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See our science through the images below.

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Photo of the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) ‘Tethys’
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) ‘Tethys’
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) ‘Tethys’
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) ‘Tethys’

The USGS along with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) funded a pilot study to use a long-range AUV to study limnology of Lake Michigan. The AUV is pictured here being deployed in Lake Michigan to document variation in algae productivity at a whole-lake scale and compare 3-D spatial patterns in chlorophyll a to satellite estimates.

The USGS along with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) funded a pilot study to use a long-range AUV to study limnology of Lake Michigan. The AUV is pictured here being deployed in Lake Michigan to document variation in algae productivity at a whole-lake scale and compare 3-D spatial patterns in chlorophyll a to satellite estimates.

two otters - a baby and mom - relax on their backs in Glacier Bay, AK
Otter mom feed pup in Glacier Bay, AK
Otter mom feed pup in Glacier Bay, AK
Otter mom feed pup in Glacier Bay, AK

A sea otter mother feeds her pup in Glacier Bay, Alaska. USGS researchers study sea otter distribution and abundance in Alaska and other parts of the country.

A sea otter mother feeds her pup in Glacier Bay, Alaska. USGS researchers study sea otter distribution and abundance in Alaska and other parts of the country.

Aquatic insect eggs laid on a rock at the water line in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Aquatic insect eggs just above the waterline along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Aquatic insect eggs just above the waterline along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Aquatic insect eggs just above the waterline along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon

Aquatic insect eggs are laid on rocks just at the waterline along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and here they are exposed as the water levels fluctuate. Aquatic insects are an important part of the food base in the Colorado River, providing food for fish, bats, and birds. Aquatic insects need to stay damp to survive and hatch.

Aquatic insect eggs are laid on rocks just at the waterline along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon and here they are exposed as the water levels fluctuate. Aquatic insects are an important part of the food base in the Colorado River, providing food for fish, bats, and birds. Aquatic insects need to stay damp to survive and hatch.

A spotted lizard shaped animal with red, frilly gills at the base of its head is in shallow water
Gulf Coast Waterdog - Necturus beyeri
Gulf Coast Waterdog - Necturus beyeri
Gulf Coast Waterdog - Necturus beyeri

Source: USGS National Wetlands Research Center. Photographer: Brad M. Glorioso. St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

Necturus beyeri - Gulf Coast Waterdog

Source: USGS National Wetlands Research Center. Photographer: Brad M. Glorioso. St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

Necturus beyeri - Gulf Coast Waterdog

A dark salamander with bright blue spots rest on a moss-covered log
Blue spotted salamander
Blue spotted salamander
Blue spotted salamander

Eastern Iowa Ambystoma laterale - Blue-spotted Salamander. USGS ARMI photo by Evan S. Grimes

Eastern Iowa Ambystoma laterale - Blue-spotted Salamander. USGS ARMI photo by Evan S. Grimes

bee approaching a flower
Male leafcutting bee (Megachile) approaching an Origanum
Male leafcutting bee (Megachile) approaching an Origanum
Male leafcutting bee (Megachile) approaching an Origanum

The alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) is an introduced species common to Southwest Idaho. They originate from the old world, most likely from northeastern Africa or the Middle East. These bees are successful pollinators of various crops and have been imported to North America for use in agriculture and beekeeping.

The alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) is an introduced species common to Southwest Idaho. They originate from the old world, most likely from northeastern Africa or the Middle East. These bees are successful pollinators of various crops and have been imported to North America for use in agriculture and beekeeping.

Satellite photos of Cape San Blas, Florida before and after Hurricane Michael
Cape San Blas Road, before and after a Category 5 hurricane
Cape San Blas Road, before and after a Category 5 hurricane
Cape San Blas Road, before and after a Category 5 hurricane

These two NOAA satellite images show Cape San Blas Road in the Florida Panhandle town of Cape San Blas before Hurricane Michael, and after the Category 5 storm. The red circle shows where the USGS sea turtle researchers' field station and seasonal home once stood. The building was demolished down to the concrete slab.

These two NOAA satellite images show Cape San Blas Road in the Florida Panhandle town of Cape San Blas before Hurricane Michael, and after the Category 5 storm. The red circle shows where the USGS sea turtle researchers' field station and seasonal home once stood. The building was demolished down to the concrete slab.

