Publications
Listed here are publications, reports and articles by the Land Change Science Program in the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area.
Filter Total Items: 1265
On the fidelity of oxygen isotope-based sea level reconstructions: A case study of Marine Isotope Stage 3 On the fidelity of oxygen isotope-based sea level reconstructions: A case study of Marine Isotope Stage 3
Although foraminiferal oxygen isotope records (δ18OF) have long been used to develop time-continuous estimates of past global ice volume, growing evidence indicates that the ice volume and temperature contributions to δ18OF diverge considerably over the last glacial cycle. Across Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3; 57 to 29 ka), estimates of peak global sea level based on δ18OF are ∼30 m...
Authors
Tamara Pico, Jesse R. Farmer, Sarah Shackleton, Robert K. Poirier, Bradley R. Markle, Lorraine E. Lisiecki
Probabilistic forecasting of coastal wetland elevation and soil carbon response to sea-level rise Probabilistic forecasting of coastal wetland elevation and soil carbon response to sea-level rise
Tidal wetlands build soil as a dynamic response to inundation, resulting in carbon sequestration and resilience to sea-level rise. Process models can be used to make site-specific forecasts, anticipate future changes, and plan management responses. But to be actionable, forecasts from these models need to be accompanied by descriptions of their confidence. In this study, we demonstrate...
Authors
James R. Holmquist, E. Fay Belshe, Brandon M. Boyd, Lauren N. Brown, Samantha K. Chapman, Ron Corstanje, Meagan J. Eagle, Christopher N. Janousek, Minjee Jung, David H. Klinges, Michael Lonneman, James T. Morris, Gregory B. Noe, André Rovai, Jonathan Sanderman, Amanda C. Spivak, Katherine Todd-Brown, Megan Vahsen, Nicholas Ward, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, J. Patrick Megonigal
Microfocus X-ray computed tomography to evaluate ostracode shell density and other metrics for monitoring ocean acidification in the Arctic Ocean Microfocus X-ray computed tomography to evaluate ostracode shell density and other metrics for monitoring ocean acidification in the Arctic Ocean
Ocean acidification (OA) poses a significant threat to the ability of marine calcifying organisms—such as mollusks, corals, crustaceans, and plankton—to form and maintain their calcium carbonate-based shells. While some species show greater sensitivity to OA than others, the impacts on benthic marine calcifiers remain inadequately understood. This study investigates the shell density...
Authors
Laura Gemery, Katsunori Kimoto, David J. Horne, Michiyo Yamamoto-Kawai, Siyi Yin, Ryan J. McAleer, Lee W. Cooper, Jacqueline M. Grebmeier, Aaron M. Jubb, Masanobu Yamamoto
Towards a refined definition of “tidal influence” for the coastal wetland sciences Towards a refined definition of “tidal influence” for the coastal wetland sciences
The astronomical tide relates to lunar (and to a lesser extent solar) influences on rising and falling water bodies, and is a key control of many coastal processes. However, tides manifest along coastal margins in different ways to muddle application beyond Sir Isaac Newton’s first descriptions. Here, we argue that tide, or specifically “tidal,” has not been adequately defined for the...
Authors
Ken W. Krauss, Laura S. Brophy, Judith Z. Drexler, Jeffrey A. Kelleway, Janine B. Adams, Havalend E. Steinmuller, Gregory B. Noe, Michael J. Osland, Jamie A. Duberstein, Kurt P. Kowalski, Amanda L. McCutcheon, Kaile'a M. Annandale, Daniel A. Friess, Eric E. Grossman, Kristin B. Byrd, Kevin J. Buffington, Joel A. Carr, Nicholas M. Enwright, Camille L. Stagg, Davina L. Passeri, Stephanie S. Romanach, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, James B. Grace, Christopher G. Smith, Justine A. Neville, Karen M. Thorne, Brian J. Roberts
Root biomass and productivity in coastal swamp forests of Louisiana (USA) Root biomass and productivity in coastal swamp forests of Louisiana (USA)
Coastal swamp forests (CSF) occupy approximately 225,000 ha in Southeastern Louisiana (USA), and across a large percentage of this area, CSF are subjected to sediment starvation, salinity intrusion, and chronic submergence. We assessed root biomass and productivity in nine CSF in Louisiana, and found that root biomass ranged from 420.8 g m−2 to 1712.2 g m−2 to a soil depth of 30 cm. Root...
