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Fort Collins Science Center

Welcome to the Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, just east of the Rocky Mountains. At FORT we develop and disseminate research-based information and tools needed to understand the nation’s biological resources in support of effective decision making.

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

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

Contemporary fires are less frequent but more severe in dry conifer forests of the southwestern United States

Contemporary fires are less frequent but more severe in dry conifer forests of the southwestern United States

Publications

Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American raptors, songbirds, and other
Authors
Logan M. Maxwell, Tait K. Rutherford, Nathan J. Kleist, Elisabeth C. Teige, Richard J. Lehrter, Megan A. Gilbert, David J.A. Wood, Aaron N. Johnston, John C. Tull, Travis S. Haby, Sarah K. Carter

Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome

ContextWidespread ecological degradation has prompted calls for massive global investments in ecological restoration, yet limited resources necessitate efficient application of restoration efforts. In western North America, altered fire regimes are increasing the scale of restoration needed to preserve the sagebrush (Artemisia species) biome but prioritizing and implementing effective restoration
Authors
Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Michelle Jeffries, Justin L. Welty, Michael S. O'Donnell, Robert Arkle, David Pilliod, Peter S. Coates, Julie A. Heinrichs, Daniel Manier, Cameron L. Aldridge

The state of the bats in North America

The world's rich diversity of bats supports healthy ecosystems and important ecosystem services. Maintaining healthy biological systems requires prompt identification of threats to biodiversity and immediate action to protect species, which for wide-ranging bat species that span geopolitical boundaries warrants international coordination. Anthropogenic forces drive the threats to bats throughout N
Authors
Amanda M. Adams, Luis A. Trujillo, C.J. Campbell, Karen L. Akre, Joaquin Arroyo-Cabrales, Leanne Burns, Jeremy T.H. Coleman, Rita D. Dixon, Charles M. Francis, Melquisedec Gamba-Rios, Vona Kuczynska, Angie McIntire, Rodrigo A. Medellín, Katrina M. Morris, Jonathan D. Reichard, Brian Reichert, Jordi L. Segers, Michael D. Whitby, Winifred F. Frick

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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Predicting Recovery of Sagebrush Ecosystems Across the Sage-grouse Range from Remotely Sensed Vegetation Data

USGS researchers are using remote-sensing and other broadscale datasets to study and predict recovery of sagebrush across the sage-grouse range, assessing influence of disturbance, restoration treatments, soil moisture, and other ecological conditions on trends in sagebrush cover. The results will be used to inform conservation prioritization models, economic analyses, climate change projections...
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Predicting Recovery of Sagebrush Ecosystems Across the Sage-grouse Range from Remotely Sensed Vegetation Data

USGS researchers are using remote-sensing and other broadscale datasets to study and predict recovery of sagebrush across the sage-grouse range, assessing influence of disturbance, restoration treatments, soil moisture, and other ecological conditions on trends in sagebrush cover. The results will be used to inform conservation prioritization models, economic analyses, climate change projections...
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Shrubland Alpine & Grassland Ecology (SAGE) Wildlife Research Group

The SAGE Wildlife Research Group consists of a large team of research scientists with an interest in conservation and management of wildlife and their ecosystems. Broadly, research involves understanding animal-habitat relationships, with an emphasis on conservation ecology and population demography, and a focus on shrubland, alpine, and grassland ecosystems. We are addressing the effects of...
link

Shrubland Alpine & Grassland Ecology (SAGE) Wildlife Research Group

The SAGE Wildlife Research Group consists of a large team of research scientists with an interest in conservation and management of wildlife and their ecosystems. Broadly, research involves understanding animal-habitat relationships, with an emphasis on conservation ecology and population demography, and a focus on shrubland, alpine, and grassland ecosystems. We are addressing the effects of...
Learn More

Multimedia

Microscopic view of tree rings, with a scale bar of 0.5 mm
Tree rings
Tree rings
title slide of presentation on USGS Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment webinar on bird movements Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Bird Movements
Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Bird Movements
screenshot of title slide for saline lakes water-quality monitoring presentation Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Water-Quality Monitoring of Great Basin Terminal Lake Ecosystems
Saline Lakes Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Water-Quality Monitoring of Great Basin Terminal Lake Ecosystems
screenshot of the title slide of a presentation on saline lake ecosystems water budgets Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Physical and Chemical Monitoring in Support of Water Budgets of Select Great Basin Saline Lakes
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Physical and Chemical Monitoring in Support of Water Budgets of Select Great Basin Saline Lakes
flat, bushy landscape with partly cloudy sunset above
Sagebrush in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
Sagebrush in Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
screenshot of title slide of Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA project overview presentation Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Project Overview
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Project Overview
shallow water come up against a rocky sloped shoreline dotted with green shrubs
Shore of Lake Abert, Oregon
Shore of Lake Abert, Oregon
seven people wearing safety gear stand in front of a large field, with a road in the background.
Site of Future I-25 Wildlife Overpass
Site of Future I-25 Wildlife Overpass
A group of people in safety gear walk a dirt road next to a fence.
I25 Wildlife Fence
I25 Wildlife Fence
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