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Ecosystems Mission Area

The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them. 

News

USGS Joins the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance to Combat Bird Collisions

USGS Joins the Bird Collision Prevention Alliance to Combat Bird Collisions

Climate change and the global redistribution of biodiversity: are expected range shifts supported by the evidence?

Climate change and the global redistribution of biodiversity: are expected range shifts supported by the evidence?

Webinar Series - Friday's Findings

Webinar Series - Friday's Findings

Publications

Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management: Climate change impacts on plant communities in the sagebrush region—A science synthesis to inform Bureau of Land Management resource management:

This report synthesizes current (2024) science-based knowledge related to the impacts of climate change on big sagebrush vegetation in Western North America. This effort was conducted through the U.S. Geological Survey working with the Bureau of Land Management as part of multiple science syntheses to aid management agencies developing environmental impacts assessments in response to...
Authors
Scott M. Carpenter, Martin C. Holdrege, Daniel R. Schlaepfer, Jessica Phillips, Paul Griffin, William K. Lauenroth, John B. Bradford

Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Coelomic foreign bodies in wild-caught Python spp. in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) and African rock pythons (Python sebae) have established invasive populations in southern Florida, severely disrupting local ecosystems. We analysed necropsy data from 2,179 pythons captured between 2006 and 2022, revealing nine cases of coelomic foreign bodies, primarily consisting of bird beaks, which presumably entered the coelom following...
Authors
Gretchen E. Anderson, McKayla M. Spencer, Ray W. Snow, Andrea Currylow, Frank N. Ridgley, Bryan G. Falk, Amy A. Yackel Adams

Unintended indirect effects limit elk productivity from supplemental feeding in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Unintended indirect effects limit elk productivity from supplemental feeding in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

The widespread practice of supplemental feeding, a bottom-up forcing of resource availability, is intended to improve wildlife population health and survival. However, supplemental feeding could trigger indirect effects by altering predation rates and disease dynamics. We investigated the effects of feeding on three key elk (Cervus canadensis) population productivity metrics (calf:cow...
Authors
Brian Scott Dugovich, Emily M. Tomaszewski, Eric K. Cole, Sarah Dewey, Daniel MacNulty, Brandon Scurlock, Daniel Stahler, Paul C. Cross

Science

USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new science is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using up-to-date, high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further...
USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. Development of new science is occurring at rates that can make it challenging for biologists, resource managers, decision makers, private landowners, and other stakeholders to ensure they are using up-to-date, high-quality science information to inform their decisions. Further...
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The Innovation Landscape Network

As public, tribal, and military lands continue to experience rapid change brought on by fire, invasive species, and drought, there is a growing need for science-management partnerships to apply innovative research and technologies to support decision-making at an accelerated pace.
The Innovation Landscape Network

The Innovation Landscape Network

As public, tribal, and military lands continue to experience rapid change brought on by fire, invasive species, and drought, there is a growing need for science-management partnerships to apply innovative research and technologies to support decision-making at an accelerated pace.
Learn More

USGS Ecosystems Science Strengthening America's Hunting and Fishing Heritage

USGS science is vital for securing the hunting and fishing traditions many Americans value. By studying wildlife populations, habitats, and health, the USGS provides essential information that helps ensure these outdoor activities can continue to thrive.
USGS Ecosystems Science Strengthening America's Hunting and Fishing Heritage

USGS Ecosystems Science Strengthening America's Hunting and Fishing Heritage

USGS science is vital for securing the hunting and fishing traditions many Americans value. By studying wildlife populations, habitats, and health, the USGS provides essential information that helps ensure these outdoor activities can continue to thrive.
Learn More
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