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: 42702
A draft decision framework for the National Park Service Interior Region 5 bison stewardship strategy A draft decision framework for the National Park Service Interior Region 5 bison stewardship strategy
The Department of the Interior Bison Conservation Initiative calls for its bureaus to plan and implement collaborative American bison conservation and to ensure involvement by tribal, state, and local governments and the public in that conservation. Four independently managed and geographically separated National Park Service (NPS) units in Interior Region 5 (IR5) preserve bison and...
Authors
Amy Symstad, Brian W. Miller, Tanya M Shenk, Nicole D Athearn, Michael C. Runge
Biogeographical patterns of tunicates utilizing eelgrass as substrate in the western North Atlantic between 39o and 47o north latitude (New Jersey to Newfoundland) Biogeographical patterns of tunicates utilizing eelgrass as substrate in the western North Atlantic between 39o and 47o north latitude (New Jersey to Newfoundland)
Colonization of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) by tunicates can lead to reduced plant growth and survival. Several of the tunicate species that are found on eelgrass in the northwest Atlantic are highly aggressive colonizers, and range expansions are predicted in association with climate-change induced increases in seawater temperature. In 2017, we surveyed tunicates within eelgrass...
Authors
Mary R. Carman, Philip D. Colarusso, Hilary A. Neckles, Paul Bologna, Scott Caines, John D. P. Davidson, N. Tay Evans, Sophia Fox, David W. Grunden, Sarah Hoffman, Kevin C. K. Ma, Kyle Matheson, Cynthia McKenzie, Eric P. Nelson, Holly Plaisted, Emily Reddington, Stephen Schott, Melisa C. Wong
Managing effects of drought in Hawai’i and U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands Managing effects of drought in Hawai’i and U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands
How is drought expressed in Hawai‘i & USAPI? Drought is a significant climate feature in Hawai‘i and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI), at times causing severe impacts across multiple sectors. Below average precipitation anomalies are often accompanied by higher than average temperatures and reduced cloud cover. The resulting higher insolation and evapotranspiration can magnify...
Authors
Abby G. Frazier, Jonathan Deenik, Neal Fujii, Greg Funderburk, Thomas Giambelluca, Christian Giardina, David A. Helweg, Victoria Keener, Donald Mair, John Marra, Sierra McDaniel, Lenore Ohye, Delwyn S. Oki, Elliott Parsons, Ayron Strauch, Clay Trauernicht
Parsing the effects of demography, climate, and management on recurrent brucellosis outbreaks in elk Parsing the effects of demography, climate, and management on recurrent brucellosis outbreaks in elk
1. Zoonotic pathogens can harm human health and well-being directly or by impacting livestock. Pathogens that spillover from wildlife can also impair conservation efforts if humans perceive wildlife as pests. Brucellosis, caused by the bacterium Brucella abortus, circulates in elk and bison herds of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and poses a risk to cattle and humans. Our goal was to...
Authors
Gavin G. Cotterill, Paul C. Cross, Jerod Merkle, JD Rogerson, BM Scurlock, Johan T. Du Toit
Characteristics for the external identification of Black Carp from Grass Carp Characteristics for the external identification of Black Carp from Grass Carp
Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus and Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella are morphologically similar species native to eastern Asia and imported to North America as biological control organisms. Preferred identification methods are coloration and pharyngeal tooth form. Grass Carp possess serrated teeth and Black Carp molariform teeth. Examination of pharyngeal teeth causes extensive...
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Duane Chapman, Robert A. Hrabik, D.A. Neely
Frequent use of upland habitats by the endangered Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) Frequent use of upland habitats by the endangered Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)
The Hawaiian Stilt, or Ae’o (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), is an endangered waterbird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Loss of suitable wetland habitats due to anthropogenic development is a leading cause for decline, as well as the introduction of non-native predators and invasive wetland plants. This study fitted four Hawaiian Stilts with GPS satellite tags to document their use of...
