USGS Science Picks — May 2009 Edition

May Highlights:

*       Rapid Disappearance of Antarctica’s Ice Shelves
*       Sand Dunes on the Loose Due to Climate Change
*       Recovery Act Funding: Stimulating USGS Science
*       $5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants
*       Good News for an Endangered Grand Canyon Fish
*       New Life Forms Found in Southwest Caves
*       Green Ways to Measure The White Stuff
*       Severe Dust Storms in the Colorado Plateau
*       Campground Stories: Face-to-Face with Rattlesnakes
*       Looks like a Cutthroat, Smells like a Cutthroat, but…
*       Can Harvesting Timber Increase Wildfire Hazards?
*       New Web Site: Deadly White Nose Syndrome in Bats
*       Salmons’ Journey No Longer Blocked in Washington
*       Small Lake Invader Tilts the Mercury Scales

LEADS: (top news, updates and happenings in natural science)

Rapid Disappearance of Antarctica’s Ice Shelves

Climate change is seriously impacting Antarctica’s ice, and the Wordie Ice
Shelf and the northern part of the Larsen Ice Shelf have completely
disappeared. An area more than three times the size of Rhode Island (more
than 8,500 km2) has broken off the central Larsen Ice Shelf since 1986.
Moreover, the Jones, Müller, George VI, and Wilkins Ice Shelves have
retreated substantially. These floating ice shelves are especially sensitive
to climate change, so their rapid retreat may be a forecast for losses of
the land-based ice on the Antarctic continent if warming continues. This
could result in sea-level rise, threatening low-lying coastal communities
and islands. A report and accompanying map showing these changes, authored
by the USGS in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey, are
available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/2600/B/. This research is part of a
larger USGS project monitoring the entire Antarctic coastline, and other
products in that project can be viewed at http://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/2600/.
For more information, contact Jessica Robertson at jrobert...@usgs.gov or
(703) 648-6624.

Sand Dunes on the Loose Due to Climate Change

Climate change is increasing the mobility of sand dunes in the Southwest,
posing threats to roadways, infrastructure, human health, cultural practices
of the Navajo Nation, and much more. Vegetation on sand dunes serves as
stabilizers, but as the climate warms and precipitation decreases, there is
less vegetation growth and therefore more actively moving sand dunes. Moving
dunes can alter ecosystems permanently, which is of special concern since
some dune plants are endangered and commonly used for Navajo traditional
cultural and medicinal practices. To understand what changes are occurring,
the USGS is studying the dunes’ plant diversity and how they are coping
under the current conditions, helping decision makers maintain sand dune
stability and enhance the area’s ecology. A podcast interview with
scientists on their research and preliminary findings is available at
http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/details.asp?ep=94. This report will be
completed soon, but for more information on related projects, visit
http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/navajo/. You can also contact Margaret Hiza at
mh...@usgs.gov.

Recovery Act Funding: Stimulating USGS Science

The USGS received approximately $140 million as part of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act. So where will the money go? Funding will help
upgrade and improve some USGS laboratories and research capabilities as well
as the energy efficiency, health and safety of some of the bureau’s
facilities. This money will also go toward modernizing streamgages,
enhancing earthquake monitoring by adding equipment to the Advanced National
Seismic System, expanding volcano monitoring efforts, and collecting imagery
as part of The National Map. For more information regarding USGS ARRA
activities, visit http://www.doi.gov/recovery/usgs/. You can also contact
recov...@usgs.gov and in the subject line state “USGS recovery act feedback
or comment.”

$5 Million in Earthquake Research Grants

The USGS is awarding $5 million in grants and cooperative agreements in 2009
for earthquake research. Funding will go to 84 recipients, including
universities, state geological surveys and private firms. In addition,
applications are being accepted for up to $7 million in grants and
cooperative agreements for earthquake research in 2010. “These grants
underscore once again the importance to our nation of the earth science work
accomplished by the USGS,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said.
“Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the nation,
posing a risk to 75 million Americans in 39 states.” To apply for 2010
funding, go online at http://www.grants.gov/ under the funding opportunity
number 10HQPA0001. Applications are due May 13, 2009. For a complete list of
funded projects and reports, visit
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/external/research.php. For more
information, contact Elizabeth Lemersal at lemer...@usgs.gov or (703)
648-6701.

Good News for an Endangered Grand Canyon Fish

The number of adult humpback chub increased approximately 50 percent between
2001 and 2008 in the Grand Canyon, with current populations estimated
between 6,000 and 10,000. The humpback chub is a federally listed endangered
species and after monitoring was initiated in 1989, the population steadily
declined until 2001. The USGS and cooperators are currently pursuing
research to understand why humpback chub and other native fish populations
are increasing. Experimental flows from Glen Canyon Dam and above average
water temperatures as the result of drought conditions may have supported
native fish population increases. Removal of some nonnative fish species in
select locations may also have helped. More information is available from
the Status and Trends of the Grand Canyon Population of Humpback Chub
factsheet at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3035/ and open file report at
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1075/. You can also contact Matthew Andersen at
mander...@usgs.gov or (928) 556-7379, or Lara Schmit at lsch...@usgs.govor
(928) 556-7327.

New Life Forms Found in Southwest Caves

Scientists have found that Southwestern caves are home to life forms found
nowhere else on Earth. Research on these lightless and nutrient-poor caves
is limited, and new findings have identified unique communities of insects,
arachnids, crustaceans and other arthropods. To date, scientists have found
three new genera (groups of species) of arthropods and at least 15 new
species, some of which are only known to exist in a single cave. This
exciting research is yielding information that will be used by resource
managers to better understand and protect fragile and important Southwestern
cave ecosystems. For more information, visit
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2009/3024/. You can also contact Jut Wynne at
Jut.Wy...@nau.edu or (928) 523-7757, or Charles Drost at
charles_dr...@usgs.gov or (928) 556-7187.

Green Ways to Measure the White Stuff

Scientists have figured out a way to measure snowfall in Maine using only a
bucket, a small windmill, and the sun—all the while saving money and energy,
and ultimately helping to save lives. Although the USGS has about 15
snowmelt measurement sites in Maine, they needed a way to measure snowfall
in remote areas where power grids are scarce. What scientists created is an
energy-efficient system in which a windmill powers measurements on windy and
cloudy days, and solar panels power them on calm, sunny days. Emergency
managers need accurate information on snowfall to prepare for forthcoming
hazards such as floods, and energy companies need to plan ahead for how much
water to expect in reservoirs. For more information, visit
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2200. You can also contact
Robert Lent at rml...@usgs.gov or (207) 622-8202 x102, or Gregory Stewart at
gstew...@usgs.gov or (207) 622-8201, ext. 118.

FEEDS: (USGS tools and resources)

Severe Dust Storms in the Colorado Plateau

Severe dust storms in the Colorado Plateau are a cause for concern for
nearby communities, especially since three large storms have already
occurred this spring. Dust storms affect human health, roadway visibility,
machinery, lead to loss of soil fertility, and more. Dust storms can also
cause snowpacks to melt more than 30 days earlier than normal, as the
dark-colored dust on the snow’s surface absorbs more heat from sunlight.
Faster melt rates leave soils exposed to evaporation longer, reducing the
amount and quality of water entering streams and the Colorado River, and
decreasing late season water for wildlife and human demands. Causes for
accelerated dust production include grazing, fire, energy development, land
clearing and/or plowing. To help residents understand these dust storms,
USGS scientists and colleagues have posted satellite videos, pictures, news
stories and research at http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/crs/news_info/dust_storms/.
For more information, contact Jayne Belnap at jayne_bel...@usgs.gov or (435)
719-2333.

Campground Stories: Face-to-Face with Rattlesnakes

As many of you venture out camping to enjoy the warm spring weather, you may
find yourself face to face with wildlife species such as venomous snakes.
Will you know what to do? If not, here are some tips. Snakes that are hidden
or moving will tend to remain doing so unless approached closely. Venomous
snakes should not be handled unless they are posing an immediate threat to
human safety or are being threatened by humans. If the snake has to be
moved, use special snake-catching tongs to gently but firmly grasp the
animal about one-third of the body length behind the head. Snakes should
never be grasped by the head, just behind the head, or by the tail, as
snakes held in these locations are extremely likely to injure themselves or
their handler. For their best chance of survival, snakes should not be moved
more than 1000 yards (less than a mile) from where they were captured. For
more information on snake ecology, behavior and handling training, visit
http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/about/contact/bio/nowak_erika.aspx?id=326. You may
also contact Erika Nowak at eno...@usgs.gov or (928) 523-7760.

