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: 42918
Description of disparate responses of two indoor feral bee colonies Description of disparate responses of two indoor feral bee colonies
As is sometimes the case, field research does not always go according to plan. This is especially true when the research involves free-ranging animals. We recently conducted a preliminary field study that involved placing a beehive in a tent and individually releasing marked honey bees (Apis mellifera) outdoors to study their ability to locate sugar water rewards by following olfactory...
Authors
Nimish B. Vyas, Amanda D. Plunkett
Simulating demography, genetics, and spatially explicit processes to inform reintroduction of a threatened char Simulating demography, genetics, and spatially explicit processes to inform reintroduction of a threatened char
The success of species reintroductions can depend on a combination of environmental, demographic, and genetic factors. Although the importance of these factors in the success of reintroductions is well‐accepted, they are typically evaluated independently, which can miss important interactions. For species that persist in metapopulations, movement through and interaction with the...
Authors
Meryl C. Mims, Casey C. Day, Jacob J. Burkhart, Matthew R. Fuller, Jameson Hinkle, Andrew Bearlin, Jason B. Dunham, Patrick W. DeHaan, Zachary A. Holden, Erin L. Landguth
River‐valley morphology, basin size, and flow‐event magnitude interact to produce wide variation in flooding dynamics River‐valley morphology, basin size, and flow‐event magnitude interact to produce wide variation in flooding dynamics
Inundation dynamics are a key driver of ecosystem form and function in river‐valley bottoms. Inundation itself is an outcome of multi‐scalar interactions and can vary strongly within and among river reaches. As a result, establishing to what degree and how inundation dynamics vary spatially both within and among river reaches can be challenging. The objective of this study was to...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Matthew E. Baker, Andrew J. Miller
Research priorities for freshwater mussel conservation assessment Research priorities for freshwater mussel conservation assessment
Freshwater mussels are declining globally, and effective conservation requires prioritizing research and actions to identify and mitigate threats impacting mussel species. Conservation priorities vary widely, ranging from preventing imminent extinction to maintaining abundant populations. Here, we develop a portfolio of priority research topics for freshwater mussel conservation...
Authors
Noe Ferreira-Rodriguez, Yoshihiro B. Akiyama, Olga V. Aksenova, M. Christopher Barnhart, Yulia V. Bespalaya, Arthur E. Bogan, Ivan N Bolotov, Prem B. Budha, Cristhian Clavijo, Susan J. Clearwater, Gustavo Darrigran, Van Tu Do, Karel Douda, Elsa Froufe, Clemens Gumpinger, Lennart Henrikson, Chris L. Humphrey, Nathan A. Johnson, Olga Klishko, Michael W. Klunzinger, Satit Kovitvadhi, Uthaiwan Kovitvadhi, Jasna Lajtner, Manuel Lopes-Lima, Evelyn A. Moorkens, Shigeya Nagayama, Karl-Otto Nagel, Mitsunori Nakano, Junjiro N. Negishi, Paz Ondina, Panu Oulasvirta, Vincent Prie, Nicoletta Riccardi, Mudite Rudzite, Fran Sheldon, Ronaldo Sousa, David L. Strayer, Motoi Takeuchi, Jouni Taskinen, Amilcar Teixeira, Jeremy S. Tiemann, Maria Urbanska, Simone Varandas, Maxim V. Vinarski, Barry J. Wicklow, Tadeusz Zajac, Caryn C. Vaughn
Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations Evaluation of genetic change from translocation among Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus) populations
Maintenance of genetic diversity is important for conserving species, especially those with fragmented habitats or ranges. In the absence of natural dispersal, translocation can be used to achieve this goal, although the success of translocation can be difficult to measure. Here we evaluate genetic change following translocation in Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus), a species...
Authors
Shawna J Zimmerman, Cameron L. Aldridge, Anthony D. Apa, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus) Burmese Python (Python bivittatus)
No abstract available.
