Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
News
Below are our most recent NOROCK and USGS News items. If you are with the media, please contact Todd Wojtowicz, communications biologist, at twojtowicz@usgs.gov with any media or outreach requests.
For Nature, Gravel-Bed Rivers Most Important Feature in Mountainous Western North America
MISSOULA – Gravel-bed river floodplains are some of the most ecologically important habitats in North America, according to a new study by scientists from the U.S. and Canada. Their research shows how broad valleys coming out of glaciated mountains provide highly productive and important habitat for a large diversity of aquatic, avian and terrestrial species.
Study Shows Pathways of Disease Transmission Between Elk, Bison and Cattle in the Greater Yellowstone Area
The U.S. Geological Survey and its partners have shown how brucellosis has impacted cattle, bison and elk in the greater Yellowstone area.
Welcome to the New USGS.gov
Our transitional site includes the new usgs.gov and more than 180 top-level pages (Mission Areas, Programs, Regions, our three new Science Center websites, Products, Connect, About, etc.). We will migrate more USGS websites into this new experience; check back often to see our progress.
Linking Climate Change Science and Art
What began as an effort to document and analyze the retreat of glaciers in Glacier National Park, has become a collection of striking photographs displayed on museum walls.
Study Shows Cold and Windy Nights Physically Drain Mangy Wolves
During winter, wolves infected with mange can suffer a substantial amount of heat loss compared to those without the disease, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners.
NOROCK is Hiring!
Do you want to be part of an innovative team of biological science professionals committed to providing reliable scientific information and understanding of ecosystems? Scientists, field technicians, and science support staff at NOROCK work in some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. answering some of the most critical research questions in natural resource and environmental science.
Genetic Study Confirms Growth of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Population
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Genetic data show the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has grown since the 1980s with no loss in genetic diversity, according to a report by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.
EarthWord: Crepuscular
The term crepuscular describes events relating to, resembling, or occurring during twilight, meaning morning and evening hours. An animal described as crepuscular is active during twilight.
Adaptive capacity of species - a fundamental component when assessing vulnerability to rapid climate change.
A new paper led by U.S. Geological Survey Ecologists Erik Beever (Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center) and Michelle Staudinger (Northeast Climate Science Center) addresses the importance of including adaptive capacity of species as a fundamental component when assessing vulnerability to rapid climate change.
Climate Change Threatens Native Trout Diversity
Scientists have discovered that the diversity of a threatened native trout species will likely decrease due to future climate change.
April Showers may Bring May Flowers, but Winter Snow is Water in the Bank
The type of precipitation falling from the sky matters, especially for delicate mountain ecosystems.
Energy Development Promotes Presence of Non-Native Plant Species in the Williston Basin
The presence of non-native plant species is significantly greater adjacent to oil well pads than in non-developed areas of the Williston Basin, according to a first-of-its-kind U.S. Geological Survey study for this area.