Images

America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

America’s diverse ecosystems are an asset to current and future generations by supporting economically and recreationally important fish, wildlife, and lands. Healthy ecosystems support people and nature, fostering prosperity and enjoyment for all. 

These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research on how wildfire affects the Juneau Icefield, Alaska. The upper left image of the Juneau Icefield represents a viz about where the icefield is located and where scientists collect data.

These three thumbnail illustrations represent three different data visualizations about USGS research in the Beaufort Sea. The upper left image of an Arctic icebreaker and research vessel represents a viz about how sediment cores are collected.

USGS scientist BJ Reynolds holds half of a Mercenaria spp. clamshell found by wading in shallow waters of South Tampa Bay, Florida.

Blue carbon refers to carbon captured in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

Paul Henne develops wildfire models using records of past climate and area burned.  These models when combined with sedimentary records help scientists understand long-term interactions among climate, vegetation, people, and wildfire.  

Physical Scientist Michelle Leung and Research Geologist Natalie Kehrwald prepare sediment samples from Santa Fe Lake, New Mexico to analyze records of interactions between past fires and human activity over the last few thousand years. 

A view of the sandy north shore of Palmyra Atoll, with a forested edge. Recently killed coconut palm trunks poke out of the forested area.

Crystal clear, turquoise waters surrounding a palm-lined beach on Palmyra Atoll. 

Calm, blue waters surround Palmyra Atoll. This view takes in the ocean scenery with a partial glimpse of lush green coastal vegetation on the landward side.

Driftwood lays partially submerged in clear blue water on sandy shore of Palmyra Atoll. 

Aerial view of the Palmyra Atoll, looking west. The forested island is surrounded by blue water.

Calm, clear and bright blue waters of a small shoreline lagoon on Palmyra Atoll.

A view of the shoreline with palm trees above bright blue water in the Western Lagoon, Palmyra Atoll.

Sand Island, one of the first islands on the atoll to have successfully eradicated coconut palms, which were quickly replaced by a healthy Pisonia forest with abundant shorebird life.  

A recently treated stand of coconut palms, standing and dead, which will naturally convert back to Pisonia forest, on Palmyra Atoll. 

Pisonia forest where coconuts have already been eradicated on Palmyra Atoll. The forest is lush and green.

A White Tern and a Red-Footed Booby share some shade under a tree. The White Tern flies while the Booby sits below. 

Gulkana Glacier area change, from 1957 - 2021. Gulkana Glacier is located along the south flank of the eastern Alaska Range.

Lemon Creek Glacier area change, 1948 - 2021. Lemon Creek Glacier is located at the southernmost tip of the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska, USA, approximately 6.5 km northeast of the city of Juneau