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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Representing 3-dimensional fuels for physics-based fire behavior models: A general framework and case study in a type-converted post-fire shrubfield Representing 3-dimensional fuels for physics-based fire behavior models: A general framework and case study in a type-converted post-fire shrubfield
Background Physics-based three-dimensional (3D) fire behavior models improve planning for prescribed fire application and wildfire mitigation, but require high spatial resolution 3D fuel models as inputs. While multiple methods and data sources for realistically representing 3D, heterogeneous fuels are available, no unifying framework exists to guide the use of these tools to create 3D...
Authors
Niko Tutland, Andreas Paul Wion, Carolina Jasmine May, Grant C. Hutchings, Hope Nowak, James R. Gattiker, J. Kevin Hiers, Rodman R. Linn, Scott M. Pokswinski, Ellis Margolis
Evaluating trends using total impervious cover as a metric for degree of urbanisation Evaluating trends using total impervious cover as a metric for degree of urbanisation
Impervious cover (IC) is a common metric for assessing the degree of urbanisation in watersheds. However, there are different methods for determining IC, and use of IC correlation with urban watershed response to hydrologic and geochemical inputs can be strongly influenced by the end members (IC below 10% and above 40%). The resolution of the imagery (e.g., 1 m vs. 30 m) used to measure...
Authors
Laura Toran, Daniel Bain, Kristina G. Hopkins, Joel Moore, Emily May O'Donnell
Decision-support modeling and research priorities for establishing baseline conditions for outstandingly remarkable values, Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee Decision-support modeling and research priorities for establishing baseline conditions for outstandingly remarkable values, Obed Wild and Scenic River, Tennessee
The Obed River is the last undammed river in Tennessee. The Obed Wild and Scenic River is managed by the National Park Service and covers a protected area of the Obed River headwaters (including four contributing tributaries). The Obed Wild and Scenic River supports a unique ecosystem with eight federally listed species. The National Park Service is responsible for preserving the...
Authors
Elena R. Crowley-Ornelas, Rebecca Schapansky, Tom Blount, Niki S. Nicholas
Late Quaternary environmental change in eastern Beringia Late Quaternary environmental change in eastern Beringia
Eastern Beringia (Alaska and western Yukon) is an extensive, high-latitude region of North America that remained largely unglaciated throughout the Quaternary. Consequently, its sedimentary deposits preserve long-term environmental records that have intrigued scientists for nearly a century. Recent advances in palaeoecological proxies and dating methods have proved critical in addressing...
Authors
Alistair J. Monteath, Mary E. Edwards, Duane Froese, Lesleigh Anderson, Benjamin V. Gaglioti, Scott L. Cocker, Julie Brigham-Grette, Matthew J. Wooller, Bruce P. Finney, Mark B. Abbott
A systematic review and meta-analysis of post-fire seeding and herbicide treatment effectiveness for controlling exotic annual grasses in the sagebrush biome A systematic review and meta-analysis of post-fire seeding and herbicide treatment effectiveness for controlling exotic annual grasses in the sagebrush biome
Introduction Outcomes of ecological restoration treatments can be highly variable and challenging to generalize, even for the same treatment type applied in similar ecological communities at different times and places. Notable examples are the herbicide and seeding treatments that have been extensively applied across the perennial sagebrush steppe of the United States to reduce impacts...
Authors
Leland D Bennion, Christopher A Anthony, Scott N Zimmer, David Pilliod, Matthew Germino
Integrating the resist–accept–direct framework into natural resource decision-making processes for climate adaptation Integrating the resist–accept–direct framework into natural resource decision-making processes for climate adaptation
The resist–accept–direct (RAD) framework for climate adaptation is a useful tool, particularly when conservation practitioners know they need to address climate change but do not know where to start or when they struggle to implement conservation actions that are outside the status quo. Some conservation practitioners may view RAD as a decision process that will lead them through...
Authors
Amanda L. Sesser, Jennifer L. Wilkening, Wendy Beth Miles, Kelly G. Guilbeau, Abigail Lynch, Jeremy R. Conrad, Dawn Robin Magness
Hydrologic budgets and water availability of six bedrock aquifers in the Black Hills area, South Dakota and Wyoming, 1931–2022 Hydrologic budgets and water availability of six bedrock aquifers in the Black Hills area, South Dakota and Wyoming, 1931–2022
Population growth and recurring droughts in the Black Hills region raised interest in water resources and future availability. The Black Hills hydrology study (BHHS) was initiated in the early 1990s to address questions regarding water resources. Since completion of the BHHS in the early 2000s, the population of the Black Hills region increased by about 39 percent, which has renewed...
Authors
Colton J. Medler, Todd M. Anderson, William G. Eldridge
The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Tennessee’s economy The 3D Elevation Program—Supporting Tennessee’s economy
Introduction The State of Tennessee has an area of approximately 42,100 square miles and includes six physiographic regions: Blue Ridge, Valley and Ridge, Appalachian Plateaus, Highland Rim, Nashville Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plains. Up-to-date elevation data support key activities across the State, such as economic development, infrastructure and construction management, agriculture...
