Unified Interior Regions
Region 4: Mississippi Basin
Regions L2 Landing Page Tabs
Classifying Coastal Wetland Vegetation Communities with Unsupervised Artificial Neural Networks
Wetlands are often classified by their vegetation, which can help scientists track how these landscapes change over time. USGS turns to unsupervised artificial neural networks to help guide this classification process.
Mapping Oil in Marshes and Its Implications
Remote sensing helps USGS scientists detect and map surface oil in coastal environments.
Optical and Radar Fusion: Mapping Coastal Marsh Dieback
With the help of remote sensing, USGS maps the progression of marsh dieback along the Louisiana coast.
Testing for Agricultural Runoff in the Missouri River - Video
Ride along as USGS scientists Richard Coupe and Joe Schatz sample the Missouri River near Hermann, Missouri. To view the video click here.
Agriculture - A River Runs Through It
Heather Welch, Claire Rose, and Richard Coupe, U.S. Geological Survey scientists involved in the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Study of Agricultural Chemical Transport (ACT) study, outline agricultural effects on water quality in the Mississippi Delta region. Topics include research results on nutrient modeling using the SPARROW model, environmental effects of biofuel production,...
We've Got A Model - Why Do We Need Data?
Anne Hoos and Ana Garcia discuss why data is important for the USGS nutrient loading model SPARROW. To view the video click here.
Modeling - The Ninth Art - Video
The art and science of SPARROW modeling. The steps of developing the SPARROW model. The other eight arts are: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Poetry, Dance, Theater and Cinema. To view the video click here.
Results of the ACT Study - Biofuels
Interview by Richard Coupe (U.S. Geological Survey) and Heather Welch -- a scientist involved in the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Study of Agricultural Chemical Transport (ACT)-- on her research results on environmental effects of biofuel production. To view the video click here.
Results of the ACT Study - Glyphosphate
Richard Coupe (U.S. Geological Survey) summarizes research results of glyphosate and water quality as part of the the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Study of Agricultural Chemical Transport (ACT). To view the video click here.
Thoughts from ACT Study Farmers - Lawrence Murphy
Claire Rose (USGS) and Richard Coupe (USGS) talk with Lawrence Murphy about farming and Agricultural Chemical Transport Study research done on his farm in the Mississippi Delta. To view the video click here.
Results of the ACT Study - Metolachlor
Interview by Richard Coupe (US Geological Survey) of Claire Rose- a scientist involved in the National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Study of Agricultural Chemical Transport (ACT)on research results of metolachlor transport. To view the video click here.
Implementation of the U.S. Geological Survey's StreamStats Program in Arkansas -- A Web Application for Streamflow Statistics and Basin Characteristics
Short Title: Arkansas StreamStats Implementation
Project Chief: Aaron Pugh
Cooperator: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Little Rock District, Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, ...
Trends of litter decomposition and soil organic matter stocks across forested swamp environments of the southeastern US
A common idea in the discussion of soil carbon processes is that litter decomposition rates and soil carbon stocks are inversely related. To test this overall hypothesis, simultaneous studies were conducted of the relationship of environmental gradients to leaf and wood decomposition, buried cloth decomposition and percent soil organic matter in...
Middleton, Beth A.Carrying capacity of a population diffusing in a heterogeneous environment
The carrying capacity of the environment for a population is one of the key concepts in ecology and it is incorporated in the growth term of reaction-diffusion equations describing populations in space. Analysis of reaction-diffusion models of populations in heterogeneous space have shown that, when the maximum growth rate and carrying capacity in...
DeAngelis, Don; Zhang, Bo; Ni, Wei-Ming; Wang, YuanshiBenthic infaunal communities of Baltimore and Norfolk Canyons
The imperative for finding, cataloging, and understanding continental margin diversity derives from the many key functions, goods and services provided by margin ecosystems and by an increasingly deleterious human footprint on our continental slopes (Levin and Dayton 2009). Progress in seafloor mapping technology and direct observation has...
