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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: 42702

Ratio of mercury concentration to PCB concentration varies with sex of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) Ratio of mercury concentration to PCB concentration varies with sex of white sucker (Catostomus commersonii)

The whole-fish total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in 25 mature female and 26 mature male white suckers (Catostomus commersonii) caught during their spawning run in the Kewaunee River, a tributary to Lake Michigan. The age of each fish was estimated using thin-sectioned otoliths, and total length (TL) and weight were determined for each fish. When adjusted for the effect of...
Authors
Charles P. Madenjian, Andrew L. Stevens, Martin A. Stapanian, David P. Krabbenhoft, John F. DeWild, Jacob M. Ogorek, William H. Edwards, Lynn M. Ogilvie, Peter B. McIntyre

Hatchery strain contributions to emerging wild lake trout populations in Lake Huron Hatchery strain contributions to emerging wild lake trout populations in Lake Huron

Recent assessments indicate the emergence of naturally produced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) recruitment throughout Lake Huron in the North American Laurentian Great Lakes (>50% of fish
Authors
Kim T. Scribner, Iyob Tsehaye, Travis O. Brenden, Wendylee Stott, Jeannette Kanefsky, James R. Bence

Development of an aerial population survey method for elk (Cervus elaphus) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Development of an aerial population survey method for elk (Cervus elaphus) in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Executive Summary Since the early 1990s, substantial effort and funding have been expended to conduct research to guide development of a 20-year Elk and Vegetation Management Plan for Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) in Colorado. One goal of the plan is to maintain the elk (Cervus elaphus) population size at the lower end of the natural range of variation. To implement management...
Authors
Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Bruce C. Lubow, Therese L. Johnson

Social attraction used to establish Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) nesting colonies on modified islands at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California—Final report Social attraction used to establish Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) nesting colonies on modified islands at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California—Final report

To address the 2008/2010 and Supplemental 2014 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Biological Opinion for operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed and began implementation of Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia) management plans. This implementation includes...
Authors
C. Alex Hartman, Joshua T. Ackerman, Mark P. Herzog, Cheryl Strong, David Trachtenbarg, Crystal A. Shore

Temporal records of diet diversity dynamics in individual adult female Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) vibrissae Temporal records of diet diversity dynamics in individual adult female Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) vibrissae

Detailed information on the nutrition of free-ranging mammals contributes to the understanding of life history requirements, yet is often quite limited temporally for most species. Reliable dietary inferences can be made by analyzing the stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopic values (δ13C and δ15N) of some consumer tissues; exactly which tissue is utilized dictates the inferential...
Authors
Andrew C. Doll, Brian D. Taras, Craig A. Stricker, Lorrie D. Rea, Todd M. O'Hara, Andrew P. Cyr, S. Mcdermott, T.M. Loomis, Brian S. Fadely, Michael B. Wunder

Annual cycle of White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca) in eastern North America: Migratory phenology, population delineation, and connectivity Annual cycle of White-winged Scoters (Melanitta fusca) in eastern North America: Migratory phenology, population delineation, and connectivity

Understanding full annual cycle movements of long-distance migrants is essential for delineating populations, assessing connectivity, evaluating crossover effects between life stages, and informing management strategies for vulnerable or declining species. We used implanted satellite transmitters to track up to 2 years of annual cycle movements of 52 adult female White-winged Scoters...
Authors
D.E. Meatey, S.R. McWilliams, P.W.C. Paton, C. Lepage, S.G. Gilliland, L. Savoy, Glenn H. Olsen, J.D. Osenkowski

Floristic quality index and forested floristic quality index: Assessment tools for restoration projects and monitoring sites in coastal Louisiana Floristic quality index and forested floristic quality index: Assessment tools for restoration projects and monitoring sites in coastal Louisiana

The Floristic Quality Index (FQI) has been used in many areas throughout the United State to assess the integrity of plant communities and restoration projects. Here, we summarize two tools that have been developed for monitoring sites in coastal Louisiana wetlands. The FQI was modified for herbaceous data collected in coastal Louisiana monitoring sites. A second FQI, the Forested...
Authors
Kari Cretini, William B. Wood, Jenneke M. Visser, Ken W. Krauss, Leigh Anne Sharp, Gregory D. Steyer, Gary P. Shaffer, Sarai Piazza

How many measurements are required to construct an accurate sand budget in a large river? Insights from analyses of signal and noise How many measurements are required to construct an accurate sand budget in a large river? Insights from analyses of signal and noise

Morphological change in river channels is frequently evaluated in the context of mass balance sediment budgets. In a closed sediment budget, measurements of sediment influx and efflux are coupled with measured changes in channel topography to provide both spatial and temporal resolution, and independent estimates of the mass balance. For sediment budgets constructed over long river...
Authors
Paul E. Grams, Daniel D. Buscombe, David J. Topping, Matthew Kaplinski, Joseph Hazel

Habitat type and structure affect trap capture success of an invasive snake across variable densities Habitat type and structure affect trap capture success of an invasive snake across variable densities

Detection represents an important limitation of accurately estimating population size, abundance, and habitat suitability for wildlife, which can be especially true for cryptic animals. Moreover, for reptiles, juveniles are often less likely to be detected than later life stages. In the case of invasive species, preventing false negatives early in the invasion process can be critical for...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Page E. Klug, Gordon H. Rodda

Evaluating the relationship among wetland vertical development, elevation capital, sea-level rise and tidal marsh sustainability Evaluating the relationship among wetland vertical development, elevation capital, sea-level rise and tidal marsh sustainability

Accelerating sea-level rise and human impacts to the coast (e.g., altered sediment supply and hydrology, nutrient loading) influence the accumulation of sediment and organic matter, and thereby impact the ability of coastal tidal wetlands to maintain an elevation consistently within the vegetation growth range. Critical components of marsh sustainability are the marsh elevation within...
Authors
Donald R. Cahoon, James C. Lynch, Charles T. Roman, John Paul Schmit, Dennis E. Skidds

Integrating growth and capture–mark–recapture models reveals size‐dependent survival in an elusive species Integrating growth and capture–mark–recapture models reveals size‐dependent survival in an elusive species

Survival is a key vital rate for projecting the viability of wild populations. Estimating survival is difficult for many rare or elusive species because recapture rates of marked individuals are low, and the ultimate fate of individuals is unknown. Low recapture rates for many species have made it difficult to accurately estimate survival, and to evaluate the importance of individual and
Authors
Jonathan P. Rose, Glenn D. Wylie, Michael L. Casazza, Brian J. Halstead

Science alive and well in North American wildlife management Science alive and well in North American wildlife management

Artelle et al. (1) entitled a recent article with the provocative claim: “Hallmarks of science missing from North American wildlife management”. Although we agree with some of the concerns and recommendations of Artelle et al. (1), we believe that the article is misleading about the distinction between science and management, the role of science in wise management, and the degree to...
Authors
James D. Nichols, Fred A. Johnson, Byron K. Williams, G. Scott Boomer
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