Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16727
A multistate dynamic site occupancy model for spatially aggregated sessile communities A multistate dynamic site occupancy model for spatially aggregated sessile communities
Estimation of transition probabilities of sessile communities seems easy in principle but may still be difficult in practice because resampling error (i.e. a failure to resample exactly the same location at fixed points) may cause significant estimation bias. Previous studies have developed novel analytical methods to correct for this estimation bias. However, they did not consider the...
Authors
Keiichi Fukaya, J. Andrew Royle, Takehiro Okuda, Masahiro Nakaoka, Takashi Noda
Aquatic ecosystems in a changing climate Aquatic ecosystems in a changing climate
Extreme climate events (ECEs) such as tropical storms and hurricanes, thunderstorms, heat waves, droughts, ice storms, and snow storms have increased and are projected to further increase in intensity and frequency across the world. These events are expected to have significant consequences for aquatic ecosystems with the potential for large changes in ecosystem processes, responses, and...
Authors
Shreeram Inamdar, James B. Shanley, William H. McDowell
Amphibians, pesticides, and the amphibian chytrid fungus in restored wetlands in agricultural landscapes Amphibians, pesticides, and the amphibian chytrid fungus in restored wetlands in agricultural landscapes
Information on interactions between pesticide exposure and disease prevalence in amphibian populations is limited, especially from field data. Exposure to certain herbicides and insecticides has the potential to decrease the immune response in frogs, which can potentially lead to increased abundance of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) zoospores on individuals and in the wetlands. In...
Authors
Rebecca A. Reeves, Clay Pierce, Mark W. Vandever, Erin L. Muths, Kelly L. Smalling
Exogenous thyroid hormones regulate the activity of citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase in warm- but not cold-acclimated lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) Exogenous thyroid hormones regulate the activity of citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase in warm- but not cold-acclimated lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)
Thermal acclimation is known to elicit metabolic adjustments in ectotherms, but the cellular mechanisms and endocrine control of these shifts have not been fully elucidated. Here we examined the relationship between thermal acclimation, thyroid hormones and oxidative metabolism in juvenile lake whitefish. Impacts of thermal acclimation above (19 °C) or below (8 °C) the thermal optimum...
Authors
Megan A. Zak, Amy M. Regish, Stephen D. McCormick, Richard G. Manzon
Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014–15 Summary of oceanographic and water-quality measurements in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, 2014–15
U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technical support staff measured oceanographic, waterquality, seabed-elevation-change, and meteorological parameters in Chincoteague Bay, Maryland and Virginia, during the period of August 13, 2014, to July 14, 2015, as part of the Estuarine Physical Response to Storms project (GS2–2D) supported by the Department of the Interior Hurricane Sandy...
Authors
Steven E. Suttles, Neil K. Ganju, Sandra M. Brosnahan, Ellyn T. Montgomery, Patrick J. Dickhudt, Alexis Beudin, Daniel J. Nowacki, Marinna A. Martini
Response of currents and water quality to changes in dam operations in Hoover Reservoir, Columbus, Ohio, August 24–28, 2015 Response of currents and water quality to changes in dam operations in Hoover Reservoir, Columbus, Ohio, August 24–28, 2015
Hoover Reservoir, an important drinking water supply for the City of Columbus, Ohio, has been the source of a series of taste and odor problems in treated drinking water during the past few years. These taste and odor problems were caused by the compounds geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol, which are thought to have been related to cyanobacteria blooms. In an effort to reduce the phosphorus...
Authors
Branden L. VonIns, P. Ryan Jackson
Antifungal bacteria on woodland salamander skin exhibit high taxonomic diversity and geographic variability Antifungal bacteria on woodland salamander skin exhibit high taxonomic diversity and geographic variability
Diverse bacteria inhabit amphibian skin; some of those bacteria inhibit growth of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Yet there has been no systematic survey of anti-B. dendrobatidis bacteria across localities, species, and elevations. This is important given geographic and taxonomic variations in amphibian susceptibility to B. dendrobatidis. Our collection sites were at...
Authors
Carly R. Muletz-Wolz, Graziella V. DiRenzo, Stephanie A. Yarwood, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Robert C. Fleischer, Karen R. Lips
Between hot rocks and dry places: The status of the Dixie Valley toad Between hot rocks and dry places: The status of the Dixie Valley toad
In Dixie Valley, Nevada, an isolated population of toads has been the subject of proactive conservation measures by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 2008 due to concerns about potential habitat degradation resulting from exploitation of nearby geothermal energy resources. These toads appear to belong within the Anaxyrus boreas species group...
Authors
Matthew J. Forrest, Josefin Stiller, Tim L. King, Greg Rouse
Estimates of immediate effects on world markets of a hypothetical disruption to Russia’s supply of six mineral commodities Estimates of immediate effects on world markets of a hypothetical disruption to Russia’s supply of six mineral commodities
The potential immediate effects of a hypothetical shock to Russia’s supply of selected mineral commodities on the world market and on individual countries were determined and monetized (in 2014 U.S. dollars). The mineral commodities considered were aluminum (refined primary), nickel (refined primary), palladium (refined) and platinum (refined), potash, and titanium (mill products), and...
Authors
Elena Safirova, James J. Barry, Sinan Hastorun, Grecia R. Matos, Alberto Alexander Perez, George M. Bedinger, E. Lee Bray, Stephen M. Jasinski, Peter H. Kuck, Patricia J. Loferski
Estimating evaporative fraction from readily obtainable variables in mangrove forests of the Everglades, U.S.A. Estimating evaporative fraction from readily obtainable variables in mangrove forests of the Everglades, U.S.A.
A remote-sensing-based model to estimate evaporative fraction (EF) – the ratio of latent heat (LE; energy equivalent of evapotranspiration –ET–) to total available energy – from easily obtainable remotely-sensed and meteorological parameters is presented. This research specifically addresses the shortcomings of existing ET retrieval methods such as calibration requirements of extensive...
Authors
Ali Levent Yagci, Joseph A. Santanello, John Jones, Jordan G. Barr
Upper thermal limits of growth in brook trout and their relationship to stress physiology Upper thermal limits of growth in brook trout and their relationship to stress physiology
Despite the threat of climate change, the physiological mechanisms responsible for reduced performance at high temperatures remain unclear for most species. Elevated but sublethal temperatures may act via endocrine and cellular stress responses to limit performance in important life-history traits such as growth. Here, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) subjected to chronically elevated...
Authors
Joseph G Chadwick, Stephen D. McCormick
Using decision analysis to support proactive management of emerging infectious wildlife diseases Using decision analysis to support proactive management of emerging infectious wildlife diseases
Despite calls for improved responses to emerging infectious diseases in wildlife, management is seldom considered until a disease has been detected in affected populations. Reactive approaches may limit the potential for control and increase total response costs. An alternative, proactive management framework can identify immediate actions that reduce future impacts even before a disease...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, Erin L. Muths, Rachel A. Katz, Stefano Canessa, M. J. Adams, Jennifer R. Ballard, Lee Berger, Cheryl J. Briggs, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Matthew J. Gray, M. Camille Harris, Reid N. Harris, Blake R. Hossack, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Jonathan E. Kolby, Karen R. Lips, Robert E. Lovich, Hamish I. McCallum, Joseph R. Mendelson, Priya Nanjappa, Deanna H. Olson, Jenny G. Powers, Katherine L. D. Richgels, Robin E. Russell, Benedikt R. Schmidt, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Mary Kay Watry, Douglas C. Woodhams, C. LeAnn White