Publications
The USGS publishes peer-reviewed reports and journal articles which are used by Chesapeake Bay Program resource managers and policy makers to make science-based decisions for ecosystem conservation and restoration. Use the Search box below to find publications on selected topics.
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Filter Total Items: 963
Investigating the Environmental Effects of Agriculture Practices on Natural Resources: Scientific Contributions of the U.S. Geological Survey to Enhance the Management of Agricultural Landscapes Investigating the Environmental Effects of Agriculture Practices on Natural Resources: Scientific Contributions of the U.S. Geological Survey to Enhance the Management of Agricultural Landscapes
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) enhances and protects the quality of life in the United States by advancing scientific knowledge to facilitate effective management of hydrologic, biologic, and geologic resources. Results of selected USGS research and monitoring projects in agricultural landscapes are presented in this Fact Sheet. Significant environmental and social issues associated...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey
Restoration of waterbird habitats in Chesapeake Bay: Great expectations or Sisyphus revisited? Restoration of waterbird habitats in Chesapeake Bay: Great expectations or Sisyphus revisited?
In the past half century, many waterbird populations in Chesapeake Bay have declined or shifted ranges, indicating major ecological changes have occurred. While many studies have focused on the problems associated with environmental degradation such as the losses of coastal wetlands and submerged vegetation, a number of restoration efforts have been launched in the past few decades to...
Authors
R.M. Erwin, R.A. Beck
Soras in tidal marsh: Banding and telemetry studies on the Patuxent River, Maryland Soras in tidal marsh: Banding and telemetry studies on the Patuxent River, Maryland
From 1993 to 1999, we conducted banding and telemetry studies of fall migrant Soras (Porzana carolina) in the historic rail hunting and exceptional stopover habitat of the Wild Rice (Zizania aquatica) marshes of the tidal Patuxent River. Drift traps equipped with audio lures produced 3,897 Sora and 417 Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) captures during the seven-year study. Sora captures...
Authors
G. Michael Haramis, Gregory D. Kearns
Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management Synthesis of U.S. Geological Survey science for the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and implications for environmental management
The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the USGS Chesapeake Bay science related to the 2001-06 goals and provide implications for environmental management. The report provides USGS findings that address the science needs of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) restoration goals and includes summaries of 1. land-use change; 2. water quality in the watershed, including...
Authors
Scott W. Ator, Vicki S. Blazer, John W. Brakebill, Donald R. Cahoon, Peter R. Claggett, Thomas M. Cronin, Judith M. Denver, Christine L. Densmore, Allen C. Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Jurate M. Landwehr, Michael J. Langland, Christopher A. Ottinger, Milan J. Pavich, Matthew C. Perry, Scott W. Phillips, Stephen D. Preston, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Barnett A. Rattner, Nancy B. Rybicki, Debra A. Willard
Characterization of microtopography and its influence on vegetation patterns in created wetlands Characterization of microtopography and its influence on vegetation patterns in created wetlands
Created wetlands are increasingly used to mitigate wetland loss. Thus, identifying wetland creation methods that enhance ecosystem development might increase the likelihood of mitigation success. Noting that the microtopographic variation found in natural wetland settings may not commonly be found in created wetlands, this study explores relationships between induced microtopography...
Authors
K. Moser, C. Ahn, Gregory B. Noe
Temporal changes of populations and trophic relationships of wintering diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay Temporal changes of populations and trophic relationships of wintering diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay
Population and trophic relationships among diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay are diverse and complex as they include five species of bay ducks (Aythya spp.), nine species of seaducks (Tribe Mergini), and the Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis). Here we considered the relationships between population changes and diet over the past half century to assess the importance of prey changes to...
Authors
Matthew C. Perry, Alicia M. Wells-Berlin, David M. Kidwell, Peter C. Osenton
Seasonal variation in nutrient retention during inundation of a short-hydroperiod floodplain Seasonal variation in nutrient retention during inundation of a short-hydroperiod floodplain
Floodplains are generally considered to be important locations for nutrient retention or inorganic-to-organic nutrient conversions in riverine ecosystems. However, little is known about nutrient processing in short-hydroperiod floodplains or seasonal variation in floodplain nutrient retention. Therefore, we quantified the net uptake, release or transformation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus...
Authors
G.B. Noe, C.R. Hupp
A simulation of groundwater discharge and nitrate delivery to chesapeake bay from the lowermost delmarva peninsula, USA A simulation of groundwater discharge and nitrate delivery to chesapeake bay from the lowermost delmarva peninsula, USA
A groundwater model has been developed for the lowermost Delmarva Peninsula, USA, that simulates saltwater intrusion into local confined aquifers and nitrate delivery to the Chesapeake Bay from the surficial aquifer. A flow path and groundwater-age analysis was performed using the model to estimate the timing of nitrate delivery to the bay over the next several decades. The simulated...
Authors
W. E. Sanford, J.P. Pope
Rapid sea level rise and ice sheet response to 8,200-year climate event Rapid sea level rise and ice sheet response to 8,200-year climate event
The largest abrupt climatic reversal of the Holocene interglacial, the cooling event 8.6–8.2 thousand years ago (ka), was probably caused by catastrophic release of glacial Lake Agassiz-Ojibway, which slowed Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and cooled global climate. Geophysical surveys and sediment cores from Chesapeake Bay reveal the pattern of sea level rise during...
Authors
T. M. Cronin, P.R. Vogt, Debra A. Willard, R. Thunell, J. Halka, M. Berke, J. Pohlman
Long-term changes in abundance and diversity of macrophyte and waterfowl populations in an estuary with exotic macrophytes and improving water quality Long-term changes in abundance and diversity of macrophyte and waterfowl populations in an estuary with exotic macrophytes and improving water quality
We assessed species-specific coverage (km2) of a submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) community in the fresh and upper oligohaline Potomac Estuary from 1985 to 2001 using a method combining field observations of species-proportional coverage data with congruent remotely sensed coverage and density (percent canopy cover) data. Biomass (estimated by density-weighted coverage) of individual...
Authors
N. B. Rybicki, J.M. Landwehr
Temporal changes in surface-water insecticide concentrations after the phaseout of diazinon and chlorpyrifos Temporal changes in surface-water insecticide concentrations after the phaseout of diazinon and chlorpyrifos
The recent (late 2001) federally mandated phaseout of diazinon and chlorpyrifos insecticide use in outdoor urban settings has resulted in a rapid decline in concentrations of these insecticides in urban streams and rivers in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Assessment of temporal insecticide trends at 20 sites showed that significant step decreases in diazinon...
Authors
P. J. Phillips, S.W. Ator, E.A. Nystrom