Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
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A new method of snowmelt sampling for water stable isotopes A new method of snowmelt sampling for water stable isotopes
We modified a passive capillary sampler (PCS) to collect snowmelt water for isotopic analysis. Past applications of PCSs have been to sample soil water, but the novel aspect of this study was the placement of the PCSs at the ground-snowpack interface to collect snowmelt. We deployed arrays of PCSs at 11 sites in ten partner countries on five continents representing a range of climate and...
Authors
D. Penna, M. Ahmad, S. J. Birks, L. Bouchaou, M. Brencic, S. Butt, L. Holko, G. Jeelani, D. E. Martinez, G. Melikadze, J. B. Shanley, S. A. Sokratov, T. Stadnyk, A. Sugimoto, P. Vreca
North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature Note 66: records of Stratigraphic Commission, 2003-2013 North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature Note 66: records of Stratigraphic Commission, 2003-2013
Note 66 summarizes activities of the North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature (NACSN) from November 2003 to October 2013 and is condensed from the minutes of the NACSN’s 58th to 68th annual meetings1. The purposes of the Commission are to develop statements of stratigraphic principles,recommend procedures applicable to the classification and nomenclature of stratigraphic...
Authors
Robert M. Easton, Octavian Catuneanu, Art D. Donovan, Richard H. Fluegeman, A.P. Hamblin, Howard Harper, Norman P. Lasca, Jared R. Morrow, Randall C. Orndorff, Peter Sadler, Robert W. Scott, Berry H. Tew
Modeling structured population dynamics using data from unmarked individuals Modeling structured population dynamics using data from unmarked individuals
The study of population dynamics requires unbiased, precise estimates of abundance and vital rates that account for the demographic structure inherent in all wildlife and plant populations. Traditionally, these estimates have only been available through approaches that rely on intensive mark–recapture data. We extended recently developed N-mixture models to demonstrate how demographic...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Elise Zipkin, James T. Thorson, Kevin See, Heather J. Lynch, Yoichiro Kanno, Richard Chandler, Benjamin H. Letcher, J. Andrew Royle
Stochastic empirical loading and dilution model for analysis of flows, concentrations, and loads of highway runoff constituents Stochastic empirical loading and dilution model for analysis of flows, concentrations, and loads of highway runoff constituents
In cooperation with FHWA, the U.S. Geological Survey developed the stochastic empirical loading and dilution model (SELDM) to supersede the 1990 FHWA runoff quality model. The SELDM tool is designed to transform disparate and complex scientific data into meaningful information about the adverse risks of runoff on receiving waters, the potential need for mitigation measures, and the...
Authors
Gregory E. Granato, Susan C. Jones
Physical and biogeochemical controls on light attenuation in a eutrophic, back-barrier estuary Physical and biogeochemical controls on light attenuation in a eutrophic, back-barrier estuary
Light attenuation is a critical parameter governing the ecological function of shallow estuaries. In these systems primary production is often dominated by benthic macroalgae and seagrass; thus light penetration to the bed is of primary importance. We quantified light attenuation in three seagrass meadows in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, a shallow eutrophic back-barrier estuary; two of the...
Authors
Neil K. Ganju, Jennifer L. Miselis, Alfredo L. Aretxabaleta
Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations Bathymetric Terrain Model of the Puerto Rico Trench and the Northeastern Caribbean Region for Marine Geological Investigations
Multibeam bathymetry data collected in the Puerto Rico Trench and Northeast Caribbean region are compiled into a seamless bathymetric terrain model for broad-scale geological investigations of the trench system. These data, collected during eight separate surveys between 2002 and 2013, covering almost 180,000 square kilometers are published here in large format map sheet and digital...
Authors
Brian D. Andrews, Uri S. ten Brink, William W. Danforth, Jason D. Chaytor, J Granja-Bruna, A Carbo-Gorosabel
Fifty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds Fifty-fifth supplement to the American Ornithologists' Union Check-list of North American Birds
This is the 14th supplement since publication of the 7th edition of the Check-list of North American Birds (American Ornithologists' Union [AOU] 1998). It summarizes decisions made between May 15, 2013, and May 15, 2014, by the AOU's Committee on Classification and Nomenclature - North and Middle America. The Committee has continued to operate in the manner outlined in the 42nd...
Authors
R. Terry Chesser, Richard C. Banks, Carla Cicero, Jon L. Dunn, Andrew W. Kratter, Irby J. Lovette, Adolfo G. Navarro-Siguenza, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen, James D. Rising, Douglas F. Stotz, Kevin Winker
Self-recognition in corals facilitates deep-sea habitat engineering Self-recognition in corals facilitates deep-sea habitat engineering
The ability of coral reefs to engineer complex three-dimensional habitats is central to their success and the rich biodiversity they support. In tropical reefs, encrusting coralline algae bind together substrates and dead coral framework to make continuous reef structures, but beyond the photic zone, the cold-water coral Lophelia pertusa also forms large biogenic reefs, facilitated by...
Authors
Sebastian J Hennige, Cheryl L. Morrison, Armin U. Form, Janina Buscher, Nicholas A. Kamenos, J. Murray Roberts
Stream water temperature limits occupancy of salamanders in mid-Atlantic protected areas Stream water temperature limits occupancy of salamanders in mid-Atlantic protected areas
Stream ecosystems are particularly sensitive to urbanization, and tolerance of water-quality parameters is likely important to population persistence of stream salamanders. Forecasted climate and landscape changes may lead to significant changes in stream flow, chemical composition, and temperatures in coming decades. Protected areas where landscape alterations are minimized will...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Amber N. M. Wiewel, Karen C. Rice
Studying seafloor bedforms using autonomous stationary imaging and profiling sonars Studying seafloor bedforms using autonomous stationary imaging and profiling sonars
The Sediment Transport Group at the U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center uses downward looking sonars deployed on seafloor tripods to assess and measure the formation and migration of bedforms. The sonars have been used in three resolution-testing experiments, and deployed autonomously to observe changes in the seafloor for up to two months in seven field
Authors
Ellyn T. Montgomery, Christopher R. Sherwood
Chromic and iron oxides as fecal markers to identify individual whooping cranes Chromic and iron oxides as fecal markers to identify individual whooping cranes
The whooping crane (Grus americana) is listed as endangered under the IUCN Red List, the United States Endangered Species Act, and the Canadian Species at Risk Act (BirdLife International 2012, CWS and USFWS 2007). A major focus of recovery efforts for this endangered species is reintroduction to establish new populations (CWS and USFWS 2007). Captive populations are critical as a source...
Authors
Megan E. Brown, Robert Doyle, Jane N. Chandler, Glenn H. Olsen, John B. French, David E Wildt, Sarah J. Converse, Carol L Keefer, Nucharin Songsasen
Basin-scale phenology and effects of climate variability on global timing of initial seaward migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) Basin-scale phenology and effects of climate variability on global timing of initial seaward migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Migrations between different habitats are key events in the lives of many organisms. Such movements involve annually recurring travel over long distances usually triggered by seasonal changes in the environment. Often, the migration is associated with travel to or from reproduction areas to regions of growth. Young anadromous Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) emigrate from freshwater nursery...
Authors
Jaime Otero, Jan Henning L’Abee-Lund, Theodore Castro-Santos, Kjell Leonardsson, Geir O. Storvik, Bror Jonsson, J. Brian Dempson, Ian C. Russell, Arne J. Jensen, Jean-Luc Bagliniere, Mélanie Dionne, John D. Armstrong, Atso Romakkaniemi, Benjamin H. Letcher, John F. Kocik, Jaakko Erkinaro, Russell Poole, Ger Rogan, Hans Lundqvist, Julian C. MacLean, Erkki Jokikokko, Jo Vegar Arnekleiv, Richard J. Kennedy, Eero Niemela, Pablo Caballero, Paul A. Music, Thorolfur Antonsson, Sigurdur Gudjonsson, Alexey E. Veselov, Anders Lamberg, Steve Groom, Benjamin H. Taylor, Malcolm Taberner, Mary Dillane, Fridthjofur Arnason, Gregg E. Horton, Nils A. Hvidsten, Ingi R. Jonsson, Nina Jonsson, Simon McKelvey, T. F. Naesje, Oystein Skaala, Gordon W. Smith, Harald Saegrov, N. C. Stenseth, Leif Asbjørn Vøllestad