Publications
This list of publications includes peer-review journal articles, official USGS publications series, reports and more authored by scientists in the Ecosystems Mission Area. A database of all USGS publications, with advanced search features, can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 42712
Great Lakes coastal fish habitat classification and assessment Great Lakes coastal fish habitat classification and assessment
Basin-scale assessment of fish habitat in Great Lakes coastal ecosystems would increase our ability to prioritize fish habitat management and restoration actions. As a first step in this direction, we identified key habitat factors associated with highest probability of occurrence for several societally and ecologically important coastal fish species as well as community metrics, using...
Authors
K. E. Kovalenko, L.B. Johnson, C. M. Riseng, M. J. Cooper, K. Johnson, L. A. Mason, James E. McKenna, B. L. Sparks-Jackson, D.G. Uzarski
Resistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory Resistance to deltamethrin in prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) fleas in the field and in the laboratory
Sylvatic plague poses a substantial risk to black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) and their obligate predator, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). The effects of plague on prairie dogs and ferrets are mitigated using a deltamethrin pulicide dust that reduces the spread of plague by killing fleas, the vector for the plague bacterium. In portions of Conata Basin, Buffalo...
Authors
David A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Jonathan Bowser, Janet McAllister, Randall Griebel, Eddie Childers, Travis M. Livieri, Cristi Painter, Lindsey Sterling Krank, Kristy Bly
Wind River subbasin restoration annual report of USGS activities January 2017 through December 2017 Wind River subbasin restoration annual report of USGS activities January 2017 through December 2017
We used Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT)-tagging and a series of instream PIT-tag interrogation systems (PTISs) to investigate life-histories, populations, and efficacy of habitat restoration actions for wild Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in the Wind River subbasin, WA. No hatchery Steelhead have been planted in the Wind River subbasin since 1997, and hatchery adults are estimated to...
Authors
Ian Jezorek
Effectiveness of ultrasonic imaging for evaluating presence and maturity of eggs in fishes in remote field locations Effectiveness of ultrasonic imaging for evaluating presence and maturity of eggs in fishes in remote field locations
Ultrasonic imaging is an effective, nonlethal method used to determine sex and maturity in a variety of fishes. However, many previous studies of this technique have been performed in laboratory environments. Using Common Carp Cyprinus carpio, we developed a standardized method for ultrasonically scanning cyprinids, and we accurately sexed 78% (N = 58) of those individuals. We then...
Authors
Morgan E. Brizendine, David Ward, Scott A. Bonar
Development of the Wildlife Adaptation Menu for Resource Managers Development of the Wildlife Adaptation Menu for Resource Managers
The Climate Change Response Framework is an example of a collaborative, cross-boundary approach to create a set of tools, partnerships, and actions to support climate-informed conservation and land management. Historically, this effort has focused on the needs of forest managers and forestry professionals. In recent years, however, there has been increasing demand for science and tools...
Authors
Olivia E. LeDee, Stephen D. Handler, Chris Hoving, Christopher W. Swanston, Benjamin Zuckerberg
A statement of common ground regarding the role of wildfire in forested landscapes of the western United States A statement of common ground regarding the role of wildfire in forested landscapes of the western United States
For millennia, wildfires have markedly influenced forests and non-forested landscapes of the western United States (US), and they are increasingly seen as having substantial impacts on society and nature. There is growing concern over what kinds and amounts of fire will achieve desirable outcomes and limit harmful effects on people and nature. Moreover, the increasing complexity...
Authors
Max A. Moritz, Chris Topik, Craig D. Allen, Paul F. Hessburg, Penelope Morgan, Dennis C. Odion, Thomas T. Veblen, Ian M. McCullough
United States bat species of concern: A synthesis United States bat species of concern: A synthesis
In 1994 the federal government designated 24 species or subspecies of bats in the United States (U.S.) and its territories as Category 2 candidates for listing as Endangered or Threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Category 2 was eliminated in 1996, but taxa previously receiving this designation were informally considered “species of concern”. Various state and federal...
Authors
Thomas J. O’Shea, Paul M. Cryan, Michael A. Bogan
Late-season movement and habitat use by Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) in Oregon, USA Late-season movement and habitat use by Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) in Oregon, USA
Many amphibians use multiple habitats across seasons. Information on seasonal habitat use, movement between seasonal habitat types, and habitats that may be particularly valuable is important to conservation and management. We used radio-telemetry to study late-season movement and habitat use by Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa) at nine sites from four populations along the Cascade...
Authors
Christopher Pearl, Brome McCreary, Jennifer Rowe, M. J. Adams
A spatially discrete, integral projection model and its application to invasive carp A spatially discrete, integral projection model and its application to invasive carp
Natural resource managers and ecologists often desire an understanding of spatial dynamics such as migration, dispersion, and meta-population dynamics. Network-node models can capture these salient features. Additionally, the state-variable used with many species may be appropriately modeled as a continuous variable (e.g., length) and management activities sometimes can only target...
Authors
Richard A. Erickson, Eric E. Eager, Patrick Kocovsky, David C. Glover, Jahn L. Kallis, K. R. Long
Does proximity to wetlands matter? A landscape-level analysis of the influence of local wetlands on the public’s concern for ecosystem services and conservation involvement Does proximity to wetlands matter? A landscape-level analysis of the influence of local wetlands on the public’s concern for ecosystem services and conservation involvement
The success of landscape-level conservation depends on public support and an understanding of public opinion. However, perceptions of wetlands’ importance may differ based on proximity to a wetland. This study used a mail-out survey across the entire U.S. (n=1,030) to investigate the public’s knowledge of local wetlands, visitation to wetlands, concern over losing ecosystem services...
Authors
Emily J. Wilkins, Wilson Sinclair, Holly M. Miller, Rudy M. Shuster
Effects of leg flags on nest survival of four species of Arctic‐breeding shorebirds Effects of leg flags on nest survival of four species of Arctic‐breeding shorebirds
Marking wild birds is an integral part of many field studies. However, if marks affect the vital rates or behavior of marked individuals, any conclusions reached by a study might be biased relative to the general population. Leg bands have rarely been found to have negative effects on birds and are frequently used to mark individuals. Leg flags, which are larger, heavier, and might...
Authors
Emily L. Weiser, Richard B. Lanctot, Stephen C. Brown, H. River Gates, Rebecca L. Bentzen, Megan L. Boldenow, Jenny A. Cunningham, Andrew C. Doll, Tyrone F. Donnelly, Willow B. English, Samantha E. Franks, Kristen Grond, Patrick Herzog, Brooke L. Hill, Steve J. Kendall, Eunbi Kwon, David B. Lank, Joseph R. Liebezeit, Jennie Rausch, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Audrey R. Taylor, David H. Ward, Paul F. Wood, Brett K. Sandercock
Local factors associated with on‐host flea distributions on prairie dog colonies Local factors associated with on‐host flea distributions on prairie dog colonies
Outbreaks of plague, a flea‐vectored bacterial disease, occur periodically in prairie dog populations in the western United States. In order to understand the conditions that are conducive to plague outbreaks and potentially predict spatial and temporal variations in risk, it is important to understand the factors associated with flea abundance and distribution that may lead to plague...
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Rachel C. Abbott, Daniel W. Tripp, Tonie E. Rocke