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: 42700
Migratory strategy explains differences in timing of female reproductive development in seasonally sympatric songbirds. Migratory strategy explains differences in timing of female reproductive development in seasonally sympatric songbirds.
1. Divergent migratory strategies among populations can result in population-level differences in timing of reproduction (allochrony) and local adaptation. However, the mechanisms underlying among-population variation in timing are insufficiently understood, particularly in females. 2. We studied differences in reproductive development and its related mechanisms along the hypothalamic...
Authors
Abigail A Kimmitt, Jack Hardman, Craig A. Stricker, Ellen D. Ketterson
Evaluating community-level response to management actions across a diverse Hawaiian forest bird community Evaluating community-level response to management actions across a diverse Hawaiian forest bird community
Although species‐specific approaches are necessary to understand the dynamics of individual species composing a community, they do not offer a framework for making optimal management decisions at the community level. Here, we present a simple framework for comparing the response of entire communities to multiple management scenarios. Our approach uses a weighted average of standardized...
Authors
Alban Guillaumet, Eben H. Paxton
Thin-layer sediment addition to an existing salt marsh to combat sea-level rise and improve endangered species habitat in California, USA Thin-layer sediment addition to an existing salt marsh to combat sea-level rise and improve endangered species habitat in California, USA
Current tidal marsh elevations and their accretion rates are important predictors of vulnerability to sea-level rise. When tidal marshes are at risk, adaptation measures, such as sediment addition to increase elevations, can be implemented to prevent degradation and loss. In 2016, wildlife managers prescribed a thin-layer sediment addition of locally sourced dredged material from Anaheim...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Jordan A. Rosencranz, Neil K. Ganju, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
Technical comment on “Global pattern of nest predation is disrupted by climate change in shorebirds” Technical comment on “Global pattern of nest predation is disrupted by climate change in shorebirds”
Kubelka et al. (Report, 9 November 2018, p. 680-683) claim that climate change has disrupted patterns of nest predation in shorebirds. They report that predation rates have increased since the 1950s, especially in the Arctic. We describe methodological problems with their analyses and argue that there is no solid statistical support for their claims.
Authors
Martin Bulla, Jeroen Reneerkens, Emily L. Weiser, Aleksandr Sokolov, Audrey R. Taylor, Benoit Sittler, Brian J McCaffery, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, Daniel H. Catlin, David C. Payer, David H. Ward, Diana V Solovyeva, Eduardo Santos, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Erica Nol, Eunbi Kwon, Glen S. Brown, Glenda D Hevia, H. River Gates, James A. Johnson, Jan A. van Gils, Jannik Hansen, Jean-Francois Lamarre, Jennie Rausch, Jesse R. Conklin, Joe Liebezeit, Joel Bety, Johannes Lang, Jose A. Alves, Juan Fernandez-Elipe, Klaus-Michael Exo, Loic Bollache, Marcelo Bertellotti, Marie-Andree Giroux, Martijn van de Pol, Matthew D. Johnson, Megan L. Boldenow, Mihai Valcu, Mikhail Soloviev, Natalya Sokolova, Nathan R. Senner, Nicholas Lecomte, Nicolas Meyer, Niels Martin Schmidt, Olivier Gilg, Paul A Smith, Paula Machin, Rebecca L McGuire, Ricardo AS Cerboncini, Richard Ottvall, Rob van Bemmelen, Rose J Swift, Sara T Saalfeld, Sara E Jamieson, Stephen C. Brown, Theunis Piersma, Tomas Albrecht, Veronica L D’Amico, Richard B. Lanctot, Bart Kempenaers
Spatially consistent high-resolution land surface temperature mosaics for thermophysical mapping of the Mojave Desert Spatially consistent high-resolution land surface temperature mosaics for thermophysical mapping of the Mojave Desert
Daytime and nighttime thermal infrared observations acquired by the ASTER and MODIS instruments onboard the NASA Terra spacecraft have produced a dataset that can be used to map thermophysical properties across large regions, which have implications on surface processes, thermal environments and habitat suitability for desert species. ASTER scenes acquired between 2004 and 2012 are...
