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Publications

FORT scientists have produced more than 1,500 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: 2219

Empirical evidence for large nonmarket values for water resources: TCM benefits estimates for Lake Powell

The wide acceptance of travel cost method (TCM) nonmarket benefits estimates rests, in part, on the fact that it deploys data on actual expenditures – as opposed to hypothetical behaviour – to estimate benefits conferred. The data for the current analysis was gathered from a survey that was distributed on-site at Lake Powell in 1997. The Lake Powell survey data indicates that aggregate recreation
Authors
Aaron J. Douglas, Richard L. Johnson

Lake Powell management alternatives and values: CVM estimates of recreation benefits

This paper presents data analyses based on information gathered from a recreation survey distributed during the spring of 1997 at Lake Powell. Recreation-linked management issues are the foci of the survey and this discussion. Survey responses to contingent valuation method (CVM) queries included in the questionnaire quantify visitor recreation values. The CVM estimates of the benefits provided by
Authors
A.J. Douglas, D.A. Harpman

Using stable isotopes to associate migratory shorebirds with their wintering locations in Argentina

We are evaluating the use of stable isotopes to identify the wintering areas of Neotropical migratory shorebirds in Argentina. Our goal is to associate individual birds, captured on the breeding grounds or in migration with specific winter sites, thereby helping to identify distinct areas used by different subpopulations. In January and February 2002 and 2003, we collected flight feathers from sho
Authors
A.H. Farmer, M. Abril, M. Fernandez, J. Torres, C. Kester, C. Bern

Improving biodiversity knowledge with dataset synergy: A case study of non-native plants in Colorado

Species lists are important tools for managing biodiversity, including controlling nonnative species, but they are either incomplete or lacking for many areas. Our objective was to illustrate how the synergy of disparate data sets can increase knowledge of species distributions while minimizing further field expenditures. We compared five different data types (two species lists, weed surveys, vege
Authors
C.S. Crosier, T.J. Stohlgren

Chemistry & migration mysteries: Fur holds clues to previous journeys

The bat was not only pregnant but downright angry as I snipped a bit of fur from her back. Within a few seconds, however, she flapped her powerful wings, took off from my hand and disappeared into the night, rejoining thousands of female hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) on their migration through the mountains of New Mexico.Every spring, hundreds of these expectant mothers pass through this small st
Authors
Paul M. Cryan

Sensitivity to acidification of subalpine ponds and lakes in north-western Colorado

Although acidifying deposition in western North America is lower than in many parts of the world, many high-elevation ecosystems there are extremely sensitive to acidification. Previous studies determined that the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area (MZWA) has the most acidic snowpack and aquatic ecosystems that are among the most sensitive in the region. In this study, spatial and temporal variability o
Authors
K. Campbell, E. Muths, J.T. Turk, P. S. Corn

Variable breeding phenology affects the exposure of amphibian embryos to ultraviolet radiation: Reply

Corn and Muths (2002) describe how seasonal and annual variation in estimated flux of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, combined with year-to-year variation in amphibian breeding, phenology, introduces considerable variability in the UV-B exposures to amphibians. The response to our paper by Blaustein et al. (2004) misstates the objective and conclusions of our study, contains other errors of interp
Authors
Paul Stephen Corn, Erin Muths

Multi-scale and nested-intensity sampling techniques for archaeological survey

This paper discusses sampling techniques for archaeological survey that are directed toward evaluating the properties of surface artifact distributions. The sampling techniques we experimented with consist of a multi-scale sampling plot developed in plant ecology and the use of a nested-intensity survey design. We present results from the initial application of these methods. The sampling techniqu
Authors
O. Burger, L.C. Todd, P. Burnett, T.J. Stohlgren, D. Stephens

Stable hydrogen isotope analysis of bat hair as evidence for seasonal molt and long-distance migration

Although hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) are presumed to be migratory and capable of long-distance dispersal, traditional marking techniques have failed to provide direct evidence of migratory movements by individuals. We measured the stable hydrogen isotope ratios of bat hair (δDh) and determined how these values relate to stable hydrogen isotope ratios of precipitation (δDp). Our results indicate
Authors
P.M. Cryan, M.A. Bogan, R. O. Rye, G. P. Landis, C.L. Kester

Predicting the thermal effects of dam removal on the Klamath River

The Klamath River once supported large runs of anadromous salmonids. Water temperature associated with multiple mainstem hydropower facilities might be one of many factors responsible for depressing Klamath salmon stocks. We combined a water quantity model and a water quality model to predict how removing the series of dams below Upper Klamath Lake might affect water temperatures, and ultimately f
Authors
J.M. Bartholow, S.G. Campbell, M. Flug

Modeling chinook salmon with SALMOD on the Sacramento River, California

Four races of Pacific salmon crowd the Sacramento River below a large reservoir that prevents access to historical spawning grounds. Each race is keyed to spawn at specific times through the year. A salmon population model was used to estimate: (1) the effects that unique run timing, interacting with seasonal river flows and water temperatures, have on each race; and (2) which habitats appeared to
Authors
J.M. Bartholow

Sustaining healthy freshwater ecosystems

Functionally intact and biologically complex freshwater ecosystems provide many economically valuable commodities and services to society. The services supplied by freshwater ecosystems include flood control, transportation, recreation, purification of human and industrial wastes, habitat for plants and animals, and production of fish and other foods and marketable goods. These human benefits are
Authors
Jill Baron, N.L. Poff