Authors
Ken W. Krauss, Jorge A. Villa, Blair A. Miller, Eric J. Ward, Andrew S. From, Gregory B. Noe
Ecological transformations of coastal wetlands of the conterminous United States in response to contemporaneous sea-level rise Ecological transformations of coastal wetlands of the conterminous United States in response to contemporaneous sea-level rise
Coastal wetlands are among the most important ecosystems on the planet but are increasingly imperiled by accelerating sea-level rise (SLR). In the past, biogeomorphic feedbacks have allowed coastal wetlands to adjust vertically and persist through periods of accelerated SLR. Recent rates of SLR are faster than any in recent geologic history, making the fate of coastal wetlands highly...
Authors
Justine Annaliese Neville, Katya E. Kovalenko, Gregg A. Snedden, Michael J. Osland, Karen M. Thorne, Laura C. Feher, Michelle C. Moorman, Jena A. Moon, Ken W. Krauss, James B. Grace, Tiffany C. Lane, Colt R. Sanspree, Donald R. Cahoon, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
Quantifying methane emissions from a rich fen with uncrewed aircraft systems in boreal Alaska Quantifying methane emissions from a rich fen with uncrewed aircraft systems in boreal Alaska
Thawing of permafrost in northern latitudes is accelerating, potentially releasing substantial amounts of methane (CH4) as forested permafrost plateaus transition into wetlands. This ecosystem shift alters the carbon exchange between the soil and atmosphere, influencing the permafrost-carbon feedback. Monitoring these changes may require measurement platforms operating across varied...
Authors
J.M. Tomlin, C.W. Edgar, E. Seroki, E.S. Euskirchen, E.S. Kane, M.Y. McPartland, L.T. Iraci, Kristen L. Manies
Regional variations in sea ice and primary productivity in the Bering Sea during Marine Isotope Stage 11 Regional variations in sea ice and primary productivity in the Bering Sea during Marine Isotope Stage 11
Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 (424-374 ka) has long been an analog for Holocene climate, because it is the most recent interglacial period with similar orbital conditions. However, there is significant global and regional variability in the climate response to MIS 11 warmth. Here, we review sediment core records from across the Bering Sea to investigate changes in paleoceanographic...
Authors
Natalie S. Thompson, Beth E. Caissie
Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making Colocating artificial intelligence data centers with energy infrastructure on Federal public lands—A science synthesis and spatial analysis to inform decision making
Authors
Sarah E. Whipple, Katherine A. Kurth, Catherine A. Nikiel, Andy J. Maguire, Jay R. Alder, Julian. J.T. Reyes, Julian A. Scott, Sarah K. Carter
Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands
Rod surface elevation tables (RSETs) are effective tools for measuring changes in ground surface height, but these are not designed to withstand large changes in height (e.g., ±50 cm). After extreme changes in elevation due to erosion or accretion, RSET sites may be deemed unusable; however, this equipment usually can function indefinitely with in-situ modifications. Here, we provide a
Authors
Ting Lei, John L. David, Beth A. Middleton
The influence of tree canopy cover data choices on urban ecosystem accounting The influence of tree canopy cover data choices on urban ecosystem accounting
Because urban landscapes are heterogeneous, the methods and spatial resolution used to depict the land surface greatly influence the representation of urban features. Land cover products such as tree canopy cover (TCC) are particularly sensitive to the methodology and resolution used in their creation. Differences in TCC mapping have implications on the outcomes of ecosystem service (ES)...
Authors
Levi Sweet-Breu, Gregory Cermak, Lucila Marie Corro, Peter Christian Ibsen, Mehdi Heris, Raimundo Atal, Ryan McManamay, Jay E. Diffendorfer, Kenneth Bagstad
Cruise summary—Samoa Basin abyssal mapping—Box coring leg, Pago Pago, Territory of American Samoa to Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 11– May 1, 2026 Cruise summary—Samoa Basin abyssal mapping—Box coring leg, Pago Pago, Territory of American Samoa to Pago Pago, American Samoa, April 11– May 1, 2026
Authors
Amy Gartman, Katlin Bowman Adamczyk, Jason A. Addison, Jill R. Bourque, Beth E. Caissie, Caroline Sarah Caron, Amanda W. Demopoulos, Jaycee Favela, Hope Lee Ianiri, Daniel Charles Powers, Nancy G. Prouty, Jane Anne Rudebusch, Isabelle M. Shapiro