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Bat Week 2021: The Frightening Threat to Bats

Learn about the valuable role bats play in ecosystems and the dangers these flying friends face

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Ecologist recognized for Exceptional Scientific Contributions

Dr. Craig Allen was recently awarded the Department of Interior Distinguished Service Award

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Fort Collins Science Center

Welcome to the Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, just east of the Rocky Mountains. At FORT we develop and disseminate research-based information and tools needed to understand the nation’s biological resources in support of effective decision making.

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Users, Uses, and Value of Landsat Imagery

Photograph of Landsat

Landsat satellites provide high-quality, imagery of urban, rural, and remote lands for all areas of the world. The imagery is applied to a variety of research areas, such as climate change research, agriculture, and environmental management.

Landsat Imagery

Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades

The Florida Everglades encompass a vast subtropical ecosystem. Billions of dollars have been committed to the long-term restoration of this ecosystem, but burgeoning populations of introduced and invasive reptiles threaten prospects for restoration.

Invasives Species

Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines

Wind turbines in Wyoming.

Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, however, widespread deployment of wind turbines is having unprecedented adverse impacts on tree-roosting and migratory bat species.

Bats and Wind Energy

News

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How Can Managers Respond to Changing Ecosystems?

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The USGS One Health Approach to Wildlife Disease and Environmental Change

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Ecologist recognized by Department of Interior for Exceptional Scientific Contributions

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Publications

Analytical assessments in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 3-bat species status assessment

Beginning in February of 2020, researchers and staff of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Bat Conservation International (BCI), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Montana State University associated with the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) collaborated with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to provide technical assistance in support o
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center

Acoustic and genetic data can reduce uncertainty regarding populations of migratory tree-roosting bats impacted by wind energy

Wind turbine-related mortality may pose a population-level threat for migratory tree-roosting bats, such as the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) in North America. These species are dispersed within their range, making it impractical to estimate census populations size using traditional survey methods. Nonetheless, understanding population size and trends is essential for evaluating and mitigating ris
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center

Agkistrodon conanti (Florida Cottonmouth) and Python bivittatus (Burmese Python). Diet and Predation

Python bivittatus is established in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida, USA. Documented predators on pythons in Florida include Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator; Snow et al. 2006. Herpetol. Rev. 37:81–81), Drymarchon couperi (Gulf Coast Indigo Snake; Andreadis et al. 2018. Herpetol. Rev. 49:341–342), Lynx rufus (Bobcat; McCollister et al. 2021. Southeast. Nat. 20:N5
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center
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Science

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Image of rangeland in Arizona showing two ranchers on horseback

Identifying priority science needs for strengthening the science foundation for decision-making in the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to using science-informed decision-making for the public lands and resources that it manages. Uses on these lands are varied, and decisions are complex. USGS and BLM are working together to identify specific needs for data, science, methods, and mitigation actions that can strengthen the science foundation for BLM planning and management decisions.
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Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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Identifying priority science needs for strengthening the science foundation for decision-making in the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to using science-informed decision-making for the public lands and resources that it manages. Uses on these lands are varied, and decisions are complex. USGS and BLM are working together to identify specific needs for data, science, methods, and mitigation actions that can strengthen the science foundation for BLM planning and management decisions.
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Pygmy rabbit

Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource manager

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
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Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource manager

Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.
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Cloudscape in a BLM wilderness study area.

Using public litigation records to identify priority science and data needs for the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large area of public lands in the western U.S. for multiple uses and values. Because some of these uses and values may conflict, the agency’s decisions can be controversial and are often challenged. We analyzed public legal records to help identify priority information needs that could strengthen science-based decision-making in the BLM
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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Using public litigation records to identify priority science and data needs for the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large area of public lands in the western U.S. for multiple uses and values. Because some of these uses and values may conflict, the agency’s decisions can be controversial and are often challenged. We analyzed public legal records to help identify priority information needs that could strengthen science-based decision-making in the BLM
Learn More
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