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Addressing concerns about the types and development of energy and a secure energy future is a high priority for the current United States administration, the Department of the Interior (DOI) in particular. The BLM and other land management agencies within the DOI are charged with balancing energy development with other land uses and values. Decision-making about land uses is often controversial and complex; this necessitates easy access to useful data, literature, and other informative resources that facilitate a better understanding of how energy development affects natural resources, ecosystems, economics, and society. Although there are several valuable on-line resources that provide information about energy...
The severe disturbance that surface mining often causes has the potential to drastically alter a soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties (Insam and Domsch, 1988). In particular, metals associated with mining deposits present obstacles to ecosystem recovery (Nielsen and Winding, 2002), as their residence time in soils can be quite extensive (Brookes, 1995). Quantifying soil quality can be useful for evaluating the impact of such disturbances and can improve the understanding of the mechanisms behind ecosystem processes. Definitions of soil quality generally involve soil function [for example, a soil’s ability to support vegetative diversity and biomass or to sustain itself through nutrient cycling (Doran...
The spread of cheatgrass was identified by the WLCI LPDTs as a serious threat to maintaining important wildlife habitat. Team members also expressed interest in knowing whether past habitat treatments (prescribed burns, mowing, herbicide applications) resist or promote the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive plant species. Other questions address whether or not soil biological crusts can resist the spread of cheatgrass. Since 1990, numerous habitat-restoration and enhancement projects have been implemented in the Little Mountain Ecosystem (LME), many of which entailed prescribed burns. To evaluate annual variation of cheatgrass density on treated and untreated plots and to determine the ability of soil biological...
This Marine Bird Density data displays distributions and density indices for marine birds and diving waterfowl species seen by aerial surveys conducted since 1992 by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The data can also be viewed here: http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=2d7eb8143c3c49679dcf8af25ee20b0a&extent=-127.2413,46.3222,-119.1279,49.3197 This Web Service provides the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program (PSAMP) aerial survey results. These aerial surveys are an example of one of the more consistent methodologies applied to marine avifauna over a longer period and area, in the inner marine waters of western Washington, than has been conducted here before. This database in its...
Some analysts think that biomass offers great potential as a renewable fiel for electricity generation. Biomass’ emissions of greenhouse gases, over its whole fiel cycle, are relatively insignificant when compared to even the “cleanest” of the fossil energy technologies — natural gas. Yet, the external costs (and benefits) of biomass fuel cycles, which stem from impacts other than those associated with greenhouse gases, are not necessarily trivial. Some of these impacts are similar to those that result from the combustion of fossil fbels. Other impacts are unique to biomass fiel cycles. This report describes methods to estimate many of the more important external costs (and benefits) of biomass fiel cycles.
The Shale Gas Subcommittee of the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board is charged with identifying measures that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact and improve the safety of shale gas production. Natural gas is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, providing a quarter of the country’s total energy. Owing to breakthroughs in technology, production from shale formations has gone from a negligible amount just a few years ago to being almost 30 percent of total U.S. natural gas production. This has brought lower prices, domestic jobs, and the prospect of enhanced national security due to the potential of substantial production growth. But the growth has also brought questions about whether both current and future...
Categories: Publication;
Types: Citation;
Tags: challenges,
energy,
generation,
photon sources,
science
Thailand is one of the fastest growing energy-intensive economies in Southeast Asia. To formulate sound energy policies in the country, it is important to understand the impact of energy use on the environment over the long-period. This study examines energy system development and its associated greenhouse gas and local air pollutant emissions under four scenarios in Thailand through the year 2050. The four scenarios involve different growth paths for economy, population, energy efficiency and penetration of renewable energy technologies. The paper assesses the changes in primary energy supply mix, sector-wise final energy demand, energy import dependency and CO2, SO2 and NOx emissions under four scenarios using...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this...
Learning How to NOT Make Your Own Earthquakes, credited to Kerr R, published in 2010. Published in Science, volume 335, issue March, on pages 1436 - 1437, in 2010.
