Book Chapters
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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 5,500 book chapters 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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Ground failure resulting from earthquake ground motions Ground failure resulting from earthquake ground motions
The ground failure resulting from an earthquake, at all scales, is ultimately controlled by the details of near-surface earthquake ground motions, the spatially distributed mechanical characteristics of surface materials and how the two interact. This chapter introduces the aspects of ground-motion seismology that are most relevant to the triggering of different types of ground failure...
Authors
Kate E. Allstadt, Eric M. Thompson
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 S. Candrl, Theo Smith
Whitefishes—Coregonus spp. Whitefishes—Coregonus spp.
Coregonines represent a diverse group of fishes of the Salmonidae subfamily Coregoninae that have ecological, cultural, and economical importance throughout their range. They are prey for other commercially and recreationally important predatory fish and are harvested for human consumption (Cleland 1982). Coregonines are generally cool- and coldwater species distributed across the...
Authors
Marc Chalupnicki, Gregg Mackey, John A. Sweka, Steve Davis, Kevin Loftus, Timothy Drew
Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess phytoplankton and indicate eutrophication in freshwater rivers: A multiyear nationwide study across the United States Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess phytoplankton and indicate eutrophication in freshwater rivers: A multiyear nationwide study across the United States
Phytoplankton are essential primary producers in fresh surface water that are critical to the health of ecosystems. However, phytoplankton overgrowth due to eutrophication threatens ecological, economic, and public health. Therefore, assessing phytoplankton is fundamental for understanding the productivity, health, and trophic status of freshwater ecosystems. Light microscopy and...
Authors
Chiqian Zhang, Kyle D. McIntosh, Nathan Sienkiewicz, Erin Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang Lu
Loma salmonae and related species Loma salmonae and related species
Loma salmonae is a microsporidium that infects Pacific salmon and causes a gill inflammatory syndrome known as microsporidial gill disease of salmon. This disease has been mostly associated with netpen-farmed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in British Columbia, Canada. Clinical, diagnostic, pathological aspects of disease, as well as approaches for disease avoidance in salmon...
Authors
Jan Lovy, David J. Speare
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
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
The future for reptiles: Advances and challenges in the Anthropocene The future for reptiles: Advances and challenges in the Anthropocene
The future for the Reptilia will be one of continued discovery of the extant diversity of species in every group and continued challenges for their conservation. Most species will persist, albeit in smaller and increasingly fragmented geographic ranges, and active conservation measures can help to ensure survival of highly vulnerable species. There are more than 12,440 documented species...
Authors
Lee A. Fitzgerald, Danielle K. Walkup, Kristina Chyn, Erin K. Buchholtz, Nicole Angeli, Mickey Parker
When is a parasite a problem? When is a parasite a problem?
A parasite’s perceived societal impact depends on the disease it causes and the perception of the affected host species. For instance, doctors and veterinarians have a mission to treat parasites that infect humans or that impact host species that have some utilitarian or aesthetic value for society. Marine scientists have different concerns than doctors. Although the number of parasites...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty
Important geographies for migrating and wintering waterfowl Important geographies for migrating and wintering waterfowl
This chapter identifies and describes the most important geographic regions for migrating and wintering waterfowl across North America. Although breeding habitats have historically been the focus of waterfowl conservation, this chapter emphasizes that the non-breeding period plays a critical role in shaping population dynamics. The authors use expert judgment, survey data, and...
Authors
Heath M Hagy, Michael G Brasher, Joseph P. Fleskes, Jacob N Straub, Alberto Lafón-Terrazas, Eduardo C Gonzalez
Events during migration and winter Events during migration and winter
No abstract available.
Authors
Aaron T. Pearse, Courtney L. Amundson, Mark P. Vrtiska
Glaciers in Alaska and western North America Glaciers in Alaska and western North America
This chapter summarizes the location, status, and projections of glaciers in Alaska and western North America. Recent events, including the 2021 surge of Muldrow Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, are summarized. The implications of glacier loss for ecosystems, water resources, and mountain hazards are discussed.
Authors
Caitlyn Florentine