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Organisms

Living individuals that grow, reproduce, and die.

Subtopics:
Algae (16 items)
Animals (259 items)
Archaea (2 items)
Bacteria (12 items)
Fungi (5 items)
Lichens (5 items)
Plants (organisms) (24 items)
Protists (5 items)
Viruses (5 items)

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Results 1 - 285 of 302 listed alphabetically [list by similarity]

A Neotropical Migrant Bird's Dilemma - Where to Stop for a Good Meal [More info]: Studying 28 species of warblers, flycatchers, tanagers, and vireos, we find the birds relied on the flowering of honey mesquite to detect the availability of insects they eat.
Acid rain effects on Adirondack streams - results from the 2003-05 western Adirondack stream survey (the WASS Project) [More info]: Acidified soils caused toxic aluminum in 66 percent of 565 assessed streams. Diatoms and aquatic macroinvertebrates were moderately to severely affected. These effects have not improved in areas surveyed in the early 1980s
Alaska Science Center - Biological Science Office [More info]: Research on birds, mammals, ecosystems and habitats, fish and fisheries in Alaska
Algal toxins [More info]: Chapter of Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases on algal toxins, red tide toxins, phycotoxins, dinoflagellates, cyanobacterium, and bird mortality due to algal toxicosis.
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative [More info]: Homepage for the Dept. of the Interior's Initiative coordinated by the USGS, for amphibian (frogs, toads, salamanders and newts) monitoring, research, and conservation. Links to National Atlas for Amphibian Distribution, photos, and interactive map serve
Amphibian declines and deformities [More info]: Amphibian population declines and deformities due to various causes including land use change, viruses, and fungi. Links to USGS press releases, answers to FAQs (HTML and PDF versions) and photos with downloadable files.
Amphibian malformation and decline [More info]: Frog malformation studies at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin to document scope and to determine the causes of the observed malformations.
Amphibian monitoring in the Atchafalaya Basin [More info]: They're abundant in this area, but hard to count reliably. We outline a procedure for estimating the population sizes so that we can determine whether they're increasing or dwindling. We must both listen for their calls and visually confirm them.
Amphibians & reptiles of the southeastern United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands [More info]: Links to information on species of frogs, toads, and salamanders located in the southeastern United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with information on appearance, habitats, calls, and status, plus photos, glossary, and provisional data.
Amphibians of Olympic National Park [More info]: Fact sheet (PDF format) on amphibians in Olympic National Park and overview of the habitat, the decline in populations, and rare amphibians in the Pacific Northwest including the giant salamander and tailed frog.
An experiment to control nonnative fish in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona [More info]: We removed non-native fish from a section of the river and the endangered native species humpback chub increased in abundance. But it is not yet clear that decreased competition explains the rebound in population.
An online database for IHN virus in Pacific Salmonid fish: MEAP-IHNV [More info]: Background information and genetic sequencing data for more than 1,000 individual field isolates of the fish virus Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV) collected in western North America from 1966 to the present, updated annually.
Anticipated effects of development on habitat fragmentation and movement of mammals into and out of the Schoodic District, Acadia National Park, Maine [More info]: Wildlife you see in a national park or other reserved area don't know about the park boundary. Bobcat, martens, mink, and moose need different types of living space and habitat. Development outside the park affects their ability to inhabit the park.
Apoidea -- Bees and Sphecid Wasps [More info]: Guide to the identification, biology, and ecology of bees and sphecid wasps, mostly in eastern North America.
AquaPathogen X--A template database for tracking field isolates of aquatic pathogens [More info]: A template database for recording information on individual isolates of aquatic pathogens affecting a variety of aquatic species such as fish or shellfish. Tracks collection, history, geography, gene sequence, and diagnostic info. Uses FileMaker Pro.
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.
Assessment of Contaminant Exposure and Effects on Ospreys Nesting along the Lower Duwamish River, Washington, 2006-07 [More info]
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.
Atlas of the spawning and nursery areas of Great Lakes fishes [More info]: Atlas recording spawning and nursery areas of fish in the Great Lakes and associated rivers listed by area and then by species. A 14-volume atlas in PDF format. Published in 1982 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Avian Influenza: Information and on-going research at the USGS Alaska Science Center [More info]: Maps and information about potential spread of avian influenza in migratory birds in Alaska. Includes descriptions and photos of the waterfowl that are being monitored.
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.
Avian influenza (in Field manual of wildlife diseases) [More info]: Chapter 22 from the field manual of wildlife diseases providing basic information about avian influenza viruses.
Avian influenza news and disease information [More info]: News regarding US efforts to monitor the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with links to bulletins, FAQ list, field guides, and other resources.
Bat research in California [More info]: Brief review of bat research in the San Francisco Bay area and southern California providing land managers with information on the occurrence and status of bat species with links to bat inventories for California and related material.
Bats and wind energy-A literature synthesis and annotated bibliography [More info]: A literature synthesis and annotated bibliography focus on North America and on refereed journals. Additional references include a selection of citations on bat ecology, international research on bats and wind energy, and unpublished reports.
Bats of Ouray National Wildlife Refuge [More info]: Detailed information on capture-and-release surveying as well as acoustic monitoring of bats indicates prevalence of various species and, for the captured specimens, physiological characteristics.
Bear Spray Safety Program [More info]: Explains for USGS employees and volunteers how best to defend against bear attacks when conducting field studies.
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.
Biochemistry/Physiology Branch, Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) [More info]: Homepage for the Biochemistry and Physiology Branch in Columbia, MO, which develops analytical techniques (cell bioassay/immunoassay) on toxicity related to fish and wildlife; and conducts research in microbiology and physiology.