Authors
Scott A Nowicki, Richard D. Inman, Todd Esque, Kenneth Nussear, Christopher S. Edwards
Spatial patterns of rainbow smelt energetic condition in Lakes Huron and Erie in 2017: Evidence for Lake Huron resource limitation Spatial patterns of rainbow smelt energetic condition in Lakes Huron and Erie in 2017: Evidence for Lake Huron resource limitation
Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) is a key planktivore and prey fish in Lake Huron. Given the declining offshore productivity in the lake since the early 2000s, we described the energy content of rainbow smelt in 2017 across five different regions (North Channel, Georgian Bay, Saginaw Bay, northern main basin, southern main basin) where phytoplankton and zooplankton productivity likely...
Authors
Qihong Dai, David Bunnell, James S. Diana, Steven A. Pothoven, Lauren A. Eaton, Timothy P. O’Brien, Richard Kraus
Geographic variation in natal dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls over 28 years Geographic variation in natal dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls over 28 years
The most recent comprehensive estimates of Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) natal dispersal distances were reported in 2002. Since then, Northern Spotted Owl populations have experienced substantial demographic changes, with potential attendant changes in natal dispersal distances, including temporal or geographic trends. We analyzed the natal dispersal of Northern...
Authors
Jeff Hollenbeck, Susan M. Haig, Eric D. Forsman, David Wiens
Amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene Amphibian conservation in the Anthropocene
Research is necessary to identify patterns in nature, to understand how a system functions, and to make predictions about the future state of an ecosystem. Applied research in conservation biology can identify effective strategies to maintain biodiversity, though many papers end with the conclusion that more research is needed. However, more research does not necessarily lead to...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Erin L. Muths, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Silviu Petrovan
Climate and disturbance influence self-sustaining stand dynamics of aspen (Populus tremuloides) near its range margin Climate and disturbance influence self-sustaining stand dynamics of aspen (Populus tremuloides) near its range margin
Species that are primarily seral may form stable (self-sustaining) communities under certain disturbance regimes or environmental conditions, yet such populations may also be particularly vulnerable to ecological change. Aspen (Populus spp.) are generally considered seral throughout the northern hemisphere, including P. tremuloides, the most widely distributed tree species in North...
Authors
Douglas J. Shinneman, Susan McIlroy
Evaluating mechanisms of plant‐mediated effects on herbivore persistence and occupancy across an ecoregion Evaluating mechanisms of plant‐mediated effects on herbivore persistence and occupancy across an ecoregion
Contemporary climate change is rapidly creating one of the greatest challenges for management and conservation during the 21st century. Mountain ecosystems, which have a high degree of spatial heterogeneity and contain numerous habitat specialists, have been identified as particularly vulnerable. We used data from multiple years across sites spanning a >40 million ha ecoregion to test...
Authors
Jennifer L. Wilkening, Evan J. Cole, Erik A. Beever
Refinement of eDNA as an early monitoring tool at the landscape-level: Study design considerations Refinement of eDNA as an early monitoring tool at the landscape-level: Study design considerations
Natural resource managers use data on the spatial range of species to guide management decisions. These data come from survey or monitoring efforts that use a wide variety of tools. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a surveillance tool that uses genetic markers for detecting species and holds potential as a tool for large-scale monitoring programs. Two challenges of eDNA-based studies are
Authors
Erica L. Mize, Richard A. Erickson, Christopher M. Merkes, N. Berndt, K.D. Bockrath, J. Credico, N. Grueneis, J. Merry, Kyle Mosel, M.T. Tuttle-Lau, K. Von Ruden, Jon Amberg, K. Baerwaldt, S.T. Finney, E.M. Monroe
Ecosystem scale loss of grazing habitat impacted by abundance of dominant herbivores Ecosystem scale loss of grazing habitat impacted by abundance of dominant herbivores
Grazing lawns, patches of grazing tolerant plants with high nutrient value, provide important habitat for herbivores, and changes in abundance can impact herbivore populations. Grazing lawns are maintained in quality and quantity by repeated grazing and are a result of a positive feedback since the availability of grazing lawn can increase herbivore populations and increased herbivore...
Authors
Brian D. Uher-Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Heather M. Wilson, R Michael Anthony, Thomas L Day, Thomas F Fondell, Brian T. Person, James S. Sedinger