Ecosystems are changing at a rapid pace. It can be difficult to determine if a landscape is in need of restoration. In this photo of the spring wildflower bloom in the Sonoran desert, an invasive annual grass, Bromus rubens (red brome), is pervasive. Land managers have to make decisions about when, where, and how to intervene in a system.
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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.
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Sonoran Desert Wildflowers and Invasive Species
Ecosystems are changing at a rapid pace. It can be difficult to determine if a landscape is in need of restoration. In this photo of the spring wildflower bloom in the Sonoran desert, an invasive annual grass, Bromus rubens (red brome), is pervasive. Land managers have to make decisions about when, where, and how to intervene in a system.
Sturgeon Raised at Fish Farm in Armenia
Sturgeon raised at fish farm. Water use at this farm is about 5,500 gallons per consumable pound of fish. More information about this study is available in https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175163.
Sturgeon raised at fish farm. Water use at this farm is about 5,500 gallons per consumable pound of fish. More information about this study is available in https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175163.
Training on Well Inventory and Collection of Water-Level Data
Training on well inventory and collection of water-level data was provided by USGS on March 1, 2016, in Yerevan, Armenia.
Training on well inventory and collection of water-level data was provided by USGS on March 1, 2016, in Yerevan, Armenia.
USGS Employees Collect Water Quality Samples In The Susquehanna River
USGS New Jersey Water Science Center Hydrographers on the Susquehanna River collect water quality samples.
USGS New Jersey Water Science Center Hydrographers on the Susquehanna River collect water quality samples.
Periphyton growing on rocks along the shore of Lake Tahoe
Periphyton growing on rocks along the shore of Lake Tahoe. White tubes were used for collecting water-quality samples as part of the Lake Tahoe Nearshore Periphyton Study.
Periphyton growing on rocks along the shore of Lake Tahoe. White tubes were used for collecting water-quality samples as part of the Lake Tahoe Nearshore Periphyton Study.
Abby Lynch Scientist Spotlight
Native fish species in Hawaii, such as this ‘O‘opu nākea, have amphidromous life cycles, spending part of their lives in streams and part in the ocean so they depend on connectivity from mountain to sea.
Native fish species in Hawaii, such as this ‘O‘opu nākea, have amphidromous life cycles, spending part of their lives in streams and part in the ocean so they depend on connectivity from mountain to sea.
Monarch Butterflies
This animated GIF shows a group of monarch butterflies flying among the oyamel fir tree forest at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Mexico. Extracted from this original USGS video by Steve Hilburger, USGS.
This animated GIF shows a group of monarch butterflies flying among the oyamel fir tree forest at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, Mexico. Extracted from this original USGS video by Steve Hilburger, USGS.
Monarch Butterflies on Tree
A group of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) covers an oyamel fir tree (Abies religiosa) at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico.
A group of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) covers an oyamel fir tree (Abies religiosa) at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico.
Monarch Male Close-Up
A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) resting and sunning at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico. This individual is a male, identifiable by the black spot on each hindwing.
A monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) resting and sunning at an overwintering site in the Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Mexico. This individual is a male, identifiable by the black spot on each hindwing.
Whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.
Image of whitebark pine cone and seeds.
An immobilized bear.
Biologists use a syringe pole to immobilize the captured grizzly bear. It takes approximately 10 minutes for a bear to become immobilized.
Biologists use a syringe pole to immobilize the captured grizzly bear. It takes approximately 10 minutes for a bear to become immobilized.
Assessing body fat percentage of grizzly bear
Field personnel use bioelectrical impedance to assess body fat percentage of captured bears. The procedure is similar to how body fat is measured in humans and is based on the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small, harmless electrical signal.
Field personnel use bioelectrical impedance to assess body fat percentage of captured bears. The procedure is similar to how body fat is measured in humans and is based on the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small, harmless electrical signal.
At the capture site
At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data.
At capture sites with road access, biologists drive to a trap with a bear inside to set up for collecting biological data.
Close up
The kerchief over the grizzly bear’s eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.
The kerchief over the grizzly bear’s eyes protects it from dust and debris and reduces visual stimulation. The small tubing in its nose, known as a nasal cannula, delivers oxygen to the animal while it is tranquilized.
Culvert trap
Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from. Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured. Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry.
Biologists place a culvert trap in locations that they need data from. Field crews will set up the culvert trap and check it daily, usually in the morning, to determine if a bear has been captured. Additionally, trap doors are checked via radio telemetry.
Culvert trap and bait
Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps.
Biologists use road-killed ungulates such as deer, elk, or bison as bait in the traps.
Fitting a radio collar
Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar. Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.
Biologists with IGBST and the National Park Service fit a grizzly bear with a radio collar. Once a bear is radio collared, biologists can track its movements with telemetry.
Getting set up
Biologists are very careful to keep the grizzly bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data. Vital signs are monitored throughout the handling period.
Biologists are very careful to keep the grizzly bear under shade and protected from the elements while they collect biological data. Vital signs are monitored throughout the handling period.
Getting the bear's weight
One of the first measurements taken is the bear’s weight using a quadpod and electronic scale.
One of the first measurements taken is the bear’s weight using a quadpod and electronic scale.
Measuring the bear's body length
Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s body length.
Biologists measure a grizzly bear’s body length.
Measuring the bear's head length
A biologist measures a grizzly bear’s head length.
A biologist measures a grizzly bear’s head length.