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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: 2437

Spatial nonlinearities: Cascading effects in the earth system Spatial nonlinearities: Cascading effects in the earth system

Nonlinear behavior is prevalent in all aspects of the Earth System, including ecological responses to global change (Gallagher and Appenzeller 1999; Steffen et al. 2004). Nonlinear behavior refers to a large, discontinuous change in response to a small change in a driving variable (Rial et al. 2004). In contrast to linear systems where responses are smooth, well-behaved, continuous...
Authors
Debra P.C. Peters, R.A. Pielke, B.T. Bestelmeyer, Craig D. Allen, Stuart Munson-McGee, K. M. Havstad

A permutation test for quantile regression A permutation test for quantile regression

A drop in dispersion, F-ratio like, permutation test (D) for linear quantile regression estimates (0≤τ≤1) had relative power ≥1 compared to quantile rank score tests (T) for hypotheses on parameters other than the intercept. Power was compared for combinations of sample sizes (n=20−300) and quantiles (τ=0.50−0.99) where both tests maintained valid Type I error rates in simulations with p...
Authors
Brian S. Cade, Jon D. Richards

Populations estimates of North American shorebirds, 2006 Populations estimates of North American shorebirds, 2006

This paper provides updates on population estimates for 52 species of shorebirds, involving 75 taxa, occurring in North America. New information resulting in a changed estimate is available for 39 of the 75 taxa (52%), involving 24 increases and 15 decreases. The preponderance of increased estimates is likely the result of improved estimates rather than actual increases in numbers. Many...
Authors
R.I. Guy Morrison, Brian J. McCaffery, Robert E. Gill, Susan K. Skagen, Stephanie L. Jones, Gary W. Page, Cheri L. Gratto-Trevor, Brad A. Andres

Defining ecosystem flow requirements for the Bill Williams River, Arizona Defining ecosystem flow requirements for the Bill Williams River, Arizona

Alteration of natural river flows resulting from the construction and operation of dams can result in substantial changes to downstream aquatic and bottomland ecosystems and undermine the long-term health of native species and communities (for general review, cf. Ward and Stanford, 1995; Baron and others, 2002; Nilsson and Svedmark, 2002). Increasingly, land and water managers are...

Attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs Attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs

We sometimes get the impression that all ranchers and farmers of the western United States hate prairie dogs, and that people everywhere else love them. This generality contains elements of truth, but better documentation of attitudes and perceptions is paramount for good conservation. In this chapter we examine attitudes and perceptions about prairie dogs, and how state and federal...
Authors
Berton Lee Lamb, Richard P. Reading, William F. Andelt

Comprehensive genetic analyses reveal evolutionary distinction of a mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) proposed for delisting from the US Endangered Species Act Comprehensive genetic analyses reveal evolutionary distinction of a mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) proposed for delisting from the US Endangered Species Act

Zapus hudsonius preblei, listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA), is one of 12 recognized subspecies of meadow jumping mice found in North America. Recent morphometric and phylogenetic comparisons among Z. h. preblei and neighbouring conspecifics questioned the taxonomic status of selected subspecies, resulting in a proposal to delist the Z. h. preblei from the ESA...
Authors
Tim L. King, John F. Switzer, Cheryl L. Morrison, Michael S. Eackles, Colleen Young, Barbara A. Lubinski, Paul M. Cryan

The importance of adjusting for trip purpose in regional economic analyses of tourist destinations The importance of adjusting for trip purpose in regional economic analyses of tourist destinations

This paper investigates the empirical importance of distinguishing visitors and their expenditures by trip purpose when estimating the tourism effects of a national park on a local economy. Accounting for trip purpose is quite important when there are two or more nearby major attractions in the same geographical area. This applies to the author's case study of Grand Teton and Yellowstone...
Authors
J. Loomis, L. Caughlan

A tamarisk habitat suitability map for the continental US A tamarisk habitat suitability map for the continental US

This paper presents a national-scale map of habitat suitability for tamarisk (Tamarix spp, salt cedar), a high-priority invasive species. We successfully integrate satellite data and tens of thousands of field sampling points through logistic regression modeling to create a habitat suitability map that is 90% accurate. This interagency effort uses field data collected and coordinated...
Authors
J.T. Morisette, C. S. Jarnevich, A. Ullah, W. Cai, J.A. Pedelty, J.E. Gentle, T.J. Stohlgren, J.L. Schnase

The Conservation Reserve Program: Planting for the future The Conservation Reserve Program: Planting for the future

Proceedings are now available from a scientific and technical forum held to review ongoing and planned research, identify lessons learned, and determine future research needs for the purpose of developing a rigorous scientific basis for future CRP policy discussions.
Authors
Skip Hyberg, Arthur Allen

Radio telemetry for black-footed ferret research and monitoring Radio telemetry for black-footed ferret research and monitoring

By 1973, radio telemetry was regarded as an important potential tool for studying the elusive, nocturnal, and semifossorial black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), but fears of using invasive techniques on this highly endangered mammal caused delays. We began radio collaring ferrets in 1981. Use of radio telemetry on ferrets proved to be both challenging and rewarding. We document two...
Authors
Dean E. Biggins, Jerry L. Godbey, Brian J. Miller, Louis R. Hanebury
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