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: 42878
Predicting animal home-range structure and transitions using a multistate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck biased random walk Predicting animal home-range structure and transitions using a multistate Ornstein-Uhlenbeck biased random walk
The home‐range concept is central in animal ecology and behavior, and numerous mechanistic models have been developed to understand home range formation and maintenance. These mechanistic models usually assume a single, contiguous home range. Here we describe and implement a simple home‐range model that can accommodate multiple home‐range centers, form complex shapes, allow...
Authors
Greg A. Breed, Emily A. Golson, M. Tim Tinker
Four new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Emoia spp. Skinks (Sauria: Scincidae), from Papua New Guinea and the Insular Pacific Four new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Emoia spp. Skinks (Sauria: Scincidae), from Papua New Guinea and the Insular Pacific
Between September and November 1991, 54 adult skinks from 15 species were collected by hand or blowpipe from several localities on Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ovalau Island, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea (PNG), and their feces were examined for coccidians. Species included 5 seaside skinks (Emoia atrocostata), 1 Pacific blue-tailed skink (Emoia caeroleocauda), 2 Fiji slender treeskinks (Emoia...
Authors
Chris T. McAllister, Donald W. Duszynski, Christopher C. Austin, Robert N. Fisher
Tambora and the mackerel year: Phenology and fisheries during an extreme climate event Tambora and the mackerel year: Phenology and fisheries during an extreme climate event
Global warming has increased the frequency of extreme climate events, yet responses of biological and human communities are poorly understood, particularly for aquatic ecosystems and fisheries. Retrospective analysis of known outcomes may provide insights into the nature of adaptations and trajectory of subsequent conditions. We consider the 1815 eruption of the Indonesian volcano...
Authors
Karen E. Alexander, William B. Leavenworth, Carolyn Hall, Steven Mattocks, Steven M. Bittner, Emily Klein, Michelle D. Staudinger, Alexander Bryan, Julianne Rosset, Theodore V. Willis, Benjamin H. Carr, Adrian Jordaan
Linking dominant Hawaiian tree species to understory development in recovering pastures via impacts on soils and litter Linking dominant Hawaiian tree species to understory development in recovering pastures via impacts on soils and litter
Large areas of tropical forest have been cleared and planted with exotic grass species for use as cattle pasture. These often remain persistent grasslands after grazer removal, which is problematic for restoring native forest communities. It is often hoped that remnant and/or planted trees can jump-start forest succession; however, there is little mechanistic information on how different...
Authors
Stephanie G. Yelenik
Conversion of native terrestrial ecosystems in Hawai‘i to novel grazing systems: a review Conversion of native terrestrial ecosystems in Hawai‘i to novel grazing systems: a review
The remote oceanic islands of Hawai‘i exemplify the transformative effects that non-native herbivorous mammals can bring to isolated terrestrial ecosystems. We reviewed published literature containing systematically collected, analyzed, and peer-reviewed original data specifically addressing direct effects of non-native hoofed mammals (ungulates) on terrestrial ecosystems, and indirect...
Authors
Christina R. Leopold, Steven C. Hess
Potential distribution of the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus in the Great Lakes region Potential distribution of the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus in the Great Lakes region
Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) genotype IVb has been responsible for large-scale fish mortality events in the Great Lakes of North America. Anticipating the areas of potential VHSV occurrence is key to designing epidemiological surveillance and disease prevention strategies in the Great Lakes basin. We explored the environmental features that could shape the distribution of...
Authors
Luis E. Escobar, Gael Kurath, Joaquim Escobar-Dodero, Meggan E. Craft, Nicholas B.D. Phelps
Spatial variability of Chinook salmon spawning distribution and habitat preferences Spatial variability of Chinook salmon spawning distribution and habitat preferences
We investigated physical habitat conditions associated with the spawning sites of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and the interannual consistency of spawning distribution across multiple spatial scales using a combination of spatially continuous and discrete sampling methods. We conducted a census of aquatic habitat in 76 km of the upper main-stem Yakima River in Washington and...
Authors
Jeremy M. Cram, Christian E. Torgersen, Ryan S. Klett, George R. Pess, Darran May, Todd N. Pearsons, Andrew H. Dittman
Colorado River fish monitoring in Grand Canyon, Arizona; 2002–14 humpback chub aggregations Colorado River fish monitoring in Grand Canyon, Arizona; 2002–14 humpback chub aggregations
The humpback chub (Gila cypha) is an endangered cyprinid species endemic to the Colorado River. The largest remaining population of the species spawns and rears in the Little Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Construction and operation of Glen Canyon Dam has altered the main-stem Colorado River in Glen and Grand Canyons. Cold, clear water releases from the dam result in a river that is...
Authors
William R. Persons, David R. Van Haverbeke, Michael J. Dodrill
Influence of poisoned prey on foraging behavior of ferruginous hawks Influence of poisoned prey on foraging behavior of ferruginous hawks
We recorded 19 visits by ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) over 6 d at two black–tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) subcolonies poisoned with the rodenticide Rozol® Prairie Dog Bait (0.005% chlorophacinone active ingredient) and at an adjacent untreated subcolony. Before Rozol® application ferruginous hawks foraged in the untreated and treated subcolonies but after Rozol®...
Authors
Nimish B. Vyas, Frank Kuncir, Criss C. Clinton
Glaciological measurements and mass balances from Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA, years 2005–2015 Glaciological measurements and mass balances from Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA, years 2005–2015
Glacier mass balance measurements help to provide an understanding of the behavior of glaciers and their response to local and regional climate. In 2005 the United States Geological Survey established a surface mass balance monitoring program on Sperry Glacier, Montana, USA. This project is the first quantitative study of mass changes of a glacier in the US northern Rocky Mountains and...
Authors
Adam Clark, Daniel B. Fagre, Erich H. Peitzsch, Blase A. Reardon, Joel T. Harper
Impacts of mangrove density on surface sediment accretion, belowground biomass and biogeochemistry in Puttalam Lagoon, Sri Lanka Impacts of mangrove density on surface sediment accretion, belowground biomass and biogeochemistry in Puttalam Lagoon, Sri Lanka
Understanding the effects of seedling density on sediment accretion, biogeochemistry and belowground biomass in mangrove systems can help explain ecological functioning and inform appropriate planting densities during restoration or climate change mitigation programs. The objectives of this study were to examine: 1) impacts of mangrove seedling density on surface sediment accretion...
Authors
D.H. Phillips, M.P. Kumara, L.P. Jayatissa, Ken W. Krauss, M. Huxham
Preliminary evaluation of the behavior and movements of adult spring Chinook salmon in the Chehalis River, southwestern Washington, 2014 Preliminary evaluation of the behavior and movements of adult spring Chinook salmon in the Chehalis River, southwestern Washington, 2014
Recent interest in flood control and restoration strategies in the Chehalis River Basin has increased the need to understand the current status and ecology of spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Spring Chinook salmon have the longest exposure of all adult Chinook salmon life histories to the low-flow and high water temperature conditions that typically occur during summer...
Authors
Theresa L. Liedtke, William R. Hurst, Ryan G. Tomka, Tobias J. Kock, Mara S. Zimmerman