UAF - North Water Polynya Seabird Surveys
Entry ID:
ArcOD_2005O1
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Summary
Abstract:
To relate avian usage of the North Water polynya to the distribution, abundance and production of prey, we assessed seasonal changes in the distribution and relative abundance of seabirds. In order to assess the spatial distribution of seabirds in the North Water, we conducted surveys of seabirds from the bridge of the Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers whenever the icebreakers were underway. Bird specimens were also collected to carry out stable isotope analysis.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess the patterns of avian usage of the North Water polynya. We assessed the timing of arrival and the seasonal changes in the at-sea distribution of seabirds in the North Water polynya and related these parameters to oceanographic conditions. Oceanographic variables were collected by collaborators and are not part of this data set.
Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: 79.0
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S: 75.0
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E: -66.0
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W: -80.0
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Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator:
George L. Hunt, Jr. University of California, Irvine
Dataset Title:
UAF - North Water Polynya Seabird Surveys
Dataset Release Date:
Unknown
Dataset Release Place:
Irvine, California
Dataset Publisher:
University of California
Parent DIF
This data set description is a member of a collection. The
collection is described in
ArcOD
Temporal Coverage
Start Date:
1997-08-01
Stop Date:
1999-09-31
Quality
ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT: Sightings are referenced to the observer, the cruise, ship name, date and time. Birds were counted within 300m off of one side of the ship whenever the ship was underway. Weather conditions and ocean conditions were recorded simultaneously and it was noted when sightability decreased to less than 300m. Position was recorded from ship's GPS.
LOGICAL ... CONSISTENCY REPORT: Strip width was regularly checked using the Heineman method (Heineman 1981). Ship speed and course and position were recorded regularly. Birds behavior (flying, sitting on the water, feeding) were noted for each bird sighting. Some inconsistencies in the estimation of how much area was surveyed (based on ships speed and course) when ship changed course to avoid ice or had to back up to crash through ice.
COMPLETENESS REPORT: Transects with confirmed absence are reported. Absolute densities are possible to estimate because bird flight direction and ship speed and direction were recorded.
HORIZONTAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY REPORT: Latitude and Longitude (seconds) were recorded at the beginning and end of each transect and updated about every ten minutes. Exact locations can be obtained through extrapolation of distance traveled during these intervals knowing the course and ship's speed.
VERTICAL POSITIONAL ACCURACY REPORT: Altitudinal variations were minor. Height f bridge above water varied slightly with swells and ice conditions. Strip width was calibrated for each observer based on their height above the water.
LINEAGE/PROCESS STEP:
PROCESS DESCRIPTION: We conducted surveys from the bridge of Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers whenever the icebreakers were underway; the CCGS Louis St. Laurent in August 1997 and the CCGS Pierre Radisson in April-July 1998 and August-September 1999. We counted all birds within a 300m wide arc from the bow on the side of the ship with the best visibility. Data were entered directly into a notebook computer by the observer. We determined the boundary of the area in which the birds were counted by using the method of Heineman (1981). We noted the birds' behavior (Flying, sitting on the water, etc). as well as the ship's speed and course. As each bird sighting is entered into the computer, a time stamp is given to each record. 
Access Constraints
None, data available upon request, available with permission from principle investigator, George L. Hunt, Jr.
This study was funded by National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs grant number OPP9725071 awarded to Dr. George L. Hunt, Jr. of the University of California, Irvine, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This data set was created as part of the international investigation of the North Water polynya which was initiated under the Arctic Ocean Sciences Board.
Use Constraints
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the University of California, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. This disclaimer applies both to individual use of the data and aggregate use with ... other data. It is strongly recommended that these data are directly acquired from a University of California server, and not indirectly through other sources which may have changed the data in some way. It is also strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data. The University of California shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein.
Data Set Progress
COMPLETE
Personnel
Role:
INVESTIGATOR
Phone:
949 824-4747
Phone:
949 824-6322
City:
Irvine
Province or State:
CA
Postal Code:
92697
Role:
TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone:
+01-907-4747882
Fax:
+01-907 4746967
Email:
fhuettmann at alaska.edu
Contact Address:
419 Irving I, PO Box 757000
City:
Fairbanks
Province or State:
AK
Postal Code:
99775-7000
Country:
USA
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Email:
alicia.m.aleman at nasa.gov
Contact Address:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Code 610.2
City:
Greenbelt
Province or State:
MD
Postal Code:
20771
Country:
USA
Publications/References
Falk Huettmann; Estimation of Carbon flux to Dovekies (Alle alle) in the North Water Journal of Deep Sea Research, Journal of Deep Sea Research
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2006-01-30
Last DIF Revision Date:
2010-01-26
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