USGS Science⌕ Search

SEARCH · USGS Science

Results for “Article”

Search indexed USGS publications on groundwater, aquifers, geologic maps, mineral resources and earthquakes. Explore source records by subject and place.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources
USGS2009

Modeling fuel succession

Surface fuels data are of critical importance for supporting fire incident management, risk assessment, and fuel management planning, but the development of surface fuels data can be expensive and time consuming. The data development process is extensive, generally beginning with acquisition of remotely sensed spatial data such as aerial photography or satellite imagery (Keane and others 2001). The spatial vegetation data are then crosswalked to a set of fire behavior fuel models that describe the available fuels (the burnable portions of the vegetation) (Anderson 1982, Scott and Burgan 2005). Finally, spatial fuels data are used as input to tools such as FARSITE and FlamMap to model current and potential fire spread and behavior (Finney 1998, Finney 2006). The capture date of the remotely sensed data defines the period for which the vegetation, and, therefore, fuels, data are most accurate. The more time that passes after the capture date, the less accurate the data become due to vegetation growth and processes such as fire. Subsequently, the results of any fire simulation based on these data become less accurate as the data age. Because of the amount of labor and expense required to develop these data, keeping them updated may prove to be a challenge. In this article, we describe the Sierra Nevada Fuel Succession Model, a modeling tool that can quickly and easily update surface fuel models with a minimum of additional input data. Although it was developed for use by Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, it is applicable to much of the central and southern Sierra Nevada. Furthermore, the methods used to develop the model have national applicability.

Fire Management Today↗
USGS2005

An updated rate-of-spread clock

Several years ago, Blank and Simard (1983) described an electronic timer, frequently referred to as a rate-of-spread (ROS) clock—a relatively simple instrument used in measuring fire spread. Although other techniques for measuring rate of spread are available (such as data loggers), the basic ROS clock remains a valuable and relatively inexpensive tool. However, several items described in the original article have changed. Therefore, we are describing an updated version of the ROS clock.

Fire Management Today↗
USGS2000

What's a novirhabdovirus?

Some of our most well known fish viruses are now members of a newly recognized genus within the virus family Rhabdoviridae. As a member of the rhabdovirus study group of the International Committee for Virus Taxonomy (ICTV), I have been involved for the last five years in working towards updated and improved taxonomic classification of fish rhabdoviruses. The major fruit of this effort has been the establishment of a new genus that includes many, but not all, rhabdoviruses of fish hosts. Although this new genus was officially accepted by the ICTV in July of 1998, the continuing delay in publication of the seventh report of the ICTV has meant that there is still no official notification of this change. This article is meant to explain the new genus to all interested fish health professionals.

Fish Health Section Newsletter↗
USGS2002

Assessing the quality of the nation's water resources

This issue of IMPACT highlights findings from the first decade of studies (1991 to 2001) by the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The articles also discuss the Program’s approaches and models designed to help understand and estimate the fate and transport of contaminants in different geographic areas and environmental settings and over different time frames. NAWQA was established by Congress in 1991 with a goal of developing long-term, consistent, and comparable science-based information on nationwide water-quality conditions. This information is used to support sound management and policy decisions by decision makers at all levels – local, state, and national – who, every day, face complex regulations and management issues related to water resources.

Water Resources Impact↗
USGS2013

How do migratory species add ecosystem service value to wilderness? Calculating the spatial subsidies provided by protected areas

Species that migrate through protected and wilderness areas and utilize their resources, deliver ecosystem services to people in faraway locations. The mismatch between the areas that most support a species and those areas where the species provides most benefits to society can lead to underestimation of the true value of protected areas such as wilderness. We present a method to communicate the “off-site” value of wilderness and protected areas in providing habitat to migratory species that, in turn, provide benefits to people in distant locations. Using northern pintail ducks (Anas acuta) as an example, the article provides a method to estimate the amount of subsidy – the value of the ecosystem services provided by a migratory species in one area versus the cost to support the species and its habitat elsewhere.

International Journal of Wilderness↗
USGS1998

Marbled murrelets have declined in Alaska

In the last issue of Northwest Science , Hayward and Iverson (“Long-Term Trends in Marbled Murrelets in Southeast Alaska Based on Christmas Bird Counts”) failed to mention other evidence for 40-75% declines in murrelet populations, or discuss implications of a climate regime shift that has reduced populations of seabirds in Alaska, or present any useful information on the status of old-growth breeding habitat for murrelets. They examined Christmas Bird Count (CBC) data from Southeast Alaska, and concluded that there is no evidence for declines in populations. They suggested that our (Piatt and Naslund 1995) previous analysis of CBC data for murrelets was erroneous, and suggested that “ the disparity between our conclusions… invites explanation ”. Invitation accepted. In the following, I will show that there was no disparity in conclusions, that Hayward and Iverson mis-represented our conclusions and they conducted a highly selective review of evidence for murrelet population changes in Alaska. The result was a paper that was inaccurate, incomplete, out-of-date, mis-leading and of little service to the readers of Northwest Science who might have read the article hoping to gain some new insight on the status of marbled murrelets in Alaska.

