Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16759
Landform features and seasonal precipitation predict shallow groundwater influence on temperature in headwater streams Landform features and seasonal precipitation predict shallow groundwater influence on temperature in headwater streams
Headwater stream responses to climate change will depend in part on groundwater‐surface water exchanges. We used linear modeling techniques to partition likely effects of shallow groundwater seepage and air temperature on stream temperatures for 79 sites in nine focal watersheds using hourly air and water temperature measurements collected during summer months from 2012 to 2015 in...
Authors
Zachary C. Johnson, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt
High-frequency dissolved organic carbon and nitrate measurements reveal differences in storm hysteresis and loading in relation to land cover and seasonality High-frequency dissolved organic carbon and nitrate measurements reveal differences in storm hysteresis and loading in relation to land cover and seasonality
High-frequency dissolved organic carbon and nitrate measurements reveal differences in storm hysteresis and loading in relation to land cover and seasonality
Authors
Matthew Vaughan, William B. Bowden, James B. Shanley, Andrew W. Vermilyea, Ryan Sleeper, Arthur J. Gold, Soni M. Pradhanang, Shreeram P. Inamdar, Delphis F. Levia, A. Scott Andres, François Birgand, Andrew W. Schroth
Mapping informal small-scale mining features in a data-sparse tropical environment with a small UAS Mapping informal small-scale mining features in a data-sparse tropical environment with a small UAS
This study evaluates the use of a small unmanned aerial system (UAS) to collect imagery over artisanal mining sites in West Africa. The purpose of this study is to consider how very high-resolution imagery and digital surface models (DSMs) derived from structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques from a small UAS can fill the gap in geospatial data collection between satellite...
Authors
Peter G. Chirico, Jessica D. Dewitt
Integration of vegetation community spatial data into a prescribed fire planning process at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (USA) Integration of vegetation community spatial data into a prescribed fire planning process at Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (USA)
Many eastern forest communities depend on fire for regeneration or are enhanced by fire as a restoration practice. However, the use of prescribed fire in the mesic forested environments and the densely populated regions of the eastern United States has been limited. The objective of our research was to develop a science-based approach to prioritizing the use of prescribed fire in...
Authors
John A. Young, Carolyn G. Mahan, Melissa Forder
Novel, continuous monitoring of fine‐scale movement using fixed‐position radiotelemetry arrays and random forest location fingerprinting Novel, continuous monitoring of fine‐scale movement using fixed‐position radiotelemetry arrays and random forest location fingerprinting
Radio‐tag signals from fixed‐position antennas are most often used to indicate presence or absence of individuals, or to estimate individual activity levels from signal strength variation within an antenna's detection zone. The potential of such systems to provide more precise information on tag location and movement has not been explored in great detail in an ecological setting.By...
Authors
Andrew B. Harbicht, Theodore R. Castro-Santos, William R. Ardren, Dimitry Gorsky, Dylan Fraser
Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone Physical response of a back-barrier estuary to a post-tropical cyclone
This paper presents a modeling investigation of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport response of Chincoteague Bay (VA/MD, USA) to Hurricane Sandy using the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment-Transport (COAWST) modeling system. Several simulation scenarios with different combinations of remote and local forces were conducted to identify the dominant physical processes. While 80% of...
Authors
Alexis Beudin, Neil Kamal Ganju, Zafer Defne, Alfredo Aretxabaleta
Two-step adaptive management for choosing between two management actions Two-step adaptive management for choosing between two management actions
Adaptive management is widely advocated to improve environmental management. Derivations of optimal strategies for adaptive management, however, tend to be case specific and time consuming. In contrast, managers might seek relatively simple guidance, such as insight into when a new potential management action should be considered, and how much effort should be expended on trialing such...
Authors
Alana L. Moore, Leila Walker, Michael C. Runge, Eve McDonald-Madden, Michael A McCarthy
Developing a landscape‐scale, multi‐species, and cost‐efficient conservation strategy for imperilled aquatic species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin, USA Developing a landscape‐scale, multi‐species, and cost‐efficient conservation strategy for imperilled aquatic species in the Upper Tennessee River Basin, USA
Strategic conservation of imperilled species faces several major challenges including uncertainty in species response to management actions, budgetary constraints that limit options, and the need to scale expected conservation benefits from local to landscape levels and from single to multiple species.A structured decision‐making process was applied to address these challenges and...
Authors
David R. Smith, Robert S. Butler, Jess W Jones, Catherine M Gatenby, Roberta Hylton, Mary Parkin, Cindy Schulz
Essential information: Uncertainty and optimal control of Ebola outbreaks Essential information: Uncertainty and optimal control of Ebola outbreaks
Early resolution of uncertainty during an epidemic outbreak can lead to rapid and efficient decision making, provided that the uncertainty affects prioritization of actions. The wide range in caseload projections for the 2014 Ebola outbreak caused great concern and debate about the utility of models. By coding and running 37 published Ebola models with five candidate interventions, we...
Authors
Shou-Li Li, Ottar Bjornstad, Matthew J. Ferrari, Riley Mummah, Michael C. Runge, Christopher J. Fonnesbeck, Michael J. Tildesley, William J. M. Probert, Katriona Shea
What has been learned from pressure cores What has been learned from pressure cores
The advancement of pressure core acquisition and analysis technology in recent decades has enabled detailed imaging and direct measurement of naturally occurring hydrate-bearing sediments and has shed light onto hydrate habits, formation processes, fundamental physical properties, and hydrate deposit responses during gas production. This paper reviews the development and capabilities of...
Authors
Sheng Dai, Ray Boswell, William F. Waite, Junbong Jang, J. Y. Lee, Y Seol
Selected water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in New England in 2017 Selected water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in New England in 2017
The New England Water Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is headquartered in Pembroke, New Hampshire, with offices in East Hartford, Connecticut; Augusta, Maine; Northborough, Massachusetts; and Montpelier, Vermont. The areas of expertise covered by the water science center’s staff of 130 include aquatic biology, chemistry, geographic information systems, geology...
Authors
Peter K. Weiskel