Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Population trends of king and common eiders from spring migration counts at Point Barrow, Alaska between 1994 and 2016
Author(s)
McGuire, Rebecca;Suydam, Robert;Quakenbush, Lori;Powell, Abby N.
Published
2019
Publisher
Polar Biology
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-019-02581-6
Abstract
Most king (Somateria spectabilis) and common eiders (S. mollissima v-nigra) breeding in the northwestern Nearctic migrate past Point Barrow, Alaska. Spring migration counts have been conducted there since 1953; during 1976–1996, both species declined > 50% for unknown reasons. To evaluate population trends, counts in 2003, 2004, 2015, and 2016 were compared to earlier counts. King eider estimates were 304,966 (95% CI ± 76,254) in 2003, 591,961 (± 172,011) in 2004, 796,419 (± 304,011) in 2015, and 322,381 (± 145,833) in 2016. Common eider estimates were 114,998 (± 28,566) in 2003, 110,561 (± 32,087) in 2004, 96,775 (± 39,913) in 2015, and 130,390 (± 34,548) in 2016. The 2016 estimate was likely biased low for king eiders due to weather (causing large pulses of king eiders to pass within 2 days) and early ice break-up (causing observers to count at greater distances from the flocks). Using all estimates, populations of both species were statistically stable during 1994–2016. Excluding the 2016 count for king eiders indicated a significant increase of 18.63%/year in that population. Photo analysis of flocks in 2016 indicated that observer counts averaged 4% lower, species detection was not different, but females’ counts were underestimated by 25%. Methods should be refined to reduce bias and variability. Ice-based spring counts are becoming more difficult due to earlier break-up, less stable ice, and new techniques or locations; or a switch to land-based summer/fall migration counts are needed. Population monitoring is needed to ensure sustainability of harvests for these valuable subsistence resources.
Keywords
Beaufort sea;Arctic;Population estimate;Somateria spectabilis;Somateria mollissima;Chukchi sea
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB24873