Communicating hazards—A social science review to meet U.S. Geological Survey needs
Kerry F. Milch, Suzanne C. Perry, Jennifer L. Bruce
2019, Circular 1449
This report is for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—and any other—hazard scientists who want to improve the understanding and use of their scientific information, particularly by non-experts. In order for people to use science, they need to understand it. The highly technical, specialized nature of scientific information makes that difficult,...
Future directions in sea otter research and management
Randall W. Davis, James L. Bodkin, Heather A. Coletti, Daniel Monson, Shawn E. Larson, Lilian P. Carswell, Linda M. Nichol
2019, Frontiers in Marine Science (5)
The conservation and management of sea otters has benefited from a dedicated research effort over the past 60 years enabling this species to recover from a few thousand in the early 20th century to about 150,000 today. Continued research to allow full, pre-exploitation recovery and restoration of nearshore ecosystems should...
Population and habitat analyses for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the bi-state distinct population segment—2018 update
Peter S. Coates, Mark A. Ricca, Brian G. Prochazka, Shawn T. O’Neil, John P. Severson, Steven R. Mathews, Shawn Espinosa, Scott Gardner, Sherri Lisius, David J. Delehanty
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1149
Executive SummaryThe Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (Bi-State DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, hereinafter “sage-grouse”) represents a genetically distinct and geographically isolated population that straddles the border between Nevada and California. The primary threat to these sage-grouse populations is the expansion of single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Utah juniper (Juniperus...
Effects of surface-water use on domestic groundwater availability and quality during drought in the Sierra Nevada foothills, California
Zeno F. Levy, Miranda S. Fram, Kimberly A. Taylor
2019, Fact Sheet 2019-3077
BackgroundApproximately 2 million California residents rely on privately owned domestic wells for drinking water. During the California drought of 2012−16 groundwater levels declined in many parts of the state and wells were deepened in response. Most of the wells deepened during this time were domestic wells that were drilled into...
Analysis of aquifer framework and hydraulic properties of Lovelock Valley, Lovelock, Nevada
Cara A. Nadler
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1133
Multiple aquifer tests were conducted in Lovelock, Nevada, to determine hydraulic conductivity and storage properties to be used with the numerical groundwater flow model of the lower Humboldt River Basin while accounting for the influence of surface features with a modeling component. The numerical model will ultimately provide the Nevada...
Preliminary geologic map of the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands
Frederic H. Wilson, Greta Orris, Floyd Gray
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1036
IntroductionThis geologic map of the Greater Antilles and the Virgin Islands is a compilation of information from the literature, integrated to provide a seamless geologic map of the region. The geology shown on sheet 1 covers Cuba, the island of Hispaniola, which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the...
Seismic evaluation of shallow-depth structure, faulting, and groundwater variations across the Dos Palmas Preserve, Riverside County, California
Rufus D. Catchings, Mark R. Goldman, Joanne H. Chan, Robert R. Sickler, Michael J. Rymer, Coyn J. Criley
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1130
IntroductionDos Palmas Preserve is a Colorado Desert oasis and wetland in Riverside County, California, located near the base of the Orocopia Mountains and northeast of the Salton Sea. The original source of water for the oasis was artesian springs that developed at the base of the Orocopia Mountains, but more...
Louisiana Coastal Zone sediment characterization; comparison of sediment grain sizes for samples collected in 2008 and 2015–2016 from the western Chenier plain to the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana—Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) Program
Stephen T. Bosse, James G. Flocks, Julie Bernier, Ioannis Y. Georgiou, Mark A. Kulp, Michael Brown
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1132
Repeated sampling and grain-size analysis of surficial sediments along the sandy shorelines of Louisiana is necessary to characterize coastal-zone sediment properties and evaluate sediment transport patterns within the nearshore environments. In 2008, and again in 2015 and 2016, sediment grab samples were collected along the shorelines of the western Chenier...
Assessment of existing groundwater quality data in the Green-Duwamish watershed, Washington
Craig A. Senter, Kathleen E. Conn, Robert W. Black, Wendy B. Welch, Elisabeth T. Fasser
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1131
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) provided technical support to the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) in their assessment of the role groundwater plays in contributing pollutant loading to the Green-Duwamish River near Seattle, Washington. Ecology is developing watershed hydrology models of the Green-Duwamish watershed, and need to assign...
Geology and assessment of undiscovered oil and gas resources of the Amerasia Basin Province, 2008
David W. Houseknecht, Kenneth J. Bird, Christopher P. Garrity
Thomas E. Moore, Donald L. Gautier, editor(s)
2019, Professional Paper 1824-BB
The Amerasia Basin Province encompasses the Canada Basin and the sediment prisms along the Alaska and Canada margins, outboard from basinward margins (hingelines) of the rift shoulders that formed during extensional opening of the Canada Basin. The province includes the Mackenzie River delta and slope, the outer shelves and marine...
