Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the West Dongting Lake floodplain, China
The protection of Dongting Lake is important because it is an overwintering and migration route for many rare and endangered birds of East Asia and Australasia, but an assessment of heavy metal contamination in West Dongting Lake is lacking. A total of 75 sediment samples (five sites x three sediment depths x five repeats) were collected in West...
Peng, Dong; Liu, Ziyu; Su, Xinyue; Xiao, Yaquin; Wang, Yuechen; Middleton, Beth An overview of agent-based models in plant biology and ecology
Agent-based modeling (ABM) has become an established methodology in many areas of biology, ranging from the cellular to the ecological population and community levels. In plant science, two different scales have predominated in their use of ABM. One is the scale of populations and communities, through the modeling of collections of agents...
Zhang, Bo; DeAngelis, Donald L. A 'weight of evidence' approach to evaluating structural equation models
It is possible that model selection has been the most researched and most discussed topic in the history of both statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). The reason for this is because selecting one model for interpretive use from amongst many possible models is both essential and difficult. The published protocols and advice for model...
Grace, James Structural equation modeling
This chapter introduces background and historical information on how structural equation modeling (SEM) came to be developed. Then, the main differences between SEM and earlier multivariate methods are explained. The chapter describes three main applications of SEM: path analysis, factor analysis, and hybrid models. Some computer programs are...
Miller, Matt; Tasic, Ivana; Lyons, Torrey; Ewing, Reid; Grace, James B. Louisiana Adaptive Management Status and Improvement Report: Vision and Recommendations
As part of the process to increase implementation of adaptive management for ecosystem-based coastal restoration within Louisiana, we aim for this report to be broadly applicable across planning processes as well as funding and implementing entities. It compiles technical knowledge and guidance summarized as key findings through the text which...
Boshart, Bill; Crutcher, Morgan; Freeman, Angelina; Haywood, Edward; Khalil, Syed M.; Langlois, Summer; Lee, Darin L.; Lindquist, David; McGinnis, Tommy E.; Pahl, James; Parsons-Richards, Carol; Plitsch, Erin; Raynie, Rick; Routon, Robert; Sharp, Leigh Anne; Troutman, John; Villarrubia, Chuck; Folse, Todd; Graugnard, Alyson; Hawes, Anne; Joffrion, Russ; Leblanc, Wes; Lezina, Brian; Pahl, Jim; White, Jody; Conzelmann, Craig; Hijuelos, Ann; Piazza, Sarai; Spear, Kathryn A.; Steyer, Gregory D.; Regalado, Nanciann; Tirpak, John M.; Schupp, Courtney; Carle, Melissa; Daly, Jaclyn; Eckhardt, Nicolas; Fellas, Christy; Fougeres, Erin M.; Heverly, Stephen; Horstman, Stacey; Kroll, Jason; Landry, Mel; Schroeder, Barbara A.; Weissberger, Eric; Wissman, Sara; Grayson, Treda; Taylor, Patricia; Wiegand, Danny; Defley, Mark; Kolic, Paulina; Bienn, Harris; Carruthers, Tim J.B.; Dausman, Alyssa; Grace, Alaina; Hemmerling, Scott; Jerabek, Andrea; White, Eric; Clark, Ryan; McHugh, Coleen; Moss, Leland C; Ramatchandirane, Cyndhia; Wold, Amy Uptake and toxicity of clothianidin to monarch butterflies from milkweed consumption
Recent concern for the adverse effects from neonicotinoid insecticides has centered on risk for insect pollinators in general and bees specifically. However, natural resource managers are also concerned about the risk of neonicotinoids to conservation efforts for the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and need additional data to help estimate...
Bargar, Timothy A.; Hladik, Michelle; Daniels, Jaret C. Potential impacts of future urbanization and sea level rise on Florida’s natural resources
As urban development continues to encroach into natural systems, these ecosystems experience increasing degradation to their form and function. Losses in biodiversity and ecosystem function are further compounded by changing climatic conditions. The State of Florida is known for its biodiversity but has experienced declines in species populations...
Romanach, Stephanie; Benscoter, Allison; Haider, Saira
Predicting barrier island habitats and oyster and seagrass habitat suitability for various restoration measures and future conditions for Dauphin Island, Alabama
Barrier islands, such as Dauphin Island, Alabama, provide numerous invaluable ecosystem services including storm damage reduction and erosion control to the mainland, habitat for fish and wildlife, carbon sequestration in marshes, water catchment and purification, recreation, and tourism. These islands are dynamic environments that are gradually...
Enwright, Nicholas M.; Wang, Hongqing; Dalyander, P. Soupy; Elizabeth Godsey Effect of stressors on the carrying capacity of spatially distributed metapopulations
Stressors such as antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides and pollutants are becoming increasingly common in the environment. The effects of stressors on populations are typically studied in homogeneous, non-spatial settings. However, most populations in nature are spatially distributed over environmentally heterogeneous landscapes with spatially-...
Zhang, Bo; DeAngelis, Don; Ni, Wei-Ming; Wang, Yuanshi; Zhai, Lu; Kula, Alex; Xu, Shuang; Van Dyken, J. David Sea turtle conservation: Priorities for environmental education efforts
All five species of sea turtle that occur in Florida are in danger of extinction. Many of the reasons these turtles are declining are a result of people’s actions on beaches and in shallow waters. Environmental education is needed to increase awareness and appreciation for sea turtles, and to teach about the potential harmful impacts human...
Swindall, Jessica E.; Ober, Holly K.; Lamont, Margaret; Carthy, Raymond R. The first occurrence of the Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868) in the contiguous United States
The Australian redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, is a popular aquaculture crayfish that has been introduced around the world. Here we report the first occurrence of the species in the United States in Lake Balboa, Los Angeles, California. The impacts of this species are largely unknown, and further research is needed to determine the...
Morningstar, Cayla; Daniel, Wesley; Neilson, Matthew; Yazaryan, Ara K. Egg counts of Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus, egg masses from southern Louisiana, USA
Southern Leopard Frogs, Lithobates sphenocephalus (Cope, 1889), lay eggs year-round in their southern range, including Louisiana, but their peak breeding season is the cooler months from late fall through early spring (Mount, 1975; Caldwell, 1986; Dundee and Rossman, 1989). Double-enveloped eggs in globular masses are typically deposited in...
Glorioso, Brad M.; Muse, Lindy J.; Waddle, J. Hardin