Science
The USGS benefits the public by being a leader in practical, pragmatic scientific information to inform management actions on economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands and waters. USGS science helps partners assess and mitigate risks in areas such as harmful invasive species, wildlife diseases, and contaminants and ecosystem change.
Ecosystems Program Areas
Ecosystems Program Areas
USGS scientists examine effects of management actions on communities, lands, and species; consequences of ecosystems change; and risks and solutions to harmful invasive species, wildlife diseases, and contaminants.
Interactive Tools
Interactive Tools
Explore powerful tools that provide immediate access to data and information to support decisions on natural resources
Education
Citizen Scientists Needed to Help with USGS Turtle Distribution Database Citizen Scientists Needed to Help with USGS Turtle Distribution Database
USGS is asking citizen scientists for help in better understanding turtle and tortoise populations throughout the Southeast United States.
Grizzly Bears: Predicted Space Use & Connectivity Pathways Poster by Sarah Sells, University of Montana Grizzly Bears: Predicted Space Use & Connectivity Pathways Poster by Sarah Sells, University of Montana
Grizzly bear were nearly extirpated in the U.S. in recent centuries. Today, 4 populations are recovering in the U.S. Northern Rockies. Population connectivity is a conservation goal, as is reestablishing a population in the Bitterroot Ecosystem (Central Idaho and Western Montana).
Lepidoptera Research Collection Lepidoptera Research Collection
In April of 2023 a citizen science invitation began asking people to mail in already deceased insects in the order Lepidoptera to help establish a USGS Research Scientific Collection. The collection will enable USGS scientists to have specimens from various regional areas to be able to identify contaminants and environmental factors which could be contributing to the decline of insect populations.