Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16746
The formation conditions of chondrules and chondrites The formation conditions of chondrules and chondrites
Chondrules, which are roughly millimeter-sized silicate-rich spherules, dominate the most primitive meteorites, the chondrites. They formed as molten droplets and, judging from their abundances in chondrites, are the products of one of the most energetic processes that operated in the early inner solar system. The conditions and mechanism of chondrule formation remain poorly understood...
Authors
C. M. O’D. Alexander, Jeffrey N. Grossman, D.S. Ebel, F.J. Ciesla
Migration of Florida sub-adult Bald Eagles Migration of Florida sub-adult Bald Eagles
We used satellite telemetry locations accurate within 1 km to identify migration routes and stopover sites of 54 migratory sub-adult Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) hatched in Florida from 1997 to 2001. We measured number of days traveled during migration, path of migration, stopover time and locations, and distance traveled to and from winter and summer areas for each eagle (1?5...
Authors
E.K. Mojica, J.M. Meyers, B.A. Millsap, K.L. Haley
A hierarchical model for estimating change in American Woodcock populations A hierarchical model for estimating change in American Woodcock populations
The Singing-Ground Survey (SGS) is a primary source of information on population change for American woodcock (Scolopax minor). We analyzed the SGS using a hierarchical log-linear model and compared the estimates of change and annual indices of abundance to a route regression analysis of SGS data. We also grouped SGS routes into Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) and estimated population...
Authors
J.R. Sauer, W.A. Link, W. L. Kendall, J.R. Kelley, D.K. Niven
Estimation and correction of visibility bias in aerial surveys of wintering ducks Estimation and correction of visibility bias in aerial surveys of wintering ducks
Incomplete detection of all individuals leading to negative bias in abundance estimates is a pervasive source of error in aerial surveys of wildlife, and correcting that bias is a critical step in improving surveys. We conducted experiments using duck decoys as surrogates for live ducks to estimate bias associated with surveys of wintering ducks in Mississippi, USA. We found detection of...
Authors
A.T. Pearse, P.D. Gerard, S.J. Dinsmore, R.M. Kaminski, K. J. Reinecke
Amphibians of the Neotropical Realm Amphibians of the Neotropical Realm
No abstract available.
Authors
F. Bolanos, F. Castro, C. Cortez, I. De la Riva, T. Grant, B. Hedges, R. Heyer, R. Ibañez, E. La Marca, E. Lavilla, D. Leite Silvano, S. Lotters, G. Parra Olea, S. Reichle, R. Reynolds, L. Rodriguez, G. Santos Barrera, N. Scott, C. Ubeda, A. Veloso, M. Wilkinson, B. Young
Environmental contaminant hazards to wildlife at National Capital region and Mid-Atlantic National Park Service units Environmental contaminant hazards to wildlife at National Capital region and Mid-Atlantic National Park Service units
Pollutant data for air, water, soil and biota were compiled from databases and internet sources and by staff interviews at 23 National Park Service (NPS) units in 2005. A metric was derived describing the quality and quantity of data for each park, and in combination with known contaminant threats, the need for ecotoxicological study was identified and ranked. Over half of NP units were...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, B.K. Ackerson
Bird response to silviculture induced change in forest structure within bottomland hardwood forests Bird response to silviculture induced change in forest structure within bottomland hardwood forests
Silvicultural treatments prescribed to encourage development of desired stand structure (i.e., wildlife-forestry) should result in increased abundance of many bird species of management concern, especially species using dense understory habitat. Desired forest conditions within bottomland vary among sites, but average 60-70% overstory canopy that is heterogeneously distributed with >5...
Authors
D.J. Twedt, S.G. Somershoe
Ticks Ticks
The most common vector-borne diseases in both Europe and North America are transmitted by ticks. Lyme borreliosis (LB), a tick-borne bacterial zoonosis, is the most highly prevalent. Other important tick-borne diseases include TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in Europe, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in North America, and numerous less common tick...
Authors
H. S. Ginsberg, M.K. Faulde
Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers Framework for Evaluating Water Quality of the New England Crystalline Rock Aquifers
Little information exists on regional ground-water-quality patterns for the New England crystalline rock aquifers (NECRA). A systematic approach to facilitate regional evaluation is needed for several reasons. First, the NECRA are vulnerable to anthropogenic and natural contaminants such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), arsenic, and radon gas. Second, the physical characteristics of...
Authors
Philip T. Harte, Gilpin R. Robinson, Joseph D. Ayotte, Sarah M. Flanagan
Ocean forecasting in terrain-following coordinates: Formulation and skill assessment of the Regional Ocean Modeling System Ocean forecasting in terrain-following coordinates: Formulation and skill assessment of the Regional Ocean Modeling System
Systematic improvements in algorithmic design of regional ocean circulation models have led to significant enhancement in simulation ability across a wide range of space/time scales and marine system types. As an example, we briefly review the Regional Ocean Modeling System, a member of a general class of three-dimensional, free-surface, terrain-following numerical models. Noteworthy
Authors
D.B. Haidvogel, H. Arango, W.P. Budgell, B.D. Cornuelle, E. Curchitser, Lorenzo E. Di, K. Fennel, W.R. Geyer, A.J. Hermann, L. Lanerolle, J. Levin, J.C. McWilliams, A.J. Miller, A.M. Moore, T.M. Powell, A.F. Shchepetkin, C. R. Sherwood, R. P. Signell, J.C. Warner, J. Wilkin
Scientific results from Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project Leg 1 drilling: Introduction and overview Scientific results from Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project Leg 1 drilling: Introduction and overview
The Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrates Joint Industry Project (JIP) is a consortium of production and service companies and some government agencies formed to address the challenges that gas hydrates pose for deepwater exploration and production. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and with scientific assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey and academic partners, the JIP has...
Authors
C. Ruppel, R. Boswell, E. Jones
Physical properties of sediments from Keathley Canyon and Atwater Valley, JIP Gulf of Mexico gas hydrate drilling program Physical properties of sediments from Keathley Canyon and Atwater Valley, JIP Gulf of Mexico gas hydrate drilling program
Physical property measurements and consolidation behavior are different between sediments from Atwater Valley and Keathley Canyon in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Void ratio and bulk density of Atwater Valley sediment from a seafloor mound (holes ATM1 and ATM2) show little effective stress (or depth) dependence to 27 meters below seafloor (mbsf), perhaps owing to fluidized transport...
Authors
William J. Winters, Brandon Dugan, Timothy S. Collett