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Eastern Ecological Science Center

The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC) strives to provide world-class science to inform natural resource decisions that preserve and enhance our quality of life. 

The land and water we live on and around shapes our lives. We share responsibility for the heathy fish, wildlife and landscapes that are assets to current and future generations.

EESC works directly with managers of our shared natural resources to provide the unbiased scientific tools, research and innovations needed to make informed decisions in today’s complex and rapidly changing conditions.

EESC’s broad expertise spans from mountain streams to deep oceans and the lands in between, supporting stewardship of a wide range of species and habitats.

Unique facilities in Maryland, Massachusetts and West Virginia help EESC deliver the reliable, actionable science that partners need to effectively conserve our treasured natural resources.

Our Research Portfolio

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News

EESC in the News: Nanticoke River Invasive Fishing Derby Mixes Fishing, Fun, and Science

EESC in the News: Nanticoke River Invasive Fishing Derby Mixes Fishing, Fun, and Science

EESC in the News - Evaluating the Pathogenesis of Avian Influenza Virus in Priority Seaducks (Common Eider, Surf Scoter)

EESC in the News - Evaluating the Pathogenesis of Avian Influenza Virus in Priority Seaducks (Common Eider, Surf Scoter)

EESC in the News: Flow Photo Explorer: Studying Flows in the Penobscot River Basin

EESC in the News: Flow Photo Explorer: Studying Flows in the Penobscot River Basin

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Publications

Landscape changes elevate the risk of avian influenza virus diversification and emergence in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway Landscape changes elevate the risk of avian influenza virus diversification and emergence in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) persistently threaten wild waterfowl, domestic poultry, and public health. The East Asian–Australasian Flyway plays a crucial role in HPAIV dynamics due to its large populations of migratory waterfowl and poultry. Over recent decades, this flyway has undergone substantial landscape changes, including both losses and gains of waterfowl...
Authors
Shenglai Yin, Chenchen Zhang, Claire Teitelbaum, Yali Si, Geli Zhang, Xinxin Wang, Dehua Mao, Zheng Huangh, Willem de Boer, John Takekawa, Diann Prosser, Xiangming Xiao
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

Bison population dynamics, harvest, and human conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming Bison population dynamics, harvest, and human conflict potential under feedground management alternatives at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming

Bison bison were once abundant across North America but declined due to overharvesting in the late 1800s. The reintroduced population in and around Jackson, Wyoming has averaged 485 individuals between 2018–2023 and is the subject of a planning process to inform management strategies that will guide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” for the National Elk...
Authors
Jonathan Cook, Margaret C. McEachran, Gavin Cotterill, Eric Cole
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan Decision analysis in support of the National Elk Refuge bison and elk management plan

Preface This report was developed to evaluate the performance of a set of proposed alternatives for Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) and Bison bison (bison) management at the National Elk Refuge (NER) in Wyoming, U.S.A., and to inform a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement focused on developing the next “Bison and Elk Management Plan” (BEMP). The U.S...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Science

Shortnose sturgeon

Life History and Migration of Sturgeons in New England Waters

Sturgeons appear in the fossil record as early as the Triassic, 200 million years ago. Although most populations could once tolerate harvesting pressures, most populations have collapsed and nearly all of the 28 species alive today are listed as threatened or endangered. In New England, dams and water regulation challenge population recoveries of the two resident species, the shortnose and...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
Life History and Migration of Sturgeons in New England Waters

Life History and Migration of Sturgeons in New England Waters

Sturgeons appear in the fossil record as early as the Triassic, 200 million years ago. Although most populations could once tolerate harvesting pressures, most populations have collapsed and nearly all of the 28 species alive today are listed as threatened or endangered. In New England, dams and water regulation challenge population recoveries of the two resident species, the shortnose and...
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Image: Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)

EESC Makes an Impact: Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Chesapeake Bay provides over $100 billion in annual economic value and is home to 18 million people. The USGS, including scientists from the Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC), works with Federal, State, local, and academic partners to provide research and monitoring and to communicate results to inform management for the Chesapeake and other important landscapes across the Nation.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center
EESC Makes an Impact: Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

EESC Makes an Impact: Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Chesapeake Bay provides over $100 billion in annual economic value and is home to 18 million people. The USGS, including scientists from the Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC), works with Federal, State, local, and academic partners to provide research and monitoring and to communicate results to inform management for the Chesapeake and other important landscapes across the Nation.
Learn More
Blue-winged teal in Texas with an inset that shows the avian influenza virus

Avian Influenza Research at EESC

Emergence of avian influenza viruses with the potential to be highly pathogenic to poultry, wild birds, and humans cause serious concern for the global economic and public health sectors. Researchers at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center study multiple aspects of avian influenza viruses in wild birds as well as their implications for commercial agriculture with a special emphasis on...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, International Programs
Avian Influenza Research at EESC

Avian Influenza Research at EESC

Emergence of avian influenza viruses with the potential to be highly pathogenic to poultry, wild birds, and humans cause serious concern for the global economic and public health sectors. Researchers at the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center study multiple aspects of avian influenza viruses in wild birds as well as their implications for commercial agriculture with a special emphasis on...
Learn More
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