More information is needed about species composition, abundance, or distribution of the microfauna and meiofauna living within the interstitial spaces of the littoral zones along the Beaufort Sea coast. Shorebirds depend on meiofauna for food for pre-migratory fattening and these organisms make important contributions to bioremediation of oil spills.The information obtained from this jointly-funded research can contribute to development of mitigation measures and strategies to reduce potential impacts from post-lease exploration and development. This information need extends to the lower trophic levels forming the base of these complex food webs and the biochemistry that influences these relationships. Their contributions to shore bird foraging, migration, and reproductive biology as well as bioremediation of oil spills has been shown to be important factors in the recovery and cleanup of past oil spill events in Alaska and other regions. Additionally understanding the chemical factors that determine the distribution of these microfauna and meiofauna is necessary. In addition to quantifying invertebrate resources, the study assess whether the resources available to shorebirds are sufficient to prepare the birds for their fall migration. A functional response model is used for this assessment based on the capture rate and handling time modeled against invertebrate abundance.
