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Ecosystems
The interacting populations of plants, animals, and microorganisms occupying a certain area, and their relationship to the environment.
Subtopics:
Aquatic ecosystems (132 items)
Terrestrial ecosystems (100 items)
Wetland ecosystems (34 items)
Related topics:
Results 1 - 102 of 264 listed by similarity [list alphabetically]
Ecosystems [More info]
Research and monitoring to develop fundamental understanding of ecosystem function and distributions, physical and biological components and trophic dynamics for freshwater, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems and the human and fish and wildlife communitie
Ecosystems of South Florida [More info]
An overview with brief descriptions and photographs of some of South Florida's unique ecosystems.
Alaska Interagency Ecosystem Health Work Group [More info]
A community of practice that recognizes the interconnections between the health of ecosystems, wildlife, and humans and meets to facilitate the exchange of ideas, data, and research opportunities.
PDF Avian conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region, Northern Great Plains-Understanding the links between climate, ecosystem processes, wetland management, and bird communities [More info]
Small wetlands in this large area have hosted migratory birds for a long time, but with changes in agricultural practice and regional climate those habitats may not remain hospitable to the wild populations.
Biological resource status and trends: Aquatic ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on aquatic ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Bay, delta, and estuarine ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on bay, delta, and estuarine ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Boreal forest ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on boreal forest ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Desert ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on desert ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Forest ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Forest ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Grassland ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Grassland ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Inland water ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on inland water ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: intertidal and coastline ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on intertidal and coastline ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Lake ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on lake ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Marine ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on marine ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Montane ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on montane ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Ocean and sea ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on oceanic ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Reef ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on reef ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: River and stream ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on river and stream ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Savanna ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on savanna ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Shrubland and steppe ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on shrubland and steppe ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Temperate forest ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on temperate forest ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Terrestrial ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on terrestrial ecosystems
Biological resource status and trends: Tropical forest ecosystems [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on tropical forest ecosystems
Boston Harbor ecosystems [More info]
This web site is an outgrowth of an agreement between the USGS and the New England Aquarium, designed to summarize and make available results of scientific research. It will also present educational material of interest to wide audiences.
Changing Arctic Ecosystems-Measuring and forecasting the response of Alaska's terrestrial ecosystem to a warming climate [More info]
Combining genetic data with current and predicted climate scenarios, we are modeling the predicted future distributions of wildlife populations in the Arctic and identifying key environmental variables that determine important animal habitat.
Changing Arctic ecosystems-Research to understand and project changes in marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Arctic [More info]
Three themes of ongoing research: forecasting polar bear and walrus population response to changing marine ecosystems; measuring wildlife population changes in the Arctic coastal plain, and wildlife communities in the boreal-Arctic transition zone.
Climate change in mountain ecosystems [More info]
Overview of interdisciplinary research studies in Glacier National Park to understand how this mountain wilderness responds to present climatic variability and other external stressors, such as air pollution, and links to detailed reports.
Coastal ecosystem responses to influences from land and sea, coastal and ocean science [More info]
Changes in both the ocean and coastal ecosystems may have negative effects on sea otter populations in the coastal Northwest and Alaska. A study underway will examine these factors and the overall health of sea otter populations.
Connectivity of tropical marine ecosystems--An overview of interdisciplinary research to understand biodiversity and trophic relationships in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico [More info]
Describes research to assess the effectiveness of the current system and distribution of marine reserves and protected areas in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico for conserving reef ecosystems and resources.
PDF Estuaries of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem: Laboratories of Long-term Change [More info]
Explains how we reconstruct past environmental conditions, especially salinity, to help guide ecosystem restoration efforts in this area.
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center [More info]
Home page of the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, providing research and technical support for ecosystem management in the western U.S. Links to projects, field stations, fact sheets, partnerships, and publications.
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center: Fact Sheets [More info]
Access to Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center fact sheets on fish, fish diseases, aquatic resources, and other projects and activities.
PDF From ridge to reef--linking erosion and changing watersheds to impacts on the coral reef ecosystems of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Ocean [More info]
Explains how land processes on hills near the shoreline affect the health of coral reefs.
PDF Gulf of Mexico deep-sea coral ecosystem studies, 2008-2011 [More info]
Deep-sea corals, also known as cold-water corals, have become a topic of interest due to conservation concerns over the impacts of trawling, exploration for oil and gas, and climate change.
PDF Land-use planning for nearshore ecosystem services--the Puget Sound Ecosystem Portfolio Model [More info]
Describes the types of concerns and observations used to help area resource managers analyze actual or potential changes in this highly developed ecosystem.
