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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16731

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) to sea-level rise Coastal vulnerability assessment of Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) 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 Virgin Islands National Park on St. John in the US Virgin Islands. 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...
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams

Mineral of the month: manganese Mineral of the month: manganese

Manganese is one of the most important ferrous metals and one of the few for which the United States is totally dependent on imports. It is a black, brittle element predominantly used in metallurgical applications as an alloying addition, particularly in steel and cast iron production, which together provide the largest market for manganese (about 83 percent). It is also used as an alloy...
Authors
Lisa A. Corathers

Mineral of the month: magnesium Mineral of the month: magnesium

Magnesium, often confused with last month’s mineral of the month manganese, is valued primarily because of its light weight and high strength-to-weight ratio. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element and constitutes about 2 percent of the Earth’s crust. It is the third most plentiful element dissolved in seawater, with a concentration averaging 0.13 percent. Magnesium is found in...
Authors
Deborah A. Kramer

Early to middle Jurassic salt in Baltimore Canyon trough Early to middle Jurassic salt in Baltimore Canyon trough

A pervasive, moderately deep (5-6 s two-way traveltime), high-amplitude reflection is traced on multichannel seismic sections over an approximately 7500 km² area of Baltimore Canyon Trough. The layer associated with the reflection is about 25 km wide, about 60 m thick in the center, and thins monotonically laterally, though asymmetrically, at the edges. Geophysical characteristics are...
Authors
B. Ann McKinney, Myung W. Lee, Warren F. Agena, C. Wylie Poag

Delineation of surf scoter habitat in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: macrobenthic and sediment composition of surf scoter feeding sites Delineation of surf scoter habitat in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland: macrobenthic and sediment composition of surf scoter feeding sites

Surveys of surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) along the Atlantic coast of the United States have shown population declines in recent decades. The Chesapeake Bay has traditionally been a key wintering area for surf scoters. Past and present research has shown that bivalves constitute a major food item for seaducks in the Chesapeake Bay, with surf scoters feeding primarily on hooked...
Authors
D.M. Kidwell, Matthew C. Perry

Habitats used by black and surf scoters in eastern North America as determined by satellite radio telemetry Habitats used by black and surf scoters in eastern North America as determined by satellite radio telemetry

Satellite radio telemetry was used to determine the movements and habitats of black scoters (Melanitta nigra) and surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) in eastern North America. A total of 21 surf scoters were instrumented during five years (2001-05) and 32 black scoters were instrumented during three years (2002-04) with implanted PTT 100 satellite transmitters (39 g) with external...
Authors
Matthew C. Perry, D.M. Kidwell, A. M. Wells-Berlin, E.J.R. Lohnes, Glenn H. Olsen, P.C. Osenton

Characterizing stopover sites of migrating passerine birds in the lower Chesapeake Bay region for conservation: an integrated radar-habitat study Characterizing stopover sites of migrating passerine birds in the lower Chesapeake Bay region for conservation: an integrated radar-habitat study

Many conservation organizations and initiatives including Partners-in-Flight and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's regional Joint Ventures have identified migratory songbird stopover habitat as a priority conservation target. However, the spatial and temporal variability inherent in migration presents a number of challenges to both identifying and characterizing stopover habitat...
Authors
S. Mabey, B. Watts, B. Paxton, F. Smith, B. Truitt, D. Dawson

Wetland restoration and birds: lessons from Florida, San Francisco Bay, and Chesapeake Bay Wetland restoration and birds: lessons from Florida, San Francisco Bay, and Chesapeake Bay

Many wetland restoration projects are underway across the North American landscape, ranging from small, community - based projects of less than 1 ha, to thousands of ha, as in San Francisco Bay or the Everglades. The goals of small projects are generally focused on replanting and sustaining native wetland vegetation, while larger projects often incorporate populations of birds and other
Authors
R.M. Erwin, P. C. Frederick

Bottomland hardwood restoration in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley: Looking past the trees to see the forest Bottomland hardwood restoration in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley: Looking past the trees to see the forest

Planned restoration of bottomland hardwoods is important to adequately address negative consequences resulting from the severe loss and fragmentation of forested wetlands in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Reforestation efforts have been promoted through government initiatives of state and federal agencies (e.g. Wetland Reserve Program) and private conservation groups. To clarify...
Authors
R.R. Wilson, J.M. Oliver, D.J. Twedt, W.B. Uihlein

Management of ticks and tick-borne diseases Management of ticks and tick-borne diseases

The mainstays of tick management and protection from tick-borne diseases have traditionally been personal precautions and the application of acaricides. These techniques maintain their value, and current innovations hold considerable promise for future improvement in effective targeting of materials for tick control. Furthermore, an explosion of research in the past few decades has...
Authors
H. S. Ginsberg, K.C. Stafford
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