~------:------.,------~------. I I A BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF NUNIVAK ISLAND I JULY 1985 I by I Dean Cramer
I Mary Ade I Karen Bolovan
I October, 1985 I I Key Words: fauna Nunivak Island flora Reindeer I habitat types weather Husk Ox Yukon Delta NWR I
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servive I Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 346 I Bethel Alaska, 99559 I I Data and conclusions presented here are preliminary and are not for 1lication or citation witholf~- P<7.I",m,igsion from the Refuge Manager. FWLB ) ~-.:~ ;~ '., }J~ .:::.··'':, I :1.408 \I I -- .. ~~ ------~----~- - -- I I TABLE OF CONTENTS I I List of Figures ••••. .ii List of Tables .••.••. .. ii I List of Appendicies. .ii Summary . ...•.. ~~~ ••...... iii I Acknowledgements •••• ...... , ...... i v I. Introduction: A. Introduction. .. 1 I B. Study Area •••••. . .1 II. Methods:
A. Birds .••••.•• • ...... 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••• ... 3 I B. Vegetation ••• . 5 c . Mammals ••. • • 5 D. Fish •••• .. 5 E. Weather. •• 5 I III. Results: A. Birds...... • ...... •• 6 B. Vegetation. • • 6 C. Hammals ••• . .••. 6 D. Fish ••••...•••. • •• 6 E. Weather. ••• 6 IV. Discussion: A. Birds. • 9 B. Vegetation. .9 C. Mammals ••• .11 D. Fish .••• . .11 E. Weather. . '· . .12 I VI Literature Cited .. •. 13 I I I ARLIS Alaska Resources· I Libtary & . r~~~~tion Semces I Anc, .. _: '·"'.-:::;·::, -uaska I LIST OF FIGURES
1. Map of Yukon-Delta National \Hldlife Refuge showing I location of Nuni vak Island ...... 2 I 2. Map of Nunivak Island ...... •...... ·.. 4 I LIST OF TABLES I 1. Birds observed on each transect •••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••. 7, I 2. Daily weather data ...... 8 I LIST OF APPENDICIES I A. Bird Species List. I B. Fish Species List. C. Mammal Species List.
I D. Plant Species List.
E. Sample Data Forms: .· I 1. Bird Transect data form. 2. Vegetation Plot data form. 3. Mammal Capture data form. I 4. Fish Capture data form. F. Transect Locations. 1. 1:63,360 USGS ropographic map (Cape aendenhall. D-3) showing I ~ocation of bird census transects 7 and H. ·z. 1:63,360 USGS Topographic map (Nunivak. A6, A7) showing locations of bird census transects ~ thru 13. I 3. 1:63,600 USGS Topographic r:1np (Nunivak A-6, Cape Mendenhall D-6) showing locations of bi-rd census transects 14 thru 17. 4. 1:63,360 US'JS Topographic map (Cape HcnJenhall D-5) showing I location of ~ird census trnnaecr lH. I ~- Lc~~tibns of bird ~~nsus transects. I I ii lax I SUt-!MARY
I In 1985 the Yukon Delta National \Hldlife Refuge ini tated a general biological survey of the flora and fauna on the refuge. Nunivak Island, one of three study areas, was surveyed by a three person crew. To gather this I information, various habitats were sampled for birds, fish; mammals, vegetation, and weather. This report contains data collected during July I 2-25,1985. Nunivak Island lies in the Bering Sea, 32 km off the west coast of Alaska, adjacent to the Yukon-Kuskokwin Delta. In 1980, Nunivak Island was incorporated into the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the largest in I the United States,
Topography varies from sand beaches and dunes in the east to rocky I shores on the north and sheer vertical cliffs along the west. Elevations range from sea level to 500m at Roberts Mountain. Mekoryuk, the only inhabited village on the island, contains about 250 people. The southern I half of the island is a designated Wilderness Area. Work completed in July concentrated in the west and southwest areas I of the island. A total of 755 birds~ comprising 24 species were recorded on 12 bird trans~cts. Waterfowl and shorebirds were predominant.
Nine habitat types were identified: Dry Crowberry Tundra, Alpine I Crowberry Tundra, Barren Boulder Fields, Dune Complexes, Tidal Pools/Backshores, Grass Sedge Hu~ocks, Sedge Meadow Tundra, Riparian Tundra, and Cliff tops. These habitat types are all characterized by low I growth form plants. However, the Riparian Tundra does contain 2m willows, the tallest trees on the island.
Snap trapping yielded only one small mammal, an arc tic shrew during I 700 trap nights. Small mammal populations appear very low at this time. Approximately 15-20 musk ox and 35-50 reindeer were observed, some animals I daily. Spring breakup occurred, later than normal this year, delaying the start of field work, Average high temperature was 10.6C and the average low I was 4. 6C. Wind on the island is continual, averaging 13.8 km/hr. Total rainfall was 11.3 mm, occurring on seven days. I I I I
I iii I I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to thank the NIMA Corporation and all of the villagers on the I island for their help, insight, understanding and friendliness. Special thanks to Norma Brown (SCA volunteer) for nightly radio checks and getting necessary food, mail and equipment for aerial supply drops. Richard Davis, I Tony Amos, and Palmer Olrun also provfded logistical support that was appreciated. Finally, thanks to all the staff of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge for their helping hands, curious smiles, and overall support I during all phases of the project. I I I I I .. I -· I I I I I I I. Introduction. I A. Introduction. During the summer of 1985, th:e Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge (YDNWR), embarked on a general biological inventory of the refuge. This I report describes the inventory techniques used, and results from Nunivak Island. Critiques by other researchers, comments and recomendations of field crews, and quality of data collected will be used to evaluate this I years efforts. This evaluation will help modify the techniques for future inventories. It is the foundation of knowledge on which the YDNWR can build I from future inventories and surveys. The YDNWR, largest in the United States, encompasses 26 million acres of various habitats and associated wildlife species. The general inventory for 1985 concentrated on three study areas: Nunivak Island; the Andreafsky I River basin; and three tributaries of the Kuskokwim River - Eek, Kwethluk, and Kisaralik Rivers. The Nunivak cl.·ew consisted of Dean Cramer, bio-tech USFI.JS, along with Karen Bolovan (Botanist) and Mary Ade, Student I Conservation Association (SCA) volunt~ers.
