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: 42884
Describing the distribution and productivity of biota along a nearshore to offshore gradient Describing the distribution and productivity of biota along a nearshore to offshore gradient
The Lake Michigan Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) proposed adding nutrients (phosphorus) to its “pollutant of concern” list in 2002, given that excessive nutrients were causing impairments in nearshore waters. Since that time, scientists have highlighted the “shunting” of nutrients to the nearshore (Hecky et al. 2004), owing to the ability of invasive dreissenid mussels to...
Authors
David B. Bunnell, Patricia M. Dieter, David M. Warner, Lauren A. Eaton, Drew Eppehimer
Population trends of birds wintering in the Central Valley of California Population trends of birds wintering in the Central Valley of California
Since the 1970s, the Central Valley of California has seen a large investment in preservation and restoration of wetlands and riparian areas. At the same time, grasslands have been lost to vineyards, orchards, and residential development at an accelerating rate. We analyzed data from 17 Christmas Bird Count circles that were surveyed regularly between winter 1978–79 and winter 2013–14 to...
Authors
Edward R Pandolfino, Colleen M. Handel
Perspectives and challenges for the use of radar in biological conservation Perspectives and challenges for the use of radar in biological conservation
Radar is at the forefront for the study of broad‐scale aerial movements of birds, bats and insects and related issues in biological conservation. Radar techniques are especially useful for investigating species which fly at high altitudes, in darkness, or which are too small for applying electronic tags. Here, we present an overview of radar applications in biological conservation and...
Authors
Ommo Huppop, Michal Ciach, Robert H. Diehl, Don Reynolds, Phillip Stepanian, Myles Menz
Landscape conservation design for enhancing the adaptive capacity of coastal wetlands in the face of sea-level rise and coastal development Landscape conservation design for enhancing the adaptive capacity of coastal wetlands in the face of sea-level rise and coastal development
Coastal wetlands provide many valuable benefits to people and wildlife, including critical habitat, improved water quality, reduced flooding impacts, and protected coastlines. However, in the 21st century, accelerated sea-level rise and coastal development are expected to greatly alter coastal landscapes across the globe. The future of coastal wetlands is uncertain, challenging coastal
Authors
Michael J. Osland, Sinead Borchert, Nicholas Enwright
Book review: Freshwater turtles of Australia Book review: Freshwater turtles of Australia
No abstract available.
Authors
Jeffrey E. Lovich
Status of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Michigan, 2017 Status of pelagic prey fishes in Lake Michigan, 2017
Acoustic surveys were conducted in late summer/early fall during the years 1992-1996 and 2001-2017 to estimate pelagic prey fish biomass in Lake Michigan. Midwater trawling during the surveys as well as target strength provided a measure of species and size composition of the fish community for use in scaling acoustic data and providing species-specific abundance estimates. The 2017...
Authors
David M. Warner, Ben Turscah, Dale Hanson, Timothy J. Desorcie, Timothy P. O’Brien, Patricia M. Dieter, Jason Smith
Probabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report Probabilistic mineral resource assessment of U.S. Territories of the Caribbean Basin and adjacent areas: Progress report
The U.S. Geological Survey is partnering with the IberoAmerican Association of Geological and Mining Surveys (ASGMI) to conduct an assessment of undiscovered metallic and non-metallic resources in the Greater Antilles region. The assessment plans to provide science-based information on the geologic availability of these resources for development, land-use planning, and decision making...
Authors
Lukas Zurcher, Floyd Gray, Stephen Ludington, Frederic H. Wilson, Greta J. Orris, Mark D. Cocker, Mark E. Gettings, Timothy Hayes
Development and utility of a gene transcription panel for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) Development and utility of a gene transcription panel for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)
Respiratory disease is a key factor impacting the success of the ongoing conservation and recovery of wild sheep populations (WAFWA 2017). Although the primary pathogens involved in the bighorn sheep pneumonia complex have been identified, the wide variability in herd response following infection is not well understood (Cassirer et al. 2018). The response of populations infected with...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, Kathleen Longshore, Peregrine Wolff, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, A. Keith Miles, Mike Cox, Sarah Bullock
A regional analysis of long-term gray and harbor seal stranding events A regional analysis of long-term gray and harbor seal stranding events
Strong indicators of species’ sensitivity, adaptive capacity, and overall vulnerability to climate change are provided by changes in phenology, the timing of recurring life events (Parmesan and Yohe, 2003). We possess poor information on climate induced shifts in phenology of marine organisms, especially top predators. The Gulf of Maine (GOM) Seasonal Migrants Project is an ongoing...
Authors
Katharine M. L. Jones, Michelle Staudinger
A review of literature for gray and harbor seals A review of literature for gray and harbor seals
Climate change is impacting marine species, causing shifts in occurrence, distribution, and phenology, which can ultimately effect ecosystem structure and functioning (Parmesan & Yohe 2003; Burrows et al. 2011). The study of the timing of recurring biological events throughout an organism’s life is known as phenology (Parmesan & Yohe 2003). The way organisms respond to climate change...
Authors
Gabrielle Calandrino, Daniel Pendleton, Michelle Staudinger
Climate change refugia Climate change refugia
Climate change is affecting the distribution, abundance, and persistence of species and ecosystems around the world. As natural resource managers are tasked with maintaining and protecting species and ecosystems from the effects of a changing climate, options for minimizing impacts are needed. Options for climate adaptation—the policy and management actions taken to minimize negative...
Authors
Toni Lyn Morelli, Connie Millar
Subterranean invasion by gapped ringed crayfish: Effectiveness of a removal effort and barrier installation Subterranean invasion by gapped ringed crayfish: Effectiveness of a removal effort and barrier installation
Non-native crayfish invasion is a major threat to many stream fauna; however, invasions in subterranean habitats are rarely documented. Our study objectives were to examine demographics and morphological and life-history traits of a gapped ringed crayfish Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus population that invaded Tumbling Creek Cave and determine the effects of removal on the population...
Authors
J.B. Mouser, D.C. Ashley, T. Aley, Shannon K. Brewer