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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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EcoNews

A USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Newsletter

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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. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

A pronghorn stands in front of oil and gas development infrastructure, Vernal, Utah

Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Navigating the Climate Adaptation Toolkit

Navigating the Climate Adaptation Toolkit

Congratulations to Chris Pullano for Winning this Issue's Photo Contest!

Congratulations to Chris Pullano for Winning this Issue's Photo Contest!

Recent Accomplishments: The Skagit

Recent Accomplishments: The Skagit

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Publications

Early season tropical cyclones affect birds breeding on a barrier island Early season tropical cyclones affect birds breeding on a barrier island

Animal populations often experience acute natural disturbances, most of which are connected to short—term weather events. Occurrences of early—season tropical cyclones during the peak of the avian breeding season are likely to increase with climate change, which can substantially impact populations of coastal breeding birds at multiple scales. To understand the acute impacts of severe...
Authors
Theodore Zenzal, Amanda Anderson, Brock Geary, Jessica Schulz, Robert Dobbs, Wylie Barrow, Hardin Waddle
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Toward co-designed Earth System Models: Reflecting end-user priorities in local applications from a modeler's perspective Toward co-designed Earth System Models: Reflecting end-user priorities in local applications from a modeler's perspective

Earth System Models (ESM) are crucial for quantifying climate impacts across Earth's interconnected systems and supporting science-based adaptation and mitigation. However, not including end-users, especially decision-makers representing communities vulnerable to climate change, can limit model utility, increase epistemic risks, and lead to information misuse in decision-making. While...
Authors
Yifan Cheng, Nicole Herman-Mercer, Andrew Newman, Keith Musselman, Cleo Woelfle-Hazard, Dylan Blaskey, Cassandra Brooks, Tvetene Carlson, Joshua Koch, Monica Morrison, Edda A. Mutter, Daniel Sarna-Wojcicki, Peyton Thomas, Jenessa Tlen, Ryan Toohey
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

River ice controls permafrost bank erosion across an Arctic delta River ice controls permafrost bank erosion across an Arctic delta

Bank erosion in Arctic rivers helps shape channel geometry, mobilizes carbon from permafrost and influences sediment delivery to the Arctic Ocean. On Alaska's Arctic coastal plain, rivers begin flowing during snowmelt in late spring while extensive river ice persists in channels, such that hydraulics are altered and water is kept cool. The effects of river ice on permafrost bank erosion...
Authors
J Arcuri, Irina Overeem, Marisa Repasch, R. Anderson, S. Anderson, Joshua Koch, Frank Urban
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
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Science

Reflection on McKinley Lake near Cordova, Alaska

Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings

Recent findings by USGS Alaska Science Center staff and their collaborators.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings

Alaska Science Center Weekly Findings

Recent findings by USGS Alaska Science Center staff and their collaborators.
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Scientist walking up the Akilik River with a minnow trap to catch fish

Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

Permafrost thaw is leading to a myriad of changes in physical and chemical conditions throughout the Arctic.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

Hydro-Ecology of Arctic Thawing (HEAT): Ecology

Permafrost thaw is leading to a myriad of changes in physical and chemical conditions throughout the Arctic.
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Walruses resting on an ice floe

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...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
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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