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See our science through the images below.
Snags provide habitat for a wide range of organisms from cavity-nesting birds to insects, and are critical for maintaining forest biodiversity. Resource managers can create snags by topping trees to mitigate loss of snags to timber harvest, but information regarding changes in habitat for snag-dependent wildlife over time as created snags decay is lacking.
Snags provide habitat for a wide range of organisms from cavity-nesting birds to insects, and are critical for maintaining forest biodiversity. Resource managers can create snags by topping trees to mitigate loss of snags to timber harvest, but information regarding changes in habitat for snag-dependent wildlife over time as created snags decay is lacking.
Pallid sturgeon larvae at 14 days post hatch. On agerage, pallid sturgeon transition to active feeding at approximately 16 to 18 millimeters (about 0.7 inch).
Pallid sturgeon larvae at 14 days post hatch. On agerage, pallid sturgeon transition to active feeding at approximately 16 to 18 millimeters (about 0.7 inch).
Pallid sturgeon free embryo at 2 days post hatch. At two days after hatching the free embryos are generally 9 to 11 millimeters (0.35 to 0.45 inch).
Pallid sturgeon free embryo at 2 days post hatch. At two days after hatching the free embryos are generally 9 to 11 millimeters (0.35 to 0.45 inch).
Northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) are mostly non-migratory, long-lived birds whose populations have declined in mature forests of western North America.
Northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) are mostly non-migratory, long-lived birds whose populations have declined in mature forests of western North America.
A Ph.D. student setting up a trap to capture bees.
A Ph.D. student setting up a trap to capture bees.
A large giant African land snail sitting on a gloved hand. The snail is approximately 8 inches long and covers the entire hand.
A large giant African land snail sitting on a gloved hand. The snail is approximately 8 inches long and covers the entire hand.
A Megachile bee on a primrose flower.
A Megachile bee on a primrose flower.
Researchers emptying a set of traps. The team uses a hand-net to capture larger bees observed along the transects. The same approach is used in the non-powerline land cover types to survey bees in those land covers.
Researchers emptying a set of traps. The team uses a hand-net to capture larger bees observed along the transects. The same approach is used in the non-powerline land cover types to survey bees in those land covers.
Powerline sites with the trap arrangement (small bowls with soapy water hanging from a frame; the bees are attracted to and get entrapped in the water).
Powerline sites with the trap arrangement (small bowls with soapy water hanging from a frame; the bees are attracted to and get entrapped in the water).
Pink-footed shearwater in its breeding colony in Chile. USGS scientists have been tracking pink-footed shearwaters with satellite transmitters since 2006, revealing the migration patterns shown in the graphic below.
Pink-footed shearwater in its breeding colony in Chile. USGS scientists have been tracking pink-footed shearwaters with satellite transmitters since 2006, revealing the migration patterns shown in the graphic below.
Pink-footed shearwater in its breeding colony in Chile. USGS scientists have been tracking pink-footed shearwaters with satellite transmitters since 2006, revealing the migration patterns shown in the graphic below.
Pink-footed shearwater in its breeding colony in Chile. USGS scientists have been tracking pink-footed shearwaters with satellite transmitters since 2006, revealing the migration patterns shown in the graphic below.
Lake sturgeon free embryos at 3 days post hatch. Free embryos at this stage have only a rudimentary mouth, their pectoral fins are only beginning to develop, and they rely on a large yolk sac for food.
Lake sturgeon free embryos at 3 days post hatch. Free embryos at this stage have only a rudimentary mouth, their pectoral fins are only beginning to develop, and they rely on a large yolk sac for food.
Newly hatched lake sturgeon free embryos. Sturgeon embryos hatch without well-developed eyes, mouth, or fins and rely on a large yolk sac to fuel rapid early development.
Newly hatched lake sturgeon free embryos. Sturgeon embryos hatch without well-developed eyes, mouth, or fins and rely on a large yolk sac to fuel rapid early development.
A Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
A Black-capped Chickadee with a severely deformed beak where the upper beak is elongated and curved down while the lower beak is elongated and straight. Over the past 26 years, Alaskans have witnessed a startling increase of beak deformities among Black-capped Chickadees and other species of resident birds.
Laboratory technician Amelia Ulmer filters water collected in the field, to be analyzed for environmental DNA in the laboratory of Dr. Margaret Hunter. This sample was tested for Burmese python eDNA, in a process similar to that developed by Dr. Hunter for manatee eDNA.
Laboratory technician Amelia Ulmer filters water collected in the field, to be analyzed for environmental DNA in the laboratory of Dr. Margaret Hunter. This sample was tested for Burmese python eDNA, in a process similar to that developed by Dr. Hunter for manatee eDNA.
Image of the Chickasha wastewater treatment plant taken as part of a study to understand the runoff of contaminants in wastewater applied to an agricultural field.
Image of the Chickasha wastewater treatment plant taken as part of a study to understand the runoff of contaminants in wastewater applied to an agricultural field.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
In drylands, short-term extreme droughts can have profound ecosystem effects. In this study, we are examining the impacts of extreme seasonal drought on grassland communities of the Colorado Plateau & recovery from drought.
One of six experimental stream segments used to study the dispersal of free embryo sturgeon at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. The stream segment is 5 meters long and 0.5 meters wide, and is filled with cobble-sized rock to a depth of 12 centimeters. Streams are covered during studies.
One of six experimental stream segments used to study the dispersal of free embryo sturgeon at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. The stream segment is 5 meters long and 0.5 meters wide, and is filled with cobble-sized rock to a depth of 12 centimeters. Streams are covered during studies.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting several crusty ventral scales from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting several crusty ventral scales from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting ulceration of the skin on the head from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting ulceration of the skin on the head from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting numerous nodules overlaid by roughened skin on the dorsal surface from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.
A juvenile Broad-banded Watersnake that tested positive for snake fungal disease (SFD) exhibiting numerous nodules overlaid by roughened skin on the dorsal surface from St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. SFD has proven lethal in many snakes, and the disease is recognized as an emerging threat to wild snake populations.