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.
Mission Area Publications
Mission Area Publications
We are focused on some of the most significant issues society faces, and our science is making a substantial contribution to the well-being of the Nation and the world. Learn more about the major topics our research covers and the programs focused on those topics.
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Critical minerals memory match game Critical minerals memory match game
An educational information packet about the 2025 List of Critical Minerals, which includes a memory match game about select critical minerals and how they are used.
Authors
Danielle A. Olinger
Critter Tales—Adventures in restoration activity book for kids Critter Tales—Adventures in restoration activity book for kids
Authors
Ashley A. Mills, John P. Isanhart, Kimber Petersen, Samantha L. Foster
Cruise summary—Samoa Basin abyssal mapping—Box coring leg, Pago Pago, Territory of American Samoa to Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 11– May 1, 2026 Cruise summary—Samoa Basin abyssal mapping—Box coring leg, Pago Pago, Territory of American Samoa to Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 11– May 1, 2026
Authors
Amy Gartman, Katlin Bowman Adamczyk, Jason A. Addison, Jill R. Bourque, Beth E. Caissie, Caroline Sarah Caron, Amanda W. Demopoulos, Jaycee Favela, Hope Lee Ianiri, Daniel Charles Powers, Nancy G. Prouty, Jane Anne Rudebusch, Isabelle M. Shapiro
CrustCheck: A conceptual framework for interpreting biocrust trait–function relationships in drylands CrustCheck: A conceptual framework for interpreting biocrust trait–function relationships in drylands
Introduction Biocrusts are increasingly recognized for their contribution to soil stability, hydrology, nutrient cycling, and energy balance in drylands, yet practical field methods for assessing functional roles are limited. Existing approaches typically rely on cover estimates, taxonomic identification, or laboratory analyses, providing little insight into functional variation among...
Authors
Nicky Parker, Susanne Schmidt, Lea A. Condon, Jaidyn Eastaughffe, Peter S. Coates, Wendy Williams
Cultural benefits knowledge and social learning in Elwha River dam removal and ecosystem decision-making Cultural benefits knowledge and social learning in Elwha River dam removal and ecosystem decision-making
In a retrospective case study of the seminal Elwha River dam removal in Washington State, USA, we explore pathways through which ecosystem services (ES) knowledge can inform environmental decision-making. We specifically investigate how knowledge of cultural benefits linked to the Elwha River ecosystem was made available. Through interviews and historical document review we identify...
Authors
Kristin R. Hoelting, Doreen E. Martinez, Lucas Bair, Rudy Schuster, Michael C. Gavin
Culturing emerging, imperiled, and poorly understood fishes Culturing emerging, imperiled, and poorly understood fishes
Most fish hatcheries and farms raise fish for food, to supply the bait and ornamental fish trades, or to create or enhance recreational and commercial fishing opportunities. Culture methods for these species are well established and are described in various chapters of this book. However, a growing number of facilities are responsible for cultivation of emerging, imperiled, or lesser...
Authors
James Candrl, Theo Smith
Cumulative effects of multiple stressors on marine mammals: Elephant seals as a model system Cumulative effects of multiple stressors on marine mammals: Elephant seals as a model system
Noise exposure is a potential stressor for free-ranging marine mammals and is often studied in the absence of other environmental factors. Here, a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary effort was undertaken to examine the response of elephant seals to multiple stressors. An integrated physiological and ecological approach was taken, including immunology, stress physiology, toxicology...
Authors
Daniel P. Costa, Rachel R. Holser, Garrett T. Shipway, Arina B. Favilla, Birgitte I. McDonald, Daphne M. Shen, Amber R. Diluzio, Sarah H. Peterson, Joshua T. Ackerman, Daniel E. Crocker
Current and near-future conditions of aquatic spatial data for use in ecological models in the United States Current and near-future conditions of aquatic spatial data for use in ecological models in the United States
To address increasing demand for ecological models of aquatic species that can inform the management of national freshwater resources, we leveraged manager input to develop suites of environmental data layers characterizing freshwater habitats for the contiguous United States. Using the National Hydrography Dataset, these new data cover lentic and lotic systems under current and near...
Authors
Grace C. Henderson, Peder Engelstad, Cameron J. Reimer, Shelby K. LeClare, Linnea S. Fraser, Demetra A. Williams, Keana S. Shadwell, Wesley M. Daniel, Ian A. Pfingsten, Catherine S. Jarnevich
Cyanobacteria and aquatic ecosystem dynamics across 28,000 years of environmental changes in subtropical North America Cyanobacteria and aquatic ecosystem dynamics across 28,000 years of environmental changes in subtropical North America
Ecological pressures on aquatic ecosystems have increased over recent centuries due to human activities and climate change. However, contextualizing ecosystem deterioration is often challenging due to limited knowledge of environmental changes over millennial timescales. Subtropical Carolina bays in North Carolina, USA, have remained unglaciated, preserving paleolimnological records that...
Authors
Savvas Paradeisis-Stathis, Matthew N. Waters, Debra A. Willard, Richard S. Vachula
Cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and emergency department visits for asthma or wheeze, Wisconsin, 2017–2019 Cyanobacterial bloom occurrence and emergency department visits for asthma or wheeze, Wisconsin, 2017–2019
Authors
Amy M. Lavery, Jordan Murray, Audrey F. Pennington, Blake Schaeffer, Bridget Seegers, Elizabeth D. Hilborn, Keith A. Loftin, Stephen Scroggins, Lorraine Backer
Data-collection methods for total dissolved gases monitoring, Youghiogheny River at Dam Outlet Tunnel near Confluence, Pennsylvania Data-collection methods for total dissolved gases monitoring, Youghiogheny River at Dam Outlet Tunnel near Confluence, Pennsylvania
Supersaturation of total dissolved gases (TDG) can potentially occur in the tailrace water at the Youghiogheny River at dam outlet tunnel near Confluence, Pennsylvania (U.S. Geological Survey [USGS] streamgaging and monitoring station 03077100). The USGS, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, established methods to collect and report TDG saturation data in the tailrace...
Authors
Allan J. Ruddy, Emily E. Woodward, Gerolamo C. Casile
Day-roost use by ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus) Day-roost use by ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus)
The ‘ōpe‘ape‘a, also known as the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus semotus; family Vespertilionidae), is a solitary, insectivorous, foliage-roosting endemic species. Over a three-year period, we investigated day-roost lability and fidelity of 35 bats at 52 roosts (for a total of 544 days of observation), and roost emergence and return patterns of 46 bats at 50 roosts (for a total of 277 days...
Authors
P. Marcos Gorresen, Kristina Montoya-Aiona, Karen Courtot, Amy L. Vievard, Josephine L. Tupu