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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16731

Efficient statistical mapping of avian count data Efficient statistical mapping of avian count data

We develop a spatial modeling framework for count data that is efficient to implement in high-dimensional prediction problems. We consider spectral parameterizations for the spatially varying mean of a Poisson model. The spectral parameterization of the spatial process is very computationally efficient, enabling effective estimation and prediction in large problems using Markov chain...
Authors
J. Andrew Royle, C. K. Wikle

Mercury bioaccumulation in northern two-lined salamanders from streams in the northeastern United States Mercury bioaccumulation in northern two-lined salamanders from streams in the northeastern United States

Mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in salamanders has received little attention despite widespread Hg contamination of aquatic ecosystems and worldwide amphibian declines. Here we report concentrations of methyl Hg (MeHg) and total Hg in larval northern two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata bislineata) collected from streams in Acadia National Park (ANP), Maine, and Bear Brook Watershed...
Authors
Michael S. Bank, Cynthia S. Loftin, Robin E. Jung

Stream salamander species richness and abundance in relation to environmental factors in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Stream salamander species richness and abundance in relation to environmental factors in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Stream salamanders are sensitive to acid mine drainage and may be sensitive to acidification and low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of a watershed. Streams in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, are subject to episodic acidification from precipitation events. We surveyed 25 m by 2 m transects located on the stream bank adjacent to the water channel in Shenandoah National Park for...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Robin E. Jung, Karen C. Rice

Effects of tag loss on direct estimates of population growth rate Effects of tag loss on direct estimates of population growth rate

The temporal symmetry approach of R. Pradel can be used with capture– recapture data to produce retrospective estimates of a population's growth rate, λi, and the relative contributions to λi from different components of the population. Direct estimation of λi provides an alternative to using population projection matrices to estimate asymptotic λ and is seeing increased use. However...
Authors
Jay J. Rotella, James E. Hines

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to sea-level rise Coastal vulnerability assessment of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within the legislative boundary of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in Northern California. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea...
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) to sea-level rise Coastal vulnerability assessment of Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline...
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams

Mineral of the month: chromium Mineral of the month: chromium

Chromium is one of the most indispensable industrial metals and it plays an essential but hidden role in daily life. Chromium is used in many consumer and building products, and it contributes to a clean, efficient and healthy environment.
Authors
John F. Papp

Mineral of the month: aggregates Mineral of the month: aggregates

Natural aggregates, consisting of crushed stone, and sand and gravel, are a major contributor to economic health, and have an amazing variety of uses. Aggregates are among the most abundant mineral resources and are major basic raw materials used by construction, agriculture and other industries that employ complex chemical and metallurgical processes.
Authors
Valentin V. Tepordei

Mineral of the month: garnet Mineral of the month: garnet

Garnet is the general name given to a group of complex silicate minerals, all with isometric crystal structure, similar properties and chemical compositions. Garnet occurs in every color of the spectrum except blue, but it is most commonly red, purple, brown and green. Garnet necklaces dating from the Bronze Age have been found in graves and also among the ornaments adorning the oldest...
Authors
Donald Olson

Plasma lipid metabolites and refueling performance of Semi palmated Sandpipers at migratory stopovers Plasma lipid metabolites and refueling performance of Semi palmated Sandpipers at migratory stopovers

Assessing stopover habitat quality and refueling performance of individual birds is crucial to the conservation and management of migratory shorebirds. Plasma lipid metabolites indicate the trajectory of mass change in individuals and may be a more accurate measure of refueling performance at a particular site than static measures such as nutrient reserves. We measured lipid metabolites...
Authors
J. E. Lyons, J.A. Collazo, C. Guglielmo

Population trends of North American sea ducks as revealed by the Christmas Bird Count Population trends of North American sea ducks as revealed by the Christmas Bird Count

Relative to other waterfowl, sea ducks are not well understood, yet evidence from a variety of analyses suggests that as many as 10 of the 15 species of North American sea ducks may be declining in population. However, because of the difficulty of conducting surveys of breeding populations and the lack of range-wide winter surveys, few data are available to assess the population trends...
Authors
D.K. Niven, J.R. Sauer, G.S. Butcher

Estimating the number of animals in wildlife populations Estimating the number of animals in wildlife populations

INTRODUCTION In 1938, Howard M. Wight devoted 9 pages, which was an entire chapter in the first wildlife management techniques manual, to what he termed 'census' methods. As books and chapters such as this attest, the volume of literature on this subject has grown tremendously. Abundance estimation remains an active area of biometrical research, as reflected in the many differences...
Authors
R.A. Lancia, W. L. Kendall, K. H. Pollock, J.D. Nichols
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