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Book Chapters

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.

Filter Total Items: 6173

Navigating the science-policy interface Navigating the science-policy interface

As a wildlife population ecologist who wants to conduct useful science, I find the Endangered Species Act (ESA), like other federal wildlife statutes, an intriguing read. The topic is in my wheelhouse—fish, wildlife, and plants, with a focus at the population and species levels. There is an emphasis on science, in fact, the “best scientific and commercial data available.” And there are
Authors
Michael C. Runge

A decision-analytical framework for developing harvest regulations A decision-analytical framework for developing harvest regulations

The development of harvest regulations for fish or wildlife is a complex decision that needs to weigh multiple objectives, consider a set of alternative regulatory options, integrate scientific understanding about the population dynamics of the harvested species as well as the human response to regulations, account for uncertainty, and provide an avenue for feedback from monitoring...
Authors
Michael C. Runge

Engaging hunters in selecting duck season dates using decision science: Problem framing, objective setting, devising management alternatives Engaging hunters in selecting duck season dates using decision science: Problem framing, objective setting, devising management alternatives

Waterfowl hunters have an important economic impact on local, state, and national economies, and are important stakeholders in decisions regarding waterfowl harvest season dates. Individual states are responsible for annually setting duck season dates that conform to the migratory game bird season frameworks as set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal framework specifies...
Authors
Angela K. Fuller, Joshua C. Stiller, William F. Siemer, Kelly A. Perkins

Using structured decision making to incorporate ecological and social values into harvest decisions: Case studies of white-tailed deer and walleye Using structured decision making to incorporate ecological and social values into harvest decisions: Case studies of white-tailed deer and walleye

Harvest decisions for fish and wildlife populations often include conflicting ecological, economic, and social values. Using decision analysis, such as structured decision making and adaptive management, as a framework to aid decision makers in multi-objective decision making for setting harvest regulations can lead to a more transparent and resilient decision. The process includes...
Authors
Kelly F. Robinson, Angela K. Fuller, Michael Jones

The future of managing ungulate species: White-tailed deer as a case study The future of managing ungulate species: White-tailed deer as a case study

The future challenge to managing ungulate populations to meet objectives is likely to become more difficult as participation in recreational hunting declines and ungulate populations become more abundant. The authors use the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in North America as a case study to illustrate the management challenges facing decision makers. In states with fewer...
Authors
Duane R. Diefenbach, W. Matthew Knox, Christopher S. Rosenberry

Harvest as a tool to manage populations of undesirable or overabundant fish and wildlife Harvest as a tool to manage populations of undesirable or overabundant fish and wildlife

Harvest is a common management tool for fish and game species and can also be used for overabundant populations when stakeholders want to reduce populations reduced and still provide recreational opportunities. The authors propose a framework to determine if harvest can be used to control populations when overabundance is an issue, stakeholders support harvest, information is available...
Authors
Craig P. Paukert, Elisabeth B. Webb, Drew N. Fowler, Corbin D. Hilling

Multivariate classification of the crude oil petroleum systems in southeast Texas, USA, using conventional and compositional data analysis of biomarkers Multivariate classification of the crude oil petroleum systems in southeast Texas, USA, using conventional and compositional data analysis of biomarkers

Chemically, petroleum is an extraordinarily complex mixture of different types of hydrocarbons that are now possible to isolate and identify because of advances in geochemistry. Here, we use biomarkers and carbon isotopes to establish genetic differences and similarities among oil samples. Conventional approaches for evaluating biomarker and carbon isotope relative abundances include...
Authors
Ricardo A. Olea, J. A Martin-Fernandez, William H. Craddock

Watersheds and drainage networks Watersheds and drainage networks

This topic is an overview of basic concepts about how the distribution of water on the Earth, with specific regard to watersheds, stream and river networks, and waterbodies are represented by geographic data. The flowing and non-flowing bodies of water on the earth’s surface vary in extent largely due to seasonal and annual changes in climate and precipitation. Consequently, modeling the...
Authors
Larry Stanislawski, Ethan J. Shavers

Dry formation of recent Martian slope features Dry formation of recent Martian slope features

Martian surface conditions are cold and dry, unfavorable for liquid water, yet steep slopes display young and currently active features suggestive of wet processes. These include recurring slope lineae and slope streaks, gully landforms, and small lobate features. Wet origins for these features would imply surprising amounts of liquid water at the surface. However, detailed observations...
Authors
Colin M. Dundas

Managing wildlife at landscape scales Managing wildlife at landscape scales

Managing wildlife populations on a landscape is not a new concept to the field of wildlife management. However, a variety of barriers exist to effectively manage wildlife species at landscape scales. For example, competing management objectives for the same population can occur in parts of two adjoining states and 3-4 agencies within a single state may be charged with managing the...
Authors
John W. Connelly, Courtney J. Conway

The 4th paradigm in multiscale data representation: Modernizing the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure The 4th paradigm in multiscale data representation: Modernizing the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure

The need of citizens in any nation to access geospatial data in readily usable form is critical to societal well-being, and in the United States (US), demands for information by scientists, students, professionals and citizens continue to grow. Areas such as public health, urbanization, resource management, economic development and environmental management require a variety of data...
Authors
Barbara P. Buttenfield, Larry Stanislawski, Barry J. Kronenfeld, Ethan J. Shavers
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