| MMS ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ONGOING STUDIES | ||||||
| MMS OCS Region: | Alaska | |||||
| Title: | Polar Bear Den Survey Workshop (AK-98-07) | |||||
| Total Cost: | $57,000 | Period of Performance: | FY 1999-2002 | |||
| Conducting Organization: | USGS, Biological Resources Division | |||||
| MMS Contact: | ||||||
| Description: | ||||||
| Background | ||||||
| Two stocks of polar bear inhabit the Arctic OCS region. The Beaufort stock is shared with Canada and dens partly in the eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea. Remote sensing of polar bear dens might be more reliable and safer than ground surveys. Aerial denning surveys would provide a measure of reproductive effort and success, and an index to population trends. Such surveys in prospective exploration areas could provide information for avoiding site-specific effects. A scientifically valid estimate of the Chukchi/Bering Sea population size is not currently available and current information on the population dynamics of the polar bear population is incomplete. The USGS-BRD, USFWS, and Russian scientists have conducted previous surveys of polar bear dens. Past survey efforts have been complicated by inconsistencies in survey methodologies, timing, and location and by the large variation in den estimates. This study is a multiple phase effort. Part of the first phase is to field test Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) technology. The next part of the phase is to conduct a workshop to evaluate the field results. Because of several poor field seasons field tests were only just recently completed. | ||||||
| Objectives | ||||||
| The goal is to reliably identify subnivean polar bear dens along the North Slope of Alaska. | ||||||
| Methods | ||||||
| Phase I of this study is to test and evaluate FLIR technology for conducting effective polar bear den surveys. The evaluation will take place at a workshop in Anchorage where participants would score FLIR aerial videography (recorded during January denning) and discuss the applicability of remote sensing methods and equipment for identifying polar bear dens. The workshop would also summarize existing information on polar bear den distribution and habitat features. The proceedings of this workshop and an evaluation of the success of the FLIR technology for detecting polar bear dens will be published as an interim report. Depending on the success of Phase 1, Phase II will further develop (and possibly purchase) appropriate remote sensing technology and design a repeatable survey protocol for surveying polar bear dens. Working cooperatively with the Fish and Wildlife Service, the protocol will then be used the following winter to catalog polar bear denning sites, correlating them with denning habitat features and ambient observational conditions in the eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea. The final report will include the revised final protocol and appropriate analyses of survey results. | ||||||
| Importance to MMS | ||||||
| During the environmental review for Lease Sale 170 and the Warthog exploration plan, public concern was expressed regarding the environmental sensitivity of the eastern Alaskan Beaufort Sea and the lack of comprehensive biological baseline information. Information from the den surveys will be useful in decisions regarding mitigation measures. Population-dynamics information will be useful in assessing the effects of development, including habitat alteration, modification, and potential spills on the polar bears of this region. The Chukchi/Bering stock of polar bears is a shared population between the U.S. and Russia. In Russia most denning occurs on Wrangel Island, Herald Island, and the Chukotka Peninsula. Technology developed in this study would permit future joint U.S.-Russia den surveys of the Chukchi/Bering Sea population, developing valid statistical estimates of population status and trends. | ||||||
| Current Status: | ||||||
| USGS-BRD funded field-testing of FLIR. These tests were successful and planning is continuing for the workshop, "Workshop to Evaluate Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) Imagery as a Tool for Finding Polar Bear Maternal Dens". Once analysis is completed, a final meeting will be held to review results and discuss possibilities for broader application of FLIR technology. This meeting is expected to take place toward the end of FY 2002. | ||||||
| Final Report Due: | Phase I Workshop Report: June 2001 | |||||
| Publications: | ||||||
| Affiliated WWW Sites: | Detection
of denning polar bears with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery Mammals and Sea Turtles Observations from GOM- NMFS Cruises (1998 - 2001) (GM-98-X11) |
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| Revised date: | March 2002 | |||||
| ESPIS |
ESPIS - All completed
ESP Studies: |
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