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: 42773
Rapid 3-week transition from migration to incubation in a female Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) Rapid 3-week transition from migration to incubation in a female Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
A female Roseate Tern that staged in Puerto Rico on 10 May 2008 on its migration north was first observed in the nesting area at Bird Island, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts on 21 May. It was incubating a complete clutch of two eggs by 1 June and likely had initiated laying within 20 days of having been in Puerto Rico.
Authors
Jeffrey A. Spendelow
Interactions among invasive plants: Lessons from Hawai‘i Interactions among invasive plants: Lessons from Hawai‘i
Most ecosystems have multiple-plant invaders rather than single-plant invaders, yet ecological studies and management actions focus largely on single invader species. There is a need for general principles regarding invader interactions across varying environmental conditions, so that secondary invasions can be anticipated and managers can allocate resources toward pretreatment or...
Authors
Carla M. D’Antonio, Rebecca Ostertag, Susan Cordell, Stephanie G. Yelenik
Status and conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Greater Yellowstone Area Status and conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Greater Yellowstone Area
No abstract available.
Authors
Robert K. Al-Chokhachy, Bradley Shepard, Jason Burckhardt, Scott Opitz, Dan Garren, Todd M. Koel, Lee M. Nelson
Possible behavioural, energetic and demographic effects of displacement of red-throated divers Possible behavioural, energetic and demographic effects of displacement of red-throated divers
This report comprises the main points of discussion and agreement during a workshop, held in Edinburgh in May 2017, to discuss how displacement might affect individuals and the Red-throated diver population; with additional information added by the scientists following the workshop.
Authors
Volker Dierschke, Robert W. Furness, Carrie E. Gray, Ib Krag Petersen, Joel A. Schmutz, Ramunas Zydelis, Francis Daunt
Developing a translational ecology workforce Developing a translational ecology workforce
We define a translational ecologist as a professional ecologist with diverse disciplinary expertise and skill sets, as well as a suitable personal disposition, who engages across social, professional, and disciplinary boundaries to partner with decision makers to achieve practical environmental solutions. Becoming a translational ecologist requires specific attention to obtaining...
Authors
Mark W. Schwartz, J. Kevin Hiers, Frank W. Davis, Gregg Garfin, Stephen T. Jackson, Adam J. Terando, Connie A. Woodhouse, Toni Lyn Morelli, Matthew A. Williamson, Mark W. Brunson
Sea turtles, light pollution, and citizen science: A preliminary report Sea turtles, light pollution, and citizen science: A preliminary report
Sea turtles are an important ecological resource for Gulf Islands National Seashore’s (Gulf Islands) waters and shorelines. Regionally, sea turtles face anthropogenic threats from situations such as entanglement in fishing gear and ingestion of marine debris, as well as possible changes in sex ratios due to increasing temperatures related to human-induced global warming. Locally, light...
Authors
Heather Afford, Susan Teel, Mark Nicholas, Thomas R. Stanley, Jeremy White
Overview of avian toxicity studies for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Overview of avian toxicity studies for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 establishes liability for injuries to natural resources because of the release or threat of release of oil. Assessment of injury to natural resources resulting from an oil spill and development and implementation of a plan for the restoration, rehabilitation, replacement or acquisition of natural resources to compensate for those injuries is accomplished...
Authors
Steven J. Bursian, C. R. Alexander, Dave Cacela, Fred L. Cunningham, Karen M. Dean, Brian S. Dorr, Christine K. Ellis, Celine A.J. Godard-Codding, Christopher G. Guglielmo, Katie C. Hanson-Dorr, Kendall E. Harr, Katherine A. Healy, Michael J. Hooper, Katherine E. Horak, John P. Isanhart, Lisa V. Kennedy, Jane E. Link, Ivan Maggini, John K. Moye, Christina R. Perez, Chris A. Pritsos, Susan A. Shriner, Kinberly A. Trust, Peter L. Tuttle
Foundations of translational ecology Foundations of translational ecology
Ecologists who specialize in translational ecology (TE) seek to link ecological knowledge to decision making by integrating ecological science with the full complement of social dimensions that underlie today's complex environmental issues. TE is motivated by a search for outcomes that directly serve the needs of natural resource managers and decision makers. This objective distinguishes...
Authors
Carolyn A. F. Enquist, Stephen T. Jackson, Gregg M. Garfin, Frank W. Davis, Leah R. Gerber, Jeremy Littell, Jennifer L. Tank, Adam Terando, Tamara U. Wall, Benjamin S. Halpern, J. Kevin Hiers, Toni L. Morelli, Elizabeth McNie, Nathan L. Stephenson, Matthew A. Williamson, Connie A. Woodhouse, Laurie Yung, Mark W. Brunson, Kimberly R. Hall, Lauren M. Hallett, Dawn M. Lawson, Max A. Moritz, Koren R. Nydick, Amber Pairis, Andrea J. Ray, Claudia M. Regan, Hugh D. Safford, Mark W. Schwartz, M. Rebecca Shaw
Ad hoc instrumentation methods in ecological studies produce highly biased temperature measurements Ad hoc instrumentation methods in ecological studies produce highly biased temperature measurements
In light of global climate change, ecological studies increasingly address effects of temperature on organisms and ecosystems. To measure air temperature at biologically relevant scales in the field, ecologists often use small, portable temperature sensors. Sensors must be shielded from solar radiation to provide accurate temperature measurements, but our review of 18 years of ecological
Authors
Adam J. Terando, Elsa Youngsteadt, Emily K. Meineke, Sara G. Prado
Genomics of Arctic cod Genomics of Arctic cod
The Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) is an abundant marine fish that plays a vital role in the marine food web. To better understand the population genetic structure and the role of natural selection acting on the maternally-inherited mitochondrial genome (mitogenome), a molecule often associated with adaptations to temperature, we analyzed genetic data collected from 11 biparentally...
Authors
Robert E. Wilson, George K. Sage, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Megan C. Gravley, Damian M. Menning, Sandra L. Talbot
Water guns affect abundance and behavior of bigheaded carp and native fish differently Water guns affect abundance and behavior of bigheaded carp and native fish differently
Water guns have shown the potential to repel nuisance aquatic organisms. This study examines the effects of exposure to a 1966.4 cm3 seismic water gun array (two guns) on the abundance and behavior of Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Silver Carp H. molitrix (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) and native fishes (e.g., Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus). Water guns were...
Authors
Jose Rivera, David C. Glover, Patrick Kocovsky, James E. Garvey, Mark P. Gaikowski, Nathan R. Jensen, Ryan F. Adams
Rehabilitating sea otters: Feeling good versus being effective Rehabilitating sea otters: Feeling good versus being effective
This chapter examines the complexities of assessing the merits and drawbacks of wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehabilitation is often costly, and the resulting benefits differ depending on whether one’s interest is in the welfare of individual animals or conserving populations. Two examples of this dilemma include the rehabilitation of oiled sea otters following the Exxon Valdez...
Authors
James A. Estes, M. Tim Tinker