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

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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources
USGS2020

Micro-geographic variation in burrow use of Agassiz’s desert tortoises in the Sonoran Desert of California

Little has been published regarding the burrowing habits of Agassiz’s desert tortoises ( Gopherus agassizii ) in the Sonoran Desert of California. We monitored the interactions of tortoises with their burrows, and other tortoises, via radio-telemetry at two nearby sites between the Cottonwood and Orocopia Mountains, from 2015-2018. We examined how annual cycles of drought and non-drought years, behaviourally affected how tortoises use their burrows (i.e., burrow fidelity, cohabitation, and location), including the timing of the tortoise brumation period. Burrow locations were strongly dependent on local geology and topography, with a tendency to orientate in conformance with the general aspect of the landscape. The timing of brumation was similar to records for G. agassizii throughout their range (with a few exceptions). There was no difference in the estimated number of burrows used per 30 days between the active seasons (2017 and 2018) at the Orocopia site, despite the occurrence of drought in 2018.

California↗
USGS2024

The addition of 144Nd atomic mass to routine ICP-MS analysis as a Quick Screening Tool for Approximating Rare Earth Elements (Q-STAR) in natural waters

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a class of critical minerals, all of which can have supply chain vulnerability that impacts economic security. These elements are widely measured in environmental matrices via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); however, successful quantification can require time-consuming, sample-specific optimization. While a sample-by-sample approach is appropriate for targeted quantification studies, this approach is not suitable for mineral exploration efforts where rapidly screening thousands of samples for the presence of REEs is desired. Here, we demonstrated the use of a Quick Screening Tool for Approximating REEs (Q-STAR) to detect REEs in surface water and groundwater matrices, collected as part of existing environmental studies. A mass-to-charge ratio of 144 ( m / z = 144) was added to an ICP-MS method to screen for REEs in filtered water samples submitted for metals analyses to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Quality Laboratory. We detected the presence of REEs above a reference threshold of 1200 counts per second in 18 % of pre-selected 6626 samples. Using this screened dataset, we mapped estimated dissolved REE concentrations across the United States in relation to ecoregions and underlying geology. Data are constrained to where sample collection took place but nevertheless show estimated aqueous dissolved REE concentrations on a geographic scale that has not yet been studied. To validate Q-STAR, REEs were measured in a USGS standard reference sample, a subset of 88 archived filtered water samples, and in fresh filtered surface water samples. Our targeted analyses demonstrated a strong linear relationship between Q-STAR predicted and measured values in all archived samples for Nd (r 2 = 0.94), and light REEs (LREEs) such as lanthanum (La) (r 2 = 0.93), praseodymium (Pr) (r 2 = 0.94) and samarium (Sm) (r 2 = 0.94). Using Q-STAR screen values, nine field sites were identified and surface water samples recollected to confirm the continued presence of Nd and LREEs. Q-STAR can be used to screen an unlimited number of water samples for the presence of REEs prior to time-intensive and costly quantitative analyses and to generate large REE datasets for further investigation.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration↗
USGS2018

Classifying physiographic regimes on terrain and hydrologic factors for adaptive generalization of stream networks

Automated generalization software must accommodate multi-scale representations of hydrographic networks across a variety of geographic landscapes, because scale-related hydrography differences are known to vary in different physical conditions. While generalization algorithms have been tailored to specific regions and landscape conditions by several researchers in recent years, the selection and characterization of regional conditions have not been formally defined nor statistically validated. This paper undertakes a systematic classification of landscape types in the conterminous United States to spatially subset the country into workable units, in preparation for systematic tailoring of generalization workflows that preserve hydrographic characteristics. The classification is based upon elevation, standard deviation of elevation, slope, runoff, drainage and bedrock density, soil and bedrock permeability, area of inland surface water, infiltration-excess of overland flow, and a base flow index. A seven class solution shows low misclassification rates except in areas of high landscape diversity such as the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, and Western coastal regions.

