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Below are images associated with SBSC's science and staff. Images appear according to the year they were taken. To search, type a keyword or select a year from the dropdown menu. Or, click through the pages using the arrows at the bottom of the page.
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge desert with ocotillos and saguaros and mountains in the distance, on the way to Eagle Tank, a tinaja or water catchment in bedrock used by desert bighorn sheep. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge desert with ocotillos and saguaros and mountains in the distance, on the way to Eagle Tank, a tinaja or water catchment in bedrock used by desert bighorn sheep. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
A survey tripod on top of a rock outcropping at Senita Tank, a water catchment or tinaja in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Desert bighorn sheep rely on these water catchments, especially during summer months. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
A survey tripod on top of a rock outcropping at Senita Tank, a water catchment or tinaja in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Desert bighorn sheep rely on these water catchments, especially during summer months. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
USGS in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife Service surveys the Buckhorn Tank water catchment ("tinaja") in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
USGS in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife Service surveys the Buckhorn Tank water catchment ("tinaja") in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona. Photo by Josh Caster, USGS.
Remote sensing at the Buckhorn Tank water catchment (also called a "tinaja") used by desert bighorn sheep in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona. Photo by Joel Sankey, USGS.
Remote sensing at the Buckhorn Tank water catchment (also called a "tinaja") used by desert bighorn sheep in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, southern Arizona. Photo by Joel Sankey, USGS.
The sign at the entry to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is in the Sonoran Desert on the Arizona and Mexico border, and much of it is designated wilderness area.
The sign at the entry to the US Fish and Wildlife Service Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is in the Sonoran Desert on the Arizona and Mexico border, and much of it is designated wilderness area.
Graphic showing potential benefits of RestoreNet 2.0 treatments, including seeding, live topsoil inoculation, livestock grazing, seed balls, and soil pits
Graphic showing potential benefits of RestoreNet 2.0 treatments, including seeding, live topsoil inoculation, livestock grazing, seed balls, and soil pits
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
An ecological site group map for the Upper Colorado River Basin that displays a quantitative soil-geomorphic framework in the Four Corners region, USA.
Rebecca Finger-Higgens is an ecologist with the Southwest Biological Science Center whose work explores landscape legacies and climate change impacts on dryland and Arctic ecosystems.
Rebecca Finger-Higgens is an ecologist with the Southwest Biological Science Center whose work explores landscape legacies and climate change impacts on dryland and Arctic ecosystems.
Example graph of land cover calculations derived from remote sensing airborne image analysis for 0.1-mile segments of the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Diamond Creek. The percentage of the river valley covered by water (at 8,000 CFS river discharge), sand, vegetation, and other landcover are plotted for each 0.1-mile segment of the river.
Example graph of land cover calculations derived from remote sensing airborne image analysis for 0.1-mile segments of the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to Diamond Creek. The percentage of the river valley covered by water (at 8,000 CFS river discharge), sand, vegetation, and other landcover are plotted for each 0.1-mile segment of the river.
RestoreNet treatments include soil pits and connectivity modifiers (ConMods), seen here at a RestoreNet site in the Sonoran Desert.
RestoreNet treatments include soil pits and connectivity modifiers (ConMods), seen here at a RestoreNet site in the Sonoran Desert.
Photo of an active dune derived from river-deposited sand along the banks of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Image by Josh Caster, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.
Photo of an active dune derived from river-deposited sand along the banks of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Image by Josh Caster, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.
Tribal youth participants on a 2021 USGS Partners-in-Science river trip enjoying dinner during the last night of their trip through the Grand Canyon. Diamond Peak is in the background. Photo credit: Sarah Spaulding, USGS/WRD.
Tribal youth participants on a 2021 USGS Partners-in-Science river trip enjoying dinner during the last night of their trip through the Grand Canyon. Diamond Peak is in the background. Photo credit: Sarah Spaulding, USGS/WRD.
This photo of lichen was taken by SBSC in Moab, Utah as part of a biocrust study in 2021. Photo courtesy of Erika Geiger, USGS.
This photo of lichen was taken by SBSC in Moab, Utah as part of a biocrust study in 2021. Photo courtesy of Erika Geiger, USGS.
Restoration project at Tsegi Canyon in support of cultural and ecological resources. It was a community project that brought together agency professionals, elders and native youth. This was a partnership with Navajo Nation and USGS Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest.
Restoration project at Tsegi Canyon in support of cultural and ecological resources. It was a community project that brought together agency professionals, elders and native youth. This was a partnership with Navajo Nation and USGS Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest.
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) is working with the Navajo Nation Department of Natural Heritage to build capacity for ecosystem restoration in response to climate change and drought.
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) is working with the Navajo Nation Department of Natural Heritage to build capacity for ecosystem restoration in response to climate change and drought.
The Colorado River reflects the blue sky and red walls in Grand Canyon. Photo by Maria Dzul, USGS.
The Colorado River reflects the blue sky and red walls in Grand Canyon. Photo by Maria Dzul, USGS.
A motorboat travels on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon during a humpback chub monitoring trip. Photo by Maria Dzul, USGS.
A motorboat travels on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon during a humpback chub monitoring trip. Photo by Maria Dzul, USGS.
A young-of-year humpback chub (less than 1 year old) during routine monitoring of humpback chub populations in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy of Maria Dzul, USGS.
A young-of-year humpback chub (less than 1 year old) during routine monitoring of humpback chub populations in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy of Maria Dzul, USGS.
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) is supporting the Dine Native Plant Program on the Navajo Nation with increasing the supply of locally adapted native seeds for restoration.
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) is supporting the Dine Native Plant Program on the Navajo Nation with increasing the supply of locally adapted native seeds for restoration.
A wetland area by Boulder Mountain, Utah, on a cloudy day in the fall, with autumn colors in the trees. Photo taken in September 2021 by Shannon Lencioni, SBSC, USGS.
A wetland area by Boulder Mountain, Utah, on a cloudy day in the fall, with autumn colors in the trees. Photo taken in September 2021 by Shannon Lencioni, SBSC, USGS.
Shrubland that has been grazed near Boulder Mountain, Utah, during sunset, September 2021. Photo by Shannon Lencioni, SBSC, USGS.
Shrubland that has been grazed near Boulder Mountain, Utah, during sunset, September 2021. Photo by Shannon Lencioni, SBSC, USGS.