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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

WARC conducts relevant and objective research, develops new approaches and technologies, and disseminates scientific information needed to understand, manage, conserve, and restore wetlands and other aquatic and coastal ecosystems and their associated plant and animal communities throughout the nation and the world. 

News

Event: Explore USGS Careers in the Southeast 2024

Event: Explore USGS Careers in the Southeast 2024

USGS scientists find new relationship between elevation change and wetland loss in Mississippi River Delta

USGS scientists find new relationship between elevation change and wetland loss in Mississippi River Delta

Traversing the Sea for Science: How USGS Uses the Federal Fleet to Study Natural Hazards, Resources, and More

Traversing the Sea for Science: How USGS Uses the Federal Fleet to Study Natural Hazards, Resources, and More

Publications

Marshes to mangroves: Residential surveys reveal perceived wetland trade-offs for ecosystem services

Coastal landscapes are rapidly changing due to both climate change and the decisions of waterfront landowners. For instance, the climate-driven encroachment of woody mangrove species into grassy marshland areas is predicted to impact coastal ecosystems, with consequences for the ecosystem services these landscapes provide to people. However, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning coastal reside
Authors
Savannah H. Swinea, A. Randall Hughes, Michael Osland, Christine C. Shepard, Kalaina B. Thorne, Jahson B. Alemu I, Remi Bardou, Steven B. Scyphers

Projected sea-level rise and high tide flooding at San Juan National Historic Site, Puerto Rico

IntroductionNational parks and preserves in the South Atlantic-Gulf Region contain valuable coastal habitats such as tidal wetlands and mangrove forests, as well as irreplaceable historic buildings and archeological sites located in low-lying areas. These natural and cultural resources are vulnerable to accelerated sea-level rise and escalating high tide flooding events. Through a Natural Resource
Authors
Hana R. Thurman, Nicholas M. Enwright, Michael J. Osland, Davina L. Passeri, Richard H. Day, Bethanie M. Simons

A guide to environmental DNA extractions for non-molecular trained biologists, ecologists, and conservation scientists

Ecologists, biologists, and conservation scientists are increasingly interested in the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) data for research and potentially decision-making. While commercial DNA extraction kits are typically user-friendly and accessible, they may fail to deliver the desired results with inherently complex eDNA samples, necessitating protocol optimization or educated selection of alter
Authors
Jessica Marie Rieder, Eliane Jemmi, Margaret Hunter, Irene Adrian-Kalchhauser

Science

Invasive Burmese Pythons in Southern Florida

Invasive species represent a significant threat to global biodiversity and a substantial economic burden to surrounding communities. In the last 40 years, the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) has invaded southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and other protected lands.
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Invasive Burmese Pythons in Southern Florida

Invasive species represent a significant threat to global biodiversity and a substantial economic burden to surrounding communities. In the last 40 years, the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) has invaded southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and other protected lands.
Learn More

Decision Support for Managers Restoring Texas Coastal Marshes with Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

USGS researchers will define the range of elevation targets supporting optimal plant performance and oil strength by identifying the lower and upper thresholds of marsh conversion, and characterize ecosystem development of restored marshes over time to identify the lifetime and sustainability of restored marsh during sea-level rise. This work addresses priority science needs to improve restoration...
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Decision Support for Managers Restoring Texas Coastal Marshes with Beneficial Use of Dredged Material

USGS researchers will define the range of elevation targets supporting optimal plant performance and oil strength by identifying the lower and upper thresholds of marsh conversion, and characterize ecosystem development of restored marshes over time to identify the lifetime and sustainability of restored marsh during sea-level rise. This work addresses priority science needs to improve restoration...
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A Case Study Assessing the Cumulative Effects of Deepwater Horizon Restoration Projects on Barrier Island/Barrier Shoreline Ecosystem Resilience in the North-central Gulf of Mexico

USGS and partners will assess the potential cumulative effects of restoration projects on the resiliency of barrier islands and barrier shorelines in the north-central Gulf of Mexico.
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A Case Study Assessing the Cumulative Effects of Deepwater Horizon Restoration Projects on Barrier Island/Barrier Shoreline Ecosystem Resilience in the North-central Gulf of Mexico

USGS and partners will assess the potential cumulative effects of restoration projects on the resiliency of barrier islands and barrier shorelines in the north-central Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
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