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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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EcoNews

A USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Newsletter

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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

A pronghorn stands in front of oil and gas development infrastructure, Vernal, Utah

Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Species on the Move: Northeast CASC Researchers Discuss Species Range Shift in Recent Podcast Episode

Species on the Move: Northeast CASC Researchers Discuss Species Range Shift in Recent Podcast Episode

Study Reveals That Inland Recreational Fishery Harvest is Quite the Catch

Study Reveals That Inland Recreational Fishery Harvest is Quite the Catch

USGS Expertise Informs Design and Construction of New Eel Ladder at Maryland’s Eden Mill Dam

USGS Expertise Informs Design and Construction of New Eel Ladder at Maryland’s Eden Mill Dam

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Publications

Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the San Dieguito River and upper San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, California—2025 data summary Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the San Dieguito River and upper San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, California—2025 data summary

Executive Summary We surveyed for Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) at the San Dieguito River and the upper San Luis Rey River in 2025. Surveys were completed at five locations: one along the San Dieguito River (San Dieguito [SD]), which was last surveyed in 2016, and four along the upper San Luis Rey River, including three downstream from Lake...
Authors
Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Open water control of invasive mussels using benthic mats—Part 1, short-term infusion of carbon dioxide under a mat Open water control of invasive mussels using benthic mats—Part 1, short-term infusion of carbon dioxide under a mat

This study compared the efficacy of a benthic mat alone with carbon dioxide infusion under a mat for killing Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (zebra mussel). Three sites were selected in Loon Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Benzie County, Michigan, for replication of reference, benthic mat, and carbon dioxide mat treatments. Within a site, three 4-meter (m) x 4-m plots...
Authors
Diane L. Waller, Richard A. Erickson, Jeremy K. Wise, Matthew J. Meulemans, Brad E.C. Morris, Todd J. Severson, Matthew T. Barbour
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Black abalone surveys at Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, California—2023 annual report Black abalone surveys at Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, California—2023 annual report

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors a suite of intertidal black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) sites at San Nicolas Island, California, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, which owns the island. The nine rocky intertidal sites were established in 1980 to study the potential effect of translocated sea otters on the intertidal black abalone population at the island. The sites were monitored...
Authors
Michael C. Kenner, Julie L. Yee
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Science

Figure 1. The American kestrel, Falco sparverius

Modernized Breeding Bird Survey Portal

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Portal is a modern information system that enables volunteer observers and regional coordinators to manage survey routes, enter field data, and coordinate route assignments online. The portal replaces legacy paper-based and outdated digital workflows with a streamlined interface built for the BBS community. Observers can view their assigned routes...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center
Modernized Breeding Bird Survey Portal

Modernized Breeding Bird Survey Portal

The North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Portal is a modern information system that enables volunteer observers and regional coordinators to manage survey routes, enter field data, and coordinate route assignments online. The portal replaces legacy paper-based and outdated digital workflows with a streamlined interface built for the BBS community. Observers can view their assigned routes...
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A mule deer buck stands in grey, icy shrubs, grey rocks in the background

USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

The USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) proudly supports Federal, State, Tribal, and other partners by delivering high-quality data, cutting-edge science, and practical tools to support natural resource management. Below are some of NOROCK’s highlights during fiscal year 2025.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center Fiscal Year 2025 Highlights

The USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) proudly supports Federal, State, Tribal, and other partners by delivering high-quality data, cutting-edge science, and practical tools to support natural resource management. Below are some of NOROCK’s highlights during fiscal year 2025.
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A small transluscent worm with markings that resemble a screw

Responding to New World Screwworm in the U.S.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) is supporting the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) preparedness planning and response for New World screwworm (NWS), a foreign animal disease detected in the U.S. in June 2026 after its northward spread from Central America. 
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center
Responding to New World Screwworm in the U.S.

Responding to New World Screwworm in the U.S.

The USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) is supporting the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) preparedness planning and response for New World screwworm (NWS), a foreign animal disease detected in the U.S. in June 2026 after its northward spread from Central America. 
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