Publications
FORT scientists have produced more than 2000 peer reviewed publications that are registered in the USGS Publications Warehouse, along with many others prior to their work at the USGS or in conjunction with other government agencies.
Filter Total Items: 2398
The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models The importance of simulation assumptions when evaluating detectability in population models
Population monitoring is important for investigating a variety of ecological questions, and N-mixture models are increasingly used to model population size (N) and trends (lambda) while estimating detectability (p) from repeated counts within primary periods (when populations are closed to changes). Extending these models to dynamic processes with serial dependence across primary periods...
Authors
Adrian P. Monroe, Gregory T. Wann, Cameron L. Aldridge, Peter S. Coates
Science needs for continued development of total nitrogen deposition budgets in the United States Science needs for continued development of total nitrogen deposition budgets in the United States
The objectives of this white paper are to describe the state of the science with respect to total Nr deposition budgets in North America and the research needed to improve these budgets from both a measurement and modeling standpoint. The document is intended to serve as a plan for TDep research activities but also, more broadly, to provide program managers, natural resource managers...
Authors
Gregory A. Wetherbee, Pamela H. Templar, Richard V. Pouyat, Stephen M. Decina, Brian M. Kerschner, Thomas H. Whitlow, Pamela E. Padgett, Donna B. Schwede, Jill Baron, David Clow, M. Alisa Mast, Graham A. Sexstone, Kristi H. Morris
Contact rates with nesting birds before and after invasive snake removal: Estimating the effects of trap-based control Contact rates with nesting birds before and after invasive snake removal: Estimating the effects of trap-based control
Invasive predators are responsible for almost 60% of all vertebrate extinctions worldwide with the most vulnerable faunas occurring on islands. The brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) is a notorious invasive predator that caused the extirpation or extinction of most native forest birds on Guam. The success of avian reintroduction efforts on Guam will depend on whether snake-control...
Authors
Amy A. Yackel Adams, Melia G. Nafus, Page Klug, Bjorn Lardner, M.J. Mazurek, Julie A. Savidge, Robert Reed
Influences of potential oil and gas development and future climate on Sage-grouse declines and redistribution Influences of potential oil and gas development and future climate on Sage-grouse declines and redistribution
Multiple environmental stressors impact wildlife populations, but we often know little about their cumulative and combined influences on population outcomes. We generally know more about past effects than potential future impacts, and direct influences such as changes of habitat footprints than indirect, long-term responses in behavior, distribution, or abundance. Yet, an understanding...
Authors
Julie A. Heinrichs, Michael S. O’Donnell, Cameron L. Aldridge, Steven L. Garman, Collin G. Homer
Spatial capture-recapture reveals age- and sex-specific survival and movement in stream amphibians Spatial capture-recapture reveals age- and sex-specific survival and movement in stream amphibians
Life history information sets the foundation for our understanding of ecology and conservation requirements. For many species, this information is lacking even for basic demographic rates such as survival and movement. When survival and movement estimates are available, they are often derived from mixed demographic groups and do not consider differences among life stages or sexes, which...
Authors
R. Ken Honeycutt, Justin M Garwood, Winsor H. Lowe, Blake R. Hossack
Estimating visitor use and economic contributions of National Park visitor spending Estimating visitor use and economic contributions of National Park visitor spending
This chapter provides an overview of the National Park Service (NPS) methods for estimating visitor spending and calculating economic contributions of visitor spending in terms of jobs supported, wage and labor income, and total economic activity. The Visitor Spending Effects model combines visitor spending patterns and trip characteristic data with visitor use data to estimate total...
Authors
Lynne Koontz, Catherine Cullinane Thomas
Climate, environment, and disturbance history govern resilience of western North American Forests Climate, environment, and disturbance history govern resilience of western North American Forests
Before the advent of intensive forest management and fire suppression, western North American forests exhibited a naturally occurring resistance and resilience to wildfires and other disturbances. Resilience, which encompasses resistance, reflects the amount of disruption an ecosystem can withstand before its structure or organization qualitatively shift to a different basin of...
Authors
Paul F. Hessburg, Carol Miller, Sean A. Parks, Nicholas A. Povak, Alan H. Taylor, Philip E. Higuera, Susan Prichard, Malcolm P. North, Brandon M. Collins, Matthew D. Hurteau, Andrew J. Larson, Craig D. Allen, Scott L. Stephens, Hiram Rivera-Huerta, Camile S Stevens-Rumann, Lori D. Daniels, Ze’ev Gedalof, Robert W. Gray, Van R. Kane, Derek J. Churchill, R. Keala Hagmann, Thomas A. Spies, C. Alina Cansler, R. Travis Belote, Thomas T. Veblen, Mike A. Battaglia, Chad Hoffman, Carl N. Skinner, Hugh D. Safford, R. Brion Salter
Intermountain west drought social science synthesis working group: Report to the National Climate Adaptation Science Center Intermountain west drought social science synthesis working group: Report to the National Climate Adaptation Science Center
Throughout the Intermountain West, there has been significant investment in understanding how social factors influence manager and citizen experiences of drought in particular locations. Yet there is still a gap in knowledge of how human dimensions of drought impacts, planning, and resilience are similar and different across cases and regions. Building on the natural science...
Authors
Adam Wilke, Amanda E. Cravens, Robin O’Malley
Assessing the chemistry and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from glaciers and rock glaciers Assessing the chemistry and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter from glaciers and rock glaciers
As glaciers thaw in response to warming, they release dissolved organic matter (DOM) to alpine lakes and streams. The United States contains an abundance of both alpine glaciers and rock glaciers. Differences in DOM composition and bioavailability between glacier types, like rock and ice glaciers, remain undefined. To assess differences in glacier and rock glacier DOM we evaluated...
Authors
Timothy S. Fegel, Claudia M. Boot, Corey D. Broeckling, Jill Baron, Edward K Hall
Predicting attenuation of salinized surface- and groundwater-resources from legacy energy development in the Prairie Pothole Region Predicting attenuation of salinized surface- and groundwater-resources from legacy energy development in the Prairie Pothole Region
Oil and gas (energy) development in the Williston Basin, which partly underlies the Prairie Pothole Region in central North America, has helped meet U.S. energy demand for decades. Historical handling and disposal practices of saline wastewater co-produced during energy development resulted in salinization of surface and groundwater at numerous legacy energy sites. Thirty years of...
Authors
Todd M. Preston, Chauncey W. Anderson, Joanna N. Thamke, Blake R. Hossack, Katherine Skalak, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Fort Collins Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
Migratory strategy explains differences in timing of female reproductive development in seasonally sympatric songbirds. Migratory strategy explains differences in timing of female reproductive development in seasonally sympatric songbirds.
1. Divergent migratory strategies among populations can result in population-level differences in timing of reproduction (allochrony) and local adaptation. However, the mechanisms underlying among-population variation in timing are insufficiently understood, particularly in females. 2. We studied differences in reproductive development and its related mechanisms along the hypothalamic...
Authors
Abigail A Kimmitt, Jack Hardman, Craig A. Stricker, Ellen D. Ketterson
Amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene Amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene
Research is necessary to identify patterns in nature, to understand how a system functions, and to make predictions about the future state of an ecosystem. Applied research in conservation biology can identify effective strategies to maintain biodiversity, though many papers end with the conclusion that more research is needed. However, more research does not necessarily lead to...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Erin L. Muths, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Silviu Petrovan