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Agricultural Practices

The significance placed on environmentally responsible land management is based in part on public recognition that social, aesthetic, and recreational values enhance the traditional uses of agricultural land. SEA scientists generate science-based information needed to guide management actions and policy decisions that support wildlife habitat and other environmental services compatible with both U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation goals and land managers. Under guidance from the USDA Farm Service Agency, SEA scientists provide biological, social, and economic information that integrates agriculture and conservation for USDA conservation programs. Results are provided to Federal and State conservation agencies and nongovernmental organizations.

Filter Total Items: 6
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four horses standing in sagebrush looking at camera

Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems: Implications for refining and validating Appropriate Management Level (AML)

USGS researchers are conducting a comprehensive study of wild horse and livestock records across the greater sage-grouse range to investigate impacts on vegetation and wildlife (specifically, sage-grouse and songbirds). Researchers will use these results to evaluate Appropriate Management Levels for wild horse and burros, and projections of vegetation productivity under a changing climate.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Change Science Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wildland Fire Science
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Wild horse and livestock influences on vegetation and wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems: Implications for refining and validating Appropriate Management Level (AML)

USGS researchers are conducting a comprehensive study of wild horse and livestock records across the greater sage-grouse range to investigate impacts on vegetation and wildlife (specifically, sage-grouse and songbirds). Researchers will use these results to evaluate Appropriate Management Levels for wild horse and burros, and projections of vegetation productivity under a changing climate.
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USGS scientist conducting agricultural research

Agricultural Practices

Environmentally responsible land management has direct and indirect implications for wildlife, water quality, and air quality in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems far beyond their extent. Agricultural land use accounts for over 50 percent of the surface area of the contiguous United States. Public recognition that social, aesthetic, and recreational values enhance the traditional uses of...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Agricultural Practices

Environmentally responsible land management has direct and indirect implications for wildlife, water quality, and air quality in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems far beyond their extent. Agricultural land use accounts for over 50 percent of the surface area of the contiguous United States. Public recognition that social, aesthetic, and recreational values enhance the traditional uses of...
Learn More
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Crop duster plane

Pesticide Exposure to Native Bees in Agricultural Landscapes

There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of how widespread use of pesticides may affect bees as they move across a diverse agricultural landscape. Studies have shown there are impacts to honey bees due to exposure to pesticides including neonicotinoid insecticides and fungicides, but the effects of these compounds on native pollinators are largely unknown.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Pesticide Exposure to Native Bees in Agricultural Landscapes

There is a lack of knowledge and understanding of how widespread use of pesticides may affect bees as they move across a diverse agricultural landscape. Studies have shown there are impacts to honey bees due to exposure to pesticides including neonicotinoid insecticides and fungicides, but the effects of these compounds on native pollinators are largely unknown.
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A native Colorado bee on a yellow wildflower.

Native Pollinators in Agricultural Ecosystems

Beginning in 2012, the USGS collaborated with the USDA to assess the effectiveness of pollinator plantings and how alteration of landscapes has affected native pollinators and potentially contributed to their decline. The 2008 Farm Bill recognized contributions made by pollinators and made conservation of pollinator habitat a priority. The USGS is assessing native bee habitat, diversity, and...
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Core Science Systems Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Native Pollinators in Agricultural Ecosystems

Beginning in 2012, the USGS collaborated with the USDA to assess the effectiveness of pollinator plantings and how alteration of landscapes has affected native pollinators and potentially contributed to their decline. The 2008 Farm Bill recognized contributions made by pollinators and made conservation of pollinator habitat a priority. The USGS is assessing native bee habitat, diversity, and...
Learn More
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Agriculture thumbnail

Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'

Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Agriculture from 'Landsat Imagery: A Unique Resource'

Landsat satellites provide high-quality, multi-spectral imagery of the surface of the Earth. These moderate-resolution, remotely sensed images are not just pictures, but contain many layers of data collected at different points along the visible and invisible light spectrum.
Learn More
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Native sunflowers in a Kansas Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field

Conservation Practices in Agriculturally Dominated Landscapes

Agricultural land use accounts for over 50 percent of the surface area of the contiguous United States. How these lands are managed has direct and indirect implications for wildlife, water quality, and air quality in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems locally and far beyond their extent.
By
Fort Collins Science Center
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Conservation Practices in Agriculturally Dominated Landscapes

Agricultural land use accounts for over 50 percent of the surface area of the contiguous United States. How these lands are managed has direct and indirect implications for wildlife, water quality, and air quality in terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems locally and far beyond their extent.
Learn More