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Publications

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

Filter Total Items: 16733

Modeling false positives Modeling false positives

Many of the models we are concerned with included explicit descriptions of false negative errors. However, false positive errors can also be commin in practice, especially in citizen science applications where observer skill is highly variable. In addition, new methods which determine detection based on statistical classification or machine learning methods are also prone to false...
Authors
Marc Kery, Andy Royle

Principles and mechanisms of wildlife population persistence in the face of disease Principles and mechanisms of wildlife population persistence in the face of disease

Emerging infectious diseases can result in species declines and hamper recovery efforts for at-risk populations. Generalizing considerations for reducing the risk of pathogen introduction and mitigating the effects of disease remains challenging and inhibits our ability to provide guidance for species recovery planning. Given the growing rates of emerging pathogens globally, we identify...
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Graziella Vittoria DiRenzo, J. Szymanski, Katrina E. Alger, Evan H. Campbell Grant

Photoperiodic regulation of pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone and brain deiodinase in Atlantic salmon Photoperiodic regulation of pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone and brain deiodinase in Atlantic salmon

Seasonal timing is important for many critical life history events of vertebrates, and photoperiod is often used as a reliable seasonal cue. In mammals and birds, it has been established that a photoperiod-driven seasonal clock resides in the brain and pituitary, and is driven by increased levels of pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and brain type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase...
Authors
Shotaro Irachi, Daniel J. Hall, Mitchell S Fleming, Gersende Maugers, Bjorn Bjornsson, Sylvie Dufour, Katsuhisa Uchida, Stephen D. McCormick

Dynamics of marsh-derived sediments in lagoon-type estuaries Dynamics of marsh-derived sediments in lagoon-type estuaries

Salt marshes are valuable ecosystems that must trap sediments and accrete in order to counteract the deleterious effect of sea‐level rise. Previous studies have shown that the capacity of marshes to build up vertically depends on both autogenous and exogenous processes including eco‐geomorphic feedbacks and sediment supply from in‐land and coastal ocean. There have been numerous efforts...
Authors
Carmine Donatelli, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Sergio Fagherazzi, Xoaohe Zhang, Nicoletta Leonardi

Challenges in the interpretation of anticoagulant rodenticide residues and toxicity in predatory and scavenging birds Challenges in the interpretation of anticoagulant rodenticide residues and toxicity in predatory and scavenging birds

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are part of the near billion-dollar rodenticide industry. Numerous studies have documented the presence of ARs in non-target wildlife, with evidence of repeated exposure to second-generation ARs. While birds are generally less sensitive to ARs than target rodent species, in some locations predatory and scavenging birds are exposed by consumption of such...
Authors
Barnett A. Rattner, Joel James Harvey

QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge

The U.S. Geological Survey is actively investigating remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) from satellite-, high altitude-, small, unmanned aircraft systems- (sUAS or drone), and permanent (fixed) deployments. This initiative is important in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to deploy conventional streamgaging equipment. By...
Authors
John W. Fulton, Isaac E. Anderson, C.-L. Chiu, Wolfram Sommer, Josip Adams, Tommaso Moramarco, David M. Bjerklie, Janice M. Fulford, Jeff L. Sloan, Heather Best, Jeffrey S. Conaway, Michelle J. Kang, Michael S. Kohn, Matthew J. Nicotra, Jeremy J. Pulli

The role of pre-magmatic rifting in shaping a volcanic continental margin: An example from the Eastern North American Margin The role of pre-magmatic rifting in shaping a volcanic continental margin: An example from the Eastern North American Margin

Both magmatic and tectonic processes contribute to the formation of volcanic continental margins. Such margins are thought to undergo extension across a narrow zone of lithospheric thinning (~100 km). New observations based on existing and reprocessed data from the Eastern North American Margin contradict this hypothesis. With ~64,000 km of 2‐D seismic data tied to 40 wells combined with...
Authors
G. Lang, Uri S. ten Brink, Deborah Hutchinson, G.S. Mountain, U. Schattner

Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams Groundwater discharges as a source of phytoestrogens and other agriculturally derived contaminants to streams

Groundwater discharge zones in streams are important habitats for aquatic organisms. The use of discharge zones for thermal refuge and spawning by fish and other biota renders them susceptible to potential focused discharge of groundwater contamination. Currently, there is a paucity of information about discharge zones as a potential exposure pathway of chemicals to stream ecosystems...
Authors
Tyler J. Thompson, Martin A. Briggs, Patrick J. Phillips, Vicki S. Blazer, Kelly L. Smalling, Dana W. Kolpin, Tyler Wagner

A latent process model approach to improve the utility of indicator species A latent process model approach to improve the utility of indicator species

The state of an ecosystem is governed by dynamic biotic and abiotic processes, which can only be partially observed. Costs associated with measuring each component limit the feasibility of comprehensive assessments of target ecosystems. Instead, indicator species are recommended as a surrogate index. While this is an attractive concept, indicator species have rarely proven to be an...
Authors
Jillian Elizabeth Fleming, Chris Sutherland, Sean C Sterrett, Evan H. Campbell Grant

Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments Development of a suite of functional immune assays and initial assessment of their utility in wild smallmouth bass health assessments

Methods were developed for measuring immune function in Micropterus dolomieu (smallmouth bass). The ultimate objective is to monitor and evaluate changes over time in immune status and disease resistance in conjunction with other characteristics of fish health and environmental stressors. To test these methods for utility in ecotoxicological studies, 192 smallmouth bass, age 2 years and...
Authors
Cheyenne R. Smith, Christopher A. Ottinger, Heather L. Walsh, Vicki S. Blazer

Spatiotemporal pattern of interactions between an apex predator and sympatric species Spatiotemporal pattern of interactions between an apex predator and sympatric species

Increases in apex predator abundance can influence the behavior of sympatric species, particularly when the available habitat and/or resources are limited. We assessed the temporal and spatiotemporal interactions between Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) and six focal sympatric species in South Florida, where Florida panther abundance has increased by more than 6-fold since the 1990...
Authors
Marta P Guitart, David P Onorato, James E. Hines, Madan K. Oli
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