Rex Sanders (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2020 Year in review
Established in 1935, the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program (CRU program) is a unique cooperative partnership among State fish and wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Designed to meet the scientific needs of natural resource...
Thompson, John D.; Dennerline, Donald E.; Childs, Dawn E.; Jodice, Patrick G.R.
Implications of historical and contemporary processes on genetic differentiation of a declining boreal songbird: The rusty blackbird
The arrangement of habitat features via historical or contemporary events can strongly influence genomic and demographic connectivity, and in turn affect levels of genetic diversity and resilience of populations to environmental perturbation. The rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) is a forested wetland habitat specialist whose population size...
Wilson, Robert E.; Matsuoka, Steven M.; Powell, Luke L.; Johnson, James A.; Demarest, Dean W.; Stralberg, Diana; Sonsthagen, Sarah A.
Mineral commodity summaries 2021
IntroductionEach mineral commodity chapter of the 2021 edition of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries (MCS) includes information on events, trends, and issues for each mineral commodity as well as discussions and tabular presentations on domestic industry structure, Government programs, tariffs, 5-year salient statistics...
Volcanic Aquifers of Hawai‘i—Construction and calibration of numerical models for assessing groundwater availability on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui
Steady-state numerical groundwater-flow models were constructed for the islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui to enable quantification of the hydrologic consequences of withdrawals and other stresses that can place limits on groundwater availability. The volcanic aquifers of Hawai‘i supply nearly all drinking water for the islands’ residents,...
Izuka, Scot K.; Rotzoll, Kolja; Nishikawa, Tracy
Improved Automated Identification and Mapping of Iron Sulfate Minerals, Other Mineral Groups, and Vegetation using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager Data, San Juan Mountains, Colorado, and Four Corners Region
Multispectral remote sensing data acquired by the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensor were analyzed using a new, automated technique to generate a map of exposed mineral and vegetation groups in the western San Juan Mountains, Colo., and the Four Corners Region of the United States. Band ratio results were combined into displayed...
Rockwell, Barnaby W.; Gnesda, William R.; Hofstra, Albert H. Airborne dust plumes lofted by dislodged ice blocks at Russell Crater, Mars
Linear dune gullies on poleward‐facing Martian slopes are enigmatic. Formation by CO2‐ice block or snow cornice falls has been proposed based on optical imagery of bright, high‐albedo features inside gully channels. Because these features often resemble patchy frost residue rather than three‐dimensional blocks, more evidence is needed to support...
Dinwiddie, Cynthia; Titus, Timothy N.
Hydrographic and benthic mapping—St. Croix National Scenic Riverway—Osceola landing
High-resolution topographic and bathymetric mapping can assist in the analysis of river habitat. The National Park Service has been planning to relocate a boat ramp along the St. Croix River in Minnesota, across the river from the town of Osceola, Wisconsin, to improve visitor safety, improve operations for commercial use, enhance the overall...
Hanson, Jenny L.; Strange, Jayme M.
Geochemical data for Illinois Basin coal samples, 2015–2018
Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and their collaborators conducted a study of the geochemical properties of coals currently produced for electric power generation in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana. The study follows from recommendations by an expert panel for the USGS to investigate the distribution and controls of...
Kolker, Allan; Scott, Clint; Lefticariu, Liliana; Mastalerz, Maria; Drobniak, Agnieszka; Scott, Annie
U.S. Geological Survey wildland fire science strategic plan, 2021–26
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Wildland Fire Science Strategic Plan defines critical, core fire science capabilities for understanding fire-related and fire-responsive earth system processes and patterns, and informing management decision making. Developed by USGS fire scientists and executive leadership, and informed by conversations with...