Biological resource status and trends: Amphibians [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Amphibians
Biological resource status and trends: Bats [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on bats
Biological resource status and trends: Birds [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Birds
Biological resource status and trends: Carnivores [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on carnivores
Biological resource status and trends: Coleoptera (beetles) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Coleoptera (beetles)
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in animals [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in animals
Biological resource status and trends: Contaminants in plants [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on contaminants in plants
Biological resource status and trends: Corals and sponges [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on corals and sponges
Biological resource status and trends: Crocodilians [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on crocodilians including alligators
Biological resource status and trends: Crustaceans [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Crustaceans
Biological resource status and trends: Diadromous fish [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on diadromous fish
Biological resource status and trends: Diptera (flies) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Diptera (flies)
Biological resource status and trends: Ephemeroptera (mayflies) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Ephemeroptera (mayflies)
Biological resource status and trends: Fish [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Fish
Biological resource status and trends: Forbs [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on forbs, herbaceous flowering plants that are not grasses, such as clover, sunflower, and milkweed
Biological resource status and trends: Fowl [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on fowl (birds)
Biological resource status and trends: Freshwater fish [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on freshwater fish
Biological resource status and trends: Frogs and toads [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on frogs and toads
Biological resource status and trends: Grasses [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on grasses
Biological resource status and trends: Hymenoptera (bees and wasps) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Hymenoptera (bees and wasps)
Biological resource status and trends: Insects [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Insects
Biological resource status and trends: Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
Biological resource status and trends: Lizards [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on lizards
Biological resource status and trends: Mammals [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Mammals
Biological resource status and trends: Marine mammals [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on marine mammals
Biological resource status and trends: Microbes [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Microbes
Biological resource status and trends: Mollusks [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Mollusks
Biological resource status and trends: Nonvascular plants [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on nonvascular plants such as mosses and algae
Biological resource status and trends: Other invertebrates [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on other invertebrates
Biological resource status and trends: Passerines [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on passerines (birds)
Biological resource status and trends: Plants [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Plants
Biological resource status and trends: Raptors [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on raptors (birds)
Biological resource status and trends: Reptiles [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Reptiles
Biological resource status and trends: Rodents and rabbits [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Rodents and rabbits
Biological resource status and trends: Salamanders [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on salamanders
Biological resource status and trends: Saltwater fish [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on saltwater fish
Biological resource status and trends: Shrubs [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on shrubs
Biological resource status and trends: Snakes [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on snakes
Biological resource status and trends: Taxa/Organisms [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Taxa/Organisms
Biological resource status and trends: Trees [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on trees
Biological resource status and trends: Turtles [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on turtles
Biological resource status and trends: Ungulates (hoofed mammals) [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on Ungulates (hoofed mammals)
Biological resource status and trends: Waterfowl and shorebirds [More info]: Information concerning status and trends of biological resources, focusing on waterfowl and shorebirds
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.
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.
Biomarker Benchmarks: Reproductive and Endocrine Biomarkers in Largemouth Bass and Common Carp from United States Waters [More info]: Describes a national reconnaissance study of reproductive health in two species of fish across the US. More than 2,200 common carp and 650 largemouth bass were collected at 119 rivers and streams.
Bird Banding Laboratory: the North American Bird Banding Program [More info]: Bird banding is used to study the movement, survival and behavior of birds. The Bird Banding Laboratory Site has links to the value, procedure and history of bird banding, how to report bird bands (English & Spanish), and resources for birders.
Bird Point Count Database [More info]: Perform custom searches for bird count and bird habitat data or enter your bird count and vegetation data.
Bird checklists of the United States [More info]: Geographical access to multiple bird checklists developed by others that indicate the seasonal occurrence of birds in a given area. A Record Documentation Form to document supporting details of rare bird observations is also available.
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
Breeding Bird Explorer [More info]: Data management system for Breeding Bird Atlas projects in Maryland and the District of Columbia and in Vermont.
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.
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.)
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.
Burrowing owls winter in south Texas [More info]: Experimental use of artificial burrows in south Texas to help in conservation of the migratory burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) that breed in dry grasslands using animal burrows.
Butterflies and moths of North America [More info]: Information on species of butterflies in North America with photos, checklists, distribution maps, aids to identification, and references.
Catalogue of Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Maternal Den Locations in the Beaufort Sea and Neighboring Regions, Alaska, 1910-2010 [More info]: Approximate locations of 392 polar bear maternal dens found between 1910 and 2010, along with the method and year of discovery.
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.
Characterization of Fish Creek, Teton County, Wyoming, 2004-08 [More info]: Preliminary results of hydrologic and biological sampling confirm anecdotal reports that this stream shows unusually high algal growth due to elevated nutrients, probably from groundwater.
Chronic Wasting Disease [More info]: Information on National Wildlife Center research on Chronic Wasting Disease, a disease affecting the nervous system of elk, white-tailed deer and mule deer.
Climatic changes and effect on wild sheep habitat [More info]: Preliminary results indicate significant changes in Dall sheep diet accompanying vegetation changes and upslope retreat of glaciers.
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 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.
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.
Concentrations of mercury and other metals in black bass (Micropterus spp.) from Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta County, California, 2005 [More info]: Historical gold mining has left this area susceptible to mercury contamination. Elevated concentrations of mercury in the fish are well documented here.
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.
Conte Anadromous Fish Branch [More info]: Describes the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory of the Leetown Science Center, which performs research directed towards restoration and protection of anadromous fish with lists of research projects and facilities.
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).
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.
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
Data for giant constrictors - Biological management profiles and an establishment risk assessment for nine large species of pythons, anacondas, and the boa constrictor [More info]: Locations for nine species of large constrictors, from published sources, along with monthly precipitation and average monthly temperature for those locations. Shapefiles for each snake species studied.
