A U.S. Geological Survey scientist is using a satellite collar on a North Pole wolf named Brutus to learn about the Arctic wolves' behavior in winter. The collar collects and stores locations every day, which are then emailed to researchers, allowing them to track the wolf's movements and habitat use.
Researchers found PAHs in house dust near coal-tar-based sealcoat and used spiders as sentinels for contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. African dust carried persistent organic contaminants and metals across the ocean affecting native species. Scientists also explored using pheromones to control invasive Asian carp.
A 7-year study found that South Carolina beaches can be preserved through a systematic approach and partnerships between government and local organizations. The research identified offshore sand sources that can be used for beach replenishment without exacerbating erosion.
The Arctic has been a carbon sink since the last Ice Age, but rapid climate change could eliminate it. Warmer temperatures and permafrost thawing could release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming.
The USGS report highlights five giant non-native snake species that pose high ecological risks to the US, including Burmese pythons, anacondas, and boas. These snakes have been documented reproducing in the wild in South Florida and can attack and kill people, posing a small risk.
The USGS is upgrading critical earthquake monitoring networks with new technology, providing emergency responders with more reliable data to save lives and reduce economic losses. The modernization project will create jobs and stimulate economic growth in regions prone to earthquakes.
A USGS study reveals over 40% of urban streams have chlorides above recommended federal criteria for aquatic protection. Chloride from deicing salt use is a major source, with levels as high as 4,000 ppm during winter months.
Intersex fish were found in about a third of all sites examined from the Apalachicola, Colorado, Columbia, Mobile, Mississippi, Pee Dee, Rio Grande, Savannah, and Yukon River basins. Largemouth bass in southeastern U.S. had the highest prevalence of intersex, with some sites reporting up to 73% incidence.
A new book demystifies bats and eliminates many myths surrounding rabies, providing an overview of the virus variants that cause bat rabies and geographical patterns of occurrence. The book aims to increase public understanding of rabies and its impact on humans, pets, farm animals, and wildlife.
New research by USGS scientists finds that ingesting beach sand can lead to gastrointestinal illness, with children more susceptible. Hand washing or sanitizing significantly reduces the risk of infection.
Fish populations are being increasingly affected by emerging diseases, exacerbated by climate change and other stresses. As a result, population fluctuations, extinction, reduced health, and increased susceptibility to predation are expected, according to Dr. Jim Winton of the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center.
A new oral vaccine shows promise in protecting prairie dogs against plague, offering a potential solution for endangered black-footed ferrets. Meanwhile, shipwrecks and man-made structures are found to increase the risk of invasive species taking over coral reefs, threatening their diversity and native life.
A decline in large-diameter trees in Yosemite National Park is linked to warmer climate conditions, resulting in habitat loss and potential reduction in species such as spotted owls. The study found that fewer new trees will grow in the landscape due to large trees being a seed source for the surrounding area.
Research by USGS scientists links estrogen exposure to reduced immune response in largemouth bass, potentially making them more vulnerable to diseases. The study reveals that estrogen blocks production of hepcidin, a hormone that regulates iron and has antimicrobial properties.
Honeycreepers' high-altitude refuges are vulnerable to disease invasion and habitat loss as temperatures rise, putting species at risk of extinction. The USGS predicts that climate change will displace these refuge areas, forcing birds to migrate into higher disease transmission zones.
A landmark USGS study documents the process of methylmercury formation in the North Pacific Ocean, which contaminates tuna and other seafood. The study shows that long-range transport of mercury from Asia is a significant pathway, highlighting the need for reduced mercury emissions to protect public health.
The USGS has developed an energy-efficient system to measure snowfall in remote areas of Maine, using a bucket, small windmill, and solar panels. This innovative solution helps predict floods from spring snowmelt and saves lives by providing accurate information.
The Protected Areas Database – United States (PAD-US) is a national inventory of protected lands in the US. The database contains information on over 22,000 highly protected areas, covering 15% of the country's land area.
Citizen scientists transcribe historical bird records into scientific database for better understanding of climate change effects on bird populations. The USGS North American Bird Phenology Program aims to unravel the impact of global warming on bird behavior and migration patterns.
The USA-NPN is launching a new national program to track the effects of climate change on seasonal changes in plant and animal behavior. Scientists will use volunteer observations to monitor life cycles of nearly 200 species of plants, predicting wildfires, pollen production, droughts and assessing ecosystem vulnerability.
Coastal erosion in Alaska's Arctic region has more than doubled to 45 feet per year over a 5-year period. The increased erosion rates are attributed to changing arctic conditions, including declining sea ice extent, rising sea level, and increasing storm power.
A long-term study reveals that the average weight of red knots has declined significantly since their primary food source, horseshoe crab eggs, was reduced. The population size of red knots has declined by over 75 percent due to increased harvest of horseshoe crabs.
A recent study led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that tree death rates have more than doubled over the last few decades in old-growth forests of the western United States. The increase is widespread, affecting various forest types, elevations, and tree species.
Research reveals that California sea otters living in coastal areas with limited resources are more susceptible to diseases caused by parasites. The study found that diet diversity among individual otters can lead to higher infection rates, highlighting the importance of habitat quality for maintaining healthy populations.
A new USGS report highlights the potential for abrupt climate changes in the US, including rapid sea ice loss, increased drought, and decreased ocean circulation. Further research is needed to improve understanding of these changes and develop effective adaptation strategies.
