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SITE NAME
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Point Thomson, Alaska, USA
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| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| (907) 644-2706/(907) 562-7223(f) // brodrigues@lgl.com // LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. 1101 E. 76th Ave Suite B Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
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PROJECT DETAILS |
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Start of survey:
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End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
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WEATHER
CONDITIONS
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| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
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| Date of final loss of
snow: |
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BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
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| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
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Breeding conditions:
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During summer 2003, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc., was funded by the Point Thomson Unit owners to conduct a tundra-nesting bird study in the Point Thomson area about 80 km east of Prudhoe Bay. This was part of a cooperative study involving three other study site locations on the North Slope. Twenty 10-ha study plots were surveyed to determine nest density and success, species composition, and predator levels. These study plots were also surveyed during summer 2002, with 2003 marking the third consecutive year of bird study in the Point Thomson area. Although no detailed analysis of the data was undertaken in 2003, preliminary results indicated that overall nest density was about 60 nests/km2, and nest success was about 70% based on the number of successful nests divided by the total number of nests. Twelve species were discovered nesting on study plots, with Lapland Bunting the most abundant species
followed by Pectoral and Semipalmated sandpipers. These three species accounted for about 84% of all nests. The most abundant predator observed on study plots was the Arctic Skua. They and Glaucous Gulls were observed with almost equal frequency off study plots. Arctic Fox was observed once during predator counts. Nest success was much higher in 2003 than in 2002, probably because two fox dens that were occupied during the 2002 field season were unoccupied during 2003.
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Rodent dynamics:
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Rodent species recorded:
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
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