International Journal of Cartography↗
USGS2010

Quantifying landscape ruggedness for animal habitat analysis: A case study using bighorn sheep in the Mojave Desert

Terrain ruggedness is often an important variable in wildlife habitat models. Most methods used to quantify ruggedness are indices derived from measures of slope and, as a result, are strongly correlated with slope. Using a Geographic Information System, we developed a vector ruggedness measure (VRM) of terrain based on a geomorphological method for measuring vector dispersion that is less correlated with slope. We examined the relationship of VRM to slope and to 2 commonly used indices of ruggedness in 3 physiographically different mountain ranges within the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States. We used VRM, slope, distance to water, and springtime bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) adult female locations to model sheep habitat in the 3 ranges. Using logistic regression, we determined that the importance of ruggedness in habitat selection remained consistent across mountain ranges, whereas the relative importance of slope varied according to the characteristic physiography of each range. Our results indicate that the VRM quantifies local variation in terrain more independently of slope than other methods tested, and that VRM and slope distinguish 2 different components of bighorn sheep habitat.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS2006

Patterns of den occupation by the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta)

Spotted hyaenas utilize isolated natal dens (NDs) and communal dens (CDs) for rearing their cubs. Here we describe patterns of natal and CD occupation by hyaenas belonging to one well-studied clan in the Maasai Mara National Reserve during a 10-year period. Locations of 98 den sites that were used as natal or CDs by hyaenas in the study clan were digitized in a Geographic Information System, and the duration of use of each den site, frequency of re-use, and distances involved in den moves were quantified. Hyaenas moved their CD monthly on average. Most CD sites were occupied only once during the study, but several sites were used repeatedly. On rare occasions, the movement of hyaenas to a new den site could be attributed to a disturbance event at the CD, but factors regularly prompting hyaenas to move to new CD sites were unclear. High-ranking female hyaenas were more likely to rear their cubs from birth in a CD than low-ranking females. Low-ranking females almost always utilized isolated NDs for the first few weeks of a litter's development, and low-ranking females transferred their cubs over longer distances than did high-ranking females. ?? 2006 East African Wild Life Society.

African Journal of Ecology↗
USGS2009

Mapping Hurricane Rita inland storm tide

Flood‐inundation data are most useful for decision makers when presented in the context of maps of affected communities and (or) areas. But because the data are scarce and rarely cover the full extent of the flooding, interpolation and extrapolation of the information are needed. Many geographic information systems provide various interpolation tools, but these tools often ignore the effects of the topographic and hydraulic features that influence flooding. A barrier mapping method was developed to improve maps of storm tide produced by Hurricane Rita. Maps were developed for the maximum storm tide and at 3‐h intervals from midnight (00:00 hours) through noon (12:00 hours) on 24 September 2005. The improved maps depict storm‐tide elevations and the extent of flooding. The extent of storm‐tide inundation from the improved maximum storm‐tide map was compared with the extent of flood inundation from a map prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The boundaries from these two maps generally compared quite well especially along the Calcasieu River. Also a cross‐section profile that parallels the Louisiana coast was developed from the maximum storm‐tide map and included FEMA high‐water marks.

Louisiana↗
USGS2021

Evaluation of connectivity among black bear populations in Georgia

Habitat fragmentation and loss contribute to isolation of wildlife populations and increased extinction risks for various species, including many large carnivores. We studied a small and isolated population of American black bears ( Ursus americanus ) that is of conservation concern in central Georgia, USA (i.e., central Georgia bear population [CGBP]). Our goal was to evaluate the potential for demographic and genetic interchange from neighboring bear populations to the CGBP. To evaluate resource selection and movement potential, we used 35,487 global positioning system locations collected every 20 minutes from 2012 to 2014 from 33 male bears in the CGBP. We then developed a step selection function model based on conditional logistic regression. Male bears chose steps that avoided crops, roads, and human developments and were closer to forests and woody wetlands than expected based on availability. We used a geographic information system to simulate 300 bear movement paths from nearby bear populations in northern Florida, northern Georgia, and southern Georgia to estimate the potential for immigration to the CGBP. Only 4 simulated movement paths from the nearby populations intersected the CGBP. The creation of a hypothetical 1-km-wide corridor between the southern Georgia population and the CGBP produced only minor improvements in interchange. Our findings suggest that demographic connectivity between the CGBP and surrounding bear populations may be limited, and coupled with previous works showing genetic isolation in the CGBP, that creation of corridors may have only marginal effects on restoring gene flow, at least in the near term. Management actions such as translocation and the establishment of stepping stone populations may be needed to increase the genetic diversity and demographic stability of bears in the CGBP. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Florida Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina↗
USGS2009

Use of land surface remotely sensed satellite and airborne data for environmental exposure assessment in cancer research