Demography of the Pryor Mountain wild horses, 1993-2007 [More info]: Population size, foaling, deaths, age structure, sex ratio, age-specific survival rates, and more over a 14 year time span. This information will help land and wildlife managers find the best maintenance and conservation strategies.
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.
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.
Detecting Amphibian-Killing Fungus Helps Scientists Study Amphibian Declines [More info]: Research findings and examples of application to real problems--a new method to track down amphibian disease in the environment.
Determinants of breeding distributions of ducks [More info]: Article from Wildlife Monographs no. 100 (1988) on the relationships of wetland habitat dynamics and life history to the breeding distributions of the various species of ducks with information on research methods and references.
Development of computational fluid dynamics--habitat suitability (CFD-HSI) models to identify potential passage--Challenge zones for migratory fishes in the Penobscot River [More info]: Proposed removal of dams will change the characteristics of stream flow and will affect fish that swim upstream to spawn. A mathematical model of the river flow tells us where the likely problems will be located and how the flow will change.
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.
Dinosaurs, fact and fiction [More info]: Online booklet with answers to frequently asked questions about dinosaurs.
Discovery for Recovery: an International Pintail Recovery Initiative (Pinsat) [More info]: Using satellite telemetry and field studies to track pintail ducks during spring migration north from California's Central Valley plus pintails in New Mexico and Texas. Includes links to migration maps, journal, duck calls, and field methods.
Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the United States [More info]: Manual on dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), with links to photo thumbnails, checklists, distribution maps, and other Odonata information.
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.
Early Paleozoic biochronology of the Great Basin, western United States [More info]: Publication (PDF format) in three parts on the biostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy of the Ibexian Series in the North American Ordovician, with sections on the southern Egan Range, Nevada and the biostratigraphy of the eastern Great Basin.
Earthworms of North Dakota [More info]: Species maps, aggregate map, earthworm diagram, species photos, and bibliography of earthworm species found in North Dakota
Education resources for paleontology [More info]: Contacts and other sources of information for teachers, students, and others interested in paleontology with links to related USGS websites and on-line publications.
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.
Effects of management practices on grassland birds [More info]: Links to grassland bird species with detailed descriptions and bibliographic database in *.zip files to download in ProCite 5, Rich Text Format or ASCII formats.
Endocrine Disruption [More info]: Curent research about endocrine disruption, the ability of environmental contaminants to affect reproductive and developmental processes.
Endocrine Disruption Found in Fish Exposed to Municipal Wastewater [More info]: Research findings and examples of application to real problems--cause and potential effects of wastewater on fish in streams is explored.
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.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program Western Pilot Project - Information about selected fish and macroinvertebrates sampled from North Dakota perennial streams, 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 fish and aquatic insects (macroinvertebrates) to establish unbiased baseline data.
Environmental investigations using diatom microfossils [More info]: Explains use of diatom assemblages in understanding the history of coastal wetlands.
Environmental mercury mapping, modeling, and analysis [More info]: Online tools for mapping mercury data in the environment, with downloadable data from monitoring studies
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.
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.
Fact sheet: Coping with diseases at bird feeders [More info]: Describes four communicable diseases (salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis, and avian pox) that can be passed from bird to bird at bird feeders and gives eight relatively easy steps that people can take to prevent or minimize disease.
Facts About Invasive Bighead and Silver Carps [More info]: Imported from China in the 1970s, these fish thrive in the Mississippi and Missouri river systems and have become undesirable pests, competing with native fish species.
Farm ponds as critical habitats for native amphibians [More info]: Constructed farm ponds represent significant breeding, rearing, and overwintering habitat for amphibians in the Driftless Area Ecoregion of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Links to fact sheet, brochure, annual reports, field manual, and final report.
February 2012 workshop jumpstarts the Mekong Fish Monitoring Network [More info]: An international workshop helps to begin collaboration on fish monitoring in southeast Asia.
Field guide to amphibian larvae and eggs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa [More info]: Field guide to identify amphibian species from the larvae and eggs. Available to download in Adobe PDF or UMESC format.
Field guide to the reptiles and amphibians of coastal Southern California [More info]: Field guide to identify the reptiles and amphibians of coastal Southern California with glossary and map.
Field manual of wildlife diseases: general field procedures and diseases of birds [More info]: Manual listing field procedures for bird specimen collecting, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral diseases, biotoxins, chemical toxins, common and scientific names of birds, and glossary. Manual can be downloaded or viewed in PDF format.
Field methods: capture and marking of pintails [More info]: Method of tracking pintail ducks by capturing with rocket nets or swim-in traps and attaching telemetry devices that allow satellite tracking. Includes video of rocket nets.
Fish passage through dams in large temperate floodplain rivers: an annotated bibliography [More info]: Report describes an electronic database of annotated citations relevant to fish passage through dams. Document may be searched using the search form or downloaded as an Endnote, Microsoft Word, or WordPerfect
Flying by Night: USGS Scientists Put Technology to Work on Bats [More info]: Short description of techniques used to monitor migration patterns and behavior of bats in New Mexico.
Forest and rangeland birds of the United States: natural history and habitat use [More info]: Catalog of bird species common to forest and rangeland habitats in the U.S. with natural histories including taxonomic information, range, and habitat descriptions to assist land managers in resource management. Text available as a *.zip file.
Fossil groups: Vertebrates [More info]: Information on vertebrate fossils and their use in paleontologic research in biostratigraphy, paleoclimatology, paleobiology, paleoecology, and earth history.
