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The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.
Browse more than 65,000 articles authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS and refine search by topic, location, year, and advanced search.
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Identifying invasive species threats, pathways, and impacts to improve biosecurity Identifying invasive species threats, pathways, and impacts to improve biosecurity
Managing invasive species with prevention and early-detection strategies can avert severe ecological and economic impacts. Horizon scanning, an evidence-based process combining risk screening and consensus building to identify threats, has become a valuable tool for prioritizing invasive species management and prevention. We assembled a working group of experts from academic, government...
Authors
Deah Lieurance, Susan Canavan, Donald C. Behringer, Amy E. Kendig, Carey R. Minteer, Lindsey S. Reisinger, Christina M. Romagosa, S. Luke Flory, Julie L. Lockwood, Patti J. Anderson, Shirley M. Baker, Jamie Bojko, Kristen E. Bowers, Kim Canavan, Kelly Carruthers, Wesley M. Daniel, Doria R. Gordon, Jeffrey E. Hill, Jennifer G. Howeth, Basil V. Iannone, Lucas Jennings, Lyn A. Gettys, Eutychus M. Kariuki, John M. Kunzer, H. Dail Laughinghouse, Nicholas E. Mandrak, Sara McCann, Tolulope Morawo, Cayla R. Morningstar, Matthew Neilson, Tabitha Petri, Ian A. Pfingsten, Robert Reed, Linda J. Walters, Christian Wanamaker
Effect of straying, reproductive strategies, and ocean distribution on the structure of American shad populations Effect of straying, reproductive strategies, and ocean distribution on the structure of American shad populations
The use of species distribution models has proliferated, providing insights for sustainable management of migratory species in a globally changing environment. However, many of these models are based on statistical relationships developed from historical conditions that may not perform well under changing or even analogous conditions caused by climate change. In this paper, we used a...
Authors
Camille Poulet, Geraldine Lassalle, Adrian Jordaan, Karin E. Limburg, Christopher C. Nack, Janet A. Nye, Andrew O’Malley, Betsy O’Malley-Barber, Dan S. Stich, John R. Waldman, Joseph D. Zydlewski, Patrick Lambert
Examining the effect of environmental variability on the viability of endangered Steller sea lions using an integrated population model Examining the effect of environmental variability on the viability of endangered Steller sea lions using an integrated population model
Understanding spatio-temporal variability in demography and the influence of environmental conditions offers insight into the factors underlying population dynamics. This is particularly true for species with divergent demographic patterns across large geographic areas. The contrasting abundance trends observed across the range of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) have been studied
Authors
Amanda J. Warlick, Devin S. Johnson, Katie L. Sweeney, Tom S. Gelatt, Sarah J. Converse
Neogene faulting, basin development, and relief generation in the southern Klamath Mountains (USA) Neogene faulting, basin development, and relief generation in the southern Klamath Mountains (USA)
Development and evaluation of models for tectonic evolution in the Cascadia forearc require understanding of along-strike heterogeneity of strain distribution, uplift, and upper-plate characteristics. Here, we investigated the Neogene geologic record of the Klamath Mountains province in southernmost Cascadia and obtained apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronology of Mesozoic plutons...
Authors
Melanie J. Michalak, Susan M. Cashman, Victoria Langenheim, Taylor C. Team, Dana J. Christensen
Rangeland pitting for revegetation and annual weed control Rangeland pitting for revegetation and annual weed control
On the GroundSoil pitting is an ancient technique for concentrating soil moisture to enable plant establishment and promote plant growth. It is especially effective in arid areas where plant establishment is limited by water availability.Pits created by digging and mounding action have been shown to be effective. Small pits made by soil compression are not very durable. Larger pits last...
