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Summary
The geological, geophysical, environmental, climatic, and hydrological components of Earth
science research are fundamentally global in their physical scope, impacts, and interactions.
Because of the global reach of Earth science, the U.S. government frequently draws upon the
scientific expertise of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the principal science agency of the
Department of the Interior (DOI), for data, information, advice, and technical assistance relat-
ing to Earth science—nationally and internationally—in support of U.S. interests. In addition,
the emerging era of science diplomacy, which uses science and scientific cooperation to promote
international understanding and prosperity, has also brought an increasing number of requests
for USGS engagement on international Earth science issues.
In conjunction with the recent reorganization of the USGS, and motivated by the
continuing demand for Survey expertise on a variety of urgent international Earth science
problems, the USGS requested that the National Research Council (NRC) establish a study
committee on Opportunities and Challenges for International Science at the USGS. The
committee was tasked to examine the Survey’s past and present international activities that
support the USGS national mission, to identify international research areas for the coming
5 to 10 years that have high potential to benefit both USGS strategic science directions and
national priorities for the U.S. government, and to identify impediments to more effective
USGS participation in international science activities.
This report responds to that charge by describing the core activities of the Survey’s
seven science mission areas and the ways in which corresponding international activities
benefit the USGS mission and U.S. national interests. The committee also identifies op-
portunities for new and continued international activities for the USGS to consider as
part of its mission to serve the U.S. government and the nation. Based on the committee’s
findings and conclusions, the report’s five recommendations outline a series of steps for the
USGS to support and strengthen its international activities and to overcome impediments
to more effective USGS participation in international science opportunities.
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C I E N C E I N T H E N AT I O N A L I N T E R E S T AT T H E U S G S
USGS INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE IN THE FABRIC OF
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
The DOI strategic plan for 2011-2016 indicates science as a key component of the
DOI mission and identifies the USGS as the Department’s primary science organization.
The DOI strategic plan outlines the following goals for the USGS:
• ensure the quality and relevance of science products to partners and customers;
• provide science for sustainable resource use, protection, and adaptive management;
• provide scientific data to protect and inform communities; and
• develop a comprehensive science framework for understanding the Earth.
The mission of the USGS is to provide geological, topographic, biological, and hydro-
logical information that contributes to the wise management of natural resources and that
promotes public health, safety, and well being. In 2010-2011, the Survey restructured under
the following seven mission areas: Climate and Land-Use Change; Core Science Systems;
Ecosystems; Energy and Minerals; Environmental Health; Natural Hazards; and Water.
These science mission areas align with the goals of the DOI strategic plan and the overall
USGS mission. In the international arena, the USGS Office of International Programs
(OIP) is responsible for representing all USGS mission areas and reports directly to the Di-
rector of the USGS. The authority of the Secretary of the Interior to have the USGS address
international tasks, when in the national interest, was formalized in legislation in 1962.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the White House
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), and the Department of State (DOS)
have all cited specific international priorities for science that explicitly call upon USGS
expertise and information (1) to address scientific and technological issues associated
with a changing climate, constraints on energy resources, and environmental degrada-
tion; and (2) to establish national goals for U.S. science and technology investments that
ensure economic prosperity, public health, environmental quality, and security. Similarly,
the DOS/U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Strategic Plan lists the
USGS as an essential partner in fulfilling U.S. foreign policy objectives in strategic priority
areas such as energy security and the environment. USAID and organizations such as the
World Bank have engaged USGS expertise in predictions of pending drought, assessments
of water quality, and responses to natural disasters. The Department of Defense (DOD)
has also called upon the USGS to help address U.S. government needs. In addition, the
USGS works in partnership with other federal agencies such as the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion (NOAA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) on international activities of complementary interest. The USGS
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Summary
also works with international governments and organizations: at the time of writing this
report, the Survey is currently entered into 256 international agreements with 75 countries
and 12 international organizations.
USGS international work is supported financially through two means: (1) federal ap-
propriations that may be used for international Earth science projects, provided the projects
support U.S. policy or benefit the Survey’s domestic mission and the American public; and
(2) reimbursable funds from other U.S. agency partners, international organizations, and
foreign governments.
