Adam Sepulveda, Ph.D.
My research program focuses on aquatic invasive species risk assessment, early detection, and management in the West. I coordinate the Rapid Environmental DNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net) project associated with the U.S. Department of the Interior National Early Detection Rapid Response program.
Research Interests
Adam Sepulveda’s research program provides science to inform aquatic invasive species management. Focal elements of his research program include:
- Research to operations of autonomous environmental (e)DNA samplers to improve detection rates
- Development of standardized procedures and statistical approaches to ensure confidence in eDNA results
- Decision support and communication tools to facilitate the uptake of eDNA results by decision-makers
Professional Experience
Research Zoologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, 2014 – Present
Aquatic Biologist, USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Bozeman, MT, October 2010 – 2014
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology. 2010. University of Montana, Missoula, MT
B.A. Environmental Biology and English. 2002. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Science and Products
Potential of environmental DNA to evaluate Northern pike (Esox lucius) eradication efforts: An experimental test and case study
Influence of climate drivers on colonization and extinction dynamics of wetland-dependent species
Effect of electric barrier on passage and physical condition of juvenile and adult rainbow trout
Genetic reconstruction of a bullfrog invasion to elucidate vectors of introduction and secondary spread
Does water chemistry limit the distribution of New Zealand mud snails in Redwood National Park?
Ecological relevance of current water quality assessment unit designations in impaired rivers
Understanding environmental DNA detection probabilities: A case study using a stream-dwelling char Salvelinus fontinalis
Using monitoring data to map amphibian breeding hotspots and describe wetland vulnerability in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Fall and winter movements and habitat use of the introduced American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana) in a Montana pond
Potential utility of environmental DNA for early detection of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Monitoring Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wetlands: Can long-term monitoring help us understand their future?
The shifting climate portfolio of the Greater Yellowstone Area
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 72
Potential of environmental DNA to evaluate Northern pike (Esox lucius) eradication efforts: An experimental test and case study
Determining the success of invasive species eradication efforts is challenging because populations at very low abundance are difficult to detect. Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling has recently emerged as a powerful tool for detecting rare aquatic animals; however, detectable fragments of DNA can persist over time despite absence of the targeted taxa and can therefore complicate eDNA sampling afterAuthorsKristine J. Dunker, Adam J. Sepulveda, Robert L. Massengill, Jeffrey B. Olsen, Ora L. Russ, John K. Wenburg, Anton AntonovichInfluence of climate drivers on colonization and extinction dynamics of wetland-dependent species
Freshwater wetlands are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Specifically, changes in temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration (i.e., climate drivers) are likely to alter flooding regimes of wetlands and affect the vital rates, abundance, and distributions of wetland-dependent species. Amphibians may be among the most climate-sensitive wetland-dependent groups, as many species relyAuthorsAndrew M. Ray, William R. Gould, Blake R. Hossack, Adam J. Sepulveda, David P. Thoma, Debra A. Patla, Rob Daley, Robert K. Al-ChokhachyEffect of electric barrier on passage and physical condition of juvenile and adult rainbow trout
Electric barriers can inhibit passage and injure fish. Few data exist on electric barrier parameters that minimize these impacts and on how body size affects susceptibility, especially to nontarget fish species. The goal of this study was to determine electric barrier voltage and pulse-width settings that inhibit passage of larger bodied rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (215–410 mm fork length) wAuthorsMegan J. Layhee, Adam J. Sepulveda, Amy Shaw, Matthew Smuckall, Kevin Kapperman, Alejandro ReyesGenetic reconstruction of a bullfrog invasion to elucidate vectors of introduction and secondary spread
Reconstructing historical colonization pathways of an invasive species is critical for uncovering factors that determine invasion success and for designing management strategies. The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is endemic to eastern North America, but now has a global distribution and is considered to be one of the worst invaders in the world. In Montana, several introduced populatAuthorsPauline L. Kamath, Adam J. Sepulveda, Megan J. LayheeDoes water chemistry limit the distribution of New Zealand mud snails in Redwood National Park?
