Peer Review

Seabird and Forage Fish Research in Alaska

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Dec 5, 2003 by Biology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: A good overview of Alaska coastal ecosystems with emphasis on seabirds and the fish on which they and other marine animals feed (forage). Up-to-date research reports about marine habitat forage fish, and seabirds are featured, along with personal reports from an excellent team of research scientists in Alaska. Educational information is presented on phytoplankton, zooplankton, nutrients, temperature, salinity, bathymetry, beach seining, cast netting, bottom trawling, mid water trawling, hydroacoustics, SCUBA diving, pelagic colonies, seabird colonies, population trends, breeding biology, diets, time budgets, stress levels, genetics, and adult survival. If you are new to marine biology in general or seabirds in particular, the pages titled Marine Habitat, Forage Fish, and Seabirds provide basic information about marine animals and ecosystems in Alaska, with some details about methods of study. Within those pages there are specific examples of research findings under the 'What we learned' icons. There are detailed scientific publications, reports, and newsletters on the Products page. The Links page contains many links to seabirds and other marine web sites. There are also direct links to the resources available through the USGS Alaska Science Center and a portal to federal marine science programs, refuges, and parks. If you are interested in who does this kind of work and how they got interested, go to the People Power pages. Volunteer information is here as well. On the Photo Gallery page, you can browse the Picture of the Month archives and read about field work that some of our colleagues participate in. If you are looking for resources about seabirds and related marine resources, this is a good site with which to start.
Type of Material:: Collection/Database. Most of the material is HTML, with pictures and text. Some articles are provided in pdf format, requiring Adobe Acrobat or similar program for viewing the files.
Recommended Uses:: The learning material contains reference and communication of on-going research. Students and instructors can use this website to get up-to-date information on marine research in Alaska.
Technical Requirements:: Basic site requires only current internet browser. Some links may require Shockwave, Flash, QuickTime, or other special plugins. Adobe Acrobat or similar pdf reader is required for some pages.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Better appreciation and understanding of marine aspects of Alaska will be conveyed through the information presented at this website.
Target Student Population:: Elementary school through college. The general public, as well as high school and undergraduate students will acquire new knowledge from information presented. Graduate students may also find this information to be useful because research articles are featured as one of the links in this website.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Use of web browser. Some previous knowledge of marine biology and habitat will make some of the materials easier to understand.

Content Quality

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Strengths:

The content is written by people currently doing research in the field?current and accurate.
Information is clearly laid out and intuitive for learning
Links provided to a wide range of other sites and types of material?from online data and maps to online journals and literature as well as National parks and refuges dealing with marine science.
Pictures, along with text, make the material interesting and fun to learn, although video clips and animation would make the content more engaging
The site describes the basic research methods used to collect data at a level easily understood by those engaged in research themselves. Each method is followed by a ?What we learned? section.
Information on marine habitats gives a good overview of the interaction of abiotic and biotic portions of the system.

Concerns:

There is limited coverage of invertebrates and marine mammals.
Does not consider impacts of the commercial fishing industry.
The information is pretty specific in that, most of the work focuses on projects assigned to the research group.
This website is not comprehensive, although the main site for the Alaska Science Center at http://www.absc.usgs.gov includes a complete study of the area.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:

Links to online data offer opportunities for students to view and use actual research data.
Site information also gives insight into methods used and how species fit into an ecosystem.
Research projects outlined promote problem-solving.
Those wanting more in depth information can find investigate further using the ?Products? pages.
Possible to make assignments for the projects implemented by the research team.
Include the personal side of research and researchers as well?important information for students considering this profession as a career.

Concerns:

An education-oriented investigation page would help educators use the site more effectively. Specific learning objectives are hard to find, although well stated in some of the research papers.
Some of the material may need additional background information before students can understand the projects.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:

Navigation is well organized and always visible to user; ?Quick Guide to our site?? helps orient user to scope of site.
Images help students visualize equipment used, organisms, and the general appearance of the ecosystem?understand objects and places with which they are unfamiliar.
Well-written and easy to understand for advanced students.
All links tried functioned and materials loaded quickly in most cases.

Concerns:

Need search function to locate specific information within site.
There are a few defective links in the ?See What?s New? section.
Navigation isn?t always consistent ? some sites go to a new page, whereas other links require use of back and forward buttons upon exit of the object to remain at the site.

Other Issues and Comments:: A very useful site for students interested in both the organisms found in marine ecosystems and the methods used to study them. It provides direct access to research and education for those topics within the Alaska Science Center. Its specificity warrants its use for faculty and students desiring information on marine biology and related research in Alaska.
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