USGS presentation title slide for GenEst, A Generalized Estimator of Mortality
Slide 1 26Nov2018 NWCC GenEst Workshop
Slide 1 26Nov2018 NWCC GenEst Workshop
Slide 1 26Nov2018 NWCC GenEst Workshop

Opening slide for the Intro to GenEst, A Generalized Estimator of Mortality, Workshop held at the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative's Wind Wildlife Research Meeting XII on November 26, 2018 in St. Paul Minnesota.

Opening slide for the Intro to GenEst, A Generalized Estimator of Mortality, Workshop held at the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative's Wind Wildlife Research Meeting XII on November 26, 2018 in St. Paul Minnesota.

owl
Burrowing Owl at LAX Dunes Preserve
Burrowing Owl at LAX Dunes Preserve
Burrowing Owl at LAX Dunes Preserve

A burrowing owl, captured by a wildlife camera, standing next to the enterence of its den.

Manatee Health Assessment
Manatee Health Assessment
Manatee Health Assessment
Manatee Health Assessment

USGS conducts a health assessment on a mantee in Crystal River, Florida.

A dead golden eagle with a transmitter attached to its back lays on a rock and grass covered hillside. Snow is shown in the b
Dead golden eagle with transmitter
Dead golden eagle with transmitter
Dead golden eagle with transmitter

In August of 2018 this adult female golden eagle was captured and outfitted with a GPS transmitter. You can see the transmitter on the eagle’s back, below the head. This was the first golden eagle ever captured as part of a research project in Yellowstone National Park.

In August of 2018 this adult female golden eagle was captured and outfitted with a GPS transmitter. You can see the transmitter on the eagle’s back, below the head. This was the first golden eagle ever captured as part of a research project in Yellowstone National Park.

A vegetated sandy coastline with water at low tide, and a strip of land in the distance with houses
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island, Alabama

A view of a vegetated inland coastline overlooking the water on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The island protects mainland Alabama’s coastal communities and resources from storms, while also providing recreational opportunities (fishing, beach tourism, etc.) and other economic benefits to the local community and state.

A view of a vegetated inland coastline overlooking the water on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The island protects mainland Alabama’s coastal communities and resources from storms, while also providing recreational opportunities (fishing, beach tourism, etc.) and other economic benefits to the local community and state.

A low-lying, flat sandy area with water on both sides and a bridge in the distance
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island, Alabama

A panoramic view on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The island protects mainland Alabama’s coastal communities and resources from storms, while also providing recreational opportunities (fishing, beach tourism, etc.) and other economic benefits to the local community and state.

A panoramic view on Dauphin Island, Alabama. The island protects mainland Alabama’s coastal communities and resources from storms, while also providing recreational opportunities (fishing, beach tourism, etc.) and other economic benefits to the local community and state.

Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines (a), and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine (b). (From Cryan et al., Animals 2022, 12(1)
Wind_turbines_thermal_cams_UV_lights_P_Cryan.JPG
Wind_turbines_thermal_cams_UV_lights_P_Cryan.JPG
Wind_turbines_thermal_cams_UV_lights_P_Cryan.JPG

Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine. 

Bat, bird, and insect activity can be monitored with pairs of thermal-imaging cameras mounted on the wind turbines, and automatically recorded to a computer inside the base of the turbine. 

Four pits filled with water.
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. Here, pits have filled with water, illustrating how this technique increases soil moisture by capturing rainwater.

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. Here, pits have filled with water, illustrating how this technique increases soil moisture by capturing rainwater.

Wire crosses, called ConMods installed at a RestoreNet site.
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. Here, metal crosses create an above-ground microsite that can increase soil moisture by providing shade and collecting debris under some conditions.

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. Here, metal crosses create an above-ground microsite that can increase soil moisture by providing shade and collecting debris under some conditions.

Mulch treatment
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments
RestoreNet treatments

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. This photo shows the mulching treatment, which can increase soil moisture and lead to higher plant survival under some conditions.

RestoreNet locations are testing commonly used restoration techniques, including pitting, mulching, and above-ground micro sites. This photo shows the mulching treatment, which can increase soil moisture and lead to higher plant survival under some conditions.

A broken foundation where the Cape San Blas house stood
A broken slab is all that's left of Fish Inn after Hurricane Michael
A broken slab is all that's left of Fish Inn after Hurricane Michael
A broken slab is all that's left of Fish Inn after Hurricane Michael

A broken concrete foundation and some shattered floor tiles were all that remained of the sea turtle researchers' field station and home base after Category Four Hurricane Michael struck Cape San Blas on Oct. 10, 2018.

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