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: 43280
Biological, environmental, and geomorphological factors influencing reach-specific survival of spring Chinook Salmon smolts upstream of the Columbia–Snake River hydrosystem Biological, environmental, and geomorphological factors influencing reach-specific survival of spring Chinook Salmon smolts upstream of the Columbia–Snake River hydrosystem
Objective Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are exhibiting catastrophic declines throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, and juvenile mortality contributions are disproportionately high. Many Pacific salmon smolt populations are exhibiting high natal stream mortality; however, detailed natal stream reach-specific survival knowledge is lacking. Our objectives were to estimate natal...
Authors
Scott D. Favrot, Russell W. Perry, Sean W. Kimbrel
Co-producing coastal bird research on the Gulf Coast through structured decision making (SDM) and constructed value of information (CVoI) Co-producing coastal bird research on the Gulf Coast through structured decision making (SDM) and constructed value of information (CVoI)
Conservation practitioners face the complex challenge of addressing global biodiversity threats within social-ecological systems with multiple jurisdictions, numerous interest groups, and changing environmental conditions. Bridging the research-to-implementation gap between scientists and managers, which integrates diverse perspectives that represent the variety of considerations...
Authors
Jennifer L. Fuller, Nicole L. Michel, Kerry E. Grimm, Ashley A. Dayer, Evan M. Adams, Abigail J. Darrah, Auriel M. Fournier, Jeffrey S. Gleason, Jacquelyn K. Grace, Erik I. Johnson, Terri J. Maness, Mary Ann Ottinger, Sarah P. Saunders, Caz M. Taylor, Theodore J. Zenzal
Predicting reach-scale macroinvertebrate community changes due to declining flows in an aridland river Predicting reach-scale macroinvertebrate community changes due to declining flows in an aridland river
Understanding the connection between streamflow and macroinvertebrate community structure is critical for managing river ecosystems under scenarios of change caused by human activities and drought. Streamflow influences physical habitat characteristics, including depth, water velocity, and substrate composition, which structure macroinvertebrate communities. Although strong empirical...
Authors
Justin C. Hockett, Christopher Holmquist-Johnson, Joel G. Murray, Eric W. Kortenhoeven, David M. Merritt, David A. Lytle
Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making
Authors
Sarah E. Whipple, Katherine A. Kurth, Catherine A. Nikiel, Andy J. Maguire, Jay R. Alder, Julian. J.T. Reyes, Julian A. Scott, Sarah K. Carter
2026 Edition 2026 Edition
The product is the 2026 newsletter for the USGS’s Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS). The newsletter summarizes recent publications, provides updates, and highlights ongoing and upcoming RAMPS projects. Outlet: RAMPS listserve and Drupal page.
Authors
Laura Cecilia Shriver
Predicting disease spread from host movement data: Chronic wasting disease in North America as a case study Predicting disease spread from host movement data: Chronic wasting disease in North America as a case study
1. Rare long-distance movements can increase the spatial spread of invasive species and shifts in species ranges. However, in the context of wildlife disease spread, seasonal migrations only matter if they lead to transmission beyond an individual’s initial set of contacts, and the importance of juvenile dispersal depends on whether those juveniles become infected before they disperse. 2...
Authors
Paul C. Cross, Blake Lowrey, Matthew J. Kauffman, Evelyn Merrill
Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands
Rod surface elevation tables (RSETs) are effective tools for measuring changes in ground surface height, but these are not designed to withstand large changes in height (e.g., ±50 cm). After extreme changes in elevation due to erosion or accretion, RSET sites may be deemed unusable; however, this equipment usually can function indefinitely with in-situ modifications. Here, we provide a
Authors
Ting Lei, John L. David, Beth A. Middleton
Connecting and coordinating conservation action across landscapes through regional planning processes and syntheses Connecting and coordinating conservation action across landscapes through regional planning processes and syntheses
Modern threats to conservation are often global; however, relevant conservation decisions and actions typically occur within local jurisdictions. The socio-ecological complexity of these problems requires collaboration across large landscapes, diverse community interests, and geopolitical boundaries, yet a lack of interoperability of planning products among decision makers, jurisdictions...
Authors
Rachael A. Carlberg, Steven J. Choy, Leon C. Hinz Jr., Mohammed A. Al-Saffar, Brett R. Andersen, Thomas W. Bonnot, Arthur R. Cooper, Lainet Garcia-Rivera, Steven Michael Gray, Ralph Grundel, Anthony R. Hewitt, Zachary Hurst, Brianna G. Kupsky, Eric Magedanz, Daniel Martin, Rua Mordecai, Anthony Mosinski, Douglas R. Pearsall, Jon Podoliak, Brandon P. Semel, Andrew C. Strassman, J. Scott Taylor, Ryan T. Theel, T. Casey Weathers, Andrew Allstadt, Jennifer Garland, Kiandra Rajala, Kimberly Sykes, Owen D. Boyle, John Carlson, Katy Fullin, Douglas Gorby, Bradly Potter, Faren R. Wolter, Nathan D. Muenks, Claire Beck, Kayla Feist, Katherin Parsons, Lorisa S. Smith, Kelley Myers Tymeson, Alexander D. Wright
Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi) have re-expanded northward since mid-2000s: Landscape predictors of occupancy Blanchard's cricket frogs (Acris blanchardi) have re-expanded northward since mid-2000s: Landscape predictors of occupancy
Blanchard's Cricket Frogs (Acris blanchardi) declined along their northern range edge in the upper Midwest in the mid-to late 1900s. The causes of these declines remain poorly understood, as does the current status of this species and their habitat requirements. In 2024, we revisited more than 300 locations previously sampled between 2003 and 2008 along this range edge in Minnesota...
Authors
Ryan C. Burner, Mark Roth, Aubrey A. Schwonek, Jason Tendler, Walter Sadinski, Andrew F. Badje, Rori A. Paloski
Coastal barrier resilience and resistance: Analysis and metrics for characterizing coastal state Coastal barrier resilience and resistance: Analysis and metrics for characterizing coastal state
Barrier islands are shaped by a variety of short- and long-term environmental processes such as storms and relative sea-level rise. These islands, found along the estuarine-marine interface, provide ecosystem services including storm surge and wave attenuation, erosion protection to inland marshes, habitat for fish and wildlife, and recreation. Natural resource managers require...
Authors
P. Soupy Dalyander, Nicholas Enwright, Diana Di Leonardo, Christopher J. Kingwill, Travis Swanson, Bree J. Landry
Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2025 annual report Restoration of Gavia immer (common loon) in Minnesota—2025 annual report
In cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey monitored 98 Gavia immer (common loon) focal territories and 43 nonfocal territories in north-central Minnesota in 2025. Focal territories are those sampling units from which study inferences can be made. Nonfocal territories were adjacent to focal territories and were observed to monitor common...
Authors
William S. Beatty, Luke J. Fara, Kristin Hall, Kevin P. Kenow, Timothy S. Mitchell, Michael J. Wellik
Fatal leptospirosis in southern sea otters from Central California: Pathologic findings and detection of Leptospira interrogans Fatal leptospirosis in southern sea otters from Central California: Pathologic findings and detection of Leptospira interrogans
Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona infections cause periodic outbreaks in California sea lions (CSLs; Zalophus californianus) and sporadic deaths in phocids. However, the frequency of infection and associated health impacts remain uncharacterized in sympatric threatened southern sea otters (SSOs; Enhydra lutris nereis), which serve as important sentinels of coastal health. Given the...
Authors
Margaret E. Martinez, Pádraig J. Duignan, Katherine C. Prager, Cara L. Field, Mary E. Gomes, Rinosh Mani, Lilian P. Carswell, Tim Tinker, Joseph A. Tomoleoni, Michael J. Murray, Ri K. Chang, Lloyd-Smith O. James