Publications

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are increasingly attracting attention globally due to their pivotal role in enhancing the performance of various hightech devices. Small amounts of these elements greatly improve the performance of materials, making magnets stronger, lenses clearer, lights brighter, batteries last longer, etc. Here we examine the notion that REEs from the Moon might compete...

In 2001, a reintroduced population of whooping cranes (Grus americana), the Eastern Migratory Population (EMP), was established in the eastern United States. There has been no assessment of habitat use of the EMP across the current winter distribution. During 2 winters, we used radio-telemetry to track groups of cranes each for 1 day. We grouped sites into 3 regions, based on natural...

The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is an important species in eastern North America due to its conservation status and cultural significance. Local Mi'gmaw fishers have reported an increase in sturgeon sightings over the last decade in the Restigouche River and estuary. Mi’gmaw Knowledge, oral history, and archaeological finds attest to their historical presence in...

Community wildfire readiness includes homeowner wildfire risk mitigation and wildfire evacuation preparedness. This report presents results from a household survey distributed to 725 households in West Vail, Colorado in 2022. Results indicate that West Vail survey respondents may not fully understand the risk of damage or property loss due to a wildfire and may benefit from further...

Context Montane meadows play an important hydrologic role in headwater catchments, but past land use has largely degraded their condition. Low-tech restoration methods, such as beaver dam analogs (BDAs), are increasingly used to support recovery of incised streams by promoting key geomorphic processes. However, there remains a need for studies that leverage UAS for monitoring low-tech...

Community wildfire readiness includes homeowner wildfire risk mitigation and wildfire evacuation preparedness. In 2021 and 2022, the Wildfire Research (WiRē) Center partnered with Chelan County Fire District #3 (CCFD #3) to learn how CCFD #3 can effectively engage with residents about preparing for a wildfire event and mitigating wildfire risk around the home. The CCFD #3 residents were...

Study region: Headwaters of the upper Colorado River basin (UCOL), USA Study focus: Surface-water and groundwater numerical models incorporating water-use information were used to investigate changes in climate, water use, and simulated hydrologic responses of snow processes, evapotranspiration, groundwater, and streamflow during recent wet (1982–1999) and drought (2000–2022) periods in...

Habitat and water quality were historically degraded within the St. Clair-Detroit River System (SCDRS). Beginning in 2004, extensive habitat restoration projects were implemented remediating losses of fish spawning beds and shoreline areas. Monitoring of post-restoration activities documented recovering fish populations; however, angler response remains unknown. Extensive creel surveys...

Increases in water temperature due to global climate change are known to alter the course and timing of fish development. The mechanosensory lateral line (LL) system mediates flow-sensing behaviors vital for survival in fishes, but the effects of increased water temperatures resulting from climate change on its development have not been examined. Here LL development was documented in a...

The multi-agency Lake Ontario spring prey fish survey quantifies changes in pelagic prey fish populations, in particular Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, which are the primary prey supporting the lake’s sport fishes. The 2025 survey included 230 trawls in the main lake and embayments and sampled depths from 5.5 to 245 m (15 – 810 ft). The survey captured 504,541 fish from 33 species with a...

No abstract available.

Seawater intrusion threatens groundwater resources in coastal regions, including southern Baldwin County, Alabama, where the freshwater-saltwater interface dynamics remain poorly understood. To address this gap, this study uses combined physics-based and machine-learning models to quantify seawater intrusion caused by natural (storm surges) and anthropogenic (human activities)...