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Powering Progress

How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

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USGS Wildland Fire Science

USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.

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USGS Drought Science

Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation

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Ecosystems Science at USGS

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The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area

Learn more about us through a visual geonarrative

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EcoNews

A USGS Ecosystems Mission Area Newsletter

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Friday's Findings

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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. 

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USGS Science for Food & Water Security

A view of a farm field in Iowa

USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance

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USGS Science for Public Safety & Security

Before and after pictures - Hurricane Rita and Holly Beach, Louisiana, USA

Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation. 

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USGS Science for Economic Growth

A pronghorn stands in front of oil and gas development infrastructure, Vernal, Utah

Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.

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News

Managing Uncertainty in Ecosystems through Scenario Planning

Wildfire Management Balances Wildfire Prevention and Ponderosa Pine Regrowth

USGS Stands Ready for a Potentially Active Atlantic Hurricane Season

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Publications

Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2024 annual report Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2024 annual report

Executive SummaryThe purpose of this report is to provide the Marine Corps with an annual summary of the distribution, abundance, and breeding activity of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; flycatcher) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (MCBCP or “Base”). Surveys for the flycatcher were conducted on Base between May 8 and July 24, 2024. All of...
Authors
Scarlett L. Howell, Barbara E. Kus
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

First-year survival of Lake Sturgeon reintroduced to the Maumee River First-year survival of Lake Sturgeon reintroduced to the Maumee River

ObjectiveLake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens have experienced large population declines due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and pollution. Due to these factors, Lake Sturgeon were extirpated from the Maumee River watershed (Ohio, United States). In 2018, a 20-year reintroduction program began that aims to establish a self-sustaining population in the Maumee River. To understand the...
Authors
Jorden R. McKenna, Justin A. Chiotti, Christopher Vandergoot, Richard Kraus, Matthew Faust, Eric Weimer, Matthew Cross, William D. Hintz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Wake Atoll: Evaluation of plant biosecurity Wake Atoll: Evaluation of plant biosecurity

Introduced organisms can cause substantial effects across most landscapes. Island ecosystems, especially tropical islands, are at elevated risk from introduced organisms. The risks are even higher for tropical islands with moderate or high levels of transit, yet this can be minimized by application of appropriate biosecurity requirements. In this study, we examined the potential for non...
Authors
Corie Yanger, James D. Jacobi, Stephanie G. Yelenik, Stacie A. Hathaway
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
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Science

A USGS botanist monitors riparian vegetation along the Colorado River just downstream of Glen Canyon Dam

Providing Unbiased Actionable Science & Information to Meet Natural Resource Management Needs of the U.S.

The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is uniquely positioned in the Colorado River Basin to provide sound information, specialized expertise, and innovative tools to support the management and sustained use of natural resources on public and Tribal lands in the Southwest U.S.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Emergency Management, Energy Resources Program, Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Southwest Biological Science Center
Providing Unbiased Actionable Science & Information to Meet Natural Resource Management Needs of the U.S.

Providing Unbiased Actionable Science & Information to Meet Natural Resource Management Needs of the U.S.

The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is uniquely positioned in the Colorado River Basin to provide sound information, specialized expertise, and innovative tools to support the management and sustained use of natural resources on public and Tribal lands in the Southwest U.S.
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Close up view of cane used for biofuel

Powering Progress: How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

Energy is essential to modern life, and accessing it involves a complex lifecycle, from resource discovery to extraction, use, and eventual remediation and reclamation. The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area supports this process by conducting research and providing scientific insights to guide decision-making at each stage. By collaborating with resource management agencies and stakeholders, we analyze...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Contaminant Biology, Cooperative Research Units, Environmental Health Program, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology
Powering Progress: How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

Powering Progress: How Science Can Fuel the Energy Resources Life Cycle

Energy is essential to modern life, and accessing it involves a complex lifecycle, from resource discovery to extraction, use, and eventual remediation and reclamation. The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area supports this process by conducting research and providing scientific insights to guide decision-making at each stage. By collaborating with resource management agencies and stakeholders, we analyze...
Learn More
A group of people on a canoe on a river with fishing poles

Fishing and Hunting

This page is a work in progress and showcases fishing and hunting as a way of life, a food source, and recreational opportunity for millions of Americans. The management of fish and wildlife populations for the benefit of current and future generations is the foundation of our Nation’s conservation heritage. We help to inform decisions through a variety of actions, from the development and...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units
Fishing and Hunting

Fishing and Hunting

This page is a work in progress and showcases fishing and hunting as a way of life, a food source, and recreational opportunity for millions of Americans. The management of fish and wildlife populations for the benefit of current and future generations is the foundation of our Nation’s conservation heritage. We help to inform decisions through a variety of actions, from the development and...
Learn More
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