Free-living and parasitic copepods (including Branchiurans) of the Laurentian Great Lakes [More info]: Manual of taxonomic keys, location, and descriptive details of free-living and parasitic copepods in the Great Lakes. Viewing requires screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or above.
Frequent arousal from hibernation linked to severity of infection and mortality in bats with white-nose syndrome [More info]: By attaching data loggers to bats, we found bats infected with white-nose syndrome awoke from hibernation more frequently, which may contribute to increased mortality.
Gap Analysis Program [More info]: Program to keep common species common by identifying those species and plant communities that are not adequately represented in existing conservation lands. Links to projects, applications, status maps, and a searchable database.
Giant Canada goose flocks in the United States [More info]: Review of the size of breeding populations of Giant Canada geese by states in the Mississippi, Atlantic, Central, and Pacific flyways and the management problems caused by rapid increases of local breeding populations.
Grizzly bear and black bear ecology [More info]: Summaries of research projects on black bear and grizzly ecology and ecosystems supporting the populations and bibliography of related publications.
Gulf of Mexico Climate-History Calibration Study [More info]: Proxy methods allow us to estimate ancient ocean temperatures but only if the method is calibrated using modern samples for which we measure the temperature. This is a proxy method using a sediment trap to collect planktonic foraminifera.
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.
Hawaiian duck's future threatened by feral mallards [More info]: The greatest threat to the future of the Koloa maoli as a unique species is cross-breeding with the introduced Mallard duck. This type of threat is termed genetic extinction.
History and ecology of mangroves in the Dry Tortugas [More info]: Fact sheet on the historic and current conditions of mangroves of Dry Tortugas National Park, a cluster of islands and coral reefs west of Key West, Florida. Mangroves and nesting frigate bird colonies are at risk to destruction by hurricanes.
History and natural history of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center [More info]: Links to pages on the history and natural history of Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.
Hydrologic studies in the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon [More info]: Overview of Klamath ecological research and links to USGS Klamath studies on ground water, nutrients, sediment oxygen demand, and fish response to water quality, sucker ecology, publications, bibliographies, and data.
Identifying predators and fates of grassland passerine nests using miniature video cameras [More info]: Description of the use of a miniature video-camera system deployed at nests of passerine species in North Dakota to videotape predation of eggs or nestlings by animals such as mice, ground squirrels, deer, cowbirds and others.
Identifying sources of fecal coliform bacteria in selected streams on Virginia's Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) priority list [More info]: Describes project to identify sources of fecal coliform bacteria by ribotyping to develop the use of Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) values for contaminated stream segments in Virginia.
Illustrated field guide for assessing external and internal anomalies in fish [More info]: Links to PDF version of the field guide.
Impacts of Low-Flow and Stream-Temperature Changes on Endangered Atlantic Salmon - Current Research [More info]: Recent physical changes over time, including trends toward earlier snowmelt runoff, decreasing river ice, and increasing spring water temperatures, may affect salmon populations; we want to know how important these effects are.
Impounded river systems [More info]: Article from Status and Trends of the Nation's Biological Resources on the serious impacts to river systems due to damming and flow regulation, and rehabilitation, monitoring, and research on such rivers.
Improving strategies to assess competitive effects of barred owls on northern spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest [More info]: A scientific study has determined that survey methods designed for spotted owls do not always detect barred owls that are actually present in spotted owl habitat.
Influence of Riparian Tree Phenology on Lower Colorado River Spring-Migrating Birds: Implications of Flower Cueing [More info]
Integrated Science: Florida Manatees and Everglades Hydrology [More info]: Description of research and monitoring work proposed for 2008 to combine hydrologic models with manatee distribution and movement models near and within Everglades National Park.
Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) [More info]: Description of research program for immediate and long-term management of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) inhabiting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Includes links to reports in PDF format and cooperating organizations.
Invasive Species Program -- Snakeheads, aquatic invaders [More info]: Snakeheads, aggressive airbreathing freshwater fishes that are not native to North America, are considered injurious to certain native North American fish and other aquatic wildlife.
Invasive crayfish in the Pacific Northwest [More info]: These organisms have negative effects on local ecosystems, but we don't yet know how extensively they have spread. Here is a key to help people identify them.
Investigating White-Nose Syndrome in Bats [More info]: Explains the nature and history of this fungal infection that is killing large numbers of bats in the northeast US.
Is science in danger of sanctifying the wolf? [More info]: What does it mean that beneficial trophic cascades (side effects) of wolf population restoration are questioned by recent research?
Lead Poisoning in Wild Birds [More info]: Even though lead usage has declined due to environmental awareness and regulation, several human sources of lead continue to affect birds. Hunting ammunition and fishing gear are ingested by the birds, with toxic effects.
Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (Upper Mississippi River area): sampling data [More info]: Downloadable data and other information about the sampling programs used in long-term monitoring of the upper Mississippi River area.
Macroinvertebrate and algal community sample collection methods and data collected at selected sites in the Eagle River watershed, Colorado, 2000-07 [More info]: Macroinvertebrate data collected by USGS or USFS from 73 sites from 2000 to 2007 and algal data collected from up to 26 sites between 2000 and 2001 in the Eagle River watershed, with emphasis on methods of sample collection and data processing.
Management and Research Applications of Long-range Surveillance Radar Data for Birds, Bats, and Flying Insects [More info]: Explains how radar can be used to measure the density, speed, direction, altitude, and location of flocks of animals in flight.
Managing habitat for grassland birds: a guide for Wisconsin [More info]: Guide to identification, selection, and management of grassland habitats in Wisconsin to conserve the populations of grassland birds. Includes glossary, references, bird lists, graphs, and maps.
