​​​The Impacts of Storm Surges on Breeding Waterbirds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska: Past Effects and Future Predicted Impacts

This project will evaluate the potential impacts of climate change to nesting waterbirds by examining both historic responses of nesting waterbirds to storm surges and current habitat associations of nesting waterbirds in the Central Coastal zone of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta). Specifically, long-term datasets describing distribution and nesting data for waterbirds on the Y-K Delta will be used to examine waterbird breeding parameters (i.e., clutch size and nest density) before and after historic storms based on new information from storm surge models​. 

​Project ID: WA2012_22

Lead Investigator: Sarah Saalfeld, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Collaborators: Julian Fischer, USFWS; Thomas Ravens, University of Alaska Anchorage; Stephen Brown, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences

Project Duration: 2012 - 2015

Additionally, to determine potential impacts of future storms, habitat suitability maps for breeding waterbirds will be developed that identify current waterbird breeding habitat and distributions. These maps can then be used with future projected impacts of coastal storm surges under climate change to locate areas at risk and likely refugia.  Combined, results will inform management decisions related to designing and monitoring surveys, regulating both sport and subsistence harvest, conserving endangered species, and preserving at risk habitats. Furthermore, understanding potential impacts of future storms to waterbirds will be valuable to native villagers who depend on this resource for subsistence purposes. ​​

Products

Webinar (February 19, 2014).pptx
File Size:	8286 kb
File Type:	pptx

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Part I Summary: Predicting waterbird nest distributions.docx
File Size:	2080 kb
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