Current Research
{ Introduction | Bedrock geology | Glacier studies | Oceanography and hydrology | Successional ecology | Forest, wetland and freshwater ecology | population status and ecology of key species | Anthropology | Sociology | The National Biological Service Field Station at Glacier Bay | The impact of fisheries on park ecosystems | Long-Term Monitoring | The ecology of small schooling fishes and their principal predators | National Biological Service and U.S. Geological Survey cooperative research }
Introduction
Scientific interest in the Glacier Bay region can be traced back at least to 1794, when Archibald Menzies of the Vancouver expedition collected plants along Icy Strait, but it was the great observer and essayist John Muir who first systematically chronicled the story of glacier recession and subsequent biotic recolonization that has come to be recognized as the core significance of the region to science. By 1890, cruise ships were visiting Muir's namesake glacier, disembarking scientists to stay at his cabin, and beginning the systematic studies that have continued to the present.
An eclectic group of America's best natural scientists visited Glacier Bay on the Harriman expedition in 1899. Not only did their voluminous and influential writings solidify the Bay's reputation as a laboratory of the first rank, but one among them — geologist Lawrence Martin — was instrumental in alerting the young ecologist William S. Cooper from the University of Minnesota to the research opportunities in the Bay. Thus, setting in motion a course of events that would lead to a classic series of plant successional studies, and to the establishment of upper Glacier Bay as a National Monument in 1925.
Cooper's first visit to the Bay in 1916 convinced him to focus his life's
work there, and to begin a political process for the area's protection
through the Ecological Society of America (ESA). In its presentation to
Congress, the ESA outlined four outstanding scientific values of the area:
tidewater glaciers and associated geological phenomena; the unfolding story
of post-glacial biotic succession; abundant fossil forests giving clues
to past vegetation cycles; and the well-documented history (with its associated
chronicle of glacial recession).
By 1939, increasing interest in the Glacier Bay region as a nature reserve resulted in the National Monument's expansion to include the lower Bay plus vast areas bordering Icy Strait and the Gulf of Alaska. Though studies continued to focus on the cardinal features described above, by the 1960's they were being broadened to include oceanography, bedrock geology and fisheries-related topics. Interdisciplinary studies were carried out by the National Park Service (NPS) and the Ohio State University Institute of Polar Studies, partly in response to potential large-scale mining in Monument lands along the Gulf of Alaska coast.
Concern for the endangered humpback whale in the late 1970s in the former
National Monument (now designated Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve)
initiated a shift in NPS attention from terrestrial to marine problems,
a trend which was accelerated by persistent resurgence of the issue of
commercial fishing in the park. By the time of the National Biological
Service field station's establishment in Glacier Bay in 1993, the marine
environment had become the principal focus of park management.
Industrial-scale clearcut logging in the eastern Icy Strait vicinity during recent decades has prompted management-related studies across a broad spectrum of disciplines, especially on Tongass National Forest lands on Chichagof Island. Putting aside surveys done by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in preparation for specific timber sales (which are not treated here), research conducted in the Glacier Bay region can for the most part be subsumed under eight broad headings, discussed below.
Bedrock geology
Bedrock Geology, including structural and historical geology, and mineral surveys. Most work has been done by the US Geological Survey (USGS), beginning with major bedrock mapping and mineral survey efforts in the 1950s and 1960s. Work has broadened to include seismology, gravimetry and regional structural patterns, especially in the recent two decades.
Current research
Patterns in Regional Structural Geology. D. A. Brew. USGS, Menlo Park, California
Detailed Geologic Mapping on Chichagof Island. S. Carl. USGS, Anchorage, Alaska.
Patterns of Cordillera Seismicity. R. Horner. Geological Survey of Canada, Sidney, British Columbia.
Paleoseismicity of Northern Southeast Alaska. Motyka, R. Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Historical Geology of the Alexander Terrane. C. Soja. Radcliffe University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Glacier studies 
Glacier Studies, including dynamics, history and glacial landform genesis. Many excellent studies, notably those carried out by the Institute of Polar Studies in Muir Inlet, have capitalized on Glacier Bay's world-class glacial deposits to provide a detailed post-Pleistocene history for the bay and give details on modes and rates of ice wastage features. A group of studies begun prior to 1980 by the University of Alaska has extended attention to submarine landforms. In recent times, major emphasis has been added on genesis of submarine glacial and other sedimentary deposits.
Current research
Characterization of Submarine Sedimentation Rates and Patterns in Association with Retreating Glacier Terminus History. J. Cai and R. Powell, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
Mapping Submarine Morphology and Sediment Character as a Descriptor of Benthic Habitat. P. Carlson and T. Bruns, USGS, Menlo Park, California; P. Hooge and J. Taggart, NBS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Holocene Glacier Fluctuations in Muir and Tarr Inlets. D. Lawson S. Bigel and L. Hunter, Cold Regions Research and Engineering lab. (CCREL), Hanover, New Hampshire.