Maps of distribution and abundance of selected species of birds on uncultivated native upland grasslands and shrubsteppe in the northern Great Plains [More info]: Links to maps of breeding distributions of bird species on grasslands and shrublands in the northern Great Plains. Maps can also be downloaded from *.zip files in HTML format.
Marine nuisance species: colonial tunicates of the genus Didemnum (a sea squirt) [More info]: Occurrence, photos, and characteristics of some species of the colonial tunicate genus Didemnum, nuisance species that reproduce rapidly and foul marine habitats (including shellfish aquacultures and fishing grounds), ship's hulls, and maritime structure
Mayflies of the United States [More info]: Links to checklists and species maps showing the distribution of mayflies in the United States with links to other information websites on mayflies and reference list.
Megafossils: vertebrates - technique of paleontological analyses [More info]: Brief description of vertebrates and use of their fossil bones and footprints to aid in dating strata in biostratigraphy and to decipher past climates and recreate ancient ecosystems in paleoecology, paleoclimatology and paleobiogeography.
Mercury Concentrations in Streams Found to Go Through Daily Cycles [More info]: Research findings and examples of application to real problems--highly variable conditions cause the production of toxic methyl mercury in the environment which accumulates in fish.
Mercury contamination of aquatic ecosystems [More info]: Fact sheet on mercury bioaccumulation and cycling in the environment. Also available in PDF format.
Mercury in the environment [More info]: Fact sheet on mercury and the environment, including toxic effects, risk to people and wildlife, sources of mercury, environments where methylmercury is a problem, and mercury contamination.
Methods for processing and imaging marsh foraminifera [More info]: Special handling must be used because these one-celled organisms break down easily if dried, and the scientific analysis is enhanced by identifying smaller specimens. Shows how they are sampled, prepared, and studied using optical and electon microscopy.
Miscellaneous fungal diseases [More info]: Chapter of Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases on miscellaneous fungi with information on fungal skin and subcutaneous lesions or mycosis primarily in birds.
Modeling Climate Change and Sturgeon Populations in the Missouri River [More info]: Research to address effects of climate change on sturgeon population dynamics.
Mollusks [More info]: Information on mollusks and uses of the identification of fossil mollusks in the fields of biostratigraphy, geochronology, paleocoeanography, paleoecology and ecosystems history. Links to experts and related USGS projects.
Monitoring grizzly bear populations using DNA [More info]: Description of project monitoring the status of Greater Glacier National Park Area's grizzly bear and black bear populations using genetic techniques on DNA from bear hair or scats without handling bears, with photos and discussion of methods.
NPElement: A database of lichen elemental concentrations in the U.S. national parks [More info]: Database providing concentration of heavy metals, nutrients, and trace elements in 75 species of lichens sampled in 43 national park units in 24 states.
NPLichen: A database of lichens in the U.S. national parks [More info]: Web interface for a database of documented occurrences of lichens in units of the U. S. National Park System. The records were obtained from the scientific literature, from National Park Service reports, and from selected herbaria.
National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center [More info]: Coordinates our efforts to address challenges resulting from climate change and to empower natural resource managers with rigorous scientific information and effective tools for decision-making.
National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program: protocols for the analysis of algal samples collected [More info]: Summary of protocols describing procedures for laboratory analysis of algae samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA). Includes full document to be downloaded in PDF format.
National analysis of trace elements in ground water, streams, stream and reservoir sediment, and fish and clam tissue across the United States [More info]: Trace elements are inorganic chemicals occurring in small amounts in nature. This web site of the National Water Quality Assessment links to U.S. data, publications, news, and other sites on trace metals, metalloids and radionuclides in water.
National assessment of mercury in aquatic ecosystems [More info]: Overview of three research programs including determining levels of mercury at selected sites in water, sediment and fish, mercury emissions into the atmosphere, and mercury cycling in the Everglades National Park, Florida.
Nonindigenous Plants and Animals in Florida [More info]: Brief descriptions of programs of research on aquatic nonindigenous plants and animals at the Florida Integrated Science Center with links to descriptions, videos, posters, and reports on various exotic plant and animals species.
Nonindigenous amphibian distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of amphibians and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on amphibians.
Nonindigenous annelid distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of annelids and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on annelids.
Nonindigenous aquatic species alert system [More info]: Reports indicating locations where non-indigenous aquatic organisms have been collected. Includes RSS feed you can subscribe to.
Nonindigenous bryozoan distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of bryozoans and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on bryozoans.
Nonindigenous coelenterate distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of coelenterates and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on coelenterates.
Nonindigenous crustacean distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of crustaceans and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on crustaceans.
Nonindigenous fish distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of fishes and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on fishes.
Nonindigenous mammal distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of mammals and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on mammals.
Nonindigenous mollusk distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of mollusks and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on mollusks.
Nonindigenous reptile distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of reptiles and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on reptiles.
Nonindigenous sponge distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of sponges and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on sponges.
Nonindigenous tunicate distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of tunicates and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on tunicates.
Nonindigenous vascular plant distribution information [More info]: Descriptions of vascular plants and examples of the deleterious effects of nonindigenous species, with links to distribution maps, species lists and related information on vascular plants.
Noninvasive methods for monitoring bear population trends [More info]: We estimate population growth rates by collecting hair at natural bear rubs along trails, roads, and fence and power lines, and analyzing the DNA from the hair.
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) [More info]: The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) is a long-term monitoring program designed to track the status and trends of frog and toad populations with links to data access, protocol, and how to volunteer as an observer.
North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) [More info]: North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) is a cooperative program that monitors the status and trends of North American bird populations. Includes files of results, analyses, route collection maps and raw data.
