Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
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Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands Modification of rod surface elevation tables for monitoring extreme elevation shifts in wetlands
Rod surface elevation tables (RSETs) are effective tools for measuring changes in ground surface height, but these are not designed to withstand large changes in height (e.g., ±50 cm). After extreme changes in elevation due to erosion or accretion, RSET sites may be deemed unusable; however, this equipment usually can function indefinitely with in-situ modifications. Here, we provide a
Authors
Ting Lei, John L. David, Beth A. Middleton
Coastal barrier resilience and resistance: Analysis and metrics for characterizing coastal state Coastal barrier resilience and resistance: Analysis and metrics for characterizing coastal state
Barrier islands are shaped by a variety of short- and long-term environmental processes such as storms and relative sea-level rise. These islands, found along the estuarine-marine interface, provide ecosystem services including storm surge and wave attenuation, erosion protection to inland marshes, habitat for fish and wildlife, and recreation. Natural resource managers require...
Authors
P. Soupy Dalyander, Nicholas Enwright, Diana Di Leonardo, Christopher J. Kingwill, Travis Swanson, Bree J. Landry
Plant diversity shifts with drying and wetting cycles following removal of poplar plantations in Dongting Lake, China Plant diversity shifts with drying and wetting cycles following removal of poplar plantations in Dongting Lake, China
Dongting Lake, the second largest lake in China, plays a crucial role in maintaining regional ecological security by providing key habitats for waterbirds. This study examined how hydrology and topography (ditches and mounds) together generate fine-scale wet–dry gradients that shape species establishment and successional trajectories. Over the past decade, vegetation restoration has been
Authors
Xueer Ma, Chenchen Liu, Lingli Peng, Chengzhu Liu, Beth A. Middleton, Ting Lei
High and dry: The persistence of diverse coastal marsh communities depends on available upland area and connection to surrounding waters High and dry: The persistence of diverse coastal marsh communities depends on available upland area and connection to surrounding waters
Sea-level-rise and alterations to natural hydrology have contributed to coastal land loss. To combat coastal land loss and maintain the ecosystem services provided by marshes, marsh creation has been broadly implemented. Marsh creation projects can be performed in conjunction with the construction of elevated terrestrial ridges that seek to mimic historic delta-formed distributary ridges...
Authors
Erik Naiti-Johnson, Jonathan M. Willis, Gregg A. Snedden, Giovanna McClenachan
Loss and transformation of coastal wetlands due to global change in the conterminous United States: Past, present, and future Loss and transformation of coastal wetlands due to global change in the conterminous United States: Past, present, and future
Coastal wetlands are being transformed by global change, impacting the ecological and societal benefits provided by these ecosystems. Synthesizing knowledge of historical and expected future transformations in coastal wetlands can help inform forward-looking planning and stewardship efforts. Here, we review anticipated future ecological transformations in coastal wetlands of the...
Authors
Michael J. Osland, Bogdan Chivoiu, Kevin J. Buffington, Kristin Byrd, Joel Carr, Judith Z. Drexler, Nicholas Enwright, Neil K. Ganju, James B. Grace, Eric E. Grossman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Kurt P. Kowalski, Ken W. Krauss, Jessica R. Lacy, Gregory B. Noe, Davina L. Passeri, Stephanie Romanach, Christopher F. Smith, Camille L. Stagg, Karen M. Thorne, Janet R. Keough
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, California Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
A practical framework for identifying genetic subpopulations and ESUs: Insights for IUCN assessments and broader management A practical framework for identifying genetic subpopulations and ESUs: Insights for IUCN assessments and broader management
Species conservation assessments evaluate extinction risk, and recovery potential, advancing species persistence through guiding resource prioritization and planning. Assessment frameworks, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and Green Status of Species, typically focus on species as a whole. Importantly, they do not routinely account for genetically...
