Date of Award
8-17-1996
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
I examined the effects of the physical variables season, time of day, tide stage, sea surface temperature, and weather and the biological variables phenology and productivity on Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) abundance and distribution in Auke Bay and Fritz Cove, Alaska. I surveyed murrelets daily from the shore and a small boat from May through August, 1992 and 1993, and evaluated the impacts of murrelet abundance patterns on a monitoring strategy. I also examined the breeding biology, behavior, and social structure of Marbled Murrelets in an effort to gauge the effects of declining populations on their daily activities, such as foraging and courtship behavior of adults, and foraging strategies of juveniles. I found significant effects of year, season, time of day, and tide stage on Marbled Murrelet numbers at sea that have important implications for designing monitoring surveys to assess changes in Marbled Murrelet populations in Alaska and elsewhere.
Recommended Citation
Speckman, Suzann G., "Marbled murrelet distribution and abundance in relation to the marine environment" (1996). Biological Sciences. 479.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_grad_bio_sciences/479
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/14811