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
Analysis of population change and movement using robust design removal data Analysis of population change and movement using robust design removal data
In capture-mark-reencounter studies, Pollock’s robust design combines methods for open populations with methods for closed populations. Open population features of the robust design allow for estimation of rates of death or permanent emigration, and closed population features enhance estimation of population sizes. We describe a similar design, but for use with removal data. Data...
Authors
William A. Link, Sarah J. Converse, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Nathan J. Hostetter
Where have all the turtles gone, and why does it matter? Where have all the turtles gone, and why does it matter?
No abstract available.
Authors
Jeffrey E. Lovich, Joshua R. Ennen, Mickey Agha, J. Whitfield Gibbons
Natural resource condition assessment: Olympic National Park Natural resource condition assessment: Olympic National Park
The Natural Resource Assessment Program aims to document condition and trends of selected park resources while identifying emerging issues and information needs. This information is intended to serve as a platform for natural resource managers to use in developing future resource stewardship priorities and planning. Olympic National Park (OLYM) on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula protects...
California gull (Larus californicus) space use and timing of movements in relation to landfills and breeding colonies California gull (Larus californicus) space use and timing of movements in relation to landfills and breeding colonies
Expanding gull (Laridae) populations throughout the world have been attributed to the availability of anthropogenic food subsidies. The influence of landfills on California Gull (Larus californicus) space use and the timing of their movements was evaluated in San Francisco Bay, California, USA. Using radio telemetry, 108 California Gulls were tracked, > 7,000 locations were recorded, and...
Authors
Joshua T. Ackerman, Sarah H. Peterson, Danika C Tsao, John Y. Takekawa
Predicting biological conditions for small headwater streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed Predicting biological conditions for small headwater streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
A primary goal for Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration is to improve stream health and function in 10% of stream miles by 2025. Predictive spatial modeling of stream conditions, when accurate, is one method to fill gaps in monitoring coverage and estimate baseline conditions for restoration goals. Predictive modeling can also monitor progress as additional data become available. We...
Authors
Kelly O. Maloney, Zachary M. Smith, Claire Buchanan, Andrea Nagel, John A. Young
Thamnophis gigas (Giant Gartersnake). Diet. Thamnophis gigas (Giant Gartersnake). Diet.
No abstract available.
Authors
Alexandria M. Fulton, Diana Muñoz
A full annual-cycle conservation strategy for Sprague’s Pipit, Chestnut-collared and McCown’s Longspurs, and Baird’s Sparrow A full annual-cycle conservation strategy for Sprague’s Pipit, Chestnut-collared and McCown’s Longspurs, and Baird’s Sparrow
Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii), Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), McCown’s Longspur (Rhynchophanes mccownii), and Baird’s Sparrow (Centronyx bairdii) [hereafter, “the Species”] are North American grassland-obligate songbirds whose populations have experienced significant annual population declines and are the focus of increasing conservation concern. The purpose of this...
Authors
Scott G. Somershoe, Lawrence Igl, Jessica A. Larson, Cheryl A. Mandich, Neal D. Niemuth, Marisa K. Sather, Sean P. Fields, Barry G. Robinson, Corrie C. Borgman, Maureen D. Correll, Kevin S. Ellison, Robert P. Ford, Arvind O. Panjabi, Dan Casey, Sarah D. Hewitt, Sandy K. Johnson, Catherine A. Wightman, Allison J.P. Begley
Effects of rearing environment on behavior of captive-reared whooping cranes Effects of rearing environment on behavior of captive-reared whooping cranes
Whooping cranes (Grus americana) are 1 of the most endangered bird species in North America. In 1999 the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership was formed to establish a migratory population of whooping cranes in eastern North America. These efforts have been extremely successful in terms of adult survival but reproductive success post-release has been low. One hypothesis developed to...
Authors
Christy L. Sadowski, Glenn H. Olsen, M. Elsbeth McPhee
Controls on organic matter distributions in Eocene Lake Uinta, Utah and Colorado Controls on organic matter distributions in Eocene Lake Uinta, Utah and Colorado
The Green River Formation deposited in Eocene Lake Uinta in the Uinta and Piceance Basins, Utah and Colorado, contains the largest oil shale resource in the world with an estimated 1.53 trillion barrels of oil in-place in the Piceance Basin and 1.32 trillion barrels in the Uinta Basin. The Douglas Creek arch, a slowly subsiding hinge-line between the two basins, created separate deep...
Authors
Ronald C. Johnson, Tracey J. Mercier, Justin E. Birdwell
Estimating soil respiration in a subalpine landscape using point, terrain, climate and greenness data Estimating soil respiration in a subalpine landscape using point, terrain, climate and greenness data
Landscape carbon (C) flux estimates are necessary for assessing the ability of terrestrial ecosystems to buffer further increases in anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Advances in remote sensing have allowed for coarse-scale estimates of gross primary productivity (GPP) (e.g., MODIS 17), yet efforts to assess spatial patterns in respiration lag behind those of GPP. Here, we...
Authors
Erin Michele Berryman, Melanie K. Vanderhoof, John B. Bradford, Todd Hawbaker, Paul D. Henne, Sean P. Burns, John M. Frank, Richard A. Birdsey, Michael G. Ryan
A video surveillance system to monitor breeding colonies of common terns (Sterna Hirundo) A video surveillance system to monitor breeding colonies of common terns (Sterna Hirundo)
Many waterbird populations have faced declines over the last century, including the common tern (Sterna hirundo), a waterbird species with a widespread breeding distribution, that has been recently listed as endangered in some habitats of its range. Waterbird monitoring programs exist to track populations through time; however, some of the more intensive approaches require entering...
Authors
J.L. Wall, Paul Marban, D.F. Brinker, J.D. Sullivan, M. Zimnik, J.L. Murrow, P. C. McGowan, Carl R. Callahan, Diann J. Prosser
Comparison of attraction, entrance and passage of downstream migrant American eels (Anguilla rostrata) through airlift and siphon deep entrance bypass systems Comparison of attraction, entrance and passage of downstream migrant American eels (Anguilla rostrata) through airlift and siphon deep entrance bypass systems
Downstream migrating anguillid eels face many barriers including turbines and pumps at impoundments for water abstraction, power generation and water level control, when attempting to exit the freshwater catchment to reach spawning grounds. Multiple eel species worldwide are facing different levels of endangerment and alleviating the impacts of barriers to migration is essential to allow
Authors
Nicola Baker, Alexander Haro, Barnaby J. Watten, John Noreika, Jonathan D. Bolland