GAP Personnel:

C. Loren Buck
Assistant Professor
University of Alaska Fairbanks
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
118 Trident Way
Kodiak Alaska 99615
Email: loren.buck@uaf.edu

Professional Experience  

•  Assistant Professor, 2001-Present, University of Alaska , School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

•  Assistant Professor, 1999-2001, University of South Dakota , Department of Biology

•  Research Assistant Professor, 1998-1999, University of Alaska Fairbanks , School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences

Education

•  Ph.D. Biology, 1998, University of Alaska Fairbanks , Department of Biology and Wildlife, Institute of Arctic Biology

•  B.S. Biology, 1992, Montana State University ( Billings )

•  B.S. Education, 1992, Montana State University ( Billings )

Research Interests
Research in my laboratory is focused on physiological ecology. We are interested in elucidating impacts of changing environmental conditions on the behavior and physiology (reproductive, metabolic, stress) of marine organisms. The high latitude marine environment is dynamic. It is characterized by extreme intraanual, interannual, and interdecadal variation in temperature, currents, and nutrients etc. which, in turn, profoundly affect species assemblages. Research projects in my laboratory address the mechanistic linkages whereby fluctuations in the environment impact the physiology and ultimate fitness of the individual. Although focused on the individual, these data allow for extrapolation to the population. This research not only serves a basic research function of describing and understanding the fundamental evolution of physiological adaptation, but also serves to define impacts of environmental change on growth and survival.

Current Research Projects

Seabirds

•  Foraging Ecology of Black-legged Kittiwakes

•  Impact of Status on Adrenal Responsiveness and Siblicide in Broods of Black-legged Kittiwakes

•  Affects of Forage Availability on Adrenal Responsiveness of Adult Black-legged Kittiwakes

•  Ecological and Physiological Factors Contributing to Reproductive Success of Glaucous-winged Gulls ( Larus glaucescens )

•  Tufted Puffins as Biological Indicators of Marine Productivity and Forage Fish Availability in the Western Gulf of Alaska

Fish
Fish studies are focused on the metabolic and endocrine changes of both wild and captive fishes exposed to various stressors. For these studies, we utilize swimming performance and respirometry as a proxy for physiological condition. These measures are corroborated by various hematological measures (metabolic enzymes, glucocorticoids, metabolites etc.)

•  Seasonal Variation in the Metabolic Performance of Walleye Pollock and the Influence of Water Temperature.

•  Revival of Halibut By-catch During Alaskan Trawl Fisheries.

•  Metabolic Performance and Stress Physiology of Adult Salmonids

•  Reproductive Physiology of Captive and Free-Ranging Black Rockfish

•  Seasonal Variation in the Metabolic Performance of Walleye Pollock and the Influence of Water Temperature

Swimming walleye pollock in the respirometer at the UAF salt water laboratory.	Swimming walleye pollock in the respirometer at the UAF salt water laboratory.

Crab
Crab studies are focused on the metabolic and endocrine changes of captive tanner crab exposed stressors (subfreezing and aerial exposure). For these studies, we utilize baseline metabolic rate and respirometry as a proxy for physiological condition. These measures are corroborated by various hematological measures (glucocorticoids, metabolites, methyl farnesoate etc.)

Captive, laboratory-held male tanner crab.

Current Graduate Students/Research Associates

Sonya El Majjati, MS Marine Biology—Tanner Crab Stress & Metabolic Physiology

J. Brook Gamble , MS Biology—Physiological Ecology of Glaucous Winged Gulls

Alf Haukenes , Research Associate—Stress & Metabolic Physiology

Dean Kildaw , Research Associate—Seabird Ecology

Katie Murra, MS Marine Biology—Foraging Ecology of Black-legged Kittiwakes

Cory Williams , Ph.D. Marine Biology—Physiological Ecology of Tufted Puffins.

I am currently recruiting for graduate students in Marine Biology at the MS or Ph.D. level to conduct studies on the physiological ecology of seabirds in the Kodiak area. For information on the Graduate Program in Marine Science and Limnology go to http://www.sfos.uaf.edu/academics/index.html

For project details, please contact Dr. Loren Buck at loren.buck@uaf.edu

Manuscripts in Preparation

Haukenes, A.H., Tamone, S., and Buck, C.L.. The effects of water temperature on oxygen consumption for the snow crab (C. opilio).

