Review of the life history and conservation of federally endangered plant species of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, U.S.A.
Beth Middleton, Elizabeth A. Gonzalez, Emily J. Lain, Benito Trevino, Christopher A. Gabler, Jerald T. Garrett, Brenda Molano-Flores, Janice Coons, Laura M. de la Garza, Teresa P. Feria-Arroyo
2024, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (18) 233-266
This review aims to summarize information critical to the conservation of the federally listed endangered species of South Texas, which occur along the border of Texas and Mexico. This paper describes the characteristics, habitat, population status, distribution, life history, threats, and restoration of endangered plant species of the Lower Rio...
Pesticide concentrations of surface water and suspended sediment in Yolo By-Pass and Cache Slough Complex, California, 2019–2021
Matthew Uychutin, James L. Orlando, Michelle L. Hladik, Corey J. Sanders, Michael S. Gross, Matthew D. De Parsia, Elisabeth M. LaBarbera, Laura Twardochleb, Brittany E. Davis
2024, Data Report 1195
Managed flow pulses in the north Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are an adaptive management tool used in efforts to enhance food availability in delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) habitat as part of the North Delta Food Subsidies Action. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) monitors non-managed seasonal and local flow pulses...
Monitoring questing winter tick abundance on traditional moose hunting lands
Juliana Berube, Alexej P. K. Siren, Benjamin Simpson, Kelly B. Klingler, Tammy L. Wilson
2024, Journal of Wildlife Management (88)
An important symbolic and subsistence animal for many Native American Tribes, the moose (Alces alces; mos in Algonquin, Penobscot language) has been under consistent threat in the northeastern United States because of winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) parasitism over the past several decades, causing declines...
Assessment of nutrient load estimation approaches for small urban streams in Durham, North Carolina
Stephen L. Harden, Celeste A. Journey, Alexandra B. Etheridge
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5053
This cooperative study between the City of Durham Public Works Department, Stormwater Division and U.S. Geological Survey evaluated whether alternate monitoring strategies that incorporated samples collected across an increased range of streamflows would improve nutrient load estimates for Ellerbe and Sandy Creeks, two small, highly urbanized streams in the City...
Characterization of the water resources of the Pamunkey River watershed in Virginia—A review of water science, management, and traditional ecological knowledge
Brendan M. Foster, Ronaldo Lopez, Edward R. Crawford, Warren Cook, Joyce Krigsvold, John Henry Langston, Terry Langston, Grover Miles, Kirk Moore, Greg C. Garman, Karen C. Rice, John D. Jastram
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5024
In central Virginia, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Reservation are facing increasingly complex water resource issues related to quantity and quality. Documentation of surface-water, groundwater, water quality, land subsidence, sea-level rise, and river ecology issues in the Pamunkey River watershed and incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge into these research topics...
A probabilistic approach to training machine learning models using noisy data
Ayman H. Alzraiee, Richard G. Niswonger
2024, Environmental Modelling & Software (179)
Machine learning (ML) models are increasingly popular in environmental and hydrologic modeling, but they typically contain uncertainties resulting from noisy data (erroneous or outlier data). This paper presents a novel probabilistic approach that combines ML and Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation to (1) detect and underweight likely noisy data, (2) develop an approach capable of...
Perfluorooctane sulfonamide induced autotoxic effects on the zebrafish immune system
Honghong Chen, Yao Zou, Xingyuan Kang, Ge Yang, Xinghe Yang, Yingying Yao, Jason Tyler Magnuson, Xinde Cao, Wenhui Qiu, Elvis Zu Genbo, Chunmiao Zheng
2024, Environmental Science and Technology (58) 13205-13216
Perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA) is an immediate perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) precursor (PreFOS). Previous studies have shown PFOSA to induce stronger toxic responses compared to other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). However, the specific nature of PFOSA-induced toxicity, whether autonomous or mediated by its metabolite PFOS, has...
Understanding key mineral supply chain dynamics using economics-informed material flow analysis and Bayesian optimization
John W. Ryter, Karan Bhuwalka, Michelena O’Rourke, Luca Montanelli, David Cohen-Tanugi, Richard Roth, Elsa Olivetti
2024, Journal of Industrial Ecology (28) 709-726
The low-carbon energy transition requires significant increases in production for many mineral commodities. Understanding demand, technological requirements, and prices associated with this production increase requires understanding the supply chain dynamics of many minerals simultaneously, and via a consistent framework. A generalized economics-informed material flow method, global materials modeling using Bayesian...
