Unstructured-grid approach to develop high-fidelity groundwater model to understand groundwater flow and storage responses to excessive groundwater withdrawals in the Southern Hills aquifer system in southeastern Louisiana (USA)
Ye-Hong Chen, Hamid Vahdat-Aboueshagh, Frank T.-C. Tsai, Alyssa Dausman, Michael C. Runge
2023, Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies (46)
Study regionThe Southern Hills aquifer system in the Louisiana Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District (CAGCD), USA.Study focusThe Southern Hills aquifer system provides abundant groundwater for public and industrial supplies in the CAGCD. Groundwater depletion, saltwater intrusion, and land subsidence are potential concerns due to prolonged excessive groundwater withdrawals. This study...
Observations of coastal circulation, waves, and sediment transport along West Maui, Hawaiʻi (November 2017– March 2018), and modeling effects of potential watershed restoration on decreasing sediment loads to adjacent coral reefs
Curt D. Storlazzi, Olivia M. Cheriton, Katherine M. Cronin, Luuk H. van der Heijden, Gundula Winter, Kurt J. Rosenberger, Joshua B. Logan, Robert T. McCall
2023, Open-File Report 2022-1121
Terrestrial sediment discharging from watersheds off West Maui, Hawaiʻi, has been documented as a primary stressor to local coral reefs, causing coral reef health to decline. The U.S. Geological Survey acquired and analyzed physical oceanographic and sedimentologic field data off the coast of West Maui to calibrate and validate physics-based,...
Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation
Brian A. Ebel, Zachary M. Shephard, Michelle A. Walvoord, Sheila F. Murphy, Trevor Fuess Partridge, Kimberlie Perkins
2023, Earth's Future (11)
Wildfire is a growing concern as climate shifts. The hydrologic effects of wildfire, which include elevated hazards and changes in water quantity and quality, are increasingly assessed using numerical models. Post-wildfire application of physically based distributed models provides unique insight into the underlying processes that affect water...
Geothermal energy production adversely affects a sensitive indicator species within sagebrush ecosystems in western North America
Peter S. Coates, Brian G. Prochazka, Shawn T. O'Neil, Sarah C. Webster, Shawn Espinosa, Mark A. Ricca, Steven R. Mathews, Michael L. Casazza, David J. Delehanty
2023, Biological Conservation (280)
Growing demand for renewable energy has resulted in expansion of energy infrastructure across sagebrush ecosystems of western North America. Geothermal power is an increasingly popular renewable energy source, especially within remote areas, but little is known about the impacts it may have on local wildlife populations. Investigations are warranted given...
Tracking status and trends in seven key indicators of stream health in the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Samuel H. Austin, Matthew Joseph Cashman, John W. Clune, James E. Colgin, Rosemary M. Fanelli, Kevin P. Krause, Emily Majcher, Kelly O. Maloney, Chris A. Mason, Doug L. Moyer, Tammy M. Zimmerman
2023, Fact Sheet 2023-3003
“The Bay Connects us, the Bay reflects us” writes Tom Horton in the book “Turning the Tide—Saving the Chesapeake Bay”. The Chesapeake Bay watershed contains the largest estuary in the United States. The watershed stretches north to Cooperstown, New York, south to Lynchburg and Virginia Beach, Virginia, west to Pendleton...
Vulnerability to climate change of managed stocks in the California Current large marine ecosystem
Michelle M McClure, Melissa A. Haltuch, Ellen Willis-Norton, David D. Huff, Elliott L. Hazen, Lisa G. Crozier, Michael G. Jacox, Mark W. Nelson, Kelly S. Andrews, Lewis A. K. Barnett, Aaron M. Berger, Sabrina Beyer, Joe Bizzarro, David A. Boughton, Jason M. Cope, Mark H. Carr, Heidi Dewar, Edward Dick, Dorval Emmanis, Jason B. Dunham, Vladlena Gertseva, Correigh M. Greene, Richard G. Gustafson, Hamel Owen S., Chris J. Harvey, Mark J. Henderson, Chris E. Jordan, Isaac C. Kaplan, Steven T. Lindley, Nathan J. Mantua, Sean E. Matson, Melissa H. Monk, Peter B. Moyle, Colin L Nicol, John Pohl, Ryan R. Rykaczewski, Jameal F. Samhouri, Susan Sogard, Nick Tolimieri, John Wallace, Chantel Wetzel, Steven J. Bograd
2023, Frontiers in Marine Science (10)
Introduction: Understanding how abundance, productivity and distribution of individual species may respond to climate change is a critical first step towards anticipating alterations in marine ecosystem structure and function, as well as developing strategies to adapt to the full range of potential changes.Methods: This study applies the NOAA (National Oceanic and...