Buck, C.L., Kildaw , S.D., and O'Reilly, K.M.. Interannual variability in productivity and adrenal responsiveness of Black-legged Kittiwakes.

Kildaw , S.D. , Irons, D., and Buck, C.L. Population dynamics of black-legged kittiwake colonies in Chiniak Bay , Kodiak , Alaska

Manuscripts in Review

Jenkins , J.L., Buck, C.L. and Renner, K. Plasma Leptin and Body Composition in Post-Hibernation Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrels. Prairie Naturalist.

Recent Publications/reports

Lane, J.E., C.L. Buck, and R.M. Brigham. 2004. The bat fauna of southeastern South Dakota . The Prairie Naturalist 35(4): 247-256.

Wynne, K.M., Foy, R.J., Norcross, B., Buck, C.L., and Hills, S. 2003. Availability and use of prey by Steller sea lions in the eastern Kodiak area, 1999- 2000. Final report to the North Pacific Marine Research Program. UAF-SFOS.

Kildaw , S.D. , Murra, K.A., Gamble, J.B. Williams, C. L. Buck, C.L., and Irons, D. 2003. Colony size and productivity of kittiwakes, cormorants, and murres in Chiniak Bay , Kodiak Island , Alaska in 2003. Report for US Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Migratory Bird Management. Anchorage Alaska .

Buck, C. L. and Barnes, B. M. 2003. Androgen in Free-living Arctic Ground Squirrels: Seasonal Changes and Influence of Staged Male-Male Aggressive Encounters. Hormones and Behavior. 43: 318-326.

Kildaw , S.D. , Murra, K.A., Gamble, J.B., Buck, C.L., and Irons, D. 2002. Colony size and productivity of kittiwakes, cormorants, and murres in Chiniak Bay , Kodiak Island , Alaska in 2002. Report for US Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Migratory Bird Management. Anchorage Alaska .

Lane, J.E., Brigham, R.M., Buck, C.L., and Swystun, M.B. 2002. Natural History of Whip-poor-wills ( Caprimulgus vociferous) and the importance of riparian habitat for insectivorous bats in southeast South Dakota . In: South Dakota Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Results and Reports: 2002. South Dakota Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre , S.D. GFP Report.

Kildaw , S.D. , Murra, K.A., Buck, C.L., and Irons, D. 2001. Colony size and productivity of kittiwakes, cormorants, and murres in Chiniak Bay , Kodiak Island , Alaska in 2001. Report for US Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Migratory Bird Management. Anchorage Alaska .

Buck, C.L., Lane, J., Jenkins, J.L., Schlueter, D.T. and R. Mark Brigham . 2001. NaturalHistory and Abundance of Whip-Poor-Wills and Insectivorous Bats in Southeastern South Dakota . In: South Dakota Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Results and Reports: 2001. South Dakota Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre , S.D. GFP Report.

Barnes, B.M. and C.L. Buck. 2000. Hibernation in the extreme: burrow and body temperatures, metabolism, and limits to torpor bout length in arctic ground squirrels In: Life in the Cold (G. Heldmaier & M. Klingenspor eds.) Springer-Verlag Berlin .

Buck, C.L. and Barnes, B.M. 2000. Effects of ambient temperature on metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, and torpor in an Arctic hibernator. American Journal of Physiology; Regulatory, Integrative comparative Physiology. 279: R255-R262.

Buck, C.L. and Barnes, B.M. 1999. Annual cycle of body condition and hibernation in free-living arctic ground squirrels. Journal of Mammalogy . 80(2), 430-442.

Buck, C.L. and Barnes, B.M. 1999. Influence of hibernaculum temperatures on overwinter change in Arctic ground squirrel body condition. Journal of Mammalogy 80(4).

Boyer, B.B., Ormseth, O.A., Buck, L., Nicolson, M., Pellymounter, M.A., and Barnes, B.M.. Leptin reduces posthibernaiton weight gain but does not reduce energy expenditure in arctic ground squirrels. Comp. Biochem. Physiol . 118: 3.

Courses Taught
Metabolic Physiology (693), University of Alaska Fairbanks

Intro. Biology (103), University of South Dakota

Cellular Physiology (425, 525), University of South Dakota

Senior Seminar (429), University of South Dakota

Animal Physiology (401,501), University of South Dakota

Neurophysiology (725), University of South Dakota