USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management Active
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science on a topic. Having access to clear, up-to-date summaries of the scientific consensus can help all stakeholders make more informed decisions for managing public lands responsibly.
The USGS Land Management Research Program conducts research to strengthen effective land management actions and inform restoration of priority ecosystems on millions of acres of public lands. Science products are developed to inform adaptive management on public lands such as National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments, and other important landscapes that support the biodiversity of fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as thriving economies.
Evidence-based, scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new and integrated science products is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science.
To meet the needs of our partners, USGS is working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—that facilitates use of science information in public lands decisions. Structured science syntheses are peer-reviewed, published reports that synthesize science information about a priority management issue on public lands. The syntheses are coproduced with resource managers and are structured specifically to align with agency processes that guide public lands decision making, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses. Our goals are to publish multiple structured science syntheses on priority topics for resource managers.
Structured science syntheses
Below is a list of structured science syntheses products currently available or that are in development including a brief overview of the content, project team personnel, and links to products.
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on wildlife
Oil and gas development is a common source of human-caused noise on public lands, and a growing body of research shows that human-caused noise can affect wildlife health and behavior. In these syntheses, we identify data and analysis methods related to noise emitted from oil and gas development on public lands. Each product then synthesizes science about how industrial and traffic noise can affect wildlife whose habitat is commonly intersected by oil and gas development, including ungulates, small mammals, raptors, and songbirds. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publications:
T.K. Rutherford, L.M. Maxwell, N.J. Kleist, E.C. Teige, R.J. Lehrter, M.A. Gilbert, D.J.A. Wood, A.N. Johnston, C. Mengelt, J.C. Tull, T.S. Haby, S.K. Carter. 2023. Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5114, 44 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235114
Maxwell, L.M., Rutherford, T.K., Kleist, N.J., Teige, E.C., Lehrter, R.J., Gilbert, M.A., Wood, D.J., Johnston, A., Tull, J.C., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., in review, Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of Culverts on Habitat Connectivity in Streams
Culverts are widely used to control water flow where roads and streams intersect. Culverts can alter stream flow and connectivity, potentially impacting habitat availability and movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. Public land managers are tasked with designing culverts in ways that minimize the potential negative environmental impacts from improper design or degradation over time. This synthesis is organized to support public lands decisions around culvert installation, modification, and removal, and focuses on methods that can be used to assess the effects of culverts on fish of the Intermountain West and resources for designing culverts that simulate natural stream conditions. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication:
Lehrter, R.J., Rutherford, T.K., Dunham, J.B., Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., 2024, Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5132, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235132
Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains
The ecology of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) has been well studied in relatively hot, dry regions of the Great Basin, an area notable for having high risk of establishment and expansion of IAGs following fire and other disturbances to vegetation communities. However, there is growing concern about unintentional spread of IAGs from vegetation treatments in cooler, wetter regions considered more resilient and resistant to annual grass invasion. This synthesis summarizes science information on IAGs in the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains, focusing on potential changes in distribution following vegetation treatments, effects of climate change, and techniques for assessing and limiting the risk of IAG spreading from vegetation treatments. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication:
Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Ebenhoch, K., Rutherford, T.K., Maxwell, L.M., and Carter, S.K., in review, Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the Middle Rockies and Northwestern Great Plains—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of non-motorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States
Human-powered recreation, such as hiking and mountain biking, occurs on public lands nationwide, and visits to public lands for non-motorized recreation have increased over time. While non-motorized use of public lands can be quiet and non-consumptive, these recreation pursuits often take place in wildlife habitat and have the potential to negatively impact ungulates, such as deer, elk, and mountain goats. The net impacts of non-motorized recreation depend on the type and timing of the activity, the landscape context, ungulate characteristics, habitat quality and background human activities, among other factors. This synthesis provides land managers information to understand these potential effects and possible ways they can be minimized when developing new non-motorized recreational opportunities on public lands. This was a collaborative effort between USGS and the BLM.
Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management
The body of scientific information around climate change is vast and changing rapidly. This synthesis is intended to be a starting point for public land managers, particularly BLM, in the sagebrush region for considering climate change when making land management decisions. This synthesis provides a description of climate-related data resources and summarizes the current state of knowledge on potential climate change impacts in sagebrush ecosystems, as well as information about the consequences of these changes for individual plants, plant communities, and disturbances, such as fire and drought. To help land managers connect climate change impacts to the resources they manage, this synthesis also explores the impacts of climate-driven vegetation changes to a variety of permitted uses and activities in sagebrush habitats managed by federal agencies. This was a collaborative effort between the US Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and Yale University.
