Abby N. Powell

Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Bldg. 106
Gainesville, FL 32611-0485
Phone: (352) 846 - 0543
Fax: (352) 846 - 0841
abbypowell@ufl.edu

EDUCATION 

• Ph.D. Wildlife Conservation, University of Minnesota, 1992
• M.S. Ecology, San Diego State University.1986
• B.S. Wildlife Biology, Cornell University, 1980

Research Interests
Avian Ecology and Conservation, Endangered Species Management

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT 
2015 - Unit Leader, USGS Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Gainesville, FL
2015 - Courtesy Professor, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2013-15 Professor; Dept. Biology and Wildlife and Institute of Arctic Biology, Univ. Alaska, Fairbanks, AK
2000-15 Assistant Unit Leader, USGS Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Fairbanks, AK
2000-13 Research Associate Professor; Dept. Biology and Wildlife and Institute of Arctic Biology, Univ. Alaska, Fairbanks, AK
1997-00 Station Leader and Research Ecologist; Arkansas Field Station, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS-Biological Resources Division, Fayetteville, AR
1997-00 Research Associate Professor; Dept. Biological Sciences, Univ. Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
1992-97 Station Leader and Research Ecologist; San Diego Field Station, USGS Biological Resources Division, San Diego, CA
1992-97 Research Assistant Professor; Dept. Biology, San Diego State Univ., San Diego, CA
1992 Ecologist; Minnesota County Biological Survey, Minnesota DNR, St. Paul, MN

PUBLICATIONS

Churchwell, R. T., S. J. Kendall, A. L. Blanchard, K. H. Dunton, and A. N. Powell. 2015. Natural disturbance shapes benthic intertidal macroinvertebrate communities of high latitude river deltas. Estuaries and Coasts. DOI 10.1007/s12237-015-0028-2

Craig, H. R., S. Kendall, T. Wild, and A. N. Powell. 2015. Dispersal and survival of a polygynandrous passerine. The Auk: Ornithological Advances 132: DOI: 10.1642/AUK-15-41.1

Lovvorn, J.R., Rocha, A.R., Jewett, S.C., Dasher, D., Oppel, S., Powell, A.N. 2015. Limits to benthic feeding by eiders in a vital Arctic migration corridor due to localized prey and changing sea ice, Progress in Oceanography, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2015.05.014

Bentzen, R. L. and A. N. Powell. 2015. Dispersal, movements and site fidelity of post-fledging King Eiders Somateria spectabilis and their attendant females. Ibis 157: 133-146.

Wild, T. C., S. J. Kendall, N. Guldager, and A. N. Powell. 2015 Breeding habitat associations and predicted distribution of an obligate tundra-breeding bird, Smith's Longspur. Condor: Ornithological Applications 117:3-17.

Gates, H. R., S. Yezerinac, A. N. Powell, P. S. Tomkovich, O. P. Valchuk and R. B. Lanctot. 2013. Differentiation of subspecies and sexes of Beringian Dunlin using morphometric measures. Journal of Field Ornithology 84:389-402.

Gates, H. R., R. Lanctot, and A. N. Powell. 2013. High renesting rates in arctic-breeding Dunlin (Calidris alpina): a clutch-removal experiment. Auk 130:372:380

Wilson, H. M., P. L. Flint, A. N. Powell, J. B Grand, and C. L. Moran. 2013. Population ecology of breeding Pacific common eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Wildlife Monographs:1-29

Powell, Abby N. and Robert S. Suydam. 2012. King Eider (Somateria spectabilis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online: http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/491

Steen, V. A. and A. N. Powell. Potential effects of climate change on the distribution of waterbirds in the Prairie Pothole Region, U.S.A. Waterbirds. 35(2):217-229.

Bentzen, R. and A. N. Powell. 2012. Population dynamics of king eiders breeding in Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1011-1020; DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.335.

Steen, V. A. and A. N. Powell. 2012. Wetland selection by breeding and foraging Black Terns in the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States. Condor 114:155-165.

Nolan, M., R. Churchwell, J. Adams, J. McClelland, K. D. Tape, S. Kendall, A. Powell, K. Dunton, D. Payer, and P. Martin. Predicting the impact of glacier loss on fish, birds, floodplains, and estuaries in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, p. 49-55. In C. N. Medley, C. N., G. Patterson, and M. J. Parker [eds.], Observing, Studying, and Managing for Change - Proceedings of the Fourth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watershed. US Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5169, Reston, VA.

