Publications
Browse more than 160,000 publications authored by our scientists over the past 100+ year history of the USGS. Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more.
Mission Area Publications
Mission Area Publications
We are focused on some of the most significant issues society faces, and our science is making a substantial contribution to the well-being of the Nation and the world. Learn more about the major topics our research covers and the programs focused on those topics.
Filter Total Items: 171813
Integrated modeling of dynamic marsh feedbacks and evolution under sea-level rise in a mesotidal estuary (Plum Island, MA, USA)
Around the world, wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise (SLR) depends on different factors including tidal regimes, topography, creeks and estuary geometry, sediment availability, vegetation type, etc. The Plum Island estuary (PIE) is a mesotidal wetland system on the east coast of the United States. This research applied a newly updated Hydro-MEM (integrated hydrodynamic-marsh) model to assess
Authors
Karim Alizad, James T. Morris, Matthew V. Bilskie, Davina Passeri, Scott C. Hagen
Climate change weakens the impact of disturbance interval on the growth rate of natural populations of Venus flytrap
Disturbances elicit both positive and negative effects on organisms; these effects vary in their strength and their timing. Effects of disturbance interval (i.e., the length of time between disturbances) on population growth will depend on both the timing and strength of positive and negative effects of disturbances. Climate change can modify the relative strengths of these positive and negative e
Authors
Allison M Louthan, Melina Keighron, Elsita Kiekebusch, Heather Cayton, Adam J. Terando, William F. Morris
A machine learning approach to predicting equilibrium ripple wavelength
Sand ripples are geomorphic features on the seafloor that affect bottom boundary layer dynamics including wave attenuation and sediment transport. We present a new equilibrium ripple predictor using a machine learning approach that outputs a probability distribution of wave-generated equilibrium wavelengths and statistics including an estimate of ripple height, the most probable ripple wavelength,
Authors
Ryan E. Phillip, Allison M. Penko, Margaret Louise Palmsten, Carter B. DuVal
Sedimentary organics in Glen Torridon, Gale Crater, Mars: Results from the SAM instrument suite and supporting laboratory analyses
The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) suite instrument on board NASA's Curiosity rover has characterized the inorganic and organic chemical composition of seven samples from the Glen Torridon (GT) clay-bearing unit. A variety of organic molecules were detected with SAM using pyrolysis (up to ∼850°C) and wet chemistry experiments coupled with evolved gas analysis (EGA) and gas chromatography-mass spect
Authors
Maeva Millan, Amy Williams, Amy McAdam, Jennifer Eigenbrode, A. Steele, C Freissinet, D. P. Glavin, C. Szopa, A. Buch, Roger E. Summons, J. M. T. Lewis, G. M. Wong, C. H. House, B. Sutter, O. McIntosh, A. B. Bryk, H. B. Franz, C. Pozarycki, J. C. Stern, R. Navarro-Gonzalez, R. H. Williams, D. P. Archer, V. Fox, Kristen A. Bennett, S. Teinturier, C. Malespin, S. S. Johnson, P. R. Mahaffy
Forecasting explosions at Sinabung Volcano, Indonesia, based on SO2 emission rates
Dome-building volcanic eruptions are often associated with frequent Vulcanian explosions, which constitute a substantial threat to proximal communities. One proposed mechanism driving such explosions is the sealing of the shallow volcanic system followed by pressurization due to gas accumulation beneath the seal. We investigate this hypothesis at Sinabung Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia), which has be
Authors
Syegi Kunrat, Christoph Kern, Hilma Alfianti, Allan Lerner
Geology and stratigraphic correlation of the Murray and Carolyn Shoemaker formations across the Glen Torridon region, Gale crater, Mars
The Glen Torridon (GT) region within Gale crater, Mars, occurs in contact with the southern side of Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a well-defined geomorphic feature that is comparatively resistant to erosion. Prior to detailed ground-based investigation of GT, its geologic relationship with VRR was unknown. Distinct lithologic subunits within the Jura member (Murray formation), which forms the upper part
Authors
Christopher M. Fedo, Alexander Bryk, Lauren A. Edgar, Kristen A. Bennett, Valerie K. Fox, William E. Dietrich, Steve G. Banham, Sanjeev Gupta, Kathryn M. Stack, Rebecca Williams, John P. Grotzinger, Nathan Stein, Dave Rubin, Gwenael Caravaca, Ray E. Arvidson, Madison N Hughes, Abigail A. Fraeman, Ashwin R. Vasavada, Juergen Schieber, Brad Sutter
Hepatic gene expression profiling of American kestrels (Falco sparverius) exposed in ovo to three alternative brominated flame retardants
A number of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been reported to interfere with the thyroid signaling pathway and cause oxidative stress in birds, yet the underlying shifts in gene expression associated with these effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we measured hepatic transcriptional responses of 31 genes in American kestrel (Falco sparverius) hatchlings following in ovo exposure
Authors
Christopher G. Goodchild, Natalie K. Karouna-Renier, Ryan P. Braham, Paula F. P. Henry, Robert J. Letcher, Kim J. Fernie
Climate matching with the climatchR R package
Climate matching allows comparisons of climatic conditions between different locations to understand location and species range climatic suitability. The approach may be used as part of horizon scanning exercises such as those conducted for invasive species. We implemented the CLIMATCH algorithm into an R package, climatchR. The package allows automated and scripted climate matching exercises acro
Authors
Richard A. Erickson, Peder S Engelstad, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Helen Sofaer, Wesley M. Daniel
The influence of satellite-derived environmental and oceanographic parameters on marine turtle time at surface in the Gulf of Mexico
The aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill highlighted the lack of baseline spatial, behavioral, and abundance data for many species, including imperiled marine turtles, across the Gulf of Mexico. The ecology of marine turtles is closely tied to their vertical movements within the water column and is therefore critical knowledge for resource management in a changing ocean. A more compre
Authors
Kelsey E. Roberts, Lance P. Garrison, Joel G. Ortega-Ortiz, Chuanmin Hu, Yingjun Zhang, Christopher R. Sasso, Margaret Lamont, Kristen Hart
Development of a ddPCR assay for the detection of the Smoky Madtom (Noturus baileyi) from eDNA in stream water samples
The Smoky Madtom Noturus baileyi is a federally endangered species, whose native distribution includes lower Abrams Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and Citico Creek in nearby Cherokee National Forest. Due to challenges for bio-monitoring posed by its nocturnality and cryptic life history, an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approach for detection would be useful to complement exi
Authors
Aaron Aunins, Michael S. Eackles, Paul E Super, Matt A. Kulp, Becky J Nichols, Barbara A. Lubinski, Cheryl L. Morrison, Timothy L. King
Using ecosystem services to identify inequitable outcomes in migratory species conservation
Biodiversity conservation efforts have been criticized for generating inequitable socio-economic outcomes. These equity challenges are largely analyzed as place-based problems affecting local communities directly impacted by conservation programs. The conservation of migratory species extends this problem geographically since people in one place may benefit while those in another bear the costs of
Authors
Charles C. Chester, Aaron M. Lien, Juanita Sundberg, James E. Diffendorfer, Columba Gonzales, Brady J. Mattsson, Rodrigo Medellin, Darius J. Semmens, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Jonathan J. Derbridge, Laura López-Hoffman