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Publications

Click below for access to more than 170,000 publications written by USGS scientists over the century-plus history of the bureau.

Filter Total Items: 838

Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) communities and frass production in ʻŌhiʻa (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) infected with Ceratocystis (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae) fungi responsible for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) communities and frass production in ʻŌhiʻa (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) infected with Ceratocystis (Microascales: Ceratocystidaceae) fungi responsible for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a deadly disease that is threatening the native Hawaiian keystone tree species, ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha Gaudich). Ambrosia beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and their frass are hypothesized to play a major role in the spread of ROD, although their ecological niches and frass production within trees and across the landscape are not well...
Authors
Kylle Roy, Kelly Jaenecke, Robert W. Peck

Habitat suitability and ecological associations of two non-native ungulate species on the Hawaiian island of Lanai Habitat suitability and ecological associations of two non-native ungulate species on the Hawaiian island of Lanai

The ability to effectively manage game species for specific conservation objectives is often limited by the scientific understanding of their distribution and abundance. This is especially true in Hawai‘i where introduced game mammals are poorly studied and have low value relative to native species in other states. We modeled the habitat suitability and ecological associations of...
Authors
Steve C. Hess, Lucas Berio Fortini, Christina Leopold, Jacob Muise, Jonathan Sprague

Analysis of genomic sequence data reveals the origin and evolutionary separation of Hawaiian hoary bat populations Analysis of genomic sequence data reveals the origin and evolutionary separation of Hawaiian hoary bat populations

We examine the genetic history and population status of Hawaiian hoary bats (Lasiurus semotus), the most isolated bats on Earth, and their relationship to northern hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus), through whole-genome analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms mapped to a de novo-assembled reference genome. Profiles of genomic diversity and divergence indicate that Hawaiian hoary bats...
Authors
Corinna A. Pinzari, Lin Kang, Pawel Michalak, Lars S Jermiin, Donald K Price, Frank Bonaccorso

Architecture of remnant trees influences native woody plant recruitment in abandoned Hawaiian pastures Architecture of remnant trees influences native woody plant recruitment in abandoned Hawaiian pastures

Abandoned tropical pastures offer opportunities for passive and active restoration of native forest communities. Tree architecture of remnant canopy trees may be one important factor that can facilitate native plant recruitment in abandoned pastures but has largely been overlooked. Here, we evaluated patterns of native woody plant recruitment under remnant trees in abandoned pastures on...
Authors
Evan M Rehm, Stephanie G. Yelenik, Marley Puanani Smith, Carla M. D’Antonio

Using density surface models to estimate spatio-temporal changes in population densities and trend Using density surface models to estimate spatio-temporal changes in population densities and trend

Precise measures of population abundance and trend are needed for species conservation; these are most difficult to obtain for rare and rapidly changing populations. We compare uncertainty in densities estimated from spatio–temporal models with that from standard design‐based methods. Spatio–temporal models allow us to target priority areas where, and at times when, a population may most...
Authors
Richard J. Camp, David L Miller, Len Thomas, Steve T. Buckland, Steve J. Kendall

Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management

Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the...
Authors
John B. Bradford, Jake Weltzin, Molly L. McCormick, Jill Baron, Zack Bowen, Sky Bristol, Daren M. Carlisle, Theresa Crimmins, Paul C. Cross, Joe DeVivo, Mike Dietze, Mary Freeman, Jason Goldberg, Mevin Hooten, Leslie Hsu, Karen Jenni, Jennifer L. Keisman, Jonathan G. Kennen, Kathy Lee, David P. Lesmes, Keith A. Loftin, Brian W. Miller, Peter S. Murdoch, Jana Newman, Karen L. Prentice, Imtiaz Rangwala, Jordan Read, Jennifer Sieracki, Helen Sofaer, Steve Thur, Gordon Toevs, Francisco Werner, C. LeAnn White, Timothy White, Mark T. Wiltermuth

Stable isotope analysis of multiple tissues from Hawaiian honeycreepers indicates elevational movement Stable isotope analysis of multiple tissues from Hawaiian honeycreepers indicates elevational movement

We have limited knowledge of the patterns, causes, and prevalence of elevational migration despite observations of seasonal movements of animals along elevational gradients in montane systems worldwide. While a third of extant Hawaiian landbird species are estimated to be elevational migrants this assumption is based primarily on early naturalist’s observations with limited empirical...
Authors
Kristina L. Paxton, Jeffery F Kelly, Sandra M Pletchet, Eben H. Paxton

Use of whole blood samples preserved in DNA lysis buffer for serological detection of avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds Use of whole blood samples preserved in DNA lysis buffer for serological detection of avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds

Recent detections of avian malarial parasites in native and non-native forest birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and reports of epidemic transmission of the disease in high elevation habitats as well as controversy over accuracy of the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnostic test that was being used led to a request by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see if existing...
Authors
Carter T. Atkinson

Local to landscape-level controls of water fluxes through Hawaiian forests: Effects of invasive animals and plants on soil infiltration capacity across substrate and moisture gradients Local to landscape-level controls of water fluxes through Hawaiian forests: Effects of invasive animals and plants on soil infiltration capacity across substrate and moisture gradients

Given the potential effect of invasive plants and animals to water fluxes through forests, the invasive-driven degradation of native ecosystems is a topic of great concern for many downstream land and water managers. The infiltration rate determines the partitioning between runoff and infiltration into soil in Hawaiian forests and beyond. Thus, to explore the ecohydrological effects of...
Authors
Lucas B. Fortini, Christina Leopold, Kimberlie Perkins, Oliver A. Chadwick, Stephanie G. Yelenik, James D. Jacobi, Kaiena Bishaw, Makani Gregg, Sarah N. Rosa

Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) behavior at wind turbines on Maui Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) behavior at wind turbines on Maui

This study examined the activity of the endemic Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) at wind turbines operated by Auwahi Wind Energy, LLC, on southern Maui Island, from August to November 2018. The research was conducted to assess the potential effect of wind speed and turbine operation on bat presence and behavior and compared information obtained from both acoustic monitoring...
Authors
P. Marcos Gorresen, Paul M. Cryan, Grace Tredinnick

Keeping Hawai‘i's forest birds one step ahead of disease in a warming world Keeping Hawai‘i's forest birds one step ahead of disease in a warming world

Hawai‘i’s high-elevation forests provide a critical refuge from disease for native forest birds. However, global warming is facilitating the encroachment of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit into increasingly higher elevations of remaining refugia, threatening the viability of the forest birds across the islands. Multiple management actions to address the threat of disease have...
Authors
Eben H. Paxton, Jim Kraus
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