Qualitative value of information provides a transparent and repeatable method for identifying critical uncertainty
Michelle L Stantial, Abigail Jean Lawson, Auriel M.V. Fournier, Peter J. Kappes, Chelsea S. Kross, Michael C. Runge, Mark S. Woodrey, James E. Lyons
2023, Ecological Applications (33)
Conservation decisions are often made in the face of uncertainty because the urgency to act can preclude delaying management while uncertainty is resolved. In this context, adaptive management is attractive, allowing simultaneous management and learning. An adaptive program design requires the identification of critical uncertainties that impede the choice of...
An examination of soil crusts on the floor of Jezero crater, Mars
E. M. Hausrath, C. T. Adcock, A. Bechtold, P. S. A. Beck, K. Benison, A. Brown, E. L. Cardarelli, N. A. Carman, B. Chide, J. Christian, B. C. Clark, E. Cloutis, A. Cousin, O. Forni, Travis S. J. Gabriel, O. Gasnault, M. P. Golombek, F. Gomez, M. H. Hecht, T. L. J. Henley, J. Huidobro, J. C. Johnson, M. W. M. Jones, P. B. Kelemen, A. Knight, J. A. Lasue, S. Le Mouelic, J. M. Madariaga, J. N. Maki, L. Mandon, G. Martinez, J. Martinez-Frias, T. H. McConnochie, P. -Y. Meslin, M. -P. Zorzano, H. Newsom, G. Paar, N. Randazzo, C. Royer, S. Siljestroem, M. E. Schmidt, S. Schroeder, M. A. Sephton, R. Sullivan, N. Turenne, A. Udry, S. VanBommel, A. Vaughan, R. C. Wiens, N. Williams
2023, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (128)
Martian soils are critically important for understanding the history of Mars, past potentially habitable environments, returned samples, and future human exploration. This paper examines soil crusts on the floor of Jezero crater encountered during initial phases of the Mars 2020 mission. Soil surface crusts have been observed...
Spatial and temporal analysis of geologic slip rates, Cucamonga Fault, California, USA: Implications for along-strike applications and multi-fault rupture
Devin McPhillips, Katherine Scharer
2023, Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth (128)
To constrain fault processes and hazard, fault slip rates may be extrapolated over different fault lengths or time intervals. Here, we investigate slip rates for the Cucamonga Fault (CF). The CF is located at the junction of the Transverse Range fault system with the San Andreas and...
The 2013−2020 seismic activity at Sabancaya Volcano (Peru): Long lasting unrest and eruption
Roger Machacca, P. Lesage, H. Tavera, J. Pesicek, C. Caudron, J.L. Torres, N. Puma, K. Vargas, I. Lazarte, M. Rivera, Alain Burgisser
2023, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (435)
Sabancaya volcano is the youngest and second most active volcano in Peru. It is part of the Ampato-Sabancaya volcanic complex which sits to the south of the ancient Hualca Hualca volcano and several frequently active faults, thus resulting in complex volcano-tectonic interactions. After 15 years of repose, in 2013, a...
Pelagic food web interactions in a large invaded ecosystem: Implications for reintroducing a native top predator
Adam G. Hansen, Allison McCoy, Gary P. Thiede, David Beauchamp
2023, Ecology of Freshwater Fish (32) 552-570
A series of species introductions, overexploitation, and habitat modification preceded the extirpation of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi; LCT), historically the apex predator, from Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, USA. Studies evaluating limiting factors for LCT emphasise the need to elucidate food web interactions, yet important knowledge gaps regarding trophic interactions among...
Flow–recruitment relationships for Shoal Chub and implications for managing environmental flows
Joshuah S. Perkin, Matthew Ross Acre, Johnathan K. Ellard, Anthony W. Rodger, Joe Trungale, Kirk O. Winemiller, Lauren E. Yancy
2023, North American Journal of Fisheries Management (43) 1260-1275
ObjectiveRegulation of river flow regimes by dams and diversions impacts aquatic biota and ecosystems globally. However, our understanding of the ecological consequences of flow alteration and ecological benefits of flow restoration lags behind our ability to manipulate flows, and there is a need for broader development of...
Predicting probabilities of late summer surface flow presence in a glaciated mountainous headwater region
Kristin Jaeger, Roy Sando, Sarah B. Dunn, Andrew S. Gendaszek
2023, Hydrological Processes (37)
Accurate mapping of streams that maintain surface flow during annual baseflow periods in mountain headwater streams is important for informing water availability for human consumption and is a fundamental determinant of in-channel conditions for stream-dwelling organisms. Yet accurate mapping that captures local spatial variability and associated local controls on surface...
Survival rates of band-tailed pigeons estimated using passive integrated transponder tags
Daniel P. Collins, Guthrie S. Zimmerman, Scott A. Carleton, William L. Kendall, Christopher L. Coxen
2023, Journal of Wildlife Management (87)
Obtaining survival estimates on the Interior population of band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata) is challenging because they are trap shy, but the joint use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and bands is a potential solution. We investigated the use of PIT tags to passively recapture...
