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Publications

These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.

Filter Total Items: 16779

Evaluating a rapid field assessment system for anticoagulant rodenticide exposure of raptors

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are commonly used to control rodent pests. However, worldwide, their use is associated with secondary and tertiary poisoning of nontarget species, especially predatory and scavenging birds. No medical device can rapidly test for AR exposure of avian wildlife. Prothrombin time (PT) is a useful biomarker for AR exposure, and multiple commercially available point-of-c
Authors
Ariana J Dickson, James R. Belthoff, Kristen A Mitchell, Brian W. Smith, Zachary P. Wallace, Matthew J. Stuber, Michael J. Lockhart, Barnett A. Rattner, Todd E. Katzner

Development of a submerged aquatic vegetation growth model in the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST v3.4) model

The coupled biophysical interactions between submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), hydrodynamics (currents and waves), sediment dynamics, and nutrient cycling have long been of interest in estuarine environments. Recent observational studies have addressed feedbacks between SAV meadows and their role in modifying current velocity, sedimentation, and nutrient cycling. To represent these dynamic proce
Authors
Tarandeep S. Kalra, Neil K. Ganju, Jeremy M. Testa

Preparing wildlife for climate change: How far have we come?

Global biodiversity is in unprecedented decline and on-the-ground solutions are imperative for conservation. Although there is a large volume of evidence related to climate change effects on wildlife, research on climate adaptation strategies is lagging. To assess the current state of knowledge in climate adaptation, we conducted a comprehensive literature review and evaluated 1,346 peer-reviewed
Authors
Olivia E. LeDee, Stephen D. Handler, Christopher L. Hoving, Christopher W. Swanston, Benjamin Zuckerberg

Possible effects of climate change on ixodid ticks and the pathogens they transmit: Predictions and observations

The global climate has been changing over the last century due to greenhouse gas emissions and will continue to change over this century, accelerating without effective global efforts to reduce emissions. Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are inherently climate-sensitive due to the sensitivity of tick lifecycles to climate. Key direct climate and weather sensitivities include survival of indiv
Authors
Nicholas H. Ogden, Charles B. Beard, Howard S. Ginsberg, Jean I. Tsao

Meeting the challenge: U.S. Geological Survey North Atlantic and Appalachian Region fiscal year 2020 in review

The utilization, preservation, and conservation of the Nation’s resources requires well-informed management decisions. The North Atlantic and Appalachian Region (NAAR) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) supports science-based decision making for Federal, State, and local policymakers to meet the challenges of today and into the future. The science centers in the NAAR have well-deserved reputatio
Authors

Estimating flood magnitude and frequency on gaged and ungaged streams in Maine

Accurate estimates of flood frequency and magnitude on rivers and streams in Maine are a key component of effective flood risk management, flood mitigation, and flood recovery programs for the State. Flood-frequency estimates are published here for 148 streamgages in and adjacent to Maine. Equations are provided for users to compute flood-frequency estimates at any location on a stream that does n
Authors
Pamela J. Lombard, Glenn A. Hodgkins

Simulated estuary-wide response of seagrass (Zostera marina) to future scenarios of temperature and sea level

Seagrass communities are a vital component of estuarine ecosystems, but are threatened by projected sea level rise (SLR) and temperature increases with climate change. To understand these potential effects, we developed a spatially explicit model that represents seagrass (Zostera marina) habitat and estuary-wide productivity for Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor (BB-LEH) in New Jersey, United States.
Authors
Cara Scalpone, Jessie Jarvis, James Vasslides, Jeremy Testa, Neil K. Ganju

An interactive data visualization framework for exploring geospatial environmental datasets and model predictions

With the rise of large-scale environmental models comes new challenges for how we best utilize this information in research, management and decision making. Interactive data visualizations can make large and complex datasets easier to access and explore, which can lead to knowledge discovery, hypothesis formation and improved understanding. Here, we present a web-based interactive data visualizati
Authors
Jeffrey D Walker, Benjamin Letcher, Kirk D. Rodgers, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Vincent S. D'Angelo

Modeling population dynamics with count data

In this chapter, we describe models of open populations that are subject to change over time due to additions and subtractions. Additions may be in the form of recruitment and immigration, and subtractions may be in the form of mortality, emigration, or both. Conceptually, these models are described by the Birth-Immigration-Death-Emigration (BIDE) model of population dynamics (Conroy and Carroll,
Authors
Marc Kery, Andy Royle

Modeling false positives

Many of the models we are concerned with included explicit descriptions of false negative errors. However, false positive errors can also be commin in practice, especially in citizen science applications where observer skill is highly variable. In addition, new methods which determine detection based on statistical classification or machine learning methods are also prone to false positive errors
Authors
Marc Kery, Andy Royle

Modeling population dynamics with multinomial count data

No abstract available.
Authors
Andy Royle, Marc Kery

Principles and mechanisms of wildlife population persistence in the face of disease

Emerging infectious diseases can result in species declines and hamper recovery efforts for at-risk populations. Generalizing considerations for reducing the risk of pathogen introduction and mitigating the effects of disease remains challenging and inhibits our ability to provide guidance for species recovery planning. Given the growing rates of emerging pathogens globally, we identify key princi
Authors
Robin E. Russell, Graziella Vittoria Direnzo, J. Szymanski, Katrina E. Alger, Evan H. Campbell Grant