Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

Response of aquatic life to coal mining in Appalachia Response of aquatic life to coal mining in Appalachia

No abstract available.
Authors
George T. Merovich, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Eric R. Merriam, Jess Jones

The roles of phenotypic plasticity and adaptation in morphology and performance of an invasive species in a novel environment The roles of phenotypic plasticity and adaptation in morphology and performance of an invasive species in a novel environment

(1) Species introductions provide insights into rapid adaptation and adaptive phenotypic plasticity, as populations encounter and respond to new environments and selection pressures. However, maladaptive responses are increasingly recognized to also be common in nature. The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has rapidly invaded divergent environments providing the opportunity...
Authors
Marcel-Kate G. Jardeleza, Jonathan B Koch, Ian S. Pearse, Cameron K. Ghalambor, Ruth A. Hufbauer

Identification of Global Priorities for New Mountain Protected and Conserved Areas Identification of Global Priorities for New Mountain Protected and Conserved Areas

Mountain ecosystems are extremely diverse and fragile. They include astonishing biodiversity in terms of number of taxa and endemicity, and globally provide the most diverse range of ecosystem services. The world’s system of protected and conserved areas includes many outstanding areas within the earth’s mountainous landscape: about 19% of mountain areas are protected or conserved...
Authors
Peter Jacobs, Erik A. Beever, Clinton Carbutt, Marc Foggin, Diego Juffe-Bignoli, Madeline Thomas Martin, Shane Orchard, Roger Sayre

Budburst timing of valley oaks at Hastings Reservation, central coastal California Budburst timing of valley oaks at Hastings Reservation, central coastal California

We studied the timing of budburst of valley oak (Quercus lobata Née) at Hastings Reservation, central coastal California. Similar to other taxa, budburst was advanced by warmer temperatures. Over the 30-year study period, however, there were no significant trends in either air temperature or the timing of budburst, except during the 2014–2016 drought, during which the earliest budburst...
Authors
Walter D. Koenig, Mario B. Pesendorfer, Ian S. Pearse, William J. Carmen, Johannes M.H. Knops

Evaluating the effects of replacing septic systems with municipal sewers on groundwater quality in a densely developed coastal neighborhood, Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2016–19 Evaluating the effects of replacing septic systems with municipal sewers on groundwater quality in a densely developed coastal neighborhood, Falmouth, Massachusetts, 2016–19

Land disposal of sewage wastewater through septic systems and cesspools is a major cause of elevated concentrations of nitrogen in the shallow coastal aquifers of southern New England. The discharge of nitrogen from these sources at the coast is affecting the environmental health of coastal saltwater bodies. In response, local, State, and Federal agencies are considering expensive...
Authors
Timothy D. McCobb, Jeffrey R. Barbaro, Denis R. LeBlanc, Marcel Belaval

Surrogate rearing a keystone species to enhance population and ecosystem restoration Surrogate rearing a keystone species to enhance population and ecosystem restoration

Translocation and rehabilitation programs are critical tools for wildlife conservation. These methods achieve greater impact when integrated in a combined strategy for enhancing population or ecosystem restoration. From 2002-2016, we reared 37 orphaned southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) pups, using captive sea otters as surrogate mothers, then released them into a degraded...
Authors
Karl A. Mayer, M Tim Tinker, Teri E. Nicholson, Michael J. Murray, Andrew B. Johnson, Michelle M. Staedler, Jessica A. Fujii, Kyle S. Van Houtan

Making Recursive Bayesian inference accessible Making Recursive Bayesian inference accessible

Bayesian models provide recursive inference naturally because they can formally reconcile new data and existing scientific information. However, popular use of Bayesian methods often avoids priors that are based on exact posterior distributions resulting from former studies. Two existing Recursive Bayesian methods are: Prior- and Proposal-Recursive Bayes. Prior-Recursive Bayes uses...
Authors
Mevin Hooten, Devin S. Johnson, Brian M. Brost

Collection of larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) using a portable suction dredge—A pilot test Collection of larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) using a portable suction dredge—A pilot test

A portable suction-dredge and sluice-box system were used to collect larval lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus and Lampetra spp.) from fine and coarse sediment in field and laboratory tests. We evaluated the injury rate, survival, and burrowing capability of lamprey following passage through the dredge system and used collection of lamprey from water without sediment as a control. The...
Authors
Theresa L. Liedtke, Joseph J. Skalicky, Lisa K. Weiland

A brief introduction to integrated pest management for aquatic systems A brief introduction to integrated pest management for aquatic systems

Aquatic invasive plants and animals are increasingly becoming a problem, causing severe economic and ecological damage to critical freshwater systems. The best strategy for controlling an invasive pest employs an integrated pest management (IPM) approach using a combination of biological, physical, chemical, and social/cultural control methods. Here, we examine the history and...
Authors
Terrance D. Hubert, James R. Miller, Dale P. Burkett

Diving and foraging behaviors Diving and foraging behaviors

Manatees and dugongs live in tropical and semi-tropical regions around the world. Their preferred habitats are seagrass beds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Manatees live in both freshwater and marine systems although habitat preferences vary across the three species, while the dugong is entirely marine. Sirenians are shallow water divers, and their dive durations are short compared to...
Authors
Lucy W Keith-Diagne, Margaret E Barlas, James P. Reid, Amanda J Hodgson, Helene Marsh

Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River

The Maumee River watershed in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin has been impacted by decades of pollution and habitat modification due to human settlement and development. As such, the lower 35 km of the Maumee River and several smaller adjacent watersheds comprising over 2000 km2 were designated the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC) under the revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in...
Authors
Keith D. Shane, Melissa J. Oubre, Todd D. Crail, Jeffrey G. Miner, Christine M. Mayer, Taylor E. Sasak, Robin L. DeBruyne, Joshua Miller, Edward F. Roseman, William D. Hintz
Was this page helpful?