Looks like a Cutthroat, Smells like a Cutthroat, but…

Native cutthroat trout populations are declining in the Western United
States, and a major cause is unwelcome relatives. Rainbow trout introduced
to this area are muddying up the native cutthroat gene pool and wreaking
havoc on the biodiversity of native fish in Western waters. Recently USGS
scientist and partners have gathered data that shows that hybridization
between native cutthroat trout and non-native rainbow trout may change the
ecological and evolutionary characteristics of native trout population in
the wild. This emphasizes the need to address this issue in the context of
wildlife policy and management. Results from the landmark study are
currently featured in Biology Letters and can be viewed at
http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/03/13/rsbl....
33.full.pdf+html.
To learn more about the project, visit
http://nrmsc.usgs.gov/science/feature/hybrid_trout, or contact Clint
Muhlfeld at cmuhlf...@usgs.gov or (406) 888-7926.

Can Harvesting Timber Increase Wildfire Hazards?

While logging can reduce wildfires over long-term periods, harvesting timber
after a fire incident can also increase fire hazards in the first few years
after logging. This is especially true if the surface fuels produced during
the logging process are not effectively treated. A new report outlines the
effects of timber harvest after a wildfire in the Western United States,
highlighting the need to develop effective wildfire mitigation and
restoration decisions. Not every forest or wildfire is the same, and sound
science is needed on our assorted landscapes, species reliance on forests
for habitat, variations in fire severity, and timing and type of harvest
activities. A broad-scale understanding is especially needed as we face
stressors such as climate change. The report can be found at
http://www.firescience.gov/Science_You_Can_Use/Timber%20Harvest%20Aft...
ldfires/pnw_gtr776.pdf. For more information, contact David Pilliod at
dpill...@usgs.gov or (208) 426-5202.

STORY SEEDS: (points to ponder or investigate)

New Web Site: Deadly White Nose Syndrome in Bats

As hibernating bats in the Northeastern United States emerge this spring,
scientists will be watching closely to assess the winter death toll. The
killer is white-nose syndrome (WNS), an infectious disease that depletes
hibernating bats of vital energy reserves and is identified by a white fuzzy
fungus on their noses, ears, and wings. A new USGS Web site provides
publicly available information on the history, suspected dynamics and
possible implications of the disease, as well as the USGS response to this
wildlife crisis. During the winter of 2006 – 2007, colonies of hibernating
bats were reduced by 81 – 97 percent at the affected caves and mines that
were surveyed. In the two years since, the disease has spread across nine
Northeastern states and killed hundreds of thousands of cave bats. The Web
site is available at http://www.fort.usgs.gov/WNS/. For more information,
contact Paul Cryan at cry...@usgs.gov or (970) 226-9389.

Salmons’ Journey No Longer Blocked in Washington

Juvenile salmon used to dive great depths to pass through the Little Goose
Dam on the Snake River in Washington State, but the installation of a new
spillway weir provides a passageway for fish at higher surface levels. Since
most juvenile salmon reside in the waters’ upper 10 to 20 feet, near the
depth of the weir, this new design will improve downstream fish passage
rates and do it with less water than before. This weir marks the first time
all dams in the federal hydropower system downstream from Lewiston, Idaho
will have surface passageways. To evaluate the spillway weir’s
effectiveness, USGS scientists are monitoring the migration patterns of
several thousand radio-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead. For
more information, visit http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/, or contact John
Beeman at jbee...@usgs.gov or (509) 538-2299, ext. 257.

Small Lake Invader Tilts the Mercury Scales

When the threadfin shad fish invaded California’s Clear Lake, it shook up
the food web by eating the zooplankton that many other small fish depend on.
As a result, the resident small fish became more dependent upon
bottom-dwelling prey such as midge larvae, which reside in mercury-laden
sediments. Mercury is a toxic chemical found in aquatic ecosystems, and at
high exposure levels, mercury can affect the nervous and reproductive
systems of fish, wildlife and humans. Thus, high levels of mercury in small
fish may not only impact their health, but also increase the risk of
exposure to animals higher in the food chain that eat them. USGS scientists
found that during times of high shad abundance, mercury concentrations in
the resident fish increased by approximately 50 percent compared to when
shad were not present in the lake. For more information, visit
http://www.werc.usgs.gov/pubbriefs/eagles-smithpbmar2009b.html, or contact
Collin Eagles-Smith at ceagles-sm...@usgs.gov or (530) 754-8130.