Book Chapters
Science Quality and Integrity
The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.
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.
Filter Total Items: 6164
Isotopes as indicators of environmental change Isotopes as indicators of environmental change
In addition to providing an understanding of processes within a catchment system, isotopic techniques have been instrumental in providing reconstructions of catchment climate and other environmental indicators at various time scales. Many recent changes are a direct consequence of anthropogenic activities. Isotopic analysis serves as a valuable tool for distinguishing between natural...
Authors
James B. Shanley, Elise Pendall, Carol Kendall, Lora R. Stevens, Robert L. Michel, Patrick J. Phillips, Richard Forester, David L. Naftz, Beiling Liu, Libby Stern, Brent B. Wolfe, C. Page Chamberlain, Steven W. Leavitt, T. H. Heaton, Bernhard Mayer, L. DeWayne Cecil, W. Berry Lyons, Brian G. Katz, Julio L. Betancourt, Diane M. McKnight, Joel D. Blum, Thomas W.D. Edwards, Harold R. House, Emi Ito, Ramon O. Aravena, Joseph F. Whelan
Using transport model interpretations of tracer tests to study microbial processes in groundwater Using transport model interpretations of tracer tests to study microbial processes in groundwater
It has long been known that microorganisms affect the geochemistry of groundwater. But despite this recognition, little detailed information is available regarding the rates and the factors controlling microbial processes in groundwater. Part of the reason stems from the relatively inaccessible nature of most groundwater and the difficulties encountered in obtaining representative...
Authors
Richard L. Smith, Stephen P. Garabedian
A ponderosa pine natural area reveals its secrets A ponderosa pine natural area reveals its secrets
Monument Canyon Research Natural Area preserves an unlogged 259-hectare stand of old-growth ponderosa pine in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico. This preserve, established in 1932, is the oldest research natural area in the state. This two-tiered forest displays an old-growth density of 100 stems per hectare (Muldavin et al. 1995), with an understory thicket of stagnant saplings and...
Authors
Craig D. Allen
American Black Duck American Black Duck
The American black duck, with its brownish-black plumage and iridescent violet speculum, is one of the wariest of all the large dabbling ducks (Kortright 1942; Fig. 1). The black duck’s distribution is confined to eastern North America but extends into Manitoba. The black duck breeds in a variety of habitat types, from the brackish coastal marshes of North Carolina to the open boreal...
Authors
Jerry R. Longcore, David A. Clugston
Amphibians of the northern Great Plains Amphibians of the northern Great Plains
No cry of alarm has been sounded over the fate of amphibian populations in the northern grasslands of North America, yet huge percentages of prairie wetland habitat have been lost, and the destruction continues. Scarcely 30% of the original mixedgrass prairie remains in Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota (See Table 1 in this chapter). If amphibian populations haven’t declined, why...
Authors
Diane L. Larson, Ned H. Euliss, Michael J. Lannoo, David M. Mushet
Anurans as indicators of wetland condition in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota: an environmental monitoring and assessment program pilot project Anurans as indicators of wetland condition in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota: an environmental monitoring and assessment program pilot project
No abstract available.
Authors
D.D. Bowers, D. E. Andersen, N.H. Euliss
Avian conservation research in the Mariana Islands, Western Pacific Ocean Avian conservation research in the Mariana Islands, Western Pacific Ocean
No abstract available.
Authors
G.H. Rodda, E.W. Campbell, S.R. Derrickson
Birds and landscape changes in Northeastern forests Birds and landscape changes in Northeastern forests
No abstract available.
Authors
Sam Droege
Brief notes on habitat geology and clay pipe habitat on Stellwagen Bank Brief notes on habitat geology and clay pipe habitat on Stellwagen Bank
In our studies of sea floor habitats, my colleagues and I use both biological and geological approaches. We call our studies “habitat geology,” a term coined by a biologist friend of mine. We view it as the study of sea floor materials and biological and geological processes that influence where species live. Some of the factors that we consider are the following:composition of the sea...
Authors
Page C. Valentine
California Wildlife-Habitat-Relationship System: a test in coastal scrub and annual grassland California Wildlife-Habitat-Relationship System: a test in coastal scrub and annual grassland
No abstract available at this time
Authors
J. A. Howell, R.H. Barrett
Campsite survey implications for managing designated campsites at Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campsite survey implications for managing designated campsites at Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Backcountry campsites and shelters in Great Smoky Mountains National Park were surveyed in 1993 as part of a new impact monitoring program. A total of 395 campsites and shelters were located and assessed, including 309 legal campsites located at 84 designated campgrounds, 68 illegal campsites, and 18 shelters. Primary campsite management problems identified by the survey include: (1)...
Authors
J. L. Marion, Y.-F. Leung