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Aspen ecology in Rocky Mountain National Park: Age distribution, genetics, and the effects of elk herbivory

With the exception of Aspen, coniferous species dominate the forests of the Rocky Mountains (Populus tremuloides Michx.; Peet, 2000). The establishment of new aspen stands in the central Rocky Mountains generally follows major disturbances, particularly forest fires, with new stems sprouting from surviving root systems and with rare establishment More...

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Effects of Management and Climate on Elk Brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Every winter, government agencies feed ;6000 metric tons (63 106 kg) of hay to elk in the southern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) to limit transmission of Brucella abortus, the causative agent of brucellosis, from elk to cattle. Supplemental feeding, however, is likely to increase the transmission of brucellosis in elk, and may be affected by More...

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It's in the Air: The Ecological Effects of Nitrogen Deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park

Encroaching development, overuse, and air- and waterborne contaminants from outside park boundaries are causing noticeable changes to water quality and ecosystem health and functioning. The Front Range metropolitan area from Fort Collins south to Colorado Springs includes 75 percent of Colorado's population and its most productive agricultural More...

  • Photo of lead investigator Dr. Jill Baron preparing to extract water from a soil lysimeter

Grizzly Bear and Black Bear Ecology

This research summary gives an overview of sign surveys to detect bear population trends in designated wilderness and national park lands. The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem has the best long-term prospects of supporting a viable grizzly bear population among the six areas designated as grizzly bear recovery zones in the United States. Yet More...

  • grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) carrying deer antler

Noninvasive Methods to Monitor Bear Population Trends

This web publication describes the Noninvasive Methods to Monitor Bear Population Trends. The U.S. Geological Survey is beginning a new grizzly bear research project this summer in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) of northwestern Montana. This work is based on hair collection and DNA analysis methods similar to those used in the More...

  • bear rubbing against tree

Bighorn Sheep in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

Overview of a study of Bighorn sheep habitat use and demographics in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. Study will document seasonal ranges and migration routes and evaluate habitat use and selection. Habitat use will be modeled, and those models will be extrapolated across the Park to predict occurrences of critical habitats and More...

  • Bighorn sheep

National Resources Monitoring Partnership (NRMP)

Natural resource managers face complex decisions that require a clear understanding of the status of wildlife populations and their habitats. Monitoring is key to making effective management decisions and evaluating the outcomes of those decisions. The goal of NRMP is to improve the accessibility of monitoring efforts to resource managers to aid More...

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National Resources Monitoring Partnership (NRMP) Newsletter

Natural Resource Monitoring Partnership (NRMP) is a collaborative effort by the natural resource management community to improve monitoring efforts in order to support effective evaluation and decision-making by sharing information on monitoring projects and protocols. The Natural Resource Monitoring Partnership was built for easy access to More...

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Landscape-level Modeling and Decision Support

To devise credible strategies for managing human-wildlife conflicts, managers need information about the importance of specific areas to particular species. In the Greater Yellowstone Area, for example, development of low-elevation areas seriously threatens vital ungulate winter ranges, with obvious implications for both ungulates and their More...

  • Yellowstone park landscape of green grass, flowers, and mountains

Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

An overview of the population status and trend monitoring efforts for grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem during the 2002 field season. Contains statement of problem, objectives, methodology, communication plan, and highlights and key findings.

  • grizzly bear

Conservation Genetics: Mammals

This web page presents samples of genetics and genomics research from the USGS Biological Resources Discipline about the conservation genetics of mammals.

  • Underwater view of a manatee in Crystal River, Florida