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Publications

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

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A new hypothesis and exploratory model for the formation of large-scale inner-shelf sediment sorting and "rippled scour depressions" A new hypothesis and exploratory model for the formation of large-scale inner-shelf sediment sorting and "rippled scour depressions"

Recent observations of inner continental shelves in many regions show numerous collections of relatively coarse sediment, which extend kilometers in the cross-shore direction and are on the order of 100m wide. These "rippled scour depressions" have been interpreted to indicate concentrated cross-shelf currents. However, recent observations strongly suggest that they are associated with...
Authors
A.B. Murray, E.R. Thieler

Optimization of limestone drains for long- term treatment of acidic mine drainage, Swatara Creek Basin, Schuylkill County, PA Optimization of limestone drains for long- term treatment of acidic mine drainage, Swatara Creek Basin, Schuylkill County, PA

Limestone drains were constructed in 1995, 1997, and 2000 to treat acidic mine drainage (AMD) from the Orchard, Buck Mtn., and Hegins discharges, respectively, in the Swatara Creek Basin, Southern Anthracite Coalfield, east-central Pennsylvania. This report summarizes the construction characteristics and performance of each of the limestone drains on the basis of influent and effluent...
Authors
Charles A. Cravotta, S.J. Ward, Daniel J. Koury, R. D. Koch

Zinc toxicosis in a free-flying trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) Zinc toxicosis in a free-flying trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator)

A trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) was observed near it mill pond in Picher, Oklahoma. USA. It became weakened and emaciated after about 1 mo, was captured with little resistance, and taken into captivity for medical care. Serum chemistry results were consistent with hepatic, renal, and muscular damage. Serum zinc concentration was elevated at 11.2 parts per million (ppm). The swan was
Authors
J. W. Carpenter, G.A. Andrews, W. N. Beyer

Evaluating mallard adaptive management models with time series Evaluating mallard adaptive management models with time series

Wildlife practitioners concerned with midcontinent mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) management in the United States have instituted a system of adaptive harvest management (AHM) as an objective format for setting harvest regulations. Under the AHM paradigm, predictions from a set of models that reflect key uncertainties about processes underlying population dynamics are used in coordination...
Authors
P.B. Conn, W. L. Kendall

Cyanide hazards to plants and animals from gold mining and related water issues Cyanide hazards to plants and animals from gold mining and related water issues

Highly toxic sodium cyanide (NaCN) is used by the international mining community to extract gold and other precious metals through milling of high-grade ores and heap leaching of low-grade ores (Korte et al. 2000). The process to concentrate gold using cyanide was developed in Scotland in 1887 and was used almost immediately in the Witwatersrand gold fields of the Republic of South...
Authors
R. Eisler, Stanley N. Wiemeyer

DENSITY: software for analysing capture-recapture data from passive detector arrays DENSITY: software for analysing capture-recapture data from passive detector arrays

A general computer-intensive method is described for fitting spatial detection functions to capture-recapture data from arrays of passive detectors such as live traps and mist nets. The method is used to estimate the population density of 10 species of breeding birds sampled by mist-netting in deciduous forest at Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland, U.S.A., from 1961 to 1972...
Authors
M.G. Efford, D.K. Dawson, C.S. Robbins

Demographic analysis of dormancy and survival in the terrestrial orchid Cypripedium reginae Demographic analysis of dormancy and survival in the terrestrial orchid Cypripedium reginae

1. We use capture-recapture models to estimate the fraction of dormant ramets, survival and state transition rates, and to identify factors affecting these rates, for the terrestrial orchid Cypripedium reginae. We studied two populations in West Virginia, USA, for 11 years and investigated relationships between grazing and demography. Abe Run's population was small, with moderate...
Authors
Marc Kery, Katharine B. Gregg

Assessing the fit of site-occupancy models Assessing the fit of site-occupancy models

Few species are likely to be so evident that they will always be detected at a site when present. Recently a model has been developed that enables estimation of the proportion of area occupied, when the target species is not detected with certainty. Here we apply this modeling approach to data collected on terrestrial salamanders in the Plethodon glutinosus complex in the Great Smoky...
Authors
D.I. MacKenzie, L.L. Bailey

Water-quality and amphibian population data for Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, 2001-2004 Water-quality and amphibian population data for Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, 2001-2004

Data on the chemical composition of water and on amphibian populations were collected at least annually from vernal pool and stream sites in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, from 2001 through 2004. The data were collected as part of long-term monitoring projects of the Northeast Region of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) of the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
K.C. Rice, R.E. Jung

Invasive herbivory: resident Canada geese and the decline of wild rice along the tidal Patuxent River Invasive herbivory: resident Canada geese and the decline of wild rice along the tidal Patuxent River

While concern grows over the increasing numbers of exotic mute swans (Cygnus olor) on the Chesapeake Bay, less attention seems to be given to the highly familiar and native Canada goose (Branta canadensis) which has over time developed unprecedented nonmigratory, or resident, populations. Although nuisance flocks of Canada geese have been well advertised at city parks, athletic fields...
Authors
G. Michael Haramis, Gregory D. Kearns

Food habits of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay Food habits of mute swans in the Chesapeake Bay

Unlike the tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) that migrate to the Bay for the winter, the mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a year long resident and therefore has raised concerns among research managers over reports of conflicts with nesting native water birds and the consumption of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). Although data on the reduction of SAV by nesting mute swans and their offspring...
Authors
Matthew C. Perry, P.C. Osenton, E.J.R. Lohnes
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