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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.
USGS discusses grassland drought research with the National Park Service, BLM and a rancher at Canyonlands National Park.
USGS discusses grassland drought research with the National Park Service, BLM and a rancher at Canyonlands National Park.
USGS, National Park Service, BLM and a rancher discuss a rangeland drought experiment in Canyonlands National Park.
USGS, National Park Service, BLM and a rancher discuss a rangeland drought experiment in Canyonlands National Park.
The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.
The iconic Sonoran Desert is home to many species of cactus, vascular plants, and wildlife, including the giant saguaro, cholla, and prickley pear cacti seen here. Plants and animals have adapted to living in such a harsh dry environment.
Water flowing into a pool in a desert canyon tributary near the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. Bats fly above the surface of the pool, drinking and catching insects. Video by Anya Metcalfe, USGS, SBSC.
Water flowing into a pool in a desert canyon tributary near the Colorado River and Grand Canyon. Bats fly above the surface of the pool, drinking and catching insects. Video by Anya Metcalfe, USGS, SBSC.
A male southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) in riparian vegetation in the sun next to water, Mojave River, CA. This turtle is missing its left foot. Photo by Shellie (Michelle) Puffer, 2017.
A male southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) in riparian vegetation in the sun next to water, Mojave River, CA. This turtle is missing its left foot. Photo by Shellie (Michelle) Puffer, 2017.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center discusses rangeland conditions and our research on drought with managers and partners on the Colorado Plateau. Photo courtesy of Mike Duniway, USGS.
Taken 94 years apart, these side by side photographs of river mile 91.7 (looking upstream) show the increase in vegetation along the Colorado River corridor after the opening of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. F.C. La Rue (1923 photo) on left; H.C. Fairley and A.H. Fairley (2017 USGS photo) on right.
Taken 94 years apart, these side by side photographs of river mile 91.7 (looking upstream) show the increase in vegetation along the Colorado River corridor after the opening of the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963. F.C. La Rue (1923 photo) on left; H.C. Fairley and A.H. Fairley (2017 USGS photo) on right.
The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.
The San Rafael grasslands are a diverse ecosystem in southern Arizona along the U.S./Mexico border region, a part of the Madrean Archipelago ecoregion.
USFWS, BLM, and USGS examining a large, newly reclaimed oil or gas well pad near Vernal, Utah, July 2017.
USFWS, BLM, and USGS examining a large, newly reclaimed oil or gas well pad near Vernal, Utah, July 2017.
Sarah Waldo conducts greenhouse gas analysis with analyzer and floating chamber on Lake Powell as part of an SBSC, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center study. Photo taken in 2017.
Sarah Waldo conducts greenhouse gas analysis with analyzer and floating chamber on Lake Powell as part of an SBSC, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center study. Photo taken in 2017.
USGS ecologists Molly McCormick (left) and Katie Laushman (right) conducting a seeding experiment that is a part of RAMPS, a new USGS-led initiative to improve restoration outcomes in
USGS ecologists Molly McCormick (left) and Katie Laushman (right) conducting a seeding experiment that is a part of RAMPS, a new USGS-led initiative to improve restoration outcomes in
Landscape view of the arid southwest in the four-courners region.
Landscape view of the arid southwest in the four-courners region.
Monitoring riparian vegetation along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam
Monitoring riparian vegetation along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam
A female southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) basks in the sun, Mojave River, CA. Photo taken by Shellie Puffer, 2017, SBSC, USGS.
A female southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) basks in the sun, Mojave River, CA. Photo taken by Shellie Puffer, 2017, SBSC, USGS.
Field crew install a Restoration Field Trial Network garden in the rangelands of Northern Arizona.
Field crew install a Restoration Field Trial Network garden in the rangelands of Northern Arizona.
Repeat photographs, like this one from river mile 130 below Lees Ferry, capture changes in riparian plant communities along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon over time. Notice the increase in vegetation along the river bank. The historic photo on the left was taken by E.C. LaRue in 1923. The photo on the right was taken by Alan H. Fairley.
Repeat photographs, like this one from river mile 130 below Lees Ferry, capture changes in riparian plant communities along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon over time. Notice the increase in vegetation along the river bank. The historic photo on the left was taken by E.C. LaRue in 1923. The photo on the right was taken by Alan H. Fairley.
Across the desert Southwest, ground void of plant material is prone to soil erosoin and dust storms. In this fallowed agricultural field, we see that a spring breeze can carry away fertile top soil and create air quality concerns.
Across the desert Southwest, ground void of plant material is prone to soil erosoin and dust storms. In this fallowed agricultural field, we see that a spring breeze can carry away fertile top soil and create air quality concerns.
Oil pad near Vernal, Utah
Biocrusts on the Colorado Plateau, canyonlands, Utah. Image courtesy of Erika Geiger, USGS, 2017.
Biocrusts on the Colorado Plateau, canyonlands, Utah. Image courtesy of Erika Geiger, USGS, 2017.
Biocrusts with moss species. Photo taken by SBSC in Utah, during surveys, 2017, courtesy of Erika Geiger.
Biocrusts with moss species. Photo taken by SBSC in Utah, during surveys, 2017, courtesy of Erika Geiger.
An extremely rare Mojave River western pond turtle was recently observed by USGS scientists and staff from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in the Mojave Desert. Turtles of this population have rarely been seen since the late 1990s.
An extremely rare Mojave River western pond turtle was recently observed by USGS scientists and staff from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in the Mojave Desert. Turtles of this population have rarely been seen since the late 1990s.