Text box including a short question/answer on why microbes are important. Can be used for outreach.
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
Why are microbes important?
Text box including a short question/answer on why microbes are important. Can be used for outreach.
What is the difference between PFOS and PFAS?
Q: What’s the difference between PFOS and PFAS?
A: PFAS is a broad term that refers to a large group of man-made chemicals that contain fluorine atoms. This group includes thousands of different compounds and are highly resistant to degradation.
Q: What’s the difference between PFOS and PFAS?
A: PFAS is a broad term that refers to a large group of man-made chemicals that contain fluorine atoms. This group includes thousands of different compounds and are highly resistant to degradation.
U.S. Geological Survey PFAS Study Areas
Map of U.S. Geological Survey PFAS study areas. Specific points indicate: 1) Surface water and field studies (teal circles), 2) PFAS in tapwater studies (black circles), 3) PFAS in groundwater studies (orange circles), and 4) Sites where atmospheric samples were collected (yellow triangles).
Map of U.S. Geological Survey PFAS study areas. Specific points indicate: 1) Surface water and field studies (teal circles), 2) PFAS in tapwater studies (black circles), 3) PFAS in groundwater studies (orange circles), and 4) Sites where atmospheric samples were collected (yellow triangles).
Discover Ecosystems
America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Cooperative Research Units, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Environmental Health Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Communications and Publishing
America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Cooperative Research Units, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Environmental Health Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Communications and Publishing
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated March 04, 2025.
Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease in North America, updated March 04, 2025.
Discover Ecosystems
America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all.
America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all.
Videos
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.
Saline Lakes IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Satellite Observations of Lake Surface Water Dynamics
linkThe sixth and final webinar in the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series is on satellite observations of lake surface water dynamics. John W. Jones of the USGS Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch introduces the surface water and wetland remote sensing component of the Integrated Water Availability Assessment.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
Saline Lakes IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Satellite Observations of Lake Surface Water Dynamics
linkThe sixth and final webinar in the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series is on satellite observations of lake surface water dynamics. John W. Jones of the USGS Hydrologic Remote Sensing Branch introduces the surface water and wetland remote sensing component of the Integrated Water Availability Assessment.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
Saline Lakes IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Waterbird Prey Availability
The fifth webinar in the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series is on waterbird prey availability in Great Basin terminal lakes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
The fifth webinar in the Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series is on waterbird prey availability in Great Basin terminal lakes.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
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.