USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new science is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using up-to-date, high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. To meet the needs of our partners, USGS is working with land management agencies to develop science synthesis products that are directly relevant to on-the-ground management.
The USGS Land Management Research Program conducts research to strengthen land management actions and inform restoration of priority ecosystems on millions of acres of public lands. USGS science products are developed to inform management on public lands such as National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments, and other important landscapes that support the biodiversity of fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as thriving economies.
Science syntheses integrate knowledge and research and can be a useful mechanism for sharing science information with public land managers to inform their decisions. The USGS is developing science syntheses about a variety of priority topics to support public lands management. These products are often coproduced with resource managers to enhance their applicability to management needs.
Structured Science Syntheses
The USGS has developed a new type of science product—structured science syntheses (SSS)—that facilitates use of science information in public lands decisions. Structured science syntheses are peer-reviewed, published reports that synthesize science information about a priority management issue on public lands. The SSSs are coproduced with resource managers and are structured specifically to align with agency processes that guide public lands decision making, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses.
Fact Sheet: Learn more about the key elements of structured science syntheses
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on wildlife
Oil and gas development is a common source of human-caused noise on public lands, and a growing body of research shows that human-caused noise can affect wildlife health and behavior. In these syntheses, we identify data and analysis methods related to noise emitted from oil and gas development on public lands. Each product then synthesizes science about how industrial and traffic noise can affect wildlife whose habitat is commonly intersected by oil and gas development, including ungulates, small mammals, raptors, and songbirds. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publications:
T.K. Rutherford, L.M. Maxwell, N.J. Kleist, E.C. Teige, R.J. Lehrter, M.A. Gilbert, D.J.A. Wood, A.N. Johnston, C. Mengelt, J.C. Tull, T.S. Haby, S.K. Carter. 2023. Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5114, 44 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235114
Maxwell, L.M., Rutherford, T.K., Kleist, N.J., Teige, E.C., Lehrter, R.J., Gilbert, M.A., Wood, D.J., Johnston, A., Tull, J.C., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., in review, Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of Culverts on Habitat Connectivity in Streams
Culverts are widely used to control water flow where roads and streams intersect. Culverts can alter stream flow and connectivity, potentially impacting habitat availability and movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. Public land managers are tasked with designing culverts in ways that minimize the potential negative environmental impacts from improper design or degradation over time. This synthesis is organized to support public lands decisions around culvert installation, modification, and removal, and focuses on methods that can be used to assess the effects of culverts on fish of the Intermountain West and resources for designing culverts that simulate natural stream conditions. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication: Lehrter, R.J., Rutherford, T.K., Dunham, J.B., Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., 2024, Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5132, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235132
Effects of non-motorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States
Human-powered recreation, such as hiking and mountain biking, occurs on public lands nationwide, and visits to public lands for non-motorized recreation have increased over time. While non-motorized use of public lands can be quiet and non-consumptive, these recreation pursuits often take place in wildlife habitat and have the potential to negatively impact ungulates, such as deer, elk, and mountain goats. The net impacts of non-motorized recreation depend on the type and timing of the activity, the landscape context, ungulate characteristics, habitat quality and background human activities, among other factors. This synthesis provides land managers information to understand these potential effects and possible ways they can be minimized when developing new non-motorized recreational opportunities on public lands. This was a collaborative effort between USGS and the BLM.
Forthcoming Publication: S.E. Jordan, Ganz, T.R., Rutherford, T.K., Masters, E.H., Ratajczak, D.R., Klasner, F.K., Blocker, M.M., Morgan, T.A., Domschke, C.T., Teige, E.C., and Carter, S.K., The effects of nonmotorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States: a science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Climate-informed Structured Science Syntheses
Strengthening the use of climate science information in federal decision making is a priority for federal agencies. However, conducting a comprehensive review of available climate science can be challenging for land managers because staff have limited time to conduct reviews and because of the volume, complexity, and evolving nature of climate science. To address this challenge, several syntheses will be developed to help land managers understand and assess the influences of changing climate conditions on resources. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, and Colorado State University.
Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains
The ecology of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) has been well studied in relatively hot, dry regions of the Great Basin, an area notable for having high risk of establishment and expansion of IAGs following fire and other disturbances to vegetation communities. However, there is growing concern about unintentional spread of IAGs from vegetation treatments in cooler, wetter regions considered more resilient and resistant to annual grass invasion. This synthesis summarizes science information on IAGs in the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains, focusing on potential changes in distribution following vegetation treatments, effects of climate change, and techniques for assessing and limiting the risk of IAG spreading from vegetation treatments. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Forthcoming Publication: Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Ebenhoch, K., Rutherford, T.K., Maxwell, L.M., and Carter, S.K., in review, Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the Middle Rockies and Northwestern Great Plains—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of targeted grazing on cheatgrass in the sagebrush biome
The invasive annual grass cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) disrupts ecosystem functionality and reducing its prevalence has been a management focus for many western federal agencies. While herbicide applications are the most used strategy for managing cheatgrass, targeted grazing is another potential rangeland management tool that can be employed. This product synthesizes research on the effects of targeted grazing on both cheatgrass as well as native or desired vegetation and identifies considerations regarding implementation and monitoring of targeted grazing activities. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS, BLM, and USFWS.
Additional Science Syntheses
Below is a list of additional synthesis products, currently available or in development. Each item includes a brief overview of the content, and links to products or related websites where available.
Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management
The body of scientific information around climate change is vast and changing rapidly. This synthesis is intended to be a starting point for public land managers, particularly BLM, in the sagebrush region for considering climate change when making land management decisions. This synthesis provides a description of climate-related data resources and summarizes the current state of knowledge on potential climate change impacts in sagebrush ecosystems, as well as information about the consequences of these changes for individual plants, plant communities, and disturbances, such as fire and drought. To help land managers connect climate change impacts to the resources they manage, this synthesis also explores the impacts of climate-driven vegetation changes to a variety of permitted uses and activities in sagebrush habitats managed by federal agencies. This was a collaborative effort between the US Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and Yale University.
Forthcoming Publication: Carpenter, S., Holdredge, M., Schlaepfer, D.R., Phillips, J., Griffin, P., Lauenroth, W., Bradford, J.B., Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management.
Synthesis of piñon-juniper woodland die-off
Hotter droughts and insect outbreaks are leading to mass die-off events of trees, altering the structure, composition, and function of forest and woodland ecosystems globally. This project is synthesizing aerial surveys of tree mortality to better understand the patterns and drivers of pinyon-juniper die-off across the Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. The data will be used to develop forecast models of future pinyon-juniper mortality, allowing for rapid management responses to die-off events. Forecasts could inform actions involving fuelwood permitting, ecosystem restoration, or wildlife habitat quality. This is a collaboration between the USGS, the University of Florida, and the BLM.
Website: Synthesis and Forecasts of Piñon-Juniper Woodland Die-off | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Metrics for post-fire restoration success in sagebrush-steppe and related contexts
Restoration efforts that reduce invasive annual grasses and maintain or increase the presence of perennial vegetation are a critical part of the strategy to prevent or break the annual grass-fire cycle in the sagebrush steppe. However, restoration is challenging and there are many cases of mixed results, highlighting the importance of evaluating success through time and adapting management as necessary. This synthesis focuses on post-fire restoration actions and summarizes steps land managers can take to determine restoration objectives, monitor and evaluate the success of their treatments, and make decisions about reintroducing grazing after fire. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS and the BLM.
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
Synthesis and Forecasts of Piñon-Juniper Woodland Die-off
Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new science is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using up-to-date, high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. To meet the needs of our partners, USGS is working with land management agencies to develop science synthesis products that are directly relevant to on-the-ground management.
