In order to understand marine ecosystem responses to a range of habitat variability in coastal zones modified by glacial freshwater outflows, biophysical data were collected in three study regions that included four major glacial fjord systems around the Gulf of Alaska. Each of 172 discrete stations within the three study regions was sampled once during the peak ice-melt season in summer. A suite of geographic, oceanographic, nutrient and biological attributes was sampled at each station (see Arimitsu et al. 2008, Renner et al. 2012, Arimitsu et al. 2016 for details). This dataset includes station information, including date, time, location, distance variables that were derived in a geographic information software, and zooplankton abundance indices.

These data describe marine bird and mammal surveys conducted in glacial fjords of coastal Alaska. Data were collected to document the at-sea distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals in Glacier Bay National Park (2004), Prince William Sound (2010), Icy Bay (2011) and Yakutat Bay (2011). Following standard US Fish and Wildlife protocols for strip surveys.

To demonstrate connectivity between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, we used stable (δ13C, δ15N, δ2H) and radiogenic (∆14C) isotopes to estimate the relative contribution of glacier runoff and terrestrial-derived organic matter (OM) to marine food webs. This dataset contains information on isotopic signatures from dissolved organic matter (DOM), dissolved inorganic matter (DIC) and particulate organic matter (POM), mussels, plankton, fish and seabirds near tidewater glaciers during the peak melt in summer 2012-2013 in Prince William Sound and the Western Aleutians, Alaska.

This dataset contains nutrient data collected at stations within four fjords in the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska. Sea water samples were collected with a Seabird Electronics Ecosampler SBE55 attached to a conductivity-temperature-depth profiler. Bottles were fired at the surface (0 m) and from 8 m (in Glacier Bay, AK in 2004) or 10 m (in Prince William Sound, AK in 2010 and in Icy Bay and Yakutat Bay, AK in 2011). Samples were processed for nitrite (NO2), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), phosphate (PO4), and silicic acid (SIOH4).

This data package presents raw legacy data collected during 1974-1992 on the Arctic Coastal Plain (primarily in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska; NPR-A). The data were collected in support of a long-term multi-species wetland ecosystem study that aimed to provide an understanding of occurrence and densities of bird, mammal, fish, invertebrate, and plant species. The study included the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), as well as focused studies on individual lakes or regions within the special area, including: East Long Lake, West Long Lake, Goose Lake, Island Lake, Square Lake, Meade River (Singiluk), Point Storkersen, and Icy Cape. The study included 10 primary objectives: 1) complete daily weather records, 2) chart avian phenology, 3) census large and small bird species, 4) map bird nests and record success, 5) record caribou movements, 6) sample wetlands for aquatic macroinvertebrates, 7) establish a small mammal trapline, 8) observe activity and feeding habits of molting geese, 9) map vegetation trend plots for ground truth, and 10) record fox observations and den sites. Not all objectives were completed in all years and at all locations. The data are provided as digital scans (PDF format for documents and JPG format for photographs) of original field data sheets, notebooks, tables, figures, maps, and photographs (scanned film and slides). All data are organized in folders by topic and study site location. Since the data are in original form and were not digitized at the time of data collection, the data have not undergone formal Quality Assurance/Control Quality (QA/QC). Additional documentation of project field methods are limited for most years and locations of study, however, reports summarizing data collected at several locations are listed in the Cross Reference section. These are scanned originals and replications and some text may be illegible.

This data package presents legacy data collected during 1985-1987 at Izembek Lagoon on the western end of the Alaska Peninsula. The data were collected in support of a multi-year study focused on aircraft disturbance of waterfowl, particularly Black Brant, Emperor Geese, and Cackling Geese. The study was conducted at Izembek Lagoon and included several study sites within the lagoon: Halfway Point, Grant Point, Outer Marker, Quarter Point, Applegate Cove, Norma Bay, Round Island, and Banding Island. The primary objectives were to 1) define the time periods that are most important for geese, 2) determine if certain portions of Izembek Lagoon are more important than other areas, 3) evaluate factors that influence distribution of geese within Izembek Lagoon, and 4) compare use by geese of Izembek Lagoon with use of other adjacent lagoons to determine relative importance. The raw data are provided in a .CSV format, however, PDF digital scans of original field data sheets, tables, figures, and maps are also available upon request.

This dataset contains physical oceanographic data within four fjords in the coastal area of the Gulf of Alaska. Data were collected with a Seabird Electronics conductivity-temperature-depth profiler equipped with external sensors and a water sampler. Glacier runoff provides a link between terrestrial systems and nearshore coastal processes, whereby freshwater input influences the physical oceanographic properties and circulation of fjords (Arimitsu et al. 2016).

This dataset includes zooplankton biomass from Prince William Sound, Icy Bay and Yakutat Bay, Alaska. Zooplankton were sampled with a ring net (0.6 m diameter with 211 µ mesh) on a 50 m vertical haul or to within 5 m of the bottom in shallow water. Zooplankton samples were identified to species and life stage when possible.

This dataset contains length, weight, energy density, and isotope values of fish collected in northwest Alaskan rivers during summer and fall 2015-2019.