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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program

The Biological Threats Research Program delivers science to protect public safety, property, and ecosystems from invasive plants and animals and infectious fish and wildlife diseases that pose significant ecologic and economic threats to the resources of the United States.

News

We're Only as Healthy as our Ecosystems

We're Only as Healthy as our Ecosystems

Predicting when the grass is greener: new phenological forecasts for invasive annual grasses

Predicting when the grass is greener: new phenological forecasts for invasive annual grasses

USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - October 25, 2024

Publications

Realizing the potential of eDNA biodiversity monitoring tools in the marine environment with application to offshore renewable energy

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researches the biological diversity and distribution of species to support management, conservation, and resource use decisions. USGS scientists advance detection and monitoring technologies to assess changes in fish and wildlife populations, biodiversity, and the health of ecosystems. The United States is planning to install 30 gigawatts of offshore marine and wi

Authors
Adam Sepulveda, Cheryl Morrison, Margaret Hunter, Mona Khalil

READI-Net—Providing tools for the early detection and management of aquatic invasive species

OverviewEarly detection of biological threats, such as invasive species, increases the likelihood that control efforts will be successful and cost-effective. Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (eDNA) sampling is an established method for the efficient and sensitive early detection of new biological threats. The Rapid eDNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net) is a project des
Authors
Lisa McKeon, Todd Wojtowicz

Zebra and Quagga mussels in the United States—Dreissenid mussel research by the U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) delivers high-quality data, technologies, and decision-support tools to help managers both reduce existing populations and control the spread of dreissenid mussels. The USGS researches ecology, biology, risk assessment, and early detection and rapid response methods; provides decision support; and develops and tests control measures.
Authors
Cayla R. Morningstar, Patrick M. Kočovský, Michael E. Colvin, Timothy D. Counihan, Wesley M. Daniel, Peter C. Esselman, Cathy A. Richter, Adam Sepulveda, Diane L. Waller

Science

A citizen science program for brown treesnake removal and native species recovery at a National Historical Park in Guam

The National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and community Citizen Scientists are working together to remove brown treesnakes at War in the Pacific National Historical Park - Asan Beach Unit to aid restoration of native avian and reptile species.
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A citizen science program for brown treesnake removal and native species recovery at a National Historical Park in Guam

The National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and community Citizen Scientists are working together to remove brown treesnakes at War in the Pacific National Historical Park - Asan Beach Unit to aid restoration of native avian and reptile species.
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Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 35 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 35 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 20 states and three provinces.
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Expanding Distribution of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been detected in 35 US states and five Canadian provinces in free-ranging cervids and/or commercial captive cervid facilities. CWD has been detected in free-ranging cervids in 35 states and four provinces and in captive cervid facilities in 20 states and three provinces.
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Newly-introduced fringe-toed lizard species found in Ventura County, California

A fringe-toed lizard ( Acanthodactylus cf. boskianus ) not native to California was discovered in Ventura County, California on October 14, 2023. This is the first documented occurrence of the species outside its home range (Kraus 2009; Kraus, pers. Comm.). While the source of its introduction is yet to be confirmed, it’s suspected that it has been introduced to Ventura County via the pet trade.
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Newly-introduced fringe-toed lizard species found in Ventura County, California

A fringe-toed lizard ( Acanthodactylus cf. boskianus ) not native to California was discovered in Ventura County, California on October 14, 2023. This is the first documented occurrence of the species outside its home range (Kraus 2009; Kraus, pers. Comm.). While the source of its introduction is yet to be confirmed, it’s suspected that it has been introduced to Ventura County via the pet trade.
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