Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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.

Pubs Warehouse

Science Quality and Integrity

Collage of scientists doing work in field with example budget tables and charts over as graphic elements.

The USGS provides unbiased, objective, and impartial scientific information upon which our audiences, including resource managers, planners, and other entities, rely.

Fundamental Science Practices

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.

Explore Mission Areas
Filter Total Items: 175505

Food web structure of the Lake Superior fish community in 2021–2022 Food web structure of the Lake Superior fish community in 2021–2022

The trophic linkages and ecological requirements of the Lake Superior fish community have not been assessed on a whole lake scale in over a decade. Here, we investigated the trophic dynamics across multiple species and habitat zones of Lake Superior. From April to October of 2021 and 2022, a total of five piscivore, four planktivore, and six benthivore species were collected by region...
Authors
Ariel N. Edwards, Shawn P. Sitar, Ashley H. Moerke, Jonathon P. Doubek, Daniel L. Yule, Dray D. Carl, Cory A. Goldsworthy, Ian C. Harding, S. Ben Michaels, Eric K. Berglund, Seth A. Moore, Brandon S. Gerig
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Assessing the Feasibility of Reintroducing San Francisco Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, California Assessing the Feasibility of Reintroducing San Francisco Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) to La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County, California

Reintroductions are used worldwide to increase the viability of species and restore native ecological communities. The success of reintroductions is usually judged by the establishment of self-sustaining populations, restoration of naturally occurring ecological communities, and the species resuming its ecological function. Recovery for the endangered San Francisco gartersnake (SFGS...
Authors
Jonathan P. Rose, Elliot James Schoenig, Richard Kim, Allison M. Nguyen, Brian J. Halstead
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

The relative influence of geographic and environmental factors on rare plant translocation outcomes The relative influence of geographic and environmental factors on rare plant translocation outcomes

Conservation translocations are an established method for reducing the extinction risk of plant species through intentional movement within or outside the indigenous range. Unsuitable environmental conditions at translocation recipient sites and a lack of understanding of species–environment relationships are often identified as critical barriers to translocation success. However...
Authors
Joe Bellis, Matthew A. Albrecht, Joyce Maschinski, Sarah E. Dalrymple, Matthew J. Keir, Timothy Chambers, Jennifer Possley, Edith D. Adkins, Elliott W. Parsons, Michael Kunz, Carrie Radcliffe, Emily Coffey, Thomas N. Kaye, Cheryl L. Peterson, David Aaron, Sterling A. Herron, Eric Menges, Timothy J. Bell, Michelle Coppoletta, Caityn Elam, Mceachern A. Kathryn, Paula Williamson, Deanna Boensch, Megan Bontrager, Breeden Cooper, Noah Frade, Doria R. Gordon, Steven O. Link, Tara Littlefield, Shelia Murray, Ryan O’Dell, Noel B. Pavlovic, Charlotte M. Reemts, David D. Taylor, Jonathan H. Titus, Priscilla J. Titus, Tina A. Stanley, Katherine D. Heineman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Predictive models are indeed useful for causal inference Predictive models are indeed useful for causal inference

The subject of investigating causation in ecology has been widely discussed in recent years, especially by advocates of a structural causal model (SCM) approach. Some of these advocates have criticized the use of predictive models and model selection for drawing inferences about causation. We argue that the comparison of model-based predictions with observations is a key step in...
Authors
James D. Nichols, Evan Cooch
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center

Haunted Summerville: Ghostly lights or earthquake lights? Haunted Summerville: Ghostly lights or earthquake lights?

Among the colorful local lore in the Charleston, South Carolina, area, are a number of ghost stories, shared not only over campfires but also in published books. Among the most well-known of the stories is the tale of the Summerville Light. Local lore holds that a strange light sometimes seen in a remote area is a lantern carried by the ghost of a local woman who once waited hours for...
Authors
Susan E. Hough
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center

Recovering the American horseshoe crab through a commitment to collaboration Recovering the American horseshoe crab through a commitment to collaboration

American horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus populations are recovering because of cooperation among diverse stakeholders and data-driven collective action. Limulus polyphemus is one of four extant species facing common threats, and conservation successes and limitations hold lessons applicable to all the species. We review the advancement in management and monitoring over recent decades...
Authors
David R. Smith, Mark Botton, Paul Shin
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center
Was this page helpful?