Sea Otter Spraint Data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound
Dates
Publication Date
2022-07-14
Start Date
1997
End Date
2023
Last Revision
2024-08-29
Citation
U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Science Center, National Park Service - Southwest Alaska Inventory and Monitoring Network, University of Alaska Fairbanks - College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 2022. Sea otter spraint data from Kachemak Bay, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Prince William Sound (ver 4.0, August 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9EDM6NL.
Summary
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program. This dataset consists of observations of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) fecal samples (spraint). Observers examined fresh spraint piles to identify major prey classes in the samples and to determine sea otter diets in the Gulf of Alaska region. Version History: First release: July 2022 Revised: March 2023 (ver. 2.0) Revised: November 2023 (ver. 3.0) Revised: August 2024 (ver. 4.0)
Summary
These data are part of the Gulf Watch Alaska (GWA) long-term monitoring program. This dataset consists of observations of sea otter (Enhydra lutris) fecal samples (spraint). Observers examined fresh spraint piles to identify major prey classes in the samples and to determine sea otter diets in the Gulf of Alaska region.
Version History:
First release: July 2022
Revised: March 2023 (ver. 2.0)
Revised: November 2023 (ver. 3.0)
Revised: August 2024 (ver. 4.0)
Traiger, S.B, Bodkin, J.L., Coletti, H.A., Ballachey, B., Dean, T., Esler, D., Iken, K., Konar, B., Lindeberg, M.R., Monson, D., Robinson, B., Suryan, R.M., Weitzman, B.P., 2022. Evidence of increased mussel abundance related to the Pacific marine heatwave and sea star wasting. Marine Ecology e12715. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12715
The purpose of this dataset is to allow comparisons of sea otter spraint data metrics across time and geographic location. Metrics include: predominance and presence/absence of major prey categories. Comparisons also include metrics from one location over time or from one time across locations. Sampling was conducted within regions of Alaska including: Kachemak Bay (KBAY), Kenai Peninsula (KEP; Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ)), Alaska Peninsula (AKP; Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM)), and Prince William Sound (PWS; northern [NPWS] and western Prince William Sound).