Authors
Danielle Bilyeu Johnston, Rebecca K. Mann
Prairie dog responses to vector control and vaccination during an initial Yersinia pestis invasion Prairie dog responses to vector control and vaccination during an initial Yersinia pestis invasion
We evaluated the invasion of plague bacteria Yersinia pestis into a population of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus; BTPDs) in South Dakota. We aimed to ascertain if Y. pestis invaded slowly or rapidly, and to determine if vector (flea) control or vaccination of BTPDs assisted in increasing survival rates. We sampled BTPDs in 2007 (before Y. pestis documentation), 2008...
Authors
David A. Eads, Dean E. Biggins, Shantini Ramakrishnan, Amanda R. Goldberg, Samantha L. Eads, Tonie E. Rocke
Critical review of the phytohemagglutinin assay for assessing amphibian immunity Critical review of the phytohemagglutinin assay for assessing amphibian immunity
Infectious diseases are a major driver of the global amphibian decline. In addition, many factors, including genetics, stress, pollution, and climate change can influence the response to pathogens. Therefore, it is important to be able to evaluate amphibian immunity in the laboratory and in the field. The phytohemagglutinin (PHA) assay is an inexpensive and relatively non-invasive tool...
Authors
Lauren Hawley, Kelly L. Smalling, Scott Glaberman
Saproxylic beetles' morphological traits and higher trophic guilds indicate boreal forest naturalness Saproxylic beetles' morphological traits and higher trophic guilds indicate boreal forest naturalness
Forests contribute to numerous ecosystem functions and services and contain a large proportion of terrestrial biodiversity, but they are being negatively impaced by anthropogenic activities. Forests that have never been clear-cut and have old growth characteristics, termed “near-natural,” often harbor different and richer species assemblages than managed forests. Alternative management...
Authors
Ross Wetherbee, Tone Birkemoe, Ryan C. Burner, Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson
Decision analysis to advance environmental sustainability Decision analysis to advance environmental sustainability
Decision analysis provides a robust framework for complex decisions related to environmental sustainability and conservation, including for energy and water, fisheries and wildlife management, agriculture, and climate change response. The complexities of these problems stem from their large scope and scale, which leads to multiple decision makers, stakeholders, rightsholders, and other...
Authors
Kelly Filer Robinson, Erin Baker, Elizabeth Ewing, Victoria Hemming, Melissa A. Kenney, Michael C. Runge
Effects of hunting on mating, relatedness, and genetic diversity in a puma population Effects of hunting on mating, relatedness, and genetic diversity in a puma population
Hunting mortality can affect population abundance, demography, patterns of dispersal and philopatry, breeding, and genetic diversity. We investigated the effects of hunting on the reproduction and genetic diversity in a puma population in western Colorado, USA. We genotyped over 11,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), using double-digest, restriction site-associated DNA sequencing...
Authors
John A. Erwin, Kenneth A. Logan, Daryl R. Trumbo, W. Chris Funk, Melanie Culver
Artisanal mining river dredge detection using SAR: A method comparison Artisanal mining river dredge detection using SAR: A method comparison
Challenges exist in monitoring artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activities, given their dynamic and often informal nature. ASM takes form through various techniques and scales, including riverine dredging, which often targets the abundant alluvial gold deposits in South America. Remote sensing offers a solution to improve data collection, regulation, and monitoring of the more...
Authors
Marissa Ann Alessi, Peter G. Chirico, Marco Millones
Relative effectiveness of a radionuclide (210Pb), surface elevation table (SET), and LiDAR at monitoring mangrove forest surface elevation change Relative effectiveness of a radionuclide (210Pb), surface elevation table (SET), and LiDAR at monitoring mangrove forest surface elevation change
Sea-level rise (SLR) is one of the greatest future threats to mangrove forests. Mangroves have kept up with or paced past SLR by maintaining their forest floor elevation relative to sea level through root growth, sedimentation, and peat development. Monitoring surface elevation change (SEC) or accretion rates allows us to understand mangrove response to SLR and prioritizes resilient...
Authors
Richard A. MacKenzie, Ken Krauss, Nicole Cormier, Eugene Eperiam, Jan van Aardt, Ali Rouzbeh Kargar, Jessica Grow, J. Val Klump