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Publications

Browse publications authored by our scientists.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more. **Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Filter Total Items: 3984

Biological and social outcomes of antler point restriction harvest regulations for white-tailed deer

Selective harvest criteria, such as antler point restrictions (APRs), have been used to regulate harvest of male ungulates; however, comprehensive evaluation of the biological and social responses to this management strategy is lacking. In 2002, Pennsylvania adopted new APRs for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that required, depending on wildlife management unit, ≥3 or ≥4 points on 1 an
Authors
Bret D. Wallingford, Duane R. Diefenbach, Eric S. Long, Christopher S. Rosenberry, Gary Alt

Animal movement: Statistical models for telemetry data

The study of animal movement has always been a key element in ecological science, because it is inherently linked to critical processes that scale from individuals to populations and communities to ecosystems. Rapid improvements in biotelemetry data collection and processing technology have given rise to a variety of statistical methods for characterizing animal movement. The book serves as a comp
Authors
Mevin Hooten, Devin S. Johnson, Brett T. McClintock, Juan M. Morales

Associations among habitat characteristics and meningeal worm prevalence in eastern South Dakota, USA

Few studies have evaluated how wetland and forest characteristics influence the prevalence of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) infection of deer throughout the grassland biome of central North America. We used previously collected, county-level prevalence data to evaluate associations between habitat characteristics and probability of meningeal worm infection in white-tailed deer (Odoco
Authors
Christopher N. Jacques, Jonathan A. Jenks, Robert W. Klaver, Shelli A. Dubay

Gear comparison for sampling age-0 Mountain Whitefish in the Madison River, Montana

The efficacy of various sampling gears for age-0 Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni is largely unknown, which makes it difficult to investigate recruitment and early life history dynamics for the species. We compared four gears: seine, backpack electrofisher, minnow trap, and lighted minnow trap. Gears were tested in backwaters, large channels, and small channels in the Madison River, Montan
Authors
Jan K. Boyer, Christopher S. Guy, Molly A. H. Webb, Travis B. Horton, Thomas E. McMahon

Multinomial N-mixture models improve the applicability of electrofishing for developing population estimates of stream-dwelling Smallmouth Bass

Failure to account for variable detection across survey conditions constrains progressive stream ecology and can lead to erroneous stream fish management and conservation decisions. In addition to variable detection’s confounding long-term stream fish population trends, reliable abundance estimates across a wide range of survey conditions are fundamental to establishing species–environment relatio
Authors
Robert Mollenhauer, Shannon K. Brewer

Quantifying site-specific physical heterogeneity within an estuarine seascape

Quantifying physical heterogeneity is essential for meaningful ecological research and effective resource management. Spatial patterns of multiple, co-occurring physical features are rarely quantified across a seascape because of methodological challenges. Here, we identified approaches that measured total site-specific heterogeneity, an often overlooked aspect of estuarine ecosystems. Specificall
Authors
Cristina G. Kennedy, Martha E. Mather, Joseph M. Smith

The Bayesian group lasso for confounded spatial data

Generalized linear mixed models for spatial processes are widely used in applied statistics. In many applications of the spatial generalized linear mixed model (SGLMM), the goal is to obtain inference about regression coefficients while achieving optimal predictive ability. When implementing the SGLMM, multicollinearity among covariates and the spatial random effects can make computation challengi
Authors
Trevor J. Hefley, Mevin Hooten, Ephraim M. Hanks, Robin E. Russell, Daniel P. Walsh

For what it's worth : appreciating the economic value of wildlife

No abstract available.
Authors
P. Howensee, Michael D. Samuel, D. Drake

Considerations in representing human individuals in social ecological models

In this chapter we focus on how to integrate the human individual into social-ecological systems analysis, and how to improve research on individual thought and action regarding the environment by locating it within the broader social-ecological context. We discuss three key questions as considerations for future research: (1) is human thought conceptualized as a dynamic and adaptive process, (2)
Authors
Michael J. Manfredo, Tara L. Teel, Michael C. Gavin, David C. Fulton

Species associations and habitat influence the range-wide distribution of breeding Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) on Western Hudson Bay

Inter- and intra-specific interactions are potentially important factors influencing the distribution of populations. Aerial survey data, collected during range-wide breeding population surveys for Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior), 1987–2008, were evaluated to assess factors influencing their nesting distribution. Specifically, associations between nesting
Authors
Matthew Reiter, David E. Andersen, Andrew H. Raedeke, Dale D. Humburg

Coldwater Streams

No abstract available.
Authors
Robert E. Gresswell, Bruce C. Vondracek

Predicting adult muskellunge abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes

No abstract available.
Authors
Janice A Kerns, Daniel A. Isermann, Thomas Cichosz, Gretchen Hansen, Timothy D. Simonson, Joseph M. Hennessy