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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.

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Movement patterns of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) following oiling and rehabilitation Movement patterns of California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) following oiling and rehabilitation

Direct mortality of wildlife is generally used to quantify the damage caused by pollution events. However, free-ranging wildlife that survive initial exposure to pollutants may also experience long-term consequences. Individuals that are rehabilitated following oil exposure have a known history of oiling and provide a useful study population for understanding behavior following pollution...
Authors
J. S. Lamb, C. V. Fiorello, Yvan G. Satge, K. Mills, M. Ziccardi, Patrick G.R. Jodice

Factors affecting nesting ecology of Apalone spinifera in a northwestern Great Plains river of the United States Factors affecting nesting ecology of Apalone spinifera in a northwestern Great Plains river of the United States

The nesting ecology of Apalone spinifera in large North American rivers is largely unknown despite the wide distribution of the species in these naturally dynamic ecosystems. We describe the nesting locations, timing, behavior, and habitat of A. spinifera in relation to natural and anthropogenic factors in the Missouri River. Nesting followed annual peak river stage, mostly occurred in...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Robert G. Bramblett, Alexander V. Zale, Stephen A. Leathe

Spatial and temporal patterns in population trends and burrow usage of burrowing owls in North America Spatial and temporal patterns in population trends and burrow usage of burrowing owls in North America

Many researchers have suggested that abundance of Burrowing Owls (Athene cunicularia) has declined in many portions of their breeding range, but a thorough review of their population trends over time is lacking. Published population trends from the North American Breeding Bird Survey program suggested that Burrowing Owl populations in the US have declined over the past 60 yr, but the...
Authors
Courtney J. Conway

Seabird colony registry and atlas for the southeastern U.S. Seabird colony registry and atlas for the southeastern U.S.

No abstract available.
Authors
L.M. Ferguson, Y. G. Satgé, J. Tavano, Patrick G.R. Jodice

The influence of drought on flow‐ecology relationships in Ozark Highland streams The influence of drought on flow‐ecology relationships in Ozark Highland streams

Drought and summer drying can have strong effects on abiotic and biotic components of stream ecosystems. Environmental flow‐ecology relationships may be affected by drought and drying, adding further uncertainty to the already complex interaction of flow with other environmental variables, including geomorphology and water quality.Environment–ecology relationships in stream communities...
Authors
Dustin T. Lynch, Douglas R. Leasure, Daniel D. Magoulick

Evaluating indices of lipid and protein content in lesser snow and Ross's geese during spring migration Evaluating indices of lipid and protein content in lesser snow and Ross's geese during spring migration

Assessing nutrient stores in avian species is important for understanding the extent to which body condition influences success or failure in life‐history events. We evaluated predictive models using morphometric characteristics to estimate total body lipids (TBL) and total body protein (TBP), based on traditional proximate analyses, in spring migrating lesser snow geese (Anser...
Authors
Elisabeth B. Webb, Drew N. Fowler, Brendan A. Woodall, Mark P. Vrtiska

Habitat associations of three crayfish endemic to the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion Habitat associations of three crayfish endemic to the Ouachita Mountain Ecoregion

Many crayfish are of conservation concern because of their use of unique habitats and often narrow ranges. In this study, we determined fine-scale habitat use by 3 crayfishes that are endemic to the Ouachita Mountains, in Oklahoma and Arkansas. We sampled Faxonius menae (Mena Crayfish), F. leptogonopodus (Little River Creek Crayfish), and Fallicambarus tenuis (Ouachita Mountain Crayfish)...
Authors
Joseph J. Dyer, Shannon K. Brewer

Rapid discovery of SNPs differentiating hatchery steelhead trout from ESA-listed natural-origin steelhead trout using a 57K SNP array Rapid discovery of SNPs differentiating hatchery steelhead trout from ESA-listed natural-origin steelhead trout using a 57K SNP array

Natural-origin steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)) in the Pacific Northwest, USA, are threatened by a number of factors including habitat destruction, disease, decline in marine survival, and a potential erosion of genetic viability due to introgression from hatchery strains. Our major goal was to use a recently developed SNP array containing ∼57 000 SNPs to identify a...
Authors
Wesley Larson, Yniv Palti, Gunagtu Gao, Kenneth I. Warheit, James E. Seeb

Activity of southeastern bats along sandstone cliffs used for rock climbing Activity of southeastern bats along sandstone cliffs used for rock climbing

Bats in the eastern U.S. are facing numerous threats and many species are in decline. Although several species of bats commonly roost in cliffs, little is known about use of cliffs for foraging and roosting. Because rock climbing is a rapidly growing sport and may cause disturbance to bats, our objectives were to examine use of cliff habitats by bats and to assess the effects of climbing...
Authors
Susan C. Loeb, Patrick G.R. Jodice

Synthesizing models useful for ecohydrology and ecohydraulic approaches: An emphasis on integrating models to address complex research questions Synthesizing models useful for ecohydrology and ecohydraulic approaches: An emphasis on integrating models to address complex research questions

Ecohydrology combines empiricism, data analytics, and the integration of models to characterize linkages between ecological and hydrological processes. A challenge for practitioners is determining which models best generalizes heterogeneity in hydrological behaviour, including water fluxes across spatial and temporal scales, integrating environmental and socio‐economic activities to...
Authors
Shannon K. Brewer, Thomas Worthington, Robert Mollenhauer, David Stewart, Ryan McManamay, Lucie Guertault, Desiree Moore

Green‐wave surfing increases fat gain in a migratory ungulate Green‐wave surfing increases fat gain in a migratory ungulate

Each spring, migratory herbivores around the world track or ‘surf’ green waves of newly emergent vegetation to distant summer or wet‐season ranges. This foraging tactic may help explain the great abundance of migratory herbivores on many seasonal landscapes. However, the underlying fitness benefits of this life‐history strategy remain poorly understood. A fundamental prediction of the...
Authors
Arthur D. Middleton, Jerod Merkle, Douglas E. McWhirter, John G. Cook, Rachel C. Cook, P.J. White, Matthew J. Kauffman

Diel habitat selection of largemouth bass following woody structure installation in Table Rock Lake, Missouri Diel habitat selection of largemouth bass following woody structure installation in Table Rock Lake, Missouri

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède) use of installed habitat structure was evaluated in a large Midwestern USA reservoir to determine whether or not these structures were used in similar proportion to natural habitats. Seventy largemouth bass (>380 mm total length) were surgically implanted with radio transmitters and a subset was relocated monthly during day and night for...
Authors
J.M. Harris, Craig P. Paukert, S.C. Bush, M.J. Allen, Michael Siepker
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