Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Annual Southern Sea Otter Census Temporarily Modified

esanchez-chopitea@usgs.gov — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 16:31:47 EDT

The annual rangewide southern sea otter census has been temporarily modified to adapt to limitations that prevented surveys from airplanes in 2021 to 2023 for a subset of the California sea otter range. Shore-based surveys were completed, and the hope is to return to full census surveys in 2024.

Research Spotlight: What Habitat Features Make Duck Nests Vulnerable to Raccoons and Striped Skunks?

esanchez-chopitea@usgs.gov — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 18:31:36 EDT

Research by USGS scientists finds that predator-specific behaviors can shape where duck nests are most vulnerable in Suisun Marsh, CA. The findings will help managers identify actions that may reduce predator encounters and bolster Pacific Flyway duck populations.

Building maps to help geothermal energy and greater sage-grouse coexist in Nevada’s sagebrush country

plaustsen@usgs.gov — Mon, 6 Mar 2023 09:00:53 EST

A U.S. Geological Survey study finds that geothermal energy development contributes to population declines of greater sage-grouse. A new tool can help managers and energy developers consider impacts to the iconic bird when siting new geothermal projects.

Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Materials

skemp@usgs.gov — Mon, 6 Feb 2023 15:46:31 EST

In fall 2022, the Saline Lakes Team held three two-day virtual workshops to identify stakeholder science priorities for the Great Basin terminal lakes and their watersheds.

New research shows people, wildlife, and marine environment benefit when island-ocean connections are restored

aweill@usgs.gov — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:12:14 EST

An international team of researchers has found that restoring and rewilding islands decimated by damaging invasive species benefits coastal and marine environments as well as the islands themselves.

USGS Scientists are Authors on New Framework for Seabirds and Offshore Wind Energy

aweill@usgs.gov — Mon, 5 Dec 2022 16:11:14 EST

Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) are authors on a new framework for addressing the impacts of offshore wind farms on marine bird populations.

Environmental Impacts on Space Use of Mohave Ground Squirrels

rpowers@usgs.gov — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:30:56 EST

Mohave ground squirrels are small rodents native to the western Mojave Desert of California and are listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. Given the expected effects of climate change in this region, understanding the responses of this species to environmental variation is becoming increasingly important.

Research Spotlight: Vegetation Type Conversion in the Southwest -- Observations and Management Takeaways

aweill@usgs.gov — Wed, 5 Oct 2022 23:41:19 EDT

Two new publications describe how forests, shrublands, and grasslands are being transformed into different ecosystem types in response to severe and frequent wildfire, drought, invasive species, climate, and other disturbances, a process known as vegetation type conversion.

Revisiting a Marine Mammal Mystery, with the Help of New Data and Powerful Statistics

aweill@usgs.gov — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:34:41 EDT

New techniques and a massive dataset have helped USGS scientists and partners determine why sea otter populations in southwest Alaska collapsed in the 1990s.

Emeritus and Distinguished Alumni Profile: Jim Estes Explains How Sea Otters Run the world

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 19:53:03 EDT

Over a decades-long career as a federal scientist, Jim Estes’s groundbreaking work on sea otters has shown just how much these fuzzy animals can teach us about how the world’s ecosystems work.

In Blue Water: Tracking Animals in the Open Ocean

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Fri, 2 Sep 2022 12:04:36 EDT

Scientists are attaching tracking tags to marine animals at Palmyra Atoll to learn how marine protected areas can best serve diverse species.

Water-Starved Shrubs Likely Intensified Recent Wildfires in Southern California

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:12:51 EDT

Researchers link shrubs that died during a severe drought to recent large fires.

Remembering Jan van Wagtendonk, who shaped fire and recreation management in the iconic Yosemite National Park

aweill@usgs.gov — Wed, 3 Aug 2022 16:15:00 EDT

Former USGS scientist Jan van Wagtendonk passed away in July 2022, following a 50-year career as a federal scientist. Management strategies based on van Wagtendonk’s research continue to protect Yosemite’s beauty in the face of catastrophic wildfire and high visitor counts.

Diverse Aging Rates in Ectotherms Provide Insights for the Evolution of Aging and Longevity

rpowers@usgs.gov — Wed, 6 Jul 2022 13:35:04 EDT

Amphibians and reptiles, particularly turtles and tortoises, are well-known examples of animals with long lifespans. A team of international scientists published the largest study of aging and longevity in herptiles to date, and found considerable variation across 77 species.

USGS Scientist Kathryn McEachern Honored as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Champion

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 31 May 2022 19:13:52 EDT

Dr. McEachern received the award for her role in rare plant conservation on the California Channel Islands.

