Publications
These publications showcase the significant science conducted in our Science Centers.
Filter Total Items: 16783
Hydraulic and biological analysis of the passability of select fish species at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey
Recent efforts to advance river connectivity for the Millstone River watershed in New Jersey have led to the evaluation of a low-flow gauging weir that spans the full width of the river. The methods and results of a desktop modelling exercise were used to evaluate the potential ability of three anadromous fish species (Alosa sapidissima [American shad], Alosa pseudoharengus [alewife], and Alosa ae
Authors
Alexander J. Haro, Kevin Mulligan, Thomas P. Suro, John Noreika, Amy R. McHugh
Downstream migration and multiple dam passage by Atlantic Salmon smolts
The purpose of this study was to investigate behavior and survival of radio-tagged wild and hatchery-reared landlocked Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar smolts as they migrated past three hydropower dams equipped with fish bypass solutions in the Winooski River, Vermont. Among hatchery-reared smolts, those released early were more likely to initiate migration and did so after less delay than those relea
Authors
D. Nyqvist, Stephen D. McCormick, L. Greenberg, W.R. Ardren, E. Bergman, O. Calles, Theodore R. Castro-Santos
The effects of horizontally and vertically oriented baffles on flow structure andascent performance of upstream-migrating fish
Considerable effort has been expended to construct culverts and fishways that allow for fish
passage. However, the designs have seldom considered behaviour, energetics, and
biomechanics of fish. In this study, we performed controlled experiments, in which upstreammigrating
Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were allowed
to volitionally enter either one of two op
Authors
Eva Enders, Theodore R. Castro-Santos, Jay Lacey
Changes in habitat availability for multiple life stages of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in Chesapeake Bay in response to sea level rise
Global sea level rise (SLR) will significantly alter
coastal landscapes through inundation and erosion of lowlying
areas. Animals that display area fidelity and rely on
fringing coastal habitats during multiple life stages, such as
diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin Schoepff 1793),
are likely to be particularly vulnerable to SLR-induced changes.
We used a combination of empirical nest surv
Authors
Ryan J. Woodland, Christopher L. Rowe, Paula F. P. Henry
Draft genome sequence of a picorna-like virus associated with gill tissue in clinically normal brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis
Here, we report a draft genome sequence of a picorna-like virus associated with brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, gill tissue. The draft genome comprises 8,681 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tract, and contains two open reading frames. It is most similar to picorna-like viruses that infect invertebrates.
Authors
Luke R. Iwanowicz, Deborah D. Iwanowicz, Cynthia R. Adams, Heather S. Galbraith, Aaron Aunins, Robert S. Cornman
Experimental test of genetic rescue in isolated populations of brook trout
Genetic rescue is an increasingly considered conservation measure to address genetic erosion associated with habitat loss and fragmentation. The resulting gene flow from facilitating migration may improve fitness and adaptive potential, but is not without risks (e.g., outbreeding depression). Here, we conducted a test of genetic rescue by translocating ten (five of each sex) brook trout (Salvelinu
Authors
Zachary L. Robinson, Jason A. Coombs, Mark Hudy, Keith H. Nislow, Benjamin H. Letcher, Andrew R. Whiteley
Modeling summer month hydrological drought probabilities in the United States using antecedent flow conditions
Climate change raises concern that risks of hydrological drought may be increasing. We estimate hydrological drought probabilities for rivers and streams in the United States (U.S.) using maximum likelihood logistic regression (MLLR). Streamflow data from winter months are used to estimate the chance of hydrological drought during summer months. Daily streamflow data collected from 9,144 stream ga
Authors
Samuel H. Austin, David L. Nelms
Smartphone technologies and Bayesian networks to assess shorebird habitat selection
Understanding patterns of habitat selection across a species’ geographic distribution can be critical for adequately managing populations and planning for habitat loss and related threats. However, studies of habitat selection can be time consuming and expensive over broad spatial scales, and a lack of standardized monitoring targets or methods can impede the generalization of site-based studies.
Authors
Sara L. Zeigler, E. Robert Thieler, Benjamin T. Gutierrez, Nathaniel G. Plant, Megan Hines, James D. Fraser, Daniel H. Catlin, Sarah M. Karpanty
User’s Manual for the National Water Information System of the U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregate Water-Use Data System, Version 3.2
The Aggregate Water-Use Data System (AWUDS) is the database management system used to enter, store, and analyze state aggregate water-use data. It is part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. AWUDS has a graphical user interface that facilitates data entry, revision, review, and approval. This document provides information on the basic functions of AWUDS and the steps f
Authors
John P. Nawyn, B. Pierre Sargent, Barbara Hoopes, Todd Augenstein, Kathleen M. Rowland, Nancy L. Barber
Forecasting the probability of future groundwater levels declining below specified low thresholds in the conterminous U.S.
We present a logistic regression approach for forecasting the probability of future groundwater levels declining or maintaining below specific groundwater-level thresholds. We tested our approach on 102 groundwater wells in different climatic regions and aquifers of the United States that are part of the U.S. Geological Survey Groundwater Climate Response Network. We evaluated the importance of cu
Authors
Robert W. Dudley, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Jesse E. Dickinson
Rafinesque's Sicilian whale, Balena gastrytis
In 1815, the naturalist Constantine S. Rafinesque described a new species of cetacean, Balena gastrytis, from Sicily, based on a whale that stranded on Carini beach near Palermo. In comparing the characteristics of his new whale with known species, Rafinesque also took the opportunity to name a new genus, Cetoptera, to replace Balaenoptera Lacépède, 1804. Unfortunately, few of Rafinesque's contemp
Authors
Neal Woodman, James G. Mead
UAS-SfM for coastal research: Geomorphic feature extraction and land cover classification from high-resolution elevation and optical imagery
The vulnerability of coastal systems to hazards such as storms and sea-level rise is typically characterized using a combination of ground and manned airborne systems that have limited spatial or temporal scales. Structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry applied to imagery acquired by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) offers a rapid and inexpensive means to produce high-resolution topographic and vis
Authors
Emily J. Sturdivant, Erika Lentz, E. Robert Thieler, Amy S. Farris, Kathryn M. Weber, David P. Remsen, Simon Miner, Rachel E. Henderson