Robertson, Craig M.; Bourque, Jill; Demopoulos, AmandaSemiautomated process for enumeration of fishes from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery
The use of hydroacoustic techniques is increasing as scientists search for less invasive ways to monitor fish populations, and using recreational side‐scan sonar (SSS) imagery for monitoring has become more common in aquatic resource management over the last 15 years due in part to its low cost and user‐friendly interface. The time‐consuming...
Lawson, Katelyn M; Ridgway, Josey Lee; Mueller, Andrew T.; Faulkner, Jacob D.; Calfee, Robin D.Envisioning a national invasive species information framework
With a view toward creating a national Early Detection and Rapid Response Program (EDRR) program, the United States National Invasive Species Council Management Plan for 2016–2018 calls for a series of assessments of federal EDRR capacities, including the evaluation of “relevant federal information systems to provide the data and other...
Reaser, Jamie K; Simpson, Annie; Guala, Gerald; Morisette, Jeffrey; Fuller, PamAn experimental evaluation of the feasibility of inferring concentrations of a visible tracer dye from remotely sensed data in turbid rivers
The movement of contaminants and biota within river channels is influenced by the flow field via various processes of dispersion. Understanding and modeling of these processes thus can facilitate applications ranging from the prediction of travel times for spills of toxic materials to the simulation of larval drift for endangered species of fish...
Legleiter, Carl J.; Paul Manley; Erwin, Susannah O.; Bulliner, Edward A.Simulation of post-hurricane impact on invasive species with biological control management
Understanding the effects of hurricanes and other large storms on ecological communities and the post-event recovery in these communities can guide management and ecosystem restoration. This is particularly important for communities impacted by invasive species, as the hurricane may affect control efforts. Here we consider the effect of a...
Xu, Linhao; Zdechlik, Marya Claire; Smith, Melissa C.; Rayamajhi, Min B.; DeAngelis, Don; Zhang, BoTime scales of arsenic variability and the role of high-frequency monitoring at three water-supply wells in New Hampshire, USA
Groundwater geochemistry, redox process classification, high-frequency physicochemical and hydrologic measurements, and climate data were analyzed to identify controls on arsenic (As) concentration changes. Groundwater was monitored in two public-supply wells (one glacial aquifer and one bedrock aquifer), and one bedrock-aquifer domestic well in...
Degnan, James R.; Levitt, Joseph P.; Erickson, Melinda; Jurgens, Bryant C.; Lindsey, Bruce D.; Ayotte, Joseph D.Traveling to thermal refuges during stressful temperatures leads to foraging constraints in a central-place forager
Central-place foragers can be constrained by the distance between habitats. When an organism relies on a central place for thermal refuge, the distance to food resources can potentially constrain foraging behavior. We investigated the effect of distance between thermal refuges and forage patches of the cold-intolerant marine mammal, the Florida...
Haase, Catherine G.; Fletcher, Robert J.; Slone, Daniel H.; Reid, James P.; Butler, Susan M.A comparison of the Trojan Y Chromosome strategy to harvesting models for eradication of nonnative species
The Trojan Y Chromosome strategy (TYC) is a promising eradication method for biological control of nonnative species. The strategy works by manipulating the sex ratio of a population through the introduction of supermales that guarantee male offspring. In the current study, we compare the TYC method with a pure harvesting strategy. We...
Lyu, Jingjing; Schofield, Pamela J.; Reaver, Kristen; Beauregard, Matthew; Parshad, Rana D.Mathematical ecologists describe apparently long-stable dynamics that undergo sudden change to a different regime: Comment on “Long transients in ecology: theory and applications by Andrew Morozov et al.”
No abstract available.
DeAngelis, Donald L.Dispersal asymmetry in a two-patch system with source–sink populations
This paper analyzes source–sink systems with asymmetric dispersal between two patches. Complete analysis on the models demonstrates a mechanism by which the dispersal asymmetry can lead to either an increased total size of the species population in two patches, a decreased total size with persistence in the patches, or even extinction in both...
