Publications
Explore WARC's science publications.
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Population age and initial density in a patchy environment affect the occurrence of abrupt transitions in a birth-and-death model of Taylor's law Population age and initial density in a patchy environment affect the occurrence of abrupt transitions in a birth-and-death model of Taylor's law
Taylor's power law describes an empirical relationship between the mean and variance of population densities in field data, in which the variance varies as a power, b, of the mean. Most studies report values of b varying between 1 and 2. However, Cohen (2014a) showed recently that smooth changes in environmental conditions in a model can lead to an abrupt, infinite change in b. To...
Authors
Jiang Jiang, Donald L. DeAngelis, B. Zhang, J.E. Cohen
Comparing species distribution models constructed with different subsets of environmental predictors Comparing species distribution models constructed with different subsets of environmental predictors
Aim To assess the usefulness of combining climate predictors with additional types of environmental predictors in species distribution models for range-restricted species, using common correlative species distribution modelling approaches. Location Florida, USA Methods We used five different algorithms to create distribution models for 14 vertebrate species, using seven different...
Authors
David N. Bucklin, Mathieu Basille, Allison M. Benscoter, Laura A. Brandt, Frank J. Mazzotti, Stephanie S. Romañach, Carolina Speroterra, James I. Watling
Estimates of vital rates for a declining loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) subpopulation: implications for management Estimates of vital rates for a declining loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) subpopulation: implications for management
Because subpopulations can differ geographically, genetically and/or phenotypically, using data from one subpopulation to derive vital rates for another, while often unavoidable, is not optimal. We used a two-state open robust design model to analyze a 14-year dataset (1998–2011) from the St. Joseph Peninsula, Florida (USA; 29.748°, −85.400°) which is the densest loggerhead (Caretta...
Authors
Margaret M. Lamont, Ikuko Fujisaki, Raymond R. Carthy
Temporal variability of carbon and nutrient burial, sediment accretion, and mass accumulation over the past century in a carbonate platform mangrove forest of the Florida Everglades. Temporal variability of carbon and nutrient burial, sediment accretion, and mass accumulation over the past century in a carbonate platform mangrove forest of the Florida Everglades.
The objective of this research was to measure temporal variability in accretion and mass sedimentation rates (including organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorous (TP)) from the past century in a mangrove forest on the Shark River in Everglades National Park, USA. The 210Pb Constant Rate of Supply model was applied to six soil cores to calculate annual rates over the...
Authors
Josh L. Breithaupt, Joseph M. Smoak, Thomas J. Smith, Christian J. Sanders
Connectivity in the tropical coastal seascape: Implications for marine spatial planning and resource management Connectivity in the tropical coastal seascape: Implications for marine spatial planning and resource management
No abstract available.
Authors
John C. Ogden, Ivan Nagelkerken, Carole C. McIvor
Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife Global research priorities to mitigate plastic pollution impacts on marine wildlife
Marine wildlife faces a growing number of threats across the globe, and the survival of many species and populations will be dependent on conservation action. One threat in particular that has emerged over the last 4 decades is the pollution of oceanic and coastal habitats with plastic debris. The increased occurrence of plastics in marine ecosystems mirrors the increased prevalence of...
Authors
Amanda C. Vegter, Mario Barletta, Cathy A. Beck, Jose C. Borrero, Harry Burton, Marnie L. Campbell, Monica F. Costa, Marcus Eriksen, Cecilia Eriksson, Andres Estrades, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Britta D. Hardesty, Juliana A. Ivar do Sul, Jennifer L. Lavers, Bojan Lazar, Laurent Lebreton, Wallace J. Nichols, Christine A. Ribic, Peter G. Ryan, Qamar A. Schuyler, Stephen D. A. Smith, Hideshige Takada, Kathy A. Townsend, Colette C. C. Wabnitz, Chris Wilcox, Lindsay C. Young, Mark Hamann
Ecosystem effects in the Lower Mississippi River Basin Ecosystem effects in the Lower Mississippi River Basin
The 2011 Mississippi River flood in the Lower Mississippi River Basin was one of the largest flood events in recorded history, producing the largest or next to largest peak streamflow for the period of record at a number of streamgages on the lower Mississippi River. Ecosystem effects include changes to wetlands, nutrient transport, and land accretion and sediment deposition changes...
Authors
D. Phil Turnipseed, Yvonne C. Allen, Brady R. Couvillion, Karen L. McKee, William C. Vervaeke
Guidelines for use of fishes in research: Revised and expanded Guidelines for use of fishes in research: Revised and expanded
The Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Research (2014; 2014 Guidelines), now available through the American fisheries Society (AFS) website and in print from the AFS bookstore, is a resource to aid researchers and regulatory authorities regarding responsible, scientifically valid research on fish and aquatic wildlife. The Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Field Research (American...
Authors
Jill A. Jenkins, Henry L. Bart, James D. Bowker, Paul R. Bowser, J. Randy MacMillan, John G. Nickum, Joseph W. Rachlin, James D. Rose, Peter W. Sorensen, Barbara E. Warkentine, Greg W. Whitledge
Decomposition Decomposition
A cornerstone of ecosystem ecology, decomposition was recognized as a fundamental process driving the exchange of energy in ecosystems by early ecologists such as Lindeman 1942 and Odum 1960). In the history of ecology, studies of decomposition were incorporated into the International Biological Program in the 1960s to compare the nature of organic matter breakdown in various ecosystem...
Authors
Beth A. Middleton
Long-term effects of seeding after wildfire on vegetation in Great Basin shrubland ecosystems Long-term effects of seeding after wildfire on vegetation in Great Basin shrubland ecosystems
1. Invasive annual grasses alter fire regimes in shrubland ecosystems of the western USA, threatening ecosystem function and fragmenting habitats necessary for shrub-obligate species such as greater sage-grouse. Post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation treatments have been administered to stabilize soils, reduce invasive species spread and restore or establish sustainable ecosystems in...
Authors
Kevin C. Knutson, David A. Pyke, Troy A. Wirth, Robert S. Arkle, David S. Pilliod, Matthew L. Brooks, Jeanne C. Chambers, James B. Grace
Biodiversity and community composition of sediment macrofauna associated with deep-sea Lophelia pertusa habitats in the Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity and community composition of sediment macrofauna associated with deep-sea Lophelia pertusa habitats in the Gulf of Mexico
Scleractinian corals create three-dimensional reefs that provide sheltered refuges, facilitate sediment accumulation, and enhance colonization of encrusting fauna. While heterogeneous coral habitats can harbor high levels of biodiversity, their effect on the community composition within nearby sediments remains unclear, particularly in the deep sea. Sediment macrofauna from deep-sea...
Authors
Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Jill R. Bourque, Janessy Frometa
Coral communities as indicators of ecosystem-level impacts of the Deepwater Horizon spill Coral communities as indicators of ecosystem-level impacts of the Deepwater Horizon spill
The Macondo oil spill released massive quantities of oil and gas from a depth of 1500 meters. Although a buoyant plume carried released hydrocarbons to the sea surface, as much as half stayed in the water column and much of that in the deep sea. After the hydrocarbons reached the surface, weathering processes, burning, and the use of a dispersant caused hydrocarbon-rich marine snow to...
Authors
Charles R. Fisher, Amanda W.J. Demopoulos, Erik E. Cordes, Iliana B. Baums, Helen K. White, Jill R. Bourque