Publications
Read publications and other informational products to learn more about USGS science occurring in the Mississippi Basin.
Filter Total Items: 5565
Piñon and juniper tree removal increases available soil water, driving understory response in a sage-steppe ecosystem Piñon and juniper tree removal increases available soil water, driving understory response in a sage-steppe ecosystem
Over the past century, piñon and juniper trees have encroached into sagebrush steppe lands of the interior United States, and managers have for many years removed trees to stimulate the favored understory. While consistent understory response to tree removal in these semiarid lands suggests that trees outcompete other plants for water, no studies have linked increased soil water to...
Authors
James D. McIver, James Grace, Bruce A. Roundy
Response of soil respiration to changes in soil temperature and water table level in drained and restored peatlands of the southeastern United States Response of soil respiration to changes in soil temperature and water table level in drained and restored peatlands of the southeastern United States
Extensive drainage of peatlands in the southeastern United States coastal plain for the purposes of agriculture and timber harvesting has led to large releases of soil carbon as carbon dioxide (CO2) due to enhanced peat decomposition. Growth in mechanisms that provide financial incentives for reducing emissions from land use and land-use change could increase funding for hydrological...
Authors
Erin E. Swails, Marcelo Ardon, Ken Krauss, A.L. Peralta, Ryan E. Emmanuel, A.M. Helton, J.L. Morse, Laurel Gutenberg, Nicole Cormier, D. Shoch, Scott Settlemyer, Eric Soderholm, Brian P. Boutin, Chuck Peoples, Sara Ward
Evaluations of Lagrangian egg drift models: From a laboratory flume to large channelized rivers Evaluations of Lagrangian egg drift models: From a laboratory flume to large channelized rivers
To help better interpret computational models in predicting drift of carp eggs in rivers, we present a series of model assessments for the longitudinal egg dispersion. Two three-dimensional Lagrangian particle tracking models, SDrift and FluEgg, are evaluated in a series of channels with increasing complexity. The model evaluation demonstrates that both models are able to accommodate...
Authors
Geng Li, Caroline M. Elliott, Bruce Call, Duane Chapman, Robert B. Jacobson, Bin Wang
Assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments and fishes in a large, urbanized estuary and the potential human health implications Assessing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments and fishes in a large, urbanized estuary and the potential human health implications
The primary source of chronic exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in humans is through the ingestion of contaminated foods and drinking water, with fish and other seafood being a major contributor. Nevertheless, there is scant literature on the dietary exposure to PFASs for the general United States (U.S.) population. The Tampa Bay (Florida, USA) region has the...
Authors
Erin L. Pulster, Kylee Rullo, Sherryl Gilbert, Thomas M. Ash, Barbara Goetting, Kevin Campbell, Sara Markham, Steven A. Murawski
Interaction between transect design and animal distribution in distance sampling of deer Interaction between transect design and animal distribution in distance sampling of deer
We conducted a simulation study to evaluate the consequences of violating statistical assumptions of distance sampling (DS) on the bias and precision of population estimates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Distance sampling is a method for estimating the density of organisms using a distribution of observed distances to individuals. A key assumption of DS is that sampling...
Authors
Nicholas S. Green, Mark L. Wildhaber, Janice L. Albers
Trends in vegetation and height of the topographic surface in a tidal freshwater swamp experiencing rooting zone saltwater intrusion Trends in vegetation and height of the topographic surface in a tidal freshwater swamp experiencing rooting zone saltwater intrusion
A decrease in the ground surface height of coastal wetlands is of worldwide concern because of its relationship to peat loss, coastal carbon, and biodiversity in freshwater wetlands. We asked if it is possible to determine indicators of impending transitions of freshwater swamps to other coastal types by examining long-term changes in the environment and vegetation. In a tidal Taxodium...
Authors
Beth Middleton, John L. David
Biophysical warming patterns of an open-top chamber and its short-term influence on a Phragmites wetland ecosystem in China Biophysical warming patterns of an open-top chamber and its short-term influence on a Phragmites wetland ecosystem in China
Passive-warming, open-top chambers (OTCs) are widely applied for studying the effects of future climate warming on coastal wetlands. In this study, a set of six OTCs were established at a Phragmites wetland located in the Yellow River Delta of Dongying City, China. With data collected through online transmission and in-situ sensors, the attributes and patterns of realized OTCs warming...
Authors
Xue-yang Yu, Si-yuan Ye, Li-xin Pei, Liu-juan Xie, Ken Krauss, Samantha K. Chapman, Hans Brix
Integrated assessment of chemical and biological recovery after diversion and treatment of acid mine drainage in a Rocky Mountain stream Integrated assessment of chemical and biological recovery after diversion and treatment of acid mine drainage in a Rocky Mountain stream
Responses of stream ecosystems to gradual reductions in metal loading following remediation or restoration activities have been well documented in the literature. However, much less is known about how these systems respond to the immediate or more rapid elimination of metal inputs. Construction of a water treatment plant on the North Fork of Clear Creek (NFCC; CO, USA), a US...
Authors
Christopher James Kotalik, Joseph S. Meyer, Pete Cadmus, James F. Ranville, William H. Clements
Predicted uranium and radon concentrations in New Hampshire (USA) groundwater—Using Multi Order Hydrologic Position as predictors Predicted uranium and radon concentrations in New Hampshire (USA) groundwater—Using Multi Order Hydrologic Position as predictors
Two radioactive elements, uranium (U) and radon (Rn), which are of potential concern in New Hampshire (NH) groundwater, are investigated. Exceedance probability maps are tools to highlight locations where the concentrations of undesirable substances in the groundwater may be elevated. Two forms of statistical analysis are used to create exceedance probability maps for U and Rn in NH...
Authors
Richard B. Moore, Kenneth Belitz, Joseph D. Ayotte, Terri L. Arnold, Laura Hayes, Jennifer B. Sharpe, J. Jeffrey Starn
Movements and habitat use of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in the northern Gulf of Mexico Movements and habitat use of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in the northern Gulf of Mexico
No abstract available.
Authors
Daniel Slone, Susan M. Butler, James P. Reid, Cathy Beck, Robert Bonde
Influence of test method variables on sensitivity of Neocloeon triangulifer to a reference toxicant in short-term, effluent style evaluations Influence of test method variables on sensitivity of Neocloeon triangulifer to a reference toxicant in short-term, effluent style evaluations
Recent literature has demonstrated the sensitivity of mayflies to environmental contaminants. However, to date, there are no methods approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency for using sensitive insects like mayflies in whole-effluent toxicity or receiving water toxicity tests. The parthenogenetic mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer has been shown to be amenable to continuous culture...
Authors
David J. Soucek, Amy Dickinson, Teresa J. Norberg-King
Occurrence of a reproducing wild population of Channa aurolineata (Pisces: Channidae) in the Manatee River drainage, Florida Occurrence of a reproducing wild population of Channa aurolineata (Pisces: Channidae) in the Manatee River drainage, Florida
We report on the discovery of a wild, reproducing population of Channa aurolineata (Pisces: Channidae) in west-central Florida (USA), and first documented occurrence of snakeheads in the Gulf Coast region. Channa aurolineata is a large, predatory fish of the bullseye snakehead “Marulius group” species complex from Asia. Adult and juvenile specimens were captured in June 2020 in a 1.8...
Authors
Leo Nico, Matthew Neilson, Robert H. Robins, John M. Pfeiffer, Matthew Kail, Zachary S. Randall, Eric A. Johnson