Publications
This list of publications includes peer-review journal articles, official USGS publications series, reports and more authored by scientists in the Ecosystems Mission Area. A database of all USGS publications, with advanced search features, can be accessed at the USGS Publications Warehouse.
Filter Total Items: 42768
Risk assessment of chanchita Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840), a newly identified non-native cichlid fish in Florida Risk assessment of chanchita Cichlasoma dimerus (Heckel, 1840), a newly identified non-native cichlid fish in Florida
The risk of a newly discovered non-native fish species in Florida (USA): Cichlasoma dimerus ([Heckel, 1840]; Family: Cichlidae) is assessed. Its tolerance to cold temperatures was experimentally evaluated and information on its biology and ecology was synthesized. In the cold-temperature tolerance experiment, temperature was lowered from 24 °C by increments of 1 °C per hour, mimicking a...
Authors
Mary Brown, Robert H. Robins, Pam Schofield
Keeping an eye on water quality from the sky Keeping an eye on water quality from the sky
You can learn a lot about rivers, lakes, estuaries, and oceans by looking down at them from the sky. Scientists use a technique called remote sensing to measure the amount of light or heat energy reflected and emitted from the Earth. Sensors can be on satellites or mounted on airplanes, helicopters, or drones. Scientists use this information to map the quality of water in the San...
Authors
Francine H. Mejia, Christian E. Torgersen, Cedric G Fichot
Are little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) impacted by dietary exposure to microcystin? Are little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) impacted by dietary exposure to microcystin?
The cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, can produce the hepatotoxin microcystin. When toxic M. aeruginosa overwinters in the sediments of lakes, it may be ingested by aquatic insects and bioaccumulate in nymphs of Hexagenia mayflies. When volant Hexagenia emerge from lakes to reproduce, they provide an abundant, albeit temporary, food source for many terrestrial organisms including...
Authors
Devon N. Jones, Gregory L. Boyer, Julia S. Lankton, Megan Woller-Skar, Amy L. Russell
Stochastic agent-based model for predicting turbine-scale raptor movements during updraft-subsidized directional flights Stochastic agent-based model for predicting turbine-scale raptor movements during updraft-subsidized directional flights
Rapid expansion of wind energy development across the world has highlighted the need to better understand turbine-caused avian mortality. The risk to golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) is of particular concern due to their small population size and conservation status. Golden eagles subsidize their flight in part by soaring in orographic updrafts, which can place them in conflict with...
Authors
Rimple Sandhu, Charles Tripp, Eliot Quon, Regis Thedin, Michael Lawson, David Brandes, Chris Farmer, Tricia A. Miller, Caroline Draxl, Paula Doubrawa, Lindy Williams, Adam E. Duerr, Melissa A. Braham, Todd E. Katzner
Effect of adult male sterilization on the behavior and social associations of a feral polygynous ungulate: The horse Effect of adult male sterilization on the behavior and social associations of a feral polygynous ungulate: The horse
Castration is commonly used to control the behavior of companion animals and livestock, yet there have been few longitudinal studies of its effects. Despite the ubiquity of this surgery in ridden horses, the effects of castration (termed gelding in horses) have rarely been examined in a reproductive population. We tested effects of gelding on maintenance and social behaviors of...
Authors
Sarah R. B. King, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Mary J. Cole
Immunopathology Immunopathology
No abstract available.
Authors
Khattapan Jantawongsri, Brian Jones, Diane G. Elliott, Heike Schmidt-Posthaus, Barbara F. Nowak
The use of continuous sediment-transport measurements to improve sand-load estimates in a large sand-bedded river: The Lower Chippewa River, WI The use of continuous sediment-transport measurements to improve sand-load estimates in a large sand-bedded river: The Lower Chippewa River, WI
Accurately determining sediment loads is necessary for managing river environments but is difficult because multiple processes can lead to large discharge-independent changes in sediment transport. Thus, estimations of sediment load using discharge–sediment rating curves fit to sparse or historical sediment-transport measurements can be inaccurate, necessitating alternative approaches to...
Authors
David J. Dean, David J. Topping, D. D. Buscombe, Joel T. Groten, Jeffrey R. Ziegeweid, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, J. William Lund, Erin Nicole Coenen
Functional wetland loss drives emerging risks to waterbird migration networks Functional wetland loss drives emerging risks to waterbird migration networks
Migratory waterbirds (i.e., shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl) rely on a diffuse continental network of wetland habitats to support annual life cycle needs. Emerging threats of climate and land-use change raise new concerns over the sustainability of these habitat networks as water scarcity triggers cascading ecological effects impacting wetland habitat availability. Here we use...
Authors
J Patrick Donnelly, Johnnie N Moore, Michael L. Casazza, Shea P Coons
Winter 2020-2021 edition Winter 2020-2021 edition
In this edition: 2021 year in review, native seed development process, RestoreNet protocol published and lots of associated research, a handful of climate change science, and more.
Authors
Molly L. McCormick, Seth M. Munson, John B. Bradford
Temporal variability in TiO2 engineered particle concentrations in rural Edisto River Temporal variability in TiO2 engineered particle concentrations in rural Edisto River
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used in engineered particles including engineered nanomaterial (ENM) and pigments, yet its occurrence, concentrations, temporal variability, and fate in natural environmental systems are poorly understood. For three years, we monitored TiO2 concentrations in a rural river basin (Edisto River, 1% urban land cover) in South Carolina, United States. The...
Authors
Mahmudun Nabi, J. Wang, Celeste A. Journey, Paul M. Bradley, Mohammed Baalousha
Ten practical questions to improve data quality Ten practical questions to improve data quality
High-quality rangeland data are critical to supporting adaptive management. However, concrete, cost-saving steps to ensure data quality are often poorly defined and understood. Data quality is more than data management. Ensuring data quality requires 1) clear communication among team members; 2) appropriate sample design; 3) training of data collectors, data managers, and data users; 4)...
Authors
Sarah E. McCord, Justin L. Welty, Jennifer Courtwright, Catherine Dillon, Alexander Laurence-Traynor, Sarah H. Burnett, Ericha M. Courtright, Gene Fults, Jason W. Karl, Justin W. Van Zee, Nicholas P. Webb, Craig E. Tweedie
Nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning facilitates coexistence for a small mesopredator, the eastern spotted skunk Nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning facilitates coexistence for a small mesopredator, the eastern spotted skunk
Eastern spotted skunks are of conservation concern where competition and predation are a possible cause of their decline. Using camera traps at a food subsidy, we investigated nocturnal temporal overlap of spotted skunks with co-occurring predators. Spotted skunks were more active during dark nights, when their activity overlapped with the largest predator (coyotes), but not with other
Authors
Courtney J. Marneweck, Cameron R. Forehand, Charles D. Waggy, Stephen N. Harris, Todd E. Katzner, David S. Jachowski