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Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center scientists work throughout the U.S. and the world on a diverse set of issues to support the safeguarding, understanding, and management of our public lands. 

News

USGS READI-Net Tests Next Generation Environmental DNA Sampling Robot for Early Detection of Biological Threats

USGS READI-Net Tests Next Generation Environmental DNA Sampling Robot for Early Detection of Biological Threats

Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1

Earth Science Matters - Vol. 21 | Issue 1

USGS and BLM publish a science synthesis on risks of spreading invasive annual grasses in MT, ND & SD through vegetation treatments

USGS and BLM publish a science synthesis on risks of spreading invasive annual grasses in MT, ND & SD through vegetation treatments

Publications

Mountain goat declines in a protected, interior, native population Mountain goat declines in a protected, interior, native population

A shifting climate poses threats to alpine-adapted species including mountain goats. We used long-term (12 years) citizen science monitoring data and Bayesian N-mixture modeling to estimate population trends and drivers of population metrics among mountain goats in Glacier National Park (GNP). Median goats per site (n = 37 sites) declined by 45% (95% credible interval [CRI] = 32%, 57%)...
Authors
Tabitha A. Graves, William Michael Janousek, Michael Yarnall, Jami Belt

An energetic tradeoff best explains parturition timing in grizzly bears An energetic tradeoff best explains parturition timing in grizzly bears

Timing of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) parturition during hibernation has been explained by ancestral traits (delayed implantation, altricial young, obligate maternal denning), but the ultimate driver underlying precise timing has not been fully explored. Capitalizing on an observed latitudinal increase in denning duration among four populations in interior North America, we tested two...
Authors
C. M. Costello, L. L. Roberts, D. D. Bjornlie, M. D. Cameron, J. G. Clapp, Mark Haroldson, G. V. Hilderbrand, K. Joly, W. Kasworm, J. M. Nicholson, T. Radandt, M. S. Sorum, J. E. Teisberg, Frank T. van Manen, M. A. Vinks

Science

USGS Sagebrush Science: Supporting Public Safety and Economic Decision Making Across the West

The sagebrush biome is one of the largest ecosystems in North America. Encompassing nearly one-third of the continental U.S., it provides critical resources for millions of Americans and a home for hundreds of plants and animal species in the West. Natural resource management in sagebrush ecosystems can be complex, and science can support management decisions by providing knowledge and tools to...
USGS Sagebrush Science: Supporting Public Safety and Economic Decision Making Across the West

USGS Sagebrush Science: Supporting Public Safety and Economic Decision Making Across the West

The sagebrush biome is one of the largest ecosystems in North America. Encompassing nearly one-third of the continental U.S., it provides critical resources for millions of Americans and a home for hundreds of plants and animal species in the West. Natural resource management in sagebrush ecosystems can be complex, and science can support management decisions by providing knowledge and tools to...
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Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) research at NOROCK

The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses the impacts of land-use and habitat changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. This long-term project involves partners from 12 Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. NOROCK scientists, partners, and scientists from other USGS centers conduct integrated research to support...
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) research at NOROCK

Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) research at NOROCK

The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses the impacts of land-use and habitat changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. This long-term project involves partners from 12 Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. NOROCK scientists, partners, and scientists from other USGS centers conduct integrated research to support...
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North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)

Bats are essential contributing members of healthy, functioning ecosystems. They perform numerous ecosystem services like insect pest control and plant pollination, and provide enormous economic benefits through ecotourism, medical research, and novel biotechnologies. North American bats face unprecedented threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, white-nose syndrome, and wind energy...
North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)

North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)

Bats are essential contributing members of healthy, functioning ecosystems. They perform numerous ecosystem services like insect pest control and plant pollination, and provide enormous economic benefits through ecotourism, medical research, and novel biotechnologies. North American bats face unprecedented threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, white-nose syndrome, and wind energy...
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