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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: 43179

Drivers and environmental responses to the changing annual snow cycle of northern Alaska Drivers and environmental responses to the changing annual snow cycle of northern Alaska

On the North Slope of Alaska, earlier spring snowmelt and later onset of autumn snow accumulation are tied to atmospheric dynamics and sea ice conditions, and result in environmental responses. Linkages between atmospheric, ecological and biogeochemical variables in the changing Arctic are analyzed using long-term measurements near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska. Two key variables...
Authors
Christopher J. Cox, Robert S. Stone, David C. Douglas, Diane Stanitski, George J. Divoky, Geoff S. Dutton, Colm Sweeney, J. Craig George, David U. Longenecker

Use of swabs for sampling epithelial cells for molecular genetics analyses in Enteroctopus Use of swabs for sampling epithelial cells for molecular genetics analyses in Enteroctopus

We evaluated the efficacy of using swabs to collect cells from the epidermis of octopus as a non-invasive DNA source for classical genetic studies, and demonstrated value of the technique by incorporating it into an effort to determine, within a day, the lineage of captured, live Enteroctopus (E. dofleini or a cryptic lineage). The cryptic lineage was targeted for captive behavioral and
Authors
Nathan Hollenback, David Scheel, Megan C. Gravley, George K. Sage, Rebecca K. Toussaint, Sandra L. Talbot

Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) provides fast collection of high-definition structural information, making it a valuable field instrument to many monitoring applications. A weakness of TLS collections, especially in vegetation, is the occurrence of unsampled regions in point clouds where the sensor’s line-of-sight is blocked by intervening material. This problem, referred to as...
Authors
Kyle E. Anderson, Nancy Glenn, Lucas Spaete, Douglas J. Shinneman, David S. Pilliod, Robert Arkle, Susan K. McIlroy, DeWayne R. Derryberry

Restoration of contaminated ecosystems: adaptive management in a changing climate Restoration of contaminated ecosystems: adaptive management in a changing climate

Three case studies illustrate how adaptive management (AM) has been used in ecological restorations that involve contaminants. Contaminants addressed include mercury, selenium, and contaminants and physical disturbances delivered to streams by urban stormwater runoff. All three cases emphasize the importance of broad stakeholder input early and consistently throughout decision analysis...
Authors
Aida Farag, Diane L. Larson, Jenny Stauber, Ralph Stahl, John P. Isanhart, Kevin T. McAbee, Christopher J. Walsh

Osmoregulation and muscle water control in vitro facing salinity stress of the Amazon fish Oscar Astronotus ocellatus (Cichlidae) Osmoregulation and muscle water control in vitro facing salinity stress of the Amazon fish Oscar Astronotus ocellatus (Cichlidae)

Specimens of Oscar Astronotus ocellatus from a fish farm were abruptly submitted to salt stress of 14 ppt and 20 ppt, for 3 and 8 h to determine their plasma osmolality. Muscle wet body mass change in vitro was analyzed from control freshwater animals. Fish in 14 ppt presented no osmolality distress even after 8 h. In 20 ppt, a slight increase (10%) in plasma osmolality was observed for...
Authors
Silvia M. M. Gutierre, Jessica M. Schulte, Pamela J. Schofield, Viviane Prodocimo

Climate and land-use change in wetlands: A dedication Climate and land-use change in wetlands: A dedication

Future climate and land-use change may wreak havoc on wetlands, with the potential to erode their values as harbors for biota and providers of human services. Wetlands are important to protect, particularly because these provide a variety of ecosystem services including wildlife habitat, water purification, flood storage, and storm protection (Mitsch, Bernal, and Hernandez 2015). Without...
Authors
Beth A. Middleton

Environment and science Environment and science

Alaska is part of an international circumpolar North, which makes the United States an Arctic nation. Alaska is a place of Indigenous ingenuity and adaptation, a place where environmental extremes challenge the ways of living. In its more recent history, Alaska has been a place of resources and influx-a land known best for what it provides. This frontier persona, with its sourdoughs and
Authors
John M. Pearce, Sandra L. Talbot

Distribution and status of five non-native fish species in the Tampa Bay drainage (USA), a hot spot for fish introductions Distribution and status of five non-native fish species in the Tampa Bay drainage (USA), a hot spot for fish introductions

The Tampa Bay region of Florida (USA) is a hot spot for non-native freshwater fishes. However, published information on most non-native fishes in the basin is not current. Systematic sampling efforts targeting non-native fishes in the region were conducted from 2013–2015 by the University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory. Data from these recent surveys were analyzed, along with...
Authors
Katelyn M. Lawson, Quenton M. Tuckett, Jared L. Ritch, Leo Nico, Pam Fuller, Richard E. Matheson, Jeffrey E. Hill

Skin and fur bacterial diversity and community structure on American southwestern bats: effects of habitat, geography and bat traits Skin and fur bacterial diversity and community structure on American southwestern bats: effects of habitat, geography and bat traits

Microorganisms that reside on and in mammals, such as bats, have the potential to influence their host’s health and to provide defenses against invading pathogens. However, we have little understanding of the skin and fur bacterial microbiota on bats, or factors that influence the structure of these communities. The southwestern United States offers excellent sites for the study of...
Authors
Ara S. Winter, Jennifer J. M. Hathaway, Jason C. Kimble, Debbie C. Buecher, Ernest W. Valdez, Andrea Porras-Alfaro, Jesse M. Young, Kaitlyn J. H. Read, Diana E. Northup

Detecting spatial patterns of rivermouth processes using a geostatistical framework for near-real-time analysis Detecting spatial patterns of rivermouth processes using a geostatistical framework for near-real-time analysis

This paper proposes a geospatial analysis framework and software to interpret water-quality sampling data from towed undulating vehicles in near-real time. The framework includes data quality assurance and quality control processes, automated kriging interpolation along undulating paths, and local hotspot and cluster analyses. These methods are implemented in an interactive Web...
Authors
Wenzhao Xu, Paris D. Collingsworth, Barbara Bailey, Martha L. Carlson Mazur, Jeff Schaeffer, Barbara Minsker

Swimming behaviour and ascent paths of brook trout in a corrugated culvert Swimming behaviour and ascent paths of brook trout in a corrugated culvert

Culverts may restrict fish movements under some hydraulic conditions such as shallow flow depths or high velocities. Although swimming capacity imposes limits to passage performance, behaviour also plays an important role in the ability of fish to overcome velocity barriers. Corrugated metal culverts are characterized by unsteady flow and existence of low‐velocity zones, which can...
Authors
Elsa Goerig, Normand E. Bergeron, Theodore R. Castro-Santos

Otters, marine Otters, marine

No abstract available.
Authors
M. Tim Tinker, James L. Bodkin, M. Ben-Davic, J. A. Estes
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