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: 42905
A roadmap for implementing the Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity A roadmap for implementing the Emergency Recovery Plan for freshwater biodiversity
No abstract available.
Authors
Steve J. Cooke, Abigail Lynch, David Tickner, Robin Abell, Morgan L. Piczak, Angela H. Arthington, Michele Thieme, Denielle M. Perry, J. Robert Britton, Tatenda Dalu, Kim Birnie-Gauvin, Steve J. Ormerod, Fernanda Ayaviri Matuk, Rajeev Raghavan, John P. Smol
Proceedings of the Floodplain Vegetation Monitoring Workshop for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, January 7–8, 2025, Moline, Illinois Proceedings of the Floodplain Vegetation Monitoring Workshop for the Long Term Resource Monitoring Element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program, January 7–8, 2025, Moline, Illinois
Preface In anticipation for increased funding made possible by the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program identified a need to conduct river-wide assessments of floodplain vegetation. In January 2025, we assembled a group of subject matter experts to perform the following tasks:Review Upper Mississippi River Restoration’s current...
Authors
Shelby A. Weiss, Matthew L. Trumper, Nathan R. De Jager, Lyle J. Guyon, Molly Van Appledorn
Science strategy for Cotoni-Coast Dairies, an onshore unit of the California Coastal National Monument Science strategy for Cotoni-Coast Dairies, an onshore unit of the California Coastal National Monument
This science strategy describes the scientific mission of the unit, science previously conducted on or near the unit, and the partners who have given considerable effort to produce this science. Further, it identifies priority science needs, outlines the unit’s plan to meet those science needs in coordination with partners, shares scientific protocols for conducting new research, and...
Authors
Sarah E. Whipple, Sarah K. Carter, Zachary Ormsby, Benjamin Hoke, Michael Powers, Ryan E. O'Dell, Rebecca Spitzer
Detecting bumble bees in the wild using environmental DNA: development and validation of a qPCR assay for the endangered Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) Detecting bumble bees in the wild using environmental DNA: development and validation of a qPCR assay for the endangered Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini)
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is a noninvasive alternative to conventional methods of surveying insects that may be particularly useful for detecting pollinators. We developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect the DNA of Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) from flower samples and conducted an initial test of the assay using samples collected within...
Authors
Michaela Ray Grossklaus, David S. Pilliod, Stephen Frank Spear, Matthew B B. Laramie, Akhil Kholwadwala, Amanda Jean Boone, Yer Lor, Marissa Kaminski, Jeffrey G. Everett
The WOAH global wildlife health collaborating centre network (WOAH-WildNet): A coordinated and transformative approach to global wildlife health challenges The WOAH global wildlife health collaborating centre network (WOAH-WildNet): A coordinated and transformative approach to global wildlife health challenges
Wildlife health is integral to functioning, complex ecosystems [1], directly and indirectly influencing the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment [2–4]. Healthy wildlife populations are essential for ecosystem services and are at the heart of the One Health approach [3,4], which aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems...
Authors
David T.S. Hayman, Steve Unwin, Kelly Bateman, Casey Barton Behravesh, Charlotte Berg, Jemma Bergfeld, Cristina Casalone, Claire Cayol, Erin Davis, Sunday Ekesi, Johan Esterhuizen, Merid Getahun, Federica Giorda, Keith Hamilton, Damien O. Joly, Christa Kuhn, Jean-Claude Manuguerra, Daniel Masig, Anita Michel, Paolo Mulatti, Misheck Mulumba, Annah Njui, Richard Paley, Antonio Fernandez, Sascha Knauf, David Poumo Tchouassi, Youming Wang, Nathalie Vachiery, Jandouwe Villinger, Frank Y.K. Wong, Gongxun Zhong, B. Dharmaveer Shetty
Estimating GPS-based social aggregation metrics using collar data Estimating GPS-based social aggregation metrics using collar data
Understanding social aggregation patterns in ungulate herds is essential for gaining behavioral insights, optimizing resource use, reducing human-wildlife conflict, and managing disease risk. As chronic wasting disease is the preeminent disease-related threat to cervid populations in North America, knowledge of contact between individuals and spatiotemporal patterns of aggregation...
Authors
William Michael Janousek, Gavin G. Cotterill, Olivia J. Lobo, Eric K. Cole, Sarah R. Dewey, Tabitha A. Graves
Ecology of Lake Erie – Wetlands and lake-wide planktonic communities: A synthesis Ecology of Lake Erie – Wetlands and lake-wide planktonic communities: A synthesis
No abstract available.
Authors
Stuart A. Ludsin, Mohiuddin Munawar, Anna G. Boegehold, D. Andrew R. Drake, Kurt P. Kowalski, Lauren M. Pintor
Abundance and movement patterns of fish accessing a reconnected Lake Erie coastal wetland: Insights from high-resolution sonar data Abundance and movement patterns of fish accessing a reconnected Lake Erie coastal wetland: Insights from high-resolution sonar data
Coastal wetlands of the Laurentian Great Lakes are complex ecosystems that provide essential biological services, including providing habitat for a suite of fish species. As restoration efforts for these coastal wetlands increase, there is a need to characterize how well restored areas support the life histories of wetland, riverine, and lake fishes. Most traditional survey methods (e.g...
Authors
Kurt P. Kowalski, Alexandra A. Bozimowski, McKenzie K.H. Smith, Michael R. Eggleston, Maxwell F. Ramsay, Holly J. Eschenburg
Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary Distribution and abundance of Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) at the Hansen Dam Basin, Los Angeles County, California—2025 data summary
Executive Summary We surveyed for Least Bell’s Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus; vireo) and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) along Big Tujunga Creek in the Hansen Dam Basin in Los Angeles County, California, in 2025. Four vireo surveys were completed between April 17 and July 2, 2025, and three flycatcher surveys were completed between May 20 and July...
Authors
Suellen Lynn, Barbara E. Kus
Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County Distribution and threats to the Arizona toad in Clark County
The Arizona Toad (Anaxyrus microscaphus) has been petitioned for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is under evaluation for inclusion as a Covered Species under the Clark County Multi Species Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment (Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning and USFWS, 2001; USFWS, 2015b). Although the species is locally abundant in some parts...
Authors
Kenzi M Stemp, Blake Hossack
Letter from leadership Letter from leadership
No abstract available.
Authors
Aaron Lien, Stephanie Anne McAfee
Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction Identifying overwintering habitat of silver and bighead carp in the lower Mississippi River: Implications for harvesting and population reduction
A total of 41 sites along a 58 mi reach of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) were surveyed during winter 2022 for invasive carp aggregation.* Sites consisting of scallops closest to the dike-vegetated bank interface with deeper, slow-moving water and consistent access back to the main channel were preferred. Carp avoided strong currents, and there was no trend in depth selection other...
Authors
K. Jack Killgore, David Ruppel, Faucheux. Nick, W. Todd Slack, Amanda J.M. Oliver, Josey Lee Ridgway, Jesse Robert Fischer, Robin D. Calfee