New Zealand mud snails (NZMS) are exotic mollusks present in many waterways of the western United States. In 2009, NZMS were detected in Redwood Creek in Redwood National Park, CA. Although NZMS are noted for their ability to rapidly increase in abundance and colonize new areas, after more than 5 years in Redwood Creek, their distribution remains limited to a ca. 300 m reach. Recent literature sugAuthorsRyan Vazquez, Darren M. Ward, Adam J. SepulvedaEcological relevance of current water quality assessment unit designations in impaired rivers
Managers often nest sections of water bodies together into assessment units (AUs) to monitor and assess water quality criteria. Ideally, AUs represent an extent of waters with similar ecological, watershed, habitat and land-use conditions and no overlapping characteristics with other waters. In the United States, AUs are typically based on political or hydrologic boundaries rather than on ecologicAuthorsMegan J. Layhee, Adam J. Sepulveda, Andrew Ray, Greg Mladenka, Lynn Van EveryUnderstanding environmental DNA detection probabilities: A case study using a stream-dwelling char Salvelinus fontinalis
Environmental DNA sampling (eDNA) has emerged as a powerful tool for detecting aquatic animals. Previous research suggests that eDNA methods are substantially more sensitive than traditional sampling. However, the factors influencing eDNA detection and the resulting sampling costs are still not well understood. Here we use multiple experiments to derive independent estimates of eDNA production ratAuthorsTaylor Wilcox, Kevin S. Mckelvey, Michael K. Young, Adam J. Sepulveda, Bradley B. Shepard, Stephen F Jane, Andrew R. Whiteley, Winsor H. Lowe, Michael K. SchwartzUsing monitoring data to map amphibian breeding hotspots and describe wetland vulnerability in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
Amphibians have been selected as a “vital sign” by several National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) networks. An eight-year amphibian monitoring data set provided opportunities to examine spatial and temporal patterns in amphibian breeding richness and wetland desiccation across Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Amphibian breeding richness was variable across both parksAuthorsAndrew M. Ray, Kristin Legg, Adam J. Sepulveda, Blake R. Hossack, Debra PatlaFall and winter movements and habitat use of the introduced American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana) in a Montana pond
American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) have been introduced across the globe, including in many northern latitude habitats where wetlands are ice-covered for part of the year. Because bullfrogs are less mobile at low temperatures, greater knowledge about their overwintering habitat may provide additional opportunities for control. Here, we described fall and early-winter movements and habitaAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, Megan J. LayheePotential utility of environmental DNA for early detection of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Considering the harmful and irreversible consequences of many biological invasions, early detection of an invasive species is an important step toward protecting ecosystems (Sepulveda et al. 2012). Early detection increases the probability that suppression or eradication efforts will be successful because invasive populations are small and localized (Vander Zanden et al. 2010). However, most invasAuthorsJeremy Newton, Adam J. Sepulveda, K Sylvester, Ryan ThumMonitoring Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wetlands: Can long-term monitoring help us understand their future?
In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), changes in the drying cycles of wetlands have been documented. Wetlands are areas where the water table is at or near the land surface and standing shallow water is present for much or all of the growing season. We discuss how monitoring data can be used to document variation in annual flooding and drying patterns of wetlands monitored across YellowstoneAuthorsAndrew M. Ray, Adam J. Sepulveda, Blake R. Hossack, Debra Patla, David Thoma, Robert K. Al-Chokhachy, Andrea R. LittThe shifting climate portfolio of the Greater Yellowstone Area
Knowledge of climatic variability at small spatial extents (< 50 km) is needed to assess vulnerabilities of biological reserves to climate change. We used empirical and modeled weather station data to test if climate change has increased the synchrony of surface air temperatures among 50 sites within the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) of the interior western United States. This important biologicaAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, Mike T Tercek, Robert K. Al-Chokhachy, Andrew Ray, David P. Thoma, Blake R. Hossack, Gregory T. Pederson, Ann Rodman, Tom Olliff - News