CURRENT INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE AT THE USGS
The Survey’s primary international activities, as they relate to its domestic mission and
broader national interests, are summarized below with reference to each of the seven mis-
sion areas. All of these international activities help to support U.S. diplomacy and capacity
building, as well as other federal agencies in their missions and responsibilities.
Climate and Land-Use Change
The DOI Strategic Plan recognizes the need to engage internationally in climate and
other mission areas as a core mission responsibility, and identifies key activities and strate-
gies related to sustainable resource management. The USGS priorities for climate and
land-use change include improving the understanding of
• past global changes;
• the global carbon cycle;
• land-use and land-cover change;
• droughts, floods, and water availability;
• coastal response to sea-level rise, climatic hazards, and human development; and
• biological responses to global change.
In addition to the Survey’s international projects to support these six priorities, the
USGS management of the Landsat system is an important asset that enables monitoring
and data collection to support an enormous range of decisions about the environment,
climate, natural resources, and natural hazards.
Core Science Systems
All Survey activities have a strong spatial component and require a comprehensive
mapping capability and infrastructure, which fall under the USGS Core Science Systems
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C I E N C E I N T H E N AT I O N A L I N T E R E S T AT T H E U S G S
function. Maps are of fundamental value as the basis for theories, measurements, and
analysis and are useful for assisting those who engage in land-use planning, natural hazard
assessment, resource development, and environmental planning. This function is carried
out through the Biological Informatics Program, National Geospatial Program, National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Geological and Geophysical Data Pres-
ervation Program, USGS Libraries, and Core Science Informatics.
Ecosystems
The Ecosystems mission activities include examining the state of the nation’s terrestrial,
freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems; studying the causes and impacts of ecological
change; and the monitoring and development of methods for the protection and manage-
ment of biological components and processes of ecosystems. International science activities
in this mission area focus on wildlife disease research, invasive species studies and border
monitoring, conservation programs, and research on river deltas and Arctic ecosystems.
Energy and Minerals
The objective of the Energy and Minerals mission area is to identify and understand
the occurrence, size and extent, and genesis of energy and mineral resources. Data and
information from this research are directed toward informing decisions about domestic
land management and use, management of supplies of energy and mineral resources, in-
ternational trade, national security, and economic development. Information about global
and domestic resource distribution and overall availability also informs decisions about risks
associated with import dependence on energy and mineral resources and about possible ac -
tions to mitigate supply risk. Among the mission area’s ongoing international activities are
the World Petroleum Assessment; gas hydrate research; geothermal energy; global mineral
resource assessments; and global mineral commodity summaries and life-cycle analysis.
Environmental Health
Environmental Health research at the USGS encompasses the study of relationships
among the quality of the physical environment, the health of the living environment and
human health, and provides information on such issues as the effects of water, air, and soil
contaminants on environmental health. This work directly supports monitoring of the spread
of disease and invasive species and corresponding efforts to mitigate impacts on environ-
mental health. International activities have included study of the transmission and preven-
tion of a vector-borne pathogen commonly found in parts of Africa and the use of satellite
telemetry to track waterfowl movement in support of avian influenza surveillance programs.
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Summary
Natural Hazards
Activities in the Natural Hazards mission area involve the continuous collection of
accurate and timely information from Earth observation networks, assessment of areas of
risk from natural hazards, and research to improve hazard predictions. Related international
activities, with global implications or scope fall under one of six programs:
• Earthquake Hazards
• Volcano Hazards
• Landslide Hazards
• Global Seismographic Network
• Geomagnetism
• Coastal and Marine Geology
In this mission area, international projects—including, among others, global hazard
monitoring and notification (earthquakes, volcanoes, geomagnetic disturbances), rapid re-
sponse to foreign hazard crises, and collaborative science—enable USGS scientists to stay
at the forefront of the state of knowledge and best practices in monitoring, modeling, and
mitigating natural hazards.
