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: 175538
Ecological and social strategies for managing fisheries using the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework Ecological and social strategies for managing fisheries using the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework
Fisheries management is a complex task made even more challenging by rapid and unprecedented socioecological transformations associated with climate change. The Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework can be a useful tool to support fisheries management in facing the high uncertainty and variability associated with aquatic ecosystem transformations. Here, RAD strategies are presented to...
Authors
Abigail J. Lynch, Frank J. Rahel, Douglas Limpinsel, Suresh Sethi, Agustin C. Engman, David J. Lawrence, Katherine E. Mills, Wendy Morrison, Jay O. Peterson, Mark T. Porath
Biogeochemical and ecosystem properties in three adjacent semiarid grasslands are resistant to nitrogen deposition but sensitive to edaphic variability Biogeochemical and ecosystem properties in three adjacent semiarid grasslands are resistant to nitrogen deposition but sensitive to edaphic variability
Drylands have low nitrogen stocks and are predicted to be sensitive to modest increases in reactive nitrogen availability, but direct evidence that atmospheric nitrogen deposition will have sustained effects on dryland ecosystems is sparse and conflicting.We used three long-running in situ nitrogen deposition simulation experiments and a complementary laboratory incubation experiment to...
Authors
Brooke Bossert Osborne, Carla M Roybal, Robin H. Reibold, Christopher D Collier, Erika L. Geiger, Michala Lee Phillips, Michael N Weintraub, Sasha C. Reed
Neuroendocrine regulation of plasma cortisol levels during smoltification and seawater acclimation of Atlantic salmon Neuroendocrine regulation of plasma cortisol levels during smoltification and seawater acclimation of Atlantic salmon
Diadromous fishes undergo dramatic changes in osmoregulatory capacity in preparation for migration between freshwater and seawater. One of the primary hormones involved in coordinating these changes is the glucocorticoid hormone, cortisol. In Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), cortisol levels increase during the spring smoltification period prior to seawater migration; however, the...
Authors
Brett M Culbert, Amy M. Regish, Daniel J Hall, Stephen D. McCormick, Nicholas J. Bernier
Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the global ocean: New sources for critical metals Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the global ocean: New sources for critical metals
The transition from a global hydrocarbon economy to a green energy economy and the rapidly growing middle class in developing countries are driving the need for considerable new sources of critical materials. Deep-ocean minerals, namely cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic nodules, are two such new resources generating interest. Polymetallic nodules are essentially two...
Authors
James R. Hein, Kira Mizell
Trade-offs between utility-scale solar development and ungulates on western rangelands Trade-offs between utility-scale solar development and ungulates on western rangelands
Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) has become an efficient and cost-effective form of renewable energy, with an expanding footprint into rangelands that provide important habitat for many wild ungulate populations. Using global positioning system data collected before and after construction, we documented the potential impacts of USSE on pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), including direct...
Authors
Hall Sawyer, Nicole M. Korfanta, Matthew J. Kauffman, Benjamin Seward Robb, Andrew C. Telander, Todd Mattson
Hematology and biochemistry reference intervals for American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in South Florida, USA Hematology and biochemistry reference intervals for American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in South Florida, USA
We calculated reference intervals for 48 blood parameters from 120 wild American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in South Florida, US. Although previously reported by others, this study includes additional parameters not yet reported in wild populations. Most previously reported blood parameter values were similar to ours and fell within our reference intervals.
Authors
Laura A. Brandt, Nicole D. Jennings, Michiko A. Squires, Caitlin E. Hackett, Christopher D. Smith, Frank J. Mazzotti
Overview of the morphology and chemistry of diagenetic features in the clay-rich Glen Torridon Unit of Gale Crater, Mars Overview of the morphology and chemistry of diagenetic features in the clay-rich Glen Torridon Unit of Gale Crater, Mars
The clay-rich Glen Torridon region of Gale crater, Mars, was explored between sols 2300 and 3007. Here, we analyzed the diagenetic features observed by Curiosity, including veins, cements, nodules, and nodular bedrock, using the ChemCam, Mastcam, and Mars Hand Lens Imager instruments. We discovered many diagenetic features in Glen Torridon, including dark-toned iron- and manganese-rich...
Authors
Patrick J. Gasda, Jade Comellas, A Essunfeld, D. Das, Alex B Bryk, Erwin Dehouck, Susanne P. Schwenzer, Laura Crossey, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Jeffrey B. Johnson, Horton E. Newsom, Nina L. Lanza, William Rapin, Walter Goetz, Pierre-Yves Meslin, John C. Bridges, Ryan B. Anderson, Gael David, S M R Turner, M T Thorpe, Linda C. Kah, Jens Frydenvang, Rachel Kronyak, G. Caravaca, Ann M. Ollila, Stephane Le Mouelic, M Nellessen, Megan Hoffman, Deirdra M. Fey, Agnes Cousin, Roger C. Wiens, Sam M. Clegg, Sylvestre Maurice, Olivier Gasnault, Dorothy Delapp, A. Reyes-Newell
Population connectivity of aquatic insects in a dam-regulated, desert river Population connectivity of aquatic insects in a dam-regulated, desert river
Humans have exaggerated natural habitat fragmentation, negatively impacting species dispersal and reducing population connectivity. Habitat fragmentation can be especially detrimental in freshwater populations, whose dispersal is already constrained by the river network structure. Aquatic insects, for instance, are generally limited to two primary modes of dispersal: downstream drift in...
Authors
Erin F. Abernethy, Jeffrey Muehlbauer, Theodore Kennedy, Katie E. Dziedzic, Holland Elder, Molly K. Burke, David A. Lytle
The applicability of time-integrated unit stream power for estimating bridge pier scour using noncontact methods in a gravel-bed river The applicability of time-integrated unit stream power for estimating bridge pier scour using noncontact methods in a gravel-bed river
In near-field remote sensing, noncontact methods (radars) that measure stage and surface water velocity have the potential to supplement traditional bridge scour monitoring tools because they are safer to access and are less likely to be damaged compared with in-stream sensors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of radars for monitoring the hydraulic conditions that...
Authors
Laura A. Hempel, Helen F. Malenda, John W, Fulton, Mark F. Henneberg, Jay Cederberg, Tommaso Moramarco
Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control Evaluating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to bats in the context of wildlife research, rehabilitation, and control
Preventing wildlife disease outbreaks is a priority for natural resource agencies, and management decisions can be urgent, especially in epidemic circumstances. With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife agencies were concerned whether the activities they authorize might increase the risk of viral transmission from humans to North American bats, but had a limited amount of time in which...
Authors
Jonathan D. Cook, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Michael C. Runge
Climate and landscape controls on old-growth western juniper demography in the northern Great Basin, USA Climate and landscape controls on old-growth western juniper demography in the northern Great Basin, USA
Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) woodlands have persisted for millennia in semiarid parts of the northern Great Basin, USA, providing critical habitat for plant and animal species. Historical records suggest that the establishment of western juniper is strongly associated with regional climatic variability. For example, the abundance of western juniper pollen and...
Authors
Rachel A. Loehman, Emily K. Heyerdahl, Gregory T. Pederson, David B. McWethy
Restoration for resilience: The role of plant-microbial interactions and seed provenance in ecological restoration Restoration for resilience: The role of plant-microbial interactions and seed provenance in ecological restoration
With global efforts to restore grassland ecosystems, researchers and land management practitioners are working to reconstruct habitat that will persist and withstand stresses associated with climate change. Part of these efforts involve movement of plant material potentially adapted to future climate conditions from native habitat or seed production locations to a new restoration site...
Authors
Jennifer Larson, Robert Venette, Diane L. Larson