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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

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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

USGS PCMSC-PICASC Tour Engages Local Hawaiian Communities About Deep-Sea Research

USGS PCMSC-PICASC Tour Engages Local Hawaiian Communities About Deep-Sea Research

Navigating the Climate Adaptation Toolkit

Navigating the Climate Adaptation Toolkit

Congratulations to Chris Pullano for Winning this Issue's Photo Contest!

Congratulations to Chris Pullano for Winning this Issue's Photo Contest!

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Publications

Assessment of dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) occupancy and habitat suitability at −12 Mile Slough, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona Assessment of dragonfly and damselfly (Odonata) occupancy and habitat suitability at −12 Mile Slough, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona

Management practices that enhance habitat complexity in dam tailwaters often aim to increase biodiversity and improve ecosystem health. However, in other instances, management practices may simplify habitat features to help minimize the establishment of invasive species. These tradeoffs are complex, particularly in the face of drought and warming water temperatures. In Glen Canyon...
Authors
Anya Metcalfe, Morgan Ford, Lawrence Stevens, Theodore Kennedy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management

Managers of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Projects (SWP) in California are confronted with difficult tradeoffs between water uses and associated values affected by water management decisions. These decisions involve altering the timing and magnitude of water releases from dams and reservoirs, which can affect habitats for economically important and Federally and State...
Authors
Brian Healy, Corey Phillis, Brian Mahardja, Cameron Koizumi, Catarina Pien, Nancy Parker, J. Conrad, Julie Ekstrom, Julie Leimbach, Rafael Silberblatt, Tom Fischer, Chase Ehlo
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

A summary of grizzly bear distribution in the lower-48 US states in 2024 A summary of grizzly bear distribution in the lower-48 US states in 2024

Understanding the distribution of grizzly bear populations in the lower-48 states, is important for their conservation and management, and for public safety. Previously, our research teams working in grizzly bear ecosystems in the lower-48 states used varying methods to estimate distribution of grizzly bear populations. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and Northern Continental...
Authors
Cecily Costello, Justin Dellinger, Jennifer Fortin-Noreus, Mark Haroldson, Bryn Karabensh, Wayne Kasworm, Lori Roberts, Justin Teisberg, Frank van Manen, Tyler Vent
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
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Science

Arctic Terns in Cook Inlet, flying over bullwhip kelp on the surface of the water, Alaska

Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins in Alaska Seabirds

Elevated ocean temperatures are linked to the development of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Toxins from these blooms may pose health threats to marine organisms, including seabirds. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins in Alaska Seabirds

Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins in Alaska Seabirds

Elevated ocean temperatures are linked to the development of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Toxins from these blooms may pose health threats to marine organisms, including seabirds. Since 2015, the USGS has worked with a variety of stakeholders to develop testing methods and research projects to better understand the geographic extent, timing and impacts of algal toxins in Alaska marine ecosystems...
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four people hold a large Burmese python over their shoulders, ferns and large trees in the background

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , M3 Research Laboratory
Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

Invasive Burmese python research in the Greater Everglades

USGS leads federal research to control the highly invasive Burmese python ( Python bivittatus), which has become firmly established across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem and poses a serious threat to native wildlife. Capable of reaching over 17 feet long, this massive constrictor is believed to be a key factor in the sharp decline of mammal populations in the region. For over a decade...
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large brown mountains with reddish stripe intermix with clouds, desert plans in the foreground

Recommendations for conducting landscape assessments to inform decision making on multiple-use public lands

Landscape assessments have been proposed as a mechanism for informing conservation and natural resource management actions at broad scales. We are documenting the process used in a large effort to conduct 14 such assessments across the western United States, and evaluating how the assessments were used in subsequent land use plans. In this project, we seek to identify methods and characteristics...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Recommendations for conducting landscape assessments to inform decision making on multiple-use public lands

Recommendations for conducting landscape assessments to inform decision making on multiple-use public lands

Landscape assessments have been proposed as a mechanism for informing conservation and natural resource management actions at broad scales. We are documenting the process used in a large effort to conduct 14 such assessments across the western United States, and evaluating how the assessments were used in subsequent land use plans. In this project, we seek to identify methods and characteristics...
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