Taylor, A. R., R. B. Lanctot, A. N. Powell, S. J. Kendall, and D. A. Nigro. 2011. Residence time and movements of postbreeding shorebirds on the northern coast of Alaska. Condor 113:779-794.

Weiser, E. L. and A. N. Powell. 2011. Evaluating gull diets: a comparison of conventional methods and stable isotope analysis. Journal of Field Ornithology 82(3):297-310.

Weiser, E. L. and A. N. Powell. 2011. Reduction of garbage in the diet of nonbreeding glaucous gulls corresponding to a change in waste management, Arctic 64(2):220-226.

Oppel, S., A. N. Powell, and M. G. Butler. 2011. King eider foraging effort during the pre-breeding period in Alaska. Condor 113(1):52-60.

Taylor, A. R., R. B. Lanctot, A. N. Powell, F. Huettmann, D. Nigro, and S. J. Kendall. 2010. Distribution and community characteristics of staging shorebirds on the northern coast of Alaska. Arctic 63(4):451-467.

Scott, C. A., J. A. K. Mazet, and A. N. Powell. 2010. Health evaluation of western arctic king eiders (Somateria spectabilis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 46:1290-1294.

Schamber, J. L., P. L. Flint, and A. N. Powell. 2010. Patterns of use and distribution of king eiders and black scoters during the annual cycle in northeastern Bristol Bay, Alaska. Marine Biology 157: 2169-2176.

Weiser, E. L. and A. N. Powell. 2010. Does garbage in diet improve reproductive output in Glaucous Gulls? Condor 112:530-538.

Oppel, S., A. N. Powell, and D. O'Brien. 2010. King eiders use an income strategy for egg production: a case study for incorporating individual dietary variation into nutrient allocation research. Oecologia 164:1-12.

Latty. C. J., T. E. Hollmén, M. R. Petersen, A. N. Powell, and R. D. Andrews. 2010. Abdominally implanted transmitters with percutaneous antennas affect the dive performance of common eiders. Condor 112(2):314-322.

Oppel, S. and A. Powell. 2010. Age-specific survival estimates for king eiders derived from satellite telemetry. Condor 112(2):323-330.

Oppel, S. and A. N. Powell. 2010. Carbon isotope turnover in blood as a measure of arrival time in migratory birds using isotopically distinct environments. Journal of Ornithology 151:123-131

Oppel, S., R. Federer, D. O'Brien, A. Powell, and T. Hollmen. 2010. Effects of lipid extraction on stable isotope ratios in avian egg yolk - is arithmetic correction an alternative? Auk 157:72-78.

Bentzen, R. L., A. N. Powell, L. M. Phillips, and R. S. Suydam. 2010. Incubation behavior of king eiders on the coastal plain of northern Alaska. Polar Biology 33(8):1075-1082.

Bentzen, R., A. Powell, and R. Suydam. 2009. Strategies for nest-site selection by king eiders. Journal of Wildlife Management 73:932-938.

Oppel, S., and A. N. Powell. 2009. Does winter region affect spring arrival time and body mass of king eiders in northern Alaska? Polar Biology 32:1203-1209.

Phillips, L. M. and A. N. Powell. 2009. Brood-rearing ecology of king eiders breeding on the North Slope of Alaska. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121:430-434.

Oppel, S., D. L. Dickson, and A. N. Powell. 2009. International importance of the Eastern Chukchi Sea as a staging area for migrating king eiders. Polar Biology 32:775-783.

Oppel, S., A. N. Powell, and D. L. Dickson. 2009. Using an algorithmic model to reveal individually variable movement decisions in a wintering sea duck. Journal of Animal Ecology 78:524-531.

Oppel, S., A. N. Powell, and D. O'Brien. 2009. Using eggshell membranes as a non-invasive tool for investigating the source of nutrients in avian eggs. Journal of Ornithology 150:109-115.

Bentzen, R. L., A. N. Powell, T. D. Williams, and A. S. Kitaysky. 2008. Characterizing the nutritional strategy of incubating king eiders Somateria spectabilis in northern Alaska. Journal of Avian Biology 39:683-690.

