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

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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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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

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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

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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

Reeling in Cleaner Data: Experts Use AI to Support Resilient Inland Fisheries

Reeling in Cleaner Data: Experts Use AI to Support Resilient Inland Fisheries

Western Fisheries Research Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Meeting - August 19, 2026

Western Fisheries Research Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Meeting - August 19, 2026

Advancing the Science and Management of Range Shifts

Advancing the Science and Management of Range Shifts

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Publications

BioShifts v2 and BioShiftR: Tools for navigating and analysing species range shift data BioShifts v2 and BioShiftR: Tools for navigating and analysing species range shift data

Species are redistributing their ranges globally in response to climate change, but the fragmented and complex nature of the documented responses make them challenging to track and analyze. Synthesis of species’ range shifts requires careful integration and consideration of varying methods and scales of study. Here, we present an updated database that combines two previous data...
Authors
Jake A. Lawlor, Brunno Oliviera, Nikki Moore, Jonathan Lenoir, R. M.W.J. Bandara, R. Bertrand, I-Ching Chen, Sarah E. Diamond, G. Grenouillet, Lesley T. Lancaster, Malin Pinsky, Jonathan Rolland, Brett R. Scheffers, Fabricio Villalobos, Barrett Wolfe, Jennifer Sunday, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Lise Comte
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Bayesian hierarchical model of lake whitefish cohort strength from sparse trawl data Bayesian hierarchical model of lake whitefish cohort strength from sparse trawl data

Recruitment indices for rare or intermittently recruiting fishes are needed to compare year classes and evaluate recruitment drivers, but sparse trawl data with many zero-catch observations complicate estimation. We used fall bottom trawl data from New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio surveys in Lake Erie's central and eastern basins to estimate annual relative cohort strength of age-0 lake...
Authors
Zachary J Amidon, Song S. Qian, Robin L. DeBruyne, Mark Richard Dufour, Christine M. Mayer, Edward Roseman, Alexis McCarter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Decision analysis of long-term research and monitoring investments for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program Decision analysis of long-term research and monitoring investments for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration program

Congressional authorization of the Water Resource Development Act of 2020 increased funding for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program and its Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) element. With adequate resources there is an opportunity for LTRM to expand its understanding of the Upper Mississippi River System, address unmet partner information needs, and better inform...
Authors
Max Post van der Burg, Jeffrey N. Houser, David R. Smith
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Science

Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Advancing the Environmental DNA Toolkit for Ecosystem Monitoring and Management

The emerging field of Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis allows characterization of species presence and community biodiversity by identifying trace amounts of genetic material left behind as organisms move through their environments. EESC scientists have been using eDNA technologies to detect native and rare species and as community biomonitoring tools.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Advancing the Environmental DNA Toolkit for Ecosystem Monitoring and Management

Advancing the Environmental DNA Toolkit for Ecosystem Monitoring and Management

The emerging field of Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis allows characterization of species presence and community biodiversity by identifying trace amounts of genetic material left behind as organisms move through their environments. EESC scientists have been using eDNA technologies to detect native and rare species and as community biomonitoring tools.
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Invasive brown treesnake

Combining Novel Technologies for Fast, Field-Ready eDNA Detection of Brown Treesnakes to Enhance Biosecurity Across International Borders

The USGS is working with the Department of the Navy to develop a new, field-ready tool to help detect Brown Treesnake environmental DNA to help prevent the spread and establishment of the invasive species into new areas.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Combining Novel Technologies for Fast, Field-Ready eDNA Detection of Brown Treesnakes to Enhance Biosecurity Across International Borders

Combining Novel Technologies for Fast, Field-Ready eDNA Detection of Brown Treesnakes to Enhance Biosecurity Across International Borders

The USGS is working with the Department of the Navy to develop a new, field-ready tool to help detect Brown Treesnake environmental DNA to help prevent the spread and establishment of the invasive species into new areas.
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Caribou roaming the Arctic Coastal Plain

Terrestrial Mammal Research

Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
Terrestrial Mammal Research

Terrestrial Mammal Research

Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
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