Publications
Below is a list of available NOROCK peer reviewed and published science. If you are in search of a specific publication and cannot find it below or through a search, please contact twojtowicz@usgs.gov.
Filter Total Items: 1334
Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution Abundance, trends, and challenges facing mountain goats throughout their North American distribution
Recent declines among some mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) populations have heightened concern about their current status and ability to cope with future challenges. We conducted a range-wide assessment of the status of mountain goats across their distribution to understand the extent and patterns of change in recent years. We queried states, provinces, National Parks, and Indigenous
Authors
Richard B. Harris, Steve Bethune, Mark Biel, Roy T. Churchwell, Julie Cunningham, Rob Found, Tabitha A. Graves, Anne Hubbs, Tyler Jessen, Bill Jex, Joshua Kirk, Meghan Larivee, Chadwick P. Lehman, Brian MacBeth, Hollie Miyasaki, Tony W. Mong, William Moore, Susan Oehlers, Todd Rinaldi, Kristin M. Rine, Rusty Robinson, Zachary L. Robinson, Jennifer Sevigny, Michael Sevigny, Kyle Smith, David Vales, Kevin White, Don Whittaker, Carmen Wong, Travis Wyman
Landscape change and age ratios for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herd units in Wyoming,1980-2019 Landscape change and age ratios for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) herd units in Wyoming,1980-2019
No abstract available.
Authors
Teagan A. Hayes, Aaron N. Johnston, L. Embere Hall, Jill Randall, Matthew J. Kauffman, Christopher Keefe, Kevin Monteith, Tabitha A. Graves
An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management An integrated drought early warning system to support coldwater fisheries management
Low streamflow resulting from drought and human water use is a threat to freshwater fisheries throughout western North America, creating a need for effective tools to aid management and fisheries use. We developed a drought early warning framework that forecasts river conditions that could result in temporary fishery closures and restrictions across Montana’s renowned trout fisheries...
Authors
Justin T. Martin, Gregory T. Pederson, Timothy Cline, Andrew Biche Lahr, Jeffrey D. Walker, David Schmetterling, Donovan A. Bell, Clint C. Muhlfeld
Bright spot in eDNA monitoring: Early detection of invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) prompted effective rapid response for fish hatchery Bright spot in eDNA monitoring: Early detection of invasive New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) prompted effective rapid response for fish hatchery
The New Zealand mudsnail (NZMS; Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a widespread aquatic invasive species that is parthenogenic, requiring only a single individual to initiate an infestation. Fish hatcheries–which are critical infrastructure that raise fish to support conservation, recreation, and subsistence fisheries–frequently use local water sources to provide cool water and are especially...
Authors
Devin Slobodian, Patrick R. Hutchins, Jennifer Graves, Adam Sepulveda
Potential flood events in the lower Missouri River basin over multiple centuries identified using tree-ring based multi-model streamflow reconstructions Potential flood events in the lower Missouri River basin over multiple centuries identified using tree-ring based multi-model streamflow reconstructions
The Missouri River basin (MRB), the largest river basin in the United States, presents major water management challenges due to its complex topology and extensive infrastructure designed to manage high annual flows. Severe hydroclimatic events, particularly floods in 1993, 2011, and 2019, have highlighted vulnerabilities, leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enhance flood risk...
Authors
Subhrendu Gangopadhyay, Edward R. Cook, Gregory T. Pederson, Connie A. Woodhouse, Gregory J. McCabe, Matthew P. Dannenberg, Victoria M. Harris, Erika K. Wise, Jeffrey P. Niehaus, Upmanu Lall
Assessing environmental influences on gene flow for a migratory ungulate in a fire-prone landscape Assessing environmental influences on gene flow for a migratory ungulate in a fire-prone landscape
Context
Authors
Elizabeth P Flesch, Tabitha A. Graves, Mark Biel
Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument
Translocations have been widely used to restore and conserve bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in North America. Some translocations have been successful, but many populations remain small and genetically isolated. Population structure can influence the viability and long-term success of reintroductions. Social ungulates often function as interconnected subpopulations...
Authors
Sarah Louise Carroll, Elizabeth P Flesch, Salix Scoresby, Emily Spencer, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Clinton W. Epps, Nathan L. Galloway, William Michael Janousek, Tabitha A. Graves
The interplay of habitat quality and temperature shape demographic patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in North America The interplay of habitat quality and temperature shape demographic patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in North America
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are declining in abundance across their broad distribution in western North America. Identifying drivers of mule deer demography could inform habitat restoration. However, linking habitat quality to vital rates is challenging and often done indirectly using proxy metrics. We combine habitat selection with climate-related effects to identify synergistic...
Authors
William Michael Janousek, Aaron N. Johnston, Sarah Bullock, Sarah Dewey, L. Embere Hall, Teagan A. Hayes, Katey Huggler, Matthew J. Kauffman, Tayler N LaSharr, Blake Lowrey, Rhiannon P. Jakopak, Kevin Monteith, Tabitha A. Graves
Estimating GPS-based social aggregation metrics using collar data Estimating GPS-based social aggregation metrics using collar data
Understanding social aggregation patterns in ungulate herds is essential for gaining behavioral insights, optimizing resource use, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and managing disease risk. As chronic wasting disease is the preeminent disease-related threat to cervid populations in North America, knowledge of contact between individuals and spatiotemporal patterns of aggregation...
Authors
William Michael Janousek, Gavin G. Cotterill, Olivia J. Lobo, Eric K. Cole, Sarah R. Dewey, Tabitha A. Graves
Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County
The Arizona Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) has been petitioned for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is under evaluation for inclusion as a Covered Species under the Clark County Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment (Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning and USFWS, 2001; USFWS, 2015b). Although the species is locally abundant in some parts...
Authors
Kenzi M Stemp, Blake Hossack
Adaptive capacity of freshwater organisms in North America: Current understanding and future applications Adaptive capacity of freshwater organisms in North America: Current understanding and future applications
Freshwater species are increasingly threatened by climate change, yet our ability to assess their vulnerability remains incomplete. Typically, climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVAs) evaluate three components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Adaptive capacity, defined as the ability of a species to adjust to changing conditions, provides critical insight into how...
Authors
Holly Susan Embke, Karen M. Alofs, David B. Bunnell, Christy M. Caudill, Cindy Chu, Corey Garland Dunn, Kaelyn Fogelman, Spencer T. Gardner, Tomas O Hook, Scott A. Jackson, Matthew Keefer, Scott T Koenigbauer, Olivia E. LeDee, Stuart A. Ludsin, Abigail J. Lynch, Bonnie Myers, Elizabeth A. Nyboer, Travis Seaborn, Cory Suski, Lindsey Thurman, Annika W. Walters, Jacob Thomas Westhoff