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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16731

Real-time ground-water-level monitoring in New Jersey Real-time ground-water-level monitoring in New Jersey

A network of seven observation wells that transmit ground-water-level data on a real-time basis through satellite telemetry is operating (started May 2001) in New Jersey through a cooperative effort of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The water-level data from these observation wells are transmitted every 4 hours and...
Authors
Walter D. Jones, Anthony S. Navoy, Daryll A. Pope

Morphometric changes in Yellow-headed Blackbirds during summer in central North Dakota Morphometric changes in Yellow-headed Blackbirds during summer in central North Dakota

Temporal stability of morphometric measurements is desirable when using avian morphology as a predictor of geographic origin. Therefore, to assess their temporal stability, we examined changes in morphology of Yellow-headed Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) from central North Dakota during summer. Measurements differed among age classes and between sexes. As expected, due to...
Authors
D.J. Twedt, G.M. Linz

Seasonal distribution and abundance of fishes and decapod crustaceans in a Cape Cod estuary Seasonal distribution and abundance of fishes and decapod crustaceans in a Cape Cod estuary

Sampling in several habitat types (sand/mud, eelgrass, sand, gravel, macroalgae/mud) during all seasons with a variety of gears in Nauset Marsh, Massachusetts during 1985-1987 found a fauna consisting of 35 fish and 10 decapod crustacean species. Although most of the abundant species were found in several habitat types, species richness and habitat use appeared to be highest for...
Authors
K.W. Able, M.P. Fahay, K.L. Heck, C. T. Roman, M.A. Lazzari, S.C. Kaiser

Nineteenth century mercury hazard to wading birds and cormorants of the Carson River, Nevada Nineteenth century mercury hazard to wading birds and cormorants of the Carson River, Nevada

Contemporary mercury interest relates to atmospheric deposition, contaminated fish stocks and exposed fish-eating wildlife. The focus is on methylmercury (MeHg) even though most contamination is of inorganic (IoHg) origin. However, IoHg is readily methylated in aquatic systems to become more hazardous to vertebrates. In response to a classic episode of historical (1859–1890) IoHg...
Authors
Charles J. Henny, E. F. Hill, D. J. Hoffman, M. G. Spalding, R. A. Grove

Demography of a population collapse: The Northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) Demography of a population collapse: The Northern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus)

We studied the demography of a population of Northern Idaho ground squirrels (Spermophilus brunneus brunneus) in Adams Co., Idaho. The population was completely censused yearly from 1987 to 1999, during which time it declined from 272 to 10 animals. The finite population growth rate, based on a Leslie matrix model of average life-history parameters, was only 0.72 (i.e., significantly
Authors
P. W. Sherman, M.C. Runge

Blood selenium concentrations and enzyme activities related to glutathione metabolism in wild emperor geese Blood selenium concentrations and enzyme activities related to glutathione metabolism in wild emperor geese

In 1998, we collected blood samples from 63 emperor geese (Chen canagica) on their breeding grounds on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD) in western Alaska, USA. We studied the relationship between selenium concentrations in whole blood and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in plasma. Experimental studies have shown that plasma activities of these enzymes...
Authors
J. Christian Franson, David J. Hoffman, Joel A. Schmutz

Book review: Bird census techniques, Second edition Book review: Bird census techniques, Second edition

Conservation concerns, federal mandates to monitor birds, and citizen science programs have spawned a variety of surveys that collect information on bird populations. Unfortunately, all too frequently these surveys are poorly designed and use inappropriate counting methods. Some of the flawed approaches reflect a lack of understanding of statistical design; many ornithologists simply are...
Authors
John R. Sauer
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