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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: 42905

Roadway runoff induced acute mortality in juvenile coho salmon during spring storm events Roadway runoff induced acute mortality in juvenile coho salmon during spring storm events

Extensive mortalities of adult coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), often called “Urban Runoff Mortality Syndrome” (URMS), have been documented during the fall in creeks where water quality has been degraded by roadway runoff. The primary cause of mortality is 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ; N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine quinone)–an ozone transformation product that forms on all...
Authors
Marlee L. Brown, Nathan Ivy, Melissa Gonzalez, Justin Blaine Greer, John D. Hansen, Edward Kolodziej, Jenifer K. McIntyre

Physiological impacts of sublethal Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus infections in captive Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) Physiological impacts of sublethal Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus infections in captive Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Thousands of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) die annually in the Upper Mississippi River System, USA, from intestinal infections after birds consume exotic faucet snails, Bithynia tentaculata, infected with introduced parasites, Cyathocotyle bushiensis and Sphaeridiotrema pseudoglobulus. To date, the low frequency (biannual) and magnitude of mortality events from intestinal infections...
Authors
C.R Beach, Auriel Fournier, Joseph D. Lancaster, Douglas C. Osborne, Rebecca A. Cole, Heath M. Hagy, Christopher N. Jacques

Bridging ecology and geosciences in riverscapes: Implications for process-based restoration Bridging ecology and geosciences in riverscapes: Implications for process-based restoration

There has been a growing interest in integrating geological and ecological processes for sustainable river management and restoration. Lotic systems are shaped by diverse physical processes, including geology, geomorphology, hydrology, and interactions with terrestrial processes. However, restoration practices often prioritize specific habitats or river forms without fully considering...
Authors
Hiromi Uno, Hikaru Nakagawa, Nobuo Ishiyama, Masaru Sakai, Terutaka Mori, Akira Terui, Eric Arthur Scholl, Ellen Wohl, Colden V. Baxter

Population densities and trends of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa Population densities and trends of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa

The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA), which protects some of the most intact tropical rainforest in the South Pacific, is exposed to recurring, intense tropical cyclones, including Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018. In combination with other anthropogenic pressures, cyclones represent a potential source of disturbance to landbird populations, particularly native frugivorous and seed...
Authors
Noah J. Hunt, Seth Judge, Richard J. Camp

Inventory of bat activity at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to inform historic preservation and compliance Inventory of bat activity at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to inform historic preservation and compliance

We examined ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, or Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), acoustic activity and surveyed potential roost trees at the Ford Island Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO) Bungalows Neighborhood of Pearl Harbor National Memorial (PERL) on the island of O‘ahu. We established four acoustic monitoring stations (PERL1–PERL4) that operated nightly to survey for ‘ōpe...
Authors
Kristina Montoya-Aiona, Karen Courtot

Evaluating hydrologic data products for scientific and management applications related to potential future streamflow conditions in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Evaluating hydrologic data products for scientific and management applications related to potential future streamflow conditions in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

The hydrology of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers is a fundamental driver of ecosystem patterns and processes across a large portion of the United States. Quantitative hydrologic data for the main stems of these rivers underlie numerous scientific investigations, statistical models, and decision-making processes for local, State, and Federal agencies involved in the Upper...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Lucie Sawyer, John T. Delaney, Chanel Mueller, Leigh Youngblood, Jane Harrell, Brian Breaker, Chris Frans

A comparative evaluation of bait types taken by brown treesnakes or other nontarget species, including ants A comparative evaluation of bait types taken by brown treesnakes or other nontarget species, including ants

Evaluating invasive species removal can help improve efficacy or application of control tools. Toxic baiting is a primary method used to suppress many invasive species, including the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in Guam. Based on limited alternative approaches to assess tool efficacy in snake removal, bait take is often used as a proxy for snake removal, despite evidence that...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Amanda A Reyes, Bae S. Daria, Christiana-Jo Concepcion Quinata, Ross Miller

Pleistocene porcupine (Erethizontidae) records in arid southwestern North America and comparisons with the modern distribution of Erethizon dorsatum in southern California and Arizona Pleistocene porcupine (Erethizontidae) records in arid southwestern North America and comparisons with the modern distribution of Erethizon dorsatum in southern California and Arizona

he North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is widely distributed throughout many ecosystems on the continent from northern Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, except for the southeastern portion of the United States. Habi­tats include the arid Desert Southwest region where modern records are generally sparse. The paleogeographic range in the Desert Southwest is not unlike the modern...
Authors
Jeffrey E. Lovich, George T. Jefferson

Ecovoltaic solar energy development effects to microclimate, temperature, and soil moisture in panel array interspaces in a warm desert Ecovoltaic solar energy development effects to microclimate, temperature, and soil moisture in panel array interspaces in a warm desert

Solar energy development is increasing in warm deserts of the southwestern United States, and ecovoltaics has emerged as an approach to maintain ecosystem function within solar facilities while meeting increasing regional energy demands. The Solar Gemini Project, located in the northeastern Mojave Desert, USA, is one of largest photovoltaic facilities incorporating an ecovoltaics...
Authors
Juan Pinos, Seth M. Munson, Claire C Karban, Matthew D. Petrie

Between a rock and a hard place: Experiences of the chronic wasting disease management community Between a rock and a hard place: Experiences of the chronic wasting disease management community

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a widespread and incurable cervid disease. Despite continuing investments, the logistical challenges of CWD have required wildlife managers and researchers to navigate changing priorities with conflicting public perceptions. When overcoming difficult management problems, leveraging exploratory methods may identify previously unrecognized hypotheses. In...
Authors
Patrick Roan, Brad Milley, Nicholas W. Cole

Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection

A substantial body of evidence exists demonstrating that exposure to environmental contaminants can alter animal behavior. Moreover, methodological and technological advancements, as well as increasing standardization, mean that behavioral ecotoxicity studies are more rigorous and reliable than ever before. Despite this, behavioral data are still seldom used in the risk assessment and...
Authors
Michael G. Bertram, Marlene Ågerstrand, Jack A. Brand, Bryan W. Brooks, ZhiChao Dang, Alex T. Ford, Henner Hollert, Matthew K. LeFauve, Jack L. Manera, Jake M. Martin, Marcus Michelangeli, Maria Moiron, Eleanor R. Moore, Holly J. Puglis, Andrew Sih, Jeffery A. Steevens, Eli S.J. Thoré, Bob B.M. Wong, Lauren Zink, Tomas Bodin

Big River bluegill: Combining vital rates and long-term monitoring to understand population dynamics in large rivers Big River bluegill: Combining vital rates and long-term monitoring to understand population dynamics in large rivers

Long-term monitoring indicates bluegill catch rates are relatively stable in some reaches of the Upper Mississippi River and highly variable in others, whereas in the Illinois River, catch rates have decreased. A lack of age structure information precludes understanding population processes responsible for patterns in catch rates. To build a better understanding of why catch rates have...
Authors
Kristen L. Bouska, Levi E. Solomon, Andrew D. Bartels, Melvin C. Bowler, Steven A. DeLain, Eric J. Gittinger, Travis Kueter, Kristopher A. Maxson, Eric N. Ratcliff, John L. West, James T. Lamer, Hae H. Kim, Quinton Edward Phelps
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