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: 5123
An integrated modeling approach to estimating Gunnison Sage-Grouse population dynamics: Combining index and demographic data An integrated modeling approach to estimating Gunnison Sage-Grouse population dynamics: Combining index and demographic data
Evaluation of population dynamics for rare and declining species is often limited to data that are sparse and/or of poor quality. Frequently, the best data available for rare bird species are based on large‐scale, population count data. These data are commonly based on sampling methods that lack consistent sampling effort, do not account for detectability, and are complicated by observer...
Authors
Amy J. Davis, Mevin B. Hooten, Michael L. Phillips, Paul F. Doherty
Potential population and assemblage influences of non-native trout on native nongame fish in Nebraska headwater streams Potential population and assemblage influences of non-native trout on native nongame fish in Nebraska headwater streams
Non-native trout are currently stocked to support recreational fisheries in headwater streams throughout Nebraska. The influence of non-native trout introductions on native fish populations and their role in structuring fish assemblages in these systems is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) if the size structure or relative abundance of native fish differs in the...
Authors
Kelly C. Turek, Mark A. Pegg, Kevin L. Pope, Steve Schainost
Editors are editors, not oracles Editors are editors, not oracles
Farji-Brener and Kitzberger (2014; hereafter FBK) resurrect the issues of Farji-Brener (2007) concerning manuscripts that are submitted to journals but that are not sent out for peer review: a process we call “reject following editorial review” (RFER). We thank FBK for reviving discussion about this important topic as new challenges, including new publication outlets, peer-review models...
Authors
Dave Schimel, Donald R. Strong, Aaron M. Ellison, Debra P. C. Peters, Sue Silver, Edward A. Johnson, Jayne Belnap, Aimee T. Classen, Timothy E. Essington, Andrew O. Finley, Brian D. Inouye, Emily H. Stanley
Book review: Ecology of North American freshwater fishes Book review: Ecology of North American freshwater fishes
This book will be important in courses for upper undergraduates studying fish ecology or for graduate students. However, it will also be an excellent reference for the fishery manager who asks ‘Why does this fish do that?’. With the wealth of great information contained in Ross’ book, chances are an answer will be found. Review info: Ecology of North American freshwater fishes. Edited by...
Authors
Scott A. Bonar
Ungulate exclusion, conifer thinning and mule deer forage in northeastern New Mexico Ungulate exclusion, conifer thinning and mule deer forage in northeastern New Mexico
The southwestern United States has experienced expansion of conifer species (Juniperus spp. and Pinus ponderosa) into areas of semi-arid grassland over the past century. The expansion of conifers can limit palatable forage and reduce grass and forb communities. Conifer species are sometimes thinned through hydraulic mulching or selective cutting. We assessed the effects of these...
Authors
David W. Kramer, Grant E. Sorensen, Chase A. Taylor, Robert D. Cox, Philip S. Gipson, James W. Cain
Post-mortem sporulation of Ceratomyxa shasta (Myxozoa) after death in adult Chinook salmon Post-mortem sporulation of Ceratomyxa shasta (Myxozoa) after death in adult Chinook salmon
Ceratomyxa shasta (Myxozoa) is a common gastrointestinal pathogen of salmonid fishes in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. We have been investigating this parasite in adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Willamette River, Oregon. In prior work, we observed differences in the pattern of development of C. shasta in adult salmon compared to juvenile salmon. Adult...
Authors
Michael L. Kent, K. Soderlund, E. Thomann, Carl B. Schreck, T.J. Sharpton
Developing and testing temperature models for regulated systems: a case study on the Upper Delaware River Developing and testing temperature models for regulated systems: a case study on the Upper Delaware River
Water temperature is an important driver of many processes in riverine ecosystems. If reservoirs are present, their releases can greatly influence downstream water temperatures. Models are important tools in understanding the influence these releases may have on the thermal regimes of downstream rivers. In this study, we developed and tested a suite of models to predict river temperature...
Authors
Jeffrey C. Cole, Kelly O. Maloney, Matthias Schmid, James E. McKenna
Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife
Marine wildlife faces a growing number of threats across the globe, and the survival of many species and populations will be dependent on conservation action. One threat in particular that has emerged over the last 4 decades is the pollution of oceanic and coastal habitats with plastic debris. The increased occurrence of plastics in marine ecosystems mirrors the increased prevalence of...
Authors
Amanda C. Vegter, Mario Barletta, Cathy A. Beck, Jose C. Borrero, Harry Burton, Marnie L. Campbell, Monica F. Costa, Marcus Eriksen, Cecilia Eriksson, Andres Estrades, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Britta D. Hardesty, Juliana A. Ivar do Sul, Jennifer L. Lavers, Bojan Lazar, Laurent Lebreton, Wallace J. Nichols, Christine A. Ribic, Peter G. Ryan, Qamar A. Schuyler, Stephen D. A. Smith, Hideshige Takada, Kathy A. Townsend, Colette C. C. Wabnitz, Chris Wilcox, Lindsay C. Young, Mark Hamann
Prolonged instability prior to a regime shift Prolonged instability prior to a regime shift
Regime shifts are generally defined as the point of ‘abrupt’ change in the state of a system. However, a seemingly abrupt transition can be the product of a system reorganization that has been ongoing much longer than is evident in statistical analysis of a single component of the system. Using both univariate and multivariate statistical methods, we tested a long-term high-resolution
Authors
Trisha Spanbauer, Craig R. Allen, David G. Angeler, Tarsha Eason, Sherilyn C. Fritz, Ahjond S. Garmestani, Kirsty L. Nash, Jeffery R. Stone
Effect of bait and gear type on channel catfish catch and turtle bycatch in a reservoir Effect of bait and gear type on channel catfish catch and turtle bycatch in a reservoir
Hoop nets have become the preferred gear choice to sample channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus but the degree of bycatch can be high, especially due to the incidental capture of aquatic turtles. While exclusion and escapement devices have been developed and evaluated, few have examined bait choice as a method to reduce turtle bycatch. The use of Zote™ soap has shown considerable promise...
Authors
Evan C. Cartabiano, David R. Stewart, James M. Long
Body morphology differs in wild juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the Willamette River, Oregon, USA Body morphology differs in wild juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the Willamette River, Oregon, USA
Body morphology of juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in the upper Willamette River, Oregon, U.S.A., was analysed to determine if variation in body shape is correlated with migratory life-history tactics followed by juveniles. Body shape was compared between migrating juveniles that expressed different life-history tactics, i.e. autumn migrants and yearling smolts, and...
Authors
E.J. Billman, L.D. Whitman, R.K. Schroeder, C.S. Sharpe, David L. G. Noakes, Carl B. Schreck
Distribution, stock composition and timing, and tagging response of wild Chinook Salmon returning to a large, free-flowing river basin Distribution, stock composition and timing, and tagging response of wild Chinook Salmon returning to a large, free-flowing river basin
Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha returns to the Yukon River basin have declined dramatically since the late 1990s, and detailed information on the spawning distribution, stock structure, and stock timing is needed to better manage the run and facilitate conservation efforts. A total of 2,860 fish were radio-tagged in the lower basin during 2002–2004 and tracked upriver. Fish...
Authors
John H. Eiler, Michele Masuda, Ted R. Spencer, Richard J. Driscoll, Carl B. Schreck