The effects of management practices on grassland birds—Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Meghan F. Dinkins, Lawrence D. Igl, Jill A. Shaffer, Douglas H. Johnson, Amy L. Zimmerman, Barry D. Parkin, Christopher M. Goldade, Betty R. Euliss
2019, Professional Paper 1842-U
The key to Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) management is maintaining areas with short, sparse vegetation by burning, mowing, or grazing. Horned Larks have been reported to use habitats with less than or equal to (≤) 70 centimeters (cm) average vegetation height, 3–26 cm visual obstruction reading, 15–67 percent grass cover,...
Limited detection of antibodies to clade 2.3.4.4 A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza virus in North American waterfowl
David E. Stallknecht, Clara Kienzle-Dean, Nick Davis-Fields, Christopher S. Jennelle, Andrew S. Bowman, Jacqueline M. Nolting, Walter Boyce, James Crum, Jefferson Santos, Justin D. Brown, Diann Prosser, Susan E.W. De La Cruz, Joshua T. Ackerman, Michael L. Casazza, Scott Krauss, Daniel Perez, Andrew M. Ramey, Rebecca L. Poulson
2019, Journal of Wildlife Diseases (56) 47-57
During 2014, highly pathogenic (HP) influenza A viruses (IAVs) of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage (GsGD-HP-H5), originating from Asia, were detected in domestic poultry and wild birds in Canada and the US. These clade 2.3.4.4 GsGD-HP-H5 viruses included reassortants possessing North American lineage gene segments; were detected in wild birds in the...
Cross section of the North Carolina coastal plain from Enfield through Cape Hatteras
Robert E. Weems, Jean Self-Trail, Lucy E. Edwards
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1145
IntroductionThe Atlantic Coastal Plain, the southeasternmost physiographic province in the United States, is underlain by strata that regionally dip gently eastward and gradually thicken toward the Atlantic Ocean basin. These strata, ranging in age from Middle Jurassic to Holocene, accumulated along the eastern margin of North America after the break-up...
Geologic map of the northern Harrat Rahat volcanic field, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Drew T. Downs, Joel E. Robinson, Mark E. Stelten, Duane E. Champion, Hannah R. Dietterich, Thomas W. Sisson, Hani M. Zahran, Khalid Hassan, Jamal Shawali
2019, Scientific Investigations Map 3428
Harrat Rahat, in the west-central part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest of 15 Cenozoic harrats (Arabic for “volcanic field”) distributed on the Arabian plate. It extends more than 300 km north-south and 50 to 75 km east-west, and it covers an area of approximately 20,000 km2,...
Estimating sediment flux to Jamaica Bay, New York
Richard A. Cartwright, Amy E. Simonson
2019, Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5085
Tidal wetland loss in Jamaica Bay, New York, is well documented. Maintaining wetlands is important from an environmental and ecological perspective and because wetlands buffer coastal communities from storm damage. An estimate of suspended-sediment flux through Rockaway Inlet is needed to improve understanding of sediment dynamics in Jamaica Bay and...
Managing effects of drought and other water resource challenges in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest
Jessica E. Halofsky, Jeremy Littell, David L. Peterson, Gregory D. Hayward, Rebecca Gravenmier
2019, Report, Effects of drought on forests and rangelands in the United States: Translating science into management responses
This is a Cooperator Report. As such, there is no specific abstract. The physical, ecological, and social environments of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the United States are extremely diverse. Alaska ranges from the Arctic Ocean and the very cold, dry environments of the North Slope to the...
Using mobile GIS applications to support mineral resource investigations in the Eglab region, Algeria
Michaela R. Johnson, Nadjib F. Belanteur, Cliff D. Taylor
2019, Conference Paper, The 4th IGCP638 meeting
The Algerian Geological Survey Agency – U.S. Geological Survey (ASGA-USGS) mineral resource assessment project in the Eglab region, Algeria, comprises the eastern part of the Reguibat Shield bounded by the Tindouf, Reggane, and Taoudeni basins to the north, east, and south, respectively. The use of mobile GIS applications on handheld...