In recent years, geographic information systems (GIS) have increasingly been used for reconstructing individual-level exposures to environmental contaminants in epidemiological research. Remotely sensed data can be useful in creating space-time models of environmental measures. The primary advantage of using remotely sensed data is that it allows for study at the local scale (e.g., residential level) without requiring expensive, time-consuming monitoring campaigns. The purpose of our study was to identify how land surface remotely sensed data are currently being used to study the relationship between cancer and environmental contaminants, focusing primarily on agricultural chemical exposure assessment applications. We present the results of a comprehensive literature review of epidemiological research where remotely sensed imagery or land cover maps derived from remotely sensed imagery were applied. We also discuss the strengths and limitations of the most commonly used imagery data (aerial photographs and Landsat satellite imagery) and land cover maps.

Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epid↗
USGS2008

A fully distributed implementation of mean annual streamflow regional regression equations

Estimates of mean annual streamflow are needed for a variety of hydrologic assessments. Away from gage locations, regional regression equations that are a function of upstream area, precipitation, and temperature are commonly used. Geographic information systems technology has facilitated their use for projects, but traditional approaches using the polygon overlay operator have been too inefficient for national scale applications. As an alternative, the Elevation Derivatives for National Applications (EDNA) database was used as a framework for a fully distributed implementation of mean annual streamflow regional regression equations. The raster “flow accumulation” operator was used to efficiently achieve spatially continuous parameterization of the equations for every 30 m grid cell of the conterminous United States (U.S.). Results were confirmed by comparing with measured flows at stations of the Hydro-Climatic Data Network, and their applications value demonstrated in the development of a national geospatial hydropower assessment. Interactive tools at the EDNA website make possible the fast and efficient query of mean annual streamflow for any location in the conterminous U.S., providing a valuable complement to other national initiatives (StreamStats and the National Hydrography Dataset Plus).

Journal of the American Water Resources Associatio↗
USGS2005

Evaluation of the landscape surrounding northern bobwhite nest sites: A multiscale analysis

Implementation of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) altered the interspersion and abundance of patches of different land-cover types in landscapes of the southeastern United States. Because northern bobwhites ( Colinus virginianus ) are experiencing significant population declines throughout most of their range, including the Southeast, it is critical to understand the impacts of landscape-scale changes in habitat on their reproductive rates. Our objective was to identify components of landscape structure important in predicting nest site selection by bobwhites at different spatial scales in the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia. We used a Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial analysis software to calculate metrics of landscape structure near bobwhite nest sites. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship of nest sites to structure within the surrounding landscape at 4 spatial scales. We found that patch density and open-canopy planted pine were consistently important predictor variables at multiple scales, and other variables were important at various scales. The density of different patch types could be increased by thinning rows of pines in large monotypic stands of closed-canopy planted pine stands. Thinning and creating openings in CRP pine plantations should provide increased nesting opportunities for bobwhites. We interpret the support for other variables in our analysis as an indication that various patch configuration lead to different combinations of landscape structure that provide an acceptable range of habitat conditions for bobwhites.

Journal of Wildlife Management↗
USGS2025

Detroit River becoming a crucible for boundary organization experimentation

The Detroit River has a long history of human use and abuse, resulting in public outcry over water pollution and resource degradation. This public outcry helped catalyze the enactment of many laws and the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement which led to enhanced research, monitoring, and water pollution control. As pollution from industries and municipal wastewater treatment plants came under control and progress was made in management of single species, the focus shifted to a more comprehensive ecosystem approach that accounted for all the sources of pollution and targeted restoring ecosystem health with resilience. Over time, the Detroit River became a “proving ground” or crucible for experimenting with boundary organizations to overcome geographical, political, institutional, and disciplinary boundaries and strengthen science-policy-management linkages for ecosystem-based management. This study identified 15 boundary organizations functioning in the Detroit River watershed and evaluated two case studies – St. Clair-Detroit River System Initiative and State of the Strait Conferences. Key lessons learned from this study include: 1) establishing boundary organizations, promoting cooperative learning, and building capacity for boundary-spanning are essential for use of an ecosystem approach; 2) boundary spanning requires specific skills, experience, and improved linkages between research and practice; 3) the 15 boundary organizations provide a unique opportunity to collaborate in a community of practice to share knowledge, foster cooperative learning, enhance problem-solving, build trust, and demonstrate leadership; and 4) continued actionable science, investment in capacity building, and cooperative learning are essential to meet long-term goals of sustainability.