Conservation genomics reveals low connectivity among populations of threatened roseate terns (Sterna dougallii) in the Atlantic Basin
Paige A. Byerly, R. Terry Chesser, Robert C. Fleischer, Nancy McInerney, Natalia Przelomska, Paul S Leberg
2023, Conservation Genetics (24) 331-345
While the effects of barriers to dispersal such as population declines, habitat fragmentation, and geographic distance have been well-documented in terrestrial wildlife, factors impeding the dispersal of highly vagile taxa such as seabirds are less well understood. The roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) is a globally...
An evaluation of avian influenza virus whole-genome sequencing approaches using nanopore technology
Hon S. Ip, Sarah Uhm, Mary Lea Killian, Mia K. Torchetti
2023, Microorganisms (11)
As exemplified by the global response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, whole-genome sequencing played an important role in monitoring the evolution of novel viral variants and provided guidance on potential antiviral treatments. The recent rapid and extensive introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in Europe, North America,...
Combining local, landscape, and regional geographies to assess plant community vulnerability to invasion impact
Ines Ibáñez, Lais Petri, David Barnett, Evelyn M. Beaury, Dana M. Blumenthal, Jeff Corbin, Jeffrey M. Diez, Jeffrey Dukes, Reagan Early, Ian Pearse, Cascade J. B. Sorte, Montserrat Vila, Bethany A. Bradley
2023, Ecological Applications (33)
Invasive species science has focused heavily on the invasive agent. However, management to protect native species also requires a proactive approach focused on resident communities and the features affecting their vulnerability to invasion impacts. Vulnerability is likely the result of factors acting across spatial...
Hydrologic compartmentalization and analytic-element groundwater-flow simulations for a draining mine tunnel
Connor P. Newman
2023, Environmental Earth Sciences (82)
Draining mine tunnels contribute contaminants to groundwater and surface water, but remediation strategies may be hindered as hydrogeologic characterization and modeling of these heterogeneous features generally relies on sparse data sets. The Captain Jack mine site in Colorado, USA, presents a unique data set allowing...
MTAB 103, February 2023
Kyra Harvey, Jennifer L. McKay
2023, Newsletter
This Memo to All Banders (MTAB 103) was released in February 2023. Subjects in this this memo are 1. The Chief’s Chirp; 2. Alerts – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and reminder that banders cannot submit data through Bandit, only manage data; 3. Staff updates – BBL Thanks Intern from Smithsonian-Mason...
Outlining potential biomarkers of exposure and effect to critical minerals: Nutritionally essential trace elements and the rare earth elements
Jill Jenkins, MaryLynn Musgrove, Sarah Jane White
2023, Toxics (11)
Emerging and low-carbon technologies and innovations are driving a need for domestic sources, sustainable use, and availability of critical minerals (CMs)—those vital to the national and economic security of the United States. Understanding the known and potential health effects of exposures to such mineral commodities can inform prudent and...
Building a library of source samples for sediment fingerprinting – Potential and proof of concept
Tanja N. Williamson, Faith Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Kreiling
2023, Journal of Environmental Management (333)
PurposeSediment fingerprinting of fluvial targets has proven useful to guide conservation management and prioritize sediment sources for Federal and State supported programs in the United States. However, the collection and analysis of source samples can make these studies unaffordable, especially when needed for multiple...
Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Claire S. Teitelbaum, Michael L. Casazza, Fiona McDuie, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Cory T. Overton, Laurie Anne Hall, Elliott Matchett, Josh T. Ackerman, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Andrew M. Ramey, Diann Prosser
2023, Ecosphere (14)
Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild...
Does post-fire recovery of native grasses across abiotic-stress and invasive-grass gradients match theoretical predictions, in sagebrush steppe?
Christopher R. Anthony, Matthew Germino
2023, Global Ecology and Conservation (42)
Interactions among species can strongly affect how plant communities reassemble after disturbances, and variability among native and invasive species across environmental gradients must be known in order to manage plant-community recovery. The stress-gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts species interactions will be more...
Analysis of the United States documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset
Matthew D. Merrill, Claire A. Grove, Nicholas J. Gianoutsos, Philip A. Freeman
2023, Data Report 1167
In coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and in response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) produced a documented unplugged orphaned oil and gas well dataset (called the DOW dataset hereafter) that contains the location and status of these wells nationwide as...
Metagenomic mapping of cyanobacteria and potential cyanotoxin producing taxa in large rivers of the United States
D.M. Linz, N. Sienkiewicz, I. Struewing, Erin A. Stelzer, Jennifer L. Graham, Jingrang Lu
2023, Scientific Reports (13)
Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin producing cyanobacterial blooms are a trending focus of current research. Many studies focus on bloom events in lentic environments such as lakes or ponds. Comparatively few studies have explored lotic environments and fewer still have examined the cyanobacterial communities and potential cyanotoxin...
