Book Chapters

Amphibian ecology and distribution are strongly correlated with climate. Regional patterns of amphibian biodiversity are intimately linked to temperature, evapotranspiration rate, and clines in humidity. While amphibians are and will continue to be adversely affected by recent and projected changes in climate, research suggests that adaptation may happen more slowly than the expected...

The time interval from Supercontinent Nuna assembly in the late Paleoproterozoic to Supercontinent Rodinia breakup in the Neoproterozoic is considered by some geologists to comprise the “Boring Billion,” an interval possibly marked by a slowdown in plate tectonic processes. In northeastern Washington State, USA, similar to much of western Laurentia, early workers generally thought the

The existence and dynamics of permafrost depend on the prevailing climate conditions. Therefore, the study of ancient permafrost (existing since the Pleistocene or earlier) and past permafrost (Late Pleistocene or older permafrost that no longer exists) and their dynamics may inform about climate and environmental changes in the past. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of...

This field trip examines the results of integrated geologic studies of the 9 August 2020, Mw 5.1 earthquake near Sparta, North Carolina, USA. The earthquake generated ~4 km of coseismic surface rupture of the Little River fault and uplifted a surface area of ~11 km 2. The Little River fault is a thrust fault oriented 110–130°/45–70°SW, and mapped fault segments are en echelon with scarp...

Post-wildfire debris flows pose severe hazards to communities and infrastructure near and within recently burned mountainous terrain. Intense heat of wildfires changes the runoff characteristics of a watershed by combusting the vegetative canopy, litter, and duff, introducing ash into the soil and creating water repellant soils. Following wildfire, rainfall on bare ground is less able to

Volcanic debris flows that originate at potentially active volcanoes are called lahars. Lahars are like debris flows in non-volcanic terrain but can most notably differ in origin and size. Primary lahars occur during eruptions and may have novel origins such as turbulent mixing of hot rock moving across ice- and snow-clad volcanoes and eruptions through crater lakes. Lahars range in...

Real-world hazard evaluation poses many challenges for the development and application of numerical models of debris flows. In this chapter we provide a conceptual overview of physically based, depth-averaged models designed to simulate debris-flow motion across three-dimensional terrain. When judiciously formulated and applied, these models can provide useful information about...

Estuarine and coastal ecosystems support human populations in myriad ways. Traditionally, researchers have focused on the biophysical processes that underlie these benefits and their economic values. In the decade since the 1st Treatise, the literature on cultural ecosystem services, human health benefits, and the equitable distribution of societal benefits and burdens has grown...

Salt and brackish marshes (hereafter salt marshes) are the dominant coastal wetland in temperate and boreal intertidal settings. Human-enhanced disturbances threaten their persistence and functionality, with consequences to many ecosystem services. Restoration potentials are very site specific, varying by degree of disturbance and target goals. Global changes in climate and land-use will...

Human populations have utilized heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants for their physiochemical properties in industrial, agricultural, and consumer goods for decades. Limited knowledge on their persistence and toxicological effects has resulted in organisms being exposed to some of the most problematic compounds ever generated by humans. Although overlap in exposure paradigms...

Hydrothermal systems on the continents are of great significance because they are primary sources of economically important metals and geothermal energy, they are tourist attractions, they support bathing and health resorts, and they host extreme life forms. Research on hot springs and their deposits provide clues to early life on Earth and possibly on Mars and have led to major...

There is a continuing need to assess the state (distribution and abundance) of furbearer populations throughout North America for state and provincial agencies to properly manage furbearers. With an expanding human population and continued changes in land-use practices, habitat loss and fragmentation, declines in natural prey, increases in disease transmission from domestic species, and...