Water
The mission of this science area is to quantify, forecast, and secure freshwater for
the nation. The USGS has a number of international research activities that contribute
to understanding of large river systems, flooding, and groundwater availability and con-
tamination, and to technology development and aquifer assessments. This work increases
USGS capacity to fulfill its domestic responsibilities in determining freshwater availability,
identifying water sources, and forecasting outcomes for water availability to inform land-use
practices and decisions about the development of mineral and energy resources.
STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
FOR THE USGS
A systems approach to scientific surveys of global Earth processes addresses a particular
problem or issue as a part of a “system.” This kind of approach is an effective way to examine
the complex spectrum of interconnected, interdisciplinary challenges that affect the Earth,
the environment, and the human population. The USGS is already promoting a systems
approach in developing many of its science activities, enabling the Survey to exploit the
breadth and depth of its existing expertise and capacities to monitor, analyze, and provide
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C I E N C E I N T H E N AT I O N A L I N T E R E S T AT T H E U S G S
a better understanding of a range of Earth processes. The USGS mission areas are cross-
cutting, problem-based, and interdisciplinary and can effectively support a systems approach
to the study of Earth science issues.
The committee has identified a series of international science opportunities for the
USGS to consider pursuing, either on its own or in cooperation with U.S. agency partners
and/or other domestic and foreign collaborators (Box S.1). These opportunities readily
BOX S.1
USGS Opportunities in International Science
Opportunities that Complement Existing International Science Activities
Global natural hazards planning and response. Strategic opportunities lie chiefly in
1.
increasing the level of USGS involvement in three areas:
a. The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) international partnership
b. The Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) in concert with other global volcano-hazard
initiatives
c Global earthquake monitoring and rapid notification activities
Energy and mineral resource assessments. Six areas emerged as particularly compel-
2.
ling for the USGS to pursue, building upon the Survey’s current, successful international activities
through
a. Continuing to define and plan new oil and gas resource assessment projects in international
onshore and offshore areas
b. Continuing research in global gas hydrate occurrences
c. Continuing research on location and development of global geothermal resources
d. Quantifying the supply and demand for, and foreign dependence on, important minerals, with
targeted application of mineral life-cycle analysis
e. Conducting research on the global location, geological origins, age, size, production, and
consumption of conflict minerals
f. Capacity building: providing scientific assistance to nations to enable them to identify and
develop mineral resources in ways that are sound for human and environmental health and
economic development
Water sustainability research in desert regions and tropical areas. Many areas
3.
of the world, including the United States, have regions where the hydrologic cycle operates at
extremes, with either very low or very high precipitation. Continued research can aid in under-
standing the extent and effects of cyclic changes that have resulted from climate and land-use
change and to determine how to manage water resources.
New Opportunities
Use of climate and land-cover science for decisions on climate adaptation and
1.
natural resource management. Adaptation to climate change and effective natural resource
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Summary
lend themselves to a systems approach, engagement among multiple mission areas, and
partnership with other federal agencies. Furthermore, the opportunities meet the follow-
ing criteria: (1) they demonstrate clear means both to leverage and benefit the scientific
strengths and directions of the USGS and to complement ongoing, domestic activities; and
(2) they indicate strong potential for project results to increase the Survey’s ability to meet
needs of the U.S. government and the American public.
management are thoroughly intertwined. Climate and land-use change research contribute to
informed decisions in both realms, particularly when viewing landscapes as systems.
Understanding the influence of climate change on ecosystems, populations, and
2.
disease emergence. As climate changes, the distribution and abundance of plants, animals,
and insects will shift in response. Such changes could directly impact biological resources in the
United States and play a role in disease ecology and emergence.
Clarification and development of invasive species work using trade patterns,
3.
refugee situations, and changing climate and environment. As global trade and
travel continue to increase, research on the influx of invasive species can inform decisions about
mitigating the impacts of such species on the United States.
Quantitative health-based risk assessment using hazard identification, exposure
4.
assessment, dose-response assessment, and risk characterization. When focused
on a particular ecosystem, ecological risk assessment can help identify vulnerable resources and
the adverse effects of human activities and pollutants on the ecosystem.
Ecological and quantitative human health risk assessment analysis based on
5.
contaminant exposure levels. Especially in regions from which food products are shipped
to the United States, such assessments could support the evaluation of health risks to U.S. citizens
and inform decisions about regulations.
6. Research in water contamination and supply. Strategic opportunities include new levels
of USGS involvement in three areas:
a. Reduction of water contamination risk from natural and anthropogenic causes
b. Water supply management
c. Modeling and management of fossil aquifers in vulnerable environment
Water and ecological science in cold regions sensitive to climate change. Warm-
7.
ing in areas of permafrost may have impacts on the climate. Mitigating these impacts requires
research on the interactions and feedbacks of water, ecosystems, and climate.
Comprehensive enhancement of, and accessibility to, essential topographic and
8.
geologic map information. Two specific endeavors would support achievement
of these aims:
a. Improved and accelerated global coordination and enhancement of topographic mapping
b. Rapid acceleration of the reconciliation and accessibility of geologic mapping
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C I E N C E I N T H E N AT I O N A L I N T E R E S T AT T H E U S G S
IMPEDIMENTS TO INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AT THE USGS
The committee identified the following obstacles to more effective Survey participa-
tion in international science activities: (1) lack of an overall plan for USGS international
science, exemplified in various ways including fragmentary documentation on the USGS
website of its international activities; (2) domestic mission pressures in the DOI and the
USGS; (3) uneven disposition among the Survey’s mission areas to undertake international
work; (4) an institutional culture not yet predisposed to implement international and cross-
disciplinary activities across the entire Survey and a suitable reward system for participating
in such activities; (5) a need for greater Survey coordination with international partners;
and (6) availability of resources.
FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The USGS plays an essential role in the systematic mapping, monitoring, and study
of the Earth to fulfill national needs for information on diverse Earth systems. Although
the committee noted caution on the part of the USGS in fully promoting its numerous
and broad-ranging accomplishments in the international arena, the USGS can be justifi-
ably proud of its widely recognized and successful international activities in global Earth
science. The committee sees compelling arguments for the USGS to play a dynamic role
in international science.
The committee’s first recommendation, directed to the USGS leadership and with the
clear acknowledgment and support of international work already under way, concerns the
benefits of a more proactive approach to international science. The development of a strategic
implementation plan for international science at the USGS is also fundamentally important,
and the committee outlines some basic elements that could be part of such a plan.
RECOMMENDATION: As a necessary first step to strengthen and enhance
USGS international science activities, USGS leadership, in collaboration with
the Secretary of the Interior, should fully embrace and unequivocally commit to
international science as a fundamental part of the USGS aim “to help our Nation
and the world” (Gundersen et al., 2011, p. 3) and should be open and clear about
this work—internally and externally.
The committee found that USGS scientists are conducting excellent work in inter-
national science. Current activities include the mitigation of humanitarian crises through
technical assistance in natural disaster response and in local capacity building, the advance -
ment of science through interdisciplinary and international collaborations, natural resource
assessments, and the promotion of national interests through science diplomacy and techni-
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Summary
cal aid. The continuum of global problems and issues requiring urgent attention makes this
a critical time for greater USGS involvement in international science.
RECOMMENDATION: The USGS should play an expanded, proactive role
in international Earth science, consistent with, and building upon, its current
strengths and science directions. In developing this expanded role, the USGS
should assess how it can serve as a collaborative international leader in strate-
gically addressing a range of urgent worldwide problems that affect U.S. inter-
ests. These include, but are not limited to natural-resource shortfalls, escalat-
ing human and economic losses from natural disasters, a degraded biosphere,
biodiversity loss, the increasing threat of pandemics, and accelerating global
environmental change.
