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: 5293
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
Prevalence of pox-like lesions and malaria in forest bird communitites on leeward Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii Prevalence of pox-like lesions and malaria in forest bird communitites on leeward Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii
Introduced avian pox virus and malaria have had devastating impacts on native Hawaiian forest birds, yet little has been published about their prevalence and distribution in forest bird communities outside of windward Hawaii Island. We surveyed native and non-native forest birds for these two diseases at three different elevations on leeward Mauna Loa Volcano at the Kona Forest Unit of...
Authors
Carter T. Atkinson, Julie K. Lease, Robert J. Dusek, Michael D. Samuel
A method for trapping breeding adult American Oystercatchers A method for trapping breeding adult American Oystercatchers
We present an efficient and effective method for trapping adult, breeding American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) that minimizes disturbance to nesting birds and the risk of trapping injuries. We used a remote controlled mechanical decoy to lure territorial adults to a leg-hold noose-mat trap. We trapped 25 birds over two seasons and were successful on 54% of our trapping attempts...
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, Theodore R. Simons
Survival and selection of migrating salmon from capture-recapture models with individual traits Survival and selection of migrating salmon from capture-recapture models with individual traits
Capture–recapture studies are powerful tools for studying animal population dynamics, providing information on population abundance, survival rates, population growth rates, and selection for phenotypic traits. In these studies, the probability of observing a tagged individual reflects both the probability of the individual surviving to the time of recapture and the probability of...
Authors
Richard Zabel, Tyler Wagner, James Congleton, Steven G. Smith, John G. Williams
Flight speeds of northern pintails during migration determined by satellite telemetry Flight speeds of northern pintails during migration determined by satellite telemetry
Speed (km/hr) during flight is one of several factors determining the rate of migration (km/ day) and flight range of birds. We attached 26-g, back-mounted satellite-received radio tags (platform transmitting terminals; PTTs) to adult female Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) during (1) midwinter 2000–2003 in the northern Central Valley of California, (2) fall and winter 2002–2003 in the...
Authors
Michael R. Miller, John Y. Takekawa, Joseph P. Fleskes, Dennis L. Orthmeyer, Michael L. Casazza, David A. Haukos, William M. Perry
First record of the plains minnow, Hybognathus placitus, in Canada First record of the plains minnow, Hybognathus placitus, in Canada
Seven Plains Minnows, Hybognathus placitus, Family Cyprinidae, were collected on 11 June 2003 from Morgan Creek, in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, Canada. This collection is the first record of the species in Canada and extends the northern distribution limit of the species. Of 95 Hybognathus spp. collected at the site, only eight specimens were retained for positive...
Authors
R. M. Sylvester, S. E. Freeling, C. R. Berry
Do wintering Harlequin Ducks forage nocturnally at high latitudes? Do wintering Harlequin Ducks forage nocturnally at high latitudes?
We monitored radio-tagged Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) to determine whether nocturnal feeding was part of their foraging strategy during winter in south-central Alaska. Despite attributes of our study site (low ambient temperatures, harsh weather, short day length) and study species (small body size, high daytime foraging rates) that would be expected to favor nocturnal...
Authors
Daniel Rizzolo, Daniel Esler, Daniel D. Roby, Robert L. Jarvis