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: 42871
Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems Influence of salinity on relative density of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in Everglades National Park: Implications for restoration of Everglades ecosystems
The status of the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has long been a matter of concern in Everglades National Park (ENP) due to its classification as a federal and state listed species, its recognition as a flagship species, and its function as an ecosystem indicator. Survival and recovery of American crocodiles has been linked with regional hydrological conditions, especially...
Authors
Frank J. Mazzotti, Brian Smith, Michiko Squires, Michael S. Cherkiss, Seth C Farris, Caitlin Hackett, Kristen M. Hart, Venetia Briggs-Gonzalez, Laura A. Brandt
A hierarchical Bayesian approach for handling missing classification data A hierarchical Bayesian approach for handling missing classification data
Ecologists use classifications of individuals in categories to understand composition of populations and communities. These categories might be defined by demographics, functional traits, or species. Assignment of categories is often imperfect, but frequently treated as observations without error. When individuals are observed but not classified, these “partial” observations must be...
Authors
Alison C. Ketz, Therese L. Johnson, Mevin Hooten, N. Thompson Hobbs
Landscape connectivity planning for adaptation to future climate and land-use change Landscape connectivity planning for adaptation to future climate and land-use change
Purpose of Review We examined recent literature on promoting habitat connectivity in the context of climate change (CC) and land-use change (LUC). These two global change forcings have wide-reaching ecological effects that are projected to worsen in the future. Improving connectivity is a common adaptation strategy, but CC and LUC can also degrade planned connections, potentially...
Authors
Jennifer K. Costanza, Adam J. Terando
Evidence for a duplicated mitochondrial region in Audubon’s shearwater based on MinION sequencing Evidence for a duplicated mitochondrial region in Audubon’s shearwater based on MinION sequencing
Mitochondrial genetic markers have been extensively used to study the phylogenetics and phylogeography of many birds, including seabirds of the order Procellariiformes. Evidence suggests that part of the mitochondrial genome of Procellariiformes, especially albatrosses, is duplicated, but no DNA fragment covering the entire duplication has been sequenced. We sequenced the complete...
Authors
Lucas Torres, Andreanna J. Welch, Catherine Zanchetta, Terry Chesser, Maxime Manno, Cecile Donnadieu, Vincent Bretagnolle, Eric Pante
Practical tips to establish an actionable science portfolio for climate adaptation Practical tips to establish an actionable science portfolio for climate adaptation
The delivery of climate adaptation science products and services to inform resource management decisions—otherwise known as actionable climate adaptation science—is the primary driver and intended outcome of the science portfolios administered within the Department of the Interior's Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) network in the USA. This commitment hinges on the essential...
Authors
Gustavo A. Bisbal
Weak effects of geolocators on small birds: a meta‐analysis controlled for phylogeny and publication bias Weak effects of geolocators on small birds: a meta‐analysis controlled for phylogeny and publication bias
Currently, the deployment of tracking devices is one of the most frequently used approaches to study movement ecology of birds. Recent miniaturisation of light‐level geolocators enabled studying small bird species whose migratory patterns were widely unknown. However, geolocators may reduce vital rates in tagged birds and may bias obtained movement data. There is a need for a thorough...