North American Pollinator Protection Campaign [More info]: An effort focused on encouraging the health of resident and migratory pollinating animals in North America. USGS participates in the leadership of this effort.
North American bird phenology program [More info]
Northern Divide Grizzly Bear Project [More info]: Project to assess the grizzly bear population size, trend, and survival in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in Montana to improve the long-term survival for this threatened species. With description, DNA identification means and photos.
Nutrients in the Nation's streams and groundwater: National findings and implications [More info]: Despite public sector efforts to reduce nonpoint-source nutrients in streams and rivers, concentrations have remained the same or increased, continuing to pose risks to aquatic life and human health.
Occurrence of Escherichia coli in the Cuyahoga River in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio [More info]: Explains how this important indicator bacteria is used to detect problems in the water supply that may affect human health, focusing on a specific recreational area.
Oculina Bank - geology of a deep-water coral reef habitat off Florida [More info]: Brief report on sidescan sonar data, sediment sampling, and submersible and video photography studies of destruction of deep-water coral pinnacles where fish spawn off east-central Florida in the Oculina Bank in order to restore and protect the habitat.
Oil Pollution Impacts on Birds [More info]: A compilation of information, including reports, bibliographies, and data, on all aspects oil toxicity relevant to birds and other wildlife.
Online guide to the continental Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Raton basin, Colorado and New Mexico [More info]: Field guide describing the geology and paleontology of the continental Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Raton basin, Colorado and New Mexico.
Operational guidelines for geological fieldwork in areas endemic for Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) [More info]: Report giving operational guidelines that will lower the risk of coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) for individuals who work outdoors in areas where the disease is endemic.
Ospreys in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest [More info]: Fact sheet in Adobe PDF about ospreys in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Walrus Response to Arctic Sea Ice Losses [More info]: Radio-tracking indicates that walruses will exploit sparse ice to maintain access to preferred foraging areas over the continental shelf.
Paleontological analyses [More info]: Links to USGS capabilities in paleontological analyses of fossils such as mollusks, diatoms, palynomorphs, ostracodes, calcareous nannofossils, etc. Includes descriptive information, technique, equipment, and contacts for each fossil group.
Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter [More info]: A presentation of bird photographs, songs, identification tips, distribution maps, and life history information for North American birds, and a forum for commentary and discussion on birds.
Patuxent Fact Sheets [More info]: Access to Patuxent Wildlife Research Center fact sheets (PDFs) providing summaries of center studies on coastal ecosystems, birds, amphibians, taxonomy and other subjects and on center activities including partners and volunteer program.
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center monitoring projects [More info]: Biomonitoring projects studying the status and trends of the nation's environmental resources and programs studying amphibians and birds. Links to long-term programs, resources and references, and related links.
Patuxent bird population studies [More info]: Links to ornithology programs at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, including large scale survey analysis of bird populations, research tools, datasets and analyses, bird identification, and seasonal bird lists.
Patuxent plant list and herbarium collection [More info]: List of plant specimens and photo gallery of plants in the collection of the herbarium at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, a reference collection of plants occurring in the area lying between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington D.C.
Phage therapy for Florida corals? [More info]: Explains how some diseases affecting corals might be countered by viruses that infect disease-causing bacteria.
Plague [More info]: History, pathology, and prospects for this historic disease that is still prevalent in animals and remains a threat to humans.
Platte River Program, a USGS Place-Based Studies Program [More info]: Site for the Platte River Program in Nebraska an area that is a critical staging area for migratory waterbirds of the Central Flyway. Includes links to color-infrared aerial photos, 1938 historic aerial photos, and Cottonwood Ranch research site.
Polar Bear research at the Alaska Science Center [More info]: Ecological studies of polar bears including population dynamics, dependence on sea ice, and tracking methods.
Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice [More info]: The Arctic is warming faster than other regions of the world due to positive climate feedbacks associated with loss of snow and ice. The USGS has modeled the future responses of polar bear and Pacific walrus populations to this environmental change.
Pollinators, plants, and prosperity [More info]: Six short news articles about ecological problems faced by pollinator species in various parts of the US. Taken from "People, Land, and Water", the newsletter of the Department of the Interior.
Potential effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gases on avian habitats and populations in the Northern Great Plains [More info]: Report on effects of the increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide on plants and animals, especially birds, in the Great Plains including effects of carbon dioxide fertilization, ultraviolet radiation, climate change, and harmful effects on bird habitats.
Prehistoric packrats piled up clues to climate change [More info]: Hoarding behavior preserved prehistoric materials we can use as clues to ancient climate and ecosystem changes.
Protecting black-footed ferrets and prairie dogs against sylvatic plague [More info]: Development of vaccines and methods to deploy them, to reduce the threat of this serious illness on the population of these wild animals.
Protecting the Nation's coral reefs [More info]: Report on problems in preserving coral reef ecosystems with links to information on the interagency U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, press releases, reports, and NOAA coral reef sites.
Radio tracking manatees to assess the impact of hydrologic changes in southwest Florida [More info]: Report on the Sirenia Project use of a radio tracking study to determine manatee movement patterns and habitat to develop ecological models to understand and predict the effects of hydrologic restoration on manatees in Southwest Florida.
Radio-tracking amphibians: lessons from implant and external attachment procedures [More info]: Paper from Forum on Wildlife Telemetry, Snowmass Village, CO, 1997, describes technique for implanting radio-transmitters for tracking amphibians such as frogs with telemetry.
Raptor Information System (RIS) [More info]: The Raptor Information System (RIS) collection and bibliographic database have been transferred to The Peregrine Fund. The RIS records are being subsumed into the bibliography posted on the website of the Global Raptor Information Network (GRIN).
