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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

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Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Causal Analysis of Fire Regime Drivers

Causal Analysis of Fire Regime Drivers

Genetic Diversity is a Key Factor in Climate-Driven Range Shifts

Genetic Diversity is a Key Factor in Climate-Driven Range Shifts

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

Webinar Series - Fueling Discovery with USGS Wildland Fire Science

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Publications

Continuous and high-resolution longitudinal profiles of the water surface and riverbed elevation for 282 miles of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, Arizona, 2021 Continuous and high-resolution longitudinal profiles of the water surface and riverbed elevation for 282 miles of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, Arizona, 2021

Longitudinal profiles of water surface and riverbed elevations capture key geomorphic characteristics that can be affected by water infrastructure and natural processes. Continuous water surface profiles of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, a river influenced by two of the largest dams in the United States, have been measured infrequently. The water surface profile was first measured...
Authors
Shannon L. Sartain, Matthew A. Kaplinski, Keith Kohl, Katherine A. Chapman, Nathaniel D. Bransky, Joel B. Sankey, Paul E. Grams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Southwest Biological Science Center

Rearing method has limited effect on post-release movement of reintroduced age-0 Lake Sturgeon Rearing method has limited effect on post-release movement of reintroduced age-0 Lake Sturgeon

Overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution caused the extirpation of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) throughout much of the Great Lakes. A Lake Sturgeon reintroduction program using two rearing strategies began in 2018 in the Maumee River, a tributary of Lake Erie. We assessed the movement of streamside or traditionally reared age-0 Lake Sturgeon using acoustic telemetry to determine...
Authors
Jorden R. McKenna, Justin A. Chiotti, Christopher S. Vandergoot, Richard Kraus, Matthew D. Faust, Zak J. Slagle, Eric J. Weimer, Matthew D. Cross, William D. Hintz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument Ecology of reintroduced Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in Dinosaur National Monument

Translocations have been widely used to restore and conserve bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations in North America. Some translocations have been successful, but many populations remain small and genetically isolated. Population structure can influence the viability and long-term success of reintroductions. Social ungulates often function as interconnected subpopulations...
Authors
Sarah Louise Carroll, Elizabeth P Flesch, Salix Scoresby, Emily Spencer, Rachel S. Crowhurst, Clinton W. Epps, Nathan L. Galloway, William Michael Janousek, Tabitha A. Graves
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
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Science

Landsat 8 image of algal bloom in Lake Erie near Toledo, Ohio

Beyond Microcystins: A New Look at Cyanotoxins in Lake Erie

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in Lake Erie’s western basin have long been associated with microcystins, a well-known group of liver toxins. However, new research shows that these blooms are far more chemically diverse than previously thought. A seven-year study using advanced chemical and genetic tools reveals that cyanobacteria produce a succession of different chemical...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
Beyond Microcystins: A New Look at Cyanotoxins in Lake Erie

Beyond Microcystins: A New Look at Cyanotoxins in Lake Erie

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in Lake Erie’s western basin have long been associated with microcystins, a well-known group of liver toxins. However, new research shows that these blooms are far more chemically diverse than previously thought. A seven-year study using advanced chemical and genetic tools reveals that cyanobacteria produce a succession of different chemical...
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a four six lane road with frontage lanes with dozens of cars leading into snow-capped mountains

Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

This project applies data-driven, machine‑learning methods to estimate average annual daily traffic on roads that connect people to Colorado’s public lands, where traffic data are sparse or nonexistent. Expanding on successful applications in Wyoming, the approach uses socioeconomic, land-use, roadway, and accessibility data to uniquely model traffic patterns from 2015 to 2025. These predictions...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

Using Artificial Intelligence to Estimate Traffic to Improve Planning and Access to Colorado’s Public Lands

This project applies data-driven, machine‑learning methods to estimate average annual daily traffic on roads that connect people to Colorado’s public lands, where traffic data are sparse or nonexistent. Expanding on successful applications in Wyoming, the approach uses socioeconomic, land-use, roadway, and accessibility data to uniquely model traffic patterns from 2015 to 2025. These predictions...
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Common Tern Chick and Egg

Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

USGS is engaged in a variety of research aimed at understanding population dynamics in colonially nesting waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay. Much of this work focuses on how focal species such as Common and Least Terns, Cattle and Snowy Egrets, and others respond to habitat restoration and management on Poplar Island, a large-scale effort lead by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

Colonial Nesting Waterbird Ecology

USGS is engaged in a variety of research aimed at understanding population dynamics in colonially nesting waterbirds of the Chesapeake Bay. Much of this work focuses on how focal species such as Common and Least Terns, Cattle and Snowy Egrets, and others respond to habitat restoration and management on Poplar Island, a large-scale effort lead by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of...
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