A graphic depiction of what banders can learn from banding information.
Multimedia
Below are multimedia (photos, graphics, audio, and video) associated with the Ecosystems Mission Area.
Be certain to check out Outstanding in the Field, an original podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Images
WhyDoWeBandBirds
A graphic depiction of what banders can learn from banding information.
Scientists Holding Pinto Abalone
This is an image of a scientist holding a Pinto Abalone. Pinto abalone, once a familiar presence in Washington’s coastal ecosystems, have suffered a decline since.
This is an image of a scientist holding a Pinto Abalone. Pinto abalone, once a familiar presence in Washington’s coastal ecosystems, have suffered a decline since.
Pinto Abalone Illustration (NOAA)
This is an illustration of a Pinto abalone.
This is an illustration of a Pinto abalone.
Boat with Invasive Mussel Infestation
This is an image of a boat propeller with an invasive mussel infestation.
This is an image of a boat propeller with an invasive mussel infestation.
Black bass
Two black bass (Micropterus spp.) caught during the 2026 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, TN held on the Tennessee River. The fish on the left is a smallmouth bass, the fish on the right is what is known by bass anglers as a “meanmouth,” which is a hybrid between Alabama bass (M. henshalli) and smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu). Tom Miles, TTU PhD student.
Two black bass (Micropterus spp.) caught during the 2026 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, TN held on the Tennessee River. The fish on the left is a smallmouth bass, the fish on the right is what is known by bass anglers as a “meanmouth,” which is a hybrid between Alabama bass (M. henshalli) and smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu). Tom Miles, TTU PhD student.
Scientist Holding a Lost River Sucker Fish
This is a photo of scientist, Ramona Rapp, holding a Lost River Sucker that was tagged in Klamath Falls, OR.
This is a photo of scientist, Ramona Rapp, holding a Lost River Sucker that was tagged in Klamath Falls, OR.
Videos
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Kugururok River, Alaska
This is B-roll video of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska from August 30, 2025.
This is B-roll video of the Kugururok River, Noatak National Preserve, Alaska from August 30, 2025.
Rusting Rivers B-Roll: Igning River, Alaska
This is B-roll video of the Igning River, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska from August 26, 2024.
This is B-roll video of the Igning River, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska from August 26, 2024.
Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color Changes
Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color ChangesRusting rivers are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron (hence the appearance of rusting), but orange color also indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations and impaired water quality.
Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color Changes
Rusting Rivers: Heavy Metals and Visible Color ChangesRusting rivers are increasingly common in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. The orange stream color reflects oxidized iron (hence the appearance of rusting), but orange color also indicates elevated heavy metal concentrations and impaired water quality.
Social Science Perspectives on RAD Webinar
RAD is intended to help managers intentionally expand their thinking beyond traditional conservation approaches. Recent interdisciplinary and cross-agency research has integrated the social sciences to explore how and why managers are making RAD decisions.
RAD is intended to help managers intentionally expand their thinking beyond traditional conservation approaches. Recent interdisciplinary and cross-agency research has integrated the social sciences to explore how and why managers are making RAD decisions.
Salmon River Redd Surveys
This mesmerizing video, recorded by Tobyn N. Rhodes, is from USGS Western Fisheries Research Center’s field work on the lower Salmon River this past Fall 2025. Partnering with the Nez Perce Tribe, Rhodes and his team were counting the number of fall Chinook salmon nests, known as redds, with a drone piloted from a jet boat.
This mesmerizing video, recorded by Tobyn N. Rhodes, is from USGS Western Fisheries Research Center’s field work on the lower Salmon River this past Fall 2025. Partnering with the Nez Perce Tribe, Rhodes and his team were counting the number of fall Chinook salmon nests, known as redds, with a drone piloted from a jet boat.
Juvenile Sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR
This is a video of a juvenile sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR. Through decades of research, scientists at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center have determined that over the last 30 years something has prevented young suckers from reaching adulthood. Scientists work tirelessly to find the cause of this break in recruitment into adulthood.
This is a video of a juvenile sucker in Upper Klamath Lake, OR. Through decades of research, scientists at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center have determined that over the last 30 years something has prevented young suckers from reaching adulthood. Scientists work tirelessly to find the cause of this break in recruitment into adulthood.
Audio
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural Communities
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural CommunitiesThis is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural Communities
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 11, Designing Accessible Research for Rural CommunitiesThis is a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this episode we highlight stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 10, Bats
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
Welcome to the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Outstanding in the Field podcast series that tells stories about our science, our adventures, and our efforts to better understand fish and wildlife and the ecosystems that support them.
USGS Outstanding in the Field: Biocrusts (Ep. 9)
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
Welcome to another episode of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. We highlight our fun and fascinating fieldwork studying ecosystems across the country. Today we’ll be discussing tiny communities that are found on the surface of the soil in the harsh environments of cold and hot deserts.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin ice
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin iceThis is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin ice
USGS Outstanding in the Field, Episode 8, Braving thin iceThis is the first in a special edition of Outstanding in the Field, the U.S. Geological Survey’s podcast series produced by the Ecosystems Mission Area. In this series we will be highlighting stories from the Alaska Voices podcast, a partnership between the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the Swamp
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the SwampIn this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the Swamp
Outstanding in the Field Episode 7 - Science in the SwampIn this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we take you to the swamps and coastal wetlands of Louisiana, the land of bayous and beignets and a state with one of the most dynamic coastlines in the United States. The wetlands that make up the Louisiana coast are vast and help protect important cultural and natural resources.
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?
USGS Outstanding in the Field - Not Enough Beaches in Grand Canyon?In this episode of Outstanding in the Field, we are talking about beaches in a place that most people probably would not think of—the Grand Canyon.