Integrating ecological value and charismatic species habitats to prioritize habitats for conservation: A case study from Greater Yellowstone
A. J. Hansena, A. Easta, Z. Ashford, C. Crittendena, O. Jakabosky, D. Quinby, Shannon K. Brewer, Frank T. van Manen, Mark A. Haroldson, A. Middleton, N. Robinson, D. M. Theobald
2024, Biological Conservation (44) 157-171
Expanding human pressure has reduced natural habitats globally and motivated strategies to conserve remaining natural habitats. Decisions about conservation on private lands, however, are typically made by local stakeholders who are motivated by the elements of nature they most highly value. Thus, national prioritization...
Controls on stable methane isotope signatures in northern peatlands and potential shifts in signatures under permafrost thaw scenarios
McKenzie A. Kuhn, Ruth K. Varner, Carmody K. McCalley, Clarice R. Perryman, Mika Aurela, Sophia A. Burke, Jeffrey Chanton, Patrick Crill, Jessica DelGreco, Jia Deng, Liam Heffernan, Christina Herrick, Suzanne B. Hodgkins, Cheristy P. Jones, Sari Juutinen, Evan S. Kane, Louis J. Lamit, Tuula Larmola, Erik Lilleskov, David Olefeldt, Michael W. Palace, Virginia I. Rich, Christopher Schulze, Joanne H. Shorter, Franklin Sullivan, Oliver Sonnentag, Merritt R. Turetsky, Mark Waldrop
2024, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (129)
Northern peatlands are a globally significant source of methane (CH4), and emissions are projected to increase due to warming and permafrost loss. Understanding the microbial mechanisms behind patterns in CH4 production in these systems will be key to predicting annual emissions changes, with stable carbon isotopes (δ13C-CH4) being a powerful...
Utica/Point Pleasant brine isotopic compositions (δ7Li, δ11B, δ138Ba) elucidate mechanisms of lithium enrichment in the Appalachian Basin
Bonnie McDevitt, Travis L. Tasker, Rachel Coyte, Madalyn S. Blondes, Brian W. Stewart, Rosemary C Capo, J. Alexandra Hakala, Avner Vengosh, William D Burgos, Nathaniel R. Warner
2024, Science of the Total Environment (947)
Global Li production will require a ~500 % increase to meet 2050 projected energy storage demands. One potential source is oil and gas wastewater (i.e., produced water or brine), which naturally has high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, that can also be enriched in Li...
Climate change vulnerability of Arctic char across Scandinavia
Clint C. Muhlfeld, Timothy Cline, Anders Finstad, Dag O. Hessen, Sam Perrin, Jens Thaulow, Diane Whited, Leif Asbjorn Vollestad
2024, Global Change Biology (30)
Climate change is anticipated to cause species to shift their ranges upward and poleward, yet space for tracking suitable habitat conditions may be limited for range-restricted species at the highest elevations and latitudes of the globe. Consequently, range-restricted species inhabiting Arctic freshwater ecosystems, where...
Think regionally, act locally: Perspectives on co-design of spatial conservation prioritization tools and why end-user engagement altered our approach
Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Jessica E. Shyvers, Bryan C. Tarbox, Adrian P. Monroe, Patrick J. Anderson, Daniel K. Jones, Katharine G. Dahm, Cameron L. Aldridge
2024, Conservation Science and Practice (6)
Coproduction represents an inclusive approach for developing decision-support resources because it seeks to integrate scientific knowledge and end-user needs. Unfortunately, spatial decision support systems (SDSS) coproduction has sometimes resulted in limited utility for end-users, partially due to scarce SDSS coproduction guidance. To initiate coproduction, we...
External quality-assurance project report for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program National Trends Network and Mercury Deposition Network, 2021–22
Noel A. Deyette, Gregory A. Wetherbee, RoseAnn Martin
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5054
The U.S. Geological Survey Precipitation Chemistry Quality Assurance project (PCQA) operated five distinct programs to provide external quality-assurance monitoring for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) National Trends Network (NTN) and Mercury Deposition Network (MDN) during 2021–22. The NTN programs included (1) a field audit program to evaluate sample contamination...
Four decades of data indicate that planted mangroves stored up to 75% of the carbon stocks found in intact mature stands
Carine F. Bourgeois, Richard A. MacKenzie, Sahadev Sharma, Rupesh K. Bhomia, Nels G. Johnson, Andre S. Rovai, Thomas A. Worthington, Ken Krauss, Kangkuso Analuddin, Jacob J. Bukoski, Jose Alan Castillo, Angie Elwin, Leah Glass, Tim C. Jennerjahn, Mwita M. Mangora, Cyril Marchand, Michael Osland, Ismael A. Ratefinjanahary, Raghab Ray, Severino G. Salmo, Sigit D. Sasmito, Rempei Suwa, Pham Hong Tinh, Carl C. Trettin
2024, Science Advances (10)
Mangroves’ ability to store carbon (C) has long been recognized, but little is known about whether planted mangroves can store C as efficiently as naturally established (i.e., intact) stands and in which time frame. Through Bayesian logistic models compiled from 40 years of data and built from 684 planted mangrove...
