Publications
Read publications and other informational products to learn more about USGS science occurring in the Mississippi Basin.
Filter Total Items: 5484
Movements of marine and estuarine turtles during Hurricane Michael Movements of marine and estuarine turtles during Hurricane Michael
Natural disturbances are an important driver of population dynamics. Because it is difficult to observe wildlife during these events, our understanding of the strategies that species use to survive these disturbances is limited. On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall on Florida’s northwest coast. Using satellite and acoustic telemetry, we documented movements of 6...
Authors
Margaret M. Lamont, Darren Johnson, Daniel J. Catizone
Assessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States Assessing the impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells in the conterminous United States
This study assesses the potential impact of drought on arsenic exposure from private domestic wells by using a previously developed statistical model that predicts the probability of elevated arsenic concentrations (>10 μg per liter) in water from domestic wells located in the conterminous United States (CONUS). The application of the model to simulate drought conditions used...
Authors
Melissa Lombard, Johnni Daniel, Zuha Jeddy, Lauren Hay, Joseph D. Ayotte
The unsung success of injurious wildlife listing under the Lacey Act The unsung success of injurious wildlife listing under the Lacey Act
Previous papers discussing the effectiveness of injurious wildlife listings under 18 U.S.C. 42(a) of the Lacey Act have emphasized failures while ignoring the many successes. We looked at the 120-year history of injurious listing and then determined the effectiveness of the listings since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) gained the listing authority in 1940. We measured success...
Authors
Susan D. Jewell, Pam Fuller
Variation in species composition, size and fitness of two multi-species sea turtle assemblages using different neritic habitats Variation in species composition, size and fitness of two multi-species sea turtle assemblages using different neritic habitats
The neritic environment is rich in resources and as such plays a crucial role as foraging habitat for multi-species marine assemblages, including sea turtles. However, this habitat also experiences a wide array of anthropogenic threats. To prioritize conservation funds, targeting areas that support multi-species assemblages is ideal. This is particularly important in the Gulf of Mexico...
Authors
Margaret M. Lamont, Darren Johnson
Statistical methods for simulating structural stormwater runoff best management practices (BMPs) with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM) Statistical methods for simulating structural stormwater runoff best management practices (BMPs) with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM)
This report documents statistics for simulating structural stormwater runoff best management practices (BMPs) with the Stochastic Empirical Loading and Dilution Model (SELDM). The U.S. Geological Survey developed SELDM and the statistics documented in this report in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration to indicate the risk for stormwater flows, concentrations, and loads to...
Authors
Gregory E. Granato, Alana B. Spaetzel, Laura Medalie
Modeling structural mechanics of oyster reef self-organization including environmental constraints and community interactions Modeling structural mechanics of oyster reef self-organization including environmental constraints and community interactions
Self-organization is a process of establishing and reinforcing local structures through feedbacks between internal population dynamics and external factors. In reef-building systems, substrate is collectively engineered by individuals that also occupy it and compete for space. Reefs are constrained spatially by the physical environment, and by mortality, which reduces production but...
Authors
Simeon Yurek, Mitchell Eaton, Romain Lavaud, R. Wilson Laney, Don DeAngelis, William E. Pine, Megan K. LaPeyre, Julien Martin, Peter C Frederick, Hongqing Wang, Michael R. Lowe, Fred Johnson, Edward V. Camp, Rua Mordecai
Genetic connectivity of the West Indian manatee in the southern range and limited evidence of hybridization with Amazonian manatees Genetic connectivity of the West Indian manatee in the southern range and limited evidence of hybridization with Amazonian manatees
The Antillean subspecies of the West Indian manatee is classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. In Brazil, the manatee population is listed as endangered with an estimated population size of 500–1,000. Historic hunting, recent habitat degradation, and fisheries bycatch have decreased the population size. The Amazonian manatee is...
Authors
Fabia O. Luna, Caitlin Beaver, Coralie Nourisson, Robert Bonde, Fernanda L. N. Attademo, Adriana V. Miranda, Juan P. Torres-Florez, Glaucia P. de Sousa, Jose Z. Passavate, Margaret Hunter
Drivers of realized satellite tracking duration in marine turtles Drivers of realized satellite tracking duration in marine turtles
BackgroundSatellite tags have revolutionized our understanding of marine animal movements. However, tags may stop transmitting for many reasons and little research has rigorously examined tag failure. Using a long-term, large-scale, multi-species dataset, we evaluated factors influencing tracking duration of satellite tags to inform study design for future tracking studies.MethodsWe...
Authors
Kristen Hart, Jacquelyn C. Guzy, Brian J. Smith
Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild
The establishment of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, has been connected to a > 90% decline in the mesomammal population in the park and is a major threat to native reptile and bird populations. Efforts to control this population are underway, but are hampered by a lack of information about fine-scale activity cycles and ecology of these...
Authors
Nicholas M. Whitney, Connor F. White, Brian Smith, Michael Cherkiss, Frank J. Mazzotti, Kristen Hart
Precipitation-driven flood-inundation mapping of the Little Blue River at Grandview, Missouri Precipitation-driven flood-inundation mapping of the Little Blue River at Grandview, Missouri
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the City of Grandview, Missouri, assessed flooding of the Little Blue River at Grandview resulting from varying precipitation magnitudes and durations and expected land-cover changes. The precipitation scenarios were used to develop a library of flood-inundation maps that included a 3.5-mile reach of the Little Blue River and...
Authors
David C. Heimann, Jonathon D. Voss, Paul H. Rydlund
Genetic and morphological characterization of the freshwater mussel clubshell species complex (Pleurobema clava and Pleurobema oviforme) to inform conservation planning Genetic and morphological characterization of the freshwater mussel clubshell species complex (Pleurobema clava and Pleurobema oviforme) to inform conservation planning
The shell morphologies of the freshwater mussel species Pleurobema clava (federally endangered) and Pleurobema oviforme (species of concern) are similar, causing considerable taxonomic confusion between the two species over the last 100 years. While P. clava was historically widespread throughout the Ohio River basin and tributaries to the lower Laurentian Great Lakes, P. oviforme was...
Authors
Cheryl Morrison, Nathan A. Johnson, Jess W Jones, Michael S. Eackles, Aaron Aunins, Daniel Bruce Fitzgerald, Eric M. Hallerman, Timothy L. King
Diving and foraging behaviors Diving and foraging behaviors
Manatees and dugongs live in tropical and semi-tropical regions around the world. Their preferred habitats are seagrass beds, rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Manatees live in both freshwater and marine systems although habitat preferences vary across the three species, while the dugong is entirely marine. Sirenians are shallow water divers, and their dive durations are short compared to...
Authors
Lucy W Keith-Diagne, Margaret E Barlas, James P. Reid, Amanda J Hodgson, Helene Marsh