Publications
This list of publications includes peer-review journal articles, official USGS publications series, reports and more authored by scientists in the Ecosystems Mission Area. A database of all USGS publications, with advanced search features, can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 42884
Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management
This report synthesizes current (2024) science-based knowledge related to the impacts of climate change on big sagebrush vegetation in Western North America. This effort was conducted through the U.S. Geological Survey working with the Bureau of Land Management as part of multiple science syntheses to aid management agencies developing environmental impacts assessments in response to...
Authors
Scott M. Carpenter, Martin C. Holdrege, Daniel Rodolphe Schlaepfer, Jessica Phillips, Paul Griffin, William K. Lauenroth, John B. Bradford
Evaluation of rapid DNA extraction methods to better enable point-of-use environmental DNA detection Evaluation of rapid DNA extraction methods to better enable point-of-use environmental DNA detection
Recent developments in molecular testing have created the opportunity for biologists and managers to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) of target species rapidly and without the requirement of a laboratory. These point-of-use protocols may be especially useful for early detection and rapid response for invasive species or surveillance for at-risk native species, where timely management...
Authors
Melisa E. Kozaczek, Stephen Frank Spear, Tyler J. Untiedt, Paul Albosta, Caden Jungbluth, Jared J. Homola, Elliott P. Barnhart, Christopher M. Merkes
Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern Growth rate variation in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis): An invasive species of conservation concern
Somatic growth rate is a fundamental trait that influences metabolism, lifespan and reproductive maturity and is critical for understanding population dynamics and informing management actions. Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) introduced to Guam are highly invasive and can reproduce year-round without discrete cohorts. We compared snake size trajectories described by the...
Authors
Bjorn Lardner, Brian S. Cade, Julie A. Savidge, Gordon H. Rodda, Robert Reed, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Sensitivity of mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer to a reference toxicant is significantly impacted by the age of the diatom feed species Navicula pelliculosa Sensitivity of mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer to a reference toxicant is significantly impacted by the age of the diatom feed species Navicula pelliculosa
The development of standardized toxicity tests is critical for assessing pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer offers advantages as a test species due to its asexual reproduction, short life cycle, and high sensitivity to pollutants. However, we identified variability in response sensitivity to pollutants, which may stem from the nutritional composition and...
Authors
Moira M. Ijzerman, Melanie J. Gallant, David J. Soucek, Rebecca A. Consbrock, Heather Roshon, Jacob Gawronski, Paul K. Sibley, Ryan S. Prosser
Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Arizona, USA Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Arizona, USA
Nocardia spp. are opportunistic pathogens of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife that can cause high levels of morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a unique case of nocardial airsacculitis in a free-ranging mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) from Arizona, USA, and compare it to the hosts, geographic distribution, diagnostic methodology, and infection site of known nocardiosis cases in...
Authors
Susan Knowles, Brenda M. Berlowski-Zier, Anne Justice-Allen, Barbara L. Bodenstein, Jeffrey M. Lorch
Differential responses of coolwater fishes to a whole-lake reduction of a warmwater thermal guild Differential responses of coolwater fishes to a whole-lake reduction of a warmwater thermal guild
Climate change is transforming the ecology of lakes at a rapid pace, shifting some lakes toward warmwater-dominant habitats. As a result, warmwater fishes are increasingly becoming more prevalent in lakes where they already existed, altering the patterning and strength of species interactions. Understanding shifting species interactions (e.g., competition, predation), and the role of...
Authors
Holly Susan Embke, Stephen R. Carpenter, Beard, Giancarlo Coppola, Daniel A. Isermann, Eric J. Pedersen, Andrew L. Rypel, Christopher J. Sullivan, Tyler D. Tunney, M. Jake Vander Zanden
Factors affecting short-term post-release survival probability of Lake Trout implanted with acoustic telemetry transmitters Factors affecting short-term post-release survival probability of Lake Trout implanted with acoustic telemetry transmitters
The use of acoustic telemetry is steadily expanding to help answer questions related to habitat use, movement, and behavior of fishes. Significant time and resources are invested to start acoustic telemetry studies; therefore, careful planning is needed to limit post-release mortality of tagged individuals. Deep, cold-water species present additional challenges to acoustic tagging...
