Investigating flight response of Pacific brant to helicopters at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska by using logistic regression

By: , and 
Edited by: Roxy PeckLarry D. Haugh, and Arnold Goodman

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Abstract

Izembek Lagoon, an estuary in Alaska, is a very important staging area for Pacific brant, a small migratory goose. Each fall, nearly the entire Pacific Flyway population of 130,000 brant flies to Izembek Lagoon and feeds on eelgrass to accumulate fat reserves for nonstop transoceanic migration to wintering areas as distant as Mexico. In the past 10 years, offshore drilling activities in this area have increased, and, as a result, the air traffic in and out of the nearby Cold Bay airport has also increased. There has been a concern that this increased air traffic could affect the brant by disturbing them from their feeding and resting activities, which in turn could result in reduced energy intake and buildup. This may increase the mortality rates during their migratory journey. Because of these concerns, a study was conducted to investigate the flight response of brant to overflights of large helicopters. Response was measured on flocks during experimental overflights of large helicopters flown at varying altitudes and lateral (perpendicular) distances from the flocks. Logistic regression models were developed for predicting probability of flight response as a function of these distance variables. Results of this study may be used in the development of new FAA guidelines for aircraft near Izembek Lagoon.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Investigating flight response of Pacific brant to helicopters at Izembek Lagoon, Alaska by using logistic regression
Chapter 13
ISBN 978-0-898714-13-5
Year Published 1998
Language English
Publisher Society for Industrial and Applies Mathematics
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 16 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Statistical case studies: A collaboration between academe and industry
First page 155
Last page 170
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Izembek Lagoon
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