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Response of a tidal brackish marsh to global change drivers: an ecosystem level manipulation of warming and elevated carbon dioxide- Glenn Guntenspergen
The USGS and the Smithsonian Institution have initiated the first in situ active aboveground and belowground warming experiment in a coastal wetland that is focused on wetland temperature responses and also examines the interaction between warming, elevated CO2, and inundation frequency on wetland resilience in the face of changes in global change drivers.
Plant and insect invasions and novel host use- Ian Pearse
Plants and insects comprise a large portion of problematic invasive species. The success of these invasions largely depends on the outcomes of plant-insect interactions in which plants that escape herbivores may be more successful invaders, and herbivores that find adequate hosts have the opportunity to establish. This project will explore the dynamics of introduced plant or insect populations, or
Long-term trends in forest regeneration across drought and salinity gradients in the northern Gulf Coast- Beth Middleton
Relict forests are becoming more common as as climates become hotter, drier and more saline. The first sign of threat to these forests is a chronic lack of seedling and sapling recruitment. This project will help pinpoint forests at risk to help in future management.
Linking sand dune dynamics to Pitcher's thistle metapopulations- Noel Pavlovic
Spend a summer on the shore of Lake Michigan, investigating the role that dynamic dune disturbance and successional processes play in the spatial metapopulation dynamics of Pitcher’s thistle, a federally threatened plant. This project will provide a basis for developing spatial population models that can indicate the present and future conditions for the species in the Great Lakes.
Geomorphic influence on resilience of tidal freshwater wetlands to sea level rise- Greg Noe
Want to conduct collaborative eco-geomorphic research at the forefront of climate change impacts? We have a novel landscape-scale ecosystem experiment, using two adjacent tidal rivers with a 9x difference in watershed sediment loads, to determine how sediment availability regulates the resilience or loss of tidal freshwater wetlands as the result of sea level rise and salinization.
Geophysical studies into the architecture of large igneous systems hosting magmatic ore deposits- Carol Finn
Exploring for the critical platinum-group elements (PGEs) relies upon understanding the geophysical signature of the entire magmatic system in which they form, from bottom to top. The USGS is applying a range of geophysical techniques to investigate the internal architecture of layered mafic intrusions.
Development of methods distinguishing live and dead cell DNA for qPCR detection and quantification of pathogen genes in environmental samples for quantitative microbial risk assessment- Carrie Givens
Molecular methods such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) allow scientists the ability to target specific genes allowing for a rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective way to determine the presence and relative abundance of potential pathogen genes in the environment. Although there are many benefits to qPCR such as not relying on the ability to culture fastidious microorganisms ...
A National-scale River Corridor Model- Jud Harvey
The need for better models and more effective use of data to characterize river corridor transport processes is keenly felt, from evaluating the effectiveness of river and watershed management practices all the way to clarifying regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act.
Air quality and energy development in the southwestern U.S.- Sasha Reed
We are looking for a student to join our multi-disciplinary and multi-institution team exploring the relationships between energy development and air quality in the southwestern U.S. This research provides an exceptional opportunity for students to explore the complexities of land use and ecosystem function, as well as experience the diverse work environments found within the federal government.
Climate-induced changes in phenology in coastal ecosystems- Michelle Staudinger
Shifts in phenology provide one of the strongest indicators of an organism’s adaptive capacity to climate change, yet it is one of the most poorly known consequences of future impacts. This project seeks to improve understanding and develop adaptation strategies of the effects of phenological shifts and trophic mismatches in Atlantic coastal fish, seabird and marine mammal species.