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.
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Causal effects verses causal mechanisms: Two traditions with different requirements and contributions towards causal understanding Causal effects verses causal mechanisms: Two traditions with different requirements and contributions towards causal understanding
The scientific aspiration of building causal knowledge has received little explicit discussion in ecology despite its fundamental importance. When methods are described as ‘causal’, emphasis is increasingly placed on statistical techniques for isolating associations so as to quantify causal effects. In contrast, natural scientists have historically approached the pursuit of causal...
Authors
James Grace, Nick Huntington-Klein, E. William Schweiger, Melinda Martinez, Michael Osland, Laura C. Feher, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Karen M. Thorne
Hydrogeologic framework and considerations for drilling and grouting of closed-loop geothermal bores in the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau of New York State Hydrogeologic framework and considerations for drilling and grouting of closed-loop geothermal bores in the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau of New York State
The hydrogeologic framework at closed-loop geothermal sites in the Erie-Ontario Lowlands and Allegheny Plateau of central and western New York is the result of the complex interaction of bedrock geology, glacial geology, and groundwater hydrology, and the occurrence of petroleum and gas. Considerations for closed-loop geothermal bore installation include the thickness and character of...
Authors
John H. Williams, William M. Kappel, Joshua C. Woda
Groundwater budget for the surficial aquifer surrounding Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota Groundwater budget for the surficial aquifer surrounding Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis, Minnesota
During prolonged periods of above-average precipitation, rising groundwater levels have the potential to cause damage to and interfere with underground infrastructure and building foundations. To understand the relations between precipitation and groundwater in the vicinity of Lake Nokomis, the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, quantified five...
Authors
Colin T. Livdahl
USGS Environmental Health Program—Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) science activities [postcard] USGS Environmental Health Program—Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) science activities [postcard]
Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Environmental Health Program conducts various activities related to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to understand their impacts on human health and the environment. Through these activities, the program aims to provide critical information and resources to address the challenges posed by PFAS contamination.
Authors
Deborah D. Iwanowicz
Simulated effects of future water availability and protected species habitat in a perennial wetland, Santa Barbara County, California Simulated effects of future water availability and protected species habitat in a perennial wetland, Santa Barbara County, California
This study evaluates the potential water availability in Barka Slough and the effects of changing hydrological conditions on the aquatic habitat of five protected species. Barka Slough is a historically perennial wetland at the downstream western end of the San Antonio Creek Valley watershed (SACVW). A previously published hydrologic model of the SACVW for 1948–2018 was extended to...
Authors
Geoffrey Cromwell, Daniel Philip Culling, Matthew J. Young, Joshua Larsen
Mahi-mahi metacouplings: Quantifying human–nature interactions in dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fisheries Mahi-mahi metacouplings: Quantifying human–nature interactions in dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fisheries
Fisheries encompass humans and fish, but fisheries researchers rarely model human–nature interactions over space and time. I filled this information gap for dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), a popular, widely distributed species that supports industrial, artisanal, recreational, and subsistence fisheries. Dolphinfish human–nature interactions showed a long-term up-and-down pattern in...
Authors
Andrew Kenneth Carlson
Do mule deer surf peaks in forage quality while on summer range? Do mule deer surf peaks in forage quality while on summer range?
Many animals track ephemeral peaks in food abundance and quality that propagate across landscapes. Migrating ungulates, in particular, track waves of newly emerging plants from low-elevation winter ranges to high-elevation summer ranges—known as “green-wave surfing.” Because plants lose crude protein and gain insoluble fiber with maturation, ruminants are expected to exploit peaks in...
Authors
Anna Ortega, Kevin L. Monteith, Benjamin Wise, Matthew J. Kauffman
Ecologically informed solar enables a sustainable energy transition in U.S. croplands Ecologically informed solar enables a sustainable energy transition in U.S. croplands
United States (U.S.) croplands are ideal recipient environments for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy because they are flat and have a high solar resource. Perceived threats of solar to agriculture have led some stakeholders to suggest that croplands be exclusively used to produce food. However, 12 million hectares of U.S. croplands, an area about the size of New York State, are already...
Authors
Matthew A. Sturchio, Adam Gallaher, Steven Mark Grodsky
Comparative properties of saponitic fault gouge and serpentinite muds cored from mud volcanoes of the Mariana subduction zone Comparative properties of saponitic fault gouge and serpentinite muds cored from mud volcanoes of the Mariana subduction zone
We obtained 12 core samples for physical and chemical characterization from three serpentinite mud volcanoes (Yinazao, Asùt Tesoru, and Fantangisña) located on the forearc of the Mariana subduction system, that were drilled during International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 366. Two samples from the Fantangisña mud volcano are interpreted to be clay-rich fault gouges derived from...
Authors
Diane E. Moore, C.A. Morrow, David A. Lockner, Barbara A. Bekins
Using DNA barcoding to evaluate freshwater mussel and fish-host relationships in the Flint River (Georgia, USA) Using DNA barcoding to evaluate freshwater mussel and fish-host relationships in the Flint River (Georgia, USA)
Freshwater mussels have a unique life history in which larval mussels (glochidia) act as obligate parasites to fish hosts. Host selectivity may be species specific, and identification of host fish is a critical step in conservation planning for individual mussel species. The Flint River harbors ~23% of the freshwater mussel (order Unionida) diversity in the state of Georgia, USA. Nine...
Authors
Hayley A. Robinson, John P. Wares, Gail M. Cowie, Shayla D. Williams, Ben F Scott, Matthew T. Rowe, Nathan Johnson, Peter D. Hazelton
Interspecific effects of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) on native nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) Interspecific effects of invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) on native nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus)
Biological invasions pose significant risks to ecosystems and native species. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a highly detrimental invasive species in North America, directly and indirectly affecting native species. Co-occurrence of wild pigs and native species may lead to interspecific interactions that alter ecological communities. Accordingly, we investigated spatial and temporal factors...
Authors
Matthew S. Broadway, Holly M. Todaro, Molly M. Koeck, Courtney N. Dotterweich, Sarah A. Cain, M. Colter Chitwood, Robert Charles Lonsinger
The scientific benefits of a statewide, standardized, coastal wetland monitoring program in Hawaiʻi The scientific benefits of a statewide, standardized, coastal wetland monitoring program in Hawaiʻi
In this viewpoint, we provide a scientific justification for a statewide, standardized, coastal wetland monitoring program for Hawaiʻi, USA. Hawaiian coastal wetlands provide important habitat for endangered waterbirds, invertebrates, plants, and the Hawaiian hoary bat (ʻōpeʻapeʻa; Lasiurus semotus) as well as support Indigenous food systems. Currently, numerous agencies and groups in...
Authors
Judith Z. Drexler, Helen Raine, Carrie L. Harrington, Kawika B. Winter, Kauaoa Matthew Sam Fraiola, Joy Browning, Jeffrey Burgett, David A. Burney, Kim A. Falinski, Scott Fisher, Kristen C. Harmon, Jessica L. Idle, Monica N. Iglecia, Mari-Vaughn Virginia Johnson, Matthew J. Keir, K. Jackson Letchworth, Kirsten Moy, Anthony Olegario, Melissa R. Price, J. Michael Reed, Yoshimi M. Rii, Rachel A. Rounds, Charles B. van Rees, Brett T. Wolfe