Across the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) there are nealy 100 biological collections containing millions of preserved and viable specimens including animal tissues, seeds, fungal cultures, plant accessions, pinned insects, and viral isolates. These specimens and the data about them document and support ARS research efforts and are an integral part of delivering on the Agency’s mission.

The Monte Carlo Method, or multiple probability simulation, is a mathematical technique used to estimate possible outcomes of uncertain events. The Monte Carlo Method was applied for nuclear problems by John von Neumann and Stanislaw Ulam during work on the Manhattan Project.

Scientists at the NWRC use UAS to research long-term vegetation dynamics in sagebrush-dominated rangelands. Multispectral, hyperspectral, and natural color imagery are collected to study the effects of fire, grazing, and invasive weed encroachment.