitzman, B
- Date of Issue
- 2016-03-01
- Units
- KATM , KEFJ , SWAN
- Keywords
- Gulf Watch, near shore, nearshore
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Intertidal Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Marine Invertebrates