Sea Otter Survey Data, Carcass Recovery Data, and Blood Chemistry Data from Southwest Alaska
Dates
Publication Date
2021-03-22
Start Date
1959
End Date
2015
Citation
Kenner, M.C., Kloecker, K.A., Tinker, M.T., Esslinger, G.G., Monson, D.H., Murray, M.J., Bodkin, J.L., Estes, J.A., and Young, M., 2021, Sea otter survey data, carcass recovery data, and blood chemistry data from southwest Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9CZXVMQ.
Summary
Three data sets are included here to aid in assessment of the sea otter population collapse in southwest Alaska. One data set consists of results of sea otter surveys conducted between 1959 and 2015 at Bering Island, Russia and a selection of western Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Sea otter counts are reduced to a comparable value of otters per linear kilometer. Another data set consists per-capita and per kilometer recovery rates of stranded sea otter carcasses from locations ranging from Bering Island, Russia, several Aleutian Islands, sites along the Alaska Peninsula, and Prince William Sound, Alaska. These data are mainly from the period 1991-2009 and are from stable populations as well as those in decline or post decline. The third [...]
Summary
Three data sets are included here to aid in assessment of the sea otter population collapse in southwest Alaska. One data set consists of results of sea otter surveys conducted between 1959 and 2015 at Bering Island, Russia and a selection of western Aleutian Islands in Alaska. Sea otter counts are reduced to a comparable value of otters per linear kilometer. Another data set consists per-capita and per kilometer recovery rates of stranded sea otter carcasses from locations ranging from Bering Island, Russia, several Aleutian Islands, sites along the Alaska Peninsula, and Prince William Sound, Alaska. These data are mainly from the period 1991-2009 and are from stable populations as well as those in decline or post decline. The third data set consists of blood chemistry and hematology of sea otters captured from along this same north Pacific region from 2004-2012. This data set can be used to help assess sea otter health in this region.
These data support the following publication:
Tinker, M.T., Bodkin, J.L., Bowen, L., Ballachey, B., Bentall, G., Burdin, A., Coletti, H., Esslinger, G., Hatfield, B.B., Kenner, M.C., Kloecker, K., Konar, B., Miles, A.K., Monson, D.H., Murray, M.J., Weitzman, B., and Estes, J.A., 2021, Sea otter population collapse in southwest Alaska: assessing ecological covariates, consequences, and causal factors: Ecological Monographs, https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1472.
The authors of these data require that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display 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. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Purpose
The data can be used to help evaluate the possible relationship between sea otter health and the population declines as well as other general questions about wild sea otter health parameters.
