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: 3710
Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations Conservation translocation immediately reverses decline in imperiled sage-grouse populations
Conservation translocation (hereafter translocation), the intentional movement of organisms from one location to another as a management tool, can be an extremely useful conservation action to increase the abundance of isolated populations following successful habitat restoration. However, managers seek to weigh the benefits against costs to the source population from which individuals...
Authors
Mary B. Meyerpeter, Peter S. Coates, Megan C. Milligan, Brian G. Prochazka, Kade D. Lazenby, Steve Abele, John C. Tull, Katherine Miller, Jesse L. Kolar, Steven R. Mathews, David K. Dehlgren, David J. Delehanty
Increased heterozygosity and body condition result from admixed translocation of the threatened Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) Increased heterozygosity and body condition result from admixed translocation of the threatened Mogollon Narrow-headed Gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus)
Enhancing gene flow through translocations can be a useful tool in recovering small and isolated populations. However, it is not devoid of genetic risks, such as outbreeding depression in future generations, that can have negative consequences in terms of the establishment and mean fitness of the population. Studies that monitor the long-term effects of genetic rescue on populations in...
Authors
Dustin A. Wood, Bruce L. Christman, Randy D. Jennings, Jonathan P. Rose, Erika M. Nowak, Justin Schofer, Amy G. Vandergast
Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape Terrestrial mammal diversity at Hansen Dam (Los Angeles, California, USA): Flood control area acts as habitat in a human-dominated landscape
Urban expansion is a prominent threat to biodiversity, particularly for terrestrial mammals, which are significantly impacted by disruptions in habitat connectivity and loss. It can also lead to increased human‑wildlife conflicts that contribute to species decline. Urban public works projects, such as flood control areas, may coincidentally preserve significant habitat, but their...
Authors
Auxenia G. Privett-Mendoza, Stella Oganesyan, Robert N. Fisher, Cynthia Joan Hitchcock, Denise Clark, Amanda J. Zellmer
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2023 Annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2023 Annual report
Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide the Marine Corps with an annual summary of the distribution, abundance, and breeding activity of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP or “Base”). Surveys for the flycatcher were completed on Base between May 8 and July 26, 2023. All of...
Authors
Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus
Evaluation of a rapid assessment function to aid monitoring and management of common ravens (Corvus corax) in Washington state Evaluation of a rapid assessment function to aid monitoring and management of common ravens (Corvus corax) in Washington state
Expanding human enterprise leading to resource subsidies for generalist species has resulted in widespread increases in common raven (Corvus corax) populations across the Western U.S. Ravens are an efficient predator and increased population abundance has led to adverse effects to multiple sensitive prey species. In regions where problematic interactions between ravens and their prey...
Authors
Brianne E. Brussee, Shawn T. O’Neil, Michael T. Atamian, Colin G. Leingang, Peter S. Coates
The effectiveness of wildfire at meeting restoration goals across a fire severity gradient in the Sierra Nevada The effectiveness of wildfire at meeting restoration goals across a fire severity gradient in the Sierra Nevada
As a consequence of both warming temperatures and over a century of fire suppression, wildfires in the historically frequent-fire forests of the western US have increased both in size and intensity, resulting in large patches of high severity fire that are well outside the historic range of variation. Postfire fuels research has often focused on such high severity patches because of the...
Authors
Adrian Das, Lisa Rosenthal, Kristen L. Shive
Assessing the Feasibility of Reintroducing San Francisco Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, California Assessing the Feasibility of Reintroducing San Francisco Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, California
Reintroductions are used worldwide to increase the viability of species and restore native ecological communities. The success of reintroductions is usually judged by the establishment of self-sustaining populations, restoration of naturally occurring ecological communities, and the species resuming its ecological function. Recovery for the endangered San Francisco gartersnake (SFGS...
Authors
Jonathan P. Rose, Elliot James Schoenig, Richard Kim, Allison M. Nguyen, Brian J. Halstead
The relative influence of geographic and environmental factors on rare plant translocation outcomes The relative influence of geographic and environmental factors on rare plant translocation outcomes
Conservation translocations are an established method for reducing the extinction risk of plant species through intentional movement within or outside the indigenous range. Unsuitable environmental conditions at translocation recipient sites and a lack of understanding of species–environment relationships are often identified as critical barriers to translocation success. However...
Authors
Joe Bellis, Matthew A. Albrecht, Joyce Maschinski, Sarah E. Dalrymple, Matthew J. Keir, Timothy Chambers, Jennifer Possley, Edith D. Adkins, Elliott W. Parsons, Michael Kunz, Carrie Radcliffe, Emily Coffey, Thomas N. Kaye, Cheryl L. Peterson, David Aaron, Sterling A. Herron, Eric Menges, Timothy J. Bell, Michelle Coppoletta, Caityn Elam, Mceachern A. Kathryn, Paula Williamson, Deanna Boensch, Megan Bontrager, Breeden Cooper, Noah Frade, Doria R. Gordon, Steven O. Link, Tara Littlefield, Shelia Murray, Ryan O’Dell, Noel B. Pavlovic, Charlotte M. Reemts, David D. Taylor, Jonathan H. Titus, Priscilla J. Titus, Tina A. Stanley, Katherine D. Heineman
Jaguar density estimation in Mexico: The conservation importance of considering home range orientation in spatial capture–recapture Jaguar density estimation in Mexico: The conservation importance of considering home range orientation in spatial capture–recapture
Accurate estimation of population parameters for imperiled wildlife is crucial for effective conservation decision-making. Population density is commonly used for monitoring imperiled species across space and time, and spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models can produce unbiased density estimates. However, many imperiled species are restricted to fragmented remnant habitats in landscapes...
Authors
Sean M. Murphy, Victor H. Luja
Understanding and predicting infection dynamics for an endangered amphibian using long-term surveys of wild and translocated frogs Understanding and predicting infection dynamics for an endangered amphibian using long-term surveys of wild and translocated frogs
Amphibians are a prominent component of Earth's sixth mass extinction and the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a primary driver of declines. Although Bd dynamics are well studied, the environmental drivers, exacerbating risk factors, and value of conservation interventions like translocations remain challenging to predict. Here, we present results from two decades...
Authors
Talisin T. Hammond, Adam R. Backlin, Elizabeth Gallegos, Debra M. Shier, Ronald R. Swaisgood, Robert N. Fisher
Parentage and sibship relationships among captive snakes at the Phoenix Zoo—2024 data summary Parentage and sibship relationships among captive snakes at the Phoenix Zoo—2024 data summary
Introduction The narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2014). This species has a strong association with aquatic habitats, and these habitats have been highly altered by impoundments, land-use changes, and the introduction and spread of non-native aquatic species, which contributed to...
Authors
Dustin A. Wood, Anna Mitelberg, Amy G. Vandergast
Examining inter-regional and intra-seasonal differences in wintering waterfowl landscape associations among Pacific and Atlantic flyways Examining inter-regional and intra-seasonal differences in wintering waterfowl landscape associations among Pacific and Atlantic flyways
The Central Valley of California (CVC) and Mid-Atlantic (MA) in the U.S. are both critical sites for nationwide food security, and many waterfowl species annually, especially during the winter, providing feeding and roosting locations for a variety of species. Mapping waterfowl distributions, using NEXRAD, may aid in the adaptive management of important waterfowl habitat and allow...
Authors
Matthew J. Hardy, Christopher K. Williams, Brian S. Ladman, Maurice E. Pitesky, Cory T. Overton, Michael L. Casazza, Elliott Matchett, Diann Prosser, Jeffrey J. Buler