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Wildlife & Terrestrial Species

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Fish & Aquatic Species

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Energy & Wildlife

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Threats

What Threats are Wildlife Facing?

Species Management Research Program

The Species Management Research Program provides science that is used by managers, policy makers, and others for decisions that protect, conserve, and enhance healthy fish and wildlife populations across the United States and beyond.  

Species We Study

Image: Louisiana Black Bear and Cubs

From tiny insects to whales, check out the diversity of plants and animals our scientists study across the world.

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Animal Welfare Assurance

Photo of a hen pintail with a GPS transmitter.

The USGS promotes animal welfare and human and animal safety in research, teaching, and training activities.

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News

USGS Friday's Findings - December 6, 2022

USGS Friday's Findings - December 6, 2022

Predicting Wildlife and Plant Responses to Solar Energy Development in the Desert Southwest

Predicting Wildlife and Plant Responses to Solar Energy Development in the Desert Southwest

USGS Friday's Findings - November 8, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - November 8, 2024

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Publications

Quantification of threats to bats at localized spatial scales for conservation and management

In a rapidly changing world, where species conservation needs vary by local habitat, concentrated conservation efforts at small spatial scales can be critical. Bats provide an array of value to the ecosystems they inhabit; many bat species are also of conservation concern. San Diego County, California, contains 22 of the 41 bat species that occur in the United States, 16 of which are on conservati
Authors
Brian M. Myers, Drew Stokes, Kristine L. Preston, Robert N. Fisher, A. G. Vandergast
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Conservation genetics of the endangered California Freshwater Shrimp (Syncaris pacifica): Watershed and stream networks define gene pool boundaries

Understanding genetic structure and diversity among remnant populations of rare species can inform conservation and recovery actions. We used a population genetic framework to spatially delineate gene pools and estimate gene flow and effective population sizes for the endangered California Freshwater Shrimp Syncaris pacifica. Tissues of 101 individuals were collected from 11 sites in 5 watersheds,
Authors
Abdul M. Ada, A. G. Vandergast, Robert N. Fisher, Darren Fong, Andrew J. Bohonak
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore marine and wi

Authors
Adam Sepulveda, Cheryl Morrison, Margaret Hunter, Mona Khalil
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Gulf of Mexico
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Science

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Townsendia gypsophila

Developing habitat models for rare plants to inform decision making on multiple-use public lands

Public lands provide important habitat for many rare plants. However, public lands often need to accommodate many other uses, including traditional and renewable energy development, in addition to conservation. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to coproduce ensemble habitat suitability models that can inform agency planning and permitting decisions that may impact rare plants.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Developing habitat models for rare plants to inform decision making on multiple-use public lands

Public lands provide important habitat for many rare plants. However, public lands often need to accommodate many other uses, including traditional and renewable energy development, in addition to conservation. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to coproduce ensemble habitat suitability models that can inform agency planning and permitting decisions that may impact rare plants.
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Walruses resting on an ice floe

Walrus Research

The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Alaska Science Center
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Walrus Research

The USGS Alaska Science Center conducts long-term research on the Pacific walrus to provide scientific information to Department of Interior management agencies and Alaska Native co-management partners. In addition, the USGS Pacific walrus research program collaborates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the State of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game and Alaska Native co...
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Looking down at river herring fish swimming underwater with concrete structure underneath

Fish Passage Research to Identify the Ideal Fishway Entrance for River Herring (Alosa spp)

USGS is working to identify an improved fishway entrance design for two at-risk species, blueback herring ( Alosa aestivalis ) and alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ).
By
Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
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Fish Passage Research to Identify the Ideal Fishway Entrance for River Herring (Alosa spp)

USGS is working to identify an improved fishway entrance design for two at-risk species, blueback herring ( Alosa aestivalis ) and alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ).
Learn More
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