Cryospheric sciences at the U.S. Geological Survey
Caitlyn Florentine, Erich Peitzsch, Miriam C. Jones, Theodore B. Barnhart, Thomas M. Cronin
2024, Fact Sheet 2024-3043
IntroductionThe cryosphere is the collective parts of the Earth where water is in its frozen state and includes snow, glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves, freshwater ice, sea ice, and permafrost. The cryosphere is a climate indicator and climate regulator. Surface cryosphere features, such as glaciers, snow, and sea ice, store...
A meta-analysis highlights the idiosyncratic nature of tradeoffs in laboratory models of virus evolution
Ketty Kabengele, Wendy Christine Turner, Paul E. Turner, C. Brandon Ogbunugafor
2024, Virus Evolution (10)
Different theoretical frameworks have been invoked to guide the study of virus evolution. Three of the more prominent ones are (i) the evolution of virulence, (ii) life history theory, and (iii) the generalism–specialism dichotomy. All involve purported tradeoffs between traits that define the evolvability and constraint of virus-associated phenotypes. However,...
Cumulative effects assessment of restoration programs: A framework to assess achievement of regional and programmatic goals
T. M. Davenport, D. A. Comba, P. S. Dalyander, Nicholas Enwright, Margaret L. Palmsten, Gregory Steyer, Megan La Peyre
2024, Cooperator Science Series CSS-162-2024
Increasing global investments focused on conservation and restoration of natural resources aim to address challenges presented by <span class="glossify-tooltip-link glossify-tooltip-popup" aria-label="Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since...
Disparities in Perimyotis subflavus body mass between cave and culvert hibernacula in Georgia, USA
Emily Ferrall, S. Perea, K.M. Morris, P.E. Pattavina, Brian J. Irwin, J. Hepinstall-Cymerman, S.B. Castleberry
2024, Ecology and Evololution (14)
The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), once common in the eastern United States, has experienced significant mortality due to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease that primarily affects bats hibernating in caves and mines. In coastal regions of the southeastern United States, where caves and mines are scarce, tricolored bats often...
Gray wolf breeders are more vulnerable to harvest during the breeding season
Peter F. Rebholz, Lisette P. Waits, David Edward Ausband
2024, Wildlife Society Bulletin (48)
In cooperatively breeding carnivores, breeders are vital to perpetuating the group; the death or removal of an individual breeder can greatly affect group composition, genetic content, and short-term population growth. Understanding the number of breeders harvested and timing of harvest can increase our knowledge of how mortality affects groups of...
Cosmogenic 21Ne exposure ages on late Pleistocene moraines in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, USA
Joseph P. Tulenko, Greg Balco, Michael A. Clynne, L.J. Patrick Muffler
2024, GChron (6) 639-652
We report new cosmogenic 21Ne in quartz exposure ages from 18 samples on three distinct moraines deposited in the Lost Creek drainage, approximately 3–7 km down-valley from Lassen Peak in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Although measuring 21Ne in quartz is generally straightforward, accurate 21Ne exposure...
High genetic diversity, low population genetic structure, strong natal philopatry, and longevity revealed in the Black Swift (Cypseloides niger borealis)
Carolyn Gunn, Kim Potter, Jennifer A. Fike, Sara J. Oyler-McCance
2024, The Wilson Journal of Ornithology (136) 448-457
Genetic diversity is a critical cornerstone of biodiversity and is a central goal in management and conservation biology. Such diversity has implications for survivability, adaptability, and resiliency of a species. This study aimed to determine levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in the Northern Black Swift (Cypseloides niger...
System characterization report on the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) sensor
Mahesh Shrestha, Aparajithan Sampath, Minsu Kim, Seonkyung Park
2024, Open-File Report 2021-1030-R
Executive Summary This report addresses system characterization of the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) sensor, an imaging spectrometer developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This report is part of a series of system characterization reports produced and delivered by the U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and...
