Wildlife Research

A harbor seal resting on exposed rock ledge.

Ashley L. Conti, Friends of Acadia,, NPS

Scientific studies about wildlife at Acadia National Park are part of Acadia's Science Legacy including marine mammal research, bird research, invertebrates and more. Listed below are some important datasets and research studies related to wildlife in the park. A full species list and more research can be found on IRMA. For more stories about wildlife in Acadia, visit our Animals page.

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Marine Mammal Research

Richardson (1971, 1972, 1973, 1977) conducted aerial inventories of harbor and gray seals in the Acadia National Park region of the coast.

• Richardson, D.T. 1971. Semi-annual progress report: Distribution and abundance of harbor and gray seals: Acadia National Park area. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180111

• Richardson, D.T. 1972. Semiannual progress report: Distribution and abundance of harbor and gray seals: Acadia National Park area: Period covered January 1 to June 30, 1972. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180226
• Richardson, D.T. 1972. Semiannual progress report: Distribution and abundance of harbor and gray seals: Acadia National Park area: Period covered July 1 to December 31, 1971. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180237
• Richardson, D.T. 1973. Semiannual progress report: Distribution and abundance of harbor and gray seals: Acadia National Park area: Period covered July 1 to December 30, 1972. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180112
• Richardson, D.T. 1973. Final report: Distribution and abundance of harbor and gray seals: Acadia National Park: Period covered - July 1, 1971 to July 1, 1973. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180110
• Richardson, D.T. 1977. Six year assessment of abundance and distribution of harbor seals and gray seals in the Acadia National Park area: Period covered: June, 1971 - July, 1977. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2180113

 

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Bird Research

Birding research atAcadia has a long and stories history going back to the mid 1800s. Learn more on our Bird Research page and find more information about birds at Acadia on our birds and birdwatching pages.

 

 

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Invertebrate Research

The Champlain Society surveyed marine invertebrates of Somes Sound in 1880. William Procter conducted a complete and detailed survey of marine invertebrates in marine waters adjacent to Mount Desert Island in the 1926-1932. He noted over 500 species in 13 phyla. The collections from his survey are stored in Acadia National Park’s collections. The specimen nomenclature was updated by Mittelhauser and Kelly (2007).

• Mittelhauser, G., and D. Kelly. 2007. Inventory of marine fauna in Frenchman Bay and Blue Hill Bay, Maine 1926-1932: catalog of William Procter's marine collections. Maine Natural History Observatory, Gouldsboro, ME. https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2179564