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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: 3723

Benefits and impacts of road removal Benefits and impacts of road removal

Road removal is being used to mitigate the physical and ecological impacts of roads and to restore both public and private lands. Although many federal and state agencies and private landowners have created protocols for road removal and priorities for restoration, research has not kept pace with the rate of removal. Some research has been conducted on hydrologic and geomorphic...
Authors
T.A. Switalski, J.A. Bissonette, T.H. DeLuca, C.H. Luce, Mary Ann Madej

Effects of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene on wild rodents at Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA Effects of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene on wild rodents at Edwards Air Force Base, California, USA

Effects of inhalation of volatilized trichloroethylene (TCE) or perchloroethylene (PCE) were assessed based on the health and population size of wild, burrowing mammals at Edwards Air Force Base (CA, USA). Organic soil-vapor concentrations were measured at three sites with aquifer contamination of TCE or PCE of 5.5 to 77 mg/L and at two uncontaminated reference sites. Population...
Authors
Sarah E. Spring, A. Keith Miles, Michael J. Anderson

Diet composition of common ravens across the urban-wildland interface of the West Mojave Desert Diet composition of common ravens across the urban-wildland interface of the West Mojave Desert

Common ravens (Corvus corax) are human-subsidized scavengers and predators in the Mojave Desert. They have increased dramatically in number and have been implicated as contributors to the decline in desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations. Known patterns of increased fledging success near human developments suggested that food was the most likely resource subsidy received by...
Authors
William B. Kristan, William I. Boarman, John J. Crayon

Spatial and overwinter changes in clam populations of San Pablo Bay, a semiarid estuary with highly variable freshwater inflow Spatial and overwinter changes in clam populations of San Pablo Bay, a semiarid estuary with highly variable freshwater inflow

In many estuaries worldwide, climate trends together with human diversion of fresh water have dramatically impacted the benthos. Such impacts have sometimes been complicated by exotic species, whose invasion and persistence can be mediated by wide variations in freshwater inflow. Monitoring such changes usually involves periodic samples at a few sites; but sampling that does not...
Authors
V.K. Poulton, J.R. Lovvorn, John Y. Takekawa

Response of mountain meadows to grazing by recreational pack stock Response of mountain meadows to grazing by recreational pack stock

Effects of recreational pack stock grazing on mountain meadows in Yosemite National Park were assessed in a 5-year study. Yosemite is a designated wilderness, to be managed such that its natural conditions are preserved. Studies were conducted in 3 characteristic meadow types: shorthair sedge (Carex filifolia Nutt.), Brewer's reed grass (Calamagrostis breweri Thurber), and tufted...
Authors
David N. Cole, Jan W. Van Wagtendonk, Mitchel P. McClaran, Peggy E. Moore, Neil K. McDougald

American Indian influence on fire regimes in Calfornia's coastal ranges American Indian influence on fire regimes in Calfornia's coastal ranges

Understanding the historical pattern of human impacts on landscapes is critical to correctly interpreting the ecological basis for vegetation distribution. In some parts of the world, such as the Mediterranean Basin, a long and intensive utilization of resources has greatly altered the distribution of forests and woodlands. Was vegetation distribution in the coastal ranges of California...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley

Testing a basic assumption of shrubland fire management: h=How important is fuel age? Testing a basic assumption of shrubland fire management: h=How important is fuel age?

This year's catastrophic wildfires in southern California highlight the need for effective planning and management for fire-prone landscapes. Fire frequency analysis of several hundred wildfires over a broad expanse of California shrublands reveals that there is generally not, as is commonly assumed, a strong relationship between fuel age and fire probabilities. Instead, the hazard of...
Authors
Max A. Moritz, Jon E. Keeley, Edward A. Johnson, Andrew A. Schaffner
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