Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Biological Threats Research Program

Biological threats to wildlife can come from diseases, parasites, or invasive species, and can cause sweeping changes across important ecosystems. WERC scientists lead studies that investigate the source and effects of biological threats to environments across California, Nevada, and Pacific islands. Our projects include informing the restoration of ecosystems, for example by investigating effects and control of invasive plant or animal species concurrent with understanding factors that enhance native species, or discerning the role of natural predators in complex food webs that can control parasites infections in wildlife and humans. Click on the projects below to learn more.

Filter Total Items: 14

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
link

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Learn More

Monitoring Mercury's Risk to Wildlife in California Lakes

USGS scientists sampled grebes in California lakes to compare mercury levels in these predators versus the small fish they prey on—developing a new tool for water quality monitoring.
link

Monitoring Mercury's Risk to Wildlife in California Lakes

USGS scientists sampled grebes in California lakes to compare mercury levels in these predators versus the small fish they prey on—developing a new tool for water quality monitoring.
Learn More