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: 43467
Using advanced machine learning to evaluate the spatial and temporal patterns of human–bear interactions in Maryland, USA Using advanced machine learning to evaluate the spatial and temporal patterns of human–bear interactions in Maryland, USA
American black bears (Ursus americanus) are highly adaptable to human-dominated areas, which can lead to interactions with humans. Managing these interactions is a priority for many wildlife agencies in North America. Climate-induced shortages in natural food can exacerbate human–bear interactions, as bears are driven to seek alternative food sources in human-dominated areas. However...
Authors
Katherine A. Kurth, Jonathan K. Trudeau
Comparison of methods for estimating wild turkey poult survival Comparison of methods for estimating wild turkey poult survival
Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) population growth is driven by variation in reproduction, and poult survival is a crucial vital rate. Traditional poult survival monitoring uses flush counts of radio-tagged females, but brood flocking (when broods and females merge into larger flocks) and mark retention are potential problems with this method and can produce biased...
Authors
Joseph O. Quehl, Lindsey M. Phillips, Vincent A. Johnson, Joseph D. Clark, Craig A. Harper, David A. Buehler
Sentinel-2 based estimates of rangeland fractional cover and canopy gap class for the western United States Sentinel-2 based estimates of rangeland fractional cover and canopy gap class for the western United States
Rangelands are extensive ecosystems, providing important ecosystem services while undergoing continuous change. As a result, improved monitoring technologies can help better characterize vegetation change. Satellite remote sensing has proven effective in this regard, tracking vegetation dynamics at broad and fine scales. We leveraged the spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution of...
Authors
Brady W. Allred, Sarah E. McCord, Timothy J. Assal, Brandon T. Bestelmeyer, Chad S. Boyd, Alexander C. Brooks, Samantha M. Cady, Michael C. Duniway, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, Shane A. Green, Georgia R. Harrison, Eric R. Jensen, Emily J. Kachergis, Anna C. Knight, Chloe M. Mattilio, Brian A. Mealor, David E. Naugle, Dylan O’Leary, Peter J. Olsoy, Erika S. Peirce, Jason R. Reinhardt, Robert K. Shriver, Joseph T. Smith, Jason D. Tack, Ashley M. Tanner, Evan P. Tanner, Dirac Twidwell, Nicholas P. Webb, Scott L. Morford
Rare milkvetch (Astragalus) persistence at a utility-scale solar energy facility in the Mojave Desert Rare milkvetch (Astragalus) persistence at a utility-scale solar energy facility in the Mojave Desert
Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) development is driving the projected growth in global renewable energy capacity but comes with environmental tradeoffs. New, alternative construction methods are promoted to minimize impacts to soils, vegetation, and hydrology; however, the disturbance created by these methods requires further investigation. We evaluated the population of a rare annual...
Authors
Tiffany J. Pereira, Claire C. Karban, Lara A. Kobelt, Seth M. Munson
The effects of carnivory and herbivory on the energy balance of Arctic grizzly bears The effects of carnivory and herbivory on the energy balance of Arctic grizzly bears
Omnivores often face tradeoffs between selecting for spatially dispersed energy-dense vertebrate prey versus densely distributed herbivorous resources that have limited energetic value per unit intake. Arctic grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) are large omnivores within a resource-limited ecosystem that are known to exhibit smaller body masses and occur at lower densities than grizzly bears in...
Authors
Anthony M. Pagano, Karyn D. Rode, Kerry L. Nicholson, William B. Leacock, Craig A. Stricker, Charles T. Robbins
Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes Potential thiamine deficiency of phytoplankton across a productivity gradient and seasons in Ohio lakes
Although nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency of algal blooms have been the focus of substantial attention, organic nutrients can limit algal growth in aquatic systems. Growing evidence indicates thiamine (vitamin B1) can influence the community of primary producers in marine systems, but comparatively little is known about the effect of thiamine on freshwater algal productivity.We...
