Welcome to the Southwest Biological Science Center
SBSC Science Informs Invasive Species Management
From efforts to deter smallmouth bass, predict insect invasions, and combat non-native plants — our science gives managers tools that lead to real on-the-ground results.
From efforts to deter smallmouth bass, predict insect invasions, and combat non-native plants — our science gives managers tools that lead to real on-the-ground results.
Southwest Energy Exploration
SBSC provides expertise and data to land managers to improve ecosystem services during and after energy development.
SBSC provides expertise and data to land managers to improve ecosystem services during and after energy development.
Securing the Nation's Need for Native Seed
A new progress report showcases how partnership and federal investment have advanced the National Seed Strategy, a tool for restoring healthy ecosystems.
A new progress report showcases how partnership and federal investment have advanced the National Seed Strategy, a tool for restoring healthy ecosystems.
SBSC Tribal Partnerships
Tribal partnerships are important to USGS. Here, we highlight how SBSC's science supports these relationships as part of our mission and Federal Trust Responsibility.
Tribal partnerships are important to USGS. Here, we highlight how SBSC's science supports these relationships as part of our mission and Federal Trust Responsibility.
Southwest Biological Science Center
The SBSC provides sound science, specialized expertise, and objective and timely tools to Federal and State agencies and the public to inform land management decision-making, and support thriving landscapes for the Southwest’s abundant natural resources and vast public lands. This research assists those who manage, conserve, and rehabilitate rivers and arid regions of the nation.
Dryland Ecology and Management Support - the Terrestrial Drylands Ecology (TDE) branch of SBSC
Dryland Ecology and Management Support - the Terrestrial Drylands Ecology (TDE) branch of SBSC
SBSC conducts research in terrestrial drylands to deliver information that aids land & wildlife management to promote productive ecosystems. Our work provides tools used to mitigate impacts of drought, wildfire, and invasive species, as well as science that supports Department of the Interior economic and cultural activities including recreation and ranching.
Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center & Lake Powell research - the River Ecosystems branch of the SBSC
Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center & Lake Powell research - the River Ecosystems branch of the SBSC
The SBSC Rivers branch, which includes the Grand Canyon Monitoring & Research Center, studies the biology, ecology, and processes of rivers, primarily in the SW. We provide the public and decision makers with relevant scientific information about the status and trends of natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell.
News
Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025
Inaugural USGS Wildlife Health Awareness Day - April 25, 2025
USGS Research Links Weather Extremes to Coastal Sediment Supply in California
USGS Research Links Weather Extremes to Coastal Sediment Supply in California
Dropping the Bass: USGS science helps partners stop spread of invasive smallmouth bass in the Colorado River
Dropping the Bass: USGS science helps partners stop spread of invasive smallmouth bass in the Colorado River
Publications
Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress
An ecological threshold is the point at which a comparatively small environmental change triggers an abrupt and disproportionately large ecological response. In the face of accelerating climate change, there is concern that abrupt ecosystem transformations will become more widespread as critical ecological thresholds are crossed. There has been ongoing debate, however, regarding the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center
River floods under wetter antecedent conditions deliver coarser sediment to the coast
Increasing hydrologic volatility—more extreme rain, and larger variations between wet and dry years—has become apparent in some regions, but few data exist to determine how intensifying hydrologic extremes affect sedimentary systems. Using uniquely high-resolution records of fluvial suspended sediment and coastal morphology, we quantify sedimentary responses from a steep, 357-km2...
Too much and not enough data: Challenges and solutions for generating information in freshwater research and monitoring
Evaluating progress toward achieving freshwater conservation and sustainability goals requires transforming diverse types of data into useful information for scientists, managers, and other interest groups. Despite substantial increases in the volume of freshwater data collected worldwide, many regions and ecosystems still lack sufficient data collection and/or data access. We illustrate...
Science
Providing Unbiased Actionable Science & Information to Meet National Resource Management Needs of the U.S.
The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is uniquely positioned to provide sound information, specialized expertise, and innovative tools to support the management and sustained use of natural resources on public and Tribal lands in the Southwest U.S.
Supporting energy and mineral development through successful reclamation
Federal lands of the US contain important reserves of oil, gas and other resources important for Unleashing American Energy (SO 3418). After development of these resources is complete, successfully reclaiming disturbed lands is a necessary step towards restoring wildlife habitat, forage production, and maintaining natural resources for future use. To improve reclamation outcomes on these lands and...
Southwest Fire Innovation Landscape Network: Advanced tools for fuel monitoring and assessment of wildfire risk
The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center is coordinating the Southwest Fire Innovation Landscape Network to prepare fire and natural resource managers for rapidly changing fire landscapes by conducting research and building science-management partnerships. The network develops advanced tools and technologies to assess fuel loads and the effectiveness of fuel treatments, understand wildfire...
