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SITE NAME
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NE Planning Area of National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, USA
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| Contact details
(phone/fax//e-mail//address): |
| 907-455-6777/907-455-6781(fax) // rjohnson@abrinc.com // ABR, PO Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK 99709, USA
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PROJECT DETAILS |
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Project name:
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Wildlife studies in NPRA
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Start of survey:
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End
of survey: |
Team
size: |
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5.06
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25.08
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20
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WEATHER
CONDITIONS
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Weather conditions: |
The 2003 season was characterized by a cool spring, with lower than average temperatures in early June and a protracted breakup of the Colville River. We summarized weather records from 2 locations in the region: the Colville Village station at the Helmericks' home site, which is representative of conditions on the outer Colville Delta (including the CD North study area), and the Kuparuk Oilfield station, which is representative of conditions farther inland (probably comparable to much of the NPRA study area, although it is ~55 km east). At both the Kuparuk station and at Colville Village, snow persisted through the first week of June in 2003, about 2 weeks later than in the warm spring of 2002 (Burgess et al. 2003b, Johnson et al. 2003b). In May 2003, the mean temperature was -4.6ø C at Kuparuk and -4.7ø C at Colville Village, slightly warmer than the long-term May averages of -5.0ø C at Kuparuk (n = 16) and -6.1ø C at Colville Village (n = 7) (NOAA: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov). In June 2003, the mean temperature was 3.2ø C at Kuparuk and 1.6ø C at Colville Village, both of which were cooler than the long-term means for June of 4.6ø C and 3.2ø C for Kuparuk and Colville Village, respectively.
From both the Kuparuk and Colville Village stations, cumulative thawing degree-days were computed for the periods of bird arrival (approximately 15-31 May) and nest initiation (1-15 June) for each year of record. (On the Celsius scale, the value of cumulative thawing-degree days [hereafter, thawing-degree days] for any particular period is the sum of mean daily temperatures for each day of that period in which the daily mean temperature was above freezing.) At Colville Village, temperatures during bird arrival in 2003 were near the mid-range of values, at 9.4 thawing degree-days (range 0-23.9) and ranked third of 7 years. Similarly, at the Kuparuk station, the bird arrival period in 2003 was only slightly cooler than the 16-year mean, ranking seventh overall. In contrast to the arrival period, the 2003 nest initiation period was among the coldest on record for both stations. At the Colville Village station, the 2003 nest initiation period was the coldest, at 8.3 thawing degree-days, compared with 13.9-52.8 among other years. At the Kuparuk station, the 2003 nest initiation period was the fourth coldest on record and was colder than any year since 1991.
The cold temperatures in early June protracted breakup of the Colville River and 2 separate peaks were recorded at the head of the delta (Michael Baker Jr., Inc. 2003). The first peak occurred around 5-6 June and had the highest surface elevation (peak water levels) in the delta, which resulted from the persistence of ice in the main channels of the delta. The date of peak surface elevation in 2003 was 2 weeks later than in 2002. The second peak in 2003 was around 11 June and peak discharge was recorded at that time, although surface elevations were lower than during the earlier peak. Discharge recorded at the head of the Delta for both peaks was the equivalent of 2-5-year floods (Michael Baker Jr., Inc. 2003). As late as 18 June, nest searchers encountered areas of localized flooding near the coast. Extensive areas of meltwater in low-lying areas in the NPRA were also recorded in mid-June, and some ephemeral streams flowed well outside their usual summer channels (L. Moulton, MJM Research, pers. comm.).
Relatively early or near average snow melt in inland areas in 2003 and cool temperatures in early June 2003 resulted in less than favorable conditions for nest initiation of some species of birds. The first Lapland Longspur hatchling was found on 20 June, which is a relatively late date and indicative of a cold spring (Johnson et al. 2003b). Some eider and Long-tailed Ducks were incubating in mid-July, when nests were being checked for fate, so the cool June temperatures may have led to greater asynchronony in nest initiation in some species. Mosquitoes began to emerge in NPRA on 27 June, which is about normal for this insect, and caribou movements in response to mosquito harassment were noted by 29 June in the Kuparuk Oilfield (Lawhead and Prichard 2003b).
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| Date of 50%
snow-cover: |
30.05
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| Date of ice-break on
rivers: |
11.06
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| Date of final loss of
snow: |
19.06
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BIOTIC
CONDITIONS
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| Rodents abundance evaluation: |
average
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Breeding conditions:
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| Lapland Longspurs hatched approximately 10 days later than in 2002. Found 20 species nesting on 24 10-ha plots for overall density of 86 nests/km2. Lapland Longspurs (32 nest/km2), Semipalmated Sandpipers (12 nests/km2), and Pectoral Sandpipers (11 nests/km2) were the most numerous nesting species. Overall densities and nesting success was similar to 2002 values, but there were some species differences. Shorebird nesting success was 64% (calculated from daily survival rates) and Long-billed Dowitchers (86%) had highest success. Waterfowl nesting success was 26% (lowest for ducks, highest for Greater White-fronted Geese). Nesting success for Greater White-fronted Geese on larger area was ~66% which was average to higher than average for recent years. Swan nesting success was low in one study area, but high in another that was ~25 km east. Some birds may have been affected by snow and cold during hatch in early to mid July.
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Rodent dynamics:
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Rodent species recorded:
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Summary
of fauna studies: |
Johnson et al. 2003. Wildlife studies for the Alpine Satellite Development Project, 2003. Final report prepared for ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. and Anadarko Petroleum Co., Anchorage, AK by ABR, Inc., Fairbanks, AK.
Studied distribution, abundance, and habitat use of large waterbirds with aerial surveys of NPRA and Colville River Delta and foot surveys for nests in 5-18-km2 areas where oil development is a possibility. Also studied fox den occupation and pup production, and caribou distribution and movements. Used 10-ha plots with rope dragging and individual nest searches to find shorebird and passerine nests and follow nest fate as part of a cooperative study on the effects of development on nest survival. Studies used as baseline information in impact analyses for oil development.
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