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4 Strategic International Science Opportunities for the USGS
Pages 85-106

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From page 85...
... The committee believes that the scientific merits of the projects described in this chapter are sufficiently strong to warrant USGS pursuit through annual appropriated funds, new funding initiatives, or in collaboration with external partners through reimbursable funds. Having a portfolio of strategic international science projects, both active and in development, can be a constructive way for the USGS to position itself to anticipate and respond efficiently to external requests.
From page 86...
... . For example, many scientific questions raised under the USGS Environmental Health mission area are inevitably affected by -- and have feedback to -- climate, ecosystems, water, energy and mineral extraction and use, and natural hazards, and they involve core science systems.
From page 87...
... Importantly, "capacity building" was cited as a key component of most international projects in discussions with USGS international partners and USGS scientists. Although described explicitly in only a few of the opportunities listed below, the committee urges the USGS to explore ways to implement capacity building in its international projects to help sustain U.S.
From page 88...
... Primary collaborations among USGS mission areas: Natural Hazards and Core Science Systems. Potential federal partners: Department of Defense (DOD)
From page 89...
... Primary collaborations among USGS mission areas: Energy and Minerals; Environmental Health; Water; Ecosystems; and Core Science Systems. Potential federal partners: DOC, DOD, DOE, DOS, USAID continued 89
From page 90...
... Primary collaborations among USGS mission areas: Water; Climate and Land-Use Change; Ecosystems; Core Science Systems. Potential federal partners: DOD, DOS, NASA, NOAA, USAID New Opportunities Use of climate and land-cover science for decisions on climate adaptation and 1.
From page 91...
... Primary collaborations among USGS mission areas: Water; Ecosystems; Climate and Land Use Change; and Core Science Systems. Potential federal partners: DOD, DOS, NSF, USAID continued 91
From page 92...
... Primary collaborations among USGS mission areas: Water; Ecosystems; Environmental Health; Climate and Land Use Change; and Core Science Systems. Potential federal partners: DOD, DOS, NSF, USAID Water and ecological science in cold regions sensitive to climate change.
From page 93...
... In the arena of global earthquake hazards, increased USGS involvement in the GEM international partnership would be an effective and proactive way to do this. See www.globalquakemodel.org/summary.
From page 94...
... A companion opportunity for the USGS in global earthquake monitoring and rapid notification, whether as part of GEM or separately, is capacity-building to help seismic network operators in developing nations improve their network operations and learn how to use and contribute to rapid earthquake information products as part of a global endeavor. Earthquake Disaster 94
From page 95...
... b. Research on global gas hydrate occurrences The USGS has been an active participant in international projects to study gas hydrate occurrences and the committee supports continued Survey participation in these projects in permafrost environments onshore (Canadian and Russian Arctic)
From page 96...
... The U.S. government and industry require reliable, independent, scientifically sound data and assessments of global mineral resources and reserves to gauge supply and demand, dependence on foreign sources, the likelihood of supply or demand disruptions or material changes, the impact on the U.S.
From page 97...
... f. Capacity building: scientific assistance to nations to identify and develop mineral resources In efforts to build capacity overseas and to promote science diplomacy, the provision of assistance to developing nations to explore for, identify, and develop mineral resources can support their steps toward establishing a source of income and thus a stronger economy.
From page 98...
... The USGS' broad experience in hydrologic monitoring, for example, could potentially be used in a collaborative way to provide international hydrologic data that is relevant for climate analysis. The USGS National Streamflow Information Program and National Water-Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA)
From page 99...
... Clear formulation of the USGS work in this area could highlight the value of international projects regarding invasive species. In particular, the USGS would benefit from prioritizing its invasive species work according to • trade patterns • refugee situations • changing climatic and environmental conditions Such a prioritization could help to indicate the most likely sources of novel introductions of invasive species.
From page 100...
... diseases; and • contaminant exposure through recreational waters. For example, in terms of a systems approach, global change, ecosystems, and water all impact the range and habitat of microbial infectious disease.
From page 101...
... Data on contaminant levels in surface waters in Mexico would provide exposure estimates that, coupled to dose response parameters, could provide a quantitative microbial risk assessment for these waterborne agents. In collaboration with the CDC and the World Health Organization, the USGS could conduct a survey of quantitative ecological and human risks based on contaminant exposure levels, in particular in regions from which food and food products are shipped to the United States.
From page 102...
... The USGS has opportunities to contribute in many ways to groundwater and surface water management in China. One area identified by USGS scientists involves the establishment of more accurate discharge measurements in China's wide network of streams, rivers, and surface water conveyance systems.
From page 103...
... 8. COmpREhEnSIVE EnhAnCEmEnt OF And ACCESSIBILItY tO tOpOGRAphIC And GEOLOGIC mAp InFORmAtIOn Topographic mapping is required for all place-based business, for infrastructure development, for smart-phone access to all georeferenced information, and to guide resource, security, public health, and heritage activity.
From page 104...
... In association with CGI activity, an escalating role is now also being fulfilled by the OneGeology project.4 OneGeology is developing a formal governance model that is seen as having great potential for bringing about dramatically enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in international geological mapping and related fields. OneGeology is an international initiative of the geological surveys of the world which aims to create dynamic digital geological map data for the world and make existing geological map data accessible in whatever digital format is available in each country.
From page 105...
... government interests. As global population grows and anthropogenic impacts on the environment increase, the many consequences of global change are likely to shape USGS strategic science and give rise to new opportunities for Survey international activities.
From page 106...
... Geological Survey science strategy: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1369, 68 pp.


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