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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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EcoNews

A USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Newsletter

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Friday's Findings

A Public Webinar Series

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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

A pronghorn stands in front of oil and gas development infrastructure, Vernal, Utah

Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Causal Analysis of Fire Regime Drivers

Causal Analysis of Fire Regime Drivers

Genetic Diversity is a Key Factor in Climate-Driven Range Shifts

Genetic Diversity is a Key Factor in Climate-Driven Range Shifts

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

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Publications

Whatever it takes— Shaping the L&O Letters Early Career Publication Honor to deliver true benefit Whatever it takes— Shaping the L&O Letters Early Career Publication Honor to deliver true benefit

There are clear advantages for those who openly share their research. Publishing Open Access (OA) articles can increase author visibility (McCabe and Snyder 2014), improve productivity metrics (i.e., more diverse and higher citation rates; Huang et al. 2024; Piwowar et al. 2018), widen collaborative networks (Tai and Robinson 2018), and help secure future funding and/or comply with...
Authors
Rita M. Franco-Santos, Bridget Deemer, Laura J. Falkenberg, Mary R. Gradoville, Scott Hotaling, Erin K. Peck
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Bird migration and energetics simulations incorporating oil spill effects Bird migration and energetics simulations incorporating oil spill effects

Oil spills are well-known for causing acute mortality of birds, but sublethal and delayed impacts are less understood. Focusing on the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), we used simulation modeling to explore how sublethal oiling may affect avian survival and breeding ground body condition. We used empirically informed migration and energetics simulations to model hypothetical spills...
Authors
Benjamin M West, Mark L. Wildhaber, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Michael J. Hooper
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Distribution, abundance, breeding activities, and restoration efforts for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2025 Annual Report Distribution, abundance, breeding activities, and restoration efforts for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2025 Annual Report

Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide the Marine Corps with an annual summary of the distribution, abundance, and breeding activity of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) and to present results of management actions implemented to attract flycatchers and enhance flycatcher habitat at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Science

a four six lane road with frontage lanes with dozens of cars leading into snow-capped mountains

Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

This project applies data-driven, machine‑learning methods to estimate average annual daily traffic on roads that connect people to Colorado’s public lands, where traffic data are sparse or nonexistent. Expanding on successful applications in Wyoming, the approach uses socioeconomic, land-use, roadway, and accessibility data to uniquely model traffic patterns from 2015 to 2025. These predictions...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

This project applies data-driven, machine‑learning methods to estimate average annual daily traffic on roads that connect people to Colorado’s public lands, where traffic data are sparse or nonexistent. Expanding on successful applications in Wyoming, the approach uses socioeconomic, land-use, roadway, and accessibility data to uniquely model traffic patterns from 2015 to 2025. These predictions...
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Common Tern Chick and Egg

Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

USGS is engaged in a variety of research aimed at understanding population dynamics in colonially nesting waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay. Much of this work focuses on how focal species such as Common and Least Terns, Cattle and Snowy Egrets, and others respond to habitat restoration and management on Poplar Island, a large-scale effort lead by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

USGS is engaged in a variety of research aimed at understanding population dynamics in colonially nesting waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay. Much of this work focuses on how focal species such as Common and Least Terns, Cattle and Snowy Egrets, and others respond to habitat restoration and management on Poplar Island, a large-scale effort lead by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of...
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A small fluffy light brown chick with dark speckles is held in hand.

Novel Management Techniques for Colonial Nesting Waterbirds

This project focuses on USGS collaborating with USFWS colleagues to understand how management practices on Poplar Island impact target and non-target wildlife species.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Novel Management Techniques for Colonial Nesting Waterbirds

Novel Management Techniques for Colonial Nesting Waterbirds

This project focuses on USGS collaborating with USFWS colleagues to understand how management practices on Poplar Island impact target and non-target wildlife species.
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