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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: 42702

Genomic pedigree reconstruction identifies predictors of mating and reproductive success in an invasive vertebrate Genomic pedigree reconstruction identifies predictors of mating and reproductive success in an invasive vertebrate

The persistence of an invasive species is influenced by its reproductive ecology, and a successful control program must operate on this premise. However, the reproductive ecology of invasive species may be enigmatic due to factors that also limit their management, such as cryptic coloration and behavior. We explored the mating and reproductive ecology of the invasive Brown Treesnake (BTS...
Authors
Brenna A Levine, Marlis R Douglas, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Bjorn Lardner, Robert Reed, Julie A. Savidge, Michael E Douglas

Examining progress toward achieving the Ten Steps of the Rome Declaration on Responsible Inland Fisheries Examining progress toward achieving the Ten Steps of the Rome Declaration on Responsible Inland Fisheries

Inland capture fisheries provide food for nearly a billion people and are important in the livelihoods of millions of households worldwide. Although there are limitations to evaluating many of the contributions made by inland capture fisheries, there is growing recognition by the international community that these services make critical contributions, most notably to food security and...
Authors
Abigail Lynch, Devin M. Bartley, Douglas Beard, Ian. G. Cowx, Simon Funge-Smith, William W. Taylor, Steve J. Cooke

Effects of ocean climate on the length and condition of forage fish in the Gulf of Alaska Effects of ocean climate on the length and condition of forage fish in the Gulf of Alaska

Climatic drivers of the size and body condition of forage fish in the North Pacific are poorly known. We hypothesized that length and condition of forage fish in the Gulf of Alaska (GoA) should vary in relation to ocean temperature on multiple scales. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed morphometric data for capelin (Mallotus catervarius) and Pacific sand lance (PSL; Ammodytes...
Authors
Sarah Ann Thompson, Marisol Garcia-Reyes, William Sydeman, Mayumi L. Arimitsu, Scott Hatch, John F. Piatt

In vitro immune function in laboratory-reared age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to diet In vitro immune function in laboratory-reared age-0 smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) relative to diet

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) are used as an indicator species in environmental monitoring and assessment studies. However, laboratory-based studies for methods development and effector assessment are limited for this species. Nutrition, a known modulator of teleost physiological responses including immune function, is a critical knowledge-gap sometimes overlooked in the design...
Authors
Christopher Ottinger, Cheyenne R. Smith, Vicki S. Blazer

Wetland biomass and productivity in Coastal Louisiana: Base line data (1976-2015) and knowledge gaps for the development of spatially explicit models for ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation initiatives Wetland biomass and productivity in Coastal Louisiana: Base line data (1976-2015) and knowledge gaps for the development of spatially explicit models for ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation initiatives

Coastal Louisiana host 37% of the coastal wetland area in the conterminous US, including one of the deltaic coastal regions more susceptible to the synergy of human and natural impacts causing wetland loss. As a result of the construction of flood protection infrastructure, dredging of channels across wetlands for oil/gas exploration and maritime transport activities, coastal Coastal...
Authors
Victor H. Rivera-Monroy, Courtney Elliton, Siddhartha Narra, Ehab Meselhe, Xiaochen Zhao, Eric White, Charles E. Sasser, Jenneke M. Visser, X. Meng, Hongqing Wang, Zuo Xue, Fernando Jaramillo

Assessing spatial and temporal patterns in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities 2012-2018: Grand Teton National Park Assessing spatial and temporal patterns in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities 2012-2018: Grand Teton National Park

Visual cover class data were collected on over 80 species across 30 permanent sampling frames in sagebrush steppe vegetation communities in Grand Teton National Park from 2012 to 2018. In this report, temporal and spatial patterns in species composition were assessed and used to inform potential sampling strategies for future monitoring. Specifically, the viability of a reduction in...
Authors
Christian Stratton, Andrew Hoegh, Kathryn M. Irvine, Kristin Legg, Kelly McCloskey, Erin K. Shanahan, Mike Tercek, David Thoma

Using oblique imagery to measure hypsometric changes in sandbar volume following controlled floods in the Grand Canyon Using oblique imagery to measure hypsometric changes in sandbar volume following controlled floods in the Grand Canyon

Measuring changes in the elevation distribution of sub-aerial fine ( 2 mm ) sediment and estimating sandbar volume multiple times per year can improve sediment budget calculations in fluvial systems. In the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, effects of dam operations on sandbar size and distribution is of long-term management interest. Bar-building controlled floods have been...
Authors
Ryan Lima, Daniel D. Buscombe, Temuulen T. Sankey, Paul E. Grams, Erich R. Mueller

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of nonnative bullseye snakehead in southern Florida Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of nonnative bullseye snakehead in southern Florida

Bullseye Snakehead Channa marulius (Hamilton 1822) was first detected in the southern Florida town of Tamarac in 2000 and has been expanding its geographic range since. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a newly-developed technique used to noninvasively detect cryptic or low-density species or those that are logistically difficult-to-study. Genetic material shed into the environment...
Authors
Margaret Hunter, Pam Schofield, Gaia Meigs-Friend, Mary Brown, Jason Ferrante

Framework for monitoring shrubland community integrity in California Mediterranean type ecosystems: Information for policy makers and land managers Framework for monitoring shrubland community integrity in California Mediterranean type ecosystems: Information for policy makers and land managers

Shrublands in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems worldwide support important ecosystem services including high levels of biodiversity and are threatened by multiple factors in heavily used landscapes. Use, conservation, and management of these landscapes involve diverse stakeholders, making decision processes complex. To be effective, management and land use decisions should be informed by...
Authors
Dawn M. Lawson, Jon Keeley

Restoration of Lake Trout in Lake Superior through Interagency Cooperative Management Restoration of Lake Trout in Lake Superior through Interagency Cooperative Management

The lake trout is a keystone species in the Laurentian Great Lakes that supported valuable fisheries throughout the basin. However, lake trout populations declined to near extirpation in nearly all of the lakes because of the combined effects of over-fishing, sea lamprey predation, and habitat degradation. To restore self-sustaining lake trout populations in Lake Superior, state...
Authors
Michael J. Hansen, Charles R. Bronte

Integration of eDNA-based biological monitoring within the US Geological Survey’s national streamgage network Integration of eDNA-based biological monitoring within the US Geological Survey’s national streamgage network

This study explores the feasibility and utility of integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) assessments of species occurrences into the United States (U.S.) Geological Survey’s national streamgage network. We used an existing network of five gages in southwest Idaho to explore the type of information that could be gained as well as the associated costs and limitations. Hydrologic technicians...
Authors
David S. Pilliod, Matthew Laramie, Dorene McCoy, Scott Maclean

Benefits and limitations of installing driving surface aggregate at two federal lands sites Benefits and limitations of installing driving surface aggregate at two federal lands sites

The worldwide network of unpaved roads is estimated to include at least 14 million km (8.7 million miles; 1). Although they are vital for local communities, these roads are expensive to maintain and may cause environmental damage through sediment and dust pollution (e.g., 2). Among aggregate-surfaced roads, locally available materials are often used as a surface wearing course, with...
Authors
Bethany K. Kunz, Eric H. Chase, Steve M. Bloser, Maureen A. Kestler, Brandon Jutz
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