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Publications

Browse publications authored by our scientists.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more. **Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Filter Total Items: 4097

Introduced species and abiotic factors affect longitudinal variation in small fish assemblages in the Wind River watershed, Wyoming

We assessed longitudinal variation in small fish assemblages in the Wind River watershed upstream from Boysen Reservoir, Wyoming and into the reservoir. Twenty-six species were found in the study area, and 12 of the species were believed to have been introduced since settlement by Europeans. Additions and losses of fish species occurred with downstream progression, especially the addition of intro
Authors
P.S. Lionberger, W.A. Hubert

Walleye consumption and long-term population trends following gizzard shad introduction into a Western South Dakota reservoir

The gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) was introduced into 1,955-ha Angostura Reservoir, South Dakota to provide increased prey resources for walleye (Sander vitreus). Linear correlation analysis indicated that following gizzard shad introduction, walleye catch-per-unit-effort and mean length at age have increased over time (r = 0.68 to 0.85, P = 0.02 to 0.001). Walleye stomach contents were colle
Authors
M.J. Ward, D.W. Willis, B.H. Miller, S. R. Chipps

Importance of well-designed monitoring programs for the conservation of endangered species: Case study of the Snail Kite

Monitoring natural populations is often a necessary step to establish the conservation status of species and to help improve management decisions. Nevertheless, many monitoring programs do not effectively address primary sources of variability in monitoring data, which ultimately may limit the utility of monitoring in identifying declines and improving management. To illustrate the importance of t
Authors
J. Martin, W.M. Kitchens, J. E. Hines

Ecosystem element cycling

No abstract available.
Authors
A. David McGuire

Correlated growth and survival of juvenile spectacled eiders: Evidence of habitat limitation?

We studied the growth and survival of Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri) ducklings to 30 days of age along the lower Kashunuk River on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta from 1995 to 2000. We replicated this study at a second site, Kigigak Island, in 1999 and 2000. Age-adjusted estimates of duckling mass and survival at 30 days posthatching were highly variable. Duckling survival was consistently higher
Authors
Paul L. Flint, Julie A. Morse, J. Barry Grand, Christine L. Moran

Modeling spatial and temporal variations in temperature and salinity during stratification and overturn in Dexter Pit Lake, Tuscarora, Nevada, USA

This paper examines the seasonal cycling of temperature and salinity in Dexter pit lake in arid northern Nevada, and describes an approach for modeling the physical processes that operate in such systems. The pit lake contains about 596,200 m3 of dilute, near neutral (pHs 6.7–9) water. Profiles of temperature, conductivity, and selected element concentrations were measured almost monthly during 19
Authors
Laurie S. Balistrieri, R.N. Tempel, L.L. Stillings, L.A. Shevenell

Non-lethal estimation of body composition of Yukon River salmon

Because of the importance of Chinook salmon to commercial and subsistence fisheries on the Yukon River, further study of the factors that may affect the success of this species and our ability to manage the fisheries is warranted. Critical to these studies is the determination of the amount of lipids (fat) stored and available to the fish as its primary energy source for migration and spawning. Re
Authors
F. Joseph Margraf, Kyle J. Hartman, M. Keith Cox

Burrowing owl nesting productivity: A comparison between artificial and natural burrows on and off golf courses

Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) populations are declining in many portions of their range, and lack of suitable nesting burrows is thought to be one reason for observed declines. Burrowing owls are attracted to golf courses because the birds generally nest and forage in short-grass, open areas, yet golf courses seldom have suitable nesting burrows. We examined the efficacy of installing artific
Authors
M. D. Smith, Courtney J. Conway, L. A. Ellis

Biotic and abiotic correlates with black bullhead population characteristics in Nebraska sandhill lakes

We explored relationships among black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) population characteristics and physicochemical attributes in shallow lakes and quantified relationships between population characteristics of black bullhead and sport fishes. Lake characteristics and fisheries survey data were collected from the Sandhills region of northcentral Nebraska from May through June, 1998 and 1999. Relative a
Authors
Quinton E. Phelps, Matthew J. Ward, Craig P. Paukert, Steven R. Chipps, David W. Willis

A comparison of American Oystercatcher reproductive success on barrier beach and river island habitats in coastal North Carolina

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) numbers along the east coast of the United States are declining in some areas and expanding in others. Researchers have suggested that movement from traditional barrier beach habitats to novel inland habitats and coastal marshes may explain some of these changes, but few studies have documented oystercatcher reproductive success in non-traditional habi
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, Theodore R. Simons, W. Golder, J. Cordes

A method for trapping breeding adult American Oystercatchers

We present an efficient and effective method for trapping adult, breeding American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus) that minimizes disturbance to nesting birds and the risk of trapping injuries. We used a remote controlled mechanical decoy to lure territorial adults to a leg-hold noose-mat trap. We trapped 25 birds over two seasons and were successful on 54% of our trapping attempts in 2003.
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, Theodore R. Simons

Central Arctic caribou and petroleum development: Distributional, nutritional, and reproductive implications

We synthesize findings from cooperative research on effects of petroleum development on caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) of the Central Arctic Herd (CAH). The CAH increased from about 6000 animals in 1978 to 23000 in 1992, declined to 18 000 by 1995, and again increased to 27 000 by 2000. Net calf production was consistent with changes in herd size. In the Kuparuk Development Area (KDA), west of
Authors
Raymond D. Cameron, Walter T. Smith, Robert G. White, Brad Griffith