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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.

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Blooming wildflowers in Pinnacles National Park.

The circular highlights how our research efforts fulfill larger USGS strategic goals.

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Tricolored Heron at Ding Darling National Park

This book is dedicated to those who are or have been associated with the unit program. 

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Yellow-billed Loon on a lake in the northern area of Alaska.

This report provides abstracts of most of the ongoing and recently completed research.

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Filter Total Items: 5011

Idiosyncratic spatial scaling of biodiversity–disease relationships Idiosyncratic spatial scaling of biodiversity–disease relationships

High host biodiversity is hypothesized to dilute the risk of vector-borne diseases if many host species are ‘dead ends' that cannot effectively transmit the disease and low-diversity areas tend to be dominated by competent host species. However, many studies on biodiversity–disease relationships characterize host biodiversity at single, local spatial scales, which complicates efforts to...
Authors
Neil A. Gilbert, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo, Elise Zipkin
By
Cooperative Research Units

On the interface between cultural transmission, phenotypic diversity, demography and the conservation of migratory ungulates On the interface between cultural transmission, phenotypic diversity, demography and the conservation of migratory ungulates

Recent evidence indicates that green-wave surfing behaviour in ungulates and the migrations that stem from this behaviour are socially learned, culturally transmitted across generations and become more efficient via cumulative cultural evolution. But given a lack of corroborative evidence, whether ungulate migration is a cultural phenomenon remains a hypothesis deserving of further...
Authors
Brett R. Jesmer, Janey Fugate, Matthew Kauffman
By
Cooperative Research Units

Feeding habits of sympatric aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) and desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in West Texas Feeding habits of sympatric aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) and desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) in West Texas

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia), native to northern Africa, were introduced as exotic game animals to the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas, USA, and have become invasive. Aoudad and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) are adapted to rugged terrain in arid climates, and both persist in desert regions with low primary productivity and limited perennial water availability, which suggests...
Authors
Grace L. Parikh, Jose L. Etchart, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, Louis A. Harveson, James W. Cain
By
Cooperative Research Units

Two-stage models improve machine learning classifiers in wildlife research: A case study in identifying false positive detections of Ruffed Grouse Two-stage models improve machine learning classifiers in wildlife research: A case study in identifying false positive detections of Ruffed Grouse

Autonomous recording units are increasingly being used to monitor wildlife on large geographic and temporal scales, paired with machine learning (ML) to automate detection of wildlife. However, false positive detections from ML classifiers can result in erroneous ecological models that can lead to misguided management and conservation actions. We used a two-stage general approach to...
Authors
Laurence A. Clarfeld, Katherina D. Gieder, Robert Abrams, Christopher Bernier, Joseph Cahill, Susan Staats, Scott Wixsom, Therese M. Donovan
By
Cooperative Research Units

A framework tool that applies weight-of-evidence integration to the analysis of existing datasets to guide freshwater conservation A framework tool that applies weight-of-evidence integration to the analysis of existing datasets to guide freshwater conservation

The overarching issue we address here is how to extract clear and actionable ecological and management insights from real-world field data that often do not satisfy traditional statistical assumptions. Toward this goal, we developed a general 12+6 step adaptive management framework tool. We applied this framework tool to existing biodiversity monitoring data to create a proof-of-concept...
Authors
Olivia Rode, Martha E. Mather, Devon Oliver, Katherine Nelson, Victoria Reed, Trisha Moore, Suyash Pratap
By
Cooperative Research Units

Comparison of two benthic assemblage sampling gears for use on intertidal oyster reefs in Louisiana Comparison of two benthic assemblage sampling gears for use on intertidal oyster reefs in Louisiana

Background Estuarine biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting ecosystem functions yet remains threatened by climate change and anthropogenic activity. Tracking and identifying estuarine biodiversity trends helps management ensure long-term provisions of human and environmental benefits by contributing to the estimation of habitat loss and the monitoring of restoration and...
Authors
Finella M. Campanino, Stephanie K. Archer, Jillian C. Tuptiza, Cassandra N. Glaspie, Megan La Peyre
By
Cooperative Research Units

A psychologically wise intervention to inform relational organizing in the face of climate and ocean change A psychologically wise intervention to inform relational organizing in the face of climate and ocean change