The USGS Land Management Research Program conducts research to strengthen land management actions and inform restoration of priority ecosystems on millions of acres of public lands. USGS science products are developed to inform management on public lands such as National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Monuments, and other important landscapes that support the biodiversity of fish, wildlife, and plant species, as well as thriving economies.
Science syntheses integrate knowledge and research and can be a useful mechanism for sharing science information with public land managers to inform their decisions. The USGS is developing science syntheses about a variety of priority topics to support public lands management. These products are often coproduced with resource managers to enhance their applicability to management needs.
Structured Science Syntheses
The USGS has developed a new type of science product—structured science syntheses (SSS)—that facilitates use of science information in public lands decisions. Structured science syntheses are peer-reviewed, published reports that synthesize science information about a priority management issue on public lands. The SSSs are coproduced with resource managers and are structured specifically to align with agency processes that guide public lands decision making, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses.
Fact Sheet: Learn more about the key elements of structured science syntheses
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on wildlife
Oil and gas development is a common source of human-caused noise on public lands, and a growing body of research shows that human-caused noise can affect wildlife health and behavior. In these syntheses, we identify data and analysis methods related to noise emitted from oil and gas development on public lands. Each product then synthesizes science about how industrial and traffic noise can affect wildlife whose habitat is commonly intersected by oil and gas development, including ungulates, small mammals, raptors, and songbirds. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publications:
T.K. Rutherford, L.M. Maxwell, N.J. Kleist, E.C. Teige, R.J. Lehrter, M.A. Gilbert, D.J.A. Wood, A.N. Johnston, C. Mengelt, J.C. Tull, T.S. Haby, S.K. Carter. 2023. Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5114, 44 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235114
Maxwell, L.M., Rutherford, T.K., Kleist, N.J., Teige, E.C., Lehrter, R.J., Gilbert, M.A., Wood, D.J., Johnston, A., Tull, J.C., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., in review, Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of Culverts on Habitat Connectivity in Streams
Culverts are widely used to control water flow where roads and streams intersect. Culverts can alter stream flow and connectivity, potentially impacting habitat availability and movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. Public land managers are tasked with designing culverts in ways that minimize the potential negative environmental impacts from improper design or degradation over time. This synthesis is organized to support public lands decisions around culvert installation, modification, and removal, and focuses on methods that can be used to assess the effects of culverts on fish of the Intermountain West and resources for designing culverts that simulate natural stream conditions. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Publication: Lehrter, R.J., Rutherford, T.K., Dunham, J.B., Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Haby, T.S., and Carter, S.K., 2024, Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2023–5132, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20235132
Effects of non-motorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States
Human-powered recreation, such as hiking and mountain biking, occurs on public lands nationwide, and visits to public lands for non-motorized recreation have increased over time. While non-motorized use of public lands can be quiet and non-consumptive, these recreation pursuits often take place in wildlife habitat and have the potential to negatively impact ungulates, such as deer, elk, and mountain goats. The net impacts of non-motorized recreation depend on the type and timing of the activity, the landscape context, ungulate characteristics, habitat quality and background human activities, among other factors. This synthesis provides land managers information to understand these potential effects and possible ways they can be minimized when developing new non-motorized recreational opportunities on public lands. This was a collaborative effort between USGS and the BLM.
Forthcoming Publication: S.E. Jordan, Ganz, T.R., Rutherford, T.K., Masters, E.H., Ratajczak, D.R., Klasner, F.K., Blocker, M.M., Morgan, T.A., Domschke, C.T., Teige, E.C., and Carter, S.K., The effects of nonmotorized recreation on ungulates in the western United States: a science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Climate-informed Structured Science Syntheses
Strengthening the use of climate science information in federal decision making is a priority for federal agencies. However, conducting a comprehensive review of available climate science can be challenging for land managers because staff have limited time to conduct reviews and because of the volume, complexity, and evolving nature of climate science. To address this challenge, several syntheses will be developed to help land managers understand and assess the influences of changing climate conditions on resources. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, and Colorado State University.
Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains
The ecology of invasive annual grasses (IAGs) has been well studied in relatively hot, dry regions of the Great Basin, an area notable for having high risk of establishment and expansion of IAGs following fire and other disturbances to vegetation communities. However, there is growing concern about unintentional spread of IAGs from vegetation treatments in cooler, wetter regions considered more resilient and resistant to annual grass invasion. This synthesis summarizes science information on IAGs in the middle Rockies and northwestern Great Plains, focusing on potential changes in distribution following vegetation treatments, effects of climate change, and techniques for assessing and limiting the risk of IAG spreading from vegetation treatments. This was a collaborative effort between the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Forthcoming Publication: Johnston, A.N., Wood, D.J.A., Ebenhoch, K., Rutherford, T.K., Maxwell, L.M., and Carter, S.K., in review, Potential risks of spreading invasive annual grasses from vegetation treatments in sagebrush and grassland ecosystems of the Middle Rockies and Northwestern Great Plains—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report.
Effects of targeted grazing on cheatgrass in the sagebrush biome
The invasive annual grass cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) disrupts ecosystem functionality and reducing its prevalence has been a management focus for many western federal agencies. While herbicide applications are the most used strategy for managing cheatgrass, targeted grazing is another potential rangeland management tool that can be employed. This product synthesizes research on the effects of targeted grazing on both cheatgrass as well as native or desired vegetation and identifies considerations regarding implementation and monitoring of targeted grazing activities. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS, BLM, and USFWS.
Additional Science Syntheses
Below is a list of additional synthesis products, currently available or in development. Each item includes a brief overview of the content, and links to products or related websites where available.
Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management
The body of scientific information around climate change is vast and changing rapidly. This synthesis is intended to be a starting point for public land managers, particularly BLM, in the sagebrush region for considering climate change when making land management decisions. This synthesis provides a description of climate-related data resources and summarizes the current state of knowledge on potential climate change impacts in sagebrush ecosystems, as well as information about the consequences of these changes for individual plants, plant communities, and disturbances, such as fire and drought. To help land managers connect climate change impacts to the resources they manage, this synthesis also explores the impacts of climate-driven vegetation changes to a variety of permitted uses and activities in sagebrush habitats managed by federal agencies. This was a collaborative effort between the US Geological Survey, the Bureau of Land Management, and Yale University.
Forthcoming Publication: Carpenter, S., Holdredge, M., Schlaepfer, D.R., Phillips, J., Griffin, P., Lauenroth, W., Bradford, J.B., Climate change impacts on big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) vegetation: a science synthesis to inform BLM resource management.
Synthesis of piñon-juniper woodland die-off
Hotter droughts and insect outbreaks are leading to mass die-off events of trees, altering the structure, composition, and function of forest and woodland ecosystems globally. This project is synthesizing aerial surveys of tree mortality to better understand the patterns and drivers of pinyon-juniper die-off across the Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona. The data will be used to develop forecast models of future pinyon-juniper mortality, allowing for rapid management responses to die-off events. Forecasts could inform actions involving fuelwood permitting, ecosystem restoration, or wildlife habitat quality. This is a collaboration between the USGS, the University of Florida, and the BLM.
Website: Synthesis and Forecasts of Piñon-Juniper Woodland Die-off | U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov)
Metrics for post-fire restoration success in sagebrush-steppe and related contexts
Restoration efforts that reduce invasive annual grasses and maintain or increase the presence of perennial vegetation are a critical part of the strategy to prevent or break the annual grass-fire cycle in the sagebrush steppe. However, restoration is challenging and there are many cases of mixed results, highlighting the importance of evaluating success through time and adapting management as necessary. This synthesis focuses on post-fire restoration actions and summarizes steps land managers can take to determine restoration objectives, monitor and evaluate the success of their treatments, and make decisions about reintroducing grazing after fire. This is a collaborative effort between the USGS and the BLM.