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Assessment Methods

Scientists have developed robust methods to assess the condition and trajectories of ecosystems. However, these methods often do not deliver information at the scale, with the precision and accuracy, or on the timetable that is most helpful to environmental managers.  The GLSC conducts research to understand the effectiveness of present assessment methods and develop improved methods. Some research, for example, focuses on standardizing interagency data and traditional sampling approaches within binational, multi-jurisdictional settings. Other GLSC scientists experiment with advanced assessment technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), mobile acoustic telemetry receivers, or the use of Dual-Frequency Identification Sonar (DIDSON), in order to answer challenging new questions about ecosystems. 

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Using Pollinator Environmental DNA to Assess the Ecological Resilience of America’s Grasslands

Scientists from six USGS science centers are collaborating with USDA, university, and Tribal partners, and Department of the Interior land managers, to assess the status of pollinator communities and the distribution of species of conservation concern using environmental DNA. These methods will be used to improve assessments of habitat quality and pollinator responses to restoration, including...
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Using Pollinator Environmental DNA to Assess the Ecological Resilience of America’s Grasslands

Scientists from six USGS science centers are collaborating with USDA, university, and Tribal partners, and Department of the Interior land managers, to assess the status of pollinator communities and the distribution of species of conservation concern using environmental DNA. These methods will be used to improve assessments of habitat quality and pollinator responses to restoration, including...
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Development and application of a robot-assisted computer vision system to map Great Lakes bottom habitats and biology

Lake bottom environments are critical zones of interface between geology and biological processes that support health ecosystems and human well-being. Over the past thirty years, Great Lake food webs have become dominated by bottom dwelling invasive species and nuisance algae, that are poorly mapped and understood. USGS is developing a suite of new technologies to map habitat, invasive mussels and...
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Development and application of a robot-assisted computer vision system to map Great Lakes bottom habitats and biology

Lake bottom environments are critical zones of interface between geology and biological processes that support health ecosystems and human well-being. Over the past thirty years, Great Lake food webs have become dominated by bottom dwelling invasive species and nuisance algae, that are poorly mapped and understood. USGS is developing a suite of new technologies to map habitat, invasive mussels and...
Learn More