Relationship of Periglacial Sediment Flux and Fjord Hydrography to Behavior of Glacier Termini. D. Lawson, CCREL; E. Cowan, Appalachian State University, R. Powell, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
The Role of Ice-Marginal Processes in Glacier Dynamics. D. Lawson and L. Hunter, CCREL; E. Evenson, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Patterns of Ice Retreat and Landform Genesis in the Wachusett Inlet Area. D. Mickleson and K. Syverson, University of Wisconsin, Madison and EuClaire, Wisconsin.
Oceanography and hydrology
Oceanography and Hydrology, including investigations of chemistry, water mass movements and plankton dynamics. Early cursory work by Picard was elaborated in a series of studies carried out by the University of Alaska, notably by Matthews, Wright and Sharma in the 1960's and 70's. In recent years, systematic oceanographic and hydrologic monitoring has been begun by the NBS and NPS.
Current research
Trends in Oceanographic Parameters at Glacier Bay. P. Hooge, NBS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Monitoring Water Flow, Chemistry and Sediment Characteristics of the Alsek River. N. Deshu, NPS, Anchorage, Alaska.
Successional ecology
Successional Ecology, including studies of intertidal/marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These studies began with the classic terrestrial ones of Cooper, notably continued by Lawrence, Worley and Reiners; they have been extended into recent times by Fastie, Chapin and others. In recent decades, successional studies have been extended into aquatic systems (notably by Milner, Engstrom, Kondzella and collaborators from several institutions), the intertidal (by Mueller and Sharman of the University of Alaska) and the subtidal (by Oliver and others of Moss Landing). Early soils work along the chronosequence by Crocker and Major has been followed up by Ugolini and more recently by Bormann and Hobbie.
Current research
Aquatic
The Role of Ultraviolet Light Attenuation and Nutrient Inputs in Structuring Successional Plankton Communities in Glacier Bay Lakes. O. Olson. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Colonization of Glacier Bay Streams by Biotic Communities. A. Milner and E. Adamson, University of Birmingham, England. Paleololimnology of Lacustrine Watersheds on Pleasant Island. S. Fritz, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; D. Engstrom, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Development of Genetic Markers for Coho Salmon. L. Thorsteinson, NBS, Anchorage Alaska.
Genetic Strategies of Post-Glacial Colonization of Glacier Bay NP. C. Kondzella, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Juneau, Alaska.
Terrestrial
Site-specific Factors Influencing the Development of Forest Communities along a Glacier Bay Chronosequence. C. Fastie, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Monitoring of a Bark Beetle Irruption in Successional Sitka Spruce Forests of Lower Glacier Bay. R. Mask and A Eglitis, USFS, Juneau Alaska; M. Noble, U. Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; R. Carstensen, Juneau, Alaska.
Marine
Physical Environmental Influences on the Structure of Vertical Wall Subtidal Communities in Glacier Bay. J. Oliver, Moss Landing Marine Labs, Moss Landing, California.
Distribution of Demersal Fishes along a Glacier Bay Marine Chronosequence
P. Hooge, J. Taggart. NBS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Forest, wetland, and freshwater ecology
Forest, Wetland and Freshwater Ecology, notably studies of old-growth forest and high-value wetland structure or disturbance regimes related thereto. Also including a considerable body of interdisciplinary work, mostly carried out in recent years by the USFS under the rubric of "watershed analysis". This work has primarily been done by the Forest Service related to effects of logging and road construction on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Alaback and Hanley from that agency have been principal contributors. Most work has focused on selected drainages on Chichagof Island.
Current research
Evolving Refinements in Remote Sensing Techniques for Estimating Timber Volumes. P. Alaback, Montana State University, Missoula, Montana; M. Kirchhoff, Alaska. Department. of Fish and Game, Juneau Alaska.
Chemical, Physical and Biological Attributes of Calcareous Fens of Southeast Alaska. T. Brock, USFS, Juneau, Alaska.
Population status and ecology of key species, notably those intensively harvested, being considered for removal from harvest regimes, being actually or potentially impacted by visitor activities, and/or recently or presently declining in some portion of their range. The NPS and NBS have during the last three decades compiled reasonably detailed ecological sketches of various species, either within the Park or on a regional basis. Primary emphasis has been on marine or shore-related species, since most concern has focused on these habitats; especially in the present decade, major emphasis has been placed on commercially fished crab and halibut.