Authors
Martha Kawasaki, Patrick J. Hart, Eben H. Paxton
Drivers of landscape change in the northwest boreal region Drivers of landscape change in the northwest boreal region
The northwest boreal region (NWB) of North America is a land of extremes. Extending more than 1.3 million square kilometers (330 million acres), it encompasses the entire spectrum between inundated wetlands below sea level to the tallest peak in North America. Permafrost gradients span from nearly continuous to absent. Boreal ecosystems are inherently dynamic and continually change over...
Social status, forest disturbance, and Barred Owls shape long-term trends in breeding dispersal distance of Northern Spotted Owls Social status, forest disturbance, and Barred Owls shape long-term trends in breeding dispersal distance of Northern Spotted Owls
Dispersal among breeding sites in territorial animals (i.e. breeding dispersal) is driven by numerous selection pressures, including competition and spatiotemporal variation in habitat quality. The scale and trend of dispersal movements over time may signal changing conditions within the population or on the landscape. We examined 2,158 breeding dispersal events from 694 male and 608...
Authors
Julianna M. A. Jenkins, Damon B. Lesmeister, Eric D. Forsman, Steven H. Ackers, Katie Dugger, L. Steven Andrews, Chris E. McCafferty, M. Shane Pruett, Janice A. Reid, Stan G. Sovern, Rob B. Horn, Scott A. Gremel, David Wiens, Zhiqiang Yang
An overview of bioaerosol load and health impacts associated with dust storms: A focus on the Middle East An overview of bioaerosol load and health impacts associated with dust storms: A focus on the Middle East
Dust storms are an important environmental problem worldwide. The main sources of dust storms include the Sahara, the Middle East, and central and northeastern Asia. Dust storms originating from these regions can be dispersed across oceans and in some cases globally. They occur throughout the year and vary in frequency and intensity. The biological agents (e.g., fungi, bacteria and...
Authors
Zahra Soleimani, Pari Teymouri, Ali Darvishi Boloorani, Alireza Mesdaghinia, Nick Middleton, Dale W. Griffin
A shrubbier future: Forest transformation in the eastern Jemez Mountains A shrubbier future: Forest transformation in the eastern Jemez Mountains
No abstract available.
Authors
Craig D. Allen
Conservation decisions under pressure: Lessons from an exercise in rapid response to wildlife disease Conservation decisions under pressure: Lessons from an exercise in rapid response to wildlife disease
Novel outbreaks of emerging pathogens require rapid responses to enable successful mitigation. We simulated a 1‐day emergency meeting where experts were engaged to recommend mitigation strategies for a new outbreak of the amphibian fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans . Despite the inevitable uncertainty, experts suggested and discussed several possible strategies. However...
Authors
Stefano Canessa, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Tariq Stark, Bryony E. Allen, Phillip J. Bishop, Molly Bletz, Cheryl J. Briggs, Dave Daversa, Matthew J. Gray, Richard Griffiths, Reid N. Harris, Xavier Harrison, Jason T. Hoverman, Phillip Jervis, Erin L. Muths, Deanna H. Olson, Stephen J Price, Corinne L. Richards-Zawacki, Jacques Robert, Goncalo M. Rosa, Ben C. Scheele, B. Schmidt, Trenton W. J. Garner
Coldwater periods in warmwater streams: Microhabitat shifts from autumn to winter by Smallmouth Bass Coldwater periods in warmwater streams: Microhabitat shifts from autumn to winter by Smallmouth Bass
Seasonal and life stage variation in microhabitat use is an important driver of fish survival and bioenergetics, but knowledge of microhabitat selection during colder periods is generally lacking in warmwater streams. Our objective was to examine changes in microhabitat selection by age‐0 (TL ≤ 85 mm) and age‐1+ (TL > 85 mm) Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu from autumn to winter in...
Authors
S. L. Wolf, Robert Mollenhauer, Shannon K. Brewer