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: 42712
Are migratory waterfowl vectors of seagrass pathogens? Are migratory waterfowl vectors of seagrass pathogens?
Migratory waterfowl vector plant seeds and other tissues, but little attention has focused on the potential of avian vectoring of plant pathogens. Extensive meadows of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in southwest Alaska support hundreds of thousands of waterfowl during fall migration and may be susceptible to plant pathogens. We recovered DNA of organisms pathogenic to eelgrass from...
Authors
Damian M. Menning, David H. Ward, Sandy Wyllie-Echeverria, Kevin Sage, Megan C. Gravley, Hunter Gravley, Sandra L. Talbot
Understanding the effect of fire on vegetation composition and gross primary production in a semi-arid shrubland ecosystem using the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) model Understanding the effect of fire on vegetation composition and gross primary production in a semi-arid shrubland ecosystem using the Ecosystem Demography (EDv2.2) model
Wildfires in sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) dominated semi-arid ecosystems in the western United States have increased dramatically in frequency and severity in the last few decades. Severe wildfires often lead to the loss of native sagebrush communities and change the biogeochemical conditions which make it difficult for sagebrush to regenerate. Invasion of cheat- grass (Bromus tectorum)...
Authors
Karun Pandit, Hamid Dashti, Andrew A. Hudak, Nancy F. Glenn, Alejandro N Flores, Douglas J. Shinneman
The Modern Geological Survey; a model for research, innovation, synthjesis: A USGS perspective The Modern Geological Survey; a model for research, innovation, synthjesis: A USGS perspective
Geological Surveys have long filled the role of providing Earth system science data and knowledge. These functions are increasingly complicated by accelerating environmental and societal change. Here we describe the USGS response to these evolving conditions. Underpinning the USGS approach is the recognition that many of the issues facing the U.S. and the world involve the interaction...
Authors
Suzette Kimball, Martin B. Goldhaber, Jill S. Baron, Victor F. Labson
Spatiotemporal patterns in trophic niche overlap among five salmonines in Lake Michigan, USA Spatiotemporal patterns in trophic niche overlap among five salmonines in Lake Michigan, USA
Native lake trout and introduced Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and brown trout are major predators in Lake Michigan’s complex ecosystem and collectively support a valuable recreational fishery, but declines in their primary prey, alewife, have raised ecological and management concerns about competition and prey allocation. We applied niche overlap analysis to evaluate...
Authors
Matthew S. Kornis, David B. Bunnell, Heidi K. Swanson, Charles R. Bronte
Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania Shale gas development has limited effects on stream biology and geochemistry in a gradient-based, multiparameter study in Pennsylvania
The number of horizontally drilled shale oil and gas wells in the United States has increased from nearly 28,000 in 2007 to nearly 127,000 in 2017, and research has suggested the potential for the development of shale resources to affect nearby stream ecosystems. However, the ability to generalize current studies is limited by the small geographic scope as well as limited breadth and...
Authors
Adam Mumford, Kelly O. Maloney, Denise M. Akob, Sarah Nettemann, Arianne Proctor, Jason Ditty, Luke Ulsamer, Josh Lookenbill, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
Modeling soil porewater salinity response to drought in tidal freshwater forested wetlands Modeling soil porewater salinity response to drought in tidal freshwater forested wetlands
There is a growing concern about the adverse effects of saltwater intrusion via tidal rivers, streams and creeks into tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) due to sea‐level rise (SLR) and intense and extended drought events. However, the magnitude and duration of porewater salinity in exceedance of plant salinity stress threshold (2 practical salinity units, psu) and the controlling...
Authors
Hongqing Wang, Ken W. Krauss, Gregory E. Noe, Camille L. Stagg, Christopher M. Swarzenski, Jamie A. Duberstein, William H. Conner, Donald L. DeAngelis
Multiple elements of soil biodiversity drive ecosystem functions across biomes Multiple elements of soil biodiversity drive ecosystem functions across biomes
The role of soil biodiversity in regulating multiple ecosystem functions is poorly understood, limiting our ability to predict how soil biodiversity loss might affect human wellbeing and ecosystem sustainability. Here, combining a global observational study with an experimental microcosm study, we provide evidence that soil biodiversity (bacteria, fungi, protists and invertebrates) is
Authors
Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Peter B. Reich, Mandar Trivedi, David J. Eldridge, Sebastian Abades, Fernando D. Alfaro, Felipe Bastida, Asmeret A. Berhe, Nick A. Cutler, Antonio Gallardo, Laura Garcia-Velazquez, Stephen C. Hart, Patrick E. Hayes, Ji-Zheng He, Zeng-Yei Hseu, Hang-Wei Hu, Martin Kirchmair, Sigrid Neuhauser, Cecilia A. Perez, Sasha C. Reed, Fernanda Santos, Benjamin W. Sullivan, Pankaj Trivedi, Jun-Tao Wang, Luis Weber-Grullon, Mark A. Williams, Brajesh K. Singh
Osmoregulatory role of the intestine in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Osmoregulatory role of the intestine in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Lampreys are the most basal vertebrates with an osmoregulatory strategy. Previous research has established that salinity tolerance of sea lamprey increases dramatically during metamorphosis, but underlying changes in the gut have not been examined. In the present work, we examined changes in intestinal function during metamorphosis and seawater exposure of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus...
Authors
Andre Barany, Ciaran A Shaughnessy, Juan Fuentes, Juan M Mancera, Stephen D. McCormick
Characterization of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) spawning habitat in the Lower Missouri River Characterization of pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) spawning habitat in the Lower Missouri River
Acipenseriformes (sturgeons and paddlefish) globally have declined throughout their range due to river fragmentation, habitat loss, overfishing, and degradation of water quality. In North America, pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) populations have experienced poor to no recruitment, or substantial levels of hybridization with the closely related shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus)...
Authors
Caroline M. Elliott, Aaron J. Delonay, Kimberly Chojnacki, Robert B. Jacobson
Divergent genes encoding the putative receptors for growth hormone and prolactin in sea lamprey display distinct patterns of expression Divergent genes encoding the putative receptors for growth hormone and prolactin in sea lamprey display distinct patterns of expression
Growth hormone receptor (GHR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in jawed vertebrates were thought to arise after the divergence of gnathostomes from a basal vertebrate. In this study we have identified two genes encoding putative GHR and PRLR in sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum), extant members of one of the oldest vertebrate groups, agnathans
Authors
Ningping Gong, Diogo Ferreira-Martins, Stephen D. McCormick, Mark Sheridan
Conservation genomics in a changing arctic Conservation genomics in a changing arctic
Although logistically challenging to study, the Arctic is a bellwether for global change and is becoming a model for questions pertinent to the persistence of biodiversity. Disruption of Arctic ecosystems is accelerating, with impacts ranging from mixing of biotic communities to individual behavioral responses. Understanding these changes is crucial for conservation and sustainable...
Authors
Jocelyn P. Colella, Sandra L. Talbot, Christian Brochmann, Eric B. Taylor, Eric P. Hoberg, Joseph A. Cook
Final project memorandum: Identifying conservation objectives for the Gulf Coast habitats of the black skimmer and gull-billed tern Final project memorandum: Identifying conservation objectives for the Gulf Coast habitats of the black skimmer and gull-billed tern
Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the Gulf need...
Authors
James P. Cronin