• Wildlife
• About
  • Organizational Chart, Contacts
  -->
  • Strategic Plan
• Highlights
• Research
  • Adaptive Management
  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Energy and Wildlife
  • Genetics
  • Imperiled Species
  • Invertebrates
  • Mammals: Large Species
  • Mammals: Small Species
  • Mammals: Marine Species
  • Reptiles
  • Wildlife Health
• Search Ecosystems
•  
• Start with Science
• Climate and Land Use Change
• Core Science Systems
• Ecosystems
  • Cooperative Research Units
  • Fisheries: Aquatic and Endangered Resources Program
  • Genetics & Genomics
  • International
  • Invasive Species Program
  • Microbiology
  • Priority Ecosystems Science
  • Status & Trends Program
  • Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments Program
  • USA National Phenology Network
  • Wildlife: Terrestrial and Endangered Resources Program
• Energy and Minerals
• Environmental Health
• Natural Hazards
• Science Quality and Integrity
• Water

USGS Ecosystems Wildlife: Terrestrial and Endangered Resources Program About

About the Program

The USGS Wildlife Program conducts research and provides scientific information on the Nation's wildlife species, including birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. We focus our efforts on meeting the information needs of natural resource management partners, such as the Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, States, Tribes, and others. The Program conducts basic and applied biological research to determine factors influencing the distribution, abundance, and condition of wildlife populations, habitats, and their associated ecosystems. Scientists develop tools and methods for wildlife management such as models of alternative management scenarios, statistical techniques, genetics applications, and identification of emerging diseases. Scientists also perform research that links the physical, chemical, and biological factors that impact biodiversity and ecosystem resilience through coordinated responses to issues such as land use, climate change, and alternative energy development.

These activities produce scientifically grounded information needed by partners that make decisions under the various laws governing natural resources, such as the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act. To help managers achieve their goals, USGS scientists conduct research on species' life histories, factors influencing populations, and the efficacy of management actions. Scientists also evaluate the impact of cumulative stressors relative to ecosystem structure, function, and ability to deliver goods and services.

Despite our complete Program name, (Wildlife: Terrestrial and Endangered Resources), our work does not stop at the Nation's beaches. In addition to our activities on dry land, the Wildlife Program supports work on those marine mammals under Department of Interior jurisdiction (polar bear, walrus, sea otter, and manatee), as well as marine sea turtles.