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: 5350
Patterns of water use by raptors in the southern Great Plains Patterns of water use by raptors in the southern Great Plains
There is a paucity of data evaluating water use by raptors. Although raptors are believed to satisfy their water requirements through metabolic processes, they are known to experience reduced reproductive success during periods of drought, and there is evidence of water being important for site occupancy in arid landscapes. Several raptor species have a seasonal or year-round presence in...
Authors
Clint W. Boal, Brent D. Bibles, Trevor S. Gicklhorn
Flight capacity and response to habitat drying of endemic diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in Arkansas (USA) Flight capacity and response to habitat drying of endemic diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in Arkansas (USA)
The ability to colonize new habitat is essential for wild populations affected by disturbance or other forms of habitat change. For aquatic insects in small streams, overland flight is an important strategy for dispersal when barriers to in-stream migration exist and when populations are isolated in upland habitats. Two Ozark-endemic water beetles (Heterosternuta sulphuria and...
Authors
Scott Longing, Daniel D. Magoulick
Estimating northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) pair detection probabilities based on call-back surveys associated with long-term mark-recapture studies, 1993–2018 Estimating northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) pair detection probabilities based on call-back surveys associated with long-term mark-recapture studies, 1993–2018
The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina; hereinafter NSO) was listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in 1990 and population declines have continued since that listing. Given the species’ protected status, any proposed activities on Federal lands that might impact NSO require consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and part of that consultation often...
Authors
Katie M. Dugger, Alan B. Franklin, Damon B. Lesmeister, Raymond J. Davis, J. David Wiens, Gary C. White, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines, Charles B. Yackulic, Carl J. Schwarz, Steven H. Ackers, L. Steven Andrews, Larissa L. Bailey, Robin Bown, Jesse Burgher, Kenneth P. Burnham, Peter C. Carlson, Tara Chestnut, Mary M Conner, Krista E. Dilione, Eric D. Forsman, Scott A. Gremel, Keith A. Hamm, Dale R. Herter, J. Mark Higley, Rob B. Horn, Julianna M Jenkins, William L. Kendall, David W Lamphear, Christopher McCafferty, Trent L. McDonald, Janice A Reid, Jeremy T. Rockweit, David C. Simon, Stan G Sovern, James K. Swingle, Heather Wise
Temperature and winter duration requirements for reproductive success in johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum in the South Platte River basin, Colorado Temperature and winter duration requirements for reproductive success in johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum in the South Platte River basin, Colorado
Changes in water temperature and its seasonal timing influences the physiological processes of many aquatic ectotherms. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) contribute to warmer and more consistent water temperatures in streams draining the North American Great Plains, particularly during winter months. Reduced variation in seasonal water temperature may adversely affect fishes that rely...
Authors
C.M. Baum, Dana L. Winkelman, R.M. Fitzpatrick
Effects of population density and environmental conditions on life-history prevalence in a migratory fish Effects of population density and environmental conditions on life-history prevalence in a migratory fish
Individual variation in life-history traits can have important implications for the ability of populations to respond to environmental variability and change. In migratory animals, flexibility in the timing of life-history events, such as juvenile emigration from natal areas, can influence the effects of population density and environmental conditions on habitat use and population...
Authors
Mark H. Sorel, Andrew R. Murdoch, Richard W. Zabel, Cory M. Kamphaus, Eric R. Buhle, Mark David Scheuerell, Sarah J. Converse
Contemporary distribution of non-native Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in South America Contemporary distribution of non-native Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in South America
Chinook salmon represent one of the most successful salmonid introductions in South America, and today multiple naturalized populations exist across Patagonia. Here, we present an updated regional distribution of Chinook salmon that includes new records of occurrences collected between 2006 and 2022. We found a significant range expansion in terms of occurrences for adult (18 new basins...
Authors
Guillermo Figueroa-Munoz, J. Andres Olivos, Ivan Arismendi, Graciela Fabiano, Martin Laporta, Santiago Silveira, Ivan González-Bergonzoni, Guido Pavez, Billy Ernst, Javier E. Ciancio, Chris Harrod, Cecilia Y. Di Prinzio, Tomás Chalde, Christina Amy Murphy, Daniel Gomez-Uchida
Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data Bayesian forecasting of disease spread with little or no local data
Rapid and targeted management actions are a prerequisite to efficiently mitigate disease outbreaks. Targeted actions, however, require accurate spatial information on disease occurrence and spread. Frequently, targeted management actions are guided by non-statistical approaches that define the affected area by a pre-determined distance surrounding a small number of disease detections. As...
Authors
Jonathan D Cook, David M. Williams, Daniel P. Walsh, Trevor J. Hefley
Initial insights on the thermal ecology of lake whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan Initial insights on the thermal ecology of lake whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan
Lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis are a native coldwater species supporting important recreational and commercial fisheries in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Climate-related changes in water temperature may have important implications for the future sustainability of these fisheries. However, projecting future habitat availability is difficult because limited information is available on...
Authors
Kayla Reed, Lisa K. Izzo, Tom Binder, Todd Hayden, Daniel Dembkowski, Scott Hansen, David Caroffino, Christopher Vandergoot, Charles Krueger, Daniel A. Isermann
Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors Policy comparison of lead hunting ammunition bans and voluntary nonlead programs for California condors
The endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is negatively affected by lead poisoning from spent lead-based hunting ammunition. Because lead poisoning is the primary mortality factor affecting condors, the California Fish and Game Commission banned lead hunting ammunition during 2008 in the southern California condor range followed by a statewide ban implemented in 2019. In...
Authors
John H. Schulz, Samantha Totoni, Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Christine Jie Li, Mark Morgan, Damon M. Hall, Elisabeth B. Webb, Robin M. Rotman
Ticks harbor and excrete chronic wasting disease prions Ticks harbor and excrete chronic wasting disease prions
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by infectious prions (PrPCWD) affecting cervids. Circulating PrPCWD in blood may pose a risk for indirect transmission by way of hematophagous ectoparasites acting as mechanical vectors. Cervids can carry high tick infestations and exhibit allogrooming, a common tick defense strategy between conspecifics. Ingestion...
Authors
H. N. Inzalaco, F. Bravo-Risi, R. Morales, D. P. Walsh, D. J. Storm, J. A. Pedersen, Wendy Christine Turner, S. S. Lichtenbergh
Stream restoration milestones: Monitoring scales determine successes and failures Stream restoration milestones: Monitoring scales determine successes and failures
Urban stream restoration is growing globally, but there is much to learn from successes, failures, and evaluating tradeoffs in restoration practices. Significant time and resources have been invested towards restoring the structure and function of urban ecosystems and understanding and slowing the drivers of degradation. However, the rapid pace of urbanization and its effects on urban...
Authors
Sujay S. Kaushal, Megan L. Fork, Robert J. Hawley, Kristina G. Hopkins, Blanca Rios-Touma, Allison H. Roy
Network analysis of a northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony in a suburban forest patch Network analysis of a northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) maternity colony in a suburban forest patch
Many bat species are highly social, forming groups of conspecifics, particularly during the maternity season. In temperate North America, these social groups are typically comprised of closely related individuals or individuals that share some common trait (i.e. reproductive state or shared hibernacula from the previous winter). In the summer, when bats use forests for day-roosts, these...
Authors
Katherine M. Gorman, Elaine L. Barr, Tomás Nocera, W. Mark Ford