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: 42884
Phenological mismatch in coastal western Alaska may increase summer season greenhouse gas uptake Phenological mismatch in coastal western Alaska may increase summer season greenhouse gas uptake
High latitude ecosystems are prone to phenological mismatches due to climate change- driven advances in the growing season and changing arrival times of migratory herbivores. These changes have the potential to alter biogeochemical cycling and contribute to feedbacks on climate change by altering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O...
Authors
Katharine C. Kelsey, A. Joshua Leffler, Karen H. Beard, Ryan T. Choi, Joel A. Schmutz, Jeffery M. Welker
Non-native fishes of the central Indian River Lagoon Non-native fishes of the central Indian River Lagoon
We provide a comprehensive review of the status of non-native fishes in the central Indian River Lagoon (from Cape Canaveral to Grant-Valkaria, east of I-95) through literature review and field surveys. Historical records exist for 17 taxa (15 species, one hybrid, one species complex). We found historical records for one additional species, and collected one species in our field survey...
Authors
Pamela J. Schofield, William F. Loftus, Kristen M. Reaver
Faunal and vegetation monitoring in response to harbor dredging in the Port of Miami Faunal and vegetation monitoring in response to harbor dredging in the Port of Miami
Seagrasses are highly productive ecosystems. A before-after-control-impact (BACI) design was used to examine effects of dredging on seagrasses and the animals that inhabit them. The control site North Biscayne Bay and the affected site Port of Miami had seagrass densities decrease during both the before, Fish and Invertebrate Assessment Network 2006-2011, and after, Faunal Monitoring in...
Authors
Andre Daniels, Rachael Stevenson, Erin Smith, Michael Robblee
Toward a social-ecological theory of forest macrosystems for improved ecosystem management Toward a social-ecological theory of forest macrosystems for improved ecosystem management
The implications of cumulative land-use decisions and shifting climate on forests, require us to integrate our understanding of ecosystems, markets, policy, and resource management into a social-ecological system. Humans play a central role in macrosystem dynamics, which complicates ecological theories that do not explicitly include human interactions. These dynamics also impact...
Authors
William J. Kleindl, Paul C. Stoy, Michael W. Binford, Ankur R. Desai, Mike Dietze, Courtney A. Schultz, Gregory Starr, Christina Staudhammer, David J. A. Wood
Drivers of chaparral plant diversity Drivers of chaparral plant diversity
Chaparral diversity has marked spatial and temporal variation. Evolutionary diversity at the genetic, specific, and lineage level contribute to a very diverse flora. Ecological diversity is evident in life histories that comprise a range of physiological and morphological strategies for dealing with drought, and demographic patterns centered around different seedling recruitment...
Authors
Jon E. Keeley
Chlamydia psittaci in feral Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) and other backyard birds in Maricopa County, Arizona Chlamydia psittaci in feral Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) and other backyard birds in Maricopa County, Arizona
In 2013, a mortality event of nonnative, feral Rosy-faced Lovebirds (Agapornis roseicollis) in residential backyards in Maricopa County, Arizona, US was attributed to infection with Chlamydia psittaci. In June 2014, additional mortality occurred in the same region. Accordingly, in August 2014 we sampled live lovebirds and sympatric bird species visiting backyard bird feeders to determine...
Authors
Robert J. Dusek, Anne Justice-Allen, Barbara L. Bodenstein, Susan Knowles, Daniel A. Grear, Laura Adams, Craig Levy, Haley D. Yaglom, Valerie I. Shearn-Bochsler, Paula Ciembor, Christopher R. Gregory, Denise Pesti, Branson W. Ritchie
Native peoples’ relationship to the California chaparral Native peoples’ relationship to the California chaparral
Ethnographic interviews and historical literature reviews provide evidence that for many tribes of California, chaparral plant communities were a rich source of food, medicines, and technologies and that they supplemented natural fires with deliberate burning of chaparral to maximize its ability to produce useful products. Many of the most important chaparral plant species used in the...
Authors
M. Kat Anderson, Jon E. Keeley
Influence of baffles on upstream passage of brook trout and brown trout in an experimental box culvert Influence of baffles on upstream passage of brook trout and brown trout in an experimental box culvert
There is much to learn about improving baffle designs to increase successful fish passage through culverts. A fish’s motivation to attempt entry into the culvert is essential. Upon entry, successful passage will largely depend on the physiological ability of the fish to navigate the entire culvert length. In this study, the motivation of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill, 1814...
Authors
Jason M. Duguay, R.W. Jay Lacey, Theodore R. Castro-Santos
Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA Remote sensing of tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) impacts along 412 km of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) is an invasive plant species that is rapidly expanding along arid and semi-arid rivers in the western United States. A biocontrol agent, tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata), was released in 2001 in California, Colorado, Utah, and Texas. In 2009, the tamarisk beetle was found further south than anticipated in the Colorado River ecosystem within the Grand Canyon...
Authors
Ashton Bedford, Temuulen T. Sankey, Joel B. Sankey, Laura E. Durning, Barbara Ralston
Wetlands in a changing climate: Science, policy and management Wetlands in a changing climate: Science, policy and management
Part 1 of this review synthesizes recent research on status and climate vulnerability of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, and their contribution to addressing climate change (carbon cycle, adaptation, resilience). Peatlands and vegetated coastal wetlands are among the most carbon rich sinks on the planet sequestering approximately as much carbon as do global forest ecosystems...
Authors
William R. Moomaw, G.L. Chmura, Gillian T. Davies, Max Finlayson, Beth A. Middleton, Sue M. Natali, James Perry, Nigel Roulet, Ariana Sutton-Grier
Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought
Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are likely to influence future distributions of plants and plant community structure in many regions of the world through effects on photosynthetic rates. In recent decades the encroachment of woody mangrove species into herbaceous marshes has been documented along the U.S. northern Gulf of Mexico coast. These species shifts have...
Authors
Rebecca J. Howard, Camille L. Stagg, Herry S. Utomo
Movements and landscape use of Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca in Central Asia Movements and landscape use of Eastern Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca in Central Asia
Capsule: We describe ecological factors associated with movements of a globally declining raptor species, the Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca. Aims: To describe the movements, habitat associations and resource selection of Eastern Imperial Eagles marked in Central Asia. Methods: We used global positioning system (GPS) data sent via satellite telemetry devices deployed on Eastern...
Authors
Sharon A. Poessel, Evgeny A. Bragin, Peter B. Sharpe, David K. Garcelon, Kordian Bartoszuk, Todd E. Katzner