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Publications

Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.

Filter Total Items: 175006

Bayesian approaches to proxy uncertainty quantification in paleoecology: A mathematical justification and practical integration Bayesian approaches to proxy uncertainty quantification in paleoecology: A mathematical justification and practical integration

Paleoenvironmental data are essential for reconstructing environmental conditions in the distant past, and these reconstructions strongly depend on proxies and age–depth models. Proxies are indirect measurements that substitute for variables that cannot be directly measured, such as past precipitation. Conversely, an age–depth model is a tool that correlates the observed proxy with a...
Authors
Marco A. Aquino-Lopez, Lysanna Anderson, Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza, Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernandez, J. Andres Christen

Methane emissions associated with bald cypress knees across the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley Methane emissions associated with bald cypress knees across the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley

In freshwater forested wetlands, bald cypress knees (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) have the potential to emit large amounts of methane (CH4), but only a few studies have examined their greenhouse gas contribution. In this study, we measured CH4 fluxes associated with cypress knees across various climate and flooding gradients of the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley in southcentral...
Authors
Melinda Martinez, Robert Bordelon, Beth Middleton, Jorge A. Villa, Hojeong Kang, Inyoung Jang

Wave runup and total water level observations from time series imagery at several sites with varying nearshore morphologies Wave runup and total water level observations from time series imagery at several sites with varying nearshore morphologies

Coastal imaging systems have been developed to measure wave runup and total water level (TWL) at the shoreline, which is a key metric for assessing coastal flooding and erosion. However, extracting quantitative measurements from coastal images has typically been done through the laborious task of hand-digitization of wave runup timestacks. Timestacks are images created by sampling a...
Authors
Mark L. Buckley, Daniel Buscombe, Justin J. Birchler, Margaret L. Palmsten, Eric Swanson, Jenna A. Brown, Michael Itzkin, Curt D. Storlazzi, Shawn R. Harrison

The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats The skin I live in: Pathogenesis of white-nose syndrome of bats

The emergence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in North America has resulted in mass mortalities of hibernating bats and total extirpation of local populations. The need to mitigate this disease has stirred a significant body of research to understand its pathogenesis. Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of WNS, is a psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus that resides within the...
Authors
Marcos Isidoro-Ayza, Jeffrey M. Lorch, Bruce S. Klein

Developing a range-wide sampling framework for endangered species: A case study with light-footed Ridgway’s rail Developing a range-wide sampling framework for endangered species: A case study with light-footed Ridgway’s rail

Monitoring provides the foundation for evaluating recovery of endangered species, yet many species lack monitoring programs designed to integrate a species’ unique attributes, specific monitoring objectives, and principles of statistical sampling theory. We developed a framework for monitoring and assessment of endangered light-footed Ridgway’s rails (Rallus obsoletus levipes) across...
Authors
Bryan S. Stevens, Courtney J. Conway, Kimberley A. Sawyer, Lauren Kershek, Giselle Block, Sandra E. Hamilton, Rebecca Kolstrom

Water-level changes impact angler effort in a large lake: Implications for climate change Water-level changes impact angler effort in a large lake: Implications for climate change

Climate change is expected to influence aquatic habitats and associated fish populations, yet we know little about the impact on recreational anglers. Our goal was to explore whether interannual fluctuations in waterbody surface area and other explanatory variables could be used as indicators of changes in angler fishing effort. Our approach leveraged a combination of remotely sensed...
Authors
Matthew L. Maldonado, Taufique H. Mahmood, David P. Coulter, Alison A. Coulter, Steven R. Chipps, Maddy K. Siller, Michaela L. Neal, Ayon Saha, Mark A. Kaemingk

Supporting climate adaptation for rural Mekong River Basin communities in Thailand Supporting climate adaptation for rural Mekong River Basin communities in Thailand

Climate change impacts on large river basins, such as the Mekong River Basin (MRB), are complex due to shared governance and interconnected socioeconomic areas, making them highly vulnerable to change. The MRB, spanning six countries including Thailand, is crucial for the food and economic security of > 60 million people. However, in 2021, Thailand was ranked as the 9th highest risk...
Authors
Holly Susan Embke, Abigail Lynch, Beard

Hair mercury isotopes, a noninvasive biomarker for dietary methylmercury exposure and biological uptake Hair mercury isotopes, a noninvasive biomarker for dietary methylmercury exposure and biological uptake

Background. Fish and rice are the main dietary sources of methylmercury (MeHg); however, rice does not contain the same beneficial nutrients as fish, and these differences can impact the observed health effects of MeHg. Hence, it is important to validate a biomarker, which can distinguish among dietary MeHg sources. Methods. Mercury (Hg) stable isotopes were analyzed in hair samples from
Authors
Sarah E Rothenburg, Susan A Korrick, Donald Harrington, Sally W Thurston, Sarah E. Janssen, Michael T. Tate, YanFen Nong, Hua Nong, Jihong Liu, Chuan Hong, Fengxiu Ouyang

Evolution and current state of continuous volcano gravimetry Evolution and current state of continuous volcano gravimetry

Most processes controlling volcanic activity involve underground mass redistribution (e.g., magma accumulation or withdrawal). Because of its unique ability to provide direct information on subsurface mass/density changes over time, gravimetry has important advantages over other volcano-monitoring techniques. As an example, if pre-eruptive magma accumulation occurs in voids, surface...
Authors
Daniele Carbone, Michael P. Poland, Filippo Greco, Danilo Contrafatto, Alfio Messina, Luca Timoteo Mirabella

From field station to forecast: Managing data at the Alaska Volcano Observatory From field station to forecast: Managing data at the Alaska Volcano Observatory

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) uses multidisciplinary data to monitor and study dozens of active and potentially active volcanoes. Here, we provide an overview of internally and externally generated data types, tools and resources used in their management, and challenges faced. Data sources include the following: (1) a multiparameter (seismic, infrasound, GNSS, web cameras) ground...
Authors
Michelle L. Coombs, Cheryl Cameron, Hannah R. Dietterich, Eleanor Boyce, Aaron Wech, Ronni Grapenthin, Kristi L. Wallace, Thomas Parker, Taryn Lopez, Scott Crass, David Fee, Matthew M. Haney, Dane M. Ketner, Matthew W. Loewen, John J. Lyons, Jenny Sha Nakai, John Power, Steven M Botnick, Israel Brewster, Max L. Enders, Dain Harmon, Peter J. Kelly, Michael J. Randall

Dynamic occupancy modelling of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) reveals increasing landscape use in Nepal Dynamic occupancy modelling of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) reveals increasing landscape use in Nepal

Large mammals with general habitat needs can persist throughout mixed used landscapes, however, human-wildlife conflict frequently leads to their restriction to protected areas. Conservation efforts, especially for reducing conflicts with humans, can enhance tolerance of humans towards species like Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in human-dominated landscapes. Here, we examine how...
Authors
Ashok Kumar Ram, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Naresh Subedi, Nabin Kumar Yadav, Ajay Karki, Bivash Pandav, Cory Brown, Top B. Khatri, Charles Yackulic

Trees have similar growth responses to first-entry fires and reburns following long-term fire exclusion Trees have similar growth responses to first-entry fires and reburns following long-term fire exclusion

Managing fire ignitions for resource benefit decreases fuel loads and reduces the risk of high-severity fire in fire-suppressed dry conifer forests. However, the reintroduction of low-severity wildfire can injure trees, which may decrease their growth after fire. Post-fire growth responses could change from first-entry fires to reburns, as first-entry fires reduce fuel loads and the...
Authors
Kevin G. Willson, Ellis Q. Margolis, Mathew D. Hurteau
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