The loss of the North American grassland biome. Once spanning more than 2 million square kilometers, we have lost over half of the world’s most imperiled ecosystem: the temperate grasslands. A map of North America shows the loss of the grassland biome from Canada to Mexico, largely contained within the central plains of North America.
Kathryn Nuessly
Kathryn is currently working on detail as a Public Affairs Specialists within the Office of Communications and Publishing.
I am on detail with USGS, working as a Public Affairs Specialist with OCAP and the Water Mission Area. In my permanent position, I work as an Ecologist with the NPS Natural Sounds and Night Skies Team. I use computer models to study how noise pollution affects national park visitors and wildlife. Noise models generate complex results that include multiple metrics, making it difficult to directly apply to land management actions. Therefore, I also develop science communication products, like infographics, to effectively communicate the important results relevant to management alternatives. I also coordinate ocean acoustic monitoring for NSNSD and work with partners to develop interagency ocean acoustic programming.
Science and Products
Uncertainties: global change - The loss of the North American grassland biome
The loss of the North American grassland biome. Once spanning more than 2 million square kilometers, we have lost over half of the world’s most imperiled ecosystem: the temperate grasslands. A map of North America shows the loss of the grassland biome from Canada to Mexico, largely contained within the central plains of North America.
Snow to Flow.png
In order to get accurate measurements, the Snow to Flow scientists collect several kinds of data using a few different tools. Evan and the team dig snowpits and collect snow depth, snow density, and weather data. They also place sensors across the snowpack to help the drones collect accurate data.
In order to get accurate measurements, the Snow to Flow scientists collect several kinds of data using a few different tools. Evan and the team dig snowpits and collect snow depth, snow density, and weather data. They also place sensors across the snowpack to help the drones collect accurate data.
Evan 1.png
Evan Gohring, USGS Hydrologic Technician. A photo shows USGS scientist Evan Gohring smiling at the camera. Evan is wearing a T-shirt with the USGS logo on it. He is also wearing a ballcap and Evan is standing in front of a stand of aspen trees and a field of snow.
Evan Gohring, USGS Hydrologic Technician. A photo shows USGS scientist Evan Gohring smiling at the camera. Evan is wearing a T-shirt with the USGS logo on it. He is also wearing a ballcap and Evan is standing in front of a stand of aspen trees and a field of snow.
Snow water equivalent.png
This graphic shows how snow-water equivalent is calculated. A grey jar with a red lid dominate the graphic. Inside the jar is snow. On the top, the snow is loosely layered. On the bottom of the jar, the snow is more compact. Text alongside the right of the jar reads “snow depth.”
This graphic shows how snow-water equivalent is calculated. A grey jar with a red lid dominate the graphic. Inside the jar is snow. On the top, the snow is loosely layered. On the bottom of the jar, the snow is more compact. Text alongside the right of the jar reads “snow depth.”
SnowtoFlowThumbnail.png
This graphic shows a snow-capped mountain with the words “From Snow to Flow” written on the bottom left corner. Next to the mountain, hovering in the air, is a illustration of a drone. On the bottom right corner is an illustration of a ground-based satellite.
This graphic shows a snow-capped mountain with the words “From Snow to Flow” written on the bottom left corner. Next to the mountain, hovering in the air, is a illustration of a drone. On the bottom right corner is an illustration of a ground-based satellite.
SnowtoFlow_MountainWaterGlass.png
A graphic shows a snow-capped mountain. The snowpack on top of the mountain is melting into a water glass to show that snowmelt makes its way to water users.
A graphic shows a snow-capped mountain. The snowpack on top of the mountain is melting into a water glass to show that snowmelt makes its way to water users.
SnowtoFlowScienceTeam_withBanner.png
The Snow to Flow team is comprised of a “village” of remarkable scientists and engineers from the USGS Colorado Water Science Center, USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), and the University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering. The team is pictured here at the Berthoud Pass, CO field site on April 18, 2022.
