Wildlife Studies

Baseline Wildlife Surveys near the Pebble Gold-Copper Deposit, Lake Illiamna, Alaska (2004-2005)

Client: Northern Dynasty Minerals

Beginning in April of 2004, ABR conducted surveys to determine caribou distribution, raptor nest site locations, waterfowl staging, breeding and brood-rearing areas, marine birds and mammals, and breeding terrestrial birds. In addition, ABR has developed wildlife habitat maps for breeding birds in the mine area. The proposed mine and transportation corridors called for extensive aerial surveys of the mine and waste rock areas, alternative routes and port sites, as well as intensive ground surveys in the main mining area. For more information contact Terry Schick tschick@abrinc.com

Wildlife Studies in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPRA) (1992–present)

Client: ConocoPhillips, Alaska, Inc.; North Slope Borough, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ABR has been involved in numerous field investigations including aerial surveys of caribou and waterbirds, and ground-based surveys of nesting waterbirds and shorebirds, and den locations for foxes. Two threatened species—Spectacled and Steller’s eiders—have been a central focus in the northeastern planning area of NPRA and near Barrow. In 1999, ABR conducted raptor surveys throughout the NPRA, comparing results to surveys done in 1977. ABR also has monitored the occupancy and reproductive performance of numerous Brant and Snow Goose colonies along the Beaufort Sea coast. ABR has led a banding program for Snow Geese in the region since 1999, following a substantial increase in the population. For more information on this study contact Rick Johnson, rjohnson@abrinc.com

Salamander Surveys in the Coast and Cascades, Oregon

ABR examined the habitat relationships of Columbia torrent salamanders at two spatial scales within intensively managed forests of northwestern Oregon. Our specific objectives were to establish broad patterns of torrent salamander distribution and abundance in relation to major landscape-level habitat variables, use results from our landscape sampling and information-theoretic modeling approach to examine habitat relationships at the stream reach scale, and evaluate the relative importance of biotic versus abiotic paradigms for explaining torrent salamander occurrence and abundance in commercially managed forests. Overall our study suggested that variation in physical features of stream habitats may have important influences on distribution and abundance of torrent salamanders at multiple spatial scales. For more information contact Todd Mabee, tmabee@abrinc.com.