## Breadcrumb

-  Alaska Science Center 
-  Science 

#           North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database      

  Active

      By Alaska Science Center      May 17, 2024    

            -              Overview           
            -              Science           
            -              Data           
            -              Publications           
            -              Web Tools           
            -              Software           
            -              Partners           

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The NPPSD includes more than 486,000 transect segments and includes observations of over 20 million birds of 258 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022).

**Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems >> Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology**

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center and contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The recently released version (4.1) of the database includes more than 486,000 transect segments and includes abundance and distribution information on over 20,600,000 birds of 258 species and over 380,000 mammals of 41 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022). The area of the surveys includes more than 80% of U.S. continental shelf waters, the most productive U.S. commercial fishery, all Pacific U.S. marine sanctuaries, and Alaska Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing areas. Survey efforts include international cooperation between the United States, Canada, Russia, and Japan.

View Media Details

The NPPSD is a powerful tool for examining abundance and distribution of seabirds across marine ecosystems of the Arctic and North Pacific and possible drivers of change to seabird ranges and populations, such as climate, commercial fisheries, vessel traffic and oil and gas development. NPPSD data are available from USGS at the links below.

 

### Data

                                - NPPSD v.4.1                                     - NPPSD Metadata
                                  - Taxonomic Code Updates 
                                - Previous Versions                                    - NPPSD v.4
                                  - NPPSD v.3 Database  [91MB]                                     - includes Access database, csv files, and User's Guide
                                    - NPPSD v.3 Poster 
                                  - NPPSD v.2 Database  [70MB] 

### Suggested Citation

Drew, G.S., Schoen, S.K., Hood, M.D., Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., 2005, North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) (ver. 4.1, May 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3

View Media Details

Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)

**Version History**:First release: August 2005Revised: August 2015 (ver. 2.0)February 2020 (ver. 3.0)January 2023 (ver. 4.0)May 2023 (ver. 4.1)

###  

### NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps

Maps showing the extent of sampling done and entered into the NPPSD.

###  

### Making data contributions

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is managed by the USGS Alaska Science Center and is compiled from thousands of at-sea surveys of seabirds and marine mammals conducted in the North Pacific since 1973 by numerous partners. While we are continually accepting and archiving datasets, we are beginning a major update of the database and are soliciting contributions of at-sea data from researchers. Contributors can provide raw, cleaned datasets or data summarized by transects. We do not distribute raw data, only summarized data (by transect and behavior). The document, "NPPSD Data Prep.pdf - [PDF file 34 KB]", provides detailed information regarding data preparation for eventual addition to the NPPSD. Contact Sarah Schoen sschoen@usgs.gov for assistance.

 

### Web Apps associated with this project

**SeaLog:**

SeaLog is a robust data-logging application designed to collect at-sea data of marine birds and mammals. This software was developed collaboratively with the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and ABR, Inc. SeaLog is Windows 10 compatible, is highly customizable, and provides user designed maps to allow visual feedback of observations. The software can be found here: https://sealog.abrinc.com/pages/sealog.html.

**QA/QSea:**

QA/QSea, an application constructed to work in conjunction with SeaLog, provides proofing tools, an interactive map display, the ability to split data at user defined distances, and it generates exportable data files in multiple formats including those used in the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD). QA/QSea is a Shiny app written in the R environment that reads comma delimited text files (csv) output directly from SeaLog, and can also read other data files if they are formatted in the same structure as SeaLog files. The program can be found here: https://sealog.abrinc.com/pages/qaqsea.html.

Please contact Sarah Schoen sschoen@usgs.gov with questions.

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Sarah K Schoen

##### Biologist

Alaska Science Center

sschoen@usgs.gov

907-786-7467

#### John Piatt, Ph.D.

##### Research Wildlife Biologist

Alaska Science Center

jpiatt@usgs.gov

360-774-0516

#### Mayumi L Arimitsu, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Alaska Science Center

marimitsu@usgs.gov

907-364-1593

#### Marla Hood

##### Acting IT Supervisor

Alaska Science Center

mhood@usgs.gov

907-786-7080

### Explore Search

                      - Birds
                      - Decision Science
                      - Habitat Loss
                      - Marine Mammals
                      - Migration and Corridors
                      - Migratory Birds
                      - Modeling Tools
                      - Restoration
                      - Wildlife Health
                      - Ecosystems
                      - Energy and Wildlife
                      - Threats
                      - Tools and Technology
                      - Wildlife and Terrestrial Species
                      - Seabirds
                      - Biology
                      - Ecosystems
                      - NPPSD
                      - Wildlife & Terrestrial Species
                      - migratory birds
                      - Marine Mammals

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

January 3, 2024

####                 Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

January 3, 2024

####   Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology

Learn More

link

May 26, 2022

####                 Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 26, 2022

####   Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)

Learn More

link

July 30, 2019

####                 NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps              

Alaska Science Center

link

July 30, 2019

####   NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps

Learn More

link

November 6, 2016

####                 NPPSD Resources and Protocols              

Alaska Science Center

link

November 6, 2016

####   NPPSD Resources and Protocols

Learn More

link

November 6, 2016

####                 Seabird Distribution              

Alaska Science Center

link

November 6, 2016

####   Seabird Distribution

Learn More

January 3, 2023

####                 Gridded Seabird Density Estimates in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

January 31, 2023

####                 Joint spatiotemporal models to predict seabird densities at sea              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

July 13, 2015

####                 User’s guide to the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database 2.0              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

April 4, 2014

####                 Identifying marine Important Bird Areas using at-sea survey data              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

July 1, 2013

####                 Modeled distribution and abundance of a pelagic seabird reveal trends in relation to fisheries              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

April 23, 2013

####                 Effects of currents and tides on fine-scale use of marine bird habitats in a Southeast Alaska hotspot              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

December 1, 2012

####                 Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2010

####                 At-sea observations of marine birds and their habitats before and after the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano, Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2008

####                 Seasonal and distributional patterns of seabirds along the Aleutian Archipelago              

February 4, 2007

####                 Status review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2006

####                 Predictable hotspots and foraging habitat of the endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) in the North Pacific: Implications for conservation              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2005

####                 Offshore marine observation of Willow Ptarmigan, including water landings, Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2005

####                 Prey consumption and energy transfer by marine birds in the Gulf of Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

#### Pagination

-                Current page            1 
-                Page            2 
-  Next page›› 
-  Last pageLast » 

May 16, 2024

####                 North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool              

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is maintained by the USGS ASC and includes survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The data relates to observations of marine birds and mammals observed during at-sea surveys throughout the North Pacific including the Arctic Ocean, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea.

Alaska Science Center

June 12, 2023

####                 SeaLog              

Alaska Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

#### ABR, Inc. 

#### Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)

#### Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

#### Environment Canada

#### Farallon Institute

#### Gulf Watch Alaska

#### Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks 

#### Laboratory of Bird Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution

#### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

#### National Park Service (NPS)

#### North Pacific Research Board

#### Point Blue Conservation Science-Point Reyes Bird Observatory 

#### Prince William Sound Science Center

#### Raincoast Education Society

#### U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

#### U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

#### University of California - Irvine (UCI)

#### University of Washington 

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The NPPSD includes more than 486,000 transect segments and includes observations of over 20 million birds of 258 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022).

**Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems >> Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology**

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center and contains survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The recently released version (4.1) of the database includes more than 486,000 transect segments and includes abundance and distribution information on over 20,600,000 birds of 258 species and over 380,000 mammals of 41 species collected over the span of 50 years (from 1973 to 2022). The area of the surveys includes more than 80% of U.S. continental shelf waters, the most productive U.S. commercial fishery, all Pacific U.S. marine sanctuaries, and Alaska Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leasing areas. Survey efforts include international cooperation between the United States, Canada, Russia, and Japan.

View Media Details

The NPPSD is a powerful tool for examining abundance and distribution of seabirds across marine ecosystems of the Arctic and North Pacific and possible drivers of change to seabird ranges and populations, such as climate, commercial fisheries, vessel traffic and oil and gas development. NPPSD data are available from USGS at the links below.

 

### Data

                                - NPPSD v.4.1                                     - NPPSD Metadata
                                  - Taxonomic Code Updates 
                                - Previous Versions                                    - NPPSD v.4
                                  - NPPSD v.3 Database  [91MB]                                     - includes Access database, csv files, and User's Guide
                                    - NPPSD v.3 Poster 
                                  - NPPSD v.2 Database  [70MB] 

### Suggested Citation

Drew, G.S., Schoen, S.K., Hood, M.D., Arimitsu, M.L., Piatt, J.F., 2005, North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) (ver. 4.1, May 2023): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7WQ01T3

View Media Details

Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)

**Version History**:First release: August 2005Revised: August 2015 (ver. 2.0)February 2020 (ver. 3.0)January 2023 (ver. 4.0)May 2023 (ver. 4.1)

###  

### NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps

Maps showing the extent of sampling done and entered into the NPPSD.

###  

### Making data contributions

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is managed by the USGS Alaska Science Center and is compiled from thousands of at-sea surveys of seabirds and marine mammals conducted in the North Pacific since 1973 by numerous partners. While we are continually accepting and archiving datasets, we are beginning a major update of the database and are soliciting contributions of at-sea data from researchers. Contributors can provide raw, cleaned datasets or data summarized by transects. We do not distribute raw data, only summarized data (by transect and behavior). The document, "NPPSD Data Prep.pdf - [PDF file 34 KB]", provides detailed information regarding data preparation for eventual addition to the NPPSD. Contact Sarah Schoen sschoen@usgs.gov for assistance.

 

### Web Apps associated with this project

**SeaLog:**

SeaLog is a robust data-logging application designed to collect at-sea data of marine birds and mammals. This software was developed collaboratively with the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and ABR, Inc. SeaLog is Windows 10 compatible, is highly customizable, and provides user designed maps to allow visual feedback of observations. The software can be found here: https://sealog.abrinc.com/pages/sealog.html.