Council monitoring and assessment program (CMAP) compilation of existing habitat and water quality monitoring and mapping assessments for the Gulf of Mexico Region
NOAA, United States Geological Survey, Julie Bosch, Heidi Burkart, Bogdan Chivoiu, Randy Clark, Chris Clement, Nicholas Enwright, Steve Giordano, Chris Jeffrey, Ed Johnson, Rheannon M. Hart, Sarah Davidson Hile, Jacob Howell, Claudia Laurenzano, Michael T. Lee, Terrence A. McCloskey, Terry McTigue, Michelle B. Meyers, Scott V. Mize, Mark E. Monaco, Kevin Owen, Richard A. Rebich, Samuel H. Rendon, Ali Robertson, Thomas Sample, Gregory D. Steyer, Kevin J. Suir, Christopher M. Swarzenski, Katie Watson
2019, NOAA Technical Memorandum 269
This report is a deliverable to the RESTORE Council for Task 7: Document the existing baseline habitat and water quality conditions prior to implementation of the restoration projects; these baseline conditions will serve as a basis for measuring change/progress after restoration. It is the second in a series of CMAP...
Monitoring boreal avian populations: How can we estimate trends and trajectories from noisy data?
Christian Roy, Nicole L Michel, Colleen M. Handel, Steven Van Wilgenburg, Curtis Burkhalter, Kirsty A B Gurney, David Messmer, Karine Prince, Clark S Rushing, James E Saracco, Richard Schuster, Adam C. Smith, Paul A Smith, Peter Solymos, Lisa A Venier, Benjamin Zuckerberg
2019, Avian Conservation and Ecology (14)
Substantial effort has been dedicated to developing reliable monitoring schemes for North American bird populations, but our ability to monitor bird populations in the boreal forest remains limited because of the sparsity of long-term data sets, particularly in northerly regions. Given the importance of the boreal forest for many migratory...
Community for Data Integration 2018 annual report
Leslie Hsu, Leah Colasuonno
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1123
The Community for Data Integration (CDI) is a community of practice whose purpose is to build the U.S. Geological Survey knowledge base in data integration. This annual report describes the various presentations, activities, and outcomes of the CDI monthly forums, working groups, trainings, and other CDI-sponsored events in fiscal year...
Element cycling in the Middle-Late Triassic Shublik Formation: Mineralization vs. recycling of biolimiting nutrients in an unconventional resource play
Katherine J. Whidden, Julie A. Dumoulin, James Macquaker, Justin E. Birdwell, Adam Boehlke, Katherine L. French
2019, Conference Paper, New directions in geosciences for unconventional resources
The Triassic Shublik Formation in northern Alaska is one of the major source rocks in North America, having generated much of the petroleum in Prudhoe Bay and associated fields. The middle Shublik Formation, the focus of this study, is a highly phosphatic, organic-rich carbonate mudstone interval. Apatite cements can occur...
Applying circuit theory and landscape linkage maps to reintroduction planning for California condors
Jesse D’Elia, Joe Brandt, LJ Burnett, Susan M. Haig, Jeffrey P Hollenbeck, S Kirkland, B G Marcot, A Punzalan, C J West, T Williams-Claussen, Rachel Wolstenholme, Richard Young
2019, PLoS ONE (14)
Conservation practitioners are increasingly looking to species translocations as a tool to recover imperiled taxa. Quantitative predictions of where animals are likely to move when released into new areas would allow managers to better address the social, institutional, and ecological dimensions of conservation translocations. Using >5 million California condor (Gymnogyps...
Managed aquifer recharge in snow-fed river basins: What, why and how?
Kelley Sterle, Wesley Kitlasten, Eric D. Morway, Richard G. Niswonger, Loretta Singletary
2019, Fact Sheet 19-10
What does climate change mean for snow-fed river basins?Climate change poses unique challenges in snow-fed river basins across the western United States because the majority of water supply originates as snow (Dettinger, Udall, & Georgakakos, 2015). In the Sierra Nevada, recent observations include changes in snow accumulation and snowmelt, and...
Trends in mammalian predator control trapping events intended to protect ground-nesting, endangered birds at Haleakalā National Park, Hawaiʻi: 2000–14
Emily C. Kelsey, Josh Adams, Max F. Czapanskiy, Jonathan J. Felis, Julie L. Yee, Raina L. Kaholoaa, Cathleen Natividad Bailey
2019, Open-File Report 2019-1122
Predation and habitat degradation by non-native species are principal terrestrial threats to the federally endangered Hawaiian Petrel (ʻuaʻu, Pterodroma sandwichensis) and Hawaiian Goose (nēnē, Branta sandvicensis) within Haleakalā National Park (HALE), Maui, Hawaiʻi. Since 1981, HALE has maintained a network of live traps to control invasive mammalian predators and protect...
Hydrogeologic framework of the Treasure Valley and surrounding area, Idaho and Oregon
James R. Bartolino
2019, Scientific Investigations Report 2019-5138
Most of the population of the Treasure Valley and the surrounding area of southwestern Idaho and easternmost Oregon depends on groundwater for domestic supply, either from domestic or municipal-supply wells. As of 2017, 41 percent of Idaho’s population was concentrated in Idaho’s portion of the Treasure Valley, and current and...