Detroit River↗
USGS2017

Evolutionary and functional mitogenomics associated with the genetic restoration of the Florida panther

Florida panthers are endangered pumas that currently persist in reduced patches of habitat in South Florida, USA. We performed mitogenome reference-based assemblies for most parental lines of the admixed Florida panthers that resulted from the introduction of female Texas pumas into South Florida in 1995. With the addition of 2 puma mitogenomes, we characterized 174 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 12 individuals. We defined 5 haplotypes (Pco1–Pco5), one of which (Pco1) had a geographic origin exclusive to Costa Rica and Panama and was possibly introduced into the Everglades National Park, Florida, prior to 1995. Haplotype Pco2 was native to Florida. Haplotypes Pco3 and Pco4 were exclusive to Texas, whereas haplotype Pco5 had an undetermined geographic origin. Phylogenetic inference suggests that haplotypes Pco1–Pco4 diverged ~202000 (95% HPDI = 83000–345000) years ago and that haplotypes Pco2–Pco4 diverged ~61000 (95% HPDI = 9000–127000) years ago. These results are congruent with a south-to-north continental expansion and with a recent North American colonization by pumas. Furthermore, pumas may have migrated from Texas to Florida no earlier than ~44000 (95% HPDI = 2000–98000) years ago. Synonymous mutations presented a greater mean substitution rate than other mitochondrial functional regions: nonsynonymous mutations, tRNAs, rRNAs, and control region. Similarly, all protein-coding genes were under predominant negative selection constraints. We directly and indirectly assessed the presence of potential deleterious SNPs in the ND2 and ND5 genes in Florida panthers prior to and as a consequence of the introduction of Texas pumas. Screenings for such variants are recommended in extant Florida panthers.

Journal of Heredity↗
USGS1998

Accuracy and precision of stream reach water surface slopes estimated in the field and from maps

The accuracy and precision of five tools used to measure stream water surface slope (WSS) were evaluated. Water surface slopes estimated in the field with a clinometer or from topographic maps used in conjunction with a map wheel or geographic information system (GIS) were significantly higher than WSS estimated in the field with a surveying level (biases of 34, 41, and 53%, respectively). Accuracy of WSS estimates obtained with an Abney level did not differ from surveying level estimates, but conclusions regarding the accuracy of Abney levels and clinometers were weakened by intratool variability. The surveying level estimated WSS most precisely (coefficient of variation [CV] = 0.26%), followed by the GIS (CV = 1.87%), map wheel (CV = 6.18%), Abney level (CV = 13.68%), and clinometer (CV = 21.57%). Estimates of WSS measured in the field with an Abney level and estimated for the same reaches with a GIS used in conjunction with l:24,000-scale topographic maps were significantly correlated (r = 0.86), but there was a tendency for the GIS to overestimate WSS. Detailed accounts of the methods used to measure WSS and recommendations regarding the measurement of WSS are provided.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗
USGS2011

Fish species composition two second-order headwater streams the North Central Appalachians ecoregion

Fish species composition was determined for two second-order headwater streams within the North Central Appalachians ecoregion in northern Pennsylvania. The two streams were widely spaced geographically (over 193 km apart) and occurred in different drainage systems. Streams were sampled in the spring and fall over two years (1996–98) yielding similar fish assemblages. A total of five species was collected. Mottled sculpin ( Cottus bairdli ), slimy sculpin ( Cottus cognatus ), brook trout ( Salvetinus fontinalis ), and brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) were the dominant adult fishes. Two creek chubs ( Semotilus atromaculatus ) were also collected. No significant differences were found in sculpin weight, sculpin length, salmonid length, or brook trout length between streams. Paired t-tests detected eight significant seasonal differences within sites. Brook trout and mottled sculpin lengths were significantly greater in fall versus spring, while the reverse was found with slimy sculpins. Catches per unit effort were similar between the two streams, yielding 8.46 and 8.07 fish per minute of electrofishing. Both streams were very similar in faunal assemblages attributed to small, coldwater, high quality headwater streams in other regions.

