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.
Science Quality and Integrity
Science Quality and Integrity
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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: 175062
Relating surface water dynamics in wetlands and lakes to spatial variability in hydrologic signatures Relating surface water dynamics in wetlands and lakes to spatial variability in hydrologic signatures
The retention of surface water in wetlands and lakes can modify the timing, duration, and magnitude of river discharge. However, efforts to characterize the influence of surface water on discharge regimes have been generally limited to small, wetland-dense watersheds. We developed random forest models to explain spatial variability in six hydrologic signatures, reflecting flashiness...
Authors
Melanie K. Vanderhoof, Peter Nieuwlandt, Heather E. Golden, Charles R. Lane, Jay R. Christensen, William Keenan, Wayana Dolan
Identifying presence or absence of grizzly and polar bear cubs from the movements of adult females with machine learning Identifying presence or absence of grizzly and polar bear cubs from the movements of adult females with machine learning
Background Information on reproductive success is crucial to understanding population dynamics but can be difficult to obtain, particularly for species that birth while denning. For grizzly (Ursus arctos) and polar bears (U. maritimus), den visits are impractical because of safety and logistical considerations. Reproduction is typically documented through direct observation, which can be...
Authors
Erik Andersen, Justin Clapp, Milan Vinks, Todd C. Atwood, Daniel D. Bjornlie, Cecily M. Costello, David Gustine, Mark A. Haroldson, Lori L. Roberts, Karyn D. Rode, Frank T. van Manen, Ryan H. Wilson
Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System Adapting visitor use management under a changing climate across the U.S. National Park System
Research shows that climate change is already affecting both resources and visitors in U.S. National Parks. We sought to better understand if and how park staff across the National Park Service are adapting to climatic changes that affect visitor use, as well as barriers and challenges to adaptation and information needs. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 63 staff...
Authors
Emily J. Wilkins, Sarah Lynn Rappaport Keener, Wylie Carr, Samantha G. Winder, Julianne Reas, Daniela B. Daniele, Spencer A. Wood
Incidence of pollution, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic ecosystems: A review Incidence of pollution, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and toxic effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic ecosystems: A review
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistently accumulated in both environmental media and biological systems, leading to significant toxicological effects. Although research on PFAS has expanded in recent years, systematic reviews on its concentration distribution in aquatic environments and biota, as well as its toxicological effects, remain scarce. Moreover, existing...
Authors
Cunlong Wang, Jason Tyler Magnuson, Chunmiao Zheng, Wenhui Qiu
Environmental drivers of productivity explain population patterns of an Arctic-nesting goose across a half-century Environmental drivers of productivity explain population patterns of an Arctic-nesting goose across a half-century
Joint estimation of demographic rates and population size has become an essential tool in ecology because it enables evaluating mechanisms for population change and testing hypotheses about drivers of demography in a single modeling framework. This approach provides a comprehensive perspective on population dynamics and how animal populations will respond to global pressures in future...
Authors
Antti Piironen, Jeffrey M. Knetter, Kyle A. Spragens, Joshua Dooley, Vijay P. Patil, Eric T. Reed, Megan V. Ross, Daniel Gibson, Adam C. Behney, Mark J. Petrie, Todd Sanders, Mitch D. Weegman
The systematics of stable hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes and tritium (3H) in the hydrothermal system of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, USA The systematics of stable hydrogen (δ2H) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes and tritium (3H) in the hydrothermal system of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, USA
To improve our understanding of hydrothermal activity on the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, we collected and analyzed a large data set of δ2H, δ18O, and the 3H concentrations of circum-neutral and alkaline waters. We find that (a) hot springs are fed by recharge throughout the volcanic plateau, likely focused through fractured, permeable tuff units. Previous work had stressed the...
