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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.
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Construction and modification of debris-flow alluvial fans as captured in the geomorphic and sedimentary record: Examples from the western Sangre de Cristo Mountains, south-central Colorado Construction and modification of debris-flow alluvial fans as captured in the geomorphic and sedimentary record: Examples from the western Sangre de Cristo Mountains, south-central Colorado
Debris-flow alluvial fans are iconic features of dynamic landscapes and are hypothesized to record tectonic and climatic change. Here, we highlight their complex formation and evolution through an exemplary suite of Quaternary debris-flow alluvial fans emanating from the western range front of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado, USA. To evaluate the constructive and...
Authors
Sylvia Nicovich, James Schmitt, Harrison J. Gray, Ralph E. Klinger, Shannon A. Mahan
Stony coral tissue loss disease accelerated shifts in coral composition and declines in reef accretion potential in the Florida Keys Stony coral tissue loss disease accelerated shifts in coral composition and declines in reef accretion potential in the Florida Keys
Outbreaks of coral disease have been a dominant force shaping western Atlantic coral-reef assemblages since the late 1970s. Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is nonetheless having an unprecedented impact in the region. Whereas numerous studies over the last decade have worked to characterize this novel pathogen and its impacts on coral populations, few have quantified its...
Authors
Lauren T. Toth, Travis A. Courtney, Michael A. Colella, Robert R. Ruzicka
Factors influencing autumn–winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management Factors influencing autumn–winter movements of midcontinent Mallards and consequences for harvest and habitat management
Annual phenology and distributions of migratory wildlife have been noticeably influenced by climate change, leading to concerns about sustainable populations. Recent studies exploring conditions influencing autumn migration departure have provided conflicting insights regarding factors influencing the movements of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), a popular game species. We determined...
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, M. Szymanski, Cynthia A. Anchor, Michael J. Anteau, Rocco Murano, David A. Brandt, Joshua D. Stafford
Responses of native freshwater mussels to remediation to remove polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated sediments in the upper Hudson River Responses of native freshwater mussels to remediation to remove polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated sediments in the upper Hudson River
The Hudson River, New York, was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from two manufacturing plants over a period of approximately 30 years, and PCBs are still present in sediment and biota today. The river provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals, including native freshwater mussels. A remediation programme, consisting of dredging followed by the placement of...
Authors
Teresa J. Newton, Denise A. Mayer, James T. Rogala, Sean S. Madden, Brian R. Gray
Spatial distribution and diet of Lake Michigan juvenile lake trout Spatial distribution and diet of Lake Michigan juvenile lake trout
Most studies of Lake Michigan lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have focused on adults, with scant attention to juveniles ( 170 mm (∼age-2+). Largest catches of wild lake trout 170 mm were collected along southern transects. Mysis diluviana was the dominant prey for juvenile lake trout 250 mm were primarily piscivorous, while 170–250 mm appeared to be a transitional period of switching...
Authors
Benjamin Scott Leonhardt, Ralph W. Tingley, Charles P. Madenjian, Lynn M. Ogilvie, Brian Roth, Jory L. Jonas, Jason B. Smith
Model-based surveillance system design under practical constraints with application to white-nose syndrome Model-based surveillance system design under practical constraints with application to white-nose syndrome
Infectious diseases are powerful ecological forces structuring ecosystems, causing devastating economic impacts and disrupting society. Successful prevention and control of pathogens requires knowledge of the current scope and severity of disease, as well as the ability to forecast future disease dynamics. Assessment of the current situation as well as prediction of the future conditions...
Authors
Gina Oh, Srikanth Aravamuthan, Ting Fung Ma, Juan Francisco Mandujano Juan Francisco Reyes, Anne Ballmann, Trevor J. Hefley, Ian McGahan, Robin Russell, Daniel P. Walsh, Juntao Zhu
High pathogenicity avian influenza represents an unprecedented conservation challenge for globally declining seabird populations. Response to: Editorial, Protect wildlife from livestock diseases (Thijs Kuiken & Ruth Cromie) High pathogenicity avian influenza represents an unprecedented conservation challenge for globally declining seabird populations. Response to: Editorial, Protect wildlife from livestock diseases (Thijs Kuiken & Ruth Cromie)
No abstract available.
Authors
Michelle Wille, Stephanie Avery-Gomm, Valentina Caliendo, Kees Camphuysen, E. Humphreys, Andrew Lang, Emma Philip, Andrew M. Ramey, Jolianne M. Rijks, Gregory Robertson, Laura Robertson
Isothermal recombinant polymerase amplification and CRIPSR (CAS12A) assay detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum as an example for wildlife pathogen detection in environmental DNA samples Isothermal recombinant polymerase amplification and CRIPSR (CAS12A) assay detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum as an example for wildlife pathogen detection in environmental DNA samples
Improving rapid detection methods for pathogens is important for research as we collectively aim to improve the health of ecosystems globally. In the northern hemisphere, the success of salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) populations is vitally important to the larger marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems they inhabit. This has led to managers cultivating salmon in hatcheries and...
Authors
Erin D’Agnese, Dorothy M. Chase, Elizabeth Andruszkiewicz-Allan
Evolutionary and ecological correlates of thiaminase in fishes Evolutionary and ecological correlates of thiaminase in fishes
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is required by all living organisms in multiple metabolic pathways. It is scarce in natural systems, and deficiency can lead to reproductive failure, neurological issues, and death. One major cause of thiamine deficiency is an overreliance on diet items containing the enzyme thiaminase. Thiaminase activity has been noted in many prey fishes and linked to cohort...
Authors
Freya Elizabeth Rowland, Cathy A. Richter, Donald E Tillitt, David Walters
Climate, heatwaves, nearshore ecosystems and the sunflower sea star Climate, heatwaves, nearshore ecosystems and the sunflower sea star
At the nexus of the ocean and the land lies the nearshore ecosystem, which includes the intertidal zone, an area exposed during low tides and submerged during high tides. Species in the intertidal are adapted to a high level of environmental variability including high temperatures, waves, and salinity variability. Species’ tolerance to desiccation in part determines the elevation within...
Authors
Sarah Beth Traiger, Robert M. Suryan, Heather A. Coletti, Daniel Esler
A watershed moment for western U.S. dams A watershed moment for western U.S. dams
The summer of 2023 is a notable time for water-resource management in the western United States: Glen Canyon Dam, on the Colorado River, turns 60 years old while the largest dam-removal project in history is beginning on the Klamath River. This commentary discusses these events in the context of a changing paradigm for dam and reservoir management in this region. Since the era of large...
Authors
Amy E. East, Gordon E. Grant
Disinfection protocols for herpetofaunal pathogens Disinfection protocols for herpetofaunal pathogens
The spread of disease-causing pathogens is a major threat to amphibians and reptiles worldwide (Converse and Greene 2005; Picco et al. 2007; Picco and Collins 2008; St-Amour et al. 2008; O’Hanlon et al. 2018; Scheele et al. 2019). The World Organisation for Animal Health’s global list of notifiable animal diseases includes herpetofaunal diseases caused by infection with Ranavirus spp....
Authors
Molly C. Bletz, James T. Julian, Megan S. Kirchgessner, James M. Drasher, Paula F. P. Henry, Susan D. Jewell, Pamela T. Meier, Kathy Michelle, Jennifer C. Olori, Kevin J. Oxenrider, Michael J. Ravesi, Scott A. Smith