Biology - Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystems Program
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Ecosystems Home
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Welcome to the USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystems ProgramCivilization depends on life-support services that natural ecosystems perform, including regulating climate, mitigating floods and drought, protecting shorelines from erosion, purifying air and water, detoxifying and decomposing wastes, and pollinating crops and natural vegetation. Healthy ecosystems provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife communities. Studies conducted by USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Ecosystems scientists describe factors that control ecosystem structure, function, condition, and the provision of goods and services. This information is used to predict future changes to ecosystems and to describe the results of management alternatives. Ecosystem science is thus used to restore degraded landscapes and freshwater systems, sustain plants and animals, and find means to adapt management to global change.
Major research components of the program include: or see all research topics.
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In the Spotlight The Western Mountain Initiative - (From the WMI website): "The Western Mountain initiative is a team of USGS and USDA Forest Service scientists working together to better understand and predict the responses of Western mountain ecosystems to climatic variability and change, emphasizing sensitivities, thresholds, resistance, and resilience." Go to the Western Mountain Initiatives website, and access the WMI Fact Sheet. Featured Publication Ecosystem Services Derived from Wetland Conservation Practices in the United States Prairie Pothole Region with an Emphasis on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Conservation Reserve and Wetlands Reserve Programs (download - PP 1745 PDF (4 MB) -
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service, initiated a study to develop and apply approaches to quantify changes in ecosystem services resulting from wetland restoration activities funded by the USDA. Meetings and Conferences EC08 International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Environmental Connection Additional Resource The Fire Research and Management Exchange System (FRAMES) |
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