**QA/QSea:**

QA/QSea, an application constructed to work in conjunction with SeaLog, provides proofing tools, an interactive map display, the ability to split data at user defined distances, and it generates exportable data files in multiple formats including those used in the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD). QA/QSea is a Shiny app written in the R environment that reads comma delimited text files (csv) output directly from SeaLog, and can also read other data files if they are formatted in the same structure as SeaLog files. The program can be found here: https://sealog.abrinc.com/pages/qaqsea.html.

Please contact Sarah Schoen sschoen@usgs.gov with questions.

### Study Area

### Contacts

#### Sarah K Schoen

##### Biologist

Alaska Science Center

sschoen@usgs.gov

907-786-7467

#### John Piatt, Ph.D.

##### Research Wildlife Biologist

Alaska Science Center

jpiatt@usgs.gov

360-774-0516

#### Mayumi L Arimitsu, Ph.D.

##### Research Ecologist

Alaska Science Center

marimitsu@usgs.gov

907-364-1593

#### Marla Hood

##### Acting IT Supervisor

Alaska Science Center

mhood@usgs.gov

907-786-7080

### Explore Search

                      - Birds
                      - Decision Science
                      - Habitat Loss
                      - Marine Mammals
                      - Migration and Corridors
                      - Migratory Birds
                      - Modeling Tools
                      - Restoration
                      - Wildlife Health
                      - Ecosystems
                      - Energy and Wildlife
                      - Threats
                      - Tools and Technology
                      - Wildlife and Terrestrial Species
                      - Seabirds
                      - Biology
                      - Ecosystems
                      - NPPSD
                      - Wildlife & Terrestrial Species
                      - migratory birds
                      - Marine Mammals

View All **

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link

January 3, 2024

####                 Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

January 3, 2024

####   Seabirds and Forage Fish Ecology

Learn More

link

May 26, 2022

####                 Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center

link

May 26, 2022

####   Use and History of the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD)

Learn More

link

July 30, 2019

####                 NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps              

Alaska Science Center

link

July 30, 2019

####   NPPSD Sampling Effort Maps

Learn More

link

November 6, 2016

####                 NPPSD Resources and Protocols              

Alaska Science Center

link

November 6, 2016

####   NPPSD Resources and Protocols

Learn More

link

November 6, 2016

####                 Seabird Distribution              

Alaska Science Center

link

November 6, 2016

####   Seabird Distribution

Learn More

January 3, 2023

####                 Gridded Seabird Density Estimates in Lower Cook Inlet, Alaska              

Alaska Science Center

Below are publications associated with this project.

January 31, 2023

####                 Joint spatiotemporal models to predict seabird densities at sea              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

July 13, 2015

####                 User’s guide to the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database 2.0              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

April 4, 2014

####                 Identifying marine Important Bird Areas using at-sea survey data              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

July 1, 2013

####                 Modeled distribution and abundance of a pelagic seabird reveal trends in relation to fisheries              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

April 23, 2013

####                 Effects of currents and tides on fine-scale use of marine bird habitats in a Southeast Alaska hotspot              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

December 1, 2012

####                 Structure of marine predator and prey communities along environmental gradients in a glaciated fjord              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2010

####                 At-sea observations of marine birds and their habitats before and after the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano, Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2008

####                 Seasonal and distributional patterns of seabirds along the Aleutian Archipelago              

February 4, 2007

####                 Status review of the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in Alaska and British Columbia              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2006

####                 Predictable hotspots and foraging habitat of the endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus) in the North Pacific: Implications for conservation              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2005

####                 Offshore marine observation of Willow Ptarmigan, including water landings, Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

January 1, 2005

####                 Prey consumption and energy transfer by marine birds in the Gulf of Alaska              

Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

#### Pagination

-                Current page            1 
-                Page            2 
-  Next page›› 
-  Last pageLast » 

May 16, 2024

####                 North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database Visualization Tool              

The North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (NPPSD) is maintained by the USGS ASC and includes survey transect data designed and conducted by numerous partners primarily to census seabirds at sea. The data relates to observations of marine birds and mammals observed during at-sea surveys throughout the North Pacific including the Arctic Ocean, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, Bering Sea.

Alaska Science Center

June 12, 2023

####                 SeaLog              

Alaska Science Center

Below are partners associated with this project.

#### ABR, Inc. 

#### Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)

#### Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

#### Environment Canada

#### Farallon Institute

#### Gulf Watch Alaska

#### Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks 

#### Laboratory of Bird Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution

#### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

#### National Park Service (NPS)

#### North Pacific Research Board

#### Point Blue Conservation Science-Point Reyes Bird Observatory 

#### Prince William Sound Science Center

#### Raincoast Education Society

#### U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

#### U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

#### University of California - Irvine (UCI)

#### University of Washington