Abstract
The Copper River Delta of south-central Alaska is the largest wetland on the Pacific Coast of North America, stretching more than 75 km along the coast and up to 50 km inland. This coastal wetland complex is bordered by coastal mountains to the north (up to 2,300 m), Prince William Sound and the Gulf of Alaska to the south, and the largest glacial system of North America (Bering complex) to the east. This 252,000 ha wetland complex has minimal human disturbance, except for minor timber harvest. A 1964 earthquake of 9.2 Richter resulted in a 2–4 m uplift that modified hydrology and plant succession. This coastal delta serves as one of the most important migrational habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds on the continent. “This coastal delta serves as one of the most important migrational habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds on the continent.”
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References
Bellante G, Goetz W, Maus P, Develice R, Riley M, Megown K. Copper River Delta existing vegetation map project. Salt Lake City: USDA Forest Service, Remote Sensing Applications Center; 2013. p. 23. RSAC-10075-RPT1.
Boggs K. Classification of community types, successional sequences, and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Portland: U.S. Deptartment of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station; 2000. p. 244. General technical report PNW-GTR-469.
Boggs K, Shephard M. Response of marine deltaic surfaces to major earthquake uplifts in Southcentral Alaska. Wetland. 1999;19:13–27.
Brabets TP. Geomorphology of the lower Copper River, Alaska. Denver: U.S. Geological Survey; 1997. 89 p. Professional Paper 1581.
Butler W. Report to the Pacific Flyway Study Committee on 1986–1992 breeding ground surveys of the dusky Canada goose on the Copper River Delta. Portland: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv.; 1992. 7 p. Unpubl. Rept.
Campbell BH. Factors affecting the nesting success of dusky Canada geese, Branta canadensis occidentalis, on the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Can Field Nat. 1990;104:567–74.
Cowardin LM, Carter V, Golet FC, Laroe ET. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Interior, FWS, Biological Services Program; 1979. p. 103. FWS/085-79/31.
Crow JT. Plant ecology of the Copper River Delta, Alaska [PhD dissertation]. Pullman: Washington State University; 1968. p. 120.
DeVelice RL, Delapp J, Wei X. Vegetation succession model for the Copper River Delta. Anchorage: USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest; 2001. p. 56.
Kempka RG, Maurizi BS, Reid FA, Logan DW, Youkey DE. Utilizing SPOT multispectral imagery to assess wetland vegetation succession in the Copper River Delta, AK. Remote Sens Mar Coastal Environ. 1994;2:529–41.
King JG. Ducks, Rampart dam and wildlife refuges in interior Alaska. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Historical Society; 2002. p. 1–22.
King JG, Lensink CJ. An evaluation of Alaska habitat for migratory birds. Washington, DC: US Dept of Interior, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife; 1971. p. 45.
MacCracken JG. Ecology of moose on the Copper River Delta, Alaska [PhD dissertation]. Moscow: University of Idaho; 1992. p. 338.
MacCracken JG, Van Ballenberghe V, Peek JW. Habitat relationships of moose on the Copper River Delta in coastal south-central Alaska. Wildlife Monogr. 1997;136:3–52.
Pflaker G. Regional vertical tectonic displacement of shorelines in south-central Alaska during and between great earthquakes. Northwest Sci. 1990;64:250–8.
Potyondy J, Meyer M, Mace A. Ana analysis of 1964 earthquake effects upon the vegetation and hydrology of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. St. Paul: Remote Sensing Laboratory, College of Forestry, University of Minnesota; 1975. 84 p. IAFHE RSL Res. Pap. 75–6.
Reimitz E. Late Quaternary history and sedimentation of the Copper River Delta and vicinity, Alaska [PhD dissertation]. San Diego: University of California; 1966. p. 160.
Thilenius JT. Woody plant succession on earthquake uplifted coastal wetlands of the Copper River delta, Alaska. For Ecol Manag. 1990;33(34):439–62.
Thilenius JT. Phytosociology and succession on earthquake-uplifted coastal wetlands, Copper River, Alaska. Portland: U.S. Dep. Ag., Forest Service, Pacific Norwest Research Station; 1995. p. 58. Gen. technical rep. PNW-GTR-346.
Timm DE, Bromley RG, McNight DE, Rodgers RS. Management evolution of Dusky Canada Geese. In: Jarvis RL, Bartonek JC, editors. Management and biology of Pacific flyway geese. Corvallis: OSU Book Stores; 1979. p. 322–30.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this entry
Cite this entry
Reid, F.A., Fehringer, D., Kempka, R.G. (2016). Copper River Delta, Alaska (USA). In: Finlayson, C., Milton, G., Prentice, R., Davidson, N. (eds) The Wetland Book. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6173-5_12-2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6173-5_12-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-6173-5
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-6173-5
eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences
Publish with us
Chapter history
-
Latest
Copper River Delta, Alaska (USA)- Published:
- 12 January 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6173-5_12-2
-
Original
Copper River Delta, Alaska (USA)- Published:
- 12 August 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6173-5_12-1