The Snow to Flow team is comprised of a “village” of remarkable scientists and engineers from the USGS Colorado Water Science Center, USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), and the University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering. The team is pictured here at the Berthoud Pass, CO field site on April 18, 2022.
Scientist Banner 2.png
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
Scientist Banner 2.png
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
Science and Products
Uncertainties: global change - The loss of the North American grassland biome
The loss of the North American grassland biome. Once spanning more than 2 million square kilometers, we have lost over half of the world’s most imperiled ecosystem: the temperate grasslands. A map of North America shows the loss of the grassland biome from Canada to Mexico, largely contained within the central plains of North America.
The loss of the North American grassland biome. Once spanning more than 2 million square kilometers, we have lost over half of the world’s most imperiled ecosystem: the temperate grasslands. A map of North America shows the loss of the grassland biome from Canada to Mexico, largely contained within the central plains of North America.
Snow to Flow.png
In order to get accurate measurements, the Snow to Flow scientists collect several kinds of data using a few different tools. Evan and the team dig snowpits and collect snow depth, snow density, and weather data. They also place sensors across the snowpack to help the drones collect accurate data.
In order to get accurate measurements, the Snow to Flow scientists collect several kinds of data using a few different tools. Evan and the team dig snowpits and collect snow depth, snow density, and weather data. They also place sensors across the snowpack to help the drones collect accurate data.
Evan 1.png
Evan Gohring, USGS Hydrologic Technician. A photo shows USGS scientist Evan Gohring smiling at the camera. Evan is wearing a T-shirt with the USGS logo on it. He is also wearing a ballcap and Evan is standing in front of a stand of aspen trees and a field of snow.
Evan Gohring, USGS Hydrologic Technician. A photo shows USGS scientist Evan Gohring smiling at the camera. Evan is wearing a T-shirt with the USGS logo on it. He is also wearing a ballcap and Evan is standing in front of a stand of aspen trees and a field of snow.
Snow water equivalent.png
This graphic shows how snow-water equivalent is calculated. A grey jar with a red lid dominate the graphic. Inside the jar is snow. On the top, the snow is loosely layered. On the bottom of the jar, the snow is more compact. Text alongside the right of the jar reads “snow depth.”
This graphic shows how snow-water equivalent is calculated. A grey jar with a red lid dominate the graphic. Inside the jar is snow. On the top, the snow is loosely layered. On the bottom of the jar, the snow is more compact. Text alongside the right of the jar reads “snow depth.”
SnowtoFlowThumbnail.png
This graphic shows a snow-capped mountain with the words “From Snow to Flow” written on the bottom left corner. Next to the mountain, hovering in the air, is a illustration of a drone. On the bottom right corner is an illustration of a ground-based satellite.
This graphic shows a snow-capped mountain with the words “From Snow to Flow” written on the bottom left corner. Next to the mountain, hovering in the air, is a illustration of a drone. On the bottom right corner is an illustration of a ground-based satellite.
SnowtoFlow_MountainWaterGlass.png
A graphic shows a snow-capped mountain. The snowpack on top of the mountain is melting into a water glass to show that snowmelt makes its way to water users.
A graphic shows a snow-capped mountain. The snowpack on top of the mountain is melting into a water glass to show that snowmelt makes its way to water users.
SnowtoFlowScienceTeam_withBanner.png
The Snow to Flow team is comprised of a “village” of remarkable scientists and engineers from the USGS Colorado Water Science Center, USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), and the University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering. The team is pictured here at the Berthoud Pass, CO field site on April 18, 2022.
The Snow to Flow team is comprised of a “village” of remarkable scientists and engineers from the USGS Colorado Water Science Center, USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), and the University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering. The team is pictured here at the Berthoud Pass, CO field site on April 18, 2022.
Scientist Banner 2.png
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
Scientist Banner 2.png
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.
USGS Scientists Evan Gohring, Andy Creighton, Mark Bauer, and Victoria Scholl.