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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: 42874

Some approaches to accounting for incidental carcass discoveries in non-monitored years using the Evidence of Absence model Some approaches to accounting for incidental carcass discoveries in non-monitored years using the Evidence of Absence model

Executive Summary We evaluate three approaches to accounting for incidental carcasses when estimating an upper bound on total mortality (𝑀) as 𝑀∗ using the Evidence of Absence model (EoA; Dalthorp and others, 2017) to assess compliance with an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) (Dalthorp & Huso, 2015) under a monitoring protocol that includes formal, dedicated carcass surveys that achieve an...
Authors
Daniel Dalthorp, Paul Rabie, Manuela Huso, Andrew Tredennick

Preliminary analysis to estimate the spatial distribution of benefits of P load reduction: Identifying the spatial influence of phosphorus loading from the Maumee River (USA) in western Lake Erie Preliminary analysis to estimate the spatial distribution of benefits of P load reduction: Identifying the spatial influence of phosphorus loading from the Maumee River (USA) in western Lake Erie

Since the early 2000s, Lake Erie has been experiencing annual cyanobacterial blooms that often cover large portions of the western basin and even reach into the central basin. These blooms have affected several ecosystem services provided by Lake Erie to surrounding communities (notably drinking water quality). Several modeling efforts have identified the springtime total bioavailable...
Authors
James H. Larson, Enrika Hlavacek, Nathan R. De Jager, Mary Anne Evans, Timothy Wynne

A decision framework to analyze tide-gate options for restoration of the Herring River Estuary, Massachusetts A decision framework to analyze tide-gate options for restoration of the Herring River Estuary, Massachusetts

The collective set of decisions involved with the restoration of degraded wetlands is often more complex than considering only ecological responses and outcomes. Restoration is commonly driven by a complex interaction of social, economic, and ecological factors representing the mandate of resource stewards and the values of stakeholders. The authors worked with the Herring River...
Authors
David R. Smith, Mitchell J. Eaton, Jill J. Gannon, Timothy P. Smith, Eric L. Derleth, Jonathan Katz, Kirk F. Bosma, Elise Leduc

Black bear movement and food conditioning in an exurban landscape Black bear movement and food conditioning in an exurban landscape

Conflicts between humans and wildlife have become increasingly important challenges for resource managers along the urban‐wildland interface. Food conditioning (i.e., reliance by an animal on anthropogenic foods) of American black bears (Ursus americanus ) is related to conflict behavior (i.e., being bold or aggressive toward humans, consuming human food or garbage, causing property...
Authors
Jessica Braunstein, Joseph D. Clark, Ryan H Williamson, William H Stiver

Combined effects of biological control of an invasive shrub and fluvial processes on riparian vegetation dynamics Combined effects of biological control of an invasive shrub and fluvial processes on riparian vegetation dynamics

Plant community responses to biocontrol of invasive plants are understudied, despite the strong influence of the composition of replacement vegetation on ecosystem functions and services. We studied the vegetation response to a folivore beetle (Diorhabda genus, Coleoptera) that has been introduced along southwestern US river valleys to control the invasion of non-native shrubs in the...
Authors
Eduardo Gonzalez, Patrick B. Shafroth, Steven R. Lee, Steven M. Ostoja, Matthew L. Brooks

Migration corridors and threats in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits for loggerhead sea turtles Migration corridors and threats in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Straits for loggerhead sea turtles

Along migration corridors, animals can face natural and anthropogenic threats that differ from those in breeding and non-breeding residence areas. Satellite telemetry can aid in describing the timing and location of these migrations. We use this tool with switching state-space modeling and line kernel density estimates to identify migration corridors of post-nesting adult female...
Authors
Autumn Iverson, Allison Benscoter, Ikuko Fujisaki, Margaret Lamont, Kristen Hart

Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale

Networks of direct and indirect biotic interactions underpin the complex dynamics and stability of ecological systems, yet experimental and theoretical studies often yield conflicting evidence regarding the direction (positive or negative) or magnitude of these interactions. We revisited pioneering data sets collected at the deciduous forested Horonai Stream and conducted ecosystem‐level...
Authors
Amy M Marcarelli, Colden V. Baxter, Joseph R. Benjamin, Yo Miyake, Masashi Murakami, K.D. Fausch, Shigeru Nakano

Use of genetic mark-recapture to estimate breeding site fidelity and philopatry in a threatened sea duck population, Alaska-breeding Steller’s eiders Use of genetic mark-recapture to estimate breeding site fidelity and philopatry in a threatened sea duck population, Alaska-breeding Steller’s eiders

The Steller’s eider (Polysticta stelleri) is a sea duck that breeds in Arctic tundra regions of Russia and Alaska. The Alaska-breeding population is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act because of a perceived contraction of their breeding range in North America. Understanding demographic rates of the listed population is critical for determining and evaluating...
Authors
David Safine, Mark S. Lindberg, Kate Martin, Sandra L. Talbot, Ted Swem, John M. Pearce, Neesha Stellrecht, Kevin Sage, Ann E. Riddle, Kyrstal Fales, Tuula E. Hollmen

Establishment of brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) across a southern California county and potential interactions with a native lizard species Establishment of brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) across a southern California county and potential interactions with a native lizard species

The brown anole, Anolis sagrei, is a native species to the Caribbean; however, A. sagrei has invaded multiple parts of the USA, including Florida, Louisiana, Hawai’i and more recently California. The biological impacts of A. sagrei invading California are currently unknown. Evidence from the invasion in Taiwan shows that they spread quickly and when immediate action is not taken...
Authors
Samuel R Fisher, Lelani A Del Pinto, Robert N. Fisher

Vegetation‐groundwater dynamics at a former uranium mill site following invasion of a biocontrol agent: A time series analysis of Landsat normalized difference vegetation index data Vegetation‐groundwater dynamics at a former uranium mill site following invasion of a biocontrol agent: A time series analysis of Landsat normalized difference vegetation index data

Because groundwater recharge in dry regions is generally low, arid and semiarid environments have been considered well‐suited for long‐term isolation of hazardous materials (e.g., radioactive waste). In these dry regions, water lost (transpired) by plants and evaporated from the soil surface, collectively termed evapotranspiration (ET), is usually the primary discharge component in the...
Authors
Christopher J. Jarchow, William J. Waugh, Kamel Didan, Armando Barreto-Munoz, Stefanie M. Herrmann, Pamela L. Nagler

Comparison of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in hand‐ versus parent‐reared whooping cranes (Grus americana) Comparison of fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in hand‐ versus parent‐reared whooping cranes (Grus americana)

Endangered whooping cranes (Grus americana ) have been produced in captivity for reintroduction programs since the 1980s, using techniques such as artificial insemination, multiple clutching, and captive‐rearing to speed recovery efforts. Chicks are often hand‐reared (HR) by caretakers in crane costumes, socialized into groups and released together, unlike parent‐reared (PR) cranes that...
Authors
Megan E. Brown, Miranda R. Torkelson, Glenn H. Olsen, Ashley Krisp, Barry K. Hartup
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