Oppel, S., and A. N. Powell. 2008. Assigning king eiders to molting and wintering regions in the Bering Sea using stable isotopes of feathers and claws. Marine Ecology Progress Series 373:149-156.

Bentzen, R. L., A. N. Powell, and R. S. Suydam. 2008. Factors influencing nesting success of king eiders on northern Alaska's coastal plain. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:1781-1789.

Oppel, S., A. N. Powell, and D. L. Dickson. 2008. Timing and distance of king eider migration and winter movements. Condor 110:296-305.

Wilson, H. M., P. L. Flint, and A. N. Powell. 2007. Coupling contaminants with demography: effects of lead and selenium in Pacific common eiders. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:1410-1417.

Phillips, L. M., A. N. Powell, E. J. Taylor, and E. A. Rexstad. 2007. Use of the Beaufort Sea by king eiders breeding on the North Slope of Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:1892-1898.

Knoche, M. J., A. N. Powell, L. T. Quakenbush, M. J. Wooller, and L. M. Phillips. 2007. Further evidence for site fidelity to wing molt locations by king eiders: Integrating stable isotope analyses and satellite telemetry. Waterbirds 30:52-57.

Wilson, H. M., P. L. Flint, T. L. Moran, and A. N. Powell. 2007. Survival of breeding Pacific common eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:403-410.

Powell, A. N. 2006. Are southern California's fragmented salt marshes capable of sustaining endemic bird populations? Pp. 198-204 In Terrestrial Vertebrates of Tidal Marshes: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation. R. Greenberg, J. E. Maldonado, S. Droege, and M. V. McDonald, eds. Studies in Avian Biology No. 32.

Phillips, L. M., A. N. Powell, and E. A. Rexstad. 2006. Large-scale movements and habitat characteristics of king eiders throughout the nonbreeding period. Condor 108:887-900.

Morse, J. A., A. N. Powell, and M. D. Tetreau. 2006. Productivity of black oystercatchers at Kenai Fjords National Park: Is human disturbance a factor? Condor 108:623-633.

Phillips, L. M. and A. N. Powell. 2006. Evidence for wing molt and breeding site fidelity in king eiders. Waterbirds 29:148-153.

Powell, A. N. 2005. Up, down, or stable: populations of beach and estuarine birds in southern California. Pages 17-28 In Planning for Biodiversity: Bringing Research and Management Together [B. E. Kus and J. L. Beyers, technical coordinators]. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-195. Pacific Southwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service, Albany, CA. 274 p.

Powell, A. N., C. L. Collier, J. M. Terp, and B. Peterson. 2002. Status of breeding and wintering snowy plovers in San Diego County, California, 1994-1999. Journal Field Ornithology 73:156-165.

Powell, A. N. 2001. Habitat characteristics and nest success of snowy plovers associated with California least tern colonies. Condor 103:785-792.

Hothem, R. L. and A. N. Powell. 2000. Contaminants in eggs of western snowy plovers and California least terns: Is there a link to population decline? Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 65:42-50.

Powell, A. N. and C. L. Collier. 2000. Habitat use and reproductive success of western snowy plovers at new nesting areas created for California least terns. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:24-33.

Tucker, M. A. and A. N. Powell. 1999. Snowy plover diets in 1995 at a coastal southern California breeding site. Western Birds 30:44-48.

Powell, A. 1998. Western snowy plovers and California least terns. Pp. 629-631 in Mac, M. J., P. A. Opler, C. E. Puckett Haecker, and P. D. Doran (eds.) Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources. 2 vols. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

Zedler, J. B., J. S. Desmond, S. Phinn, B. Nyden, G. Sullivan, G. D. Williams, J. C. Callaway, K. E. Boyer, A. Powell. 1998. New tools for assessing coastal habitats. Pp. 1016-1027 in O. T. Magoon, H. Converse, B. Baird, and M. Miller-Henson (eds.) California and the World Ocean '97. American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA.

Powell, A. N. and C. L. Collier. 1998. Reproductive success of Belding's Savannah sparrows in a highly fragmented landscape. Auk 115:508-513.

Powell, A. N., F. J. Cuthbert, L. C. Wemmer, A. W. Doolittle, and S. T. Feirer. 1997. Captive rearing piping plovers: developing techniques to augment wild populations. Zoo Biology 16:461-477.

