USGS: Biology arrow iconStatus & Trends Home arrow iconNews & Events arrow iconJuly 2009

News

7/20/2009 - USGS Model Helps Explain Trends in Greater Sage-Grouse Range Reduction
Long-term trends in landscape conditions have significantly reduced sagebrush habitat and populations of greater sage-grouse, according to a new FORT study examining the bird?s chances of survival. Using the study findings, investigators developed a model that predicts where the birds are most likely to persist and where they are at risk of disappearing. The resulting maps graphically illustrate these likelihoods and can help federal and state land managers prioritize areas for conservation. The new study is the first range-wide assessment conducted on sage-grouse that relates species distribution to past and present landscape conditions. It is due to be published soon in the scientific journal, Diversity and Distributions. For the full news release, go to http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/.

7/20/2009 - USGS Microbiology Web site Debut
The new USGS Microbiology Web site showcases the research and scientists that study the secret world of microbes. This new site reveals the wide variety of expertise used to study microbes and their impact on Earth and its life.

7/20/2009 - California Sea Otter Numbers Dip in Latest Survey
Results from the USGS-led spring census of the threatened southern sea otter indicate recovery remains sluggish. The latest 3-year average (2,813 sea otters) was 0.5 percent lower than last year, the first time the trend has been negative since the late 1990s. A leveling off of population growth has occurred over the last 3 years.

Events

7/30/2009 - 7/30/2009 - New Excel Sheets have been posted for use with HEDDS. Please distribute these to field crews contributing data to HEDDS
New Excel Sheets have been posted for use with HEDDS. Please distribute these to field crews contributing data to HEDDS.

7/22/2009 - 7/24/2009 - Utah Division of Wildlife Resources invites you to the 3rd International Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources invites you to the 3rd International Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium will be held from July 22-24, 2009 in Park City, Utah.  "CWD - Advancing the Science and Developing the Tools" will be the theme for this symposium.  This symposium will explore issues such as prion research and biology, management and control of CWD in wild and captive cervids, human dimensions of CWD, and CWD surveillance, just to name a few.

7/22/2009 - 7/27/2009 - Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH)
Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (JMIH), taking place at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower in downtown Portland, Oregon, 22-27 July 2009.

7/22/2009 - 7/24/2009 - 3rd International Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources invites you to the 3rd International Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium to be held in Park City, Utah on July 22-24, 2009!  "CWD - Advancing the Science and Developing the Tools" will be the theme for this symposium.  This symposium will explore issues such as prion research and biology, management and control of CWD in wild and captive cervids, human dimensions of CWD, and CWD surveillance, just to name a few.

7/19/2009 - 7/23/2009 - Coastal Zone 2009
Coastal Zone 2009: July 19-23, 2009, Boston, MA. The attendees of Coastal Zone 2009 will explore the many facets of change and share tools and information to help in managing our changing coastal and ocean resources. For more information visit the conference website.

7/11/2009 - 7/11/2009 - Count butterflies
Join staff and volunteers in roaming the refuge for a butterfly count at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Binoculars and guide books will be provided. Learn about butterflies and the plants they depend upon. The event will run from 11am to 2pm.  For more information: www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=33670

6/29/2009 - 7/1/2009 - Adaptive Management of Water Resources II Summer Specialty Conference
The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) is pleased to announce its Summer Specialty Conference "Adaptive Management of Water Resources II". The Conference will be held June 29-July 1, 2009 in Snowbird, Utah.