USGS scientist Robert Baskin takes a boat out on the Great Salt Lake to conduct research.
Jennifer LaVista
Communicating USGS science throughout the Southwest and Midwest regions
Over the last decade, Jennifer has worked on a number of USGS large-scale communication efforts including the Glen Canyon High Flow Experiment, the Coast Salish Tribal Journey, the 2011 Japan earthquake and has been on-site at numerous historic floods. Her favorite topics to cover include natural hazards and water-quality issues.
Jennifer has a Masters in Health Science Communications from the University of Florida (2006), as well as a Masters Certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University. She is a former ABC affiliate news producer.
When she's not working, you can find Jennifer hiking, skiing, climbing or camping. She is an avid traveler and also enjoys practicing aerial arts.
Science and Products
Establishing the Land Use Land Cover Geo Data Portal and Supporting Data Services
This project sought to incorporate land-use land-cover time series data into the Geo Data Portal web service infrastructure. Till now, the Geo Data Portal has been used for relatively low spatial resolution downscaled climate data. Data from the EPA’s Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios was incorporated into a web service compatible with the Geo Data Portal and is now hosted in the...
Filter Total Items: 164
USGS research boat conducting science on the Great Salt Lake.
USGS scientist Robert Baskin takes a boat out on the Great Salt Lake to conduct research.
Dark-colored mature biocrust
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. These organisms perform critical functions, such as fertilizing soils and increasing soil stability, therefore reducing dust.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. These organisms perform critical functions, such as fertilizing soils and increasing soil stability, therefore reducing dust.
Biocrust
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
Footprint damage to biocrusts
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
View from Canyonlands Research Center
View from Canyonlands Research Center.
View from Canyonlands Research Center.
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instruments to measure biocrust
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instrumentation to measure photosynthetic rates of biocrusts.
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instrumentation to measure photosynthetic rates of biocrusts.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studys outdoor biocrust testing sites
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments before going out on the Great Salt Lake. USGS scientists are conducting a study to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments before going out on the Great Salt Lake. USGS scientists are conducting a study to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS water-quality instruments to measure nutrient levels
USGS scientists use multiple high-frequency water quality instruments contained in a cage to measure nutrients and algal changes in surface water. Scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientists use multiple high-frequency water quality instruments contained in a cage to measure nutrients and algal changes in surface water. Scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientist measures nutrient levels
USGS scientist Mike Freeman measures nutrient levels in Goggin Drain, Utah. USGS scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientist Mike Freeman measures nutrient levels in Goggin Drain, Utah. USGS scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015.
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015. USGS scientists Eric Looper and Jason Carron are one of many USGS field crews out in the floodwaters over the holiday.
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015. USGS scientists Eric Looper and Jason Carron are one of many USGS field crews out in the floodwaters over the holiday.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS Measures Historic Flooding Across the Nation
Local CBS 4 affiliate KMOV interviews USGS scientist Paul Rydlund from the Mississippi River in St. Louis.
Local CBS 4 affiliate KMOV interviews USGS scientist Paul Rydlund from the Mississippi River in St. Louis.
Science and Products
Establishing the Land Use Land Cover Geo Data Portal and Supporting Data Services
This project sought to incorporate land-use land-cover time series data into the Geo Data Portal web service infrastructure. Till now, the Geo Data Portal has been used for relatively low spatial resolution downscaled climate data. Data from the EPA’s Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios was incorporated into a web service compatible with the Geo Data Portal and is now hosted in the...
Filter Total Items: 164
USGS research boat conducting science on the Great Salt Lake.
USGS scientist Robert Baskin takes a boat out on the Great Salt Lake to conduct research.
USGS scientist Robert Baskin takes a boat out on the Great Salt Lake to conduct research.
Dark-colored mature biocrust
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. These organisms perform critical functions, such as fertilizing soils and increasing soil stability, therefore reducing dust.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. These organisms perform critical functions, such as fertilizing soils and increasing soil stability, therefore reducing dust.
Biocrust
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
On the Colorado Plateau, mature biocrusts are bumpy and dark-colored due to the presence of lichens, mosses, and high densities of cyanobacteria and other organisms. Disturbed biocrusts are lighter in color, looking more like the underlying sand than undisturbed ones, and are less capable of stabilizing soils or providing soil fertility.
Footprint damage to biocrusts
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
Many human activities can be unintentionally harmful to biological crusts. The biocrusts are no match for the compressional stress caused by footprints of livestock or people or tracks from vehicles.
View from Canyonlands Research Center
View from Canyonlands Research Center.
View from Canyonlands Research Center.
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instruments to measure biocrust
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instrumentation to measure photosynthetic rates of biocrusts.
USGS scientist Jayne Belnap examines instrumentation to measure photosynthetic rates of biocrusts.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrusts provide soil stability and prevent erosion. Soil is the foundation where plants live; if soil is not stable, native plants can have difficulty growing.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studys outdoor biocrust testing sites
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
USGS scientist Sasha Reed studies sites where different climate conditions are being mimicked to determine effect on biocrusts.
Biocrust outdoor testing plots.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists created outdoor testing plots where large squares of biocrusts were exposed to different warming and precipitation factors over time.
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments before going out on the Great Salt Lake. USGS scientists are conducting a study to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientists prepare water-quality instruments before going out on the Great Salt Lake. USGS scientists are conducting a study to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS water-quality instruments to measure nutrient levels
USGS scientists use multiple high-frequency water quality instruments contained in a cage to measure nutrients and algal changes in surface water. Scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientists use multiple high-frequency water quality instruments contained in a cage to measure nutrients and algal changes in surface water. Scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientist measures nutrient levels
USGS scientist Mike Freeman measures nutrient levels in Goggin Drain, Utah. USGS scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
USGS scientist Mike Freeman measures nutrient levels in Goggin Drain, Utah. USGS scientists are conducting an experimental study on two Utah water bodies to gain a better understanding of nutrient levels, which could help determine how to best manage algal bloom outbreaks.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015.
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015. USGS scientists Eric Looper and Jason Carron are one of many USGS field crews out in the floodwaters over the holiday.
USGS crews had two research vessels out measuring streamflow on the Mississippi River at St. Louis on New Years Eve, 2015. USGS scientists Eric Looper and Jason Carron are one of many USGS field crews out in the floodwaters over the holiday.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
USGS scientists Chris Rowden, Larry Buschmann and Bob Holmes were on the Mississippi River at St. Louis taking streamflow measurements on New Years Eve, 2015. This information is critical to the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and emergency managers in making flood predictions and response.
Flooding on Mississippi River in December 2015
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS scientist Chris Rowden drives a research vessel measuring streamflow alongside another field crew on the Mississippi River at St. Louis.
USGS Measures Historic Flooding Across the Nation
Local CBS 4 affiliate KMOV interviews USGS scientist Paul Rydlund from the Mississippi River in St. Louis.
Local CBS 4 affiliate KMOV interviews USGS scientist Paul Rydlund from the Mississippi River in St. Louis.