Lead Institution(s): US Fish and Wildlife Service
Collaborator(s): Jason Schamber (USGS), Dan Esler (SFU), Dan Rosenberg (ADFG), Paul Flint (USGS), Bob Stehn (USFWS), John Pearce (USGS), Lee Ann Anyres (USFWS), Sean Boyd (CWS), Fred Broerman (USFWS), Paul Liedberg (USFWS), Daryle Lons (USFWS), Tina Moran (USFWS), Bob Platte (USFWS), Diane Sanzone (NPS), Kristine Sowl (USFWS), Ken Richardson (USFWS), Paul Anderson (USFWS), Sandy Talbot (USGS), Denny Zwiefelhofer (USFWS)
Focal Species: Black Scoter (Melanitta americana)
Project Description: Numbers of Pacific Black Scoters appear to have declined, although survey data are imprecise and hinder detailed analyses of population trend. Little is known about the biology of Black Scoters, including delineation of subpopulations and links among annual cycle stages. This study integrates three elements (population surveys, satellite telemetry, and genetics) into a multi-pronged approach to determine population status and trends and provide the information necessary to make scientifically sound management decisions. These elements are complementary and benefit from being conducted simultaneously. Objectives include 1) Provide precise annual estimates of the size of the Pacific breeding population that will serve as a long-term monitoring tool. 2) Estimate observer detection rates. 3) Identify breeding, molting and wintering locations used by black scoters across the annual cycle. 4) Use mtDNA sequence data to infer levels of site fidelity by testing for genetic differentiation among breeding and among wintering areas, and 5) Assess timing of movements in relation to population surveys and subsistence harvest.
SDJV38 Interim Report FY04
SDJV38 Interim Report FY05
SDJV38 Interim Report FY06
SDJV38 Final Report FY07
Related Publications
Bowman, T.D., S.G. Gilliland, J.L. Schamber, P.L. Flint, D. Esler, W.S. Boyd, D.H. Rosenberg, J-P.L. Savard, M.C. Perry, and J.E. Osenkowski. 2021. Strong evidence for two disjunct populations of Black Scoters (Melanitta americana) in North America. Wildfowl 71:179-192. https://wildfowl.wwt.org.uk/index.php/wildfowl/article/view/2759/0
Bianchini, K., S.G. Gilliland, A.M. Berlin, T.D. Bowman, W.S. Boyd, S.E.W. De La Cruz, D. Esler, J.R. Evenson, P.L. Flint, K. Kenow, C. Lepage, P.H. Loring, S.R. McWilliams, D.E. Meattey, J.E. Osenkowski, M.C. Perry, J-F. Poulin, E. Reed, C. Roy, J-P.L. Savard, L. Savoy, J.L. Schamber, C.S. Spiegel, J. Takekawa, D.H. Ward, and M.L. Mallory. 2023. Continental scoter breeding chronology and distribution. Wildlife Biology. https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01099
Lamb, J.S., C. Cooper-Mullin, S.G. Gilliland, A.M. Berlin, T.D. Bowman, W.S. Boyd, S.E.W. De La Cruz, D. Esler, J.R. Evenson, P.L. Flint, C. Lepage, J.E. Osenkowski, P.W.C. Paton, M.C. Perry, D. Rosenberg, J-P.L. Savard, L. Savoy, J. Schamber, C.S. Spiegel, D.H. Ward, J.Y. Takekawa, and S.R. McWilliams. 2024. Evaluating conservation units using network analysis: A sea duck case study. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2648
