Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels
Oil and gas extraction and coal mining activities are several stressors to sensitive ecosystems. USGS scientists are studying the effects of fossil fuel extraction on landscapes and on terrestrial and aquatic species. Scientists are also developing monitoring and management tools to help restore disturbed lands.
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Aridlands Disturbances and Restoration Ecology
Desert landscapes are rapidly changing due to increases in invasive plant species, frequency of wildfires, urban and energy development, recreational use, military training, and climate variation. Dr. Todd Esque, USGS researchers, and collaborators are working together to investigate these changes and provide managers with key information that can be used to manage natural resources more...
Energy Development and Changing Land Uses
Applied research and integrated regional assessments emphasize spatially explicit analyses of ecosystem components affected by energy development and land-use change in the western United States. Topics include sagebrush-steppe ecology; sagebrush habitat assessments; the effects of human activities (including energy development, transportation, and recreation) on habitats and wildlife behavior...
Investigating Impacts of Oil and Gas Development on Greater Sage-Grouse Using a Bayesian State-Space Model
USGS and university researchers analyzed changes in male sage-grouse lek counts in Wyoming from 1984 through 2008, measuring disturbance owing to oil and gas development.