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: 42759
Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2023 Data Summary Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2023 Data Summary
Executive Summary We surveyed for coastal Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in 507 established plots in San Diego County in 2023, encompassing 4 genetic clusters (Otay, Lake Jennings, Sweetwater/Encanto, and San Pasqual). Two surveys were completed at each plot between March 1 and July 31. Cactus Wrens were detected in 181 plots (36 percent of plots). Cactus Wrens were...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Barbara E. Kus
Nihoa and Laysan Island passerines population abundances, trends, and habitat utilization Nihoa and Laysan Island passerines population abundances, trends, and habitat utilization
Nihoa and Laysan Island, part of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, are host to three endangered passerine species—Nihoa finch (Telespiza ultima), Nihoa millerbird (Acrocephalus familiaris kingi), and Laysan finch (Telespiza cantans). Using point-transect distance sampling survey records from 2010 to 2022 for Nihoa and 2013 to 2019 for Laysan Island, we estimated the density and...
Authors
Trevor Bak, Richard J. Camp, Chris Farmer, Rachel A. Rounds, Sheldon M. Plentovich, John Vetter, Paul C. Banko
Spatial patterns as long transients in submersed-floating plant competition with biocontrol Spatial patterns as long transients in submersed-floating plant competition with biocontrol
A cellular automata model was developed and parameterized to test the effectiveness of application of biological control insects to water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes), which is an invasive floating plant species in many parts of the world and outcompetes many submersed native aquatic species in southern Florida. In the model, P. crassipes was allowed to compete with Nuttall’s...
Authors
Linhao Xu, Don DeAngelis
Visualizing wading bird optimal foraging decisions with aggregation behaviors using individual-based modeling Visualizing wading bird optimal foraging decisions with aggregation behaviors using individual-based modeling
Foragers on patchy landscapes must efficiently balance time between searching for and consuming resources to meet their daily energetic requirements. Spatial aggregation foraging behaviors may improve foraging efficiency by sharing information on locations of resource hotspots. Wading birds are an example of patch foragers that form colonial aggregations during the breeding season to...
Authors
Simeon Yurek, Donald L. DeAngelis, Hyo Won Lee, Stephen Tennenbaum
Observed and potential range shifts of native and non-native species with climate change Observed and potential range shifts of native and non-native species with climate change
There is broad concern that the range shifts of global flora and fauna will not keep up with climate change, increasing the likelihood of population declines and extinctions. Many populations of nonnative species already have advantages over native species, including widespread human-aided dispersal and release from natural enemies. But do nonnative species also have an advantage with...
Authors
Bethany A. Bradley, Evelyn M. Beaury, Belinda Gallardo, Inés Ibáñez, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Toni Lyn Morelli, Helen Sofaer, Cascade J.B. Sorte, Montserrat Vilà
Evaluation of short-term mussel test for estimating toxicity Evaluation of short-term mussel test for estimating toxicity
Effect concentrations of ammonia, nickel, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride from short-term 7-day tests were compared to those from standard chronic 28-day toxicity tests with juvenile mussels (fatmucket, Lampsilis siliquoidea) to evaluate the sensitivities of the 7-day tests. The effect concentrations for nickel (59 µg Ni/L), chloride (316–519 mg Cl/L, a range from multiple tests)...
Authors
Ning Wang, James L. Kunz, Chris D. Ivey, Danielle M. Cleveland, Jeffery A. Steevens
Conservation genetics of the endangered California Freshwater Shrimp (Syncaris pacifica): Watershed and stream networks define gene pool boundaries Conservation genetics of the endangered California Freshwater Shrimp (Syncaris pacifica): Watershed and stream networks define gene pool boundaries
Understanding genetic structure and diversity among remnant populations of rare species can inform conservation and recovery actions. We used a population genetic framework to spatially delineate gene pools and estimate gene flow and effective population sizes for the endangered California Freshwater Shrimp Syncaris pacifica. Tissues of 101 individuals were collected from 11 sites in 5...
