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: 2380
To cross or not to cross: modeling wildlife road crossings as a binary response variable with contextual predictors To cross or not to cross: modeling wildlife road crossings as a binary response variable with contextual predictors
Roads are significant barriers to landscape-scale movements of individuals or populations of many wildlife taxa. The decision by an animal near a road to either cross or not cross may be influenced by characteristics of the road, environmental conditions, traits of the individual animal, and other aspects of the context within which the decision is made. We considered such factors in a...
Authors
Shane R. Siers, Robert N. Reed, Julie A. Savidge
The bee microbiome: Impact on bee health and model for evolution and ecology of host-microbe interactions The bee microbiome: Impact on bee health and model for evolution and ecology of host-microbe interactions
As pollinators, bees are cornerstones for terrestrial ecosystem stability and key components in agricultural productivity. All animals, including bees, are associated with a diverse community of microbes, commonly referred to as the microbiome. The bee microbiome is likely to be a crucial factor affecting host health. However, with the exception of a few pathogens, the impacts of most...
Authors
Philipp Engel, Waldan K. Kwong, Quinn McFrederick, Kirk E. Anderson, Seth Michael Barribeau, James Angus Chandler, Robert S. Cornman, Jacques Dainat, Joachim R. de Miranda, Vincent Doublet, Olivier Emery, Jay D. Evans, Laurent Farinelli, Michelle Flenniken, Fredrik Granberg, Juris A. Grasis, Laurent Gauthier, Juliette Hayer, Hauke Koch, Sarah Kocher, Vincent G. Martinson, Nancy Moran, Monica Munoz-Torres, Irene Newton, Robert J. Paxton, Eli Powell, Ben M. Sadd, Paul Schmid-Hempel, Regula Schmid-Hempel, Jin Song, Ryan S. Schwarz, Dennis vanEngelsdorp, Benjamin Dainat
Assessing atmospheric concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by evergreen Rhododendron maximum next to a contaminated stream Assessing atmospheric concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by evergreen Rhododendron maximum next to a contaminated stream
Conifers are often used as an “air passive sampler”, but few studies have focused on the implication of broadleaf evergreens to monitor atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this study, we used Rhododendron maximum (rhododendron) growing next to a contaminated stream to assess atmospheric PCB concentrations. The study area was located in...
Authors
Viet D. Dang, David Walters, Cindy M. Lee
Effects of lek count protocols on greater sage-grouse population trend estimates Effects of lek count protocols on greater sage-grouse population trend estimates
Annual counts of males displaying at lek sites are an important tool for monitoring greater sage-grouse populations (Centrocercus urophasianus), but seasonal and diurnal variation in lek attendance may increase variance and bias of trend analyses. Recommendations for protocols to reduce observation error have called for restricting lek counts to within 30 minutes of sunrise, but this may...
Authors
Adrian P. Monroe, David R. Edmunds, Cameron L. Aldridge
Using NDVI to measure precipitation in semi-arid landscapes Using NDVI to measure precipitation in semi-arid landscapes
Measuring precipitation in semi-arid landscapes is important for understanding the processes related to rainfall and run-off; however, measuring precipitation accurately can often be challenging especially within remote regions where precipitation instruments are scarce. Typically, rain-gauges are sparsely distributed and research comparing rain-gauge and RADAR precipitation estimates...
Authors
Amy N. Birtwhistle, Melinda Laituri, Brian Bledsoe, Jonathan M. Friedman
Rapid movement and instability of an invasive hybrid swarm Rapid movement and instability of an invasive hybrid swarm
Unstable hybrid swarms that arise following the introduction of non-native species can overwhelm native congeners, yet the stability of invasive hybrid swarms has not been well documented over time. Here we examine genetic variation and clinal stability across a recently formed hybrid swarm involving native blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta) and non-native red shiner (C. lutrensis) in...
Authors
Gregory J. Glotzbecker, David Walters, Michael J. Blum
Users and uses of Landsat 8 satellite imagery—2014 survey results Users and uses of Landsat 8 satellite imagery—2014 survey results
Executive Summary In 2013, Landsat 8 began adding high quality, global, moderate-resolution imagery to the more than 40-year archive of Landsat imagery. To assess the potential effects of the availability of Landsat 8 imagery on users and their work, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Land Remote Sensing Program (LRS) initiated a survey of Landsat users. The objectives of the survey were...
Authors
Holly M. Miller
Debris flow occurrence and sediment persistence, Upper Colorado River Valley, CO Debris flow occurrence and sediment persistence, Upper Colorado River Valley, CO
Debris flow magnitudes and frequencies are compared across the Upper Colorado River valley to assess influences on debris flow occurrence and to evaluate valley geometry effects on sediment persistence. Dendrochronology, field mapping, and aerial photographic analysis are used to evaluate whether a 19th century earthen, water-conveyance ditch has altered the regime of debris flow...
Authors
Kyle J Grimsley, Sara L. Rathburn, Jonathan M. Friedman, Joseph F. Mangano
Estimating the economic impacts of ecosystem restoration—Methods and case studies Estimating the economic impacts of ecosystem restoration—Methods and case studies
Federal investments in ecosystem restoration projects protect Federal trusts, ensure public health and safety, and preserve and enhance essential ecosystem services. These investments also generate business activity and create jobs. It is important for restoration practitioners to be able to quantify the economic impacts of individual restoration projects in order to communicate the...
Authors
Catherine Cullinane Thomas, Christopher Huber, Kristin Skrabis, Joshua Sidon
Managing nutrients, water, and energy for producing more food with low pollution (MoFoLoPo); What would success look like? Managing nutrients, water, and energy for producing more food with low pollution (MoFoLoPo); What would success look like?
Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer has enabled modern agriculture to greatly improve human nutrition during the 20th century, but it has also created unintended human health and environmental pollution challenges for the 21st century. Averaged globally, about half of the fertilizer N applied to farms is removed with the crops, while the other half remains in the soil or is lost from...
Authors
Jill Baron
2015 National Park visitor spending effects: Economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation 2015 National Park visitor spending effects: Economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation
The National Park Service (NPS) manages the Nation’s most iconic destinations that attract millions of visitors from across the Nation and around the world. Trip-related spending by NPS visitors generates and supports a considerable amount of economic activity within park gateway communities. This economic effects analysis measures how NPS visitor spending cycles through local economies
Authors
Catherine M. Cullinane Thomas, Lynne Koontz
Trophic magnification of organic chemicals: A global synthesis Trophic magnification of organic chemicals: A global synthesis
Production of organic chemicals (OCs) is increasing exponentially, and some OCs biomagnify through food webs to potentially toxic levels. Biomagnification under field conditions is best described by trophic magnification factors (TMFs; per trophic level change in log-concentration of a chemical) which have been measured for more than two decades. Syntheses of TMF behavior relative to...
Authors
David Walters, T.D. Jardine, Brian S. Cade, K.A. Kidd, D.C.G. Muir, Peter C. Leipzig-Scott