As part of this broader international role, and recognizing that these endeavors maxi-
mize the effective use of government resources, the USGS can consider forging stronger
links with a variety of international and domestic partners. Other nations’ geological surveys
and international organizations (e.g., OneGeology) are potential partners. Domestically,
in addition to collaborations within the Department of the Interior, the USGS already has
strong relationships on international projects with DOS, USAID, DOD, and the World
Bank as well as with other federal agencies such as NASA, NOAA, and the CDC. These
reliable partnerships could be further strengthened and serve as a springboard for broader
scientific engagement in all of the Survey’s mission areas.
New international science opportunities can support the USGS national mission. Most
of these opportunities require examining Earth processes as an interconnected system, thus
requiring a systems approach. Integrated efforts across USGS mission areas in international
science can strengthen the Survey’s scientific capabilities, increase knowledge and under-
standing of Earth processes, and support informed and effective decision making.
RECOMMENDATION: The Survey leadership should continue advancing
the integration and coordination of activities across the seven USGS mission
areas, and consider pursuit of and engagement in international science opportu-
nities such as those outlined in this report to motivate further scientific integra-
tion within the USGS.
The committee noted that international work seems to be managed very differently in
different mission areas and identified marked contrasts in the support, reward structures,
and planning for such efforts. Although some differences among mission areas are to be
expected, identification of current best practices for successful development and execution of
global scientific projects is warranted. Encouraging collaboration among the mission areas
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I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C I E N C E I N T H E N AT I O N A L I N T E R E S T AT T H E U S G S
in developing international scientific opportunities could also enable the Survey to better
prepare for official project requests from external partners and could enhance readiness to
explore new international scientific opportunities. The absence of a more proactive approach
to international science activities at the USGS probably weakens the overall success of the
Survey in conducting such efforts.
RECOMMENDATION: A Survey-wide plan for international work should be
developed to enable the USGS to fully embrace international activities. Such a
strategy could be developed through the integrated efforts of the Director of the
USGS, the leaders of the seven mission areas, and the Office of International
Programs. The overall goal of the plan should allow the USGS to provide a dy-
namic, proactive response to the challenges of global geoscience problems. The
plan could include guidelines or mechanisms to
• foster activities and collaborations that anticipate and address impending
global crises;
• identify and prioritize key international opportunities that support domes-
tic and global science goals and address U.S. government priorities, includ-
ing opportunities for international collaboration with other federal science
agencies;
• formulate a consistent approach to international activities across all USGS
science areas, with internal and extramural mechanisms to provide feedback
on and evaluate the success of international projects;
• enhance coordination between USGS and other foreign Earth-science
agencies;
• explore opportunities to collaborate internationally with academic institu-
tions based in the United States and overseas;
• promote the development of a new organizational culture that encourages
and rewards international research activities and publication of research in
peer-reviewed journals; and
• fast-track the execution of international agreements.
The reciprocal benefits to the nation of USGS global activities are not fully appreci-
ated and do not generally make their way into public perception. From the committee’s
experience, information about USGS international activities is not readily available to the
public in a conveniently organized, useful, and informative way. Although the committee
became well informed about the Survey’s many successful international science activities
from a variety of extramural and Survey sources, the value of these activities would not be
evident to the general public.
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Summary
RECOMMENDATION: To increase public awareness of the value to the na-
tion of USGS international scientific activities, the USGS should promote more
effective communication and outreach about nonsensitive international work.
Such communication can convey the importance, benefits, and rationale of the
Survey’s international science activities to the public, other stakeholders, and
potential international and domestic partners. An interesting, user-friendly
website focusing on global Earth science and featuring brief descriptions of the
Survey’s current and recent international activities and collaborations, with ref -
erence to more detailed information elsewhere on the USGS website, would help
promote greater public appreciation and understanding of these activities.
REFERENCE
Gundersen, L.C.S., J. Belnap, M. Goldhaber, A. Goldstein, P.J. Haeussler, S.E. Ingebritsen, J.W. Jones, G.S. Plumlee, E.R.
Thieler, R.S. Thompson, and J.M. Back. 2011. Geology for a changing world 2010–2020—Implementing the U.S. Geo-
logical Survey science strategy: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1369, 68 p. Available at pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1369.
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