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Southwest Biological Science Center

Welcome to the Southwest Biological Science Center! We conduct quality, objective research on the terrestrial and aquatic systems of the Colorado Plateau, Colorado River and its tributaries, drylands across the larger Southwest US, and beyond.

News

Join us on Sept 29 for the USGS Open House in Flagstaff!

Join us on Sept 29 for the USGS Open House in Flagstaff!

USGS Friday's Findings - September 13th, 2024

USGS Friday's Findings - September 13th, 2024

A global study reveals a surprise: The driest places have the highest diversity of plant traits

A global study reveals a surprise: The driest places have the highest diversity of plant traits

Publications

Characterizing variability in geochemistry and mineralogy of western US dust sources

Dust events originate from multiple sources in arid and semi-arid regions, making it difficult to quantify source contributions. Dust geochemical/mineralogical composition, if the sources are sufficiently distinct, can be used to quantify the contributions from different sources. To test the viability of using geochemical and mineralogical measurements to separate dust-emitting sites, we used dust
Authors
Abby L. Mangum, Gregory T. Carling, Barry R. Bickmore, Nicholas P. Webb, DeTiare L. Leifi, Janice Brahney, Diego P. Fernandez, Kevin A. Rey, Stephen T. Nelson, Landon Burgener, Joshua J. LeMonte, Alyssa N. Thompson, Beth A. Newingham, Michael C. Duniway, Zachary T. Aanderud

Aspects of the demography of a relict population of southwestern pond turtles (Actinemys pallida) in a West Mojave Desert stream in California

We studied Actinemys pallida (Southwestern Pond Turtle) in Amargosa Creek, near Palmdale, CA, from 1997 to 2023. The population in the upper creek was the focus of a mark–recapture study from 1997 to 2003 during monitoring required by a road-construction project. An estimated 193 (95% CI = 142–256) turtles were present in 1997 or recruited to the upper creek population between 1997 and 2003. Total
Authors
David Muth, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Rodrigo Macip-Rios, Doug Gomez, Kristy L. Cummings, Michele (Shellie) R. Puffer, Charles Yackulic

Dynamic occupancy modelling of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) reveals increasing landscape use in Nepal

Large mammals with general habitat needs can persist throughout mixed used landscapes, however, human-wildlife conflict frequently leads to their restriction to protected areas. Conservation efforts, especially for reducing conflicts with humans, can enhance tolerance of humans towards species like Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in human-dominated landscapes. Here, we examine how elephant use i
Authors
Ashok Kumar Ram, Babu Ram Lamichhane, Naresh Subedi, Nabin Kumar Yadav, Ajay Karki, Bivash Pandav, Cory Brown, Top B. Khatri, Charles Yackulic

Science

Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Research

The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo (hereafter referred to as the Rio Grande) in the Big Bend region of Texas, USA, and Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico, has substantially narrowed since the early 1900s. This narrowing has been caused by the construction and operation of dams and irrigation diversions in upstream reaches of the Rio Grande in the U.S. and the Rio Conchos in Mexico that has reduced flows without...
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Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Research

The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo (hereafter referred to as the Rio Grande) in the Big Bend region of Texas, USA, and Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico, has substantially narrowed since the early 1900s. This narrowing has been caused by the construction and operation of dams and irrigation diversions in upstream reaches of the Rio Grande in the U.S. and the Rio Conchos in Mexico that has reduced flows without...
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River Geomorphology and Geomorphic Change

River channels and their adjacent floodplains are ever evolving in form and composition in response to changing patterns of streamflow, the quantity and size of supplied sediment, and feedbacks with the riparian and aquatic ecosystems. Changes in channel form affect aquatic and riparian habitats, which are important for plants, animals, and insects. Erosion and deposition of river channels and...
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River Geomorphology and Geomorphic Change

River channels and their adjacent floodplains are ever evolving in form and composition in response to changing patterns of streamflow, the quantity and size of supplied sediment, and feedbacks with the riparian and aquatic ecosystems. Changes in channel form affect aquatic and riparian habitats, which are important for plants, animals, and insects. Erosion and deposition of river channels and...
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Partners in Science

Partners in Science is a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Grand Canyon Youth, and the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth to engage in scientific field research in Grand Canyon. This partnership connects youth from diverse backgrounds with the Nation’s natural and cultural resources on 2-3 river-based expeditions on the Colorado River...
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Partners in Science

Partners in Science is a collaborative effort between Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Grand Canyon Youth, and the National Park Service to provide opportunities for youth to engage in scientific field research in Grand Canyon. This partnership connects youth from diverse backgrounds with the Nation’s natural and cultural resources on 2-3 river-based expeditions on the Colorado River...
Learn More

Multimedia

SBSC research garden hoop houses, with sunflowers in a field in the foreground
Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) research garden
Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) research garden
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) blooming in a monitoring quadrat at a RestoreNet site
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) blooming in a monitoring quadrat at a RestoreNet site
Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) blooming in a monitoring quadrat at a RestoreNet site
Illustration of Colorado River Upper and Lower Basins
Illustration of Colorado River Basin, showing upper and lower basins
Illustration of Colorado River Basin, showing upper and lower basins
Claudia Dimartini holds a long camelthorn rhizomes exposed in a wash at Wupatki National Monument
Long camelthorn rhizomes exposed in a wash at Wupatki National Monument
Long camelthorn rhizomes exposed in a wash at Wupatki National Monument
Zach Harrison collects a water quality sample at Willow Spring, AZ
Zach Harrison collects a water quality sample at Willow Spring, AZ
Zach Harrison collects a water quality sample at Willow Spring, AZ
Kat Cooney smiles as she runs an alkalinity titration in a mobile lab
Kat Cooney runs an alkalinity titration in a mobile lab
Kat Cooney runs an alkalinity titration in a mobile lab
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth having dinner at sunset on a Colorado River trip
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth having dinner at sunset on a Colorado River trip
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth having dinner at sunset on a Colorado River trip
A USGS hydrologist and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth make print blocks on a Colorado River trip
Making print blocks on an Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth Colorado River trip
Making print blocks on an Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth Colorado River trip
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth at Dinosaur Camp on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth at Dinosaur Camp on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Grand Canyon Youth at Dinosaur Camp on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
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