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Research scientists in the Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) undertake research on a wide variety of topics of interest to Department of Interior agencies (Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Scientists at USGS also assist other government agencies with research and monitoring of natural resources. Scientists at several field stations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah conduct research on the desert tortoise and its habitats. They focus on issues related to recovery of desert tortoise populations and habitat, such as population sampling techniques, status and trends in populations, impacts of human activities on populations and habitats, causes of mortality, and general ecology. They present their research at scientific and public meetings such as the annual Desert Tortoise Council Symposium, the Wildlife Society, and the Ecological Society of America. They also prepare journal articles and papers for publication in symposia proceedings. |
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| Biologists and ecologists with the U. S. Geological Survey conduct a wide
variety of research projects on desert tortoises, including studies of the different types
of cover sites (dens, burrows, caves) that tortoises occupy. In the Central and Northeastern
Mojave deserts, tortoises are commonly found in caves in the banks of cliffs and washes.
Tunnels may extend 10 to 30 feet in length and may hold more than a dozen tortoises. The
field biologist shown here is checking on the occupants of a cave.
Photo by Mark Massar. |
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