Authors
Kenneth L. Krysko, Robert Reed, Michael R. Rochford, Leroy P. Nunez, Kevin M. Enge
Population connectivity of pelagic megafauna in the Cuba-Mexico-United States triangle Population connectivity of pelagic megafauna in the Cuba-Mexico-United States triangle
The timing and extent of international crossings by billfishes, tunas, and sharks in the Cuba-Mexico-United States (U.S.) triangle was investigated using electronic tagging data from eight species that resulted in >22,000 tracking days. Transnational movements of these highly mobile marine predators were pronounced with varying levels of bi- or tri-national population connectivity...
Authors
Jay R. Rooker, Michael A. Dance, R. J. David Wells, Matthew J. Ajemian, Barbara A. Block, Michael R. Castleton, J. Marcus Drymon, Brett J. Falterman, James S. Franks, Neil Hammerschlag, Jill M. Hendon, Eric R. Hoffmayer, Richard T. Kraus, Jennifer A. McKinney, David H. Secor, Gregory W. Stunz, John F. Walter
Economical environmental sampler designs for detecting airborne spread of fungi responsible for Rapid `Ōhi`a Death Economical environmental sampler designs for detecting airborne spread of fungi responsible for Rapid `Ōhi`a Death
We designed two new samplers for monitoring airborne particulates that rely on either natural wind currents (Passive Environmental Sampler) or a battery-operated fan (Active Environmental Sampler). Both samplers are significantly less expensive than commercial devices such as Rotorod® and Burkard Samplers that are used in the agricultural and health science industries. They are...
Authors
Carter T. Atkinson, Kylle Roy, Carolina Granthon
Application of multistate modeling to estimate salmonid survival and movement in relation to spatial and temporal variation in metal exposure in a large mining-impacted river Application of multistate modeling to estimate salmonid survival and movement in relation to spatial and temporal variation in metal exposure in a large mining-impacted river
We used telemetry and multistate modeling to estimate survival and movement of brown trout Salmo trutta and westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi in relation to dissolved copper concentrations in 189 km of the upper Clark Fork River, Montana, a mining-impacted river in western Montana. Annual survival estimates for both brown trout (range, 0.27-0.53) and westslope...
Authors
Mariah P. Mayfield, Thomas E. McMahon, Jay J. Rotella, Robert E. Gresswell, Trevor M. Selch, Patrick Saffle, Jason Lindstrom, Brad Liermann
Habitat overlap of juvenile and adult lake trout of Great Bear Lake: Evidence for lack of a predation gradient? Habitat overlap of juvenile and adult lake trout of Great Bear Lake: Evidence for lack of a predation gradient?
A range of organisms, from plankton to fish, commonly shift their habitat distributions horizontally or vertically due to predation risk. Juvenile lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, are generally viewed as occupying deep areas of lakes to decrease predation pressure from adults. In contrast, we found that juvenile lake trout from Great Bear Lake, NT, Canada, occupied a variety of habitats...
Authors
Louise Chavarie, Kim L Howland, Les N. Harris, Michael J. Hansen, C P Gallagher, W J Harford, W M Tonn, Andrew M. Muir, Charles C. Krueger
Assessing the spawning ecology of fish in situ using a benthic pump sampler Assessing the spawning ecology of fish in situ using a benthic pump sampler
In situ observations of incubating fish eggs can identify spawning sites and spawning habitat preferences, informing the ecology of fishes with benthic eggs. Suction pumps have been used to sample benthic-incubating, non-adhesive fish eggs, yet their sampling efficiency is not well known. Imperfect or systematically variable egg detection could bias resulting ecological inference if left
Authors
Matthew R. Paufve, Suresh Sethi, Brian F. Lantry, Brian Weidel, Lars G. Rudstam
Response of vegetation in open and partially wooded fens to prescribed burning at Seney National Wildlife Refuge Response of vegetation in open and partially wooded fens to prescribed burning at Seney National Wildlife Refuge
The health and function of northern peatlands, particularly for fens, are strongly affected by fire and hydrology. Fens are important to several avian species of conservation interest, notably the yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis). Fire suppression and altered hydrology often result in woody encroachment, altering the plant community and structure. Woody encroachment and its...
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Wesley E. Newton