Pennsylvanaia↗
USGS2007

Multivariate classification of small order watersheds in the Quabbin Reservoir Basin, Massachusetts

ABSTRACT: A multivariate approach was used to analyze hydrologic, geologic, geographic, and water-chemistry data from small order watersheds in the Quabbin Reservoir Basin in central Massachusetts. Eighty three small order watersheds were delineated and landscape attributes defining hydrologic, geologic, and geographic features of the watersheds were compiled from geographic information system data layers. Principal components analysis was used to evaluate 11 chemical constituents collected bi-weekly for 1 year at 15 surface-water stations in order to subdivide the basin into subbasins comprised of watersheds with similar water quality characteristics. Three principal components accounted for about 90 percent of the variance in water chemistry data. The principal components were defined as a biogeochemical variable related to wet. land density, an acid-neutralization variable, and a road-salt variable related to density of primary roads. Three subbasins were identified. Analysis of variance and multiple comparisons of means were used to identify significant differences in stream water chemistry and landscape attributes among subbasins. All stream water constituents were significantly different among subbasins. Multiple regression techniques were used to relate stream water chemistry to landscape attributes. Important differences in landscape attributes were related to wetlands, slope, and soil type.

Journal of the American Water Resources Associatio↗
USGS2018

Approaches for improving field soil identification

Use of soil survey information by non-soil-scientists is often limited by their inability to select the correct soil map unit component (COMP). Here, we developed two approaches that can be deployed to smartphones for non-soil-scientists to identify COMP from the location alone or location together with easily observed field data (i.e., slope, depth to the restrictive layer, and soil texture by depth). In addition, we also compared the two newly developed approaches with a traditional approach identifying COMP based on the dominant COMP (DC-based approach). All three approaches were tested with the Rapid Assessment of US Soil Carbon database and the combined USDA- NRCS Soil Survey Geographic database and the USDA-NRCS State Soil Geographic Database. The results indicated that the observation-based approach performed significantly better than the other two approaches, suggesting that a small set of easy-to-measure site-specific observations could significantly improve COMP identification. The location- and DC-based approaches had similar low performance overall. However, the location-based approach slightly improved identifications over the DC-based approach for cases where (i) there were multiple possible components within the soil map unit and (ii) the components were located in close proximity to a boundary of a different soil map unit polygon. The benefit of using the location-based approach may be greater in specific soil survey areas where topography was the major factor leading to the creation of the map unit legend.

Soil Science Society of America Journal↗
USGS2000

Mitochondrial DNA diversity North American and European Atlantic salmon with emphasis on the downeast rivers of Maine

The displacement loop and NADH-1 dehydrogenase regions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction in 954 Atlantic salmon and digested with 40 restriction endonucleases. Variation was detected with 10 enzymes, resulting in 21 composite haplotypes which were strongly patterned geographically with a major discontinuity observed between most North American (NA) and European salmon. Significant heterogeneity of haplotype frequencies was found within and among all classification levels (continent, country, and river). Haplotype frequencies were significantly different across continents, within European samples, within NA samples, within Canadian samples, within wild Maine samples, within captive Maine strains, and between captive and wild Maine strains. Nine haplotypes occurred only in NA, seven in Maine, three only in Maine, and 11 occurred only in Europe. Some Maine rivers had only a single haplotype, suggesting that effective population sizes may be low. The second most frequent European haplotype occurred in tributaries to one Newfoundland river. Gene trees based on parsimony and genetic distance suggest that the haplotypes are monophyletic within each continent, and that the haplotype found on both continents is intermediate between those of Europe and NA, suggesting common ancestry of all haplotypes.

Maine↗
USGS2007

Using a Geographic Information System to determine the relation between stream quality and geology in the Roberts Creek watershed, Clayton County, Iowa

A geographic information system (GIS) was used to determine the relation between the stream-water quality and underlying geology in Roberts Creek watershed, Clayton County, Iowa, for base-flow conditions during the spring and summer of 1988–90. Geologic, stream, basin and subbasin boundaries, and water-quality sampling-site coverages were created by digitizing available maps. A contour coverage was created from digital line-graph data. The areal extent of geologic units subcropping in each subbasin was quantified with GIS, and the results then were output and joined with the discharge and water-quality data for statistical analyses. Illustrations showing the geology of the study area and the results of the study were prepared using GIS. By using GIS and a statistical software package, a weak but statistically significant relation was found between the water temperature, pH, and nitrogen concentrations in Roberts Creek and the underlying geology during base-flow conditions.

Iowa↗