Yellow-billed loons nesting near an oil rig in Alaska.

Do Oil Developments and Wildlife Coexist? A Look at Yellow-Billed Loons in Alaska

Avery Sinclair in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores how oil development impacts the habitat and breeding patterns of yellow-billed loons in Alaska's Arctic Coastal Plain."

The Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska is a remote and vital breeding ground for the yellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii). With fewer than 4,000 of these birds in North America, the area represents a crucial habitat that faces increasing pressure from oil and gas development. Understanding how these activities affect the loons is essential for conservation efforts.

A comprehensive study published in The Journal of Wildlife Management has shed light on this critical issue. Researchers investigated the relationship between oilfield development and the territory occupancy of breeding yellow-billed loons over a 14-year period on the Colville River delta. This delta is located in northern Alaska, USA.

This study provides valuable insights into how loons respond to industrial activities and whether current protective measures are effective. With the delicate balance between energy needs and environmental stewardship, understanding these dynamics is more critical than ever.

Tracking Loons: How the Study Was Conducted

Yellow-billed loons nesting near an oil rig in Alaska.

The research team conducted aerial surveys of 37 breeding territories on 36 lakes, starting in 1993 before the construction of the Alpine oilfield in 1998, and continuing through 2008 after two additional satellite drill sites were established. The study focused on territory occupancy, defined by the presence of breeding pairs (indicated by active nests) and broods.

Data collected during these surveys were analyzed to determine the effects of habitat and disturbance factors, such as proximity to oilfield facilities and the time period relative to construction activities. By comparing occupancy rates before, during, and after development, the researchers aimed to identify potential negative impacts.

Aerial Surveys: Regular aerial surveys from 1993-2008 monitored loon populations.
Territory Mapping: Defined and mapped breeding territories based on nest and brood locations.
Habitat Analysis: Assessed lake characteristics like size, type, and connections to other water bodies.
Disturbance Measurement: Tracked proximity to oilfield facilities and construction timelines.
Statistical Modeling: Used advanced statistical models to analyze relationships between variables.

This multi-faceted approach allowed the researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing loon occupancy in the face of industrial development. The study also assessed the effectiveness of survey requirements prescribed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA).

What Does This Mean for the Future?

This study offers a glimmer of hope, indicating that yellow-billed loons can be resilient to certain levels of human activity associated with oil development. However, it's crucial to continue monitoring these populations and adapt management strategies as needed to ensure their long-term survival in a changing Arctic landscape.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1002/jwmg.21592, Alternate LINK

Title: Territory Occupancy By Breeding Yellow‐Billed Loons Near Oil Development

Subject: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Journal: The Journal of Wildlife Management

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Charles B. Johnson, Ann M. Wildman, Alexander K. Prichard, Caryn L. Rea

Published: 2018-11-06

Everything You Need To Know

How did researchers track the territory occupancy of the yellow-billed loon and the impact of oil development on it?

The research monitored the territory occupancy of the yellow-billed loon. This was determined through aerial surveys to track breeding pairs, active nests, and broods from 1993 to 2008. Habitat was analyzed through lake characteristics. Disturbance was measured via proximity to oilfield facilities and construction timelines. Statistical modeling was used to understand the relationship between industrial activities and the occupancy rates of the yellow-billed loon. The study also assessed the effectiveness of survey requirements prescribed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA).

What are the broader implications of the study's findings regarding the future of the yellow-billed loon population?

The study indicates that yellow-billed loons exhibit resilience to certain levels of oil development. However, the long-term survival of the yellow-billed loon requires continued monitoring and adaptive management strategies, especially given the changing Arctic landscape. Understanding how the yellow-billed loon adapts is more critical than ever as the balance between energy needs and environmental stewardship shifts.

Where did the study take place, and how was the location significant to the research on the yellow-billed loon?

The study focused on the Colville River delta in northern Alaska. Researchers tracked territory occupancy of the yellow-billed loon across 37 breeding territories on 36 lakes over a 14-year period. These surveys were conducted from 1993 to 2008. The study began before the construction of the Alpine oilfield and continued through the establishment of two additional satellite drill sites. The proximity of these territories to oilfield facilities was a crucial factor.

Why is the Arctic Coastal Plain important for the yellow-billed loon, and what challenges does it face?

The Arctic Coastal Plain is a remote and vital breeding ground for the yellow-billed loon (Gavia adamsii). It is home to fewer than 4,000 of these birds in North America. This makes the area crucial for conservation, especially as pressure increases from oil and gas development. The long-term survival of the yellow-billed loon depends on safeguarding this crucial habitat.

What specific habitat factors were considered, and how did those impact the occupancy of the Yellow-Billed Loons?

Habitat analysis included assessing lake characteristics like size, type, and connections to other water bodies. This provides insights into what habitats are crucial for the survival of the yellow-billed loon. Understanding habitat features helps to gauge the impact of industrial development on the territory occupancy of the yellow-billed loon.