Bird Mortality at Renewable Energy Facilities have Population-Level Effects

rmcclymont@usgs.gov — Thu, 19 May 2022 15:39:02 EDT

A recent study shows nearly half of bird species studied were vulnerable to population-level effects from fatalities at renewable energy facilities.

6 Migratory Birds USGS is Following

plaustsen@usgs.gov — Wed, 11 May 2022 12:31:22 EDT

You might follow a lot of accounts on Twitter or Instagram, but at the USGS we follow the birds. With the help of lightweight GPS-transmitters to track migratory birds in near real-time and classic tools like bird bands, we study the flight paths and behaviors of birds all over the world. For World Migratory Bird Day on May 14, here are six of our favorites.

They Do That, Too? Relatable Experiences for Mommas (and Momma-figures) of All Species

egoldbaum@usgs.gov — Fri, 6 May 2022 08:00:49 EDT

Becoming a mother makes you do surprising (and sometimes gross) things. Don’t worry – you're not alone! Here are a few ways that motherhood creates kindred spirits across the animal kingdom.

What's in a Sea Otter's Microbiome?

aweill@usgs.gov — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 18:34:14 EDT

Sea otters are well-known for their soft, furry outsides—but have you ever stopped to think about a sea otter’s insides? In a recent paper, USGS scientists and partners at Stanford and Monterey Bay Aquarium explored what’s inside a sea otter’s guts. Specifically, they looked at what’s in a sea otter’s “microbiome.”

From Genes to GPS: for Endangered Light-Footed Ridgway’s Rails, Modern Tools Provide Insight into Population Health

aweill@usgs.gov — Fri, 8 Apr 2022 15:25:34 EDT

With the help of genetics and wildlife tracking, USGS scientists are monitoring an at-risk bird population and assessing outcomes of a captive breeding program.

Research Spotlight: Drought Vulnerability Maps for Sierra Nevada Forests

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 15:34:02 EDT

USGS and partners have created maps of forest vulnerability to drought in the Sierra Nevada, aimed at helping managers determine where forest treatments may be most effective.

Penguins May Wear Tuxedos, But It’s Their Genes That Are Teaching USGS Scientists About Penguin Health

aweill@usgs.gov — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:50:40 EST

Seabirds are among the most threatened marine taxonomic groups in the world, and among seabirds, the penguins are the most threatened seabird family. Genes can provide an early and comprehensive way to detect stress and sickness in penguins and other wildlife, allowing managers to respond quickly.

With Livestock Gone, an Island’s Decimated Native Flora Makes a Comeback

aweill@usgs.gov — Wed, 2 Mar 2022 19:26:57 EST

A century of ranching severely damaged Santa Rosa Island’s rich plant diversity. A new study finds that native plant species are recovering after cattle, pigs, deer, and elk were removed from the island.

Oh Christmas Tree: The Science of Conifer Trees

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:53 EST

You might have an evergreen tree in your home this month, but here at USGS, many of our scientists get to enjoy beautiful pine, fir, hemlock, and spruce trees year-round in their outdoor workplaces!

Research Spotlight: New Study Identifies Effective Under-Road Passage Designs for California Tiger Salamanders

esanchez-chopitea@usgs.gov — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 13:37:10 EST

A new study by USGS researchers and partners investigated how California tiger salamanders in Stanford, California interacted with different types of barrier fencing while migrating to their annual breeding site and whether they were able to find and use an under-road tunnel passage system.

Research Spotlight: New Study Identifies Effective Under-Road Passage Designs for California Tiger Salamanders

esanchez-chopitea@usgs.gov — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 13:37:10 EST

Wildfire Smoke Disrupts Bird Migration in the West

aweill@usgs.gov — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 07:00:00 EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Early fall wildfires in the western states and the smoke they generate pose a risk to birds migrating in the Pacific Flyway, according to a new study by the U.S. Geological Survey. GPS data from the 2020 wildfire season indicate that at least some migratory birds may take longer and use more energy to avoid wildfire smoke.

Research Spotlight: High Salinity and Limited Wetlands Reduce Duckling Habitat for Waterfowl

aweill@usgs.gov — Tue, 5 Oct 2021 13:15:00 EDT

A new publication by USGS scientists examines wetland availability and salinity in Suisun Marsh, with particular focus on the implications for young ducklings with low salinity tolerance. The results indicated that a majority of wetland area in Suisun Marsh has salinity concentrations high enough to have detrimental effects on duckling growth and survival.

Sea Otter Surveys Get a High-Tech, COVID-Safe Update for 2021

aweill@usgs.gov — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 21:00:00 EDT

After a 2020 cancellation of the annual sea otter census, the count was back on for 2021.

Photo Roundup - July-August 2021

ltorresan@usgs.gov — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:30:00 EDT

A selection of coastal and ocean images and videos from across the USGS