Steblein, Paul F.; Loehman, Rachel A.; Miller, Mark P.; Holomuzki, Joseph R.; Soileau, Suzanna C.; Brooks, Matthew L.; Drane-Maury, Mia; Hamilton, Hannah M.; Kean, Jason W.; Keeley, Jon E.; Mason, Robert R.; McKerrow, Alexa J.; Meldrum, James R.; Molder, Edmund B.; Murphy, Sheila F.; Peterson, Birgit; Plumlee, Geoffrey S.; Shinneman, Douglas J.; van Mantgem, Phillip J.; York, Alison
Chapter A6.4. Measurement of pH
The “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data” (NFM) provides guidelines and procedures for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation’s surface-water and groundwater resources. This chapter, NFM A6.4, provides guidance and protocols for the measurement of pH of a water...
Evaluating fish rescue as a drought adaptation strategy using a life cycle modeling approach for imperiled coho salmon
Projected intensification of drought as a result of climate change may reduce the capacity of streams to rear fish, exacerbating the challenge of recovering salmonid populations listed under the Endangered Species Act. Without management intervention, some stocks will likely go extinct as stream drying and fragmentation reduce juvenile survival to...
Beebe, Brittany A; Bentley, Kale T; Buehrens, Thomas W.; Perry, Russell; Jonathan B. Armstrong Amateur radio operators help fill earthquake donut holes
If you’ve ever seen tall antennas rising from everyday residences in your community and wondered what they are for, it could be that those homes belong to ham radio enthusiasts who enjoy communicating with each other over the airwaves. In addition to having fun with their radios and finding camaraderie, many ham radio operators are also...
Wald, David J.; Quitoriano, Vince; Dully, Oliver
Rising Seas and Storms Could Seriously Damage California’s Coast within 30 Years
In less than 30 years the combination of sea-level rise plus an extreme storm along California’s coast could flood more than 150,000 residents and impact over $30 billion in property value. By 2100, up to 600,000 people and $150 billion in property could be at risk from coastal flooding.
Recent Coastal and Marine Fieldwork - December 2018-January 2019
Recently USGS scientists visited 10 coastal and offshore locations, studying tsunami and hurricane deposits in Hawai‘i, monitoring Cape Cod estuary health, testing technology in Tampa Bay, and much more. Here’s a quick overview of some fieldwork by our researchers.
Added Funding Aids Recovery from 2017 Hurricanes and Wildfires
In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused roughly $265 billion in damage and killed more than 3,000 people in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The same year, California wildfires killed 47 people, burned over a million acres of land, and destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 buildings.
News Briefs - December 2018-January 2019
Coastal and marine news highlights from across the USGS
Moving Mountains: Elwha River Still Changing Five Years After World’s Largest Dam-Removal Project
Starting in 2011, the National Park Service removed two obsolete dams, the world’s largest dam-removal project to date. Over the next five years, water carrying newly freed rocks, sand, silt, and old tree trunks reshaped more than 13 miles of river and built a larger delta into the Pacific Ocean.
A Tale of Two Tsunamis—Why Weren’t They Bigger? Mexico 2017 and Alaska 2018
Why do some earthquakes trigger large tsunamis, and others don’t? Learn how earthquakes produce tsunamis, how scientists predict tsunami size and arrival times, and the differences in two recent small tsunamis.
Pacific Missile Tracking Site Could Be Unusable in 20 Years Due to Climate Change
Living and working on the Pacific islands hosting a key missile tracking site soon could be almost impossible due to the impacts of climate change.
Open House Welcomes Enthusiastic Visitors to Santa Cruz Office
Scientists at the USGS offices in Santa Cruz, California participated in the Open House on Saturday, December 9, 2017, excited to share their science with the community.
Scientists Inspiring Students
Several USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center women scientists assembled a panel to discuss their exciting and fulfilling careers at Pacific Elementary School, with the goal of inspiring younger girls to stay engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math, and to pursue these professions.
Bob Rosenbauer Retires as Science Center Director
On January 7, 2017, Robert (Bob) Rosenbauer retired from the USGS after more than 42 years of public service.
New Director of Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
On January 9, 2017, Guy Gelfenbaum took over as director of the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz and Menlo Park, California. Gelfenbaum replaced Robert (Bob) Rosenbauer, who led the center for more than six years until his retirement.
New Director of Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Rob Thieler is the new director of the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center in Massachusetts.