Effects of harmful algal blooms on amphibians and reptiles are under-reported and under-represented
Brian J. Halstead, Kelly Smalling, Blake R. Hossack
2024, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (43) 1936-1949
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a persistent and increasing problem globally, yet we still have limited knowledge about how they affect wildlife. Although semi-aquatic and aquatic amphibians and reptiles have experienced large declines and occupy environments where HABs are increasingly problematic, their vulnerability to...
Histological analysis of deepwater sculpin ovaries supports single spawning reproductive strategy
Jarrod R. Ludwig, Brian Weidel, Brian O’Malley, Michael Connerton, Jacques Rinchard
2024, Journal of Great Lakes Research (50)
Deepwater sculpin (Myoxocephalus thompsonii) were considered extirpated from Lake Ontario prior to the 1990s but have since resurged and are now an abundant offshore demersal species. As deepwater sculpin reproduction is poorly described, an investigation of their gonadal development and...
Rangewide occupancy of a flagship species, the Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) in southern California: Habitat associations and recovery from wildfire
Barbara E. Kus, Kristine L. Preston, Alexandra Houston
2024, PLoS ONE (19)
The Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), a federally threatened species, is a flagship species for regional conservation planning in southern California (USA). An inhabitant of coastal sage scrub vegetation, the gnatcatcher has declined in response to habitat loss and fragmentation, exacerbated by catastrophic wildfires. We...
Wood you believe it? Experimental addition of nonnative wood enhances instream habitat for native dryland fishes
Benjamin J. Miller, Mark C. McKinstry, Phaedra E. Budy, Casey A. Pennock
2024, River Research and Applications (40) 1512-1526
Flow alteration and riparian vegetation encroachment are causing habitat simplification with severe consequences for native fishes. To assess the effectiveness of enhancing simplified habitat in a large dryland river, we experimentally added invasive wood at 19 paired treatment and reference (no wood added) subreaches (50–100 m) within the main channel of...
Isotopic evaluation of the National Water Model reveals missing agricultural irrigation contributions to streamflow across the western United States
Annie L. Putman, Patrick C. Longley, Morgan C. McDonnell, James E. Reddy, Michelle P. Katoski, Olivia L. Miller, J. Renee Brooks
2024, Hydrology and Earth Systems Science (28) 2895-2918
The National Water Model (NWM) provides critical analyses and projections of streamflow that support water management decisions. However, the NWM performs poorly in lower-elevation rivers of the western United States (US). The accuracy of the NWM depends on the fidelity of the model inputs and the representation and calibration of...
A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates
Matthew T. Turnley, Tabitha A. Hughes, Randy T. Larsen, Kent R. Hersey, Matthew S. Broadway, M. Colter Chitwood, W. Sue Fairbanks, Robert Charles Lonsinger, Brock R. McMillan
2024, Functional Ecology (14)
Parturition timing has long been a topic of interest in ungulate research. However, few studies have examined parturition timing at fine scale (e.g., <1 day). Predator activity and environmental conditions can vary considerably with diel timing, which may result in selective pressure for parturition to occur...
Persistence of pesticide residues in weathered avian droppings
Nimish B. Vyas, Paula F. P. Henry, Lukasz Binkowski, Michelle L. Hladik, Michael S. Gross, Michael A. Schroeder, Dawn M. Davis
2024, Environmental Research (259)
Avian droppings (combination of fecal matter and urates) provide a non-lethal and non-invasive matrix for measuring pesticide exposures. In the field, droppings may be collected days or weeks after excretion and the persistence of pesticide residues in weathered droppings...
Coastal Science Navigator companion guide—Discover the U.S. Geological Survey coastal science products you need
Mira Anderberg, Sara Ernst
2024, Circular 1523
The Coastal Science Navigator is an online gateway to a wide variety of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) coastal change hazards-related information, data, and tools relevant to stakeholders’ scientific and decision-making needs. The products within the Coastal Science Navigator provide data related to past, present, and future threats to our coastlines....
Nitrogen load estimates from six nonpoint sources on Long Island, New York, from 1900 to 2019
Jack Monti Jr., Donald A. Walter, Kalle Jahn
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5047
Estimates of nitrogen loading from nonpoint sources on Long Island, New York, at or just below the land surface, are essential for assessing the current and future effects of nitrogen on the island’s drinking water and fresh and marine surface receiving waters. Annual estimates of nitrogen loading for the 120...
Analysis of water use associated with hydraulic fracturing and determination of baseline water quality in watersheds within the shale play of eastern Ohio, 2021–23
S. Alex Covert, G. F. Koltun
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5045
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, performed a two-part study to (1) assess water use and temporal trends and changes in streamflow, and to (2) characterize 2021–23 baseline water quality, as they relate to oil and gas extraction activities in selected eastern Ohio...
