Publications
Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov
Filter Total Items: 3786
Effects of recent wildfires on giant sequoia groves were anomalous at millennial timescales: a response to Hanson et al. Effects of recent wildfires on giant sequoia groves were anomalous at millennial timescales: a response to Hanson et al.
Background100 ha) of fire severe enough to kill most sequoias had been absent for at least a millennium, and probably much longer. The ancient sequoia fire regime was instead overwhelmingly dominated by surface fires in which most forest area burned at low or moderate severity interspersed with small forest gaps (hundredths of a hectare to a few hectares) created by local patches of...
Authors
Nathan L. Stephenson, David Nicolas Bertil Soderberg, Joshua A. Flickinger, Anthony C. Caprio, Adrian J. Das
Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse Free-roaming horses exceeding appropriate management levels affect multiple vital rates in greater sage-grouse
Since the passage of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971, federal agencies have been responsible for managing free-roaming equids in the United States. Over the last 20 years, management has been hampered by direct opposition from advocacy groups, budget limitations, and a decline in the public’s willingness to adopt free-roaming horses (Equus caballus). As a result, free...
Authors
Jeffrey L. Beck, Megan C. Milligan, Kurt T. Smith, Phillip A. Street, Aaron C. Pratt, Christopher P. Kirol, Caitlyn P. Wanner, Jacob D. Hennig, Jonathan B. Dinkins, J. Derek Scasta, Peter S. Coates
Bay Miwok evening primrose: A new subspecies of Oenothera deltoides (Onagraceae) endemic to California Bay Miwok evening primrose: A new subspecies of Oenothera deltoides (Onagraceae) endemic to California
California contains exceptional biodiversity in geography and plant life, including numerous endemic species, some of which are cryptic. The Oenothera deltoides Torr. & Frém. species complex represents a prime example of cryptic diversity. Here, we recognize a new subspecies of Oenothera deltoides, O. deltoides subsp. julpunensis S.F.Jones, subsp. nov., that is a local endemic of...
Authors
Scott F. Jones, Elizabeth R. Milano, Ryan O’Dell, Molly Ferrell, Amy G. Vandergast, Karen M. Thorne
Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probes resolve relationships over broad phylogenetic scales Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probes resolve relationships over broad phylogenetic scales
Phylogenomic data are revolutionizing the field of insect phylogenetics. One of the most tenable and cost-effective methods of generating phylogenomic data is target enrichment, which has resulted in novel phylogenetic hypotheses and revealed new insights into insect evolution. Orthoptera is the most diverse insect order within polyneoptera and includes many evolutionarily and...
Authors
Seunggwan Shin, Austin J. Baker, Jacob Enk, Duane D. McKenna, Bert Foquet, Amy G. Vandergast, David B. Weissman, Hojun Song
Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap Hookworm prevalence in ocelots in Costa Rica is inconsistent with spillover from domestic dogs despite high overlap
Spatial overlap between wildlife and related domestic animals can lead to disease transmission, with substantial evidence for viral and bacterial spillover. Domestic and wild animals can also share potentially harmful helminth parasites, many of which have environmental transmission stages that do not require direct contact between hosts. We used camera traps, fecal sampling, and...
Authors
Juan S. Vargas Soto, Katelyn M. Gstic, Natalka A. Melnycky, Julianna G. Johnson, Andrew P. Dobson, Peter S. Coates, Claire J. Standley, Peter K. Molnar
2023-2024 Coastal sage scrub and chaparral community monitoring for western San Diego County 2023-2024 Coastal sage scrub and chaparral community monitoring for western San Diego County
Western San Diego County is dominated by shrublands supporting biologically diverse native plant and animal communities. Widespread urbanization has led to regional habitat loss and fragmentation, and many species in these shrubland communities are rare, threatened, or endangered. Large-scale, multiple-species conservation planning has resulted in a regional preserve system that focuses...
Authors
Emily E. Perkins, Philip Robert Gould, Jennifer Kingston, Christopher W. Brown, Kristine L. Preston, Robert N. Fisher
Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
The 2018 Carr Fire burned more than 90 percent of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, with much of the park burning at high severity. California yellow pine and mixed conifer forests are not well adapted to large, high-severity fires, and forest recovery after these events may be problematic. Large, high-severity fire patches pose difficulties for recruitment with interiors that are...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Micah C. Wright, Karen M. Thorne, Jill Beckmann, Kevin J. Buffington, Lyndsay L. Rankin, Audrey Colley, Eamon A. Engber
Occupancy dynamics of the California Gnatcatcher in southern California Occupancy dynamics of the California Gnatcatcher in southern California
Executive Summary
Authors
Barbara E. Kus, Alexandra Houston, Kristine L. Preston
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2022 annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2022 annual report
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Michelle Treadwell, Barbara E. Kus
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual report
Executive Summary
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Michelle Treadwell, Barbara E. Kus
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2022 annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2022 annual report
Authors
Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual report
Executive Summary
Authors
Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus