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Influence of Alternative Silviculture on Small Mammals
A study in a Douglas-fir dominated forest details the effects of different harvest techniques and placement of downed wood on small mammals. The results will help land managers make informed decisions on how to balance forest revenue and biodiversity.
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Conservation Genetics in the USGS
Once too expensive for routine use, genetics tools provide new information necessary for the conservation of biological resources. Genetics tools are enhancing USGS research on population monitoring, genetic variation, effects of pollution, species recovery, and fish and wildlife health.
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Biological research on fire in the West
Fire is necessary for natural communities, but damage can be severe in altered ecosystems. Problems include fuel build-up because of long-term fire prevention, the invasion of non-native grasses in arid areas that promote larger, more frequent fires, and building communities in natural areas.
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Biology and invasive species in the western U.S.
The western U.S. is biologically rich, but invasive species find footholds on land and in water. USGS scientists are testing methods to inventory, control, and remove non-native species, developing tools to reduce species introductions, and working with managers to restore natural systems.
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USGS - Providing scientific understanding of the sagebrush biome
The USGS is working with many partners to improve understanding of the sagebrush habitat and to provide information needed to manage and restore the ecosystem and the species that depend on them. Research examples higlight the diversity of USGS science capabilities.
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Occupancy Models to Study Wildlife
Wildlife species are rarely detected with perfect accuracy, but new techniques called occupancy models produce unbiased estimates of species distribution and dynamics. Assumptions, approaches, biases, and an example analysis are presented.
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Influence of Forest Management on Headwater Stream Amphibians at Multiple Spatial Scales
Habitat changes, such as logging and road building, can affect stream amphibians. Understanding the criteria important for each amphibian species and life stage, combined with how disturbances may affect habitat at multiple scales, can help determine areas for species conservation.
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The Importance of Wood in Headwater Streams of the Oregon Coast Range
The erosion of a steep stream channel to bedrock offers a unique opportunity to measure the rate of wood and sediment accumulation. With an adequate supply of wood, small steams can store large volumes of sediment, limiting the disturbance to downstream areas.
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Wetland Management for Amphibians in the Willamette Valley
Known threats to amphibians in the Willamette Valley, Oregon include habitat loss and alteration, and invasion of non-native species. Options for wetland managers and policy makers to protect native amphibians include conservation of wetlands and prevention of non-native fish introductions.
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Science for the Changing Great Basin
The huge expanse of the Great Basin offers a compelling opportunity to conduct large-scale science in a relatively understudied region. A research strategy, developed by the USGS and partners, addresses critical management issues and includes a prioritized list of research needs.
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Biological science in the Great Basin
Predominantly a high-altitude desert, the Great Basin is surprisingly full of life. Several USGS projects are profiled, including conserving the greater sage-grouse, determining rangeland health, restoring native shrublands, preserving important fish, and documenting contaminants in migratory birds.
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Response of Birds to Thinning Young Douglas-fir Forests
Due to management policies and fire, many conifer forests in western Oregon are even-aged, dense Douglas-fir stands that may limit key habitat for some animals. Effects of thinning were seen within the first year, and included decreased detection of 9 bird species and increased detection of 8 species.
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Managed Forest Reserves: Preserving Diversity
Old-growth forests in western Oregon grew rapidly in low densities and contained more variable tree sizes and ages than today's young forests. Where the goal is to achieve old-growth forest structure, thinning may enable some young stands to increase growth rates and other characteristics.
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The Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in the Pacific Northwest
In response to the growing concern about amphibian declines, a new nationwide, collaborative effort was designed to assess amphibian status and habitats on Department of Interior lands and to determine the factors responsible for the declines.
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Crater Lake: Blue Through Time
The deepest lake in the United States and the clearest in the world is an important natural resource and a natural laboratory. Long-term monitoring provides baseline information that is essential for understanding changes in Crater Lake and others around the world.
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PRAIRIEMAP: A GIS Database for Prairie Grassland Management in Western North America
Grasslands once dominated central North America, but have undergone radical changes in the past century. PRAIRIEMAP was developed to collect and maintain information about prairie grasslands and disseminate it to the public via the website.
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Native Salamanders and Introduced Fish: Changing the Nature of Mountain Lakes and Ponds
Introduced trout were removed from a naturally fishless lake, and two salamander species were monitored. One species was particularly impacted, suggesting that resource managers should develop separate management strategies based on species distribution and requirements.
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Assessing Rangelands
Assessments of rangeland health provide early warnings to land managers about potential problems. A quick technique that includes both plant and soil indicators can help educate stakeholders about rangeland health, as well as help resource managers focus their efforts.
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Born of Fire - Restoring Sagebrush Steppe
Invasion of non-native grasses have increased the frequency of fires in the sagebrush steppe. Consequences include more damaging fires, declines in sagebrush-dependent species, and changes in soil nutrients. Scientists study how to restore sagebrush areas to promote native species.
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SAGEMAP: A web-based spatial dataset for sage grouse and shrubsteppe management in the Intermountain West
This database includes readily available information important to sage-grouse and sagebrush management in the Intermountain West. The information will be a critical component guiding objective assessments of the current status of sage-grouse and for restoration of their habitats.
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Loss of Sagebrush Ecosystems and Declining Bird Populations in the Intermountain West: Priority Research Issues and Information Needs
The unique biodiversity of this region faces potentially devastating change as the result of land use. At a multi-agency workshop, scientists and managers identified the priority research issues and information needed for better management of sagebrush habitats and dependent bird species.
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Effects of Shrubland Changes on Birds in the Intermountain West
Information from field surveys is integrated with satellite images to determine how changes caused by major disturbances and land use practices have influenced shrubland. The analysis will help to detect how bird populations respond to habitat changes.
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Ospreys in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest (Revised 2005)
Fascinating details about these birds of prey include nesting, fishing prowess, and population recovery from declines due to contaminants. Ospreys are excellent indicators of healthy environments and their acceptance of artificial nest sites has benefited both humans and the birds.
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Bryophytes and Lichens: Small But Indispensable Forest Dwellers
These small but important organisms are abundant in Pacific Northwest forests. They provide many essential functions for healthy forests such as water absorption, erosion reduction, humidity control, nutrient cycling, air pollution indication, as well as shelter and food for forest dwellers.
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Biological Soil Crusts: Webs of Life in the Desert
Desert soil is actually a crust of living things that help control erosion, retain precious water, and contribute organic matter and nutrients to keep the soil alive. Because the crust is very thin, a single footprint can crush the life out of the system, and recovery can take lifetimes.
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Amphibians of Olympic National Park
This overview of frogs and salamanders found in Olympic National Park features common as well as rare and unusual species, their habitats, and how they avoid predators. Worldwide declines in amphibian populations have not been documented in this park.
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