Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”
Multimedia
Below are multimedia (photos, graphics, audio, and video) associated with the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Be certain to check out Outstanding in the Field, an original podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Images
Rusting Arctic Rivers Pamphlet
Rivers across northern Alaska have recently turned orange in color. Because of their appearance, they are often called “rusting rivers.”
Sea Duckling Room
Ducklings born in the Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, are housed in a separate building. The ducklings receive round-the-clock care.
Ducklings born in the Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, are housed in a separate building. The ducklings receive round-the-clock care.
Sea Duck Pens 2
The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are two male and one female Common Eiders floating in their pond.
The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are two male and one female Common Eiders floating in their pond.
Black Oystercatcher nest under driftwood
Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) nests in the northern Gulf of Alaska are monitored annually to determine the nest status, productivity, chick diet, and egg float stages.
Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) nests in the northern Gulf of Alaska are monitored annually to determine the nest status, productivity, chick diet, and egg float stages.
Sea Duck Pens
The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are a White-winged duck pair on the edge of their pond.
The Sea Duck colony at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD, is the only facility of its kind in the United States. Pictured are a White-winged duck pair on the edge of their pond.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Bee Balm Flower
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzzing among the bee balm stops to get some nectar. Shot in front of the Gabrielson Building at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird buzzing among the bee balm stops to get some nectar. Shot in front of the Gabrielson Building at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
Videos
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change (AD)
Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change
Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Ammonia or Ammonium? What’s the difference?
Ammonia or ammonium? What’s the difference? In water, ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) exist together in an equilibrium that depends on pH and temperature. As the temperature or pH rise, ammonia (NH3) becomes more abundant. This is important because ammonia is more toxic than ammonium.
Ammonia or ammonium? What’s the difference? In water, ammonia (NH3) and ammonium (NH4+) exist together in an equilibrium that depends on pH and temperature. As the temperature or pH rise, ammonia (NH3) becomes more abundant. This is important because ammonia is more toxic than ammonium.
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Spring Seminar: Project Updates and 2025 Field Season Plans
This video presents the Spring 2025 Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment Spring Seminar by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Hosted by Allison Shipp, the seminar provides updates on how hydroclimatic changes and water management affect terminal lake ecosystems and waterbird populations.
This video presents the Spring 2025 Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment Spring Seminar by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Hosted by Allison Shipp, the seminar provides updates on how hydroclimatic changes and water management affect terminal lake ecosystems and waterbird populations.
Animated Nitrogen Fixation (AD)
This animated nitrogen fixation video provides an overview of natural and industrial nitrogen fixation, along with benefits, costs, trends, and effects on ecosystems.
This animated nitrogen fixation video provides an overview of natural and industrial nitrogen fixation, along with benefits, costs, trends, and effects on ecosystems.
Animated Nitrogen Fixation
This animated nitrogen fixation video provides an overview of natural and industrial nitrogen fixation, along with benefits, costs, trends, and effects on ecosystems.
This animated nitrogen fixation video provides an overview of natural and industrial nitrogen fixation, along with benefits, costs, trends, and effects on ecosystems.
Audio
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural Communities
This is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
This is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 10, Bats
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
USGS Outstanding in the Field: Biocrusts (Ep. 9)
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin ice
This is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
This is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the Swamp
In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?
In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.
In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.