Real-time water-quality monitoring and regression analysis to estimate nutrient and bacteria concentration in Kansas streams. [More info]: Report on the use of regression equations from measurements made by water quality monitors and analytical results of manually collected samples estimating nutrient, bacteria, and other constituent concentrations to study streams in Kansas.
Recent changes in the food web of Lake Erie - the role of phosphorus and zebra mussels [More info]: Brief overview of the proliferation of zebra mussels and the role of phosphorus in Lake Erie with links to publications related to Lake Erie water quality.
Recommended methods for range-wide monitoring of prairie dogs in the United States [More info]: One of the greatest challenges for conserving grassland, prairie scrub, and shrub-steppe ecosystems is maintaining prairie dog populations across the landscape. Of the four species of prairie dogs found in the United States, the Utah prairie dog (Cynomys
Red-Rimmed Melania (Melanoides tuberculatus) - A Snail in Biscayne National Park, Florida - Harmful Invader or Just a Nuisance? [More info]: Explains how this potentially harmful invasive species arrived, why we are concerned, where in the area it is found, what environmental factors control its spread, and what might be done in response.
Resources for banders [More info]: Links to bird banding manual, banding associations, equipment and suppliers, bibliography, band size lookup, recapture database, bander services, aging and sexing birds, longevity records, Canadian atlas of bird banding and other resources.
Response of Florida shelf ecosystems to climate change: from macro to micro scales [More info]: Study of the effects of ocean acidification on regional carbonate processes, changes in individual estuaries, and organism-level response.
SAGEMAP: a web-based spatial dataset for sage grouse and sagebrush steppe management in the Intermountain West [More info]: Links to fact sheet describing the database of spatial information on sage grouse and sagebrush habitats.
Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus L.): a literature review [More info]: Literature review of sago pondweed, a submersed angiosperm that attracts waterfowl, but is also a nuisance plant that clogs irrigation systems. Includes classification, distribution, habitat, physiology, management, and economics.
Salinity variation in an estuary used for oyster cultivation in southeastern North Carolina during the passover of the eye of Hurricane Bertha [More info]: Review of a study monitoring changes in salinity in Alligator Bay, NC during a 1996 hurricane due to the influx of fresh and saltwater and the effect it would have on oyster aquaculture.
Salvinia molesta, Salvinia weevil, Salvinia minima [More info]: Life history and identification of Salvinia species, a floating, rootless tree fern and a noxious aquatic weed. Site includes posters, instructions on submitting sightings, how to subscribe to a listserv on the weed, and a bibliography.
Satellite tracking and geospatial analysis of feral swine and their habitat use in Louisiana and Mississippi [More info]: Invasive pigs first introduced to the continental United States in the 1500s by European explorers. Using tracking collars, we have begun to discover where these troublesome animals go.
Scientists discover analog for extraterrestrial life in Idaho Hot Springs [More info]: Report on a community of microscopic organisms, Archaea, found deep in an Idaho hot spring living on hydrogen and carbon dioxide that could possibly exist on other planets. Includes links to related studies, investigators, and microbiology.
Sea otter research at Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) [More info]: Webpage on research on sea otters (Euhydra lutris) in the nearshore environment of the eastern Pacific Ocean with information on status of otters on the coast of Alaska, Washington, and California and link to fact sheet in PDF format.
Seasonal Flux and Assemblage Composition of Planktic Foraminifera from the Northern Gulf of Mexico, 2008-2009 [More info]: The U.S. Geological Survey established a sediment trap in the northern Gulf of Mexico to collect time-series data on the flux and assemblage composition of live planktic foraminifers. This report provides an update of the 2008 time-series data to include
Selenium and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the benthic clam Corbula amurensis from Northern San Francisco Bay, California: May 1995-February 2010 [More info]: Monthly selenium concentration in this keystone species shows strong spatial and seasonal variation in a five-year series of analyses.
Social science in natural resource management [More info]: Describes how social scientists and natural resource managers work together to develop cooperation and public help in solving complex natural resource issues. Links to the use of public surveys in a project for black-tailed prairie dog management.
Southeast Ecological Science Center [More info]: Science center in Florida focusing on amphibians and reptiles, coastal ecology, contaminants and ecotoxicology, imperiled fish, manatees, and invasive species
Southeast Ecological Science Center - Welcome to the kid's corner [More info]: Children's website on southern Florida aquatic biology with short movie clips of amphibians, games & puzzles, wildlife pictures, teacher resources, and more.
Southeast Ecological Science Center - poster presentations [More info]: Poster presentations related to Greater Everglades, marine and coral studies, ecotoxicology, manatees, coastal ecology, nonindigenous aquatic species, coastal ecology, freshwater fisheries, and herpetology.
Southeastern Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative [More info]: Overview of the Southeastern Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative, annual report, field methods and protocols, statistical design and analysis, glossary, projects, and lists of frogs, toads and salamanders.
Southwest Caves Reveal New Forms of Life [More info]: These lightless and nutrient-poor natural systems are home to life forms found nowhere else on Earth. Three new genera and at least 15 new species have been discovered here.
Status and Trends of the Grand Canyon Population of Humpback Chub [More info]: The number of adult humpback chub--fish 4 years old and older and capable of reproduction--increased approximately 50 percent between 2001 and 2008.
Stoneflies of the United States [More info]: Links to checklists and species maps showing the distribution of stoneflies in the United States with links to other information websites on stoneflies and reference list.
Studies and trends of selected inland lakes of the Great Lakes Cluster National Parks [More info]: Report on the status of the biota and ecological factors of the inland lakes of the Great Lakes Cluster Parks: Indiana Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes,and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores and Isle Royale and Voyageurs National Parks. (PDF file, 321 p.)
