Publications
Publications from USGS science centers throughout the Southeast Region.
Filter Total Items: 10538
Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey Spatial distribution and relative biomass of bigheaded carps in Lake Balaton, Hungary estimated from an environmental DNA survey
Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), bighead carp (H. molitrix) and their hybrids, collectively known as bigheaded carps, have been introduced to Lake Balaton, Hungary. The current stock sizes are difficult to assess. We investigated environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques targeted for bigheaded carps, assessed the spatial distribution of eDNA in Lake Balaton, compared eDNA...
Authors
Nora Boross, Ardo Laszlo, Duane C. Chapman, Gergely Boros, Zoltán Vitál, Viktor Tóth, Nathan Thompson, Katy E. Klymus, Catherine A. Richter
Influence of activated carbon on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury from sediment by the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus Influence of activated carbon on the bioaccumulation of methylmercury from sediment by the amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus
We evaluated the potential for activated carbon (AC) amendments to reduce the bioavailability of methylmercury (MeHg) in field-collected sediments. To do so, we adapted a standard 28-day bioaccumulation bioassay with the benthic invertebrate Leptocheirus plumulosus to address challenges associated with assessing the dynamic nature of MeHg biogeochemistry and the difficulty of testing a...
Authors
Susan Kane Driscoll, Cynthia C. Gilmour, Steven S. Brown, Sara Nedrich, Guilherme R. Lotufo, Daniel Farrar, Jeffery A. Steevens, Grace Schwartz, James P. Sanders
Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef Heat-driven functional extinction of Caribbean Acropora corals from Florida's Coral Reef
In 2023, a record-setting marine heat wave triggered the ninth mass coral bleaching event on Florida’s Coral Reef (FCR). We examined spatial patterns of heat exposure along the ~560-kilometer length of FCR and the mortality of two ecologically important, critically endangered reef-building corals. Sea surface temperatures were ≥31°C for an average of 40.7 days, leading to heat exposures...
Authors
Derek P. Manzello, Ross Cunning, Richard F. Karp, Andrew C. Baker, Erich Bartels, Ryan Bonhag, Alexandra Borreil, Amanda Bourque, Kristen T. Brown, Andrew W. Bruckner, Bryce Corbett, Martine D’Alessandro, Craig Dahlgren, Jenna Dilworth, Erick Gieger, David S. Gilliam, Maya Gomez, Grace Hanson, Cailin Harrell, Dalton Hesley, Lindsay K. Huebner, Carly D. Kenkel, Hannah R. Koch, Joe Kuehl, Ilsa B. Kuffner, Mark C. Ladd, Sophia Lee, Kathryn C. Lesneski, Amanda Lewan, Diego Lirman, Gang Liu, Shayla B. Matsuda, Phanor H. Montoya-Maya, Jennifer Moore, Erinn M. Muller, Ken Nedimeyer, John E. Parkinson, Rob Ruzicka, Jason Spadaro, Blake L. Spady, Jennifer Stein, Joseph D. Unsworth, Alexandra D. Wen, Dana E. Williams, Sara Williams, Olivia M. Williamson
Satellite assessment of winter cover crop and conservation tillage outcomes to support adaptive management in working landscapes Satellite assessment of winter cover crop and conservation tillage outcomes to support adaptive management in working landscapes
The use of winter cover crops and conservation tillage are agricultural practices promoted to reduce nutrient and sediment loss from cropland, improve soil health, increase infiltration, and support farm nutrient cycling and ecosystem services. However, environmental performance of these practices is variable in the working farm landscape. The Lower Chesapeake Bay research project within...
Authors
W. Dean Hively, Feng Gao, Gregory W. McCarty, Craig S.T. Daughtry, Xuesong Zhang, Jyoti Jennewein, Alison Thieme, Brian T. Lamb, Jason Keppler, Cathleen J. Hapeman, Michael Cosh, Steven B. Mirsky
Do bighorn sheep use desert tortoise burrow spoil piles as mineral licks in southern California? Do bighorn sheep use desert tortoise burrow spoil piles as mineral licks in southern California?
In a previous study, bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were periodically photographed by trail cameras when they visited desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) burrows in the San Bernardino Mountains near Palm Springs, California, USA. The authors suggested that bighorn sheep may utilize the excavated spoil material from burrows as a mineral lick. To test that supposition, we collected soil...
