Project Information

Title: Winter Marine Bird and Sea Otter Population Abundance of PWS: Trends Following EVOS 94159

Project Year and Number: 1994: 94159

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 2010: 10100751, 2008: 080751, 2007: 070751, 2005: 050751, 2004: 040159, 2002: 02159, 2001: 01159, 2000: 00159, 1999: 99159, 1998: 98159, 1997: 97159-CLO, 1996: 96159, 1993: 93045

Principal Investigator (PI): Bev Agler (DOI )

Managing Agency: USFWS

Assisting Personnel: David Irons, Steve Kendall, Pam Seiser

Research Location: Prince William Sound

Restoration Category: Monitoring

Injured Resources Addressed: Bald Eagles, Black Oystercatchers, Common Loons, Common Murres, Cormorants, Harlequin Ducks, Kittlitz's Murrelets, Marbled Murrelets, Pigeon Guillemot, Sea Otters

Abstract: Surveys have documented overall declines in Prince William Sound (PWS) marine bird populations between the early 1970’s and the years after the EVOS. Recent surveys detect a significantly lower sea otter density in oiled coastal areas. The meaningful restoration of marine bird and sea otter populations requires periodic estimates of populations to determine whether recovery is occurring or if declines are continuing. This project will conduct population estimates of marine birds and sea otters in PWS using a stratified random sampling design. Population estimates for each species and species groups will be added to other post-EVOS population estimates to determine population trends. Data gathered will provide valuable information on the distribution and habitat use of marine birds and sea otters. Survey methods are flexible enough to provide for collection of more detailed information if requested by investigators of other studies.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Final Report: View (3,398 KB)

Publications from this Project: None Available

Datasets:
EVOSTC Data Archive: Coverages with: shoreline; 200 meter shoreline; buffer for shoreline transects; shoreline transects. 5 nautical mile square grid in pelagic areas; pelagic blocks chosen for transects; oil blob; attribute data associated with transects containing bird and mammal densities. Winter survey. Atlas GIS for Windows version 3.0. Attribute data is in dbf files. Availability: Upon request.