Alaska↗
USGS2014

Progress in data collection and dissemination in water resources – 1974-2014

In the 50 years since the founding of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA), there has been tremendous and likely unforeseen progress in water-re- sources data collection and dissemination. Langford and Doyel (1974) (henceforth L&D) described progress during the decade following the founding of AWRA, and focused their description around seven topics. L&D described the changes as being “more philosophical than technical,” and noted the importance to the water-resources com- munity of the more than 30 Federal Acts or Amendments enacted in the decade. The purpose of this article is to provide an update to L&D by reviewing L&D’s predictions of anticipated changes in water resources data collection and dissemi-nation, providing an overview of some of the drivers of change in the water-resources community in the last 40 years, identifying some key advances in water-resources data collection and dissemination since 1974, and out-lining some important near-term challenges. The overview is necessarily incomplete, but represents one perspective based on years of collaboration throughout the water-resources community.

Water Resources Impact↗
USGS2003

Bear-human interactions at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Conflict risk assessment

Many bear-human conflicts have occurred in Alaska parks and refuges, resulting in area closures, property damage, human injury, and loss of life. Human activity in bear country has also had negative and substantial consequences for bears: disruption of their natural activity patterns, displacement from important habitats, injury, and death. It is unfortunate for both people and bears when conflicts occur. Fortunately, however, solutions exist for reducing, and in some instances eliminating, bear-human conflict. This article presents ongoing work at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Park Service scientists who are committed to finding solutions for the bear-human conflicts that periodically occurs there.

Alaska↗
USGS2017

Can wolves help save Japan's mountain forests?

Japan’s wolves were extinct by 1905. Today Japan's mountain forests are being killed by overabundant sika deer and wild boars. Since the early 1990s, the Japan Wolf Association has proposed wolf reintroduction to Japan to restore rural ecology and to return a culturally important animal. In this article I discuss whether the return of wolves could help save Japan's mountain forests.

International Wolf↗
USGS2017

Coal-tar-based pavement sealants—a potent source of PAHs

P avement sealants are applied to the asphalt pavement of many parking lots, driveways, and even playgrounds in North America (Figure 1), where, when first applied, they render the pavement glossy black and looking like new. Sealant products used commercially in the central, eastern, and northern United States typically are coal-tarbased, whereas those used in the western United States typically are asphalt-based. Although the products look similar, they are chemically different. Coal-tarbased pavement sealants typically are 25-35 percent (by weight) coal tar or coal-tar pitch, materials that are known human carcinogens and that contain high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and related chemicals (unless otherwise noted, all Figure 1. Pavement sealant is commonly used to seal parking lots, playgrounds, and driveways throughout the United States. Sealants used in the central, northern, eastern, and southern United States typically contain coal tar or coal-tar pitch, both of which are known human carcinogens. Photos by the U.S. Geological Survey. data in this article are from Mahler et al. 2012 and references therein).

Lakeline↗
USGS2013

The benefits of improved national elevation data

This article describes how the National Enhanced Elevation Assessment (NEEA) has identified substantial benefits that could come about if improved elevation data were publicly available for current and emerging applications and business uses such as renewable energy, precision agriculture, and intelligent vehicle navigation and safety. In order to support these diverse needs, new national elevation data with higher resolution and accuracy are needed. The 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) initiative was developed to meet the majority of these needs and it is expected that 3DEP will result in new, unimagined information services that would result in job growth and the transformation of the geospatial community. Private-sector data collection companies are continuously evolving sensors and positioning technologies that are needed to collect improved elevation data. An initiative of this scope might also provide an opportunity for companies to improve their capabilities and produce even higher data quality and consistency at a pace that might not have otherwise occurred.

Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing↗
USGS2008

Climate change and global carbon cycle: Perspectives and opportunities

The relevance of methane hydrates research to broader societal themes is often framed in terms of methane’s role in the global carbon cycle and its potential contribution to future climate change. To date, investigations of these fundamental issues have remained largely disconnected from applied studies focused on locating natural gas hydrate deposits, developing production technologies, and analyzing and mitigating hydrate-related geohazards. The 2005 reauthorization of the 2000 Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act provides broad latitude for better integration of applied and basic research related to methane hydrates, the carbon cycle, and climate change through its direction “to assess and to mitigate the environmental impact of hydrate degassing.” This mandate includes sponsoring research that evaluates whether methane hydrate degassing triggered by either natural or anthropogenic perturbations will (1) contribute to global climate change and (2) release significant quantities of currently sequestered carbon to the ocean-atmosphere system. This article provides an overview of progress and challenges in these areas and sets the stage for future research on related issues under the auspices of the Methane Hydrate Act.

Fire in the Ice: NETL Methane Hydrate Newsletter↗
USGS2018

State of the network: Long-term, high-frequency flow and water quality data in the San Francisco Estuary, California

The USGS California Water Science Center is heavily involved in the measurement of flow and water quality parameters in the San Francisco Estuary, with support from many partner agencies. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR), through the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) is one of those agencies. This article describes the resulting efforts and methodologies and provides examples of some of the uses of the data sets for science and management interests. The DWR/IEP-funded flow and water quality network provides high resolution data in both space and time, over a large portion of the San Francisco Estuary. This measurement network has evolved over the preceding decades, and proven invaluable for both management and science interests, with particular relevance to water supply and endangered species issues. Presented below are a summary of the measurement network, some of the methods being utilized, and some interesting conditions that became evident during the recent drought that spanned Water Years (WY) 2013-2016, and the wet WY2017 (water year spans Oct 1-Sept 30).

California↗
USGS2018

Conflicting messages about camping near waterbodies in wilderness: A review of the scientific basis and need for flexibility

The preceding article by C. B. Griffin examines the differences in recommended camping distance from waterbodies from a perspective that there should be consistency between the guidance provided by land management agencies and low impact education and communication programs, such as Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly. We concur that regulatory and messaging consistency is a beneficial mutual goal and suggest that it’s time to reexamine the biophysical and social scientific basis for such guidance, historical precedents, alternative management options, and where there are needs for flexibility. We also identify possible additional research needs and suggest alternative actions based on the current body of research.

International Journal of Wilderness↗
USGS2002

Exposure of delta smelt to dissolved pesticides in 2000

Delta smelt abundance in San Francisco Estuary has been declining since 1983. The exposure of delta smelt to toxic pesticides during larval and juvenile life stages may be one possible factor of this decline (Bennett and Moyle 1996; Moyle and others 1996). Although pesticides have been detected in the Delta (MacCoy and others 1995; Kuivila and others 1999), minimal data on pesticide concentrations and the duration of occurrence in delta smelt habitat are documented. A three-year study (1998– 2000) was undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to quantify the exposure of larval and juvenile delta smelt to dissolved pesticides. Moon and others (2000) reported on the exposure of delta smelt to dissolved pesticides in 1998 and 1999, and this article follows up on Moon’s work and reports the results from late spring and summer of 2000.

Interagency Ecological Program Newsletter↗
USGS2005

Three in one: Multiscale Hardcopy Depiction of the Mars Surface in True3D

The visualisation of both geospatial Earth data and extra-terrestrial objects is gain- ing increasing importance. Until recently, hardcopy displays were confined to mostly static, two-dimensional or pseudo-three-dimensional depictions. The various effects offered by lenticular foil technology allow the generation of flip-image effects, short animations, and true-3D displays in hardcopy form. One advantage of this method is that these effects can be spontaneously viewed with the unaided eye. This article gives a concise overview of the lenticular foil technology (hereafter lenticular technology) and describes the production of the lenticular display presented on the cover of this month's issue of PE&RS.

Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing↗
USGS2019

Employing an ecosystem services framework to deliver decision ready science

Public land managers have limited information to allow for the integration and balancing of multiple objectives in land management decisions including the social (cultural and health), economic (monetary and nonmonetary), and environmental aspects. In this article, we document an approach to consider the many facets of decision making by incorporating them into a decision context using an ecosystem services framework. This analysis is based on a multi-partner project led by the US Geological Survey and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to provide land management decision support for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. It is an integrated ecologic-economic analysis of baseline (current) and potential future quantities, qualities, and values of selected ecosystem services from the Refuge. Alternative management scenarios are modeled to consider the impact of specific management actions or natural disturbances on priority ecosystem services. We examine the benefits and challenges of using this framework. Key lessons learned from this effort include the mismatch in timing between physical and social science; the challenge of integrating methods from multiple disciplines; the importance of frequent communication to overcome siloed research; and the utility of an integrating framework for ecosystem services and supporting tools such as the dynamic ecosystem model.

Advances in Ecological Research↗