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Explore the Fort Collins Science Center Research Portfolio

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National Early Detection and Rapid Response Information System

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Release of Invasive Annual Grass Spatial Dataset Compilation and Synthesis

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Greater Sage-grouse research at the Fort Collins Science Center

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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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North American Bat Monitoring Program

Little Brown Bat and Indiana Bats

The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) is an international interagency program designed to monitor bat distributions and abundances on public and private lands, and provide trend data at the state, provincial, tribal, regional, and range-wide scales. 

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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

News

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Friday's Findings - May 5 2023

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Marmots do not drink coffee: Human urine contributions to the nitrogen budget of a popular national park destination

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New Mexico Landscapes Field Station Research informs Fire Management

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Publications

A retrospective assessment of fuel break effectiveness for containing rangeland wildfires in the sagebrush biome

Escalated wildfire activity within the western U.S. has widespread societal impacts and long-term consequences for the imperiled sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) biome. Shifts from historical fire regimes and the interplay between frequent disturbance and invasive annual grasses may initiate permanent state transitions as wildfire frequency outpaces sagebrush communities’ innate capacity to recover. The
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Cali L. Weise, Brianne E. Brussee, Douglas J. Shinneman, Peter S. Coates, Michele R. Crist, Cameron L. Aldridge, Julie A. Heinrichs, Mark A. Ricca
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

The Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Scenario Retrospective 2006–21

The U.S. Geological Survey Science Application for Risk Reduction (SAFRR) Project has created four major hazard scenarios—ShakeOut, ARkStorm, Tsunami Scenario, and HayWired—with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, academics, and practitioners. By presenting a clear and highly detailed narrative of potential damage from earthquakes, tsunamis, and winter storms, the scenarios are intended to fost
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Nora Lynn Smithhisler, Nina Burkardt
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

No evidence for cottonwood forest decline along a flow-augmented western U.S. river

In contrast to many other arid region rivers, streamflow in the South Platte River is heavily augmented by trans-basin water imports and irrigation return flows. Hydrological changes began in the 1880s, resulting in channel narrowing and the development of a continuous Populus-Salix forest by the mid-twentieth century. We assessed the composition, structure and regeneration status of the riparian
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Cetan Christensen, Gabrielle L. Katz, J. M. Friedman, Miranda D. Redmond, Andrew S. Norton
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
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Science

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Dr. Craig Allen in the Frijolito research watershed, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico.

Long-term, Place-based, Science and Ecological Monitoring

For over 30 years we have monitored the ecosystem dynamics of the mesas and mountains of northern New Mexico, co-located with mangers. We use a place-based science approach, defined as “science that is founded on long-term, repeated, field data and observations, as well as traditional knowledges, and regularly engages local managers and community members.” This approach enables us to provide land...
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Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Long-term, Place-based, Science and Ecological Monitoring

For over 30 years we have monitored the ecosystem dynamics of the mesas and mountains of northern New Mexico, co-located with mangers. We use a place-based science approach, defined as “science that is founded on long-term, repeated, field data and observations, as well as traditional knowledges, and regularly engages local managers and community members.” This approach enables us to provide land...
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Staff Profile Photo of Austin Fitzgerald

Python Vital Rates

Researchers from USGS-FORT and -WARC and University of Florida are collaborating on a long-term Burmese python research program in southern Florida to address management needs of partners and stakeholders throughout the Greater Everglades.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Python Vital Rates

Researchers from USGS-FORT and -WARC and University of Florida are collaborating on a long-term Burmese python research program in southern Florida to address management needs of partners and stakeholders throughout the Greater Everglades.
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An approximately 14 foot female invasive Burmese python in the Everglades.

State Partnerships in South Florida

USGS-FORT in partnership with the University of Florida and two state agencies (South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) have initiated a scout snake program to increase the ability to detect and remove Burmese pythons from the interior of the landscape.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
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State Partnerships in South Florida

USGS-FORT in partnership with the University of Florida and two state agencies (South Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) have initiated a scout snake program to increase the ability to detect and remove Burmese pythons from the interior of the landscape.
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