Mercury in stream ecosystems - publications [More info]
Publications dealing with the occurrence, methods of monitoring, and changes in the concentration of mercury within streams and nearby areas
Natural and human drivers of biodiversity in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem [More info]
This study reconstructs past interactions among ecosystem factors, native species, and human land use in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem to provide a context for future management to sustain both ecological and human communities.
Priority ecosystem studies initiative [More info]
Description of the priority ecosystems studies initiative with links to projects in Chesapeake Bay, Greater Yellowstone, Mojave Desert, Platte River, Salton Sea, San Francisco, and south Florida.
Recoverability and vulnerability of desert ecosystems [More info]
Research results (publications, photographs, maps) on ecological processes within the Mojave Desert Ecosystem to provide land managers with scientific understanding and tools needed to conserve and restore threatened desert landscapes.
PDF Science-Based Strategies for Sustaining Coral Ecosystems [More info]
Explains the environmental factors that affect coral reef habitats and ecosystems, focusing on those that pose urgent problems.
SolVES - Social values for ecosystem services [More info]
GIS application for assessing, mapping, and quantifying the social value of ecosystem services. Helps decision makers consider tradeoffs among them with the human attitudes and preferences that express underlying social values.
South Florida Ecosystem History Project [More info]
Project is designed to integrate studies from a number of researchers compiling data from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems within south Florida. Links to publications, maps, posters, and data of studies.
Terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems program [More info]
Program studies focus on understanding the factors which control ecosystem structure, function, condition, and the provision of goods and services.
PDF Urban development results in stressors that degrade stream ecosystems [More info]
Explains which aspects of stream ecosystems are harmed by urban development and how, along with implications for those who manage urban ecosystems.
Western Fisheries Research Center - Our research: aquatic ecosystems [More info]
Links to reports of aquatic ecosystems research at the Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) emphasizing the understanding of ecological processes for aquatic systems, including river basins, riparian areas, wetlands, and estuaries.
Access USGS - San Francisco Bay and Delta [More info]
Main page for accessing links for information and data on the San Francisco Bay estuary and its watershed with links to highlights, water, biology, wetlands, hazards, digital maps, geologic mapping, winds, bathymetry and overview of the Bay.
Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse [More info]
Clearinghouse for the description and availability of multiple geospatial datasets relating to Alaska from many federal, state and local cooperating agencies under the coordination of the Alaska Geographic Data Committee.
Alaska Science Center - Biological Science Office [More info]
Research on birds, mammals, ecosystems and habitats, fish and fisheries in Alaska
Aquatic Ecology Branch, Leetown Science Center [More info]
Programs of the Aquatic Ecology Branch on landscape ecology and GIS, molecular genetics, environmental contaminants, stream ecology, and other aspects of aquatic ecology in eastern United States.
Arctic Refuge coastal plain terrestrial wildlife research summaries [More info]
Updated summaries of research in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, on caribou, muskoxen, predators (grizzly bears, wolves, golden eagles), polar bears, snow geese and their wildlife habitats with maps of land-cover and vegetation.
PDF Assessing rangelands [More info]
Fact sheet in Adobe PDF on assessing the health of rangeland by monitoring and inventory which can help land managers
PDF Assessment of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Autauga Creek watershed, Autauga County, Alabama, 2009 [More info]
Previous analysis showed this area to have reduced macroinvertebrate biodiversity, an important measure of ecosystem health. New observations indicate that conditions have improved; report includes methods and results of sampling.
PDF Assessment of least tern and piping plover habitats on the Missouri River using remote sensing [More info]
Analysis and modeling of multispectral imagery helps to predict the suitability of sand bars for nesting of these migratory birds.
Atchafalaya & Mississippi River Deltas study: a tale of two deltas [More info]
Project of the Gulf of Mexico Integrated Science program that evaluates the transport and sedimentation of contaminates through the Mississippi River and Atchafalaya River delta to the near-shore Gulf of Mexico. Includes aerial photographs.
PDF Beyond the Golden Gate--oceanography, geology, biology, and environmental issues in the Gulf of the Farallones [More info]
A geologic and oceanographic study of the waters and Continental Shelf of Gulf of the Farallones adjacent to the San Francisco Bay region. The results of the study provide a scientific basis to evaluate and monitor human impact on the marine environment.
BioData: a national aquatic bioassessment database [More info]
A web-enabled database that provides for the capture, curation, integration, and delivery of bioassessment data collected by USGS, principally macroinvertebrate, algae, fish, and supporting habitat data from rivers and streams.