Sturgeon research update: Confirmed pallid sturgeon spawning in the Missouri River in 2007 [More info]: Combined with supporting research in reproductive physiology, identification of spawning habitat, and early life history this result provides new understanding of environmental factors that might affect reproduction of this endangered species.
Summary and analysis of the U.S. government bat banding program [More info]: Analysis of the program with a detailed study of the best collection of data available from it. Includes recommendations for future studies of bats.
Summary report of nonindigenous aquatic species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4 [More info]: Report prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with descriptions of exotic aquatic species introduced in the southeast United States with information on populations, geographic distribution, and origins.
Surveillance for asian H5N1 avian influenza in the United States [More info]: General description of US government efforts to monitor the occurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild migratory birds.
Survival of adult female northern pintails in Sacramento Valley, California [More info]: Report on the population of northern pintails between 1979 and the 1990s in Sacramento Valley, California, including methods of study including radio telemetry, causes of mortality, morphometrics, survival rates, and management implications.
Sylvatic plague vaccine and management of prairie dogs [More info]: Disease is threatening these previously abundant rodents. We have developed a vaccine that can be delivered using oral baits; our work now shifts to optimizing the distribution of the vaccine.
Tadpoles of the United States and Canada: a tutorial and key [More info]: Key and tutorial to identify species of tadpoles from North America with color photographs.
Tampa Bay Estuary Interactive Mapping System (IMS) [More info]: Interactive Mapping Service (IMS) is an Internet based Geographic Information System designed to provide users with online mapping capability of habitats, land use and land cover, and seagrass for areas of Tampa Bay.
Taste and odor occurrence in Lake William C. Bowen and Municipal Reservoir #1, Spartanburg County, South Carolina [More info]: Explains why and how water from this reservoir, and others like it, sometimes acquire undesirable taste or odor, yet are not dangerous to drink.
The Columbia River Research Laboratory [More info]: Describes the research carried out here, with special emphasis on fish and the people and equipment used to study them.
The Pallid Sturgeon: Scientific Investigations Help Understand Recovery Needs [More info]: Studies to examine the linkages among flow regime, re-engineered channel morphology, and reproductive success and survival of this endangered species.
The U.S. Geological Survey Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative-2011 Annual Update [More info]: Amphibians are declining throughout the US. Here we explain how we monitor amphibians and why, along with some of the results we have obtained.
The Virtual Fish: Semipermeable Membrane Device (SPMD) basics [More info]: Paper by Duane Chapman for the 6th International SPMD Workshop and Symposium on a semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) measures contaminants in water by mimicking the parts of fish that cause concentration of specific chemicals in fish tissues.
The avian influenza H5N1 threat [More info]: Describes highly pathogenic avian influenza and explains why this wildlife disease is of concern to health scientists and the public. Diagram shows potential pathways by which the disease could be transmitted to other animals, including humans.
The challenges of capturing and tagging manatees along west coastal Florida [More info]: Description of method of capturing and tagging manatees in western Florida for tracking by satellite telemetry. Presented at a forum on telemetry.
The heat is on: Desert tortoises and survival (video) [More info]: 30-minute video (and transcript) about desert tortoises, their habitats, and USGS efforts to aid their recovery.
The saga of leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) in the northern Great Plains [More info]: Explains why this invasive plant is successful in taking over land in many northern states, and what might be done to impede its dominance.
The state of amphibians in the United States [More info]: Evidence leading us to conclude that amphibians are declining, along with explanatory factors in the environment and notes on conservation.
The whooping crane report [More info]: Report on the captive breeding program at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to help save endangered whooping cranes. Site links to natural history information on whooping cranes, why they are endangered, cool facts on cranes, and a photo gallery.
Tiger beetles of the United States [More info]: Links to checklists and species maps showing the distribution of tiger beetles in the United States with links to photographs, other information websites on invertebrates, and reference list.
Tools for learning about birds [More info]: Links to pictures, songs and identification of birds of the United States, Canada, and Central America plus seasonal bird maps and a quiz on birds.
Toxicity and bioavailability of metals in the Missouri River adjacent to a lead refinery [More info]: Report (PDF format) on an evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of contaminated ground water from a metals refinery adjacent to the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska testing water and sediments for contaminants and toxicity.
Trumpeter swan [More info]: Studies of the trends of the Rocky Mountain population of trumpeter swans using time series analysis.
USGS Core Science Metadata Clearinghouse [formerly National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Metadata Clearinghouse] [More info]: The USGS Core Science Metadata Clearinghouse contains metadata records describing datasets largely focused on wildlife biology, ecology, environmental science, temperature, land cover, and land stewardship.
USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center--Research activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands [More info]: Explains type of information we collect and the problems we study in this area, focusing on coral reef ecosystems, ocean acidification, and sea-level change.
USGS Zebra Mussel Monitoring Program for north Texas [More info]: General characteristics of this invasive freshwater mollusk, focusing on how we monitor its presence and migration through this region.
USGS-National Park Service (NPS) Vegetation Mapping Program [More info]: The USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program is a cooperative effort with the National Park Service (NPS) to classify, describe, and map vegetation communities in over 270 U.S. national park units with links to overview, standards, products, and applications.
Understanding beach health throughout the Great Lakes-Entering a new era of investigations [More info]: People who manage recreational areas need better, more timely estimates of the likelihood that the beach and lake waters will be hazardous to human health, and which factors cause those hazards.
Understanding the habitat needs of the declining western yellow-billed cuckoo [More info]: This endangered species prefers native trees in large, continuous areas of riparian habitat. Armed with this information, resource managers may identify and preserve areas favorable to this population.

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