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Ecosystem Assessments

Understanding the status and trends of an ecosystem is an important step in making science-based ecosystem management decisions. GLSC research focuses on understanding ecosystems though assessments focused on aquatic ecosystems, from wetlands and streams to the coastal and offshore waters of the Great Lakes, with some dating back to the 1970s.

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Filter Total Items: 6
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Bumblebee on Phacelia flower

Using Pollinator Environmental DNA to Assess the Ecological Resilience of America’s Grasslands

Scientists from six USGS science centers are collaborating with USDA, university, and Tribal partners, and Department of the Interior land managers, to assess the status of pollinator communities and the distribution of species of conservation concern using environmental DNA. These methods will be used to improve assessments of habitat quality and pollinator responses to restoration, including...
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Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Pacific Northwest Environmental DNA Laboratory
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Using Pollinator Environmental DNA to Assess the Ecological Resilience of America’s Grasslands

Scientists from six USGS science centers are collaborating with USDA, university, and Tribal partners, and Department of the Interior land managers, to assess the status of pollinator communities and the distribution of species of conservation concern using environmental DNA. These methods will be used to improve assessments of habitat quality and pollinator responses to restoration, including...
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Phragmites close up

Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework – Active Adaptive Management

Non-native Phragmites australis (Common Reed) has become established across the Great Lakes basin, outcompeting native plants and degrading natural habitats. Phragmites is managed using a variety of resource-intensive techniques, yet effectiveness of treatment may vary due to infestation level, application methods, environmental conditions, or other factors. With the goal to reduce uncertainty in...
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Great Lakes Science Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
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Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework – Active Adaptive Management

Non-native Phragmites australis (Common Reed) has become established across the Great Lakes basin, outcompeting native plants and degrading natural habitats. Phragmites is managed using a variety of resource-intensive techniques, yet effectiveness of treatment may vary due to infestation level, application methods, environmental conditions, or other factors. With the goal to reduce uncertainty in...
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Maankiki Center Wildlife Refuge

Innovative Approaches for Wetland Restoration and Invasive Species Management

Coastal and wetland ecosystems provide critical habitat to birds, fish, wildlife, and a suite of other organisms, clean our water and mitigate flooding events, and offer tremendous recreational opportunities to visitors. However, the majority of coastal and wetland ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin have been significantly degraded or destroyed by ditching, draining, development, invasive species...
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Great Lakes Science Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
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Innovative Approaches for Wetland Restoration and Invasive Species Management

Coastal and wetland ecosystems provide critical habitat to birds, fish, wildlife, and a suite of other organisms, clean our water and mitigate flooding events, and offer tremendous recreational opportunities to visitors. However, the majority of coastal and wetland ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin have been significantly degraded or destroyed by ditching, draining, development, invasive species...
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Researcher in a field

Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative and the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework

Broad coordination is required to overcome large-scale regional challenges such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites. Individual management actions may have local impact, but their implementation can be inefficient and landscape-scale impacts are limited. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a...
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Great Lakes Science Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
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Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative and the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework

Broad coordination is required to overcome large-scale regional challenges such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites. Individual management actions may have local impact, but their implementation can be inefficient and landscape-scale impacts are limited. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a...
Learn More
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Phragmites at Crane Creek

Effects of Great Lakes water levels on coastal populations of Phragmites australis GeoNarrative

The "Phragmites Management and Variable Great Lakes Water Levels" GeoNarrative presents research by the US Geological Survey and US Fish and Wildlife Service on how Great Lakes water levels affect expansion and management of coastal Phragmites populations.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Great Lakes Science Center
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Effects of Great Lakes water levels on coastal populations of Phragmites australis GeoNarrative

The "Phragmites Management and Variable Great Lakes Water Levels" GeoNarrative presents research by the US Geological Survey and US Fish and Wildlife Service on how Great Lakes water levels affect expansion and management of coastal Phragmites populations.
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Maumee River Watershed

Mapping Application for the Lower Maumee River (MALMR)

The Mapping Application for the Lower Maumee River (MALMR) is intended to support science-based decision making regarding habitat restoration at various scales in the lower Maumee River and surrounding region.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Great Lakes Science Center
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Mapping Application for the Lower Maumee River (MALMR)

The Mapping Application for the Lower Maumee River (MALMR) is intended to support science-based decision making regarding habitat restoration at various scales in the lower Maumee River and surrounding region.
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