Outside the Park, major emphasis has been focused by the USFS and Alaska Department of Fish and Game on major forest species considered susceptible to logging impacts.
Current research
Marine
Distribution and Life History of Humpback Whales in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. C. Gabriele, NPS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska; J. Straley, Sitka, Alaska.
Distribution and Life History of Killer Whales in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. D. Matkin, Gustavus, Alaska.
Distribution and Abundance of Harbor Porpoises in Glacier Bay, Icy Strait and the Outer Coast. M. Dahlheim. NMFS, Seattle, Washington.
Pinniped Population Monitoring and Assessment of Vessel-related Impacts in Glacier Bay. E. Matthews, NPS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
At-sea Bird/Mammal Surveys in Glacier Bay, Icy Strait and the Outer Coast. J. Lindell, USFWS, Juneau, Alaska.
Sea Otter Diving Behavior and Effects on Invertebrate Prey Species in Icy Strait, Dundas Bay and Glacier Bay. J. Bodkin, NBS, Anchorage, Alaska.
Productivity, Feeding Ecology and Population Characteristics of Black-Legged Kittiwakes In Glacier Bay NPP. E. Ross-Hooge, NBS and R. Yerxa, NPS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Marbled Murrelet Distribution and Abundance in Glacier Bay NPP. J. Piatt. NBS, Anchorage, Alaska.
Baseline Dungeness Crab Population Characteristics in Areas In and Near Glacier Bay to Gauge Effects of Proposed Commercial Fisheries Closures. T. Shirley, University of Alaska, Juneau Alaska; E. Leder, University of Alaska, Fairbanks Alaska.; C. O'Clair, NMFS, Juneau Alaska; J. Taggart, NBS, glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Ecological Implications of Halibut Fishing In Glacier Bay National Park. P. Hooge, NBS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Baseline Pre-impact Inventory of Glacier Bay NPP Shore Resources. L. Sharman, NPS, Glacier Bay NPP, Alaska.
Aquatic
Salmon Escapement Surveys. A. McGregor. Alaska Department Fish and Game, Juneau, Alaska.
Terrestrial
Black-tailed Deer Abundance Surveys in SE Alaska. M. Kirchhoff, Alaska. Department. of Fish and Game, Juneau, Alaska.
Population Ecology of Martens on NE Chichagof Island. R. Flynn, Alaska. Department. of Fish and Game, Juneau, Alaska.
Distribution, Abundance and Habitat Use by Brown Bears on Northeast Chichagof Island. K. Titus and L. Beier, Alaska. Department. of Fish and Game, Juneau, Alaska.
Anthropology
Anthropology, primarily relating to general site surveys and ethnography.
Site surveys have been carried out by the USPS and USFS. A major archaeological/geomorphological reconnaissance of the park's southern periphery was recently completed. Major excavations were done of sites in Dundas Bay by the Park Service and at Point Couverden by Ackerman of Western Washington University. Efforts are continuing by the University of Alaska and the Alaska Native Foundation to record the nomenclature and oral history of the Hoonah Tlingit.
Current research
Tlingit Place Names in the Glacier Bay Area. T. Thornton, University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska.
The Early History of the Tlingit People. E. Morrison and J. Payne, Alaska Native Foundation, Anchorage, Alaska; Lily White, Hoonah, Alaska.
Ethnographic Study of Past and Present Relationships of the Hoonah Tlingit to Glacier Bay. D. Theodoratus. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Contemporary Human Use and Behavior of Fishers in Glacier Bay. S. Langdon. University of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska.
Sociology
Sociology, primarily visitor and economic surveys. In recent years, the Park Service has commissioned several surveys of visitor use and preferences. Subsistence profiles of communities in the region have been completed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Economic profiles of the communities of Hoonah and Pelican have been done in conjunction with coastal zone planning.
Current research
none
For further details on past and present research in the Glacier Bay region see:
the bibliography in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Tongass Land Management Plan (1996),
the Glacier Bay Bibliography, available through the US Park Service, proceedings of the 1983, 1988 and 1993 Glacier Bay Science Symposia, and
the Current Research Profile for the Glacier Bay Region prepared by the Glacier Bay Ecosystem Initiative. {link to Current Profile}
The National Biological Service Field Station at Glacier Bay
In 1991, marine resource issues prompted the NPS to hire a marine ecologist to be stationed at the Bartlett Cove headquarters of Glacier Bay NPP to develop a research division. In 1993, this fledgling division was transferred to the newly-created National Biological Service (NBS) as a Field Station, under the supervision of the Alaska Science Center, Anchorage. The division is now led by two full-time scientists, Drs. Jim Taggart and Phillip Hooge, with a staff of about six technicians and office personnel.
