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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16743

Effects of urbanization on the distribution of area-sensitive forest birds in Prince George's County, Maryland Effects of urbanization on the distribution of area-sensitive forest birds in Prince George's County, Maryland

Bird survey data from Prince George's County, Maryland, were used to evaluate the effects of urbanization on the distribution of forest bird species that are area sensitive. We developed models that predict the probability of occurrence for species during the nesting season as a function of forest area and degree of urbanization. All of the 21 bird species considered occurred in a higher
Authors
D.K. Dawson, C.S. Robbins, L.J. Darr

Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as monitors for mercury contamination of aquatic environments Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) as monitors for mercury contamination of aquatic environments

We assessed the distribution of mercury in snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) by analyzing front shoulder muscle, back leg muscle, tail muscle, blood, liver, and marginal carapacial scute (shell) of 26 adult turtles from five small lakes. Total mercury concentration in muscle ranged from 50 to500 ng g−1 wet weight and was highly correlated among the three tissue locations. There was...
Authors
W.J. Golet, T.A. Haines

Suggestions for presenting the results of data analyses Suggestions for presenting the results of data analyses

We give suggestions for the presentation of research results from frequentist, information-theoretic, and Bayesian analysis paradigms, followed by several general suggestions. The information-theoretic and Bayesian methods offer alternative approaches to data analysis and inference compared to traditionally used methods. Guidance is lacking on the presentation of results under these...
Authors
David R. Anderson, William A. Link, Douglas H. Johnson, Kenneth P. Burnham

Mercury contamination and growth rate two piscivore populations Mercury contamination and growth rate two piscivore populations

We found no relationship between fish growth rate and mercury concentration in a lake trout population and conditional support for an inverse relationship in a smallmouth bass population. A bioenergetics model indicated that mercury concentration was more responsive to dietary mercury intake than to growth rate. When biodilution is evident, it may bias contaminant versus fish size...
Authors
C.P. Stafford, T.A. Haines

Fine-scale population structure Atlantic salmon from Maine's Penobscot River drainage Fine-scale population structure Atlantic salmon from Maine's Penobscot River drainage

We report a survey of microsatellite DNA variation in Atlantic salmon from the unimpounded lower reaches of Maine's Penobscot River. Our analysis indicates that Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River are distinct from other populations that have little or no history of human-mediated repopulation, including two of its tributaries, Cove Brook and Kenduskeag Stream, another Maine river...
Authors
A.P. Spidle, W. B. Schill, B.A. Lubinski, T.L. King

Organochlorine contaminants and biomarker response in double-crested cormorants nesting in Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, USA Organochlorine contaminants and biomarker response in double-crested cormorants nesting in Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Wisconsin, USA

Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) eggs at pipping and sibling 10-day-old chicks were collected from two colonies in Green Bay, WI, one colony in Lake Michigan, WI, and reference colonies in South Dakota and Minnesota. Egg contents and chicks were analyzed for organochlorine contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Livers of embryos and chicks were...
Authors
T. W. Custer, Christine M. Custer, R. K. Hines, K. L. Stromborg, P. David Allen, M. J. Melancon, D.S. Henshel

Duck populations as indicators of landscape condition in the Prairie Pothole Region Duck populations as indicators of landscape condition in the Prairie Pothole Region

The Prairie Pothole Region of the northern Great Plains is an important region for waterfowl production because of the abundance of shallow wetlands. The ecological significance of the region and impacts from intensive agriculture prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to select it as one of the first areas for developing and evaluating ecological indicators of wetland...
Authors
Jane E. Austin, Thomas K. Buhl, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Wayne Norling, H. Thomas Sklebar

Ground-water quality in Geauga County, Ohio — Review of previous studies, status in 1999, and comparison of 1986 and 1999 data Ground-water quality in Geauga County, Ohio — Review of previous studies, status in 1999, and comparison of 1986 and 1999 data

Most residents in Geauga County, Ohio, rely on ground water as their primary source of drinking water. With population growing at a steady rate, the possibility that human activity will affect ground-water quality becomes considerable. This report presents the results of a study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Geauga County Planning Commission and Board of...
Authors
Martha L. Jagucki, Robert A. Darner
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