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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

The Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) is a USGS Ecosystems Mission Area operation serving primarily California and Nevada. WERC scientists work closely with Federal, State, academic, and other collaborators to address a diverse array of high-profile topics. Topics include research on effects of wildfire, sea level rise, drought, energy development and more on federal Trust species.

News

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

New research estimates the effectiveness of sagebrush restoration treatments across the sagebrush biome

Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management features USGS science in support of the Sagebrush Conservation Design

Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management features USGS science in support of the Sagebrush Conservation Design

The 2024 Southern Sea Otter Census and Statistical Model Development

The 2024 Southern Sea Otter Census and Statistical Model Development

Publications

Quantification of threats to bats at localized spatial scales for conservation and management

In a rapidly changing world, where species conservation needs vary by local habitat, concentrated conservation efforts at small spatial scales can be critical. Bats provide an array of value to the ecosystems they inhabit; many bat species are also of conservation concern. San Diego County, California, contains 22 of the 41 bat species that occur in the United States, 16 of which are on conservati
Authors
Brian M. Myers, Drew Stokes, Kristine L. Preston, Robert N. Fisher, A. G. Vandergast

Effects of recent wildfires on giant sequoia groves were anomalous at millennial timescales: a response to Hanson et al.

BackgroundThe giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum [Lindley] Buchholz) of California’s Sierra Nevada recently suffered historically unprecedented wildfires that killed an estimated 13–19% of seed-bearing sequoias across their native range. Hanson et al. recently sought to characterize post-fire reproduction in two severely burned sequoia groves, but their two papers (1) inaccurately portrayed s
Authors
Nathan L. Stephenson, David Nicolas Bertil Soderberg, Joshua A. Flickinger, Anthony C. Caprio, Adrian Das

Orthoptera-specific target enrichment (OR-TE) probes resolve relationships over broad phylogenetic scales

Phylogenomic data are revolutionizing the field of insect phylogenetics. One of the most tenable and cost-effective methods of generating phylogenomic data is target enrichment, which has resulted in novel phylogenetic hypotheses and revealed new insights into insect evolution. Orthoptera is the most diverse insect order within polyneoptera and includes many evolutionarily and ecologically interes
Authors
Seunggwan Shin, Austin J. Baker, Jacob Enk, Duane D. McKenna, Bert Foquet, A. G. Vandergast, David B. Weissman, Hojun Song

Science

Assessing heat stress in migrating Yukon River Chinook Salmon

We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
link

Assessing heat stress in migrating Yukon River Chinook Salmon

We will examine evidence of heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) using heat shock proteins and gene expression.
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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.
link

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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California Sea Otter Surveys and Research

WERC collaborates with other research scientists to conduct annual population surveys of the southern sea otter -- a federally listed threatened species. In coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other institutions, ongoing surveys and research continues to inform the southern sea otter recovery plan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and contributes to our...
link

California Sea Otter Surveys and Research

WERC collaborates with other research scientists to conduct annual population surveys of the southern sea otter -- a federally listed threatened species. In coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and other institutions, ongoing surveys and research continues to inform the southern sea otter recovery plan for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and contributes to our...
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