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
New insights into gas-driven phase segregation in andesitic enclaves from Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake), USA New insights into gas-driven phase segregation in andesitic enclaves from Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake), USA
A key process in active magmatic systems is the “recharge” of deep-sourced mafic magma into cooler, more evolved, and crystal-rich shallow reservoirs; recharge may be the cause of, or response to, eruptive activity. Although compositional evidence for recharge has been extensively documented, physical models of recharge are limited, particularly processes that separate exsolving...
Authors
Julie Oppenheimer, Katharine V. Cashman, Alison C. Rust, Charles R. Bacon, Amanda Lindoo, Katherine J. Dobson
Global terrestrial nitrogen fixation and its modification by agriculture Global terrestrial nitrogen fixation and its modification by agriculture
Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is the largest natural source of new nitrogen (N) that supports terrestrial productivity1,2, yet estimates of global terrestrial BNF remain highly uncertain3,4. Here we show that this uncertainty is partly because of sampling bias, as field BNF measurements in natural terrestrial ecosystems occur where N fixers are 17 times more prevalent than their...
Authors
Carla R. Reis Ely, Steven S. Perakis, Cory C. Cleveland, Duncan Menge, Sasha C. Reed, Benton Taylor, Sarah A. Batterman, Christopher M. Clark, Timothy E. Crews, Katherine A Dynarski, Maga G. Gei, Michael J. Gundale, David F. Herridge, Sarah E. Jovan, Sian Kou-Giesbrecht, Mark B. Peoples, Johannes Piipponen, Emilio Rodriguez-Caballero, Verity G. Salmon, Fiona M. Soper, Anika P. Staccone, Bettina Weber, Christopher A. Williams, Nina Wurzburger
Spatiotemporal risk avoidance varies seasonally, relative to risk intensity, in a reestablishing predator–prey system Spatiotemporal risk avoidance varies seasonally, relative to risk intensity, in a reestablishing predator–prey system
Predation establishes risk, which can indirectly influence prey behavior and ecology. We evaluated the influence of Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) on habitat selection and spatiotemporal predator avoidance strategies of elk (Cervus canadensis). We fit 866 adult female elk with GPS collars across areas of varying wolf densities within the Mexican wolf experimental population...
Authors
Cara J. Thompson, Nicole M. Tatman, Zachary J. Farley, Scott T. Boyle, Allison R. Greenleaf, James W. Cain
Using community-reported data to understand how boat speed affects marine wildlife: An example with the Florida manatee Using community-reported data to understand how boat speed affects marine wildlife: An example with the Florida manatee
Boat collisions are a known and increasing threat to many marine wildlife populations. The Florida manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris is a key example of a species with high boat-related mortality, whose long-term viability and population are limited by human activities in shared habitats. The goal of this work was to quantify the probability of lethal injury to Florida manatees...
Authors
Bea Combs-Hintze, J. A. Hostetler, C.S. Calleson, B. Basset, C. Ainsworth, Julien Martin
Tracking persistent declines in suspended sediment in the Lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, 1992–2021: Harnessing WRTDSplus to characterize longitudinally varying trends and explore connections to streamflow Tracking persistent declines in suspended sediment in the Lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, 1992–2021: Harnessing WRTDSplus to characterize longitudinally varying trends and explore connections to streamflow
Suspended sediment (SS) continues a century-long decline in the Lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers, United States. In this study, we use the WRTDSplus model to estimate concentrations and loads for total, fine (
Authors
Jennifer C. Murphy, Lindsey Ayn Schafer, Scott Mize
Modeling current and future distribution of invasive tegu lizards along geopolitical boundaries in the contiguous United States: Implications for invasion threat Modeling current and future distribution of invasive tegu lizards along geopolitical boundaries in the contiguous United States: Implications for invasion threat
Historically, constrained temperature ranges limited the spread of invasive herpetofauna into temperate climates, but climate change is predicted to facilitate broader distributions. There are three species of tegu lizards native to South America and available in the pet trade that have a high risk of invasion and deleterious impacts to native ecosystems in the United States (US). There...
