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45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
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↗
USGS2008

Investigating gas hydrate as a factor in accretionary margin frontal ridge slope failures and cold seep biogeochemistry

During August 2008, a research expedition (2008-007-PGC) was carried out offshore Vancouver Island on the northern Cascadia Margin (Figure 1) to study the role of gas hydrate in slope stability and cold seep biogeochemistry. The cruise was organized by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) as part of the Earth Science Sector, Natural Gas Hydrate Program, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This international collaboration included McGill University, University of Victoria, the U.S. Geological Survey, Florida State University, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Fire in the Ice: NETL Methane Hydrate Newsletter↗
USGS2010

2009 Observer Survey Report

The USA‐National Phenology Network (USA‐NPN) seeks to engage volunteer observers in collecting phenological observations of plants and animals using consistent standards and to contribute their observations to a national data repository. In March 2009, the National Coordinating Office staff implemented an online monitoring program for 213 plant species. In this pilot year of the program, 547 observers reported phenology observations on one or more plants via the online interface. To learn more about our participants and to improve our program and our participants’ experience, we undertook a survey of individuals registered in the USA‐NPN phenology observation program. This report summarizes the results of the 2009 observer surveys. Two populations were targeted via separate surveys: Individuals who registered with the USA‐NPN plant phenology monitoring program via MyNPN but did not submit any data in 2009 (hereafter termed “non‐reporting participants”), and Individuals who submitted phenology observations via MyNPN in 2009 (hereafter termed “reporting participants”). In general, all participants in the 2009 USA‐NPN plant phenology observation program seemed to have a generally good experience. When asked why they would or would not recommend the program to friends, the majority of comments were of a positive nature, and included explanations such as, “It is an interesting and fairly light duty activity”, “It’s a cool program!”, and “A way to contribute to science”. The most commonly indicated reason for not submitting observations among non‐reporters was getting lost in the registration process (14% of respondents). Another 14% of respondents indicated that they had collected observations but did not submit them online, indicating that more people may be engaged in understanding phenology than our estimates based on data submitted suggest. Survey participants’ suggestions for improving the program fell into several categories, including the need for a more expansive list of plants from which to pick, the ability to monitor animals, and more information on the plants, including photographs of the various phenophases to aid in identification. Participants also requested increased contact from the USA‐NPN, in the form of weekly or monthly emails or newsletters and reminders to collect and submit observations. Many of these suggestions are either already being addressed in changes being made to the monitoring system and online entry system or are planned for the future.

USA-NPN Technical Series↗
USGS2024

North American bird banding program longevity records

Longevity in wild birds refers to the longest-lived individual of any particular species. This measure of age can reflect important life history traits and identifying differences in longevity patterns between species can reveal unique threats or conservation needs. Because it requires the identification of individual birds, longevity can usually only be measured through banding or marking of individuals. A bird’s age can generally be determined at the time of banding and then recalculated whenever the bird is subsequently recovered, recaptured, or resighted. The North American Bird Banding Program (NABBP), comprised of the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL) and Canada’s Bird Banding Office (BBO), curates a vast dataset of all North American bird banding records, as well as subsequent encounters of banded birds reported by banders and members of the public. Although not all bird populations are banded equally and band encounters are only reported voluntarily, the NABBP is thus uniquely situated to catalogue and report longevity records for bird species under our purview.

North American Bird Bander↗
USGS2022

Increasing the efficiency and power of camera traps for EDRR & ecological monitoring

Invasive species are an ever-growing concern for Florida, especially in important environments like the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. One of the best ways to fight back against invasives is the use of the “Early Detection, Rapid Response” (EDRR) system. The earlier we can detect the presence of a nonnative species, and the faster we respond, the better our chance of stopping its spread. For years, USGS Fort Collins Science Center has been working closely with the National Park Service to use trail cameras to observe the presence of any nonnative species and to monitor research assets in remote locations. Currently, we are working in Everglades National Park to detect invading Black and White Tegu lizards as well as in Big Cypress National Preserve researching the invasive Burmese python and monitoring their nest sites (did you know bobcats eat python eggs!?).