Authors
Alexander James Gatch, Dimitry Gorsky, Kyle Morton, Josephine Johnson, Collin Farrell, Timothy B. Johnson, Emma Bloomfield, Brent Metcalfe, Jessica Goretzke, Michael Connerton, Sarah M. Larocque, Jonathan Midwood, Brian O’Malley, Brian Weidel, Steven J. Cooke, Stacy Furgal
Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA
Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) and African rock pythons (Python sebae) have established invasive populations in southern Florida, severely disrupting local ecosystems. We analysed necropsy data from 2,179 pythons captured between 2006 and 2022, revealing nine cases of coelomic foreign bodies, primarily consisting of bird beaks, which presumably entered the coelom following
Authors
Gretchen E. Anderson, McKayla M. Spencer, Ray W. Snow, Andrea Currylow, Frank N. Ridgley, Bryan G. Falk, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Climate consideration in environmental effects analyses on federal public lands in the United States Climate consideration in environmental effects analyses on federal public lands in the United States
Effects of a changing climate, including drought, wildfire, and invasive species encroachment, are evident on public lands across the United States. Decision making on Federal public lands requires analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and there are guidelines for considering climate in NEPA analyses. To better understand how climate most recently has been...
Authors
Sarah E. Whipple, Sarah K. Carter, Tait K. Rutherford, Samuel E. Jordan, Richard J. Lehrter, Christopher T. Domschke, Megan A. Gilbert, Julian Reyes, Ella M. Samuel, Karen M. Schank, John C. Tull, David J.A. Wood
Snow refugia: Managing temperate forest canopies to maintain winter conditions Snow refugia: Managing temperate forest canopies to maintain winter conditions
Climate change is reducing snowpack across temperate regions with negative consequences for human and natural systems. Because forest canopies create microclimates that preserve snowpack, managing forests to support snow refugia—defined here as areas that remain relatively buffered from contemporary climate change over time that sustain snow quality, quantity, and/or timing appropriate...
Authors
M.A. Pastore, S.J. Nelson, E.A. Burakowski, A.R. Contosta, A.W. D’Amato, S. Garlick, E. O. Lindsey, D.A. Lutz, Toni Lyn Morelli, A.P.K. Siren, Grace A. Smith, A. Weiskittel
Ecosystem-engineered infections: Beaver-modified wetlands are associated with conflicting drivers of amphibian pathogen prevalence Ecosystem-engineered infections: Beaver-modified wetlands are associated with conflicting drivers of amphibian pathogen prevalence
Beavers are ecosystem engineers and keystone species that protect freshwater resources and increase biodiversity. Beaver reintroductions are promoted for amphibian conservation, yet their impact on Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogen linked with amphibian population declines worldwide, remains unclear. We investigated the abiotic and biotic drivers of Bd prevalence in...
Authors
Leah M Fischer, Angela D Luis, Blake Hossack, Taegan A. McMahon, Winsor H Lowe
Principles of riverscape health Principles of riverscape health
Riverscapes are the integration of terrestrial and aquatic systems from headwaters to estuaries that provide habitat and ecosystem benefits when in good health. However, current riverscape degradation is pervasive, impairing the function and resulting benefits of these systems. Healthy riverscapes are adaptive and some can ‘heal’ after disturbance with minimal to no human assistance. As...
Authors
Hayley Corrine Glassic, Robert Al-Chokhachy, Joseph Wheaton, William W. Macfarlane, Christopher Jordan, Brian M. Murphy, Scott Shahverdian, Stephen Bennett, Nicolaas Bouwes, Kirstie Fryirs, Gary Brierley, Damion Ciotti, Philip Bailey, Karen Bartlet, Barbara Belletti, Simone Bizzi, James Brasington, Reid Camp, Emily Fairfax, Jordan Gilbert, Justin Jimenez, Jeremy D Maestas, Timmie Mandish, Amy McNamara, Scott R Miller, Baptiste Marizot, Mathias Perle, Herve Piegay, Helen Reid, Lindsay V. Reynolds, William Saunders, Alden Shallcross, Peter Skidmore, Rose Smith, Benoît Terrier, Gus Wathen, Nick Weber