Biological and ecotoxicological characteristics of terrestrial vertebrates residing in estuaries [More info]
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends (BEST) program is designed to assess and monitor the effects of environmental contaminants on biological resources with links to detailed information on specific species.
Biological resource status and trends: Caves and subterranean habitats [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on caves and subterranean habitats
Biological resource status and trends: Terrestrial invasive organisms [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on terrestrial invasive organisms
Biological resource status and trends: Wetlands [More info]
Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on wetland ecosystems
Biological soil crusts [More info]
Explains biological soil crusts, organism-produced soil formations commonly found in semiarid and arid environments, with special reference to their biological composition, physical characteristics, and ecological significance.
PDF Biological soil crusts: webs of life in the desert [More info]
Fact sheet on the need to protect biological soil crusts in the desert. These crusts are most of the soil surface in deserts not covered by green plants and are inhabited by cyanobacterium (blue-green algae) and other organisms useful to the ecosystem.
Bird Point Count Database [More info]
Perform custom searches for bird count and bird habitat data or enter your bird count and vegetation data.
PDF Born of fire: restoring sagebrush steppe [More info]
USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center: fact sheet in Adobe PDF about the studies to restore sagebrush steppe
PDF Bryophytes and lichens, small but indispensable forest dwellers [More info]
Description of bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) and lichens (dual organisms of a fungus and an alga or a cyanobacterium) that are part of forest ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest with information on habitat and conservation.
PDF Buck Island Reef National Monument Sea Turtle Research Program: Sea turtle nesting research & monitoring protocols manual [More info]
Manual for research program on the nesting habits of sea turtles of the Virgin Islands, with descriptions of species, nesting behavior, observation methods, record keeping, tagging, and tissue sample collection. (PDF file, 121 pp.)
PDF Buffelgrass-Integrated modeling of an invasive plant [More info]
Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) poses a problem in the deserts of the United States, growing in dense stands and introducing a wildfire risk in an ecosystem not adapted to fire. This report explains what we are doing to help mitigate its effects.
Characterization of macroalgal epiphytes on Thalassia testudinum in Tampa Bay, Florida [More info]
Identification of epiphytes (plants obtaining moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and usually living on another plant) on seaweed in Tampa Bay, Florida. Abstract of symposium presentation with photos.
Chesapeake Bay activities [More info]
Information on USGS studies of Chesapeake Bay, the nation's largest estuary, concerned with water quality, ecosystem history and change, vital habitat and biological resources, and land use studies.
Classification of natural ponds and lakes in the glaciated prairie region [More info]
Presents a wetland classification system that reflects seasonal, regional, and local variations in the environment.
Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States [More info]
Detailed publication on the classification system for an inventory of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States used to describe ecological taxa and arrange them in a system useful to resource managers.
Climate-Driven Ocean Changes Affect Estuaries [More info]
Research findings and examples of application to real problems--Pacific Ocean cooling triggers phytoplankton blooms in San Francisco Bay.
Coastal and Marine Geology Program [More info]
Home page for Coastal and Marine Geology with links to topics of interest (sea level change, erosion, corals, pollution, sonar mapping, and others), Sound Waves monthly newsletter, field centers, regions of interest, and subject search system.
Coastal habitats in Puget Sound [More info]
Declines in fish and wildlife populations, water-quality issues, and changes in coastal habitats have prompted this USGS study of the region's nearshore life and environment. Includes links to data from published reports.
Columbia Environmental Research Center [More info]
Website for the Columbia Environmental Research Center with links to staff, publications, databases, field stations, and projects including those on the Rio Grande, burrowing owls, sea turtles, and geospatial technology.
Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) online databases [More info]
Links to Columbia Environmental Research Center online databases with text, data, and metadata on toxicity, Missouri River, biomonitoring of environmental status and trends, contaminants, and sediments.
Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) publications [More info]
Links to electronic publications of the Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) including journal articles and full-text publications accessible by publication series and subjects.
Columbia River USGS Interdisciplinary Science Explorer WebSite [More info]
Web site for an Internet Map Service (IMS) serving base cartographic data, USGS data, science applications and real time modelling analyses for the Columbia River basin using geospatial analysis technology.
Community model for coastal sediment transport [More info]
Description of the National Community Sediment-Transport Model (NCSTM), an open source numerical model for sediment transport in coastal regions.
Contaminant exposure and effects--terrestrial vertebrates (CEE-TV) database [More info]
The information provided in the CEE-TV database profiles available geo-referenced information on contaminant exposure and effects in terrestrial vertebrates along the U. S. coasts. The database utilizes Microsoft's Access 2000 for Windows.
