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: 5203
Fish assemblages of the upper Little Sioux River basin, Iowa, USA: Relationships with stream size and comparison with historical assemblages Fish assemblages of the upper Little Sioux River basin, Iowa, USA: Relationships with stream size and comparison with historical assemblages
We characterized the fish assemblages in second to fifth order streams of the upper Little Sioux River basin in northwest Iowa, USA and compared our results with historical surveys. The fish assemblage consisted of over twenty species, was dominated numerically by creek chub, sand shiner, central stoneroller and other cyprinids, and was dominated in biomass by common carp. Most of the...
Authors
D. Palic, L. Helland, B.R. Pedersen, J.R. Pribil, R.M. Grajeda, Anna Loan-Wilsey, C.L. Pierce
Importance of well-designed monitoring programs for the conservation of endangered species: Case study of the Snail Kite Importance of well-designed monitoring programs for the conservation of endangered species: Case study of the Snail Kite
Monitoring natural populations is often a necessary step to establish the conservation status of species and to help improve management decisions. Nevertheless, many monitoring programs do not effectively address primary sources of variability in monitoring data, which ultimately may limit the utility of monitoring in identifying declines and improving management. To illustrate the...
Authors
J. Martin, W.M. Kitchens, J.E. Hines
Foraging patterns of Caspian terns and double-crested cormorants in the Columbia River estuary Foraging patterns of Caspian terns and double-crested cormorants in the Columbia River estuary
We examined spatial and temporal foraging patterns of Caspian terns and double-crested cormorants nesting in the Columbia River estuary, to potentially identify circumstances where juvenile salmonids listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act might be more vulnerable to predation by these avian piscivores. Data were collected during the 1998 and 1999 breeding seasons, using point count...
Authors
Donald E. Lyons, D.D. Roby, K. Collis
Introduced species and abiotic factors affect longitudinal variation in small fish assemblages in the Wind River watershed, Wyoming Introduced species and abiotic factors affect longitudinal variation in small fish assemblages in the Wind River watershed, Wyoming
We assessed longitudinal variation in small fish assemblages in the Wind River watershed upstream from Boysen Reservoir, Wyoming and into the reservoir. Twenty-six species were found in the study area, and 12 of the species were believed to have been introduced since settlement by Europeans. Additions and losses of fish species occurred with downstream progression, especially the...
Authors
P.S. Lionberger, W.A. Hubert
Assessing functional equivalency of nekton habitat in enhanced habitats: Comparison of terraced and unterraced marsh ponds Assessing functional equivalency of nekton habitat in enhanced habitats: Comparison of terraced and unterraced marsh ponds
A primary goal of many coastal restoration programs is to increase nekton habitat in terms of both quantity and quality. Using shallow water ponds rehabilitated with a technique called marsh terracing, we examined the quality of nekton habitat created, using and comparing several metrics including nekton density and diversity, functional group composition, and weight-length relationships...
Authors
M.K. La Peyre, B. Gossman, J.A. Nyman
Correlated growth and survival of juvenile spectacled eiders: Evidence of habitat limitation? Correlated growth and survival of juvenile spectacled eiders: Evidence of habitat limitation?
We studied the growth and survival of Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) ducklings to 30 days of age along the lower Kashunuk River on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta from 1995 to 2000. We replicated this study at a second site, Kigigak Island, in 1999 and 2000. Age-adjusted estimates of duckling mass and survival at 30 days posthatching were highly variable. Duckling survival was...
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Julie A. Morse, J. Barry Grand, Christine L. Moran
Modeling spatial and temporal variations in temperature and salinity during stratification and overturn in Dexter Pit Lake, Tuscarora, Nevada, USA Modeling spatial and temporal variations in temperature and salinity during stratification and overturn in Dexter Pit Lake, Tuscarora, Nevada, USA
This paper examines the seasonal cycling of temperature and salinity in Dexter pit lake in arid northern Nevada, and describes an approach for modeling the physical processes that operate in such systems. The pit lake contains about 596,200 m3 of dilute, near neutral (pHs 6.7–9) water. Profiles of temperature, conductivity, and selected element concentrations were measured almost monthly...
Authors
Laurie S. Balistrieri, R.N. Tempel, L.L. Stillings, L.A. Shevenell
Non-lethal estimation of body composition of Yukon River salmon Non-lethal estimation of body composition of Yukon River salmon
Because of the importance of Chinook salmon to commercial and subsistence fisheries on the Yukon River, further study of the factors that may affect the success of this species and our ability to manage the fisheries is warranted. Critical to these studies is the determination of the amount of lipids (fat) stored and available to the fish as its primary energy source for migration and...
Authors
F. Joseph Margraf, Kyle J. Hartman, M. Keith Cox
Central Arctic caribou and petroleum development: Distributional, nutritional, and reproductive implications Central Arctic caribou and petroleum development: Distributional, nutritional, and reproductive implications
We synthesize findings from cooperative research on effects of petroleum development on caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) of the Central Arctic Herd (CAH). The CAH increased from about 6000 animals in 1978 to 23000 in 1992, declined to 18 000 by 1995, and again increased to 27 000 by 2000. Net calf production was consistent with changes in herd size. In the Kuparuk Development Area (KDA...
Authors
Raymond D. Cameron, Walter T. Smith, Robert G. White, Brad Griffith
Male Texas Horned Lizards increase daily movements and area covered in spring: A mate searching strategy? Male Texas Horned Lizards increase daily movements and area covered in spring: A mate searching strategy?
Texas Horned Lizards, Phrynosoma cornutum, were tracked using fluorescent powder to determine exact daily movements. Daily linear movements and daily space use were compared between adult males and females. Lizards that traveled the greatest linear distances also covered the largest areas. In Oklahoma, adults emerge from hibernation in late April and early May and mate soon afterward...
Authors
Richard C. Stark, S. F. Fox, David Leslie
Bioeconomic analysis of selected conservation practices on soil erosion and freshwater fisheries Bioeconomic analysis of selected conservation practices on soil erosion and freshwater fisheries
Farmers can generate environmental benefits (improved water quality and fisheries and wildlife habitat), but they may not be able to quantify them. Furthermore, farmers may reduce their incomes from managing lands to produce these positive externalities but receive little monetary compensation in return. This study simulated the relationship between agricultural practices, water quality...
Authors
John Westra, J. K. H. Zimmerman, Bruce C. Vondracek