Authors
Freya Elizabeth Rowland, Michael J. Vanni, Nicole M. Hayes, Clifford E. Kraft
Grass-Cast Southwest: A seasonal rangeland productivity forecast for the southwestern United States Grass-Cast Southwest: A seasonal rangeland productivity forecast for the southwestern United States
Here, we present a first assessment of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Grass-Cast Southwest,” which is a forecasting tool for rangeland aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) for the southwest region of the United States. Our results show that ANPP forecasts in early April were relatively close to the observation-based ANPP estimates in late May for all years evaluated (R...
Authors
Emilio Aguilar-Cubilla, Malannie D. Hartman, William J. Parton, Sasha C. Reed, Justin D. Derner, Darin K. Schulte, Elise S. Gornish, David J.P. Moore, Emile Elias, Dannele E. Peck, Brian A. Fuchs, William K. Smith
Evaluating the central–marginal hypothesis: Introgression and genetic variation at the trailing edge of Quercus bicolor Evaluating the central–marginal hypothesis: Introgression and genetic variation at the trailing edge of Quercus bicolor
The central–marginal hypothesis (CMH) predicts reduced genetic diversity and increased differentiation in range-edge populations due to ecological marginality and limited gene flow. Deviations from this pattern, however, can result from historical demographic processes, variation in reproductive strategies or interspecific hybridization. The genus Quercus, known for hybridization and...
Authors
Jesse B. Parker, Sean Hoban, Laura M. Thompson, Scott E. Schlarbaum
Water residence time and water depth influence on nutrient conditions, eutrophication endpoints and habitat quality in backwater lakes of a large floodplain river Water residence time and water depth influence on nutrient conditions, eutrophication endpoints and habitat quality in backwater lakes of a large floodplain river
Many eutrophication studies focus on the external supply of critical nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, but hydrology and geomorphology can enhance or dampen the effects of excessive nutrient supply. We studied six backwater lakes in the Upper Mississippi River that varied in water residence time and water depth. Eutrophication in these systems is responsible for negative impacts...
Authors
Shawn M. Giblin, James H. Larson, Jeremy D. King
Causal networks to inform decisions for ecological restoration Causal networks to inform decisions for ecological restoration
The release of contaminants into the environment can occur from anthropogenic activities, such as oil extraction and transportation, mining, and industrial processes. Remediation associated with reducing contaminant concentrations, and restoration that improves animals and supporting habitat, are often needed to restore ecosystems to their pre-release, baseline condition. We demonstrated...
Authors
Christopher James Kotalik, Freya Elizabeth Rowland, Bruce G. Marcot, Kristin E. Skrabis, David M. Walters, Jo Ellen Hinck, William H. Clements, Eric E. Richer, John P. Isanhart
Improved ground-truthing and benthic habitat characterization with machine learning models and 3D photogrammetry Improved ground-truthing and benthic habitat characterization with machine learning models and 3D photogrammetry
Benthic mapping relies on a range of methods to ground truth remotely sensed data to map physical and biotic features. Traditional methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming with limited scalability. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and remote operated vehicles (ROVs) can collect high volumes of quality data but require automated processing routines and pose other logistic...
Authors
Phillipe Wernette, Peter C. Esselman, Anthony J. Geglio, Angus Galloway, Shadi Moradi, Jordan Pierce
Tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) causes non-negligible and multigenerational reproductive toxicity in zebrafish Tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) causes non-negligible and multigenerational reproductive toxicity in zebrafish
Tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) is one of the most extensively used brominated flame retardants detected in the environment. Despite its widespread presence, the effects of persistent environmental exposure to TBBPS on the reproductive system remain unclear, raising significant health concerns. Here, using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model, we identified significant intergenerational...
Authors
Wenhui Qiu, Shuai Liu, Xinyuan Kang, Yu Liu, Bentuo Xu, Chenyuan Pan, Jason Tyler Magnuson, Xin Yang, Jing Zheng, Chunmiao Zheng, Elvis Genbo Xu