Widespread climate action is broadly recognized as necessary to reduce climate change impacts on oceans (“ocean change”), but threats to ocean ecosystems are commonly perceived as distant, irrelevant, and unchangeable. Communicating about ocean change, therefore, requires message framing strategies targeting evidence-based psychological precursors to behavior. In a pre-registered case...
Authors
Jennifer L. Waldo, Thomas C. Swearingen, Megan Siobhan Jones
By
Cooperative Research Units

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection methods for wild Cervidae Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection methods for wild Cervidae

Wildlife surveillance programs often use serological data to monitor exposure to pathogens. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a serological assay quantify the true positive and negative rates of the diagnostic assay, respectively. However, an assay’s accuracy can be affected by wild animals’ pathogen exposure history and quality of the sample collected, requiring separate...
Authors
Joshua Hewitt, Grete Wilson-Henjum, Jeffrey C. Chandler, Aaron T. Phillips, Diego G. Diel, W. David Walter, Alec Baker, Jennifer Høy-Petersen, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Tadao Kishimoto, George Wittemyer, Jeremy Alder, Sara Hathaway, Kezia R. Manlove, Travis Gallo, Jennifer Mullinax, Carson Coriell, Matthew Payne, Meggan E. Craft, Tyler J. Garwood, Tiffany M. Wolf, Maria A. Diuk-Wasser, Meredith C. VanAcker, Laura Dudley Plimpton, Mark Q. Wilber, Daniel Grove, Justin Koseiwska, Lisa I. Muller, Kim M. Pepin
By
Cooperative Research Units

Daily survival rate and nest-site selection of Zone-tailed Hawks (Buteo albonotatus) in the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion of Texas Daily survival rate and nest-site selection of Zone-tailed Hawks (Buteo albonotatus) in the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion of Texas

The Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) is one of the least studied raptors in North America and lacks contemporary literature allowing informed management decisions for this species. Zone-tailed Hawks occupy rugged areas in the southwestern region of the United States and are listed as state threatened in Texas. Our objectives were to assess habitat, productivity, and daily survival...
Authors
Caroline Skidmore, Clint W. Boal, Ben R. Skipper, Russell Martin
By
Cooperative Research Units

Reproductive habitat mismatch influences chytrid infection dynamics in a tropical amphibian community Reproductive habitat mismatch influences chytrid infection dynamics in a tropical amphibian community

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been decimating amphibian populations globally; previous work indicates that infection risk increases with moisture and thermal mismatch from a host’s optimum. We hypothesized that, in addition to these abiotic influences, mismatch of hosts from their reproductive habitat heightens infection risk via exposure and/or susceptibility mechanisms. We...
Authors
Neil A. Gilbert, Rayna C. Bell, Alessandro Catenazzi, Renato A. Martins, Shannon Buttimer, Wesley J. Neely, Carolina Lambertini, Veronica Saenz Calderon, Célio F.B. Haddad, C. Guilherme Becker, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo
By
Cooperative Research Units

Satellite imagery can predict bird species occupancy and inform multispecies management in pine savannas Satellite imagery can predict bird species occupancy and inform multispecies management in pine savannas

Multispecies management can contribute to meeting growing challenges of preserving biodiversity, yet current game and threatened species management often focuses on individual species. Satellite imagery available at high spatial and temporal resolution provides a potential tool to overcome the challenge posed by multispecies management of linking patterns of habitat use among species. We...
Authors
Cory R. Allred, Todd M. Schneider, Elizabeth Ann Hunter
By
Cooperative Research Units

Linking age and social status of cooperative breeders to vulnerability throughout the harvest season Linking age and social status of cooperative breeders to vulnerability throughout the harvest season

Individual behaviors are influenced by environmental, genetic, and demographic factors. Some animals choose to live in groups and cooperatively breed, and their behaviors can change depending on dynamic factors such as group size and composition that affect group persistence. In Idaho, USA, gray wolves (Canis lupus) are harvested annually, providing an opportunity to investigate the...
Authors
Peter F. Rebholz, Sarah B. Bassing, Lisette P. Waits, David Edward Ausband
By
Cooperative Research Units
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