Authors
George Heleine
Hydroclimatic and land-use factors affecting peak streamflow in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin Hydroclimatic and land-use factors affecting peak streamflow in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
Flood-frequency analysis provides the basis for flood risk estimates used by water-resource managers in land-use planning, and it informs the design of essential infrastructure such as bridges and culverts. Federal guidelines for flood-frequency analysis do not offer guidance on addressing changing climate and land-use conditions when estimating floods. However, failing to consider...
Authors
Karen R. Ryberg, Mackenzie K. Marti, Nancy A. Barth, Thomas M. Over, Sara B. Levin, Hannah Lee Podzorski, Steven K. Sando, Tara Williams-Sether, Padraic S. O’Shea, Katherine J. Chase
Stable isotope reference materials and scale definitions – Outcomes of the 2024 IAEA experts meeting Stable isotope reference materials and scale definitions – Outcomes of the 2024 IAEA experts meeting
The participants of the 12th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting on stable isotope reference materials reached a consensus, acknowledging the existence and use of two carbon isotope delta scales: the VPDB (Vienna Peedee belemnite) scale and the VPDB-LSVEC (LSVEC - lithium carbonate prepared by H. J. Svec). Conversion models between the two scales can be established and used...
Authors
Federica Camin, Dinka Besic, Paul J. Brewer, Colin E Allison, Tyler B. Coplen, Philip J.H. Dunn, Matthias Gehre, Manfred Gröning, Harro A.J. Meijer, Jean-François Hélie, Paola Iacumin, Rebecca Kraft, Bor Krajnc, Steffen Kümmel, Sangil Lee, Juris Meija, Zoltan Mester, Joachim Mohn, Heiko Moossen, Haiping Qi, Grzegorz Skrzypek, Peter Sperlich, Joelle Viallon, Leonard I. Wassenaar, Robert I. Wielgosz
The influence of human presence and footprint on animal space use in US national parks The influence of human presence and footprint on animal space use in US national parks
Given the importance of protected areas for biodiversity, the growth of visitation to many areas has raised concerns about the effects of humans on wildlife. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to temporary closure of national parks in the United States, offering a pseudonatural experiment to tease apart the effects of permanent infrastructure and transient human presence on animals. We...
Authors
Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Forest Hayes, Kezia R. Manlove, Nathan L. Galloway, John F. Benson, Michael J. Cherry, Clinton W. Epps, Robert J. Fletcher, John L. Orrock, Justine A. Smith, Christina M. Aiello, Jerrold L. Belant, Joel Berger, Mark Biel, Jill Bright, Joseph K. Bump, Michael Burchett, Carson Butler, Jennifer Carlson, Eric K. Cole, Neal Darby, Erin DeGutis, Sarah Dewey, Pete Figura, Tom Gable, Jeff Gagnon, Danielle M. Glass, Jennifer R. Green, Kerry A. Gunther, Mark Haroldson, Kent Hersey, Brandon Holton, Austin T. Homkes, Sarah R. Hoy, Debra Hughson, Kyle Joly, Ryan Leahy, Caitlin Lee-Roney, Rob Lester, Daniel MacNulty, Michael Magnuson, Daniel J. Martin, Rachel Mazur, Seth A. Moore, Elizabeth K. Orning, Katie Patrick, Rolf O. Peterson, Lynette Potvin, Paige Prentice, Seth P.D. Riley, Mark C. Romanski, Annette Roug, Jeff A. Sikich, Nova Simpson, William B. Sloan, Douglas W. Smith, Mathew Sorum, Scott Sprague, Daniel Stahler, John A. Stephenson, Thomas R. Stephenson, Janice Stroud-Settles, Frank T. van Manen, John A. Vucetich, Kate Wilmot, Steve K. Windels, Tiffany Wolf, Paul C. Cross
Toward a near-lossless image compression strategy for the NASA/USGS Landsat Next mission Toward a near-lossless image compression strategy for the NASA/USGS Landsat Next mission
As orbiting Earth imaging platforms carry more complex and capable instruments, efficient methods are needed to reduce the time and cost associated with storing and downlinking greater volumes of image data. The upcoming NASA/USGS Landsat Next mission, with an increase in spatial and spectral resolution over previous Landsat missions, is no exception. Landsat Next will produce nearly six...
Authors
Rehman S. Eon, Craig De Groot, Jeffrey A. Pedelty, Aaron Gerace, Matthew Montanaro, Richard K. Covington, Amy S. DeLisa, Wen-Ting Hsieh, Joy M. Hengear-leon, Douglas J. Daniels, Christopher Engebretson, Christopher J. Crawford, Thomas R.H. Holmes, Philip Dabney, Bruce D. Cook