Publications
Browse publications authored by our scientists. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Filter Total Items: 5084
Detection probabilities of electrofishing, hoop nets, and benthic trawls for fishes in two western North American rivers Detection probabilities of electrofishing, hoop nets, and benthic trawls for fishes in two western North American rivers
Research comparing different sampling techniques helps improve the efficiency and efficacy of sampling efforts. We compared the effectiveness of three sampling techniques (small-mesh hoop nets, benthic trawls, boat-mounted electrofishing) for 30 species in the Green (WY, USA) and Kootenai (ID, USA) rivers by estimating conditional detection probabilities (probability of detecting a...
Authors
Christopher D. Smith, Michael C. Quist, Ryan S. Hardy
Combining split-beam and dual-frequency identification sonars to estimate abundance of anadromous fishes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina Combining split-beam and dual-frequency identification sonars to estimate abundance of anadromous fishes in the Roanoke River, North Carolina
Riverine hydroacoustic techniques are an effective method for evaluating abundance of upstream migrating anadromous fishes. To use these methods in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, at a wide site with uneven bottom topography, we used a combination of split-beam sonar and dual-frequency identification sonar (DIDSON) deployments. We aimed a split-beam sonar horizontally to monitor...
Authors
Jacob B. Hughes, Joseph E. Hightower
Density-dependent effects of omnivorous stream crayfish on benthic trophic dynamics Density-dependent effects of omnivorous stream crayfish on benthic trophic dynamics
Crayfish are abundant and important consumers in aquatic food webs and crayfish invasions have demonstrated strong effects of crayfish on multiple trophic levels. Density may be an important factor determining the role of omnivorous crayfish in benthic communities, especially if density alters the strength of trophic interactions. The effect of crayfish density on a simple benthic food...
Authors
J.P. Ludlam, B. T. Banks, Daniel D. Magoulick
The evolution of mapping habitat for northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina): A comparison of photo-interpreted, Landsat-based, and lidar-based habitat maps The evolution of mapping habitat for northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina): A comparison of photo-interpreted, Landsat-based, and lidar-based habitat maps
Wildlife habitat mapping has evolved at a rapid pace over the last few decades. Beginning with simple, often subjective, hand-drawn maps, habitat mapping now involves complex species distribution models (SDMs) using mapped predictor variables derived from remotely sensed data. For species that inhabit large geographic areas, remote sensing technology is often essential for producing...
Authors
Steven H. Ackers, Raymond J. Davis, K. Olsen, Katie Dugger
Effects of population reduction on white-tailed deer home-range dynamics Effects of population reduction on white-tailed deer home-range dynamics
Management strategies designed to reduce the negative impacts of overabundant Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) populations on forest regeneration may be influenced by changes in both population density and timber harvest. However, there is conflicting evidence as to how such changes in per capita resource availability influence home-range patterns. We compared home-range...
Authors
Shawn M. Crimmins, John W. Edwards, Tyler A Campbell, W. Mark Ford, Patrick D. Keyser, Brad F. Miller, Karl V. Miller
Testing assumptions for conservation of migratory shorebirds and coastal managed wetlands Testing assumptions for conservation of migratory shorebirds and coastal managed wetlands
Managed wetlands provide critical foraging and roosting habitats for shorebirds during migration; therefore, ensuring their availability is a priority action in shorebird conservation plans. Contemporary shorebird conservation plans rely on a number of assumptions about shorebird prey resources and migratory behavior to determine stopover habitat requirements. For example, the US...
Authors
Jaime Collazo, James Lyons, Garth Herring
Extensive feeding on sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka smolts by bull trout Salvelinus confluentus during initial outmigration into a small, unregulated and inland British Columbia river Extensive feeding on sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka smolts by bull trout Salvelinus confluentus during initial outmigration into a small, unregulated and inland British Columbia river
Stomach contents were collected and analysed from 22 bull trout Salvelinus confluentus at the edge of the Chilko Lake and Chilko River in British Columbia, Canada, during spring outmigration of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka smolts. Twenty of the 22 (>90%) stomachs contained prey items, virtually all identifiable prey items were outmigrant O. nerka smolts and stomach contents...
Authors
Nathan B. Furey, Scott G. Hinch, A.G. Lotto, David A. Beauchamp
Biology and ecology of Neosho Smallmouth Bass and the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage Biology and ecology of Neosho Smallmouth Bass and the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage
We reviewed the published and gray literature associated with Neosho Smallmouth Bass and the genetically-distinct Ouachita lineage. Substantial inter-stream variation appears to occur among these populations, particularly related to age. The Neosho subspecies is more abundant, grows faster, and lives longer than the genetically-distinct Ouachita lineage. Recruitment is highly variable...
Authors
Shannon K. Brewer, James M. Long
Prey use and provisioning rates of urban-nesting Mississippi Kites in west Texas Prey use and provisioning rates of urban-nesting Mississippi Kites in west Texas
Urban ecosystems are attractive to several raptor species, including the Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis). To better understand the niche filled by urban-nesting Mississippi Kites, we observed nesting kites at 10 nests for a total of 269 hr during the breeding seasons of 2010 and 2011. We assessed prey delivery rates and prey use within and between years, evaluated the...
Authors
Brandi C. Welch, Clint W. Boal
Factors affecting female space use in ten populations of prairie chickens Factors affecting female space use in ten populations of prairie chickens
Conservation of wildlife depends on an understanding of the interactions between animal movements and key landscape factors. Habitat requirements of wide-ranging species often vary spatially, but quantitative assessment of variation among replicated studies at multiple sites is rare. We investigated patterns of space use for 10 populations of two closely related species of prairie grouse...
Authors
Virginia L. Winder, Kaylan M. Carrlson, Andrew J. Gregory, Christian A. Hagen, David A. Haukos, Dylan C. Kesler, Lena C. Larsson, Ty W. Matthews, Lance B. McNew, Michael Patten, Jim C. Pitman, Larkin A. Powell, Jennifer A. Smith, Tom Thompson, Donald H. Wolfe, Brett K. Sandercock
Regulating services as measures of ecological resilience on DoD lands Regulating services as measures of ecological resilience on DoD lands
Knowledge of the capacity and flow of ecosystem services can help DoD land managers make decisions that enhance cost-effectiveness, minimize environmental damage, and maximize resources available for military missions. We demonstrated a methodology to quantify and map selected regulating services (RS), which helps land managers envision tradeoffs. Our objectives were to 1) estimate...
Authors
Paul L. Angermeier, Amy M. Villamagna
Upstream dam passage and use of an eel ladder by the common watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) Upstream dam passage and use of an eel ladder by the common watersnake (Nerodia sipedon)
No abstract available.
Authors
Stuart A. Welsh, Zachary J. Loughman