Publications
Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
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Most random-encounter-model density estimates in camera-based predator-prey studies are unreliable Most random-encounter-model density estimates in camera-based predator-prey studies are unreliable
Population estimates are often required for identifying relationships between predators and their prey and to inform conservation and management actions. The random encounter model (REM) estimates population density of wildlife lacking individually unique markings, based on photographs or videos from remote camera-traps. However, the REM has strict sampling and input requirements that...
Authors
Sean M. Murphy, Benjamin S. Nolan, Felicia Chen, Kathleen Longshore, Matthew T. Simes, Gabrielle A. Berr, Todd Esque
Using crustal-scale refraction data of joint inversions of Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves and H/V spectral ratios for Atlantic Coastal Plain velocity structure, eastern U.S. Using crustal-scale refraction data of joint inversions of Rayleigh-wave dispersion curves and H/V spectral ratios for Atlantic Coastal Plain velocity structure, eastern U.S.
Shallow shear‐wave velocities ( Vs) sometimes are estimated from joint inversions of horizontal‐to‐vertical (H/V) spectral ratios and surface‐wave dispersion curves derived from ambient noise or small active sources. Here, we evaluate carrying out these inversions using Rayleigh‐wave dispersion curves computed from crustal‐scale P‐wave seismic refraction data. We use data from the 2014...
Authors
Thomas Pratt, Stefano Parolai, Valerio Poggi, Ilaria Dreossi
U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33 U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program decadal science strategy, 2024–33
Executive Summary Earthquakes represent one of our Nation’s most significant and costly natural hazards, with estimated annual loses from earthquakes close to $15 billion in 2023. Over the past two centuries, 37 U.S. States have experienced an earthquake exceeding a magnitude of 5, and 50 percent of States have a significant potential for future damaging shaking; these statistics speak...
Authors
Gavin P. Hayes, Annemarie S. Baltay Sundstrom, William D. Barnhart, Michael L. Blanpied, Lindsay A. Davis, Paul S. Earle, Edward H. Field, Jill M. Franks, Douglas D. Given, Ryan D. Gold, Christine A Goulet, Michelle M. Guy, Jeanne L. Hardebeck, Nico Luco, Frederick Pollitz, Adam T. Ringler, Katherine M. Scharer, Steven Sobieszczyk, Valerie I. Thomas, Cecily J. Wolfe
Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System Amphibian richness, rarity, threats, and conservation prospects across the U.S. National Park System
We assessed amphibian diversity, rarity, and threats across the National Park System (U.S.A.), which covers 3.5% of the country and 12% of federal lands. At least 230 of 354 (65%) amphibian species documented in the country occur on National Park Service lands. Of species in parks, 17% are at-risk globally and 20% are uncategorized, reflecting still-widespread data deficiencies. National...
Authors
Benjamin J. LaFrance, Andrew M. Ray, Michael T. Tercek, Robert N. Fisher, Blake R. Hossack
Comparing microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools for the surveillance of anthrax Comparing microbiological and molecular diagnostic tools for the surveillance of anthrax
The diagnosis of anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis can be complicated by detection of closely related species. Conventional diagnosis of anthrax involves microscopy, culture identification of bacterial colonies and molecular detection. Genetic markers used are often virulence gene targets such as B. anthracis protective antigen (pagA, also called BAPA, occurring on...
Authors
Sunday O. Ochai, Ayesha Hassim, Edgar H. Dekker, Thuto Magome, Kgaugelo E. Lekota, S. Marcus Makgabo, Lin‑Mari de Klerk‑Loris, O. Louis van Schalkwyk, Pauline L. Kamath, Wendy Christine Turner, Henriette van Heerden
Projections of multiple climate-related coastal hazards for the US Southeast Atlantic Projections of multiple climate-related coastal hazards for the US Southeast Atlantic
Faced with accelerating sea level rise and changing ocean storm conditions, coastal communities require comprehensive assessments of climate-driven hazard impacts to inform adaptation measures. Previous studies have focused on flooding but rarely on other climate-related coastal hazards, such as subsidence, beach erosion and groundwater. Here, we project societal exposure to multiple...
