Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
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Tracing mercury from land to river: Global sources, retention, and implications for sustainability Tracing mercury from land to river: Global sources, retention, and implications for sustainability
Mercury (Hg) pollution in river systems is a global sustainability challenge. Yet the transport, transformation, and retention of Hg within global rivers remain poorly quantified, particularly in regions with sparse observations such as Southeast Asia and Africa, hindering effective pollution mitigation and reinforcing geographic inequities in scientific knowledge and environmental...
Authors
Peng Dong, Zeli Tan, Peipei Wu, Ruirong Chang, Shaojian Huang, Peng Zhang, Yujuan Wang, Zhengcheng Song, Yanxu Zhang, Ting Lei, Maodian Liu, Beth Middleton, Jianhua Gao, Junguo Liu, Guangchun Lei, Shu Tao
Co-producing coastal bird research on the Gulf Coast through structured decision making (SDM) and constructed value of information (CVoI) Co-producing coastal bird research on the Gulf Coast through structured decision making (SDM) and constructed value of information (CVoI)
Conservation practitioners face the complex challenge of addressing global biodiversity threats within social-ecological systems with multiple jurisdictions, numerous interest groups, and changing environmental conditions. Bridging the research-to-implementation gap between scientists and managers, which integrates diverse perspectives that represent the variety of considerations...
Authors
Jennifer L. Fuller, Nicole L. Michel, Kerry E. Grimm, Ashley A. Dayer, Evan M. Adams, Abigail J. Darrah, Auriel M. Fournier, Jeffrey S. Gleason, Jacquelyn K. Grace, Erik I. Johnson, Terri J. Maness, Mary Ann Ottinger, Sarah P. Saunders, Caz M. Taylor, Theodore J. Zenzal
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 M. 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
Mesophotic octocoral larval settlement preferences and behaviors Mesophotic octocoral larval settlement preferences and behaviors
Introduction Lab-based coral reproduction is advancing restoration efforts to support coral populations injured by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Objectives This study aimed to answer foundational questions concerning coral spawning and larval settlement that need to be resolved for these mesophotic and deep-sea coral species before restoration efforts can be scaled up. Methods...
Authors
Mark McCauley, Julia Johnstone, William G. Jenkins, Jayci Grosso, Arielle Pollock, Jonathan Mark Quigley, Leigh-Anne Christine Carlson, Christopher L. Gardner, Peter J. Etnoyer, Kristopher G. Benson, Amanda J. Demopoulos
Non-destructive sampling of larval amphibians shows tail tissues reflect whole-body methylmercury concentrations and trophic-related differences in bioaccumulation Non-destructive sampling of larval amphibians shows tail tissues reflect whole-body methylmercury concentrations and trophic-related differences in bioaccumulation
Mercury (Hg), and specifically methylmercury (MeHg), is a contaminant of global concern to humans and wildlife, but there is still limited understanding of its effects on many taxa. Amphibians are closely associated with water, where Hg is converted to MeHg, and high concentrations of MeHg can reduce survival of amphibians in the wild. However, limited non-lethal proxies exist for...
Authors
Brian J. Tornabene, Blake R. Hossack, Daniel A. Grear, Thomas L. Anderson, Brad Glorioso, Hardin Waddle, Jon D Davenport, Collin Eagles-Smith, Caitlin T. Rumrill, Kelly L. Smalling
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 B. Byrd, Joel A. Carr, Judith Z. Drexler, Nicholas M. 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, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, California Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, 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