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Land Management Research Program

By Ecosystems

Large-Scale Restoration Science

Our scientists have decades of experience and extensive knowledge in management and restoration of large systems

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Sage-grouse and Sagebrush Ecosystem

We are a leader in sagebrush ecosystem research

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Wildland Fire Research

USGS Fire Science is fundamental to understanding the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire

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Environments Research

Research to inform the management and conservation of ecosystems across the US

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Our focus is ecosystems, the biological communities of interacting organisms and their physical environment.  Much of our research is about how to restore and manage ecosystems while maximizing their ability to support biodiversity and services (e.g. coastal protection, water availability, pollination, erosion control etc) and preparing for anticipated climate change impacts. 

Large-Scale Restoration Science

A lone fisherman on Diamond Lake, North Dakota

These projects are restoring critical ecosystems and their biological communities, including threatened and endangered species, revitalizing local economies, and improving the quality and safety of life.

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Wildland Fire Research

A wildfire burns through a dense thicket of scraggly pine trees.

Wildfires are a natural process in most regions of the U.S. They serve a vital role in nature but can also be unusually intense, widespread, or frequent. As a result, response and recovery costs are increasing.

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Environments Research

USGS scientists conduct research to inform the management and conservation of ecosystems across the US. Explore our science using the links below.

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This work requires a broad set of capabilities such as identifying stressors, predicting future conditions, developing and evaluating management alternatives, making difficult trade-offs, and predicting fish and wildlife habitat use.  Managing natural resources on behalf of the public usually impacts multiple stakeholders in different ways, so we work with partners to use decision analysis as an approach to structure their decisions and navigate difficult choices in a transparent way.