The NBS Field Station functions as an independent research facility primarily responsive to park management needs, but is mandated to consider needs of additional client groups, including other Department of Interior agencies, agencies from other federal departments, state agencies and private entities. A number of current projects involve NBS Field Station personnel in cooperative research with off-site NBS scientists as well as other scientists from the National Marine Fisheries Service, the US Geological Survey, University of Alaska and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The field station research strategy is to initiate specific studies which focus on management information needs. These studies are progressively linked to additional research in an effort to develop broad ecological understandings. The long-term objectives of the research is to establish information baselines and elucidate natural dynamism in marine ecosystems. The National Biological Service has also been mindful of choosing projects with spin-off utility to other agencies and entities within the Glacier Bay region. Current NBS research is driven by four groups of concerns which are described below.
The impact of fisheries on park ecosystems
Commercial and guided sport fisheries in park waters remove in excess of a million pounds of biomass per year, for the most part from populations high in the food web. The NPS has long considered reducing or eliminating commercial fishing within park waters. Much recent discussion has centered around the concept of a marine reserves. Research designed to define the ecology of key exploited species and to set population baselines prior to anticipated fisheries policy changes, possibly including such reserves, is the major NBS emphasis at present.
Current projects
The Impact of Fisheries on Halibut Stocks in and Near Glacier Bay.
A half million pounds of this top carnivore are taken annually from park waters by commercial and guided sport fishers. Though there has been much research by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and others, very little is known about this species' individual home ranges or site fidelity, questions at the basis of appropriate protected area design. Thus, research at Glacier Bay is centered on these questions and on the ecology of Glacier Bay's particular stock.
Ongoing studies are comprised of three principal parts:
Food Habit Analysis, morphometry and reproductive condition of halibut caught in the fishery via sampling of the catch,
Home ranges; between-season and between-year site fidelity via tracking of sonic-tagged fish, and
Population density and long-range movements via mark-recapture techniques
Multi-agency Dungeness Crab Studies
This cooperative research aims to portray in detail the population characteristics of selected Dungeness crab populations under the present intensively fished conditions, as a precursor to comparisons between fished and unfished populations should fisheries management change in certain areas. Methods include a combination of direct observation via diving and sampling via pots and ring nets.
Long-term monitoring
Recent glacier recession and other physical factors induce a great deal of natural dynamism in Glacier Bay NPPs marine ecosystems. Documenting and understanding the factors driving this dynamism are central to evaluating the potential for human impacts. With this in mind, NBS plans to initiate a series of studies designed to periodically document the status and distribution of various physical processes and populations, with particular emphasis on Glacier Bay proper.
Current projects
Oceanographic monitoring.
Since 1992, oceanographic data has been gathered in the course of many projects, and from established sampling localities at prescribed intervals throughout Glacier Bay.
Distribution and abundance of demersal fishes along the Glacier Bay Marine Chronosequence.
Systematic longlining has been done at test localities from the mouth to upper Glacier Bay. These will be repeated on a periodic basis to document the shift of fish populations into upper Glacier Bay as benthic habitats mature.
Distribution and abundance of crabs along the Glacier Bay Marine Chronosequence.
Initial testing of methods is underway for a dive, pot and ring net survey of Dungeness, tanner and king crabs along the Glacier Bay chronosequence. These will be repeated on a periodic basis to document the shift of crab populations into the upper Bay as benthic habitats mature.
The ecology of small schooling fishes and their principal predators
Small schooling fishes — notably capelin, sandlance, herring, juvenile cods and juvenile salmon — are important prey for numerous species, many of which are commercially exploited or otherwise susceptible to human impact. Studies have begun on the black-legged kittiwake.
Current projects
Population fluctuations, feeding ecology and reproductive success of Kittiwakes in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
This species, which has relatively straightforward relationship to the small schooling fish food source, is quite amenable to study. Kittiwakes, whose populations have recently experienced declines along the Pacific Rim, were chosen for initial study. To this point, research emphasis has been on population parameters.
National Biological Service and U.S. Geological Survey cooperative research
The National Biological Service and Geological Survey are in the process of merging. Thus merger provides an opportunity for close cooperation on interdisciplinary research combining aspects of marine ecology and the physical environment. A pilot project combining USGS underwater sensing technology and interpretation with NBS ecological expertise and logistic capability has begun.
Current projects
Benthic habitat mapping
Systematic mapping of substrate and bathymetric characteristics of the Glacier Bay sea floor was begun using USGS side-scanning sonar and bottom profiling technology. Evidence of changes over time as reflected in the underlying stratigraphy will be interpreted by USGS personnel. NBS personnel will use these data to map benthic habitats with particular reference to halibut and crab.
