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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: 42884

Human dimensions considerations in wildlife disease management Human dimensions considerations in wildlife disease management

In 1943, Aldo Leopold observed that the real problem of wildlife management is not how to handle wildlife, but how to manage humans. As with any other aspect of wildlife management, social sciences can improve understanding the human dimensions of wildlife disease management (WDM). Human activities have accelerated the emergence of wildlife diseases, and human concerns about the...
Authors
Kirsten Leong, Daniel J. Decker

Low stand density moderates growth declines during hot droughts in semi-arid forests Low stand density moderates growth declines during hot droughts in semi-arid forests

Increasing heat and aridity in coming decades is expected to negatively impact tree growth and threaten forest sustainability in dry areas. Maintaining low stand density has the potential to mitigate the negative effects of increasingly severe droughts by minimizing competitive intensity.However, the direct impact of stand density on the growing environment (i.e. soil moisture), and the...
Authors
Caitlin M. Andrews, Anthony W. D’Amato, Shawn Fraver, Brian Palik, Michael A. Battaglia, John B. Bradford

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Merlin (Falco columbarius) The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Merlin (Falco columbarius)

The key to Merlin (Falco columbarius) management is maintaining an interspersion of groves of deciduous or coniferous trees for nesting and open grasslands for hunting. Merlins do not build their own nests but rather use former nests of other bird species, including those of corvids (crows, ravens, and magpies) and accipitrids (hawks). In recent decades, Merlins have established breeding
Authors
Paul M. Konrad, Jill A. Shaffer, Lawrence D. Igl

The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii)

Keys to Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) management include providing suitable grassland habitat, especially native prairie, with intermediate vegetation height and low visual obstruction, and controlling succession therein. Sprague’s Pipits have been reported to use habitats with no more than 49 centimeters (cm) average vegetation height, 4–14 cm visual obstruction reading, 15–53...
Authors
Jill A. Shaffer, Lawrence D. Igl, Douglas H. Johnson, Marriah L. Sondreal, Christopher M. Goldade, Melvin P. Nenneman, Travis L. Wooten, Jason P. Thiele, Betty R. Euliss

Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report Juvenile Lost River and shortnose sucker year-class formation, survival, and growth in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2017 Monitoring Report

Executive Summary Populations of federally endangered Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter referred to as Clear Lake; fig. 1), California, are experiencing long-term declines in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing because juvenile suckers are not surviving...
Authors
Ryan J. Bart, Summer M. Burdick, Marshal S. Hoy, Carl O. Ostberg

Development of microsatellite markers for three at risk tiger beetles Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis, C. d. media, and C. puritana Development of microsatellite markers for three at risk tiger beetles Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis, C. d. media, and C. puritana

Objective Tiger beetles inhabiting sandy beaches and cliffs along the east coast of the United States are facing increasing habitat loss due to erosion, urbanization, and sea level rise. The northeastern beach tiger beetle Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis and Puritan tiger beetle Cicindela puritana are both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, while the white beach...
Authors
Aaron W. Aunins, Michael S. Eackles, David C. Kazyak, Michael Drummond, Tim L. King

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the West Dongting Lake floodplain, China Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the West Dongting Lake floodplain, China

The protection of Dongting Lake is important because it is an overwintering and migration route for many rare and endangered birds of East Asia and Australasia, but an assessment of heavy metal contamination in West Dongting Lake is lacking. A total of 75 sediment samples (five sites x three sediment depths x five repeats) were collected in West Dongting Lake in January 2017 to assess...
Authors
Dong Peng, Ziyu Liu, Xinyue Su, Yaquin Xiao, Yuechen Wang, Beth Middleton

Egg and larval collection methods affect spawning adult numbers inferred by pedigree analysis Egg and larval collection methods affect spawning adult numbers inferred by pedigree analysis

Analytical methods that incorporate genetic data are increasingly used in monitoring and assessment programs for important rate functions of fish populations (e.g., recruitment). Because gear types vary in efficiencies and effective sampling areas, results from genetic‐based assessments likely differ depending on the sampling gear used to collect genotyped individuals; consequently...
Authors
Robert D. Hunter, Edward F. Roseman, Nick M. Sard, Daniel B. Hayes, Travis O. Brenden, Robin L. DeBruyne, Kim T. Scribner

Evaluating dewatering approaches to protect larval Pacific lamprey Evaluating dewatering approaches to protect larval Pacific lamprey

Executive Summary Larval Pacific lamprey live for several years burrowed in nearshore sediments where they filter feed on detritus and organic matter. Dewatering of larval habitat can occur as a result of flow-management practices, construction projects, or seasonal closures of irrigation diversions. Effective management of dewatering events requires guidance on approaches to protect...
Authors
Theresa L. Liedtke, Lisa K. Weiland, Joseph J. Skalicky, Ann E. Gray

Altered climate leads to positive density‐dependent feedbacks in a tropical wet forest Altered climate leads to positive density‐dependent feedbacks in a tropical wet forest

Climate change is predicted to result in warmer and drier Neotropical forests relative to current conditions. Negative density‐dependent feedbacks, mediated by natural enemies, are key to maintaining the high diversity of tree species found in the tropics, yet we have little understanding of how projected changes in climate are likely to affect these critical controls. Over 3 years, we...
Authors
Armando Barreto-Muñoz, Aura M. Alonso-Rodriguez, Laura Aldrich-Wolfe, Molly A. Cavaleri, Sasha C. Reed, Tana E. Wood

Genetic family reconstruction characterizes Lake Sturgeon use of newly constructed spawning habitat and larval dispersal Genetic family reconstruction characterizes Lake Sturgeon use of newly constructed spawning habitat and larval dispersal

Since 2004, seven spawning reefs have been constructed in the St. Clair–Detroit River system to remediate lost spawning habitat and increase recruitment of Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens . Assessment of management actions by collecting and enumerating eggs and larvae provided evidence of spawning Lake Sturgeon and survival of eggs until larval dispersal at constructed reef sites...
Authors
Robert D. Hunter, Edward F. Roseman, Nick M. Sard, Robin L. DeBruyne, Jinliang Wang, Kim T. Scribner

The role of sand lances (Ammodytes sp.) in the Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem: A synthesis of current knowledge with implications for conservation and management The role of sand lances (Ammodytes sp.) in the Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem: A synthesis of current knowledge with implications for conservation and management

The American sand lance (Ammodytes americanus, Ammodytidae) and the Northern sand lance (A. dubius, Ammodytidae) are small forage fishes that play an important functional role in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (NWA). The NWA is a highly dynamic ecosystem currently facing increased risks from climate change, fishing and energy development. We need a better understanding of the biology...
Authors
Michelle D. Staudinger, Holly Goyert, Justin Suca, Kaycee Coleman, Linda Welch, Joel Llopiz, Dave Wiley, Irit Altman, Andew Applegate, Peter Auster, Hannes Baumann, Julia Beaty, Deirdre Boelke, Les Kaufman, Pam Loring, Jerry Moxley, Suzanne Paton, Kevin Powers, David Richardson, Jooke Robbins, Jeff Runge, Brian Smith, Caleb Spiegel, Halley Steinmetz
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