Wu, Hong; Wang, Yuanshi; Li, Yufeng; DeAngelis, Donald L.Flooding and Train Derailment in Northwest Iowa
The Rock River flooded parts of northwest Iowa after several days of heavy rainfall in June 2018. A train carrying crude oil derailed over a flooded bridge south of Doon on June 22, prompting evacuations of nearby homes. Landsat 8 images from June 1 and June 24 show the extent of the flooding.
New Map Turtle in Louisiana and Mississippi
USGS researchers discovered a new species of turtle. The Pearl River map turtle makes its home in the Pearl River of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Land-Cover Modeling - Alexandria, Louisiana - B2 Scenario
Alexandria, Louisiana
2006 to 2050 Land-cover Change
IPCC SRES B2 Scenario
The IPCC SRES B2 scenario focuses on environmentally friendly lifestyles and local solutions to social and environmental problems. The emphasis on regional self-reliance results in a desire for local food and energy products. Environmental impacts on the
...Studying Louisiana Marshland
Dr. Lee Foote, National Wetlands Research Center, studies a Louisiana marshland.
USGS Measures Flooding in Louisiana
USGS scientists Paul Frederick and Mike Descant make sure there is enough clearance for their boat to drive under a bridge on the Atchafalaya River near Melville, La.
Missouri River at Hermann, MO (06934500)
The webcam is located on a gaging station (06934500) on the Missouri River in Hermann, MO. View the current conditions at the gaging station.
Louisiana Black Bear and Cubs
A threatened Louisiana black bear and her cubs up in a tree.
U.S. Geological Survey scientists report that preliminary analysis of satellite data indicate Hurricane Katrina caused substantial marsh loss in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes.
The USGS is releasing today a 25-minute videotape of footage showing coastal impacts resulting from Hurricane Katrina along the coastline of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The USGS is releasing today a 25-minute videotape of footage showing coastal impacts resulting from Hurricane Katrina along the coastline of the northern Gulf of Mexico.
The USGS has posted aerial photos from the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline showing before and after conditions in response to Hurricane Katrina. The photos show five photo pairs of the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, and three photo pairs of Dauphin Island, Alabama. A set of ‘quick response’ photos from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi, Mississippi are also posted.
The USGS has posted aerial photos from the northern Gulf of Mexico coastline showing before and after conditions in response to Hurricane Katrina. The photos show five photo pairs of the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, and three photo pairs of Dauphin Island, Alabama. A set of ‘quick response’ photos from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi, Mississippi are also posted.
"The past several days have seen remarkable devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this disaster," said USGS Acting Director Pat Leahy. "In the aftermath of Katrina, USGS research on hurricanes and natural hazards is no longer just a scientific endeavor – it is a matter of public safety."
"The past several days have seen remarkable devastation resulting from Hurricane Katrina. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this disaster," said USGS Acting Director Pat Leahy. "In the aftermath of Katrina, USGS research on hurricanes and natural hazards is no longer just a scientific endeavor – it is a matter of public safety."
The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wetlands Research Center, headquartered in Lafayette, La., is responding to both humanitarian and scientific needs of people and agencies involved in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Did you know that from your desk you can monitor the effect of Hurricane Katrina as it moves inland? The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) WaterWatch Web site can show you what’s happening to streams in your local area and show you the places most affected by heavy rains expected from this storm.
In its latest report on water use in the United States, the USGS looked at the nation's dependence on ground water. The report entitled Estimated Withdrawals from Principal Aquifers in the United States, 2000, provides details of ground-water withdrawals and use from principal aquifers in each state.
The preliminary magnitude 4.1 earthquake that shook eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee at 8:04 a.m. Central Standard Time is cited by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as yet another wake-up call to the central United States about the serious potential for earthquakes, the hazard it poses to those living in the region, and the need to strengthen the region’s buildings and structures.
The preliminary magnitude 4.1 earthquake that shook eastern Arkansas and western Tennessee at 8:04 a.m. Central Standard Time is cited by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as yet another wake-up call to the central United States about the serious potential for earthquakes, the hazard it poses to those living in the region, and the need to strengthen the region’s buildings and structures.