Contributions of the Conservation Reserve Program to populations of breeding birds in North Dakota [More info]
Assessment of the importance of the Conservation Reserve Program in preventing the decline of grassland breeding birds by preserving grassland habitats in North Dakota. Published as Wilson Bulletin v. 107 no. 4, pp. 709-718 (1995).
PDF Coral Diseases Following Massive Bleaching in 2005 Cause 60 Percent Decline in Coral Cover and Mortality of the Threatened Species, Acropora Palmata, on Reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands [More info]
Record-high seawater temperatures and calm seas in the summer of 2005 led to the most severe coral bleaching (death) ever observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Coral mortality and African dust [More info]
Report with mini-movie and photos on the hypothesis that the atmospheric transport of dust arising from the desertification in northern Africa led to algal infestation of corals, coral diseases, and the near extinction of associated sea urchins.
PDF Corals as climate recorders [More info]
Shows how coral reef specimens are collected, the type of information gained from them, and the methods by which they are measured and studied to understand recent (past few centuries) changes in climate.
Current research at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center [More info]
Search interface for current research activities at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, located in Maryland north of Washington DC
PDF Decision-support systems for natural-hazards and land-management issues [More info]
Three mathematical models using information about the geographic distribution and character of land surface characteristics along with proposed modifications or plausible events to determine the likely costs and benefits of actions and events.
Desert tortoise research at Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) [More info]
Links to research studies, conservation information, and general information on desert tortoises at the Western Ecological Research Center in Sacramento, California.
Deserts, geology and resources [More info]
Online edition of booklet describing desert geology and mineral resources.
PDF Detailed seafloor habitat mapping to enhance marine-resource management [More info]
We conduct systematic imaging of reef habitats in order to provide regulatory agencies with information they need to decide whether those reefs should be designated as protected areas.
PDF Detecting Evidence of Climate Change in the Forests of the Eastern United States [More info]
The relation between seasonal forest change and weather is being tracked and analyzed by comparing precise field observations to regional patterns shown in long-term satellite imagery.
Diatoms: applications [More info]
Use of diatoms in biostratigraphy, coastal and estuarine studies, paleoceanology, paleoliminology, earthquake studies, environmental quality and forensic studies. Includes listing of USGS diatom projects and links to other diatom websites.
Duckdata: a bibliographic data base of North American waterfowl (Anatidae) and their wetland habitat [More info]
Comprehensive bibliography on the ecology, conservation, and management of North American waterfowl and their wetland habitats. Facilitates searching or downloading as *.zip files and use with ProCite utility.
Earthshots, satellite images of environmental change [More info]
Satellite images of geographic areas of interest, cities, deserts, glaciers, geologic features, disaster areas, water bodies, and wildlife linked with articles, maps, and other images such as AVHRR, photographs, and special project images.
Ecological National Synthesis Project [More info]
National-scale perspective and assessments on aquatic ecology, and the chemical and physical factors that affect aquatic conditions and health.
PDF Effects of brush management on the hydrologic budget and water quality in and adjacent to Honey Creek State Natural Area, Comal County, Texas, 2001--10 [More info]
Comparison of water in two adjacent watersheds before and after implementing a brush management strategy in one of the watersheds helps us see what water resource characteristics are sensitive to brush management and how.
PDF Effects of Ocean Acidification and Sea-Level Rise on Coral Reefs [More info]
By measuring the current and historical growth rates of coral skeletons, and using field experiments, we intend to find out whether rising atmospheric CO2 and rising sea levels will cause coral reefs to erode and cease to function.
PDF Effects of wastewater on forested wetlands [More info]
Study of the effects of the practice of cycling municipal nutrient-enriched wastewater from holding ponds through forested wetlands. Studies were in the Cypiere Perdue Swamp, Louisiana, and the Drummond Bog, Wisconsin.
PDF Environmental investigations using diatom microfossils [More info]
Explains use of diatom assemblages in understanding the history of coastal wetlands.
PDF Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Western Pilot Project - Conditions of North Dakota Perennial Streams for Water Chemistry and Mercury in Fish Tissue, 2000-2003 [More info]
Sixty-five sampling sites, selected by a statistical design to represent lengths of perennial streams in North Dakota, were chosen to be sampled for water chemistry and mercury in fish tissue to establish unbiased baseline data.
Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN) for support of biological and ecological assessments [More info]
Integrated network of real-time water-level monitoring, ground-elevation modeling, and water-surface modeling that provides scientists and managers with current on-line water-depth information for the entire freshwater portion of the Greater Everglades.
EverView Data Viewer [More info]
Software and data to help people model the likely response of populations of organisms to various strategies that might be employed to remedy the effects of damaged ecosystems.
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