Authors
Patrick L. Barnard, Kevin M. Befus, Jeffrey J. Danielson, Anita C Engelstad, Li H. Erikson, Amy C. Foxgrover, Maya Kumari Hayden, Daniel J. Hoover, Tim Leijnse, Chris Massey, Robert T. McCall, Norberto Nadal-Caraballo, Kees Nederhoff, Andrea C. O'Neill, Kai Alexander Parker, Manoochehr Shirzaei, Leonard O. Ohenhen, Peter W Swarzenski, Jennifer Anne Thomas, Maarten van Ormondt, Sean Vitousek, Killian Vos, Nathan J. Wood, Jeanne M. Jones, Jamie Jones
Database of surface water diversion sites and daily withdrawals for the upper Colorado River Basin, 1980–2022 Database of surface water diversion sites and daily withdrawals for the upper Colorado River Basin, 1980–2022
The Colorado River drains about 8% of the conterminous United States, provides water for 40 million people, and is one of the most overallocated rivers in the world. As the upper Colorado River Basin (UCOL) contributes an estimated 92% of the total basin natural streamflow, knowledge of the location and amount of surface water withdrawals in the UCOL is important for managing the...
Authors
Samuel Francisco Lopez, Jacob E. Knight, Fred D. Tillman, Melissa D. Masbruch, Daniel Wise, Casey J.R. Jones, Matthew P. Miller
A transferable approach for quantifying benthic fish sizes and densities in annotated underwater images A transferable approach for quantifying benthic fish sizes and densities in annotated underwater images
1. Benthic fishes are a common target of scientific monitoring but are difficult to quantify because of their close association to bottom habitats that are hard to access. Advances in image-acquisition technologies, machine vision, and deep learning have made capturing and quantifying fishes with cameras increasingly feasible. We present a method and open-source software called...
Authors
Peter C. Esselman, Shadi Moradi, Joseph K. Geisz, Christopher Roussi
Potentially toxic elements in wild Agassiz’s desert tortoises: Tissue concentrations and association with disease Potentially toxic elements in wild Agassiz’s desert tortoises: Tissue concentrations and association with disease
Background: Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations have continued to decline due to infectious and other diseases, predation, and habitat alteration. The potential contribution of minerals and heavy metals to tortoise health and susceptibility to disease remains uncertain. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of elemental analysis of trace minerals...
Authors
Kristin H. Berry, Mary M. Christopher, Elliiott Jacobson
Assessing community needs for terrestrial analog studies Assessing community needs for terrestrial analog studies
Executive Summary The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed and released a survey to assess the terrestrial analog needs of the planetary science community. The goal was to assess the current state of terrestrial analog studies and determine community needs related to the use of field sites for training and research, data dissemination and archiving, and sample collections. The survey...
Authors
Lauren A. Edgar, M. Elise Rumpf, Skinner, Amber L. Gullikson, Laszlo P. Keszthelyi, Marc A. Hunter, Tenielle Gaither
River herring influence perch morphology, physiology, and life history River herring influence perch morphology, physiology, and life history
Anadromous fishes play important roles in nutrient dynamics for freshwater ecosystems; however, the trophic pathways have been less documented for iteroparous species like river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus and A. aestivalis) compared to semelparous species like Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). Given recent increases in restoration activities to improve connectivity, an understanding...
Authors
Steven Mattocks, Steven Bittner, Vasili Luzanau, Habibollah Mohammadi, Allison H. Roy, Michelle D. Staudinger, Adrian Jordaan
Resource selection of the southern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger niger) in the coastal plain of Virginia Resource selection of the southern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger niger) in the coastal plain of Virginia
The southern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger niger) is a subspecies of fox squirrel that ranges from southeastern Virginia to northern Florida. Throughout its Southeastern range, southern fox squirrel habitat of natural mixed pine-hardwood forests has been fragmented by agriculture and short-rotation pine plantations. In Virginia, remaining habitat has been transformed by fire suppression on...
Authors
Marissa H. Guill, Jesse L. De La Cruz, K. Marc Puckett, W. Mark Ford