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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: 3708

Science foundation Chapter 5 Appendix 5.1: Case study shore birds: Western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) and American avocets (Recurvirostra Americana) Science foundation Chapter 5 Appendix 5.1: Case study shore birds: Western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) and American avocets (Recurvirostra Americana)

Western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) are small (22-35 g) sexually dimorphic sandpipers, with males typically smaller than females. Western sandpipers frequently occur in mixed species flocks along with other Calidris species, including least sandpipers (Calidris minutilla) and dunlin (Calidris alpina), in the San Francisco Bay Estuary (SFBE) and are the most abundant shorebird species...
Authors
Cheryl Strong, Joshua T. Ackerman

Science foundation Chapter 5 Appendix 5.1: Case study california ridgway's rail (Rallus obseoletus obsoletus) Science foundation Chapter 5 Appendix 5.1: Case study california ridgway's rail (Rallus obseoletus obsoletus)

The clapper rail (Rallus longirostris) recently was split into two sister groups (Chesser et al. 2014) on the basis of phylogenetic analyses (Maley and Brumfield 2013). The original grouping is now represented on the East Coast of North America by the Clapper rail (Rallus crepitans) and on the West Coast by the Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus). The California Ridgeway’s rail (Rallus...
Authors
Cory T. Overton, Julian Wood

Ontogenetic dynamics of infection with Diphyllobothrium spp. cestodes in sympatric Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) and brown trout Salmo trutta L. Ontogenetic dynamics of infection with Diphyllobothrium spp. cestodes in sympatric Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) and brown trout Salmo trutta L.

The trophic niches of Arctic charr and brown trout differ when the species occur in sympatry. Their trophically transmitted parasites are expected to reflect these differences. Here, we investigate how the infections of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum and D. ditremum differ between charr and trout. These tapeworms use copepods as their first intermediate hosts and fish can become infected...
Authors
Eirik H. Henrickson, Rune Knudsen, Roar Kristoffersen, Armand M. Kuris, Kevin D. Lafferty, Anna Siwertsson, Per-Arne Amundsen

A systematic survey of the integration of animal behavior into conservation A systematic survey of the integration of animal behavior into conservation

The role of behavioral ecology in improving wildlife conservation and management has been the subject of much recent debate. We aim to answer two foundational questions about the current use of behavioral knowledge in conservation: 1. To what extent is behavioral knowledge used in wildlife conservation and management? 2. How does the use of behavior differ among conservation fields in...
Authors
Oded Berger-Tal, Daniel T. Blumstein, Scott Carroll, Robert N. Fisher, Sarah L. Mesnick, Megan A. Owen, David Saltz, Colleen Cassady St. Claire, Ronald R. Swaisgood

Estimating mercury exposure of piscivorous birds and sport fish using prey fish monitoring Estimating mercury exposure of piscivorous birds and sport fish using prey fish monitoring

Methylmercury is a global pollutant of aquatic ecosystems, and monitoring programs need tools to predict mercury exposure of wildlife. We developed equations to estimate methylmercury exposure of piscivorous birds and sport fish using mercury concentrations in prey fish. We collected original data on western grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark’s grebes (Aechmophorus clarkii) and
Authors
Joshua T. Ackerman, C. Alex Hartman, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Mark P. Herzog, Jay Davis, Gary Ichikawa, Autumn Bonnema

Conservation genomics reveals multiple evolutionary units within Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii). Conservation genomics reveals multiple evolutionary units within Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii).

The Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) is a widespread North American species of bird that has declined since the mid-1960s primarily due to habitat modification. Throughout its range, Bell’s Vireo populations are regulated under varying degrees of protection; however, the species has never been characterized genetically. Therefore, the current taxonomy used to guide management decisions may...
Authors
Luke B. Klicka, Barbara E. Kus, Pascal O. Title, Kevin J. Burns

Tidal marsh susceptibility to sea-level rise: importance of local-scale models Tidal marsh susceptibility to sea-level rise: importance of local-scale models

Increasing concern over sea-level rise impacts to coastal tidal marsh ecosystems has led to modeling efforts to anticipate outcomes for resource management decision making. Few studies on the Pacific coast of North America have modeled sea-level rise marsh susceptibility at a scale relevant to local wildlife populations and plant communities. Here, we use a novel approach in developing...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Deborah L. Elliott-Fisk, John Y. Takekawa

Evaluating potential conservation conflicts between two listed species: Sea otters and black abalone Evaluating potential conservation conflicts between two listed species: Sea otters and black abalone

Population consequences of endangered species interacting as predators and prey have been considered theoretically and legally, but rarely investigated in the field. We examined relationships between spatially variable populations of a predator, the California sea otter, Enhydra lutris nereis, and a prey species, the black abalone, Haliotis cracherodii. Both species are federally listed...
Authors
Peter T. Raimondi, Laura J. Jurgens, M. Tim Tinker

Mapping physiological suitability limits for malaria in Africa under climate change Mapping physiological suitability limits for malaria in Africa under climate change

We mapped current and future temperature suitability for malaria transmission in Africa using a published model that incorporates nonlinear physiological responses to temperature of the mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae and the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. We found that a larger area of Africa currently experiences the ideal temperature for transmission than previously...
Authors
Sadie J. Ryan, Amy McNally, Leah R. Johnson, Erin A. Mordecai, Tal Ben-Horin, Krijn P. Paaijmans, Kevin D. Lafferty

Marshes to mudflats—Effects of sea-level rise on tidal marshes along a latitudinal gradient in the Pacific Northwest Marshes to mudflats—Effects of sea-level rise on tidal marshes along a latitudinal gradient in the Pacific Northwest

Summary In the Pacific Northwest, coastal wetlands support a wealth of ecosystem services including habitat provision for wildlife and fisheries and flood protection. The tidal marshes, mudflats, and shallow bays of coastal estuaries link marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats, and provide economic and recreational benefits to local communities. Climate change effects such as sea...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Bruce D. Dugger, Kevin Buffington, Chase M. Freeman, Christopher N. Janousek, Katherine W. Powelson, Glenn R. Gutenspergen, John Y. Takekawa
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