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Publications

Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov

Filter Total Items: 3617

Fire ecology of the Sierra Nevada

No abstract available.
Authors
J. W. van Wagtendonk

Evolution of plant adaptations

No abstract available at this time
Authors
J. E. Keeley

Food webs and parasites in a salt marsh ecosystem

No abstract available at this time
Authors
K. D. Lafferty, R. F. Hechinger, J.C. Shaw, K.L. Whitney, A. M. Kuris

Evaluation of evidence supporting the effectiveness of desert tortoise recovery actions

As a federally threatened species, the desert tortoise's (Gopherus agassizii) recovery is required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). According to the criteria established by the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1994) for delisting the tortoise from ESA protection, the species as a whole will be considered recovered when tortoises have exhibited a statistically s
Authors
William I. Boarman, William B. Kristan

San Francisco 's Golden Gate: A bridge between historically distinct coyote (Canis latrans) populations?

Although coyotes (Canis latrans) are well-known for their adaptability to human-modified landscapes (Riley et al. 2003), as with any medium to large-sized carnivore, they typically avoid highly urbanized areas (Crooks 2002), preferring instead to use habitat fragments linked by vegetated corridors (Tigas et al. 2002). However, recent observations of coyotes in San Francisco indicate their willingn
Authors
Benjamin N. Sacks, Holly B. Ernest, Erin E. Boydston

Bufo californicus mortality

No abstract available.
Authors
Edward L. Ervin, D.A. Kisner, Robert N. Fisher

Control of invasive weeds with prescribed burning

Prescribed burning has primarily been used as a tool for the control of invasive late-season annual broadleaf and grass species, particularly yellow starthistle, medusahead, barb goatgrass, and several bromes. However, timely burning of a few invasive biennial broadleaves (e.g., sweetclover and garlic mustard), perennial grasses (e.g., bluegrasses and smooth brome), and woody species (e.g., brooms
Authors
Joseph M. DiTomaso, Matthew L. Brooks, Edith B. Allen, Ralph Minnich, Peter M. Rice, Guy B. Kyser

Is a healthy ecosystem one that is rich in parasites?

Historically, the role of parasites in ecosystem functioning has been considered trivial because a cursory examination reveals that their relative biomass is low compared with that of other trophic groups. However there is increasing evidence that parasite-mediated effects could be significant: they shape host population dynamics, alter interspecific competition, influence energy flow and appear t
Authors
Peter J. Hudson, Andrew P. Dobson, Kevin D. Lafferty

Fire decreases arthropod abundance but increases diversity: Early and late season prescribed fire effects in a Sierra Nevada mixed-conifer forest

Prior to fire suppression in the 20th century, the mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A., historically burned in frequent fires that typically occurred during the late summer and early fall. Fire managers have been attempting to restore natural ecosystem processes through prescription burning, and have often favored burning during the fall in order to mimic historical fire
Authors
Scott Ferrenberg, Dylan W. Schwilk, Eric E. Knapp, Eric Groth, Jon E. Keeley