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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: 6158

The Baltic Macoma: abundance and distribution of an important winter food of diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay The Baltic Macoma: abundance and distribution of an important winter food of diving ducks in Chesapeake Bay

Poor water quality and widespread depletion of wild celery (Vallisneria americana) and other submerged aquatic plants important as waterfowl foods has resulted in the continued dependence of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) on Baltic clams (Macoma balthica) as their primary winter food. Despite this dependence, no information exists regarding the distribution and abundance of Baltic...
Authors
Dennis G. Jorde, G.M. Haramis

The effects of pollutants on wildlife The effects of pollutants on wildlife

In this chapter, selected sources of information which address the effects of pollutants on wildlife are reviewed. Although naturally occurring plant and animal toxins also affect wildlife, the focus of this review is xenobiotic toxicants. Xenobiotic substances are chemicals introduced into the environment in the form of pesticides, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and...
Authors
K.E. Wesenberg

The highest global concentrations and increased abundance of oceanic plastic debris in the North Pacific: Evidence from seabirds The highest global concentrations and increased abundance of oceanic plastic debris in the North Pacific: Evidence from seabirds

Plastic pollution has risen dramatically with an increase in production of plastic resin during the past few decades. Plastic production in the United States increased from 2.9 million tons in I960 to 47.9 million tons in 1985 (Society of the Plastics Industry 1986). This has been paralleled by a significant increase in the concentration of plastic particles in oceanic surface waters of...
Authors
Martin D. Robards, Patrick J. Gould

The name of Lawrence's flycatcher The name of Lawrence's flycatcher

If Lawrence's flycatcher of Grenada, Trinidad, and northern South America is placed in the genus Lathrotriccus with the species euleri, it should be L. flaviventris (Lawrence) or L. euleriflaviventris, depending on rank. If it remains in the genus Empidonax, the specific name should be bolivianus Allen.
Authors
R.C. Banks

The value of small preserves The value of small preserves

No abstract available at this time
Authors
M.W. Schwartz, P. van Mantgem

Use of ultralight aircraft for introducing migratory crane populations Use of ultralight aircraft for introducing migratory crane populations

Objectives were to determine if captive-reared cranes could be led behind an ultralight aircraft (UL) along a migration route and, if after release on a wintering area, they would integrate with wild cranes and migrate north in spring to their natal area without assistance. Greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) were used as the research surrogate for whooping cranes (Grus...
Authors
Kent R. Clegg, J. C. Lewis, D. H. Ellis

Whooping crane mortality at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1982-95 Whooping crane mortality at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 1982-95

Whooping cranes (Grus americana) have been reared at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center since 1966. During 1982-95 there were 103 mortalities caused by infectious and parasitic diseases (46%), trauma (21%), anatomic abnormalities (17%), miscellaneous conditions (12%), and open or no diagnoses (5%). The implications that disease may have on new whooping crane flocks in Florida and Canada...
Authors
Glenn H. Olsen, J.A. Taylor, G.F. Gee

Zinc hazards to plants and animals with emphasis on fishery and wildlife resources Zinc hazards to plants and animals with emphasis on fishery and wildlife resources

Ecological and toxicological aspects of zinc in the environment are reviewed with emphasis on natural resources. Subtopics include sources and uses; chemical and biochemical properties; carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity; background concentrations in biological and nonbiological compartments; effects of zinc deficiency; toxic and sublethal effects on terrestrial plants and...
Authors
R. Eisler
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