FORT researchers produce cutting edge tools for monitoring and conserving sage-grouse
FORT economists and social scientists investigate the complex relationship between nature and humans
Research includes studies of visitor impacts on parks, wildfire risk assessments, and economic impacts of invasive grasses.
Research includes studies of visitor impacts on parks, wildfire risk assessments, and economic impacts of invasive grasses.
FORT scientists produce tools and research for better management of invasive species
From pythons in the Everglades, to annual grasses invading the western United States, FORT invasive species research spans a wide range of taxonomic groups and landscapes.
From pythons in the Everglades, to annual grasses invading the western United States, FORT invasive species research spans a wide range of taxonomic groups and landscapes.
FORT researchers improve methods for monitoring, management, and conservation of wildlife.
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.
North American Bat Monitoring Program
North American Bat Monitoring Program
The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) is an international interagency program designed to monitor bat distributions and abundances on public and private lands, and provide trend data at the state, provincial, tribal, regional, and range-wide scales.
Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades
Burmese Pythons Invade the Everglades
The Florida Everglades encompass a vast subtropical ecosystem. Billions of dollars have been committed to the long-term restoration of this ecosystem, but burgeoning populations of introduced and invasive reptiles threaten prospects for restoration.
News
Scientists discover genetically isolated populations and population-level inbreeding in a range-wide genetic analysis of the endangered rusty patched bumble bee
Scientists discover genetically isolated populations and population-level inbreeding in a range-wide genetic analysis of the endangered rusty patched bumble bee
Dr. Ernest Valdez (USGS-FORT) and collaborators have spearheaded and co-organized three bat workshops for Tribal nations from the Southwest and Pacific Northwest regions
Dr. Ernest Valdez (USGS-FORT) and collaborators have spearheaded and co-organized three bat workshops for Tribal nations from the Southwest and Pacific Northwest regions
Publications
Seasonal and species-level water-use strategies and groundwater dependence in dryland riparian woodlands during extreme drought
Drought-induced groundwater decline and warming associated with climate change are primary threats to dryland riparian woodlands. We used the extreme 2012–2019 drought in southern California as a natural experiment to assess how differences in water-use strategies and groundwater dependence may influence the drought susceptibility of dryland riparian tree species with overlapping distributions. We
Integrating social-ecological outcomes into invasive species management: The Tamarix case
Incorporating societal considerations into decisions related to invasive species management is desirable, but can be challenging because it requires a solid understanding of the ecological functions and socio-cultural and economic benefits and values of the invaded environment before and after invasion. The ecosystem service (ES) concept was designed to facilitate such decision-making by establish
Rainfall reduces the potential for competitive suppression of a globally endangered ungulate by livestock
Protected areas often are too small to house populations of wide-ranging species. Viability of wildlife populations therefore depends on whether interactions with humans and their land uses are negative, neutral, or positive. In central Iran, we measured interactions between globally endangered onagers (Equus hemionus onager) and livestock by analyzing remotely-sensed vegetation metrics within liv
Science
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Sage-grouse, iconic birds of the American West, have experienced dramatic reductions and fragmentation of habitat, resulting in significant conservation concern. Genetic information can help inform priorities for protection and habitat restoration as well as strategies for translocations, but may be difficult for resource managers to find, interpret, and use in their decision making. In this work...
USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management
As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
New Mexico Landscapes Field Station: Internship Program
Each year, the New Mexico Landscapes Field Station hires interns through Stewards Individual Placement Program in partnership with the National Park Service. Interns participate in a variety of ecological research and long-term monitoring in Bandelier National Monument and surrounding landscapes in northern New Mexico.