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science on a topic. Having access to clear, up-to-date summaries of the scientific consensus can help all stakeholders make more informed decisions for managing public lands responsibly.
The USGS Land Management Research Program conducts research to strengthen effective land management actions and inform restoration of priority ecosystems on millions of acres of public lands. Science products are developed to inform adaptive management on public lands such as National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments, and other important landscapes that support the biodiversity of fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as thriving economies.
Evidence-based, scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new and integrated science products is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science.
To meet the needs of our partners, USGS is working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product—structured science syntheses—that facilitates use of science information in public lands decisions. Structured science syntheses are peer-reviewed, published reports that synthesize science information about a priority management issue on public lands. The syntheses are coproduced with resource managers and are structured specifically to align with agency processes that guide public lands decision making, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses. Our goals are to publish multiple structured science syntheses on priority topics for resource managers.
Structured science syntheses
Below is a list of structured science syntheses products currently available or that are in development including a brief overview of the content, project team personnel, and links to products.
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on wildlife
Oil and gas development is a common source of human-caused noise on public lands, and a growing body of research shows that human-caused noise can affect wildlife health and behavior. In these syntheses, we identify data and analysis methods related to noise emitted from oil and gas development on public lands. Each product then synthesizes science about how industrial and traffic noise can affect wildlife whose habitat is commonly intersected by oil and gas development, including ungulates, small mammals, raptors, and songbirds. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publications:
T.K. Rutherford, L.M. Maxwell, N.J. Kleist, E.C. Teige, R.J. Lehrter, M.A. Gilbert, D.J.A. Wood, A.N. Johnston, C. Mengelt, J.C. Tull, T.S. Haby, S.K. Carter. 2023. Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5114, 44 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235114
Maxwell, L.M., Rutherford, T.K., Kleist, N.J., Teige, E.C., Lehrter, R.J., Gilbert, M.A., Wood, D.J., Johnston, A., Tull, J.C., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., in review, Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of Culverts on Habitat Connectivity in Streams
Culverts are widely used to control water flow where roads and streams intersect. Culverts can alter stream flow and connectivity, potentially impacting habitat availability and movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. Public land managers are tasked with designing culverts in ways that minimize the potential negative environmental impacts from improper design or degradation over time. This synthesis is organized to support public lands decisions around culvert installation, modification, and removal, and focuses on methods that can be used to assess the effects of culverts on fish of the Intermountain West and resources for designing culverts that simulate natural stream conditions. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication:
Lehrter, R.J., Rutherford, T.K., Dunham, J.B., Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., 2024, Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5132, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235132
Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains
The ecology of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) has been well studied in relatively hot, dry regions of the Great Basin, an area notable for having high risk of establishment and expansion of IAGs following fire and other disturbances to vegetation communities. However, there is growing concern about unintentional spread of IAGs from vegetation treatments in cooler, wetter regions considered more resilient and resistant to annual grass invasion. This synthesis summarizes science information on IAGs in the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains, focusing on potential changes in distribution following vegetation treatments, effects of climate change, and techniques for assessing and limiting the risk of IAG spreading from vegetation treatments. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication:
Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Ebenhoch, K., Rutherford, T.K., Maxwell, L.M., and Carter, S.K., in review, Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the Middle Rockies and Northwestern Great Plains—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of non-motorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States
Human-powered recreation, such as hiking and mountain biking, occurs on public lands nationwide, and visits to public lands for non-motorized recreation have increased over time. While non-motorized use of public lands can be quiet and non-consumptive, these recreation pursuits often take place in wildlife habitat and have the potential to negatively impact ungulates, such as deer, elk, and mountain goats. The net impacts of non-motorized recreation depend on the type and timing of the activity, the landscape context, ungulate characteristics, habitat quality and background human activities, among other factors. This synthesis provides land managers information to understand these potential effects and possible ways they can be minimized when developing new non-motorized recreational opportunities on public lands. This was a collaborative effort between USGS and the BLM.
Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management
The body of scientific information around climate change is vast and changing rapidly. This synthesis is intended to be a starting point for public land managers, particularly BLM, in the sagebrush region for considering climate change when making land management decisions. This synthesis provides a description of climate-related data resources and summarizes the current state of knowledge on potential climate change impacts in sagebrush ecosystems, as well as information about the consequences of these changes for individual plants, plant communities, and disturbances, such as fire and drought. To help land managers connect climate change impacts to the resources they manage, this synthesis also explores the impacts of climate-driven vegetation changes to a variety of permitted uses and activities in sagebrush habitats managed by federal agencies. This was a collaborative effort between the US Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and Yale University.