Why So Many Fish in Alaska?Volcanic NutrientsEcology of Boreal & Subarctic Waters ISpecialists Versus GeneralistsSpecialistGeneralistEcology Boreal & Subarctic Waters IIBoreal & Subarctic SpeciesBoreal & Subarctic Ecology: Bottom LineWhy So Many Fish In Alaska?Human Migrations into North AmericaBering Land BridgeBering Land Bridge 16,200 ybpBeringia & Human MigrationBeringia 15,000 ybpLinguistic vs DNA DataAlaskan Native Language MapHunting Sea MammalsAge Classes IYupik Fishing TechnologyClosed Inupiat Stone Fish TrapOpen Inupiat Stone Fish TrapArchaeological Dig SW AlaskaAncient Fish SpearsAncient Barbed SpearsAncient Harpoon TipsReconstructed Halibut HookWhy So Many Fish in Alaska?Why So Many Fish in Alaska?~ 60-65% of US Food Fish are Landed in Alaska WHY? 1. Alaska is Surrounded by Oceans a. Oceanographic Currentsb. Ice Edge Considerations 2. Alaska’s Shoreline & Continental Shelf 3. Geological Nutrient Input into Alaskan Waters a. Loess - Windborne Dusts b. Suspended Sediments in Rivers c. Volcanic Ash 4. Climate Controlled Nutrient Input~ 60-65% of US Food Fish are Landed in Alaska WHY? 1. Alaska is Surrounded by Oceans a. Oceanographic Currentsb. Ice Edge Considerations 2. Alaska’s Shoreline & Continental Shelf 3. Geological Nutrient Input into Alaskan Waters a. Loess - Windborne Dusts b. Suspended Sediments in Rivers c. Volcanic Ash 4. Climate Controlled Nutrient InputVolcanic NutrientsVolcanic NutrientsEcology of Boreal & Subarctic Waters IEcology of Boreal & Subarctic Waters I1. Define Ecosystem Health: Temperate & Tropical Systems - Definition is Species Diversity2. Evolutionary Divisions in T&T Communities - Speciation by Niche Specialization3. In T&T Communities: Nearest Neighbor Distance - Meters to Tens of Meters1. Define Ecosystem Health: Temperate & Tropical Systems - Definition is Species Diversity2. Evolutionary Divisions in T&T Communities - Speciation by Niche Specialization3. In T&T Communities: Nearest Neighbor Distance - Meters to Tens of MetersSpecialists Versus GeneralistsSpecialists Versus Generalists1. Specialists a. Allows Escape from Direct Competition b. More Efficient - Greater Degree Fine Tuning c. Less Evolutionarily Flexible2. Generalists a. Less Efficient - Tuned to Different Seasons b. Greater Exposure to Direct Competition c. Greater Evolutionary Flexibility1. Specialists a. Allows Escape from Direct Competition b. More Efficient - Greater Degree Fine Tuning c. Less Evolutionarily Flexible2. Generalists a. Less Efficient - Tuned to Different Seasons b. Greater Exposure to Direct Competition c. Greater Evolutionary FlexibilitySpecialistSpecialistGeneralistGeneralistEcology Boreal & Subarctic Waters IIEcology Boreal & Subarctic Waters II1. Ecosystem Health in Boreal & Subarctic Waters - Defined Not by Species Diversity2. Evolutionary Divisions B&SA Communities - Generalists Predominate - Seasonal Differences3. B&SA Communities Nearest Neighbor Distance - Monocultures Covering Vast Areas1. Ecosystem Health in Boreal & Subarctic Waters - Defined Not by Species Diversity2. Evolutionary Divisions B&SA Communities - Generalists Predominate - Seasonal Differences3. B&SA Communities Nearest Neighbor Distance - Monocultures Covering Vast AreasBoreal & Subarctic SpeciesBoreal & Subarctic Species1. Ongoing Biological Research a. Cold Adaptation b. Reproductive Ecology c. Census of Marine Life2. Needed Research a. B&SA Community Ecology b. Winter Physiology c. Stress, Disease & Monocultures1. Ongoing Biological Research a. Cold Adaptation b. Reproductive Ecology c. Census of Marine Life2. Needed Research a. B&SA Community Ecology b. Winter Physiology c. Stress, Disease & MonoculturesBoreal & Subarctic Ecology: Bottom LineBoreal & Subarctic Ecology: Bottom Line1. Use Caution When Attempting to Apply Ecological Principles Derived from T&T2. Estimations of Over-Fishing Cannot Be Based On Comparisons with T&T Populations3. Generalist Physiological Parameters Can Be Markedly Different from Niche Specialists4. Boreal & Subarctic Waters can be Distinct in Their Ecology Compared with T&T5. Caution: Potential Cryptic Sister Species: Cucumaria lubrica C. vegae assemblage.1. Use Caution When Attempting to Apply Ecological Principles Derived from T&T2. Estimations of Over-Fishing Cannot Be Based On Comparisons with T&T Populations3. Generalist Physiological Parameters Can Be Markedly Different from Niche Specialists4. Boreal & Subarctic Waters can be Distinct in Their Ecology Compared with T&T5. Caution: Potential Cryptic Sister Species: Cucumaria lubrica C. vegae assemblage.Why So Many Fish In Alaska?Why So Many Fish In Alaska?1. Area of Continental Shelf1. Area of Continental Shelf2. Length of Coastline2. Length of Coastline3. State’s Land Area3. State’s Land Area4. Number of Unpolluted Rivers4. Number of Unpolluted Rivers5. Boreal and Subarctic Waters5. Boreal and Subarctic Waters6. Extremes in Sunlight6. Extremes in Sunlight7. Ample Nutrients7. Ample Nutrients8. Huge Algal Blooms8. Huge Algal Blooms9. Excellent Management9. Excellent ManagementHuman Migrations into North AmericaHuman Migrations into North AmericaClovis Culture ~12,000 bp Probably Multiple MigrationsConcept of Bering Land Bridge - Land MigrationsIce Free CorridorCoastal Migrations Some Newer EvidenceMost Likely Sites Now Underwater Clovis Culture ~12,000 bp Probably Multiple MigrationsConcept of Bering Land Bridge - Land MigrationsIce Free CorridorCoastal Migrations Some Newer EvidenceMost Likely Sites Now UnderwaterBering Land BridgeBering Land BridgeBering Land Bridge 16,200 ybpBering Land Bridge 16,200 ybpBeringia & Human MigrationBeringia & Human MigrationBeringia 15,000 ybpBeringia 15,000 ybpLinguistic vs DNA DataLinguistic vs DNA DataDNA Evidence Shows Not all Speakers share same DNA Evidence of Multiple Migrations Many after 10,000 ybp Bering Land Bridge Flooded 10,000 ybpClose Affinity with SiberiansNewer Groups Moved Further South Tlinket & Haida among most recentDNA Evidence Shows Not all Speakers share same DNA Evidence of Multiple Migrations Many after 10,000 ybp Bering Land Bridge Flooded 10,000 ybpClose Affinity with SiberiansNewer Groups Moved Further South Tlinket & Haida among most recentAlaskan Native Language MapAlaskan Native Language MapHunting Sea MammalsHunting Sea