Breakup and snowmelt in 1985 \vere later than usual. Due to a I shortened field season, and small cretv size, the information to be collected was prioritized for birds and vegetation. Mammal trapping, fish seining, and other related projects were done on a time available basis. Techniques employed were quick and relatively simple to maximize data collection and I minimize effort.
Previous work on the island focused on seabird nesting colonies, I musk-ox and reindeer surveys. Information on other flora and fauna, as to distribution and abundance, is limited. This survey was initiated to gather baseline data on floral and faunal identification, distribution and I abundance. This information \vill be useful in making resource management ..·' decisions and as an index to monitor any changes in abundance or distribution due to environmental or man-made impacts (ie.-oil exploration, grazing, hunting,fishing, etc.).
The crew examined various• habitats on the island and recorded results from various sampling methods for vegetation, birds, mammals, and fish. This report is a summary of the information collected during July 2-25, 1985, and. is a follow up to the report of observations made during June, I 1985 (Cramer, et al., 1985). B. Study Area.
Nunivak Island lies in the Bering Sea 32 km (20 mi.) off the western I coast of Alaska, adjacent to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Figure 1). It was established as a National Wildlife Refu~e in 1929 by Piesident Herbert Hcioi..•et (Arion. ,1972), tn 1980, along with Clarence Rhodes t\1\.JR and Hazen Bay 'I NWR, Nunivak N\vR was incorpornted into the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge in the United Stutes. The main island is 112 km (70 mi.) long by 80 km (50 mi.) wide I totaling about 462,000 hectares (1.1 million acres). The refuge also includes 50 small offshore isLmds ::.nd submerged lands for a total of 1. 5 I million ha. (3.6 million acres). I I ' YUKOI\J DElTA I NATIONAL W~LDLIFE REFUGE I I I I I I I I I
I 5o . 0 c::J::::=t~::~· a- &++ 50 100 150 _;;r.:::~======~======~:=:=; I miles -- I I ••••• p.?.·:;:, I
I Figure 1. Hap of Yi.1i~on Delta National kildlife Refuge I I The coastline varies from sandy beaches with large dunes .in the east and south, rocky shores along the north, and sheer vertical cliffs up to 136m (450 ft.) along the west. Inland is a broad upland plateau ranging !50-250m ( 500-800ft.) above sea level dotted with low mountains, volcanic I craters and broad lava flows. Roberts Hountain is the highest point on the island, reaching over SOOm (1675ft.) (Figure 2).
I Tundra vegetation covers the majority of this treeless island. The tallest vegetation consists of 2m willows lining some of the larger rivers, About 40 rivers and streams drain the uplands into the Bering Sea. Many of I these rivers have created marshes inland and shallm.; bays and lagoons along the coast. I The one permanent settlement is the vi of Mekoryuk on the north-east shore, inhabited by about 250 people. Small seasonal fish camps dot the island and are used during spa,.;rning runs of several different fish I species. The entire i~land is roadless except for a few dirt streets in the Mekoryuk area. The southern half of t:he island is a designated Wilderness I Area (Figure 1).
I II. Methods. A. Birds.
I Bird census transects are lOOm wide and 1800m long. Each plot was traversed by the three person crew, spaced 25m apart. Observations of both presence and productivity of all birds and bird nests were recorded I (Appendix E-1). The middle observer was the recordeJ: for all observations and kept the crew on course with the use of a compass. String run through a belt chain helped to measure distance traveled and in location of birds I along the transect. Birds were identified \vith the aid of lOX binoculars and field guides. Only birds in front of the observers and within the 100 meter boundaries were counted. Counts were restricted to observations no more than 30 meters ahead of the observers to avoid double counts. Transects I were intended to be run perpendicular to rivers, one on each side, at approximately 30m ( lOOf t) eleva,tion .l.ntervals from its headwaters to mouth. Also, 8:00 a.m. '.vas the intended time for doing transects to observe birds I when they are most active. For the purpose of this survey it is assumed that the extended daylight hours of /,l<.!skan summers did not affect bird activities.
I Due to logistical problems we deviated from the intended methods. The rivers on the island dfe too shallow to be navigable with the 17 foot Zodiac i<1e using. Trar::~ects \..rere start~d at various points on the coast and I run ihland. In some ~ases the transe(ta were on a north-south line, however so~e were .done on dif~~ient compass heAdings to sample a particular type of hab:l 1: (ie. tnarshy '~~{ rfowl nestir;g .:1reas behind :md parallel to the I dtih~§ Dn Ehe bd~~tJ,
Transects were also conducted a;.: varying ti:nes Juriag the day due to weather, and travel restr:.1ints c.:>.u·~~d by tide schedules. Early morning I ground fog, very common on tbe islnnd, nlso Jelayed starting times. I .... "
.,~ ' ·, ..., .: N au.s. Fish & Wildlife Service cabin ~v -~ E s Cape Etolin I Hekoryuk '-......
Nash Harbor Cape _ Hohican
Nabangoyak o Rock \
Dooksook X Atahgo Point La~n 1 Robert s/ / Dahloongi:_m{i~ut ~ Mountain Twin Mountain u-;J Lagoon "'-. t;/? C;.tpc Cund.11 ___-' ...... _,..,..,..,-, r~7 ~
1.\angookthlet!t Dunes...... -
Figure 2. Nunivak Island ------I B. Vegetation While the bird census H.:.\S being conducted, vegetation changes were noted to determine habitat types and percentage of area for each of the I types. The field crews selected sample plots along the belt transects used for the bird surveys. The sample plots within each habitat type were selected based on the uniformity of the habitat and the homogeneity of plant I cover within each plot. Braun-Blanquet's Releve analysis (Mueller-Dombois, Ellenberg, 197 Lf) was the method applied for collecting vegetation data (Appendix E-2). Dominant and associated species were recorded along Hi th I physical aspects of the area, including slope, elevation, moisture, and animal disturbance. The vegetation was classified on the basis of a modified Vierick system (Vierick, et al, 1982). The number of releve plots on each transect varied depending on the number of different habitat types I along that transect. I Mammal sample plots were located \vi thin various habitat types. Eacb plot contained 50 museum special snap traps in a 5 X 10 trap grid with 10 I meter spacing between traps. One grid \vas placed near the river (or sea) to sample species related to riparian habitat, and a second grid was placed approximately 500 meters from the riparian area to sample species related to upland habitats. Traps were set for several consecutive nights in each I location.
Trap location, length and \veighr: ivere eecorded for captures (Appendix I E-3). The single specimen was prepared in museum style mount for the refuge collection. I Reindeer and musk-ox sightings v1ere recorded in an effort to identify summer use areas. Fecal pellet samples were collected from both species for the Soil Conservation Service. These pellets will be analyzed at Washington I State University for diet determination. D. Fish.
Fish samples were taken in cooperation with Alaska Fish and Game Department. A variable mesh .monofilimant gill net was set to obtain samples. The net consisted of five r.:esh sizes, 0.5- 2.5 in., each section I 10 feet long and four feet deep. The amount of time for each set varied (Appendix E-4). A- species of tli)ecial interest is the artie grayling. Reports exist for the presence of ~his species on the island, however exact distribution I 1 is not known. Nuni 11'1: :'. is believed to contain the only island population of this species in Al~sk~.
I E. Heather.
!tbnospileric •2:; Plant specimen::~ 1.Vere ::ollt:cted ,.,henever pos:nDit.:, tc add to the Refuge her'::Jarium collectic~ a::~d to :.:o:-,firm s;;ecies identification. C. Hanluals. I A tocal of 700 ~1ts in the Jooksoo~ Lagoon area yielded on.Ly one small ;;;m:c:.nal, <:n arc: ;::ic si1::e•,; This aaim.al \vas caught I on the nig1!: oi 17 .3uly in ::=_ ~vulder Eield 3 lagoon .. P... cici!j8er wer·::. presei"! Dc;::;;.;.sook Lagoon area (Figure 2). Approxi~ate~y whi.La performing bi:cd I census cransects.Ar, atidit:iu:-. .al i1erd ,)f ') \ -I • ?... c.i n and were cor:::•Jn dur.~:-~t; Juiy ~ I (l( 46.3 c:;: (.L.3 i~:) .. ., . ' . . j ... ·.; _-::._ n~ s p~.-: l.~D i3. :s I ·• J... --- ~~ • \. ; .: ·-:: ·...: ·-~ I L I Table l. Species and nu~bers of birdR observed by transect. Species I Transect Number 1 2 I 3 4 5 6 Arctic loon 0 0 Sandhill cra::e 2 l 1 2 0 0 Tundra swan 2 0 0. l I 2 0 Emperor goose 0 0 0 0 3 0 Brant 0 0 0 6 0 0 ., l 0 0 0 Green-winged teal ... 0 I American 1o1igeon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Northern pi~tail 0 2 0 1 0 Greater scau;:> 3 5 11 0 0 I King eide:r 0 0 2 0 () 0 0 Oldsquaw 0 y 4 2 0 2 0 2 6 Semipalmated plover 0 0 Black-bellied plover 1 0 0 0 I 0 1 0 Lesser golden plover 0 0 0 5 2 Red-necked phalarope 0 2 0 0 6 0 14 Black turnstone 1 0 13 I 1 0 Dunlin 0 1 0 0 10 0 Western sandpiper 0 8 0 13 ~0 15 Pectoral sandpiper 43 79 10 107 0 1 I Long-tailed jaegar 0 0 0 0 0 0 Arctic tern 0 0 4 0 0 0 Willow ptarQigan 0 0 0 6 0 1 0 I Savannah sparro~1 1 0 0 0 ·0 5 Lapland longspur 14 3 2 1 11 18 13 9 18 Snow bunting 0 0 0 l 0 I Total Individuals IT7 32 0 88 113 46 l8d Total Species 11 7 I 9 11 10 12 Tim~ Required (min.) 90 I 108 90 l3tl 60 I fo~ .. .Lr~di ·1..:.duc..l3 I ·-- ..! -·. .. I Average ti~e rea.uir~~ .~ur -r "0 ~ ~- ~~ ~ ans~ct = ~ minutas I I 7 I Table 1. Birds observed on each transect. I Species Transect Number I 7 8 9 10 11 12 l3 14 15 16 17 arctic loon 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 I canada goose 0 0 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 2 greater scaup 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 s~-a.cle.d eider (~c:.,,l,. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0 0 0 oldsquaw 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 I sandhill crane 0 0 0 0 0 u 0 0 2 0 0 0 lesser golden plover 0 3 0 0 2 .:. 0 0 0 0 0 0 black-bellied plover 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 I semipalmated plover 0 0 0 .!. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 buff breast sandpiper 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 short billed dowitcher. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 I red-necked phalarope ·O 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 common snipe 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ruddy turnstone 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 ., I dunlin 11 1 1 3 ~~ ..) 0 7 1 6 5 0 western sandpiper 74 lY 20 5 2 7 3 7 57 5 10 9 long-tailed jaegar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 l 0 0 glaucous gull 0 0 0 0 0 IJ 0 u 0 0 0 u I arctic tern 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 J yellow wagtail 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 common redpoll 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 I savannah sparrow 8 3 5 9 12 4 15 y 12 6 22 9 lapland lcngspur 6 13 15 34 14 10 7 17 14 12 11 11 I snow bunting 6 8 3 34 lll 1 13 3 0 0 0 3 .'.., Total Individuals 108 -1 ; 67 87 49 27 4H 57 49 51 I Total Species 7 6 9 7 7 6 6 6 13 5 8 I Time Required (hrs.) 1.3 1,0 1,0 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.7 1.1 1.5 1.0 l.U 1.5 I Total individuals on all transects= 755 I Total species on all transects= 24 Average number of individuals per transect• o~.~ (SD- 28.9) II Average number of species per transect= 7.3 (Sil 2.1) Average time per transect= 1.3 (SD=U.25) I I I I I Table 2. Daily weather data. High Lo1.;r \Vind Wind Precip- Barometric Temp Temp Soeed Direct. I --'---- itation Pressure (C) (C) (km/hr.) (mm.) I 7/4 "j ') 11.7 2.2 ...... SH 0 76.30 7/5 4 /. 10.0 ...... 1.6.0 NE 0 76.30 7/6 9.5 5.6 17,6 E 7 7/7 75.70 I 8.9 5.0 22.1-1 S\.f 4 76.75 7/8 11.1 J.J 16,0 w T 76.80 7/9 n t ., .f "" 5.0 4.8 H T 76. l) DRY CROI.JBEKRY TUNDRA. Common on higher, well drained areas and at I the base o ted by .t' r.ui ticose lichens, Vacclni.um ';.ltis-ida;;::_:!:_ > and _Ledum _d2cumbe.ns . Olit<.?.r associated ;;tJecie:s arc>. Carex bigelo1~ii, l3et:ula nan~l, unci'ra \vithan ocL: inland elc::v:t t: io:1~J, I sum.1~its of buttes!' ~.inl; \.10l ....:i.lnL\..: peaks .. Tht2s~,~ areas arc quite: xeric d.!hl oft·~a h8.v<-::. fL"Ost boil acti\.'ity h11... th up co .50~; b;·1rc g·rotUlll. Slopl.:!:::; cau h;..; ~-~:-~r.:J:-e.nc I I I (up to 40%). Cold •.Yinds and rocky substrates make growth conditions I difficult. Domlnant species are nig:rum, Loiselur Ja procumbe.-:s,Arctost~phylos alpina and r cose lichens. Associated species include Diapcmsia lapponi.G-t, Dry<.~~ oc tape tala, Salix polar is, Lloydia serotina, Phyllodoce coc:r.u~lea, Hi nuartia arctica,-and Car ex I bigelowii. 3) 3ARREN BOULDER FIELD. Occucs on !:op of buttes and on top of slopes I parallel to river banks. Some sitE:!S I.Jere virtually 90% rock, with only erustose lic.hens growing on the rc.cks. Dominant species are Loiseleur ia _procumbens and Er.npe ..~~ nigrurn. Associated species included HJnuartia I arc tica, Llovdia s·:rotina. C I 4) DUJ:m COt1PLEXES. Tbe large I 6) G&:\SS - 5EDGE HUH:-!OCKS. Thi.s type occurs commonly along tundra •• drainages and rivers. These nH~ter h:Lgh hummocks are composed of Calamagrostis canadensis and variom; sedges. As soc I.ated species, gro\.;ing between the hummocks, include A:::£elica lucida , Sedum r.osea, I beauverdiana, Claytonia sarmentosa and Salix pulchra, which has spreading branches be t~''et::n hummoclts, The- tops ·of the hummocks are quite dry • and between tnem the moisture ranges from damp soil to standing or I flo~dng water. These llu::1:nocks are very dU:U.clllt to traverse on foot for long distances. I 7) SEDGE NEADCJ',~ lTXDR:\. Tbi.s is the most common vegetation type oa Nunivak Island. This tundra type typically ilas a thick, continuous sphagnutrr moss layer that main:::ains a very wet condition. Dominant species are Eriophrum angustifoliu~ , Eriophr:·dm and Carex aquatills. I As socUited S[;t~c ies :t.nc ~~ P2JICli:'l-:-aiTs erac.T~, Salix cllam,'lem•:;rus Pctas Ltes irigidus, Cardamlne r :.trens t s•~ sites art.; nto t I , ~ith standin~ wat~r usually preseuc 8) iUPARIAN __ :_~!'i[d:L These ..:.::-;,:,1::; :d.nng tlle cLvc:r,; host Lhe :;n::ate.~ot I plant :.;p(:C:.il!s diver:~~ity. Ill~ l.-i'..1 er-b::tnks consist o[ lt.:sb grntninoiJ gro,vtb including Calamagro:;ti:-3 ::_:~:_~!