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Fish and Aquatic Species

Our fisheries researchers are world-class scientists. They conduct cutting-edge research to provide resource managers the scientific information they need to protect, restore, and enhance our Nation’s  fish and aquatic species and their habitats.

Filter Total Items: 172

Alosine Genetic Stock Identification and Tissue Repository

American Shad ( Alosa sapidissima ), Blueback Herring ( Alosa aestivalis ), and Alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ; collectively “alosines”) once supported large fisheries along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. However, impassable migration barriers, declines in habitat quality, and exploitation have led to declines in many spawning populations. Substantial resources have been invested to support the...
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Alosine Genetic Stock Identification and Tissue Repository

American Shad ( Alosa sapidissima ), Blueback Herring ( Alosa aestivalis ), and Alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ; collectively “alosines”) once supported large fisheries along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. However, impassable migration barriers, declines in habitat quality, and exploitation have led to declines in many spawning populations. Substantial resources have been invested to support the...
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Reptile and Amphibian Road Ecology

USGS is working with many partners to help reptiles, amphibians and other animals cross roads safely, improving access to essential habitat.
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Reptile and Amphibian Road Ecology

USGS is working with many partners to help reptiles, amphibians and other animals cross roads safely, improving access to essential habitat.
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Columbia River Research Laboratory

Our research experience spans geography (estuaries, tributary and mainstem habitats and reservoirs); topics (fish passage, aquatic invasive species, climate change); and, encompasses a diverse range of activities such as telemetry, physiological studies, and regional scale ecological modeling. Many of our research findings are relevant to issues affecting the Nation.
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Columbia River Research Laboratory

Our research experience spans geography (estuaries, tributary and mainstem habitats and reservoirs); topics (fish passage, aquatic invasive species, climate change); and, encompasses a diverse range of activities such as telemetry, physiological studies, and regional scale ecological modeling. Many of our research findings are relevant to issues affecting the Nation.
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Using Occupancy Analysis to Understand Ecological and Environmental Stressors that Affect the Range and Abundance of Gulf Coast Waterdogs (Necturus beyeri) in Louisiana Bayous

Sampling for Gulf Coast waterdogs is providing essential information to better understand the factors that impact the species' occupancy across Louisiana.
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Using Occupancy Analysis to Understand Ecological and Environmental Stressors that Affect the Range and Abundance of Gulf Coast Waterdogs (Necturus beyeri) in Louisiana Bayous

Sampling for Gulf Coast waterdogs is providing essential information to better understand the factors that impact the species' occupancy across Louisiana.
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Acoustic Monitoring for Two Rare Frog Species in Northwest Louisiana

WARC researchers are using automated recording units to monitor southern crawfish frogs and Strecker's chorus frogs in Louisiana.
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Acoustic Monitoring for Two Rare Frog Species in Northwest Louisiana

WARC researchers are using automated recording units to monitor southern crawfish frogs and Strecker's chorus frogs in Louisiana.
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Amphibian Research and Occupancy Modeling in the South-Central Region of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI)

In response to growing public concerns about this loss of biodiversity, the U.S. Congress funded the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), a national program coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey.
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Amphibian Research and Occupancy Modeling in the South-Central Region of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI)

In response to growing public concerns about this loss of biodiversity, the U.S. Congress funded the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), a national program coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey.
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A is for Amphibian

On April 26th, 2021, Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland declared May 2 - 8, 2021 as Amphibain Week! This is in In recognition of the vital importance of amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders) to the Nation’s public and private lands. Did you know that the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area is the biological research arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior? USGS Ecosystems Mission Area...
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A is for Amphibian

On April 26th, 2021, Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland declared May 2 - 8, 2021 as Amphibain Week! This is in In recognition of the vital importance of amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders) to the Nation’s public and private lands. Did you know that the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area is the biological research arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior? USGS Ecosystems Mission Area...
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Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems

Native freshwater mussels play a critical role in aquatic environments and are considered “ecosystem engineers” and indicators of water quality by constantly filtering water. Populations of native freshwater mussels have declined in recent years, and this decline has been attributed to factors such as habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species, among others. The importance of these...
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Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems

Native freshwater mussels play a critical role in aquatic environments and are considered “ecosystem engineers” and indicators of water quality by constantly filtering water. Populations of native freshwater mussels have declined in recent years, and this decline has been attributed to factors such as habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species, among others. The importance of these...
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Development of Sampling Protocols and Diagnostic Tools for Assessment of Freshwater Mussel Health

Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems The role of disease in freshwater mussel declines has been largely ignored due to the lack of appropriate diagnostic tools. Furthermore, health assessment of mussels in conjunction with restoration and propagation has not been considered during stocking and augmentation activities. This project will develop standard...
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Development of Sampling Protocols and Diagnostic Tools for Assessment of Freshwater Mussel Health

Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems The role of disease in freshwater mussel declines has been largely ignored due to the lack of appropriate diagnostic tools. Furthermore, health assessment of mussels in conjunction with restoration and propagation has not been considered during stocking and augmentation activities. This project will develop standard...
Learn More

Investigation Into Mass Mussel Die-off Events

Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems The decline of native freshwater mussels has the potential to devastate aquatic communities. Although factors such as habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species have been linked to this decline, these potential causes cannot fully explain the large-scale mussel die-offs that have occurred in the past 20 years...
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Investigation Into Mass Mussel Die-off Events

Assessing Impacts of Emerging and Established Diseases to Aquatic Ecosystems The decline of native freshwater mussels has the potential to devastate aquatic communities. Although factors such as habitat degradation, pollution, and invasive species have been linked to this decline, these potential causes cannot fully explain the large-scale mussel die-offs that have occurred in the past 20 years...
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Nutrient Cycling in Aquatic Ecosystems

Nitrogen and phosphorus are plant essential nutrients that are currently in excess in many aquatic ecosystems due to runoff from urban and agricultural areas. In high amounts, these nutrients are detrimental to aquatic ecosystem health, because elevated nutrients promote excessive growth or “blooms” of algae and other nuisance species. Many species that cause blooms can produce toxins which are...
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Nutrient Cycling in Aquatic Ecosystems

Nitrogen and phosphorus are plant essential nutrients that are currently in excess in many aquatic ecosystems due to runoff from urban and agricultural areas. In high amounts, these nutrients are detrimental to aquatic ecosystem health, because elevated nutrients promote excessive growth or “blooms” of algae and other nuisance species. Many species that cause blooms can produce toxins which are...
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Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels

Freshwater mussels are the most imperiled group of animals in North America, with 66% of species at risk. Mussel populations are declining globally, but the factors contributing to these declines are largely unknown. Habitat fragmentation and alteration, point- and non-point source pollution, navigation-related impacts, and exotic species introductions are thought to be responsible for mussel...
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Conservation and Restoration of Native Freshwater Mussels

Freshwater mussels are the most imperiled group of animals in North America, with 66% of species at risk. Mussel populations are declining globally, but the factors contributing to these declines are largely unknown. Habitat fragmentation and alteration, point- and non-point source pollution, navigation-related impacts, and exotic species introductions are thought to be responsible for mussel...
Learn More