ASSESSMENT OF SHORELINE VEGETATION IN RELATION TO USE BY MOLTING BLACK BRANT BRANTA-BERNICLA-NIGRICANS ON THE ALASKA COASTAL-PLAIN

To evaluate the importance of large thaw lakes on the Alaska Coastal P lain for molting Pacific black brant Branta bernicla nigricans, distri bution and life form of shoreline vegetation were assessed using sever al scales: satellite imagery, point-intercept transects, cover quadrat s, and a parameter for water regime. Brant population and distribution estimates from aerial surveys were used to classify large lakes into high, moderate, and low use. Correlations between brant and abundance of their preferred feeding site - moss flats - were best demonstrated by satellite imagery. Intercepts and cover ratings were not correlated , presumably because these techniques were less efficient at assessing area. General observations suggested that the presence of islands, la rge ice floes, and possibly other physical attributes of the habitat, influenced brant distribution. This area is unique because of low-lyin g, drained-lake basins that have ideal combinations of moss flats and large water areas where brant seek protection in water or on ice floes . Protection of the area from disturbance is vital to the success of t his declining species because alternate habitats may not be available elsewhere on the Coastal Plain.