Authors
Jeffrey E. Lovich, Danielle M. Cleveland, Charles B. Yackulic, Kristy L. Cummings, Michele R. Puffer, Molly J. Bechtel, Christopher R. Tracy, William J. Hoese, Gerardo Avila, Megan Peukert, Samantha Hubbard
Tracing invasion routes of Cuban treefrogs into Louisiana using mitochondrial DNA Tracing invasion routes of Cuban treefrogs into Louisiana using mitochondrial DNA
Understanding the origin and spread of invasive species is critical for predicting when and where new introductions will establish, and impact native species. However, due to the complexity of contributing factors such as multiple introductions, dispersal method, genetic admixture in founding populations, and variable propagule pressure, genetic patterns observed in invasive species may...
Authors
Erin B. Brosnan, Karen A. Paniagua Torres, Katerine R. Martin, Matthew S. Atkinson, Brad M. Glorioso, J. Hardin Waddle, Robert W. Mendyk, Anna E. Savage
Variation in detection distance of Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) vocalizations by autonomous recording units Variation in detection distance of Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis) vocalizations by autonomous recording units
Autonomous recording units (ARUs) are an emerging technology that allows for passive monitoring of soniferous animals and soundscapes. Over the past decade, ARUs have become a popular tool for monitoring birds for their potential to reduce the labor and costs of traditional in-person sampling procedures. However, uncertainty surrounding factors affecting detection of avian taxa using...
Authors
Blake D. Lamb, Heather E. Levy, Elizabeth A. Beilke, Chelsea S. Kross, Peter J. Kappes, Matt J. Sukiennik, James A. Cox, Jennifer K. Wilson, Jarrett O. Woodrow, Matthew J. Butler, Theodore J. Zenzal, Auriel M.V. Fournier, Mark S. Woodrey
Using distribution and movement of invasive channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in the San Juan River to inform removal efforts Using distribution and movement of invasive channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in the San Juan River to inform removal efforts
Invasive channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) pose threats to native fishes through predation and competition. A channel catfish removal program in the San Juan River was implemented in the 1990s, but exploitation was insufficient to cause population declines. Because knowledge of movement timing and spatial aggregations of channel catfish could inform future removal efforts and...
Authors
Keegan C. Epping, Keith B. Gido, Rachel E. Grey, Stephani L. Clark Barkalow, Sophia Marie Bonjour, John Cleveland, Justin Furby, Casey A. Pennock, Matthew R. Bogaard, Tracy A. Diver
Initial responses of songbird communities to forest reclamation on legacy surface mines Initial responses of songbird communities to forest reclamation on legacy surface mines
Surface coal mining and subsequent reclamation efforts in the Appalachian Mountains, USA, transform the ecological characteristics of natural landscapes. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) is a mine reclamation method that emphasizes best management practices in forestry. FRA practices have demonstrated success in establishing native forests and accelerating natural succession on...
Authors
Rebecca N. Davenport, Christopher D. Barton, John J. Cox, Jacquelyn C. Guzy, Lauren Sherman, Jeffery L. Larkin, Todd Fearer, Steven J. Price
Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) movement states and backwater use can inform removal efforts Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) movement states and backwater use can inform removal efforts
Expansion of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) within the Laurentian Great Lakes poses significant ecological and economic risks. Suppression efforts to remove grass carp have increased to curtail population growth, but capture efficiency remains low. One management challenge is the lack of understanding how this invasive species is using its novel habitats in the Great Lakes. This...
Authors
Sophia Marie Bonjour, Robert D. Hunter, James J. Roberts, Travis O. Brenden, Scott F. Colborne, Matthew D. Faust, Christine M. Mayer, Robert L. Mapes, Richard Kraus, Robin D. Calfee, Matthew Ross Acre
Elevated mercury concentrations in riparian predators unaccounted for by trophic magnification Elevated mercury concentrations in riparian predators unaccounted for by trophic magnification
Riparian predators integrate both nutrients and contaminants from neighboring aquatic systems through their predation of emerging aquatic insects. The reliance of some riparian taxa on aquatic subsidies has led to them to being utilized as biosentinels of aquatic contamination, often justified through stable isotope studies (δ13C, δ15N) and trophic magnification models. However, evidence...
Authors
Connor I. Olson, Gale B. Beaubien, David M. Walters, Ryan R. Otter
Synthesis of observed field salinity ranges for oyster and seagrass species in the U.S. Synthesis of observed field salinity ranges for oyster and seagrass species in the U.S.
Oyster and seagrass are important sessile, habitat-forming species that may be impacted by changes in salinity regimes from anthropogenic or climatic drivers. While salinity tolerance literature is focused on controlled experiments, observed field salinity ranges of species are more disparate. The salinity ranges in which organisms are observed in the field may not align exactly with...
Authors
Charlotte I. Lee, Simeon Yurek, David B. Eggleston, Natalie G. Nelson