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USGS Ecosystems Environments Home

Welcome to the USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments Program

Civilization depends on life-support services that natural ecosystems perform, including regulating climate, mitigating floods and drought, protecting shorelines from erosion, purifying air and water, detoxifying and decomposing wastes, and pollinating crops and natural vegetation. Healthy ecosystems provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife communities. Studies conducted by USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments scientists describe factors that control ecosystem structure, function, condition, and the provision of goods and services. This information is used to predict future changes to ecosystems and to describe the results of management alternatives.USGS works closely with its partners in Department of Interior Bureau's and other resource management agencies to provide scientific information to meet management needs.

Ecosystem science is thus used to restore degraded landscapes and freshwater systems, sustain plants and animals, and find means to adapt management to global change.

Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystems Program's Research Topics

Arid Lands Arid lands host diverse and easily disturbed plant and animal communities.	Coral Reefs Coral reefs are under siege from disease, disturbance and degraded water quality.
Fire Fire is an important part of many arid environments.	Forests Forest ecosystems are undergoing large shifts due to climatic changes.
Global Change Ecosystem changes range from destruction of Gulf Coast wetlands to alterations in Alaskan tundra.	Grasslands Grassland communities are vulnerable to a host of stressors.
Mountains Montane environments are not as isolated as they once seemed.	Outer Continental Self Continental shelf research helps guide Department of Interior management actions.
Priority Ecosystems Science Ecosystem problems require diverse scientific expertise.	Urban Expansion Changes in species composition and loss of habitat accompany urban expansion.
Wetlands Wetlands are important buffers for coastal and fluvial environments.