FORT 2023: A Year in Review
In 2023, scientists at the Fort Collins Science Center produced more than 90 new publications and 40 new datasets, and presented their research at numerous conferences and meetings around the world. Below, we highlight some of these products and outreach events, and look forward to anticipated products in 2024.
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022 | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Sage-grouse | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Using state-and-transition simulation models to scope post-fire success in restoring greater sage-grouse habitat | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Genetic mark–recapture analysis reveals large annual variation in pre-breeding sex ratio of greater sage-grouse | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
A hidden cost of single species management: Habitat-relationships reveal potential negative effects of conifer removal on a non-target species | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Publications
FORT scientists published dozens of research articles this year, and were lead authors on publications covering a wide range of topics, including:
Amphibian conservation (1, 2, 3)
Plague mitigation in rodents (1, 2 , 3, 4)
Wildfire risk mitigation and social science (1, 2)
Invasive reptile monitoring (1, 2, 3)
Sagebrush habitat management (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Creating science for resource managers (1, 2, 3 ,4)
Nitrogen pollution in Rocky Mountain National Park (1, 2)
Feral horse and burro population monitoring (1, 2, 3)
Invasive species habitat suitability modeling (1, 2)
Arthropod genetic detection (1) and viral genomics (2)
Vegetation cover of expired conservation lands (1)
and many, many more!
Flea control on prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) with fipronil bait pellets: Potential plague mitigation tool for rapid field application and wildlife conservation | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Data on flea control using FipBit fipronil bait pellets with black-tailed prairie dogs, South Dakota, 2020-2021 | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Evaluating baits with lufenuron and nitenpyram for flea control on prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) to mitigate plague | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Data on flea control using lufenuron and nitenpyram baits with black-tailed prairie dogs, South Dakota, 2021 | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Data
FORT scientists are committed to creating open, usable datasets for other scientists and natural resource managers. In 2023, we published the following datasets:
Environmental or landscape data
- Vegetation and geology of the Elwah River delta after dam removal
- Vegetation and management activities of former Conservation Reserve Program lands
- Wyoming Roads
- Alpine lake concentrations of carbon and nitrogen
Simulated data
- Habitat suitability for invasive plant species
- Sagebrush connectivity and restoration
- Impact of conifer removal on songbird abundance
- Post-fire sagebrush restoration
- Fire connectivity and flow patterns
- Bird abundance and population connectivity
Population monitoring or diet data for:
Tricolored bats, little brown bats, big brown bats, songbirds, brown treesnakes, feral horses, invasive plant species, burros, Burmese pythons, bat sampling frames
Genomic or genetic data for:
Gunnison sage-grouse, greater sage-grouse, white-tailed ptarmigan, trumpeter swans, Arizona toads, honeybee viruses, Northern black swifts, environmental DNA
Experimental data
- Invasive lizard bait trials
- Flea control and survival in black-tailed prairie dogs
Survey Data
- Participation in wildfire risk mitigation cost-share program
Conferences
FORT scientists shared their research at 46 different conferences this year. Read the items below to learn about some of the research we presented in 2023.
FORT scientists discuss research at the 2023 Ecological Society of America Meeting
FORT scientists present research at the 31st Conference of the North American Invasive Species Management Association in Lincoln, Nebraska
FORT scientists present invasive reptile research at the 2023 Everglades CISMA Summit
Stakeholder and Partner Meetings
FORT scientists hosted numerous meetings, workshops, and tours to share science with stakeholders and other scientists or work on projects with collaborators. See some of our highlighted meetings below.
Pacific Northwest Native American Workshop on Bats
SyncroSim User Conference
Big Rivers Data Integration Workshop
WLCI Field Tour
Images, Videos, and other Multimedia from FORT
Take a look at our multimedia page to see our scientists in action, view some of the beautiful landscapes we study, and access updated NABat population monitoring training videos.
Learn more about this project: Predicting the phenology of invasive grasses under a changing climate to inform mapping and management | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Additional Science
Need more FORT science or want to learn more about the projects our scientists are working on now? Click on the links below to find ongoing projects corresponding to each of our main research topics.
Fish and Wildlife
Ecosystem Change and Disturbance
Land Management
Social and Economic Analysis
Biological Threats and Invasive Species
Web Application Development
Tools and Techniques
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