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.
Filter Total Items: 175017
Differential shortstopping behaviour in Whooping Cranes: Habitat or social learning? Differential shortstopping behaviour in Whooping Cranes: Habitat or social learning?
Many migratory bird species have begun shifting their wintering grounds closer to their breeding grounds, shortening their yearly migration distance through a behavior called shortstopping. While multiple studies have investigated possible drivers, it remains unclear why only some populations adopt this behavior. We studied the differential occurrence of shortstopping in two populations...
Authors
Philipp Mendgen, Sarah J. Converse, Aaron T. Pearse, Claire S. Teitelbaum, Thomas Mueller
Simulating post-dam removal effects of hatchery operations and disease on juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) production in the Lower Klamath River, California Simulating post-dam removal effects of hatchery operations and disease on juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) production in the Lower Klamath River, California
Executive Summary The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has been considering the approval to breach four dams on lower Klamath River in southern Oregon and northern California. Approval of this application would allow for Strikeouts indicate text deletion hereafter. decommissioning and dam removal, beginning as early as 2023. This action would affect Klamath River salmon (Oncorhynchus...
Authors
Russell W. Perry, John M. Plumb, Michael J. Dodrill, Nicholas A. Som, H. Eve Robinson, Nicholas J. Hetrick
Quality of groundwater used for domestic supply in the Modesto, Turlock, and Merced Subbasins of the San Joaquin Valley, California Quality of groundwater used for domestic supply in the Modesto, Turlock, and Merced Subbasins of the San Joaquin Valley, California
Summary More than 2 million Californians rely on groundwater from privately owned domestic wells for drinking-water supply. This report summarizes a water-quality survey of domestic and small-system drinking-water supply wells in the Modesto, Turlock, and Merced subbasins of the San Joaquin Valley where more than 78,000 residents are estimated to use privately owned domestic wells...
Authors
Zeno F. Levy, Mariia Balkan, Jennifer L. Shelton
Modeling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) population response to streamflow and water temperature extremes Modeling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) population response to streamflow and water temperature extremes
Models that assess the vulnerability of freshwater species to shifting environmental conditions do not always account for short-duration extremes, which are increasingly common. Life cycle models for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) generally focus on average conditions that fish experience during each life stage, yet many floods, low flows, and elevated water temperatures only last...
Authors
J. Ryan Bellmore, Christopher J. Sergeant, Rebecca A. Bellmore, Jeffrey A. Falke, Jason B. Fellman
Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum has been well-documented in anadromous salmonids but not in hatchery-reared inland trout. We assessed whether the bacterium is vertically transmitted in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) from a Colorado, USA hatchery, and assessed the rate of transmission from male and female brood fish. Adult brood fish were killed, tested for R
Authors
Tawni B. Riepe, Eric R. Fetherman, Brad Neuschwanger, Tracy Davis, Andrew Perkins, Dana L. Winkelman
Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: An underexplored biodiversity hotspot Skinks of Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea: An underexplored biodiversity hotspot
Context: Skinks comprise the dominant component of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Oceania, New Guinea, and Eastern Wallacea (ONGEW). However, knowledge of their diversity is incomplete, and their conservation needs are poorly understood. Aims: To explore the diversity and threat status of the skinks of ONGEW and identify knowledge gaps and conservation needs. Methods: We compiled a...
Authors
Alex Slavenko, Allen Allison, Christopher C. Austin, Aaron Bauer, Rafe M. Brown, Robert N. Fisher, Ivan Ineich, Bulisa Iova, Benjamin R. Karin, Frederick Kraus, Sven Mecke, Shai Meiri, Clare Morrison, Paul M. Oliver, Mark O'Shea, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Glenn M. Shea, Oliver J. S. Tallowin, David G. Chapple
Out of the frying pan and into the fire: Effects of volcanic heat and other stressors on the conservation of a critically endangered plant in Hawaiʻi Out of the frying pan and into the fire: Effects of volcanic heat and other stressors on the conservation of a critically endangered plant in Hawaiʻi
Loss of local biodiversity resulting from abrupt environmental change is a significant environmental problem throughout the world. Extinctions of plants are particularly important yet are often overlooked. Drawing from a case in Hawai‘i, a global hotspot for plant and other extinctions, we demonstrate an effort to better understand and determine priorities for the management of an...
Authors
Nathan S. Gill, Jeff Stallman, Linda Pratt, Jennifer L. Lewicki, Tamar Elias, Patricia A. Nadeau, Stephanie G. Yelenik
Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches Round goby detection in Lakes Huron and Michigan— An evaluation of eDNA and fish catches
Aquatic surveys for fish in large water bodies (e.g., Laurentian Great Lakes of North America) often require a flexible approach using multiple methods, surveying different depths, and sampling across seasons, especially when the target species is elusive in its natural habitat. The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is an invasive, bottom-dwelling fish inhabiting rocky areas of all...
Authors
Katarzyna Przybyla-Kelly, Ashley M. Spoljaric, Meredith B. Nevers
Comparison of community practitioner and clinical educator expectations of veterinary graduates Comparison of community practitioner and clinical educator expectations of veterinary graduates
One goal of veterinary curricular development and revision is to ensure graduating veterinarians meet entry-level competencies to perform successfully in their community. Most curricula are developed by clinical educators in a university setting; therefore, we must determine whether clinical educators can predict community practitioner expectations. This article evaluates practitioners’
Authors
Amy Nichelason, Nathan Roy Bollig, Tom Bach, Molly Harris, Peggy Schmidt
Gross alpha-particle activity and high 226Ra concentrations do not correspond with high 210Po in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain aquifers of the United States Gross alpha-particle activity and high 226Ra concentrations do not correspond with high 210Po in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain aquifers of the United States
210Po, which is of human-health concern based on lifetime ingestion cancer risk, is indirectly regulated in drinking water through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s gross alpha-particle activity (GAPA) maximum contaminant level of 15 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). This regulation requires independent measurement of 226Ra for samples exceeding the GAPA screening level of 5 pCi/L...
Authors
Zoltan Szabo, Charles A. Cravotta, Paul E. Stackelberg, Kenneth Belitz
Intensified warming and aridity accelerate terminal lake desiccation in the Great Basin of the western United States Intensified warming and aridity accelerate terminal lake desiccation in the Great Basin of the western United States
Terminal lakes in the Great Basin (GB) of the western US host critical wildlife habitat and food for migrating birds and can be associated with serious human health and economic consequences when they desiccate. Water levels have declined dramatically in the last 100+ years due to diversion of inflows, drought and climate change. Satellite-derived environmental science data records...
Authors
Dorothy K. Hall, John S. Kimball, Ron Larson, Nicolo E. DiGirolamo, Kimberly Ann Casey, Glynn Hulley
Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
Vertical transmission of Renibacterium salmoninarum has been well-documented in anadromous salmonids but not in hatchery-reared inland trout. We assessed whether the bacterium is vertically transmitted in cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) from a Colorado, USA hatchery, and assessed the rate of transmission from male and female brood fish. Adult brood fish were killed, tested for R
Authors
Tawni B. Riepe, Eric R. Fetherman, Brad Neuschwanger, Tracy Davis, Andrew Perkins, Dana L. Winkelman