Decision Science and Quantitative Methods
Bird and Terrestrial Species Conservation
Fish and Aquatic Species Conservation
Pollinator Conservation
Fish and Wildlife Disease Investigation and Surveillance
Freshwater and Coastal Ecology
Eastern Ecological Science Center
The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (EESC) strives to provide world-class science to inform natural resource decisions that preserve and enhance our quality of life.
The land and water we live on and around shapes our lives. We share responsibility for the heathy fish, wildlife and landscapes that are assets to current and future generations.
EESC works directly with managers of our shared natural resources to provide the unbiased scientific tools, research and innovations needed to make informed decisions in today’s complex and rapidly changing conditions.
EESC’s broad expertise spans from mountain streams to deep oceans and the lands in between, supporting stewardship of a wide range of species and habitats.
Unique facilities in Maryland, Massachusetts and West Virginia help EESC deliver the reliable, actionable science that partners need to effectively conserve our treasured natural resources.
EESC Makes an Impact
EESC Makes an Impact
Learn how EESC science is applied to today's biggest issues.
Connect with Us
Connect with Us
Find locations, staff profiles and contact information for our team.
News
Spring 2026 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group
Spring 2026 Highlights from EESC’s Disease Decision Analysis and Research Group
Living Dinosaurs of the Hudson: Shortnose Sturgeon Science and Recovery
Living Dinosaurs of the Hudson: Shortnose Sturgeon Science and Recovery
Geospatial Applications to Visualize Science and Support Decision‑Making Across Scales
Geospatial Applications to Visualize Science and Support Decision‑Making Across Scales
Publications
Accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their association with immune parameters in nestling ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) from Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, USA Accumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their association with immune parameters in nestling ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) from Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, USA
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of widespread, environmentally persistent compounds that pose a potential threat to wildlife and human health. Despite recent efforts to reduce the use of long-chain PFAS in industrial practices and commercial/consumer products, the persistence and solubility of PFAS have led to their detection in wildlife on a global scale. Osprey...
Fragmentation as a population rate-changer: A field experiment Fragmentation as a population rate-changer: A field experiment
Experimental and observational studies of effects of fragmentation on biodiversity and population dynamics have produced mixed results, with some reviews concluding strong evidence of negative effects and others concluding small positive effects. In addition, many factors (e.g., interspecific interactions, edge effects, nutrient cycling) have been identified as potential explanations...
Breeding shorebird surveys in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, suggest population declines over two decades for most species Breeding shorebird surveys in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, suggest population declines over two decades for most species
Shorebird populations are declining globally but it generally remains unclear how those declines translate to changes at the regional scale. We conducted the first longitudinal surveys of breeding shorebirds in Alaska under the Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring (PRISM), resurveying the Coastal Plain (1002 Area) of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in...
Science
Where Land Meets Sea: USGS Science for Resilient Coastal Habitats
USGS coastal science plays a critical role in supporting the effective, science-based management of coastal ecosystems, where the biodiversity of land and sea meet. It provides managers with the information they need to make sound decisions. Through cutting-edge research, predictive modeling, and decision-support tools, USGS empowers resource managers to make informed, science-based choices. From...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, California Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Fisheries Research Center, Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Tackling avian influenza with automated detection for an early warning system
The USGS is collaborating with agricultural and wildlife management partners to address the threat of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to wildlife, domestic poultry, and livestock. Partners include federal (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture) and non-federal agencies as well as State government, private organizations, and academic institutions. Our...
Evaluating the Risks of Tire-Derived Compounds to Fish in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Tires contain a chemical known as 6PPD which prevents them from quickly breaking down. Microscopic tire particles, generated mainly from the friction of tires on roads, release 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) when they come into contact with oxygen. During precipitation events, 6PPDQ can be washed off roads, harming fish in nearby waterways. In response to requests from fishery managers, the USGS is studying...