The Salt Lake City, Utah, region has a climate record dating from the mid-1800s that can be used to calibrate a tree ring record to climate and streamflows. A number of good candidate species for tree ring analysis include indigenous coniferous species that are signature species in tree ring analysis because their growth is sensitive to drought. However, these species represent different habitats. We will conduct controlled field studies to define the relationship between a suite of tree species native to the Wasatch range and drought stress and air temperature as well as to use tree ring data to understand and explain paleoclimate drought cycles and reconstruct streamflows in an innovative way. The research...
Categories: Project;
Types: ScienceBase Project;
Tags: Cache valley climate,
Logan River watershed,
Mountain mahogany,
Science,
Utah Juniper limber pine,
We examined bird and bat mortality at a new 89-turbine windfarm constructed in an environmentally sensitive area in north-central Iowa. The windfarm became operational in November 2001. It is located in cropland between three Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) with historically high bird use. In the past, migrant and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds moved between the WMA's through the area now occupied by the windfarm. Studies of bird collision mortality in California and elsewhere raised concerns about the possibility of mortalities in this area. From April 15, 2003 and December 15, 2003 we searched for dead animals under 26 randomly selected turbines. Six 76.2 m by 3.0 m transects were maintained...
Categories: Publication;
Types: Citation;
Tags: Conservation,
Initiative,
Landscape,
U.S.,
U.S. Geological Survey,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, or the Agency) conducted a study that assesses the potential for contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into coalbed methane (CBM) wells. To increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the study, EPA has taken a phased approach. Apart from using real world observations and gathering empirical data, EPA also evaluated the theoretical potential for hydraulic fracturing to affect USDWs. Based on the information collected and reviewed, EPA has concluded that the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into CBM wells poses little or no threat to USDWs and does not justify additional study at this...
The environmental conditions of Earth, including the climate, are determined by physical, chemical, biological, and human interactions that transform and transport materials and energy. This is the "Earth system": a highly complex entity characterized by multiple nonlinear responses and thresholds, with linkages between disparate components. One important part of this system is the iron cycle, in which iron-containing soil dust is transported from land through the atmosphere to the oceans, affecting ocean biogeochemistry and hence having feedback effects on climate and dust production. Here we review the key components of this cycle, identifying critical uncertainties and priorities for future research. Published...
Climate change is expected to impact Reclamation’s water systems in various ways, which may trigger interest in various adaptation strategies that involve changed management of (e.g., conservation, regulation, and market-based water trading). Coupled hydrologic and economic models are essential tools for addressing questions of where and when supply management and/or demand management approaches are most appropriate for meeting the challenges of global climate change. We will build on the S&T Program research project 5330, Boise Valley spatial water allocation modeling, which combined a conjunctive groundwater model with a partial equilibrium economic model. This research will identify water management options...
Categories: Project;
Types: ScienceBase Project;
Tags: Science,
climate change,
partial equilibrium economic models,
water management
Weather and climate influence plant productivity, which in turn influences wildlife habitats and behaviors (Monteith and others, 2011). Monitoring plant phenology (such as the timing of green-up, flowering, or senescence) reveals patterns that can serve as indicators of habitat condition and quality. Climate change may alter phenology patterns and plant species composition, which could affect the availability and quality of forage and cover for WLCI species of concern, such as elk, mule deer, pronghorn, greater sage-grouse, and livestock. This project entails monitoring plant phenology to address the WLCI management need for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of habitat-management activities. Our work also...
The WLCI has supported numerous aspen habitat treatments in the Sierra Madre Range of south-central Wyoming to reduce conifer cover, increase aspen densities, and diversify stand dynamics. WLCI partners are seeking information on how aspen and under-canopy vegetation have responded to those treatments, the relationship between soil chemistry and mechanical removal of conifers, and the response of invasive species to soil and litter disturbance associated with mechanical removal. To address these and similar questions, in FY2008 the USGS developed a study in the Sierra Madre Range to investigate aspen regeneration, herbivory, and growth rate, and to document interactions between soil disturbance and under-canopy...
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