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.
Mission Area Publications
Mission Area Publications
We are focused on some of the most significant issues society faces, and our science is making a substantial contribution to the well-being of the Nation and the world. Learn more about the major topics our research covers and the programs focused on those topics.
Filter Total Items: 175006
Decrease in seismic velocity observed prior to the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano with ambient seismic noise interferometry Decrease in seismic velocity observed prior to the 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano with ambient seismic noise interferometry
The 2018 Kilauea eruption was a complex event that included deformation and eruption at the summit and along the middle and lower East Rift Zones. We use ambient seismic noise interferometry to measure time-lapse changes in seismic velocity of the volcanic edifice prior to the 2018 Kilauea Lower East Rift Zone eruption. Our results show that seismic velocities increase in relation to...
Authors
Gerrit Olivier, Florent Brenguier, Rebecca J. Carey, P. Okubo, C. Donaldson
Deltamethrin reduces survival of non-target small mammals Deltamethrin reduces survival of non-target small mammals
Context: Vector-borne diseases have caused global pandemics and were responsible for more human deaths than all other causes combined in prior centuries. In the past 60 years, prevention and control programs have helped reduce human mortality from vector-borne diseases, but impacts of those control programs on wildlife populations are not well documented. Insecticides are used to reduce...
Authors
Amanda R. Goldberg, Dean E. Biggins, Shantini Ramakrishnan, Jonathan W. Bowser, Courtney J. Conway, David A. Eads, Jeffrey Wimsatt
Developing a decision tree model to forecast runup and assess uncertainty in empirical formulations Developing a decision tree model to forecast runup and assess uncertainty in empirical formulations
The coastal zone is a dynamic region that can change rapidly and significantly with respect to the morphology of the beach and incoming wave conditions. Runup forecasts may be improved by adapting a dynamic approach that allows for different runup models to be implemented in response to changes in beach state. Accurately forecasting wave runup is critical to characterize exposure to...
Authors
Michael Itzkin, Margaret L. Palmsten, Mark L. Buckley, Justin J. Birchler, Legna M. Torres-Garcia
Diet of Dermatemys mawii, an aquatic turtle that relies heavily on terrestrial vegetation Diet of Dermatemys mawii, an aquatic turtle that relies heavily on terrestrial vegetation
Dermatemys mawii is a critically endangered freshwater turtle endemic to Central America. In the wild, these turtles are thought to be wholly herbivorous as adults and feed on a variety of vegetation; however, no studies have quantitatively assessed potential dietary differences based on biotic and abiotic factors. The purpose of our study was to describe and quantify the wild diet of D...
Authors
Nichole D. Bishop, John Polisar, Peter J. Eliazar, Raymond Carthy, Karen A. Bjorndal
Do pharmaceuticals in the environment pose a risk to wildlife? Do pharmaceuticals in the environment pose a risk to wildlife?
The vast majority of knowledge related to the question of, “To what extent do pharmaceuticals in the environment pose a risk to wildlife?”, stems from the Asian vulture crisis (>99% decline of some species of old-world vultures on the Indian subcontinent related to the veterinary use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac). The hazard of diclofenac and other...
Authors
Thomas G. Bean, Elizabeth A. Chadwick, Marta Herrero-Villar, Rafael Mateo, Vinny Naidoo, Barnett A. Rattner
Effect of backwatering a streamgage weir on the passage performance of adult American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) Effect of backwatering a streamgage weir on the passage performance of adult American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)
Streamgage designs often include a full-width artificial hydraulic control (e.g., concrete weir) to aid in the computation of streamflow. While important to water resource managers, these weirs also tend to act as full or partial barriers to fish migration, effectively hindering the health and survival of these populations. In this study, we conducted experiments to quantify the effect...
Authors
Kevin Mulligan, Alexander Haro, John Noreika
Efficient mammal biodiversity surveys for ecological restoration monitoring Efficient mammal biodiversity surveys for ecological restoration monitoring
Efficient biodiversity surveys are critical for successful restoration monitoring and management. We studied the effect of varying sampling effort on the observed species richness of surveys of small mammals (trapping transects), bats (passive acoustic detection), and medium to large mammals (trail cameras). Field studies provided mammalian biodiversity data for 4 bottomland hardwood...
Authors
Nicholas S. Green, Mark L. Wildhaber, Janice L. Albers, Thomas W. Pettit, Michael J. Hooper
Estimates of Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan daily nest survival from multiple sites in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado Estimates of Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan daily nest survival from multiple sites in the Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado
Estimating vital rates of avian species is important to understand population dynamics and develop potential conservation strategies that target rates for management. Avian species have reduced potential for high annual fecundity in alpine ecosystems due to a short breeding window and harsh weather conditions. We located nests from Southern White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura...
Authors
Gregory T. Wann, Amy E. Seglund, Phillip A. Street, Nicholas J. Parker, Shelley L. Nelson, Jonathan P. Runge, Clait E. Braun, Cameron L. Aldridge
Estimating occupancy of focal bee species Estimating occupancy of focal bee species
Current bee monitoring efforts have a limited capacity for understanding factors affecting wild bee population changes, including the effects of management. To improve the effectiveness of wild bee monitoring, we first discuss principles of biological monitoring and provide a framework to design monitoring projects to estimate species occupancy, where occupancy is defined as the...
Authors
Clint Otto, Larissa L. Bailey, Brianne Du Clos, Tamara Smith, Elaine Evans, Ian S. Pearse, Saff Killingsworth, Sarina Jepsen, Hollis Woodard
Evaluating risks associated with capture and handling of mule deer for individual-based, long-term research Evaluating risks associated with capture and handling of mule deer for individual-based, long-term research
Capture and handling techniques for individual-based, long-term research that tracks the life history of animals by recapturing the same individuals for several years has vastly improved study inferences and our understanding of animal ecology. Yet there are corresponding risks to study animals associated with physical trauma or capture myopathy that can occur during or following capture...
Authors
Tayler N. LaSharr, Samantha P. H. Dwinnell, Brittany L. Wagler, Hall Sawyer, Rhiannon P. Jakopak, Anna C. Ortega, Luke R. Wilde, Matthew Kauffman, Katey S. Huggler, Patrick W. Burke, Miguel Valdez, Patrick Lionberger, Douglas G. Brimeyer, Brandon Scurlock, Jill Randall, Rusty C. Kaiser, Mark Thonhoff, Gary L. Fralick, Kevin L. Monteith
Evaluating the suitability of large-scale datasets to estimate nitrogen loads and yields across different spatial scales Evaluating the suitability of large-scale datasets to estimate nitrogen loads and yields across different spatial scales
Decision makers are often confronted with inadequate information to predict nutrient loads and yields in freshwater ecosystems at large spatial scales. We evaluate the potential of using data mapped at large spatial scales (regional to global) and often coarse resolution to predict nitrogen yields at varying smaller scales (e.g., at the catchment and stream reach level). We applied the...
Authors
Andres Felipe Suarez-Castro, Dale M. Robertson, Bernhard Lehner, Marcelo L. de Souza, Michael Kittridge, David A. Saad, Simon Linke, Rich W. McDowell, Mohammad H. Ranjbar, Olivier Ausseil, David P. Hamilton