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Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center scientists work throughout the U.S. and the world on a diverse set of issues to support the safeguarding, understanding, and management of our public lands.
Featured Research
Featured Research
READI-Net—A network of robotic environmental DNA samplers to enhance the early detection of aquatic biological threats
Featured Research
Featured Research
NOROCK is developing drought early warning systems for fisheries and water management
NOROCK Quick Links
NOROCK Quick Links
Check out our most up-to-date data & science, and learn about any upcoming NOROCK opportunities .
News
IGBST Public Notifications and Resources
IGBST Public Notifications and Resources
NOROCK Research in Support of Native Amphibians
NOROCK Research in Support of Native Amphibians
Tree rings provide an important multi-century context for the current wildfire crisis
Tree rings provide an important multi-century context for the current wildfire crisis
Publications
Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument
Translocations have been widely used to restore and conserve bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in North America. Some translocations have been successful, but many populations remain small and genetically isolated. Population structure can influence the viability and long-term success of reintroductions. Social ungulates often function as interconnected subpopulations...
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...
Science
Building drought early warning systems for fisheries and water management across the U.S.
As droughts become more frequent and severe, freshwater ecosystems and the valuable fisheries they support face increasing challenges. These impacts can lead to declines in fish populations, threatening biodiversity, recreational fishing, and economies. To address these threats, scientists at the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and Montana State University are developing Drought Early...
2025 USGS Benchmark Glaciers Executive Summary
2025 Data Now Available: Explore how the USGS Benchmark Glaciers have changed in 2025
Glaciers and Landscape Change
Mountain glaciers are dynamic reservoirs of frozen water, deeply interconnected with their surrounding ecosystems. Glacier change in North America has major societal impacts, including to water resources, natural hazard risk, tourism disruption, fisheries, and global sea level change. Understanding and quantifying precise connections between changing glaciers, the surrounding landscape and climate...