Authors
Shaul Hurwitz, R. Blaine McCleskey, Bryant Jurgens, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Laura E. Clor, Andrew G. Hunt
Assessment of water chemistry of the Coconino aquifer in northeastern Arizona Assessment of water chemistry of the Coconino aquifer in northeastern Arizona
The Coconino aquifer was investigated as a potential groundwater resource for the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona. Basic groundwater chemistry, including major ions, total dissolved solids, and selected trace metal concentrations, are presented and analyzed to characterize the Coconino aquifer. The geochemical compositions of groundwater are associated with changes...
Authors
Casey J.R. Jones
Automated generation of an urban synthetic elevation checkpoint network across the North Carolina coastline, USA Automated generation of an urban synthetic elevation checkpoint network across the North Carolina coastline, USA
Lidar and structure from motion-derived digital elevation and surface models have widespread application. Consideration of a topographic model's vertical root mean squared error (RMSEz) and systematic directional bias is important for many of these applications, particularly landscape change detection and measurement. Due to logistic, resource, and time constraints, wide area remotely...
Authors
Alexander C. Seymour, Christine J. Kranenburg, Kara S. Doran
Future of coral bleaching research Future of coral bleaching research
Coral bleaching is the largest global threat to coral reef ecosystem persistence this century. Advancing our understanding of coral bleaching and developing solutions to protect corals and the reefs they support are critical. In the present article, we, the US National Science Foundation–funded Coral Bleaching Research Coordination Network, outline future directions for coral bleaching...
Authors
Andrea G. Grottoli, Ann M. Hulver, R. Vega Thurber, R. J. Toonen, E. R. Schmeltzer, Ilsa B. Kuffner, K. L. Barott, Iliana B. Baums, K. Castillo, Leila Chapron, M. A. Coffroth, D. J. Combosch, A. M.S. Correa, Eric D. Crandall, Megan Donahue, Jose M. Eirin-Lopez, Thomas Felis, C. Ferrier-Pages, Hugo B Harrison, Scott F. Heron, Danwei Huang, Adriana Humanes, Carly D. Kenkel, Thomas Krueger, Joshua Madin, Mikhail V Matz, Lisa C. McManus, Monica Medina, Erinn M. Muller, J. Padilla-Gamino, Hollie M. Putnam, Y Sawall, Tom Shlesinger, Michael J. Sweet, Christian Voolstra, V. M. Weis, Christian Wild, H. C. Wu
Ten more years of the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) on Maui, Hawaiian Islands Ten more years of the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) on Maui, Hawaiian Islands
Since the introduction of the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) to Haleakalā volcano, Maui, three decades ago, subsequent reports have hinted at an expansion of this nascent population. We draw from a variety of data sources to learn about this pheasant's present status on Maui. First, forest bird surveys conducted every five years revealed that the frequency of Golden Pheasant...
Authors
Thane K Pratt, Christopher C Warren, Erika K Kekiwi, Kerri Fay, Richard J. Camp
Integrating contaminant source indicators, water quality measures, and ecotoxicity to characterize contaminant mixtures and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) variability in an urban watershed Integrating contaminant source indicators, water quality measures, and ecotoxicity to characterize contaminant mixtures and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) variability in an urban watershed
Thousands of chemical contaminants threaten watersheds but are time and cost prohibitive to monitor. Identifying their sources, transport, and ecological risk is limited in heterogeneous urban watersheds. We present an integrative watershed approach using source-specific indicator compounds, common water quality measures, and ecotoxicity assays to examine the distribution of contaminant...
Authors
J. R. Behrens, A.S. Joyce, P.L. Ferguson, Dana W. Kolpin, N. Jayasundara, N. Barbo, E.S. Bernhardt
Organic matter availability and the production of methane-derived dissolved organic carbon at methane seeps Organic matter availability and the production of methane-derived dissolved organic carbon at methane seeps
Methane seeps located along continental margins and slopes export sedimentary methane and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) into the ocean. The flux of these reduced carbon molecules from the seafloor into the ocean impacts ocean chemistry and supports deep-sea life. While significant effort has been made to understand how the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) regulates the release of...
Authors
Ellen Jennifer Lalk, John Pohlman, Laura Lapham