Florida↗
USGS2019

Viable long-term gas hydrate testing site confirmed on the Alaska north slope

In December 2018, data acquired in a Stratigraphic Test Well drilled from the 7-11-12 pad in the western part of the Prudhoe Bay Unit, Alaska North Slope confirmed the occurrence of two high-quality reservoirs fully saturated with gas hydrate. The drilling was the initial phase of a planned, three-well program designed to conduct an extended duration test of the response to gas hydrate reservoirs to controlled depressurization. The Stratigraphic Test Well (formally “PBU Hydrate-01”) was operated by the PBU Operator BP Exploration, (Alaska), Inc. (BPXA) using the Parker 272 drilling rig (Figure 1) through a Drilling Services Agreement executed with Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska (PRA) in association with a contract between NETL and PRA. The science program executed by BPXA was developed over a two-year period through extensive discussions and scientific evaluation undertaken by NETL, the Japan, Oil, Gas, and Metals, National Corporation (JOGMEC), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and PRA. The effort also benefitted greatly from the support of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) and the PBU Working Interest Owners (WIOs).

Alaska↗
USGS2010

The dirt on sediments

In the wetland science field, sediment deposition is often thought of as being beneficial especially when one thinks of coastal estuarine systems. For example, sediments deposited from streams and rivers are necessary to naturally build and maintain tidal marshes. These sediments come from eroded upland soils in the interior of the continent. When these sediments are diverted from natural coastal deposition areas, such as occurs from river channelization, we lose marshes through subsidence as is happening throughout coastal Louisiana. However, the value of eroded soils is all a matter of hydrogeomorphic perspective.

National Wetlands Newsletter↗
USGS2025

MTAB 112, June 2025

This Memo to All Banders (MTAB 112) was released in June 2025. Subjects in this this memo are 1. The Chief’s Chirp; 2. Message from the Director of Eastern Ecological Science Center; 3. Staff Updates – celebrating Craig “Tut” Tuthill’s remarkable career and retirement; 4. Alerts – New reportband.gov link and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; 5. News – Foundational science in flight factsheet, Notes From the Field: What’s on a sparrow’s dinner menu?, bird collision prevention, and BBL featured in Ducks Unlimited Podcast; 6. A note from the permitting shelves – ethics and photography guideline reminders; 7. A note from the supply room – band orders and returns; 8. Frequently asked questions – I haven’t gotten my band order yet, where is it?, Why does my Northern Cardinal kickout for bad age/sex warning on the Bander Portal?, and Where can I get my banding supplies?; 9. Auxiliary marker corner – reminder to double-check authorizations; 10. Banding and encounter highlights; 11. Message to the Flyways – GameBirds and band orders; 12. Moments in history – a history of the BBL; 13. Recent literature; 14. Upcoming events; and 15. Request for information.

Memo to All Banders (MTAB)↗
USGS2019

Current trends and future directions in swan research: Insights from the 6th International Swan Symposium

Given their popularity with researchers and public alike, together with their welldocumented importance in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, fundamental and applied research on swans continues to develop in the 21st century. The 6th International Swan Symposium (6th ISS), was held at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia, in October 2018. The symposium brought together 101 delegates from 17 countries, with presentations on a range of topics on Cygnus and Coscoroba species, including monitoring, habitat and resource use, demography, movements and migration, and threats and conservation. The proceedings of the 6th ISS in this special issue of Wildfowl include select papers on swan research presented at the 6th ISS, covering a wide range of species, systems and issues. This paper presents a synthesis of the 6th ISS and an overview of current trends and future directions in swan research. Despite progress on many topics, southern hemisphere swan species continue to receive less attention than their northern hemisphere counterparts, whilst facing many of the same pressures. It is clear that, given the challenges facing swan researchers in the twenty-first century, international cooperation will continue to be vital. Swans are highly mobile animals and many populations undertake migrations spanning thousands of kilometres, and crucially do not recognise human geographic and political borders. Such international collaborations will be particularly important in coordinating future monitoring and conservation activities. The IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Swan Specialist Group (SSG) will continue to facilitate international collaborations and communication among the global network of swan researchers, through its activities, website and annual newsletter. Given the substantial challenges and knowledge gaps documented here, there is no doubt that swan researchers will continue to benefit from regular symposia to share information and develop collaborations towards understanding and addressing emerging conservation issues. As such, we recommend holding International Swan Symposia every 4–5 years.

Wildfowl↗