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Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center scientists work throughout the U.S. and the world on a diverse set of issues to support the safeguarding, understanding, and management of our public lands.
Featured Research
Featured Research
READI-Net—A network of robotic environmental DNA samplers to enhance the early detection of aquatic biological threats
Featured Research
Featured Research
NOROCK is developing drought early warning systems for fisheries and water management
NOROCK Quick Links
NOROCK Quick Links
Check out our most up-to-date data & science, and learn about any upcoming NOROCK opportunities .
News
USGS READI-Net Tests Next Generation Environmental DNA Sampling Robot for Early Detection of Biological Threats
USGS READI-Net Tests Next Generation Environmental DNA Sampling Robot for Early Detection of Biological Threats
Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1
Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1
USGS and BLM publish a science synthesis on risks of spreading invasive annual grasses in MT, ND & SD through vegetation treatments
USGS and BLM publish a science synthesis on risks of spreading invasive annual grasses in MT, ND & SD through vegetation treatments
Publications
Integrating climate and anthropogenic dynamics can inform multifaceted management for declining mule deer populations Integrating climate and anthropogenic dynamics can inform multifaceted management for declining mule deer populations
Wildlife and their habitats face profound challenges from climate and landscape-scale changes that extend beyond the influence and time horizon of most biologists and land managers. In this changing environment, long-term datasets can enhance assessments of how demographic trends respond to interactions among local (e.g., habitat restoration decisions) and broad extent drivers, including...
Environmental DNA pilot monitoring program for invasive species and biodiversity assessments on Santa Cruz Island: Interim report, September 2025 Environmental DNA pilot monitoring program for invasive species and biodiversity assessments on Santa Cruz Island: Interim report, September 2025
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Southern California Coastal Water Research Project supported Channel Islands National Park, The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Santa Cruz Island Preserve, and University of California San Diego (UCSD) researchers in using environmental DNA sampling to monitor for invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and to describe spatial biodiversity patterns in...
Mountain goat declines in a protected, interior, native population Mountain goat declines in a protected, interior, native population
A shifting climate poses threats to alpine-adapted species including mountain goats. We used long-term (12 years) citizen science monitoring data and Bayesian N-mixture modeling to estimate population trends and drivers of population metrics among mountain goats in Glacier National Park (GNP). Median goats per site (n = 37 sites) declined by 45% (95% credible interval [CRI] = 32%, 57%)...
Science
2025 USGS Benchmark Glaciers Executive Summary
2025 Data Now Available — See how the USGS Benchmark Glaciers have changed this year.
Glaciers and Landscape Change
Mountain glaciers are dynamic reservoirs of frozen water, deeply interconnected with their surrounding ecosystems. Glacier change in North America has major societal impacts, including to water resources, natural hazard risk, tourism disruption, fisheries, and global sea level change. Understanding and quantifying precise connections between changing glaciers, the surrounding landscape and climate...
Additional Research Glaciers
Black Rapids, Columbia, Hubbard, Kahiltna, and Kennicott glaciers are also researched by the USGS.