Authors
Abdul M. Ada, Amy G. Vandergast, Robert N. Fisher, Darren Fong, Andrew J. Bohonak
Artificial intelligence applied to big data reveals that lake invasions are predicted by human traffic and co-occurring invasions Artificial intelligence applied to big data reveals that lake invasions are predicted by human traffic and co-occurring invasions
Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species is an important management action. Identifying the characteristics of lakes that are susceptible to invasion creates an opportunity for management groups to prioritize limited resources for high-risk areas. In this study, we leveraged big data from a popular fishing app and other publicly available sources of environmental and human-use...
Authors
Jessica L. Weir, Wesley Daniel, Kieran Hyder, Christian Skov, Paul A. Venturelli
Reproducing age variability in grass carp egg samples from the lower Sandusky River, Ohio, USA, using an egg-drift model Reproducing age variability in grass carp egg samples from the lower Sandusky River, Ohio, USA, using an egg-drift model
Invasive grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) are currently reproducing in several tributaries to Lake Erie and threatening the Great Lakes ecosystem and fisheries. Grass carp are pelagic river spawners whose fertilized eggs drift downstream from the spawning site, developing as they drift. Variability in spawning time and location together with nonuniform velocities in natural rivers...
Authors
David Soong, P. Ryan Jackson, Patrick M. Kocovsky, Lori Morrison, Tatiana Garcia, Santiago Santacruz, Cindy Chen, Zhenduo Zhu, Holly Susan Embke
Mast seeding in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is associated with reduced fungal sporocarp production and community diversity Mast seeding in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is associated with reduced fungal sporocarp production and community diversity
Mast seeding is a well-documented phenomenon across diverse forest ecosystems. While its effect on aboveground food webs has been thoroughly studied, how it impacts the soil fungi that drive soil carbon and nutrient cycling has not yet been explored. To evaluate the relationship between mast seeding and fungal resource availability, we paired a Swiss 29-year fungal sporocarp census with
Authors
Talia Michaud, Ian Pearse, H Kauserud, Carrie Andrews, Peter Kennedy
Identifying new invasive plants in the face of climate change: A focus on sleeper species Identifying new invasive plants in the face of climate change: A focus on sleeper species
Sleeper populations are established populations of introduced species whose population growth is limited by one or more abiotic or biotic conditions. Sleeper populations pose an invasion risk if a change in those limiting conditions, such as climate change, enables population growth and invasion. With thousands of established introduced species, it is critical that we identify and...
Authors
A.C. O'Uhuru, Toni Lyn Morelli, Annette E. Evans, J.D. Salva, B.A. Bradley
National Aquatic Environmental DNA Strategy National Aquatic Environmental DNA Strategy
Aquatic life is the engine of ecosystems and economies. In environments ranging from freshwater through marine, this biodiversity underpins the health, culture, opportunities, and economic wellbeing of the Nation -- from local communities to the entire country. The ability to evaluate the status, trends, and future projections of nature is key to maintaining national prosperity, and this...
Authors
Kelly D Goodwin, Mike Weise, Christopher P. Meyer, Masha Edmondson, Katie Fillingham, Dee Allen, Alicia Amerson, Meredith L. Barton, Abby Benson, Gabrielle Canonico, Zachary Gold, Jennifer Gumm, Margaret Hunter, Nina Joffe, Richard Lance, Alyse Larkin, Ricardo Letelier, Christine Lipsky, Dana McCoskey, Cheryl Morrison, Karen Clark, John A. Darling, Amelia-Juliette Demery, Meredith Everett, Colette Fletcher-Hoppe, Krista M. Nichols, Kim M. Parsons, James Price, Kimberly Puglise, Katie Scholl, Mike K Schwartz, Adam Sepulveda, Janet Shannon, Woody Turner, Timothy White