(:ns.i;.; \ ~t:-;_.l s~.;vcrL!l C:..1re:~ s Otht.:r asso,:iat:t.:d I j_ '. .I I I species include Saxifraga punctata, Valeriana capitata, Tridentalis europaea, Parnassia -~otzebueii, Cerastium beerugianum, Claytonia sarmentosa, Sedum rosea, Caltha. palustris, and Rumex arcticus. Various wet mosses occur. I 'on these riverbanks-, --below the herbac00lit: r. 9) CLIFFTOPS. This typt~ occurs in a lll.lrrovl band along the tops and over the edges of the steep cliffs on the west and south west sides of the I island. Cold prevailing winds nnd frequent rock slides all contribute to stunted grov.'th forms. Common species include Oxytropis nigrescens, Chrysanthe::aurn arctic~, Arte:n,~sia globerulata, Claytonia acutlflora , C. I sarmentosa, Silene acaul Papaver alaskanum, Androsace chamaejasme, D octapetala, and Oxy:ria digyn;-:-- These cliff edges are composed of loose-r""'o'-c-~- I and soil. C. Hc.mmals. I The small mammal trapping only yielded one anima 1. I believe this >vas due mainly to three EactoL·s - low point of cyclic populations, late su~muer causing a delayed b1:'eeding sea!::lon (no juveniles), o.ad high fox numbers. From conversc!tions with people in ~Iekoryuk 'it appears that small I mamillals were in a high cycle t\vo yea!.-s ago, and this year and last year not many have been observed. Since sma.il mammals have cyclic populations wi til resulting crashes, they may currently be recovering from a decline in I numbers and current populations may be very small. Arctic fox and red fox both inhabit tile isL.1nd. Along with numerous observations of both species, scats were very abundant on every bird I transect. This \Wuld indicate high numbers of foxes, and predation on small mammals may be keeping their populations at small numbers. On the mainland red fox typically inhabit the interi\)r areas and arctic fox inhabit the I coastline. This pattern is reversed on Nunival~ \vith red fox on the costal areas and arctic fox on the interior areas. .. I Numbers of musk ox, fox and reindeer appear roue~ higher in the western areas than in the ·~astern areas. This is probably a factor of less human disturbance. The majority of summer fish camps used by natives are located I along the eastern shores and in th•=.! Cnpe t·lendenlJall area) with the later area recieving tbe high(~st Ul:iC on the island. Dur \vork perfonn(~d in June, in the Cape ;·lendentwl.l• area, re:Lndee.r population was estimated at about 50 animals 1 -..;hile in an equal size acea around Dooksook Lagoon we I observed at least 500 anl:n;tls. Rel.ndee.r antlers ;;bed the previous year, an indicator. of animal use, \\'E:rt~ very ·~ommon aldng every transect pet· formed. In the Cape HendenhnL1 arc.:..t t.\vo oc three antlers \ver-e found per tcans~;:ct, I while .in t:he Dooksook area ~~~J t•) 15 :·\ntlers wece fvund on ;aany tr \-Jhile ca::~p.::d :·1t DO•J>,souk Lagovn, dolly vJrJen wt.:rc observc.d sp Weather conditions affect both travel and working time on the island. Each area of the island is quite different and independent of other areas due to varying maritlme influences, Generally north and \vest winds bring colder Arct.ic Ocean temperatures, v1b.ile south and east winds bring warmer I Pacific Ocean and mainland temperatures. The winds also greatly affect tide movements and heights, varying with location on the island. I During the work. in Ducldk.thluk Bay, a north or south wind did not affect the tide heights, while a west wind caused very low tides and delayed I high tide, and an east wind caused very high tides. Temperatures were fairly mild during July (Table J) \ B<)S 1 G. 1967. Range types and their utilization by Husk Ox on Nunivak Island: A reconnaisance study. Unpublished M.S. Thesis. University of I Alaska. Fairbanks, AK. ll3pp. Burt, W. and R. Grossenheider. 1976. A field guide to the mammals. Houghton I Mifflin Co. Bo~;ton, HA. ~89pp. Cramer, D., H. Ade and K. Bolovan. 1985. Biological survey of the Yukon Delta 1:-lwR. Nunivak Island repot·t. June 1985. Unpublished report. U.S. Fish I and Wildlife Service. Bethel, Alaska. Cramer, D. 1985b. Seabird survey ~eport. Unpublished report. U.S. Fish and I Wildlife Service. Bethel, Alaska. Fries, J. 1977. The vascular plants of Nunivak Island. Senior thesis I project. Enviorn. Studies Dept. Middlebury College. Middlebury, VI. 58 pp. Hall, E. and K. Kelson. 1959. The maminals of North America. Ronald Press Co. I NY. Vols I and II. 1038 pp. Hulten, E. lYGB. The flora of Alaska and neighboring territories. Stanford I Univ. Press. Stanford, CA. 1008 pp. Mikol, S. 1980. Field guidelines for using transects to sample non game birJ I populations. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Office Biol. Services Report 80/SS. 26pp. I Morrow, J. 1980. The freshwater fishes of Alaska. Alaska Northwest Publishing Co. Anchorage, AK. 248 pp. Mueller - Dombois, D. and ~I. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and methods of vegetation I ecology. John ~iley and Sons. NY. 547 pp. Palmer', L. and C. Rouse. l~)GJ. ~luskoxCarduelis flammea Savannah sparrow -Passercul ussandwi.chensis Laplan~ longspur Calcarius lapponicus I Snow bunting Plectrophenax nivalis - P. hyperboreus I McKay's bunting I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX B Fish Species List I (Norrow, 1980) I Common Name Scientific Name I Pacific herring s;ulpes harengus I Bering cisco Coregonus laurettae Chum salmon _9norhynchus keta I King salmon .2_. ts ha••Y ts c ha Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus I Dolly varden S. malma I Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus Saffron cod E ilis I Pacific cod Ninespine stickleback I Pacific staghorn sculpin tocottus armatus I Arctic flounder Liopsetta racilis Starry flounder P lat:icht stellatus I Halibut I I I I I I 'I I P..PP!~NDIX C Mammal Species List I (Hall and Kelson, 1959; Burt and Grossenheider, lY76) I I Common Name Sci2ntific i~ame I Arctic shre•.-1 Sore:z arcticus Hink son Arctic fox Alo~ex lagopus Red fox Vul;:;es fulva I \valrus Odojeuus rosmarus California sea lion Zalophus californianus Harbor seal Pboca vitulina I Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus Husk ox Ovioos moscha Reindeer Rangifer tarandus I ilrown lemming Lem::;us trimucronatus Beluga whale · oeiP11Inapterus leucas Pilot 1.;rhale Globicephala melaena I Gray whale Eschrichtius glaucus I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX D I Plant Species List I (Hulten, 196!:l) I Lycopodiaceae (Club Moss Family) Lycopodium alpinium L. annotinium I l:::_ selago Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) Equisetum arv~~ I E. varigatum Aspidiaceae (Shield Fern Family) I Dyopteris dilatata Polystrich~--~ I Juncaginaceae (Arrow Grass Family) Triglochin sp. Poaceae (Grass Family) Alopecuris alpinus ssp. alpinus Calamagrostis canadensis Elymus arenarius I Eriophrum angustifolium E. russeolum Hierochloe pauciflora I Poa arctica Cyperaceae (Sedge Family) Carex aquatilis I C. bigelowii · G:- gmelini C: lyngbyaes I C":"" rariflora Eriophrum vaginatum. I Juncaceae (Rush Family) June us Liliaceae (Lily Family) I Lloydia serotina Iridaceae (Iris Family) I Iris setosa I I I I I Appendix D. Plant Species (cont.) Salicaceae (Willow Family) Salix arctica I S. fuscescens 8." ovalifolia 8-:- planifolia· ssp. pulchra I S":- polaris ssp. pseudopolaris • pulchra I r re.ticulata Betulaceae (Birch Family) Betula nana I Polygonaceae (Buckwheat Family) Oxyria digyna Polygonum viviparum I Rumex arct:i.cus !:_ crispus I Portulacaceae (Purslane Family) Claytonia sarmentosa Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family) I Cerastium beeringianium Honckenya peploides Melandrum apetalum I Minuartia arctics Silene acaulis I Stellaria huruifusa Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot Family) Anemone narcissiflora A":'""rtchardsoni i I Galtha palustris Ranunuclus pallasii I Papaveraceae (Poppy Family) Papaver alaskanum. I Fumariaceae (Earth Smoke Family) Corydalis pauciflorn Cruciferae (Mustard Family) I Cardamine pratensis Cochlearia o£ficinalis I Crassularaceae (Stone Crop Family) . Sedum rosea I I I I Appendix D. Plant Species (cont.) I Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family) Parnassia kotzebuei I P. palustris saxifraga bracteta S. hierac.ifolia I ~ punctata ssp. nelsoniana Rosaceae (Rose Fa01ily) Dryas octopetala I Potentilla anseriana P. egedii P.'" pal us tris I . villosa Rubus chama·emorus Sanguisorba stipulata I Spiraea beauverJrana- Leguminoseae (Pea Family) Lathyrus maritimus I Oxytropis nigrescens Geraniac.eae (Geranium Family) I Geranium erianthum Violaceae (Violet Family) I Viola epipsila ~ langsdorfii Haloragaceae (Water Milfoil Family) I Hippuris vulgaris Umbelliferae (Parsley Family) I Angelica lucida Cornaceae (Dogwood Family) I Cornus suecica Pyrolaceae (Wintergreen Family) I,, Pyrola asarifolia I P. minor Empetraceae (Crowberry Family) I Empetrum nigrum Ericaceae (Heath Family) Arctostaphylos alpina I Andromeda puHfolia I Cassiope sp. I I ' -~;,.~~:~.:~:!~=~~.:~···~~'."..D~'"'!'~!f!'P~r--·-· · · --~··:·~· .....~ .. ., ...... ,-. !~t~"!'"_r~.::.:~~~~!ibf#.~~~~~·r~ ~~-~~~,~~"';:;1~···:.:~~ .. v~~~ I Appendix D, Plant Species (cont.). Ledum decumbens Loiselueria procumbens I Phyllodoce coerulea Vaccinium vitis-idaea I Diapensiaceae (Diapensia Family) Diapensia lapponica Primulaceae (Primrose Family) I Androsace chamaejasme Primula borealis P. cunefolia I P:"" tschuktschorum var. arc tica Trientalis ~opaea I Gentianaceae (Gentian Family) Gentiana glauca I Polemoniaceae (Polemonium Family) Polemonium acutiflorum Boraginaceae (Borage Family) Mertensia maritiana Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family) Lagotis glauca Pedicularis kanei P. Iangsdorfri~ ssp. langsdorf~ii P. oederi i' I . verticillate Valerinaceae (Valerin Family) I Valeriana capitata Campanulaceae (Bluebell Family) I Campanula ~asiocarpa Asteraceae (Composite Family) Achillea borealis I Antennaria monocephala Arnica lessingii Artemisia frigidus I A. globerulata A. tilesii Chrysanthemum arc ticum I Petasites frig P. palmatus senecio resedifolius I Taraxacum sp .. I I I I I I I I I Appendix E-1 I Bird Transect data form I ... I ,· I I I ''· I I I I I BIRD TRANSECT DATA 5-85 I I l.Study Area Code· · FR 6.W~nd Speed .. I 2.Transect Numb~~r ?.WJ.nd Direc'tlon ).Date 8.