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Science in action across Gulf of Mexico ecosystems.

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From barrier islands and endemic critters...

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...to water and hazards science.

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Connect with scientists behind the research.

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Gulf of Mexico

USGS provides science about ecosystems, natural hazards, water resources, energy, and minerals. Our scientists are conducting research in the Gulf of Mexico that investigates the past, present and future trajectories of coastal ecosystems, the stressors that impact those ecosystems, and restoration and management alternatives that aim to recover and sustain ecosystem functions and services.

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piping plover in flight

Birds, Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, ...

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Mississippi River Hydrodynamic and Delta Management Study Map

Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Gulf-wide, Marine, ...

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Mangroves on the outside of a playa in Florida Bay

Barrier Islands, Corals, Vegetation, Wetlands

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Publications

Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore marine and wi

Authors
Adam Sepulveda, Cheryl Morrison, Margaret Hunter, Mona Khalil
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Deep Sea Exploration, Mapping and Characterization, Gulf of Mexico

Analysis of high-resolution single channel seismic data for use in sediment resource evaluation, eastern Texas and western Louisiana Continental Shelf, Gulf of Mexico

Shallow subsurface geologic data recorded as high-resolution seismic profiles are used to interpret the geology of coastal and marine systems. These data were originally recorded on paper rolls that are stored in geophysical archives. Data collection has since converted to entirely digital formats, yet the analog data are still useful for geologic interpretation. This report describes the process
Authors
James G. Flocks, Arnell S. Forde, Stephen T. Bosse
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Gulf of Mexico

Dissolved organic carbon dynamics and fluxes in Mississippi-Atchafalaya deltaic system impacted by an extreme flood event and hurricanes: A multi-satellite approach using Sentinel-2/3 and Landsat-8/9 data

Transport of riverine and wetland-derived dissolved organic carbon (DOC) spanning tidal wetlands, estuaries, and continental shelf waters functionally connects terrestrial and aquatic carbon reservoirs, yet the magnitude and ecological significance of this variable and its spatiotemporal linkage remains uncertain for coastal deltaic regions, such as Mississippi River Delta Plain, which includes Mi
Authors
Bingqing Liu, Eurico J. D'Sa, Francesca Messina, Melissa Millman Baustian, Kanchan Maiti, Victor H. Rivera-Monroy, Wei Huang, Ioannis Y. Georgiou
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
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Science

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Close up of an orange coral polyp

Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities: Coral Propagation Technique (CPT) Development Project

Through a collaborative effort with other federal agencies and academic and research institutions, the USGS is working to inform and enhance the protection and management of coral communities in mesophotic and deep benthic areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
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Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities: Coral Propagation Technique (CPT) Development Project

Through a collaborative effort with other federal agencies and academic and research institutions, the USGS is working to inform and enhance the protection and management of coral communities in mesophotic and deep benthic areas of the Gulf of Mexico.
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A tiny turtle pushes across the sand.

Beach Compaction and the Impacts of Tilling on Nesting Sea Turtles and Foraging Shorebirds

Researchers are investigating beach compaction, the incubation environment for turtle nests, and shorebird nest abundance at beaches throughout the southeastern United States to better understand the impacts of beach compaction to nesting turtles and foraging seabirds.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
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Beach Compaction and the Impacts of Tilling on Nesting Sea Turtles and Foraging Shorebirds

Researchers are investigating beach compaction, the incubation environment for turtle nests, and shorebird nest abundance at beaches throughout the southeastern United States to better understand the impacts of beach compaction to nesting turtles and foraging seabirds.
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North Breton Island monitoring

Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Program-Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration: North Breton Island Component-Monitoring and Adaptive Management

In order to enhance habitat for nesting Brown Pelicans, terns, Black Skimmers, and gulls, the USFWS has contracted with USGS to conduct project monitoring on North Breton Island from FY23 to FY31. Monitoring conducted by USGS will facilitate evaluation of habitat characteristics and determine restoration success or need for adaptive management.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
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Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Program-Louisiana Outer Coast Restoration: North Breton Island Component-Monitoring and Adaptive Management

In order to enhance habitat for nesting Brown Pelicans, terns, Black Skimmers, and gulls, the USFWS has contracted with USGS to conduct project monitoring on North Breton Island from FY23 to FY31. Monitoring conducted by USGS will facilitate evaluation of habitat characteristics and determine restoration success or need for adaptive management.
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