Authors
Vojtech Brlik, Jaroslav Kolecek, Malcolm Burgess, Steffen Hahn, Diana Humple, Milos Krist, Janne Ouwehand, Emily L. Weiser, Peter Adamik, Jose A. Alves, Debora Arlt, Sanja Barisic, Detlef Becker, Eduardo J. Belda, Vaclav Beran, Christiaan Both, Susana P. Bravo, Martins Briedis, Chutny Bohumir, Davor Cikovic, Nathan W. Cooper, Joana S. Costa, Victor R. Cueto, Tamara Emmenegger, Kevin Fraser, Olivier Gilg, Marina Guerrero, Michael T. Hallworth, Chris Hewson, Frederic Jiguet, James Johnson, Tosha Kelly, Dmitry Kishkinev, Michel Leconte, Terje Lislevand, Simeon Lisovski, Cosme Lopez, Kent P. McFarland, Peter P. Marra, Steven M. Matsuoka, Matyjasiak. Piotr, Christoph M. Meier, Benjamin Metzger, Juan S. Monros, Roland Neumann, Amy Newman, Ryan Norris, Tomas Part, Vaclav Pavel, Noah Perlut, Markus Piha, Jeroen Reneerkens, Christopher C. Rimmer, Amelie Roberto-Charro, Chiara Scandolara, Natalia Sokolova, Makiko Takenaka, Dirk Tolkmitt, Herman van Oosten, Arndt H. J. Wellbrock, Hazel Wheeler, Jan van der Winden, Klaudia Witte, Brad Woodworth, Petr Prochazka
Louisiana black bear post-delisting monitoring: 3rd annual report Louisiana black bear post-delisting monitoring: 3rd annual report
This report details population and habitat monitoring results as required for post-delisting monitoring under the US Endangered Species Act.
Authors
Joseph D. Clark, Maria Davidson, Robert Greco, D.M. Soileau
Microclimate influences mangrove freeze damage: Implications for range expansion in response to changing macroclimate Microclimate influences mangrove freeze damage: Implications for range expansion in response to changing macroclimate
In response to warming winter air temperatures, freeze-sensitive mangrove forests are expected to expand at the expense of freeze-tolerant salt marshes. To better anticipate and prepare for mangrove range expansion, there is a need to advance understanding of the modulating role of microclimate. Here, we synthesized hypotheses regarding the effects of microclimatic variation on...
Authors
Michael J. Osland, Arik M. Hartmann, Richard H. Day, Michael S. Ross, Courtney T. Hall, Laura C. Feher, William Vervaeke
An improved mechanical owl for efficient capture of nesting raptors An improved mechanical owl for efficient capture of nesting raptors
Scientific study of raptors often requires the use of a lure to capture individuals for marking or collecting various data and samples. Live lure owls in the genus Bubo are commonly used with mist nets or dho-gazas to trap nesting raptors, but the use of these live lures presents ethical, logistical, and financial challenges. Although owls mounted by taxidermists and mechanical owls have...
Authors
Meghan K. Jensen, Shanti D. Hamburg, Christopher T. Rota, David F. Brinker, Dustin L. Coles, Mark A. Manske, Vincent A. Slabe, Matthew J. Stuber, Amy B. Welsh, Todd E. Katzner
Principles of translational science education Principles of translational science education
In a recent special issue in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Enquist et al. (2017) present a welcome streamlining of modern applied ecology emphasizing a collaborative approach to applied ecological research involving resource-managers and scientists to produce actionable science: translational ecology (TE). The authors, including ecologists, social scientists, and conservation
Authors
Chris Sutherland, B Padilla, Evan H. Campbell Grant
Factors influencing anuran wetland occupancy in an agricultural landscape Factors influencing anuran wetland occupancy in an agricultural landscape
Habitat disturbance is an important cause of global amphibian declines, with especially strong effects in areas of high agricultural use. Determining the influence of site characteristics on amphibian presence and success is vital to developing effective conservation strategies. We used occupancy analysis to estimate presence of four anuran species at wetlands in northern Iowa as a...
Authors
Jennifer E. Swanson, Clay Pierce, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Kelly L. Smalling, Mark W. Vandever, Timothy W. Stewart, Erin L. Muths
Role of recovering river herring population on smallmouth bass diet and growth Role of recovering river herring population on smallmouth bass diet and growth
Fish assemblages in Atlantic coastal rivers have undergone extensive ecological change in the last two and a half centuries due to human influence, including extirpation of many migratory fish species, such as river herring (Alosa spp.) and introduction of nonnative piscivores, notably Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu. Recently, dam removals and fish passage improvements in the...
Authors
Jonathan M. Watson, Stephen M. Coghlan, Joseph D. Zydlewski, Daniel B. Hayes, Daniel S. Stich