% Cloud Cover I :I; 9.Te~perature 4.Azimuth .. '-'-- 5. Begin i'ime lO.Observers I Bird tf of # Species Bird Sex Age Behavior J/S, I .~ il - .;;.;;. I ;l I I I I I I I( I I I I I I II I I .....- I 1- I - [ I l I 11 L I ... I _____.._ I . l ~~~:::.:ti!lt-.,:~~~~~-.~.~-~,1~~~~~7~~w-=.:._~.·-.'!;ok"'···""·.,_~-~~~""_~_::-.~~~-~C5:.i~fiW:t~..;.l.:di"'~-~-~~~!:~~!:.E~~:'~~~~~~~~~ BIRD TRANSECT DATA 5-85 I l.Study Area Code 6.Wind. Speed 2.Transect Ilu::n ber F= ?.Wind Direction (' t'J "'.Date l I I I l) • ,-o Cloud Cover .Azi.r:mth I 9 • T·>t ...... , 4,rr>r''ture L).., L"' ; I :S. End Time I I lO.Observers s~ 11.a:ral~~.~------~~Jt-ol~---~~-----~r I 1 ff Species BirO. S~x. Age Dehavior S57tu I !---+------+---+---l-----+------1 SJ/IJ I I 1----r------~----~-----+---~------~ s:H8- 1----+------+---4----~---+------·------I ----+------~-----4-----~-+------1----1------+---- f.--...-·--l---1------~ --4------l!-·-- 1----·---·1----l------l I l-----1------i~--+-·--~---1------~ 11JO ----4------lr----~----·1--·--i------~ ·-1--·---·--- 'ITS(, I ---+------~------l~---~----~·---4------ I ~--+------·---'-----t----t·----->----l~------1 1S9:J. 1', I I -----1-----t------"//00 I J9J" - I I --+------~------1f---·-·+---- 1---4------377) •. 1----1------r---t------t----1----·-----l 3t.08 I --~------l------1----·+---...... -----··-- I ~+------+·------~--___- ___-_l ;~-=-==-~~---_-- ____- __- __-_- ----_ 1~------+ -~---~------I ---l----·------4·---··t-·---~---~------I ---~------·-+---·----~--'----+---- I page 2 .·:~~:'-:'!""!"~~"!.'.l!"''tl.lil!_~~~:-.·.::..:....:.:.:.:~:-~:_:-':!.":!.':'!'-~:?:_:_ .:_-~:;:!~~''1"\\:t:~'l:t:'~~J§!S·~'i'"''"''':.":.~::- I GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS for BIRD FOR.J'f I ITEH 1. Study Area Code - two digit code numbered seouentially (ie. Nunivak 01, I Andreafsky 02, Eek 03, etc.) 2. Transect Number - two digits representing consecutive transects (ie. first transect on Nunivak is 01) 3. Date- enter year, morith, day (ie. June 7,1986 = 860607 ) I 4. Azimuth - three djgit compass bearin~, direction the transect is run 5. Begin Time - enter time based on 24 hour clock 6. Wind Speed - entered in miles per hour I 7. Wind Direction- two alpha character codes (ie. northeast = NE) 8. Percent Cloud'Cover- two digits. If 100% then use 99. 9. Temperature - enter in Fahrenheit I 10. Observers - last name of all observers, ~E. initials. As birds are observed "they must be listed in the table. Bird number is I a sequential numbering system given to i.ndividuals or grou"(ls as thev are observed. Gird number is also drawn on thr~ trnnsect diagram on the right side of the form where the bird or birds were observed. Hhen walking the transect differences in habitat should be noted on the transect diagram. This is to aid the association of birds to vegetation types. .,' When observers reach the end of a transect any changes in v7eather should be noted on page 2 of the form and the End Time recorded. I .... I I I I '· I I I ... I I I I I I- I I I I Appendix E-2 I Vegetation Plot data form I I ·•... I I I I.. I I I I I 5-85 I II .,_.site no .rn-rn-rn I 14.1'wnll I II5.H:lglll I l 9.JecCJl ·~ .. 2tr[1Ju. "t'J. 9.AspectOJ 10.3lopel0 12.. ::levc.tio;1CJI[J_j l~. Photos [JJ-OJ-ITJ I 13.Plot size: 1 10 100 OJ-OJ-CD CD-OJ-CD l------·-·------1 1- 14.General Site Description: ~----~~~~~~~------.----~--~~~~--~------~~over stratification I r-r-r- 15. tree 1-1--f-- ~~~: c~~"._d_0_'p-e-· _c_i_e_s_____ -+c_l_a_s-1s 16. tall shrub 1-r-r- 17. low shrub t-t-- I dwarf ::>hrub 118. ~-52 ----••m• ••••••·------·-----+--~ 19. herbaceous :>- 20. moss 1-'--4------·13 --.------+------( I !:! 21. lichen (fruticose) t:: 22. lichen {crustose) 34- g::J ~======'====:k::b::::b:!'==::;-;-~-;-;:::--:;;~_:;__;------·---·----,------·----+----l - :.,.;over ~ Dorainant ,::Jt)"':• cci ~ e§ C!.ass I u. 35 0\ :t 23 36 ---~·-·-·· - --- ·------·~------1----i 1/\, 24 37 ·. ------1- ·-·------___ ._ ------+-----4 I ~ F2~5======-...::.:~-=-==-.f=;..,.,::;...:;·-'7--:s-=4 __3_0 ____ ·------·------4------l :..:> .;o,rer :. ~ 1 ____....:..;A:.....s_sociated Speci~~ -·----- ~-:la:~s _3_~----- .. ------···-·------+---'-1 u ~ (1) .. I ... 26 40 ~· -~ !-=------,,-·--·-----·-· --- -·------· ---- -· ------4--~~1 > . 27 41 ro -·· __ .__ ------·------·------+----1 I ..;r 28 42 t------... -· -· -- r------.. - -.. -- ·------1-----1 I 2 9 ------·-\-?