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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

New backcountry alert system warns Grand Canyon visitors about flash floods in areas without cellular signal

New backcountry alert system warns Grand Canyon visitors about flash floods in areas without cellular signal

Fishing for evidence: How can machine learning help?

Fishing for evidence: How can machine learning help?

Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

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Publications

Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network

Expansion of non-native brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam motivated reevaluation of suppression strategies to minimize potential impacts to native fishes in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Brown trout are one of several non-native fish species of management concern in this river reach, and understanding their natal sources and movement patterns may...
Authors
Michael K. Akland, Karin E. Limburg, Brian Daniel Healy, William E. Pine
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Drought and deluge— Opportunities for climate-change adaptation in US national parks Drought and deluge— Opportunities for climate-change adaptation in US national parks

In a changing climate, resource management depends on anticipating changes and considering uncertainties. To facilitate effective decision making on public lands, we regionally summarized the magnitude and uncertainty of projected change in management-relevant climate variables for 332 national park units across the contiguous US. Temperature, frequency of extreme precipitation events...
Authors
Meagan Ford Oldfather, Amber N. Runyon, Kyra Clark-Wolf, Wynne Emily Moss, Imtiaz Rangwala, Anthony Ciocco, Aparna Bamzai-Dodson, Helen Sofaer, Brian W. Miller
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Long-term geomorphic response of a southwestern USA river following establishment and removal of an invasive riparian tree Long-term geomorphic response of a southwestern USA river following establishment and removal of an invasive riparian tree

Invasion of non-native riparian vegetation along southwestern USA rivers is associated with channel narrowing and simplification, prompting numerous and varied removal efforts. Channel width and migration rate often, but not always, increase following treatment. The cause of this variability and the duration of response is poorly understood. Using flow records and aerial imagery we...
Authors
Michael L. Scott, Erin Williams, Jonathan M. Friedman, John R. Spence, Phoebe B. McNeally
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
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Science

Spawing sockeye salmon in a Matanuska River side channel, Alaska

Fish and Aquatic Ecology

Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Fish and Aquatic Ecology

Fish and Aquatic Ecology

Fish and aquatic habitats in Alaska support important commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries and provide forage fish that support wildlife populations. The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts interdisciplinary research to inform local, state, federal, and international policy makers regarding conservation of fish, aquatic species, and their habitats. We work collaboratively with hydrologists...
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A Bar-tailed Godwit with a Z0 tag on it's leg and a satellite transmitter antenna emerging from rear feathers

Shorebird Research

With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Shorebird Research

Shorebird Research

With its vast size and geographic position at the northern end of several migration pathways, Alaska is a critically important site for the world’s shorebirds. Thirty-seven shorebird species regularly breed in Alaska. Most of these species conduct epically long migrations to take advantage of Alaska’s abundant food resources and breeding habitat, making Alaska a global resource for shorebirds...
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Polar bear mother and two cubs on the Beaufort Sea ice.

Polar Bear Research

Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Polar Bear Research

Polar Bear Research

Polar bears ( Ursus maritimus) are one of 4 marine mammal species managed by the U.S. Department of Interior. The USGS Alaska Science Center leads long–term research on polar bears to inform local, state, national and international policy makers regarding conservation of the species and its habitat. Our studies, ongoing since 1985, are focused on population dynamics, health and energetics...
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