Cahoon, D. R., J. C. Lynch and A. N. Powell. 1996. Marsh vertical accretion in a southern California Estuary, U.S.A. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 43:19-32.

Powell, A. N. and F. J. Cuthbert. 1995. Augmenting small populations of plovers: an assessment of cross fostering and captive rearing. Pp. 125-133 in Wildlife and Forests: Readings from Conservation Biology. D. Ehrenfeld, ed. Blackwell Science, Inc. and Society of Conservation Biology.

Powell, A. N. 1993. Nesting habitat of Belding's Savannah sparrows in coastal salt marshes. Wetlands 13:219-223.

Zedler, J. B. and A. N. Powell. 1993. Managing coastal wetlands - complexities, compromises, and concerns. Oceanus 36:19-28.

Powell, A. N. 1993. Bird surveys in Minnesota's northwestern State Parks. Loon 65:4-11.

Powell, A. N. and F. J. Cuthbert. 1993. Augmenting small populations of plovers: An assessment of cross fostering and captive rearing. Conservation Biology 7:160-168.

Powell, A. N. 1993. Brood rearing and chick behavior in killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) and piping plovers (C. melodus). Wader Study Group Bulletin 71:15-16.

Powell, A. N. and F. J. Cuthbert. 1992. Habitat and reproductive success of piping plovers nesting on Great Lakes islands. Wilson Bulletin 401:155-161.

Powell, A. N. 1991. Great Lakes piping plovers - recovery or extirpation? Endangered Species Update 8 (9 & 10):1-4.

Powell, A. N. 1990. Eastern wood-pewee attempts to feed killdeer chicks. Journal of Field Ornithology 61:214-216.

FUNDED PROPOSALS (past 10 years)
Assessing shorebird use of lagoons in Cape Krusenstern National Monument. National Park Service 
Productivity of Black Oystercatchers in southwest Alaska. National Park Service 
Avian community composition relative to fire and thermokarst dynamics in the northern boreal forest. USGS Alaska Science Center 
Wading shorebird habitats in the eastern Beaufort Sea: food resources and sediment characteristics of deltaic mudflats. BOEMRE 
Shorebird and invertebrate distribution on delta mudflats along the Beaufort Sea. USGS Outer Continental Shelf Program, Arctic LCC, Manomet Center Conservation Sciences
Breeding ecology of Smith's Longspurs. USGS Science Support Program 
Habitat and avian communities as indicators of environmental change in boreal forest of interior Alaska. NASA, Alaska Space Grant 
North Slope coastal habitat shorebird ecology (AK). National Fish and Wildlife Federation, Manomet Center Conservation Sciences
At-sea locations of juvenile and first-year king eiders. USGS Outer Continental Shelf Program 
Diet of glaucous gulls on Alaska’s north slope. BLM, Alaska North Slope Borough
Effects of wetland management and landscape characteristics on black tern. USGS Science Support Program 
Pre-migratory movements and distribution of shorebirds staging on the Arctic Coastal Plain. Coastal Marine Institute, USFWS Quick Response Program 
Effects of implantable satellite transmitters on Pacific common eiders. USGS, Cooperative Research Units

Breeding Biology and migration of king eiders on Alaska’s North Slope. Minerals Management Service, Outer Continental Shelf Studies Program 
Survival and productivity of common eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. UA Foundation, Angus Gavin Migratory Bird Research Grant, Sea Duck Joint Venture.
Breeding ecology of black oystercatchers at Kenai Fjords National Park. USGS Science Support Program 
Common ravens on Alaska’s North Slope. Coastal Marine Institute, USGS, BLM

TEACHING

Workshop, Scientific Writing and Publishing
16 September 2013, 5th Western Hemisphere Shorebird Group Meeting, Santa Marta, Colombia

University of Alaska, Fairbanks
2007-15 Scientific Writing, Editing, and Reviewing (BIO/WLF 604)
2014 Animal Migration (BIO/WLF 692)
2011 Seminar: Effects of Climate Change on Birds (WLF 692)
2009 Avian Ecology Discussion Group (BIO/WLD 693)
2009 Current Issues in Conservation Biology (BIO/WLD 622)
2007 Assessment of Implementation Opportunities for Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies in the U.S (WLD 693, with B. Griffith)
2004 Ornithology (BIO 426)
2002 Endangered Species Management (BIO 694)