The Natural History of an Arctic Oil Field: Development and the Biota

by Joe C. Truett (Editor), Stephen R. Johnson (Editor)

Overview

In spite of the harsh conditions that characterize the Arctic, it is a surprisingly fragile ecosystem. The exploration for oil in the Arctic over the past 30 years has had profound effects on the plants and animals that inhabit this frozen clime. The Natural History of an Arctic Oil Field synthesizes decades of research on these myriad impacts. Specialists with years of field experience have contributed to this volume to create the first widely available synopsis of the ecology and wildlife biology of animals and plants living in close association with an actively producing oil field.

• First widely available synthesis of arctic oil field ecology and wildlife biology
• Concise yet readable treatment of a diverse polar ecosystem
• Useful for land managers, policy makers as well as ecologists, and population biologists
• Chapters authored by recognized authorities and contributions are peer-reviewed for accuracy and scientific rigor
• Illustrations attractively designed to enhance comprehension

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080512419
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	06/09/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	422
File size:	13 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Dr. Truett has worked much of the last 25 years conducting and managing research programs related to the response of arctic wildlife and habitats to industrial development. During much of this time he worked as senior biologist with LGL Ecological Research Associates and, later, as owner of Truett Research. Currently he is senior biologist with the Turner Endangered Species Fund. He has published numerous articles related to his arctic work and to an area of personal interest--environmental history. In the latter field, he has published two books, Land of Bears and Honey with D.W. Lay, from the University of Texas Press, 1984 and Circling Back: Chronicle of a Texas River Valley, from the University of Iowa Press, 1996.
Dr. Johnson has conducted and managed research projects on marine and terrestrial birds and mammals for the past 30 years in arctic and subarctic Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Svalbard. Since 1975, he has worked as a research ecologist with LGL Limited on projects related to impacts of industrial development on wildlife and their habitats. Currently he is Senior Vice President of LGL Limited with management and research responsibilities in Alaska, Canada, and Russia. He has published numerous scientific papers and reports related to his arctic work and is the co-author with D.R. Herter of a reference book on arctic birds, The Birds of Beaufort Sea from BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc., 1989.

Read an Excerpt

*Includes a wealth of detailed information on an Arctic biota with respect to ecosystem changes caused by oil development
*A minimum of jargon enhances the usefullness of the book

Table of Contents

Contributors

Foreword

Preface

Part I Introduction to Arctic Ecosystems

1 Introduction

Introduction

Physical Environment

Wildlife, Fish, and Habitats

Anthropogenic Changes

The Investigative Focus

References

2 North Slope Oil Field Development

Introduction

The History of North Slope Oil Exploration and Development

The Nature of Oil Development

Identifying and Monitoring Environmental Impacts

Mitigating Environmental Impacts

Conclusions

References

3 Vegetative Responses to Disturbance

Introduction

Exploration Sites (1940-1970)

Exploration Sites (1970-1990)

Exploration Sites (1990s)

Winter Haul Roads

Production Pads and Roads

Dust Fallout from Roads

Gravel Spills on Tundra

Snow Stockpiles

Seeded and Fertilized Sites

Nutrients from Wastewater

Impoundments

Buried Cable Trenches

Oil Spills

Brine Spills

Conclusions

Epilogue

References

Part II Mammals of an Arctic Oil Field

4 Caribou

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Population Influences in the Oil-Field Region

Responses to Human Activity and Habitat Change

Can Caribou Adapt to Environmental Change?

References

5 Caribou and Oil Fields

Introduction

Caribou Use of the Oil Fields

Implications for Impacts of Oil Development

References

6 Grizzly Bear

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Habitat Use and Food Habits

Denning Ecology

Population Dynamics

Discussion

References

7 Polar Bear

Introduction

Distribution and Movement

Maternal Denning

Population Status

Research and Management Challenges

Conservation Issues

Conclusions

References

8 Arctic Fox

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Population Influences and Limits in the Region

Responses to Development

Management Issues

References

Part III Birds of an Arctic Oil Field

9 Pacific Loon

Introduction

Distribution, Abundance, and Productivity

Population Influences

Responses to Habitat Change and Human Activity

References

10 Tundra Swans

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Nesting Success and Productivity

Habitat Use

Diet

Environmental Influences on Swan Populations

Conclusions

References

11 Black Brant

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Population Influences in the Oil-Field Region

Responses to Habitat Change and Human Activity

References

12 Lesser Snow Goose

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Population Influences in the Oil-Field Region

Implications of Migration

Conclusions

References

13 Pacific Eider

Introduction

Regional Distribution and Nesting

Migration

Population Influences in the Oil-Field Region

Population Influences Elsewhere

Conclusions

References

14 Shorebirds

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Population Influences in the Oil-Field Region

Responses to Habitat Change and Human Activity

References

Part IV Marine and Freshwater Life

15 Freshwater Invertebrates: Their Regulation and Importance to Vertebrates

Introduction

Habitat

The Invertebrate Fauna

Regulation of Invertebrate Communities

Influences of Development

References

16 Freshwater Fishes in the Arctic Oil-Field Region and Coastal Plain of Alaska

Introduction

Freshwater Habitats and Their Dominant Fishes

Ninespine Stickleback

Arctic Grayling

Least Cisco

Broad Whitefish

Round Whitefish

Conclusions

References

17 Anadromous and Amphidromous Fishes

Introduction

Distribution and Abundance

Habitat and Trophic Ecology

Responses to Development

References

18 The Benthic Faunal Assemblage of the Boulder Patch Kelp Community

Introduction

Study Area

Methods

Results

Discussion

Management Implications

References

Part V Synthesis

19 Synthesis

Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

• Includes a wealth of detailed information on an Arctic biota with respect to ecosystem changes caused by oil development
• A minimum of jargon enhances the usefullness of the book

Editorial Reviews

Summarizes the ecology and wildlife biology of arctic animals and plants living in close association with an actively producing oil field. The species and habitats addressed are those that have attracted primary attention from environmental management agencies and public interest groups. The 19 papers examine the processes and factors that influence populations and communities such as caribou, grizzly bear, arctic fox, Pacific loon, tundra swans, freshwater fish, and the benthic faunal assemblage of the Boulder Patch kelp. Most of the research was funded by oil companies. Color photographs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews