Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) populations in the boreal forest biome tend to cycle at 10 -14 year intervals. As a major prey item for boreal forest carnivores, particularly lynx (Lynx canadensis), the cycling has cascading effects on wildlife populations as well as habitat conditions on the Refuge. We monitor hare populations indirectly by counting their pellets within 49 plots on each of five grids annually.

Wildfire and spruce bark beetles (Dendroctonus rufipennis) are the dominant natural processes that modify the Kenai landscape. Wildfire intervals average 800 years in white/Lutz spruce and 80 years in black spruce. In contrast, spruce bark beetle outbreaks in mature white/Lutz spruce occur at shorter intervals, averaging one every 50 years.

Moose (Alces alces) populations have declined since 1985, from 6600 to less than 6000, presumably in response to declining browse availability as the forest matures. Populations in Game Management Unit (GMU) 15A have decreased, in GMU 15B remained stable, and in GMU 15C have increased. In cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, we conduct aerial population estimates using a stratified-random approach called SMOOSE.

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) were reintroduced to the Kenai Peninsula in the mid 1960’s and again in the mid 1980’s. Populations of three of the four established herds have generally been stable, although the Fox River herd has declined substantially in recent years. In cooperation with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, we conduct aerial surveys to census caribou herds and estimate their composition.

Wolves (Canis lupus) were intensively studied on the Refuge during the 1970s and 1980s after they re-colonized the Peninsula following caribou re-introduction. Once wolf packs became established in the late 1960s, their population remained relatively stable over the subsequent 3 decades on Game Management Unit (GMU) 15A. We are developing new methods to monitor wolf populations.

Trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) have increased since aerial surveys were first flown in 1957. The Refuge has contributed to this increase by protecting swan broods from disturbance, particularly aircraft landings during the hunting season. We conduct systematic surveys to determine nesting effort, nesting success, and productivity.

Kenai Flats and Chickaloon Flats are the two largest tidal marshes on the Refuge. We estimate waterfowl populations on the Kenai Flats during the spring migration from ground counts.

The Kenai River may be one of the more important wintering areas for bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in southcentral Alaska. During periods of open water, we estimate peak wintering populations on both the upper & lower Kenai River from boat surveys. We also monitor nest success and productivity during the breeding season.

The double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) colony in Skilak Lake is one of only two inland breeding populations in Alaska. We estimate nesting success and productivity from ground counts.

Furbearer populations have remained fairly stable over the past decade based on harvest data. Harvest reports are a condition of trapping permits, which are issued by the Refuge.

Baiting for black bears (Ursus americanus) has been legal in Alaska since 1983. In 1984, the State dropped the permit requirement, but the Refuge continued to require a permit that incorporated State conditions. Beginning in 1989, we required harvest data as a condition of the permit.