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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

News

Bats of the California Coast and Beyond!

Bats of the California Coast and Beyond!

Exclusive: Artificial Light and Salmon

Exclusive: Artificial Light and Salmon

FORT Updates: From Plains to Peaks - Vol. 4 | Issue 3

FORT Updates: From Plains to Peaks - Vol. 4 | Issue 3

Publications

Spatial ecology and recovery patterns of a translocated mammal community in southern Africa Spatial ecology and recovery patterns of a translocated mammal community in southern Africa

Conservation translocations are an increasingly common tool to restore wildlife populations within protected areas. Along with identifying and mitigating threats, post-release monitoring allows managers to evaluate recovery effectiveness and improve success rates. Multispecies translocations present challenges in monitoring design, data processing, and analysis. Camera traps coupled with...
Authors
Cara L. Appel, Damon B. Lesmeister, Alinafe Chibwana, Raymond J. Davis, Samuel Kamoto, John Kerkering, Marnet Ngosi, Dave Robertson, Charles B. Yackulic, Taal Levi

Diet and trophic ecology of invasive Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus in an eastern shore tributary of the Chesapeake Bay Diet and trophic ecology of invasive Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus in an eastern shore tributary of the Chesapeake Bay

Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus were first introduced to Virginia tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s and have greatly expanded in population size and distribution, prompting ecological and economic concerns. This study investigates the diet and trophic ecology of invasive Blue Catfish in tidal, low-salinity reaches of the Nanticoke River and Marshyhope Creek, on the...
Authors
Zachary Crum, Clayton D. Raines, Christine Densmore, Regina Trott, Rodney T. Richardson, Christina Bradley, Corbin David Hilling, Noah R. Bressman

Phenological flexibility in nesting grassland birds over a half century informs timing of management Phenological flexibility in nesting grassland birds over a half century informs timing of management

The timing of biological events for wildlife species reflects and influences ecological and evolutionary processes and helps guide management actions to meet conservation objectives. Climate change may cause phenological shifts across trophic levels and ecosystems, which can have broad ecological impacts. Shifts may also result in mistiming between management practices based on...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Lawrence D. Igl, Garrett J. MacDonald, Neal D. Niemuth, Aaron T. Pearse, Jill A. Shaffer, Christine A. Ribic, Josh L. Vest, Masanori Abe, Daniel S. Ackerman, Marissa A. Ahlering, Johanna N. Alpert, Anahit Amiri, Kent Andersson, Jacqueline K. Augustine, Kristel K. Bakker, Jeffrey L. Beck, Adam C. Behney, Jacy S. Bernath-Plaisted, Todd R. Bogenschutz, Eric K. Bollinger, Lauren E. Bortolotti, Andrew J. Boyce, Jeffrey D. Brawn, Fred C. Bryant, Andrew J. Campomizzi, Jay D. Carlisle, J. Matthew Carroll, Rachel Carroll, John P. Carroll, Justin R. Clarke, Michael R. Conover, Reesa Y. Conrey, Jaime J. Coon, Kyle A. Cutting, Stephen K. Davis, Dawn M. Davis, Duane R. Diefenbach, Jonathan B. Dinkins, R. Andrew Dreelin, Victoria J. Dreitz, Courtney J. Duchardt, Michael W. Eichholz, Susan N. Ellis-Felege, Kevin S. Ellison, Bradley C. Fedy, Samantha R. Fino, Robert J. Fletcher, Dillon T. Fogarty, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, Pamela R. Garrettson, Robert J. Gates, Erin L. Gelling, James J. Giocomo, Alex Glass, Cheri L. Gratto-Trevor, Kirsty E.B. Gurney, Ryan D. Haffele, Christian A. Hagen, Vanessa B. Harriman, Samuel W.H. Harryman, David A. Haukos, Robert Thomas Haynam, Heather A. Herakovich, James R. Herkert, Fidel Hernández, Jason M. Hill, H. Jeffrey Homan, Torre J. Hovick, Jonathan A. Jenks, William F. Jensen, Aaron N. Johnston, Sydney-Marie Jones, Carly S. Kelly, Kaylan M. Kemink, Silka L.F. Kempema, Dylan C. Kesler, Christopher P. Kirol, Robert W. Klaver, Page E. Klug, Jesse L. Kolar, Nicola Koper, Kyle J. Kuechle, Jonathan D. Lautenbach, Zoe M. Lebrun-Southcott, David W. Londe, Scott R. Loss, Cullen M. Mackenzie, Patrick A. Magee, Douglas L. Manzer, John P. McCarty, Gwyn McKee, Ann E. McKellar, Lance B. McNew, James R. Miller, Megan C. Milligan, Ashlee K. Minor, Rocco J. Murano, Les D. Murray, David E. Naugle, Clayton K. Nielsen, Christopher J. Norment, Sarah B. Ogden, Lindsey A. Parsons, Brian D. Peer, Noah G. Perlut, James C. Pitman, Christopher D. Pollentier, Larkin A. Powell, Aaron C. Pratt, John P. Pulliam, Nancy M. Raginski, Dan L. Reinking, Kaitlyn M. Reintsma, Terry Z. Riley, Kevin M. Ringelman, Joseph R. Robb, Scott K. Robinson, Andres N. Rosales, Charlotte L. Roy, Kayla A. Ruth, Brett K. Sandercock, Kevin K. Sedivec, Steve K. Sherrod, Justin J. Shew, Mason L. Sieges, Jenny L. Sika, Susan K. Skagen, Cassandra G. Skaggs, Joseph Smith, Jennifer A. Smith, Kurt T. Smith, Alex J. Solem, Joshua D. Stafford, Glenn E. Stauffer, Matthew D. Stephenson, Lee Sutcliffe, Amber E. Swicegood, Jason D. Tack, Evan P. Tanner, Catrina V. Terry, Wendy P. Tori, Ashley M. Unger, Kelly R. VanBeek, William E. Vetter, Jay A VonBank, Brett L. Walker, Michael D. Whitson, Maiken Winter, Kimberly A. With, Donald H. Wolfe, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Benjamin Zuckerberg

Science

Exploring the Feasibility of Genetic Biocontrol Applications for the Invasive Burmese Python in the Greater Everglades of Florida

The USGS is exploring possible genetic methods to help address the invasive Burmese python in southern Florida.
Exploring the Feasibility of Genetic Biocontrol Applications for the Invasive Burmese Python in the Greater Everglades of Florida

Exploring the Feasibility of Genetic Biocontrol Applications for the Invasive Burmese Python in the Greater Everglades of Florida

The USGS is exploring possible genetic methods to help address the invasive Burmese python in southern Florida.
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Species We Study: Birds

To understand information needs and respond to the many challenges in bird conservation, USGS scien­tists participate in Flyway committees, on Joint Venture boards and working groups, in professional organizations, and in other conservation partnerships. These activities con­nect USGS scientists to conservation partners with whom they work to address substantial challenges. More than one hundred...
Species We Study: Birds

Species We Study: Birds

To understand information needs and respond to the many challenges in bird conservation, USGS scien­tists participate in Flyway committees, on Joint Venture boards and working groups, in professional organizations, and in other conservation partnerships. These activities con­nect USGS scientists to conservation partners with whom they work to address substantial challenges. More than one hundred...
Learn More

Walrus Research

The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
Walrus Research

Walrus Research

The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
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