Authors
Julia C. Geue, Laura D. Bertola, Paulette Bloomer, Anna Bruniche-Olsen, Jessica M. da Silva, J. Andrew DeWoody, Ancuta Fedorca, José A. Godoy, Catherine E. Grueber, Margaret Hunter, Christina Hvilsom, Evelyn L. Jensen, Alexander Kopatz, Anna J. MacDonald, Silvia Pérez-Espona, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Jennifer Pierson, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Helen Senn, Gernot Segelbacher, Paul Sunnucks, Cock van Oosterhout, Deborah M. Leigh
Cnidarian–algal partnerships structure bacterial communities during strobilation in Cassiopea xamachana Cnidarian–algal partnerships structure bacterial communities during strobilation in Cassiopea xamachana
Cnidarian–algal (Symbiodiniaceae) symbioses rely on complex interactions among the cnidarian host, algal symbionts, and associated bacterial communities. In the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea xamachana, the polyp-to-medusa transition (strobilation) requires the establishment of symbiosis with Symbiodiniaceae algal partners, yet bacterial community dynamics during this developmental...
Authors
Federica Montesanto, Mark McCauley, Samuel A. Bedgood, Cody Miner, Bailey Steinworth, Victoria Sharp, Aki H. Ohdera, Ayobami Oluokun, Mojibola Fowowe, Odunayo Oluokun, Yehia Mechref, Tingting Xiang, Monica Medina, Virginia M. Weis, Mark Q. Martindale, Sandra Loesgen
Strengthening ties between the U.S. Geological Survey and Interstate Fisheries Commissions Strengthening ties between the U.S. Geological Survey and Interstate Fisheries Commissions
Fish inhabiting marine coastal and Great Lakes waters of the United States forage, migrate, and reproduce without regard to human-made boundaries. In the mid-20th century, the 32 states along the U.S. coasts and Great Lakes recognized the growing need for coordinated, interjurisdictional fisheries management and formed four interstate or international fisheries commissions through...
Authors
Joshua D. Miller, Michael William Schmidt, Thomas Joseph O'Connell, Kurt R. Newman, Danielle Kitchen, Robert Beal, Marc Gaden, Dave Donaldson, Barry Thom, Steve VanderKooy, Patrick Campfield, John M. Dettmers, Stan Allen, David H. Hu, Jennifer M. Bayer, Deborah Epperson, Rachel E. Reagan, Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Margaret Lamont, Russell M. Strach
Mangrove microbiomes as drivers of ecosystem recovery and restoration success Mangrove microbiomes as drivers of ecosystem recovery and restoration success
The microbes found in the rhizosphere, roots, leaves and stem surfaces and within the internal tissues of mangrove vegetation and their environment constitute the microbiome of the ecosystem. The organisms in the microbiome include bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae, amoebas, and slime molds, which assist in maintaining and restoring mangrove ecosystems. This review explores the role of...
Authors
Elijah I. Ohimain, Robert Eugene Turner, Beth A. Middleton
Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA
Species interactions among multiple invasive species can present hidden challenges for management and eradication efforts. Bighead and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and H. molitrix, respectively) are closely related species that have co-invaded the Mississippi River and many of its tributaries, including the Illinois River. We used a combination of causal inference and dynamic...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, James E. Garvey, Richard A. Erickson, Benjamin J. Mareck, David P. Coulter
Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes
Context In coastal wetlands, land area is dynamic in both space and time, and it is crucial to understand the factors that may tip the balance between wetland area loss and gain. Flooding has been shown to be a key regulator of wetland resilience to land loss through effects on vegetation health and productivity. However, the relationship between elevation and land change is complex...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Gregg A. Snedden, Brady R. Couvillion
Not so fatal attraction: Captive female Burmese Python lures do not improve wild python detection Not so fatal attraction: Captive female Burmese Python lures do not improve wild python detection
The ongoing invasion of Python bivittatus (Burmese Python; henceforth, Python) across the Greater Everglades Ecosystem (GEE) has led to near total collapse of the affected mammal community over the past few decades. Management efforts to eliminate Pythons and control their spread have been hampered by the Python's low detectability, which may be improved by using a lure. In controlled...
Authors
Alex D. Potash, Maggie Jones, Michael Kirkland, Jenna Cole, Kristen Hart, Robert A. McCleery