The USGS discusses prehistoric climate changes providing clues to future shifts and large deposits of gas hydrates on Alaska's North Slope. Holiday lights reveal the mineral composition behind their glow.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience reveals the devastating impact of increased nitrogen deposition on Slovakian soil acidity, compromising plant fertility and surface water quality. Researchers warn that many soils are already susceptible to this process due to decades of human-influenced pollution.
A previously undescribed fungus has been linked to the deaths of over 100,000 hibernating bats in the northeastern United States. The fungus, commonly found on bat skin and wings, is believed to be a major contributor to the decline of North American bat populations.
A new study found that nearly half of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in northern pintail ducks in Alaska contained genes more closely related to Asian strains. This research validates surveillance sampling processes and demonstrates the effectiveness of genetic analysis in understanding virus exchange between continents.
Most Alaskan glaciers are retreating and thinning, especially at lower elevations, while some are advancing, according to a comprehensive USGS study. The report uses satellite images and aerial photographs to document glacier behavior and distribution.
Scientists have discovered a new Pacific iguana species in central Fiji, Brachylophus bulabula, which joins only two other living species. The study found that each of the 13 islands where living iguanas were sampled showed distinct genetic lines not seen elsewhere, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
According to the USGS report, nearly 40 percent of North American freshwater fish species are now listed as vulnerable, threatened, or endangered. Habitat loss and climate change have contributed significantly to these declines.
In a bid to control an extensive plague outbreak in South Dakota, biologists are vaccinating endangered black-footed ferrets with a vaccine given by the U.S. Geological Survey. The vaccine has been used during a major plague epizootic for the first time and is administered to prairie dogs and ferrets through initial shots and boosters.
Numerous studies have documented adverse effects of lead on wildlife, particularly waterbirds and scavenging species, due to ingested lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers. The use of lead ammunition remains common despite bans on waterfowl hunting, with upland game and scavenging birds continuing to be exposed.
The USGS Great Lakes Beach Health Initiative aims to enhance water-quality forecasting and provide decision-making tools for effective beach closure management. Scientists will focus on improving models, identifying pathogen processes, and evaluating rapid monitoring methods.
The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the cause of thousands of bat deaths in the northeastern US, with most affected species showing signs of emaciation and poor body condition. Environmental samples have been collected to determine if toxicants or secondary microbial pathogens are contributing to the illness.
Scientists developed a new model to estimate sea ice thickness, using historical observations and environmental data analysis. The study shows that average ice thickness and total ice volume fluctuated together during the early period, peaking in the late 1980s before declining until the mid-1990s.
A network of seismic instruments has been placed around Panama's Baru Volcano to help detect eruptions and mitigate danger. The Panamanian government funded the instrumentation, completed by the University of Panama's Department of Geosciences, in response to a joint study that revealed the volcano's potential for future eruptions.
The USGS has developed a new waterborne aquaculture drug, 35% PEROX-AID, which was recently approved by the FDA for use in treating three major freshwater fish diseases. The approval is expected to benefit both commercial and public aquaculture industries, reducing losses estimated at $100 million annually.
A recent USGS study compared nine different formulations and confirmed that most still have toxic additives, but some de-icers may be safer for the environment than those used in the 1990s.
Scientists assess native plant diversity to evaluate invasion vulnerability and protect native plants, innovative field methods presented in a new book by USGS ecologist Tom Stohlgren. The book provides revised sampling approaches for measuring plant diversity at multiple scales, helping natural resource managers make informed decisions
Polar bears' habitat preferences shift as sea ice declines, affecting prey availability and reproduction. USGS research shows a causal link between earlier sea ice breakup and decreased polar bear survival.
The invasive Didemnum species continues to thrive on Georges Bank, with colonies found in two areas where they were also detected in previous years. Scientists are concerned about the impact on local fisheries and shellfish aquaculture industries.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has developed a database and web application called HEDDS to share information on sample collection sites, bird species sampled, and test results. The database provides current information on wild bird sampling for early detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States.
A West Indian manatee has been sighted in various northeastern US waters, including the Hudson River and Cape Cod. Researchers used a manatee photo-identification database to rule out Chessie, a known manatee with distinctive markings, as the current traveler.
A study found that rivers north of 44° north latitude in the US and Canada experience earlier winter-spring streamflows, while those south of this line have later streamflows. This shift may impact Atlantic salmon survival rates.
A study reviewed over 100 scientific studies and found that the global water cycle is intensifying, with increasing precipitation, runoff, and evapotranspiration. However, the effects on tropical storms and floods are not consistent with predictions.
The USGS and ICDP successfully retrieved a nearly complete set of core samples from the Chesapeake Bay impact crater, allowing for unprecedented understanding of post-impact sediments and rocks. The recovered core will enable researchers to study global sea-level changes and the distribution of water-bearing units in the coastal plain.
Climate models project significant changes in global water availability by 2050, with varying trends across regions. The study highlights the complex relationship between climate and water resources, noting that warmer temperatures can lead to both increased and decreased water supply in different parts of the world.
A USGS study found that winter/spring high river flows in northern New England came significantly earlier during the 20th century, with most changes occurring since the 1960s. The total winter days of ice-affected flow decreased by 20 days from 1936 to 2000 for the average of the 9 longest-record rivers.