Authors
Amanda Marie Kissel, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Andrea F. Currylow, Amy A. Yackel Adams
Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management
This report synthesizes current (2024) science-based knowledge related to the impacts of climate change on big sagebrush vegetation in Western North America. This effort was conducted through the U.S. Geological Survey working with the Bureau of Land Management as part of multiple science syntheses to aid management agencies developing environmental impacts assessments in response to...
Authors
Scott M. Carpenter, Martin C. Holdrege, Daniel Rodolphe Schlaepfer, Jessica Phillips, Paul Griffin, William K. Lauenroth, John B. Bradford
An analytical approach to explore prospects and limits of nutrition-sensitive fisheries governance under climate change An analytical approach to explore prospects and limits of nutrition-sensitive fisheries governance under climate change
Researchers and policymakers increasingly recognize the contribution of aquatic food systems, such as fisheries, to food security and nutrition. Yet governing fisheries for nutrition objectives is complicated by the multiple overlapping processes that shape availability and access to nutrients over time, including fishing sustainability, climate change, trade dynamics, and consumer...
Authors
Abigail Bennett, Julia G. Mason, Willow Battista, Christopher M. Free, Jessica A. Gephart, Kristin M. Kleisner, Emma D. Rice, Kelly Filer Robinson, John Virdin
Blueprints for riverine cod nest boxes draw from multiple design considerations Blueprints for riverine cod nest boxes draw from multiple design considerations
Designing aquatic nest boxes is rarely afforded detailed scientific account. Here we provide some historical context for nest boxes used in production of large-bodied fishes of the Australian freshwater cod genus Maccullochella. Our experience with eastern freshwater cod is used as a case study to: (a) convey aspects of the complexity of the nest box design process and to (b) demonstrate...
Authors
Brendan C. Ebner, Shaun S. Morris, John St Vincent Welch, Paul C. Ryan, Mitch Turner, Leo M. Cameron, Natalie Poitras, Brooke Coonrod, Stuart A. Welsh, Matthew McLellan, Lachie Jess, Stephen Vidler, Brett A. Ingram, S. Thurstan, S. J. Rowland, S. Blake, G. L. Butler
Evaluation of rapid DNA extraction methods to better enable point-of-use environmental DNA detection Evaluation of rapid DNA extraction methods to better enable point-of-use environmental DNA detection
Recent developments in molecular testing have created the opportunity for biologists and managers to detect environmental DNA (eDNA) of target species rapidly and without the requirement of a laboratory. These point-of-use protocols may be especially useful for early detection and rapid response for invasive species or surveillance for at-risk native species, where timely management...
Authors
Melisa E. Kozaczek, Stephen Frank Spear, Tyler J. Untiedt, Paul Albosta, Caden Jungbluth, Jared J. Homola, Elliott P. Barnhart, Christopher M. Merkes
Grand Canyon landslide-dam and paleolake triggered by the Meteor Crater impact at 56 ka Grand Canyon landslide-dam and paleolake triggered by the Meteor Crater impact at 56 ka
This paper hypothesizes that the Meteor Crater impact in Arizona, USA, 56,000 years ago triggered landslides in Grand Canyon that dammed the Colorado River and formed Nankoweap paleolake. This is compatible with shock and earthquake physics for the impact that infer a M5.4 seismic event, attenuated to an effective magnitude of M3.5 at Grand Canyon. Results that support the hypothesis...
Authors
Karl Karlstrom, Christopher H. Baisan, David A. Kring Kring, Richard Hereford, Christian Turney, A. Hogg, Laura M. Norman, P. O’Brien, Jonathon Palmer, T.M. Rittenour, J. Ballensky, L.J. Crossey
Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA
Copper-based chemical treatments are commonly used to eradicate invasive mussels in small ponds and lakes, but their use in large rivers has been limited. In 2023, in response to a detection of invasive quagga mussels, a 10-km reach of the Snake River (Idaho, USA), was treated with an unprecedented 19,300 kg of chelated copper molluscicide to a target concentration of 1,000 µg/L for 10...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Erin Murray, Lauren M. Zinsser, Tyler V. King, Scott D. Ducar, India Southern, Theresa Thom, Christopher A. Mebane