Ecosystems

Ecosystems are integrated systems of organisms interacting with their physical environments, constituting the Earth's biosphere and supporting human existence. Resilient functioning ecosystems support food webs, build soil, enhance crop pollination, purify water, cycle nutrients, detoxify waste, and regulate the atmosphere. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts research and monitoring to develop and convey a fundamental understanding of ecosystem function and distributions, physical and biological components and trophic dynamics for freshwater, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems and the human and fish and wildlife communities they support.

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Ecosystems

Invasive Species Program The USGS Invasive Species Program provides methodologies and information to address threats to ecological systems and native species due to the introduction and spread of invasive species.	Cooperative Research Units The Cooperative Research Unit program was established in 1935 to enhance graduate education in fisheries and wildlife sciences and to facilitate research between natural resource agencies and universities on topics of mutual concern. Today, there are 40 Cooperative Research Units in 38 states. Each unit is a partnership among the U.S. Geological Survey, a State natural resource agency, a host university, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
Fisheries: Aquatic and Endangered Resources Program The Fisheries: Aquatic and Endangered Resources Program (FAER) focuses on the study of aquatic organisms and aquatic habitats from the molecular genetics level to species and population interactions with the environment. Aquatic pathogens, invertebrates, mussels, fishes, and the unique role of aquatic communities in ecosystems are investigated to provide scientific information to natural resource managers and decision makers.	Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments Program Studies conducted by USGS Terrestrial, Freshwater, and Marine Environments scientists provide the basic science needed to understand the factors that control ecosystem structure, function, dynamics, condition, and provision of goods and services in context of linkages and interactions with the surrounding landscape.  This information is used to model and predict future changes to ecosystems, how external stressors such as land use change and climate change will affect ecosystem resiliency, and to develop management alternatives in the face of stressors.  Ecosystem science is also used to restore degraded landscapes and freshwater systems, sustain plants and animals, and find means to adapt management to global change.
Status & Trends Program The Status and Trends of Biological Resources Program monitors, analyzes and reports on the status and trends Nation’s living resources and the habitats on which they depend.  To protect and conserve these resources entrusted to their care, land and resource managers must first understand the condition of and threats to those resources.	Wildlife: Terrestrial and Endangered Resources Program USGS scientists supported by the Wildlife Program conduct research on diverse natural resource topics involving wildlife and their habitat, marine mammals, threatened and endangered species, pollinators and  plants; research includes, for example wildlife disease, genetics, basic life history and changing landscapes. Scientists provide technical support and tools for applications like structured decision making.
Genetics & Genomics USGS geneticists work to provide answers to questions of genetics for use in making sound management decisions on fish and wildlife, including their habitat and conservation.	Microbiology U.S. Geological Survey microbiology efforts span the mission areas and includes research in fish and wildlife health and disease, geomicrobiology, ecosystem function, climate change, water quality for drinking and in recreation, bioremediation, nanotechnology, energy and geographic patterns of microbial distribution.