Images

Restoration outcomes are the product of many diverse, interconnected factors. The black textboxes in this illustration highlight key factors that directly and indirectly affect restoration success. The panels represent examples of a degraded dryland on the Colorado Plateau (left panel) and a restoration goal for that landscape (right panel).

Cover of USGS Open-File Report 2022-1097, "Terrestrial Lidar Monitoring of the Effects of Glen Canyon Dam Operations on the Geomorphic Condition of Archaeological Sites in Grand Canyon National Park, 2010–2020." The cover shows images taken during lidar monitoring in Grand Canyon. 

Adiantum capillus-veneris, a type of maidenhair fern, in Grand Canyon. Photo by Emily Palmquist, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.

The fencing at the Gemini Solar Project is raised slightly to allow passage for reptiles, including desert tortoises and lizards, and small mammals such as kit foxes, birds such as burrowing owls. Gemini developed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to the environment during construction and operation.

Gemini Solar Project fence line prior to the solar array construction. The fence is elevated slightly to allow some wildlife passage, such as lizards, desert tortoises, and small mammals such as kit foxes. Gemini developed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to the environment during construction and operation.

A creosote shrub at the Gemini Solar Project that is crushed but expected to revive.

Gemini Solar Project panels stretch into the distance. Vegetation was left between the panels as a construction alternative to retain plant and soil habitat. Gemini developed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to the environment during construction and operation. USGS collaborates with the Bureau of Land Management on research at this array.

Salix exigua, a native riparian willow plant growing on a beach along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Photo by Emily Palmquist, USGS.

Watch for wildlife signs at the Gemini Solar Project site before construction. Gemini developed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to the environment during construction and operation. USGS collaborates with the Bureau of Land Management on research at this array. Photo by Claire Karban, USGS.

Land that is part of the Gemini Solar Project prior to development. Gemini developed measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts to the environment during construction and operation. Photo by Claire Karban, USGS.

Canyon walls and riparian vegetation are reflected in the water of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon, upstream of Lees Ferry. Lees Ferry is downstream of Glen Canyon Dam. Photo by Mariah Giardina, SBSC, USGS.

A rainbow in Grand Canyon above the Colorado River during a rainstorm. Photo by Emily Palmquist, USGS.

Riparian vegetation on a Colorado River sandbar beach, below Awatubi, in Grand Canyon. Photo by Emily Palmquist, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.

Bryce Mihalevich is a Post-Doc Research Scientist with the Southwest Biological Science Center's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center. He uses mechanistic water quality models to understand the drivers of energy and constant fluxes in Lake Powell and the Colorado River.

Prickly pear cactus on San Nicolas Island. This area is Island Night Lizard habitat. Photo by Charles Drost, USGS.

Terrestrial lidar system and water storage model illustration for water catchments called tinajas in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.

RAMPS and AZ Game and Fish co-hosted a field trip with researchers, land managers and student to better understand current practices and science in pinyon-juniper vegetation communities.

As part of the Biennial Conference for Science and Resource Management on the Colorado Plateau and Southwest Region, RAMPS along with Arizona Game and Fish Department, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Colorado-Boulder co-hosted a field trip, a 4-hour session and workshop.

USGS and others on a boat on the Colorado River during a science river trip. Riparian vegetation plant communities are visible on either side of the canyon. Photo by Rikki Gurule.

A river raft on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon, during a riparian vegetation monitoring trip. Photo by Rikki Gurule, USGS public domain.

USGS SBSC information specialist Meredith Hartwell tabling at the Northern Arizona University Biennial Conference.