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: 171176
Snow-cover remote sensing of conifer tree recovery in high-severity burn patches
The number of large, high-severity wildfires has been increasing across the western United States over the last several decades. It is not fully understood how changes in the frequency of large, severe wildfires may impact the resilience of conifer forests, due to alterations in regeneration success or failure. Our research investigates 30 years of conifer recovery patterns within 34 high-severity
Authors
Casey Menick, Wade T. Tinkham, Chad Hoffman, Melanie K. Vanderhoof, Jody C. Vogeler
Shift in piscivory by salmonids following invasion of a minnow in an oligotrophic reservoir
Predation can play an important role in structuring ecological communities, and predator–prey dynamics can be altered following the introduction of new species. An unauthorized introduction of redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) into reservoirs in the Upper Skagit River, Washington, USA created concern that a consequent shift in predator–prey dynamics in the reservoirs could reduce recruitmen
Authors
Rachelle Carina Johnson, Marshal Hoy, Karl D. Stenberg, Jonathan H Mclean, Benjamin Lorenz Jensen, Tessa Julianne Code, Carl Ostberg, David Beauchamp
Electrocution (avian) case definition for wildlife
Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Laura Bourque, Bridget B. Baker, Jane Parmley
Ophidiomycosis (snake fungal disease) case definition for wildlife
Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Brian Stevens, Lenny Shirose, Christina Davy
Avian botulism case definition for wildlife
Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents.The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individu
Authors
Julia S. Lankton, Brian Stevens
[Disease/condition] case definition [template] for wildlife
Diagnostic laboratories receive carcasses and samples for diagnostic evaluation and pathogen/toxin detection. Case definitions bring clarity and consistency to the evaluation process. Their use within and between organizations allows more uniform reporting of diseases and etiologic agents. The intent of a case definition is to provide scientifically based criteria for determining (a) if an individ
Authors
Kimberli J.G. Miller, E. Jane Parmley, Anne Ballmann, Jennifer Buckner, Megan Jones, Julia S. Lankton, Marnie Zimmer, Emily Lankau
Case definitions for wildlife diseases
Welcome to the first manual of “Case Definitions for Wildlife Diseases,” a “living” electronic publication. The plan is to add and update this manual’s case definitions periodically as warranted; thus, this manual will never be completed, and readers should download the latest versions of specific chapters (that is, definitions) when available. Constructive suggestions from readers are welcome and
Authors
Kimberli J.G. Miller, E. Jane Parmley, Anne Ballmann, Jennifer Buckner, Megan Jones, Julia S. Lankton, Marnie Zimmer
Flood of October 31 to November 3, 2019, East Canada Creek, West Canada Creek, and Sacandaga River Basins
Between October 31 and November 3, 2019, historic flooding in parts of the Mohawk Valley and southern Adirondack region resulted in one fatality, an estimated $33 million in damages, and the declaration of a state of emergency for 13 New York counties. Flooding resulted from high-intensity rainfall within a 24-hour period between October 31 and November 1, 2019, at the end of an October that had m
Authors
Alexander P. Graziano, Travis L. Smith, Arthur G. Lilienthal
Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) transcriptome reveals interplay between speciation genes and adaptive introgression
Genomes are heterogeneous during the early stages of speciation, with small ‘islands’ of DNA appearing to reflect strong adaptive differences, surrounded by vast seas of relative homogeneity. As species diverge, secondary contact zones between them can act as an interface and selectively filter through advantageous alleles of hybrid origin. Such introgression is another important adaptive process,
Authors
Paul A. Maier, A. G. Vandergast, Andrew J. Bohonak
Temporal variability and sources of PFAS in the Rio Grande, New Mexico through an arid urban area using multiple tracers and high-frequency sampling
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment but sources are not well defined for temporal and spatial aspects within an urban environment, and especially for an arid urban environment subject to seasonal short term high-intensity precipitation events. A focused diel sampling was conducted in the summer of 2021 to assess the temporal and spatial variability of PFAS
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, Rebecca E. Travis, David Alvarez, Larry B. Barber, Jacob Fleck, Jeramy Roland Jasmann
Implications for the resilience of modern coastal systems derived from mesoscale barrier dynamics at Fire Island, New York
Understanding the response of coastal barriers to future changes in rates of sea level rise, sediment availability, and storm intensity/frequency is essential for coastal planning, including socioeconomic and ecological management. Identifying drivers of past changes in barrier morphology, as well as barrier sensitivity to these forces, is necessary to accomplish this. Using remote sensing, field,
Authors
Daniel J. Ciarletta, Jennifer L. Miselis, Julie Bernier, Arnell S. Forde
Time of year and weather influence departure decisions of sandhill cranes at a primary stopover
The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of greater sandhill cranes uses a key stopover area, the San Luis Valley (SLV) in Colorado. Parameters of migration phenology can differ between autumn and spring and are affected by weather and environmental factors. We hypothesized that sandhill cranes in the SLV would have a longer stopover duration in autumn than in spring, and that wind assistance, crosswin
Authors
Rachel A. Vanausdall, William L. Kendall, Rachel A. Vanausdall, Quentin R. Hays