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: 42975
When is a parasite a problem? When is a parasite a problem?
A parasite’s perceived societal impact depends on the disease it causes and the perception of the affected host species. For instance, doctors and veterinarians have a mission to treat parasites that infect humans or that impact host species that have some utilitarian or aesthetic value for society. Marine scientists have different concerns than doctors. Although the number of parasites...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty
Growth, movement, and survival of precocial shorebird chicks are constrained by their environment. Growth, movement, and survival of precocial shorebird chicks are constrained by their environment.
Young animals are often less mobile than adults, while also having high energetic demands. They may therefore be more vulnerable to local-scale changes in environmental conditions. In particular, when 1 sex must grow more rapidly than the other to achieve a larger adult size, that sex may experience especially dramatic reductions in growth and survival in the face of suboptimal...
Authors
Feipeng Huang, Chris Tyson, Brett R. Addis, Cory Elowe, Lauren Puleo, Stephan Saint-Juste, Maria Stager, Rose J. Swift, Luke Wilde, Nathan R. Senner
Satellite tracking of Galapagos Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia reveals distribution and movements during chick rearing Satellite tracking of Galapagos Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia reveals distribution and movements during chick rearing
We tracked 19 adult Galapagos Petrels Pterodroma phaeopygia during the chick-rearing seasons in 2009 and 2010 (Santa Cruz Island [n = 16] and Floreana Island [n = 3]) in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Eight petrels performed 27 complete foraging trips lasting 0.6 to 18.8 days. Short trips (3.2 ± 2.1 days; 785 km; max displacement 671 km) and long trips (10.8 ± 3.9 days; 2,856 km; max...
Authors
Carolina B. Proaño, Sebastian M. Cruz, Josh Adams, Martin Wikelski
Drought resistance is greater in montane conifers compared to coastal conifers in northern California Drought resistance is greater in montane conifers compared to coastal conifers in northern California
Frequent and intense droughts are rapidly altering stand dynamics in western North American forests. The ecological and geographical diversity of northern California provides a unique opportunity to measure these responses across species, habitat types, and levels of competitive pressure. This study used dendrochronological techniques and linear mixed-effects models to assess growth...
Authors
Gabriel J. Roletti, Rosemary L. Sherriff, Lucy P. Kerhoulas, Wallis Robinson, Jill J. Beckmann, Phillip J. van Mantgem
Events during migration and winter Events during migration and winter
No abstract available.
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Courtney L. Amundson, Mark P. Vrtiska
Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary
Executive Summary We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along Big Tujunga Creek in the Hansen Dam Basin in Los Angeles County, California, in 2025. Four vireo surveys were completed between April 17 and July 2, 2025, and three flycatcher surveys were completed between May 20 and July...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Barbara E. Kus
Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County
The Arizona Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) has been petitioned for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is under evaluation for inclusion as a Covered Species under the Clark County Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment (Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning and USFWS, 2001; USFWS, 2015b). Although the species is locally abundant in some parts...
Authors
Kenzi M Stemp, Blake Hossack
Excessive phosphorus loading contributes to future vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems by reducing net ecosystem exchange of carbon Excessive phosphorus loading contributes to future vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems by reducing net ecosystem exchange of carbon
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge (DDNWR) is located on Sanibel Island along the southwestern coast of Florida, USA. There, eutrophication attributed to agricultural discharge along the Caloosahatchee River has affected the area’s aquatic habitat. In anticipation of additional nutrient loading, we experimentally fertilized mangrove forests with nitrogen (+N; NH4) and...
Authors
Ken W. Krauss, Jeremy R. Conrad, Jamie A. Duberstein, Eric J. Ward, Judith Z. Drexler, Kevin J. Buffington, Brian W. Benscoter, Haley Jane Miller, Natalie T. Faron, Sergio Merino, Andrew From, Elitsa I. Peneva-Reed, Zhiliang Zhu, Karen M. Thorne, Ilka C. Feller
Letter from leadership Letter from leadership
No abstract available.
Authors
Aaron Lien, Stephanie Anne McAfee
Small cumulative survival costs of enzootic disease could suppress long-term population size Small cumulative survival costs of enzootic disease could suppress long-term population size
Fungal pathogens can cause epizootics that result in widespread mortality and rapid population declines in some species. However, even in the absence of high disease-induced mortality, enzootic mycoses could have large-scale impacts on host population dynamics. Here, we examined the effects of ophidiomycosis, an enzootic fungal disease, on a Louisiana snake community over a 3-year period...
Authors
Brad M. Glorioso, Graziella V. DiRenzo, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Brittany A. Mosher, David A.W. Miller, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Hardin Waddle
Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction
A total of 41 sites along a 58 mi reach of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) were surveyed during winter 2022 for invasive carp aggregation.* Sites consisting of scallops closest to the dike-vegetated bank interface with deeper, slow-moving water and consistent access back to the main channel were preferred. Carp avoided strong currents, and there was no trend in depth selection other...
Authors
K. Jack Killgore, David Ruppel, Faucheux. Nick, W. Todd Slack, Amanda J.M. Oliver, Josey Lee Ridgway, Jesse Robert Fischer, Robin D. Calfee
Lake Ontario August gillnet survey and lake trout assessment, 2025 Lake Ontario August gillnet survey and lake trout assessment, 2025
Lake Ontario Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) rehabilitation has been assessed with fishery dependent and independent surveys to evaluate program benchmarks and compare observations with management objectives since 1983. These surveys provide information on the abundance, strain composition, and performance of stocked Lake Trout, as well as information on levels of natural recruitment...
Authors
Brian O’Malley, Krystal Dixon, Olivia Margaret Mitchinson, Scott David Stahl, Brian Weidel, Michael J Connerton, Jessica A Goretzke