Images

The Agassiz's desert tortoise, a native of the Mojave Desert.

A pocketbook mussel (Lampsilis cardium). Native freshwater mussels are among the most fascinating, widespread, and endangered animals in fresh waters. They play important ecological roles in our lakes and rivers and their shells are used to produce cultured pearls.

This image of a live silver carp egg specimen was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.

This image of a live silver carp larva was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.

A photomicrograph depicting the siliceous frustules of fifty species of diatoms arranged within a circular shape. The image has been inverted to white on black to bring out details. Diatoms form the base of many marine and aquatic foodchains and upon death, their glassy frustules form sediments known as diatomaceous earth.

The U.S.

Palila (Loxioides bailleui). Photo by USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center.

Wetlands Reserve Program site in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana.  Ten years ago, this landowner worked with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Wetlands Reserve Program to design and construct this slough as part of a plan to restore this field’s natural wetland hydrology.

IGBST researchers are very careful to keep the bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data.

Scientists at the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center view young freshwater mussels through miscroscopes. During laboratory tests, USGS scientists and partners found that the heart and growth rates of some species of young freshwater mussels declined as a result of elevated water temperatures, and many died.

This image of live silver carp larvae was taken with a microscope camera at the USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center. Asian carp are invasive species that could pose substantial environmental risks and economic impacts if they become established.

This image shows an Upper Mississippi River marina covered by excessive duckweed.

A photomicrograph depicting the siliceous tests of ten species of marine radiolarians. Upon death, their tests can form siliceous marine sediments known as radiolarian ooze.

A USGS biological science technician releases an adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) near Barrett Reservoir in southern California.

Location: Near Barrett Reservoir, San Diego County, California. Photo provided courtesy of photographer. Contact photographer for use.

A USGS biological science technician holds an adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) ready for release. The USGS uses solar-powered GPS tags and special 3-D mapping techniques to track the eagles' movements across the landscape.

A USGS biological science technician holds an adult golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) ready for release. The USGS uses solar-powered GPS tags and special 3-D mapping techniques to track the eagles' movements across the landscape.

Taking a break in the fog on the San Joaquin River while trawling aboard the USGS Research Vessel Munson II.

Ecosystems are changing at a rapid pace. It can be difficult to determine if a landscape is in need of restoration. In this photo of the spring wildflower bloom in the Sonoran desert, an invasive annual grass, Bromus rubens (red brome), is pervasive. Land managers have to make decisions about when, where, and how to intervene in a system.

Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.

A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) resting and sunning at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico. This individual is a male, identifiable by the black spot on each hindwing.

A group of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) covers an oyamel fir tree (Abies religiosa) at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico.