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: 43466
Bridging ecology and geosciences in riverscapes: Implications for process-based restoration Bridging ecology and geosciences in riverscapes: Implications for process-based restoration
There has been a growing interest in integrating geological and ecological processes for sustainable river management and restoration. Lotic systems are shaped by diverse physical processes, including geology, geomorphology, hydrology, and interactions with terrestrial processes. However, restoration practices often prioritize specific habitats or river forms without fully considering...
Authors
Hiromi Uno, Hikaru Nakagawa, Nobuo Ishiyama, Masaru Sakai, Terutaka Mori, Akira Terui, Eric Arthur Scholl, Ellen E. Wohl, Colden V. Baxter
Colorado River basin Colorado River basin
Flowing 1,450 miles through seven states and 30 Tribal Nations, the Colorado River is known as the lifeline of the Southwest. The river delivers water to 40 million people, irrigates approximately five million acres of farmland, supports a trillion-dollar economy, and supplies hydroelectric power to millions. Its drainage basin stretches across 250,000 square miles of diverse ecosystems...
Authors
Sierra Olivia Brown
Population densities and trends of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa Population densities and trends of landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa
The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA), which protects some of the most intact tropical rainforest in the South Pacific, is exposed to recurring, intense tropical cyclones, including Tropical Cyclone Gita in 2018. In combination with other anthropogenic pressures, cyclones represent a potential source of disturbance to landbird populations, particularly native frugivorous and seed...
Authors
Noah J. Hunt, Seth Judge, Richard J. Camp
Inventory of bat activity at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to inform historic preservation and compliance Inventory of bat activity at Pearl Harbor National Memorial to inform historic preservation and compliance
We examined ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, or Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), acoustic activity and surveyed potential roost trees at the Ford Island Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO) Bungalows Neighborhood of Pearl Harbor National Memorial (PERL) on the island of O‘ahu. We established four acoustic monitoring stations (PERL1–PERL4) that operated nightly to survey for ‘ōpe...
Authors
Kristina Montoya-Aiona, Karen Courtot
Effects of 6PPD, 6PPD-quinone, and potential alternatives on freshwater mussels. Effects of 6PPD, 6PPD-quinone, and potential alternatives on freshwater mussels.
N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) is an antioxidant and antiozonant widely used in tires. When 6PPD reacts with ozone, it transforms into a breakdown product called 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ). Both compounds are currently being studied because of their high aquatic toxicity to fish, particularly coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). The Washington State Legislature...
Authors
Stephanie Gill, David J. Soucek
Bringing the Nature Futures Framework to life: Creating a set of illustrative narratives of nature futures Bringing the Nature Futures Framework to life: Creating a set of illustrative narratives of nature futures
To halt further destruction of the biosphere, most people and societies around the globe need to transform their relationships with nature. The internationally agreed vision under the Convention of Biological Diversity—Living in harmony with nature—is that “By 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet...
Authors
América P. Durán, Jan J. Kuiper, A.P.D. Aguiar, W.W. Cheung, M.C. Diaw, G. Halouani, S. Hashimoto, M.A. Gasalla, G.D. Peterson, M.A. Schoolenberg, R. Abbasov, L.A. Acosta, D. Armenteras, F. Davila, M.A. Denboba, P.A. Harrison, K.A. Harhash, S. Karlsson-Viinkhuyzen, H. Kim, C. Lundquist, Brian W. Miller, S. Okayasu, R. Pichs-Madruga, J. Sathyapalan, A.K. Saysel, D. Yuan, L.M. Pereira
Evaluating hydrologic data products for scientific and management applications related to potential future streamflow conditions in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Evaluating hydrologic data products for scientific and management applications related to potential future streamflow conditions in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
The hydrology of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers is a fundamental driver of ecosystem patterns and processes across a large portion of the United States. Quantitative hydrologic data for the main stems of these rivers underlie numerous scientific investigations, statistical models, and decision-making processes for local, State, and Federal agencies involved in the Upper...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Lucie Sawyer, John T. Delaney, Chanel Mueller, Leigh Youngblood, Jane Harrell, Brian Breaker, Chris Frans
A comparative evaluation of bait types taken by brown treesnakes or other nontarget species, including ants A comparative evaluation of bait types taken by brown treesnakes or other nontarget species, including ants
Evaluating invasive species removal can help improve efficacy or application of control tools. Toxic baiting is a primary method used to suppress many invasive species, including the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) in Guam. Based on limited alternative approaches to assess tool efficacy in snake removal, bait take is often used as a proxy for snake removal, despite evidence that...
Authors
Melia G. Nafus, Amanda A Reyes, Bae S. Daria, Christiana-Jo Concepcion Quinata, Ross Miller
Pleistocene porcupine (Erethizontidae) records in arid southwestern North America and comparisons with the modern distribution of Erethizon dorsatum in southern California and Arizona Pleistocene porcupine (Erethizontidae) records in arid southwestern North America and comparisons with the modern distribution of Erethizon dorsatum in southern California and Arizona
he North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is widely distributed throughout many ecosystems on the continent from northern Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, except for the southeastern portion of the United States. Habitats include the arid Desert Southwest region where modern records are generally sparse. The paleogeographic range in the Desert Southwest is not unlike the modern...
Authors
Jeffrey E. Lovich, George T. Jefferson
Ecovoltaic solar energy development effects to microclimate, temperature, and soil moisture in panel array interspaces in a warm desert Ecovoltaic solar energy development effects to microclimate, temperature, and soil moisture in panel array interspaces in a warm desert
Solar energy development is increasing in warm deserts of the southwestern United States, and ecovoltaics has emerged as an approach to maintain ecosystem function within solar facilities while meeting increasing regional energy demands. The Solar Gemini Project, located in the northeastern Mojave Desert, USA, is one of largest photovoltaic facilities incorporating an ecovoltaics...
Authors
Juan Pinos, Seth M. Munson, Claire C. Karban, Matthew D. Petrie
Between a rock and a hard place: Experiences of the chronic wasting disease management community Between a rock and a hard place: Experiences of the chronic wasting disease management community
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a widespread and incurable cervid disease. Despite continuing investments, the logistical challenges of CWD have required wildlife managers and researchers to navigate changing priorities with conflicting public perceptions. When overcoming difficult management problems, leveraging exploratory methods may identify previously unrecognized hypotheses. In...
Authors
Patrick Roan, Brad Milley, Nicholas W. Cole
Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection Are behavioural ecotoxicity endpoints relevant at the population level? Evidence-based insights for environmental protection
A substantial body of evidence exists demonstrating that exposure to environmental contaminants can alter animal behavior. Moreover, methodological and technological advancements, as well as increasing standardization, mean that behavioral ecotoxicity studies are more rigorous and reliable than ever before. Despite this, behavioral data are still seldom used in the risk assessment and...
Authors
Michael G. Bertram, Marlene Ågerstrand, Jack A. Brand, Bryan W. Brooks, ZhiChao Dang, Alex T. Ford, Henner Hollert, Matthew K. LeFauve, Jack L. Manera, Jake M. Martin, Marcus Michelangeli, Maria Moiron, Eleanor R. Moore, Holly J. Puglis, Andrew Sih, Jeffery A. Steevens, Eli S.J. Thoré, Bob B.M. Wong, Lauren Zink, Tomas Bodin