USGS Wildland Fire Science
USGS science helps understand the causes, consequences, and benefits of wildfire and helps prevent and manage larger, catastrophic events.
USGS Drought Science
Helping managers understand the interactions that determine the magnitude and impact of drought on water availability and ecosystems across the Nation
Ecosystems Science at USGS
Ecosystems Mission Area
The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides science that directly benefits the health, safety, and prosperity of the American people by providing trusted and timely information to help address the Nation’s toughest management and conservation issues impacting public lands and the surrounding communities that benefit from them.
USGS Science for Food & Water Security
USGS Ecosystems Mission Area science helps ensure safe and abundant domestic food and water supplies, ensuring all Americans access to livelihoods and traditions that connect generations with each other and the outdoors and strengthen America’s self-reliance
USGS Science for Public Safety & Security
Science within the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area provides a critical advantage in addressing public safety, infrastructure, and security issues surrounding natural disasters and changing landscapes, strengthening America’s ability to be a hazard ready Nation.
USGS Science for Economic Growth
Science provided by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area helps boost America’s economy by providing practical tools to implement cost-effective management and development strategies that supports the Nation’s economic growth and protects our natural heritage.
News
Co-Developing an Adaptive Management Framework for a Cold-Water River Facing Ecosystem Change
Firelight - Vol. 4 | Issue 2
FORT Science in Action 2026, Part 15: Stable isotope analyses for improved understanding of wildlife-environment interactions
Publications
First application of a coastal-dune model (AeoLiS) to simulate fluvial-aeolian morphodynamics First application of a coastal-dune model (AeoLiS) to simulate fluvial-aeolian morphodynamics
A genomic tool to tackle cryptic diversity demonstrates the potential for off-target use of GT-seq panels A genomic tool to tackle cryptic diversity demonstrates the potential for off-target use of GT-seq panels
Application of novel encounter and predation models to the natural behavior of slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus Application of novel encounter and predation models to the natural behavior of slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus
Science
2026 Environmental Health Program Highlights
USGS Energy and Wildlife Research Update (March–September 2026)