Rock sample photogrammetry protocol
Lucas Leonidus Evart
2024, Preprint
This step-by-step protocol describes the photogrammetry process used by the U.S. Geological Survey Spokane Imaging Lab (SPIMG) lab to create 3D models of geologic samples. Steps related to photographing small objects are applicable to photogrammetry in general, however, SPIMG-specific steps involving lab hardware and software may not be....
Tungsten skarn quantitative mineral resource assessment and gold, rare earth elements, graphite, and uranium qualitative assessments of the Kuldjuktau and Auminzatau Ranges, in the central Kyzylkum region, Uzbekistan
Joshua Aaron Coyan, Federico Solano, Cliff D. Taylor, Carol A. Finn, Steven M. Smith, Christopher S. Holm-Denoma, Laura Pianowski, Kelsey Elizabeth Crocker, Rustam Mirkamalov, Fareed Divaev, Abdulla Baratov, Botir Khakimov, Jurabek Azimov, Akrom Goipov, Jamshid Avulov, Shokir Akhmadov, Nurbek Inatov, Xurshid Janiev, Nafisa Dulabova
2024, Minerals 1240-1277
A new quantitative mineral resource assessment for tungsten skarn was conducted for the Auminzatau and Kuldjuktau mountain ranges in Central Uzbekistan, along with qualitative assessments of orogenic gold, rare earth elements (REEs), amorphous graphite, and uranium. By integrating a variety of geological, geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing data sets, estimates...
Abundance-mediated species interactions
Joshua P. Twining, Ben Augustine, Andy Royle, Angela K. Fuller
2024, Ecology (106)
Species interactions shape biodiversity patterns, community assemblage, and the dynamics of wildlife populations. Ecological theory posits that the strength of interspecific interactions is fundamentally underpinned by the population sizes of the involved species. Nonetheless, prevalent approaches for modeling species interactions predominantly center around occupancy states. Here, we use simulations to...
Comments on the species limits of certain North American birds, part 1
Oscar W. Johnson, Shawn Billerman, Blanca Hernandez-Banos, Daniel F Lane, Pamela C. Rasmussen, J.V. Remsen Jr., Kevin Winker, R. Terry Chesser
2024, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club (144) 367-414
Although species limits of North American birds are relatively well-delineated, discrepancies among global lists identify species complexes that are subject to differences of opinion. As part of our work with the North American Classification Committee (NACC) of the American Ornithological Society, we here assess species limits in 11 such species...
Rowing in the same direction using MIX— A tool to initiate the melding of individual disciplinary experts into an integrated interdisciplinary team
Martha E. Mather, Jason Bergtold, Marcellus Caldas, Ethan Bernick, Trisha Moore, Gabriel Granco, Aleksey Sheshukov, Ignacio Ciampitti
2024, Sustainability (16)
A common problem for interdisciplinary sustainability research is that scientists trained in different disciplines are often not rowing their boat effectively in the same direction. Sustainability tools can aid the implementation of this team-melding process. Here, our purpose is to illustrate our Multi-step Integrated graphical and structured discussion eXercise...
The Europa Imaging System (EIS) investigation
E.P. Turtle, A.S. McEwen, G.W. Patterson, C. M. Ernst, C.M. Elder, K.A. Slack, S.E. Hawkins, J. McDermott, H. M. Meyer, R. DeMajistre, R. Espiritu, H. Seifert, J. Niewola, Michael T. Bland, M.K. Becker, J. Centurelli, G.C. Collins, P. Corlies, H. Darlington, I. J. Daubar, C. Derr, C. Detelich, E. Donald, W. Edens, L. Fletcher, C. Gardner, F. Graham, C.J. Hansen, C. Haslebacher, A.G. Hayes, D. Humm, T.A. Hurford, Randolph L. Kirk, N. W. Kutsop, W.J. Lees, D. T. Lewis, S. London, A. Magner, M.A. Mills, A.C. Barr Mlinar, F. Morgan, F. Nimmo, A. Ocasio Milanes, S. Osterman, C.B. Phillips, A. Pommerol, L. Prockter, L.C. Quick, G. Robbins, J.M. Soderblom, B.A. Stewart, A. Stickle, S.S. Sutton, N. Thomas, I. Torres, O.J. Tucker, R.B. Van Auken, K.A. Wilk
2024, Space Science Reviews (220)
The Europa Imaging System (EIS) consists of a Narrow-Angle Camera (NAC) and a Wide-Angle Camera (WAC) that are designed to work together to address high-priority science objectives regarding Europa’s geology, composition, and the nature of its ice shell. EIS accommodates variable geometry and illumination during rapid, low-altitude flybys with both...
Macro- and micronutrient effects on phytoplankton in Green Bay, Lake Michigan and the western basin of Lake Erie
Jordyn T. Stoll, James H. Larson, Sean Bailey, Christopher Blackwood, David M. Costello
2024, Journal of Phycology (60) 1514-1527
Efforts to reduce the frequency, extent, and toxicity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) require knowledge about drivers of algal growth, toxin production, and shifts in phytoplankton community composition to cyanobacterial dominance. Although labile nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fuel primary production, micronutrients also play roles as the enzymatic engines that...
Microfossil biostratigraphy and paleoenvironments of Cretaceous and Pliocene sediments along Greens Mill Run, North Carolina, USA
Mikayla Dixon, Stephen J. Culver, David J. Mallinson, Brian T. Huber, Jean Self-Trail, Whittney Spivey, W. Burleigh Harris
2024, Stratigraphy (21) 323-335
Cretaceous sediments are disconformably overlain by Pliocene sediments along the banks of Greens Mill Run, Greenville, North Carolina, located in the central coastal plain. The Cretaceous sediments, composed of glauconitic sand and clay, have previously been informally considered part of the Maastrichtian Peedee Formation. The Pliocene sediments are assigned to...
Salt marsh habitats and diamondback terrapins in a rapidly changing climate: A review
Margaret M. Lamont, Michael J. Osland, Melissa M. Baustian
2024, Estuaries and Coasts (48)
The impacts associated with global climate change (e.g., sea-level rise, tropical storms, and warming temperatures) are expected to alter predator–prey interactions, foundation species, and plant community structure in coastal ecosystems. While the complex dynamics of these habitats have been examined under future climate predictions, few ecosystem models incorporate influences from...
Neonatal antipredator tactics shape female movement patterns in large herbivores
Kamal Atmeh, Christophe Bonenfant, Jean-Michel Gaillard, Mathieu Garel, A.J. Mark Hewison, Pascal Marchand, Nicolas Morellet, Pia Anderwald, Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar, Jeffrey L. Beck, Matthew S. Becker, Floris M. van Beest, Jodi Berg, Ulrika A. Bergvall, Randall B. Boone, Mark S. Boyce, Simon Chamaill'e-Jammes, Yannick Chaval, Chimeddorj Buyanaa, David A Christianson, Simone Ciuti, Steeve D. Côté, Duane R. Diefenbach, Egil Droge, Johan T. Du Toit, Samantha P. Dwinnell, Julian Fennessy, Flurin Filli, Daniel Fortin, Emma E. Hart, Matthew Hayes, Mark Hebblewhite, Morten Heim, Ivar Herfindal, Marco Heurich, Christian von Hoermann, Katey Huggler, Craig Jackson, Andrew F. Jakes, Paul F. Jones, Petra Kaczensky, Matthew Kauffman, Petter Kjellander, Tayler N LaSharr, Leif Egil Loe, Roel May, Philip McLoughlin, Erling L. Meisingset, Evelyn Merrill, Kevin L. Monteith, Thomas Mueller, Atle Mysterud, Dejid Nandintsetseg, Kirk A. Olson, John Payne, Scott Pearson, Ashild Ønvik Pedersen, Dustin H. Ranglack, Adele K. Reinking, Thomas Rempfler, Clifford G Rice, Eivin Røskaft, Bernt-Erik Sæther, Sonia Saïd, Hugo Santacreu, Niels Martin Schmidt, Daan Smit, Jared A. Stabach, Martin-Hugues St-Laurent, Joëlle Taillon, W. David Walter, Kevin White, Guillaume Péron, Anne Loison
2024, Nature Ecology & Evolution (9) 142-152
Caring for newborn offspring hampers resource acquisition of mammalian females, curbing their ability to meet the high energy expenditure of early lactation. Newborns are particularly vulnerable, and large herbivores have evolved a continuum of neonatal anti-predator tactics, ranging from immobile hider to highly mobile follower offspring. How these tactics constrain...
Longitudinal and seasonal changes of organic matter sources through a semi-arid river-reservoir system
Alysa Muir Yoder, Austin K. Baldwin, Mark C. Marvin-DiPasquale, Brett Poulin, Jesse Naymik, David P. Krabbenhoft
2024, Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences (129)
The quality and quantity of organic matter (OM) in a river system directly affects ecosystem health; thus, managers benefit from an in-depth understanding of the drivers and sources of OM. In the Snake River, a highly altered river-reservoir system in the semi-arid western United States, OM production and loading are...
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024
Matthew T. Whitehead, Chad J. Ostheimer
2024, Scientific Investigations Report 2024-5115
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. The maps depict estimates of the extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water...
Increasing soil water drought in response to altered precipitation timing across the western United States
Fangyue Zhang, Joel A. Biederman, Daniel Rodolphe Schlaepfer, John B. Bradford, Sasha Reed, William K. Smith
2024, Ecohydrology (18)
Recent trends of rising temperatures and longer droughts between precipitation events are impacting water-limited dryland ecosystems in the western United States. Although ecosystem drought response depends directly on soil moisture, trends in soil moisture (e.g., edaphic drought) remain more poorly explored than precipitation (e.g., meteorological drought), representing an important knowledge...
Using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio method to estimate thickness of the Barry Arm landslide, Prince William Sound, Alaska
Andrew L. Collins, Kate E. Allstadt, Dennis M. Staley
2024, Open-File Report 2024-1071
Conducting detailed investigations of large landslides is difficult, especially in the subsurface, largely due to environmental factors such as steep slopes, difficult access, and numerous objective hazards. These factors have made it challenging to accurately estimate the depth to the failure surface of the Barry Arm landslide, a large (roughly...
Dryland fungi are spatially heterogeneous and resistant to global change drivers
Andrea Lopez, Mark Anthony, Jovani Catalan-Dibene, Scott Ferrenberg, Samuel E. Jordan, Brooke B. Osborne, Sasha C. Reed, Adriana L. Romero-Olivares
2024, Ecosphere (15)
Fungi are considered particularly important in regulating the structure and function of dryland ecosystems, yet the response of dryland fungal communities to global change remains notably understudied. Without a clear understanding of how fungi respond to global change drivers, mitigation plans—required for biodiversity and ecosystem service conservation and restoration—are impossible...
The dynamics of sea otter prey selection under population growth and expansion
Clint Leach, Ben Weitzman, Jim Bodkin, Daniel Esler, George G. Esslinger, Kimberly A. Kloecker, Daniel Monson, Jamie N. Womble, Mevin B. Hooten
2024, Ecosphere (15)
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) were extirpated from much of their range in the North Pacific by the early 1900s but have made a remarkable recovery in Southeast Alaska. Sea otter populations have been particularly successful in Glacier Bay, Alaska, a protected tidewater glacier fjord with a diverse and productive nearshore...
Influenza A virus antibodies in ducks and introduction of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus, Tennessee, USA
David Stallknect, Deborah Carter, Abigail Blake-Bradshaw, Nicholas Masto, Cory Highway, Jamie Feddersen, Richard J. Webby, Bradley S. Cohen, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Rebecca L. Poulson
2024, Emerging Infectious Diseases (30) 2647-2650
Testing of ducks in Tennessee, United States, before introduction of highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus demonstrated a high prevalence of antibodies to influenza A virus but very low prevalence of antibodies to H5 (25%) or H5 and N1 (13%) subtypes. Antibody prevalence increased after H5N1 introduction....
