Scientists at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center have been working on vaccines to protect bats from diseases like such as rabies and white-nose syndrome. The most promising method is called orotopical vaccination. By applying the vaccine to the bat’s muzzle, the gel-based vaccine is spread to others in the colony through grooming.
Multimedia
Below are multimedia (photos, graphics, audio, and video) associated with the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Be certain to check out Outstanding in the Field, an original podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Images
Ring Vaccination - Rabies and Vampire Bats
Scientists at the USGS National Wildlife Health Center have been working on vaccines to protect bats from diseases like such as rabies and white-nose syndrome. The most promising method is called orotopical vaccination. By applying the vaccine to the bat’s muzzle, the gel-based vaccine is spread to others in the colony through grooming.
Scientists investigate pathogens in salamanders
A USGS scientist examines microorganisms from salamander skin to investigate for potential pathogens.
A USGS scientist examines microorganisms from salamander skin to investigate for potential pathogens.
Scientists investigate pathogens in salamanders
A USGS scientist reaches for a microbiological plate with cultures from salamander skin to investigate for potential pathogens.
A USGS scientist reaches for a microbiological plate with cultures from salamander skin to investigate for potential pathogens.
Scientists investigate pathogens in salamanders
A USGS scientist examines a skin sample from a salamander as part of a study to investigate for potential pathogens.
A USGS scientist examines a skin sample from a salamander as part of a study to investigate for potential pathogens.
Scientists investigate pathogens in salamanders
A USGS scientist prepares to analyze a skin swab from a salamander to investigate for potential pathogens.
A USGS scientist prepares to analyze a skin swab from a salamander to investigate for potential pathogens.
Exterior of FIDO: A new eDNA sampler
The exterior of FIDO, a new instrument developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the USGS Rapid eDNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative and Network (READI-Net) project.
The exterior of FIDO, a new instrument developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the USGS Rapid eDNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative and Network (READI-Net) project.
Videos
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Kugururok River, Alaska
This is B-roll video of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska from August 30, 2025.
This is B-roll video of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska from August 30, 2025.
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Igning River, Alaska
This is B-roll video of the Igning River, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska from August 26, 2024.
This is B-roll video of the Igning River, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska from August 26, 2024.
Social Science Perspectives on RAD Webinar
RAD is intended to help managers intentionally expand their thinking beyond traditional conservation approaches. Recent interdisciplinary and cross-agency research has integrated the social sciences to explore how and why managers are making RAD decisions.
RAD is intended to help managers intentionally expand their thinking beyond traditional conservation approaches. Recent interdisciplinary and cross-agency research has integrated the social sciences to explore how and why managers are making RAD decisions.
Juvenile Sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR
This is a video of a juvenile sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR. Through decades of research, scientists at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center have determined that over the last 30 years something has prevented young suckers from reaching adulthood. Scientists work tirelessly to find the cause of this break in recruitment into adulthood.
This is a video of a juvenile sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR. Through decades of research, scientists at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center have determined that over the last 30 years something has prevented young suckers from reaching adulthood. Scientists work tirelessly to find the cause of this break in recruitment into adulthood.
Unexpected Lessons from Invasive Adirondack Smallmouth Bass
Unexpected Lessons from Invasive Adirondack Smallmouth BassDecades of invasive smallmouth bass removal from the Adirondacks resulted in a novel discovery of rapid evolution. Despite the absence of a clear physiological adaptation pathway, intensive manual removal produced a larger population of the invasive predatory fish, growing faster and maturing earlier.
Unexpected Lessons from Invasive Adirondack Smallmouth Bass
Unexpected Lessons from Invasive Adirondack Smallmouth BassDecades of invasive smallmouth bass removal from the Adirondacks resulted in a novel discovery of rapid evolution. Despite the absence of a clear physiological adaptation pathway, intensive manual removal produced a larger population of the invasive predatory fish, growing faster and maturing earlier.
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change (AD)
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change (AD)Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change (AD)
Climate Refugia: A Buffer from Climate Change (AD)Climate refugia are places that may be buffered from and likely won’t change as much under climate change. Focusing research on these areas may offer resource managers more conservation and management options.
Audio
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural Communities
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural CommunitiesThis is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural Communities
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural CommunitiesThis is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 10, Bats
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
USGS Outstanding in the Field: Biocrusts (Ep. 9)
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin ice
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin iceThis is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin ice
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin iceThis is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the Swamp
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the SwampIn this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the Swamp
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the SwampIn this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.