USGS EcoNews - Vol. 3 | Issue 3
In this edition, we highlight Secretary Haaland's official opening of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, how indigenous management has helped shaped California forests for over 1000 years, USGS COVID-19 wastewater surveillance research, studies focused on the conservation of birds across the U.S., honoring a career advancing the recovery of endangered and threatened plants, and more.
Secretary Haaland Opens the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
As part of the visit, Secretary Haaland attended a roundtable discussion on working with tribal governments to understand and identify climate adaptation science.
Indigenous management helped shape northern California forests for over 1000 years
This article is part of the Spring 2022 issue of the Earth Science Matters Newsletter.
U.S. Geological Survey COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance
USGS, as part of the National Wastewater Surveillance System, designed and implemented high-frequency sampling of wastewater across six states throughout September 2021, to support tracking of potential increases in COVID-19 infections in communities. COVID-19 viral loads were determined for each sample with the goal of delivering results to the CDC within three days of sampling.
Pesticides Detected in Bees, Flowers, Soil, and Air within Pollinator-Attractive Row-Crop Border Plantings
Field study in California describes the potential for pollinator-attractive field borders in agricultural areas to become a pesticide exposure pathway to bees through soil, air, and plants.
Invasive Annual Grass (IAG) Spatial Dataset Compilation and Synthesis
USGS is working closely with partners in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IMJV) to collect and summarize spatial datasets that describe measurable aspects of invasive annual grasses (e.g., biomass or presence) across the western United Stated and beyond. The products developed through this project provide guidance to practitioners, biologists, and natural resource managers tasked with combating the spread of invasive annual grasses.
Bird Mortality at Renewable Energy Facilities have Population-Level Effects
A recent study shows nearly half of bird species studied were vulnerable to population-level effects from fatalities at renewable energy facilities.
Effects of Great Lakes water levels on coastal populations of Phragmites australis GeoNarrative
The "Phragmites Management and Variable Great Lakes Water Levels" GeoNarrative presents research by the US Geological Survey and US Fish and Wildlife Service on how Great Lakes water levels affect expansion and management of coastal Phragmites populations.
Ungulate migrations of the western United States, volume 2
Migration is widespread across taxonomic groups and increasingly recognized as fundamental to maintaining abundant wildlife populations and communities. Many ungulate herds migrate across the western United States to access food and avoid harsh environmental conditions. With the advent of global positioning system (GPS) collars, researchers can describe and map the year-round movements of ungulate
Bird Bands and the Public Help Researchers Better Understand Alaskan Bird Populations
Each year across North America, more than a million birds are fitted with small bands to help monitor their populations. Information provided by hunters is key for gauging the status of an iconic Alaska bird, emperor goose, known as nacaullek or ligliqpak. Reporting bird bands helps ensure populations of these and other birds remain healthy and abundant for years to come.
USGS Scientist Kathryn McEachern Honored as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Champion
Dr. McEachern received the award for her role in rare plant conservation on the California Channel Islands.
Webinar Series - Friday's Findings
Friday's Findings is a public webinar series hosted by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area. These half hour webinars are meant to provide listeners an overview of the science topic and chance to ask questions. We hope to offer our audience an opportunity to discover the Ecosystems science capacity within the USGS.
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