----- .. -- ...... ----·------+----4 ~3_0 __~------~--_,J44 I '"'0 Site Moisture LlltlU!../HlDffi~J..C ..C::lVl':": 9 Q J.a •1(11. prouu i S.O.. pc"&.••e•r:u:;. AD 'tlatY;"'tlu;cc !5.. - 00 •'1ft ).< l.G- !!Ji.l:!!a."lr ""C:l!.!ktt- •~c ""'-t..:..... ; pi....c. ~ .. 4J. .. c....-t>a.c.<::• <>< ..,.,.,.. •..,. olp ·rt ~~1\ ; ~~<>•uau di.•tv.r:mu•: ll&bt c- I I I •'' I I I I I I I I I I Appendix E-3 I Nammal Capture da;:a fom I I I I I II I II I I . :·.~r;.~~+~·~·:~~ ··~;:·~~t~~,..-··-.;-.~w .. ~~~~f:J"'"n-:-~ _...... ~-:.~~~,...'::'~*Y~._...~,:~.1~'[email protected]~if.·':~~t·~·~r!~~7 .::.,. < ,. ~ ...,. " .. ------H A H H A L S - --·---- AREA: · DATE: TIME: ------LOCATIO:l: HABiTAT: ------·------ .. SPECIES TRAP SEX ,\GE STATUS ~GJ:T I LENGTH l ------+------t------+------r------~~--- -! ~l I I • ·------~-+-----+------+------+-1------t-, ------:------·-i i 1------,_...L------t------+----.l------. I -+------·'' ' I I i I i i : l ------r----·----i-·---.~--- i--1------·:------'------·-· ;------_j I I ------~------1 l . ,-----~ , I ~~~----1 f----~------!----t---t-----r----r------,-----·1 ------r---+-----t------t------~------1------·j t' ~------E ------~--~-:-~:~=~~=:1-:~=:~~~ I -. :.r '------;------+----1------+------+------·--!------j ______, ______, ------,· -----r------r------!.------···------~ "'.--· ... I-··· I. I I I I I I Appendix E-4 I Fish Capture data form I I I I I I I I I I -- 1985 YD::i-Ji\ FISH DATA FOW-1 ,/ '. I LOCATIO~: I DA1E & TIME SET ------DATE & TIME PULLED ------WEATHER CONDITIONS ------SURRO~iDl~G HABITAT ------I FLOH RATE ------SliESi'R.!\TE ------CLARITY ------I DEPTH ------\HDTll ------COXl1WTS ------I I r------~------~--~--~----~------~------~ I I FO!U~ I DEVICE SPECIES :\Gi~ I SEX STATUS LEliCTH COl'IHE.NTS I ; I I I I I ~. r------;------~--~----~----+-----~r------~·l I i : I . I I !' I I I ~ I : 1---t~---:~-----+------i I ...... -----;-l ______;l,... __ ~------1 I ! I I j_l= .... . , i I : I 1 I ______! ' . • \ ----'1:- 1 .. _,,_:·_;··., ·· . .-:: ...... · rL______~! ____ ----- ___ !,__ __, ----'--- _____l ______. ______-__ . _--_- __,· -- . ·:· ... KEY TO FISH DATA fORM Location: study area (Nunivak lsl., Euk Klvcr, etc.), Township Section, 1/4 Section, m:1p name, spt.'t:i fie name (Rainy Creek, Eek Lake, etc.) Date and Time Set: day, month, year, nnd 211 hour time device 'I<'BS set Date and Time Pulled: day, month, yc~r, and 24 hour time de~ice waa pulled Weather Conditions: temperature, precipitation, wind, etc. Surrounding Habitat: general habitat types that char~cterize the area surrounding the body of water sampled (shrub t u n d r a , s p t u c e f o r e !> t , e t c • ) , t y p e n n d d e s c r i p t 1 o n o f aquatic vegetation present F 1 o \¥ R a t e : s 1 ow , :n e d i u 01 , o r f a s t Substrate: mud, sand, gravel, boulders, bedrock Clarity: clear, murky, or opaque Depth: of body of water being sampled (m) Width: of body of water bein~ sampl~d (m) Comments: were all panels used, type of bait used in minnow trap, etc. Device: GN = gill net Mesh Size l-5 smnllest to largest (l,. 1/2" mesh, 2"' 1" mesh, etc.) MT = minno'-" trap Species: be specific as p~ssible Age: A ~ adult J juvenile U • undetermined Sex:· M =male female U = undetermined Status: G = gravid female Fork Length: length [rom snout to tal fork (era) I .···l·' I'· I I I I I I I ~ ... :... ·H;.,. I. ! \. I' I j j I 1' .. '! I .. I I •· I I I I Appendix Fl. 1:63,360 USGS Topopraphic. map (Cape Mendenhall D-3) showing locations of bird census transects 7 and 8. I· I I ..,.~·' I ' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Appendix F2. 1:63 360 USGS Topographic map (Nunivak A-6, A-7) showing locations of bird census transects 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. I I I '}'..t ··--.'_-.'~ 1 I ·'...... I I ·'' I Ap·pendix F3. 1:63,360 USGS Topographic map (Nunivak A-6, Cape Hendenhall D-6) showing locations of bird census transects 14, 15, 16, and 17. I I I II, /"' I I I I I I I i \ I ·-. ::;;. I l_ I + I I I I I Appendix F4. 1:63,360 USGS Topographic map (Cape Mendenhall D-5) showing location of bi~d census transect 18. I I I Appendix G. Locations of bird census transects. I 1: I Transect tl Location Elevation Azimuth I ( USGS Topo Map) (Heters) (Degrees) I 7 NEl/ 4, SWl/4; M; R98W; T4S 8 7.6 360 I 8 SEl/4, NEl/4; S30; R98W; T4Sa 30.5 180 9 SWl/ 4, SEl/4; S24; Rl05v1; Tlsb 7.6 360 I 10 NIH/4, NEl/ 4; 526; R105W; T1Sa,c 30.5 360 I 11 NW1/4, SE1/ 4; S33; R104W; T1Nc 122.0 360 12 SWl/4, NW1/4; S13; R105W; T1Sc 7.6 360 I 13 SEl/4, SW1/4; S12; R105W; ·T1Sc 61.0 180 14 NiH/ 4, SEl/ 4; 812; Rl04W; T2Sb 7.6 360 I 15 NW1/4, NW1/4; S20; Rl03W; T2Sd 7.6 110 16 SE1/4, NE1/4; S24; R104W; T2Sb, d 12.2 360 I ., 17 SW1/4, NIH/ 4; S24; Rl04W; T2Sb,d 22.9 360 •' I 18 SE!/4, NIH/ 4; S10; R102W; T3Se 7.6 360 .J.'.. a Cape l>1endenha1l 03 I b Nunivak A6 c Nunivak A7 d Cape Mendenhall D6 I e Cape mendenhall 05 ~ I ~ I I I ·'' I