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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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EcoNews

A USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Newsletter

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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

A pronghorn stands in front of oil and gas development infrastructure, Vernal, Utah

Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Humpback chub rebound: USGS science uncovers population increase and range expansion for threatened fish

Humpback chub rebound: USGS science uncovers population increase and range expansion for threatened fish

EESC in the News: Sturgeon Genetics

EESC in the News: Sturgeon Genetics

USGS Research Informs Big Game Management—Mule Deer Sensitive to Temperature Extremes and Habitat Quality

USGS Research Informs Big Game Management—Mule Deer Sensitive to Temperature Extremes and Habitat Quality

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Publications

Predicting reach-scale macroinvertebrate community changes due to declining flows in an aridland river Predicting reach-scale macroinvertebrate community changes due to declining flows in an aridland river

Understanding the connection between streamflow and macroinvertebrate community structure is critical for managing river ecosystems under scenarios of change caused by human activities and drought. Streamflow influences physical habitat characteristics, including depth, water velocity, and substrate composition, which structure macroinvertebrate communities. Although strong empirical...
Authors
Justin C. Hockett, Christopher Holmquist-Johnson, Joel G. Murray, Eric W. Kortenhoeven, David M. Merritt, David A. Lytle
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making

Authors
Sarah E. Whipple, Katherine A. Kurth, Catherine A. Nikiel, Andy J. Maguire, Jay R. Alder, Julian. J.T. Reyes, Julian A. Scott, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2025 annual report Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2025 annual report

In cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey monitored 98 Gavia immer (common loon) focal territories and 43 nonfocal territories in north-central Minnesota in 2025. Focal territories are those sampling units from which study inferences can be made. Nonfocal territories were adjacent to focal territories and were observed to monitor common...
Authors
William S. Beatty, Luke J. Fara, Kristin Hall, Kevin P. Kenow, Timothy S. Mitchell, Michael J. Wellik
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
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Science

Image: Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Ecology and Distribution of the Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat

The ‘ōpe‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat, Lasiurus semotus) is listed as endangered due to population declines and a lack of knowledge on its distribution, abundance, and habitat needs. In order to help inform management for and recovery of this species, USGS-PIERC in collaboration with other agencies has conducted studies on the bat’s distribution, abundance, population genetics, food habitats, and...
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Ecology and Distribution of the Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Ecology and Distribution of the Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat

The ‘ōpe‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat, Lasiurus semotus) is listed as endangered due to population declines and a lack of knowledge on its distribution, abundance, and habitat needs. In order to help inform management for and recovery of this species, USGS-PIERC in collaboration with other agencies has conducted studies on the bat’s distribution, abundance, population genetics, food habitats, and...
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Photo of farms in the Black Earth Creek watershed, Wis.

Land application of waste to US farmland: Understanding the scope and environmental implications to aid best practices

USGS is studying how different waste materials are reused on farmland and what they might mean for people and the environment. These wastes can offer benefits, but they can also carry substances we don’t fully understand. Because little is known about what’s in these waste materials or how they move through soil and water, more information is needed. USGS research helps fill these gaps so...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Land application of waste to US farmland: Understanding the scope and environmental implications to aid best practices

Land application of waste to US farmland: Understanding the scope and environmental implications to aid best practices

USGS is studying how different waste materials are reused on farmland and what they might mean for people and the environment. These wastes can offer benefits, but they can also carry substances we don’t fully understand. Because little is known about what’s in these waste materials or how they move through soil and water, more information is needed. USGS research helps fill these gaps so...
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Male bighorn sheep

Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Research in Western National Park Units

Mountain goat and bighorn sheep are iconic symbols of many national lands in the West and are economically important as big game species on some public lands and as tourist attractions in and around national parks. Both species have limited distributions that can be difficult to observe and face multiple stressors including disease, increasing recreation in remote areas, and shifting weather...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Research in Western National Park Units

Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat Research in Western National Park Units

Mountain goat and bighorn sheep are iconic symbols of many national lands in the West and are economically important as big game species on some public lands and as tourist attractions in and around national parks. Both species have limited distributions that can be difficult to observe and face multiple stressors including disease, increasing recreation in remote areas, and shifting weather...
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