Barbara Martin
My career has focused on two main areas of research 1) effects of contaminants on the aquatic environment and 2) habitat requirements of endangered species. Currently I am part of a team focused on identifying the causes of the declining Lost River and shortnose sucker populations in Upper Klamath Lake. My research is primarily composed of laboratory trials and combines my two areas of expertise.
Research Interests:
My long term research interests include examining the effects of contaminants and toxicants on imperiled species. My current research is focused on conducting laboratory experiments on Lost River suckers to try and determine what is preventing juvenile suckers from reaching maturity. It was hypothesized that age-0 juvenile sucker mortality increased due to the ingestion of prey items that had high levels of microcystin. Using laboratory experiments, I have been looking into the effects of ingested microcystin on Lost River suckers. Future laboratory experiments will focus on potential nutritional shortcomings, environmental effects on growth and condition of suckers, and effects of environmental contaminant on suckers. These laboratory experiments are fueled by observations in the field and provide supporting evidence for field and mesocosm studies.
Professional Experience
2011 to Present - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station, Klamath Falls, OR
1999-2011 - Fishery Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Dixon Duty Station, Dixon, CA
1997-1999 - Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Dixon Duty Station, Dixon, CA
1995-1997 - Graduate Research Assistant, Humboldt State University Foundation, Arcata, CA
1989-1995 - Biological Science Technician (Fisheries), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ National Biological Survey, National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA
Education and Certifications
M.S. Fishery Biology. Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
Honors and Awards
Secretary Cal-Neva Chapter American Fishery Society 2011
Science and Products
Selenium in aquatic biota inhabiting agricultural drains in the Salton Sea Basin, California
Patterns of larval sucker emigration from the Sprague and lower Williamson Rivers of the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, after the removal of Chiloquin Dam - 2009-10 Annual Report
Assessment of two nonnative poeciliid fishes for monitoring selenium exposure in the endangered desert pupfish
Unusual dominance by desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) in experimental ponds within the Salton Sea Basin
Final report: Baseline selenium monitoring of agricultural drains operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin
Mercury concentrations in fish from a Sierra Nevada foothill reservoir located downstream from historic gold-mining operations
Trophic relationships of small nonnative fishes in a natural creek and several agricultural drains flowing into the Salton Sea, and their potential, effects on the endangered desert pupfish
Habitat requirements of the endangered California freshwater shrimp (Syncaris pacifica) in lagunitas and Olema creeks, Marin County, California, USA
Year 3 summary report: Baseline selenium monitoring of agricultural drains operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin
Relation between mortality of prickly sculpin and diurnal extremes in water quality at Rodeo Lagoon, Marin County, California
Life history and ecological characteristics of the Santa Ana sucker, Catostomus santaanae
Relation of desert pupfish abundance to selected environmental variables in natural and manmade habitats in the Salton Sea basin
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 33
Selenium in aquatic biota inhabiting agricultural drains in the Salton Sea Basin, California
Resource managers are concerned that water conservation practices in irrigated farmlands along the southern border of the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California, could increase selenium concentrations in agricultural drainwater and harm the desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), a federally protected endangered species. As part of a broader attempt to address this concern, we conducted a 3-yearAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. MayPatterns of larval sucker emigration from the Sprague and lower Williamson Rivers of the Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, after the removal of Chiloquin Dam - 2009-10 Annual Report
Executive Summary In 2009 and 2010, drift samples were collected from six sites on the lower Sprague and Williamson Rivers to assess drift patterns of larval Lost River suckers (Deltistes luxatus) (LRS) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) (SNS). The objective of this study was to characterize the drift timing, relative abundance, and growth stage frequencies of larval suckers emigratinAuthorsCraig M. Ellsworth, Barbara A. MartinAssessment of two nonnative poeciliid fishes for monitoring selenium exposure in the endangered desert pupfish
We assessed the suitability of two nonnative poeciliid fishes—western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna)—for monitoring selenium exposure in desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius). Our investigation was prompted by a need to avoid lethal take of an endangered species (pupfish) when sampling fish for chemical analysis. Total selenium (SeTot) concentrations in bAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. May, William G. BrumbaughUnusual dominance by desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius) in experimental ponds within the Salton Sea Basin
In October 2006, months after shallow experimental ponds in the Salton Sea Basin were filled with water from the Alamo River and Salton Sea, fish were observed in several ponds, although inlets had been screened to exclude fish. During October 2007–November 2009, nine surveys were conducted using baited minnow traps to document species and relative abundance of fish. Surveys yielded 3,620 fish repAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. AndersonFinal report: Baseline selenium monitoring of agricultural drains operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin
This report summarizes comprehensive findings from a 4-year-long field investigation to document baseline environmental conditions in 29 agricultural drains and ponds operated by the Imperial Irrigation District along the southern border of the Salton Sea. Routine water-quality collections and fish community assessments were conducted on as many as 16 sampling dates at roughly quarterly intervalsAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. MayMercury concentrations in fish from a Sierra Nevada foothill reservoir located downstream from historic gold-mining operations
This study examined mercury concentrations in whole fish from Camp Far West Reservoir, an 830-ha reservoir in northern California, USA, located downstream from lands mined for gold during and following the Gold Rush of 1848–1864. Total mercury (reported as dry weight concentrations) was highest in spotted bass (mean, 0.93 μg/g; range, 0.16–4.41 μg/g) and lower in bluegill (mean, 0.45 μg/g; range,AuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. May, Charles N. AlpersTrophic relationships of small nonnative fishes in a natural creek and several agricultural drains flowing into the Salton Sea, and their potential, effects on the endangered desert pupfish
This study was conducted to characterize trophic relationships of small nonnative fishes and to determine if predation by these fishes contributes to the decline of desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), an endangered cyprinodont on the verge of extinction. We sampled 403 hybrid Mozambique tilapias (Oreochromis mossambica by O. urolepis), 107 redbelly tilapias (Tilapia zillii), 32 longjaw mudsuckAuthorsBarbara A. Martin, Michael K. SaikiHabitat requirements of the endangered California freshwater shrimp (Syncaris pacifica) in lagunitas and Olema creeks, Marin County, California, USA
This study was conducted to better understand the habitat requirements and environmental limiting factors of Syncaris pacifica, the California freshwater shrimp. This federally listed endangered species is native to perennial lowland streams in a few watersheds in northern California. Field sampling occurred in Lagunitas and Olema creeks at seasonal intervals from February 2003 to November 2004. TAuthorsBarbara A. Martin, Michael K. Saiki, Darren FongYear 3 summary report: Baseline selenium monitoring of agricultural drains operated by the Imperial Irrigation District in the Salton Sea Basin
This report summarizes findings from the third year of a 4-year-long field investigation to document selected baseline environmental conditions in 29 agricultural drains and ponds operated by the Imperial Irrigation District along the southern border of the Salton Sea. Routine water quality and fish species were measured at roughly quarterly intervals from April 2007 to January 2008. The water quaAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Thomas W. MayRelation between mortality of prickly sculpin and diurnal extremes in water quality at Rodeo Lagoon, Marin County, California
[No abstract available]AuthorsB.A. Martin, M. K. Saiki, D. FongLife history and ecological characteristics of the Santa Ana sucker, Catostomus santaanae
This study was conducted to document the life history and ecological characteristics of the Santa Ana sucker, Catostomus santaanae, within its native range in southern California. Electrofishing surveys were conducted at 3-month intervals from December 1998 to December 1999 at one site on the San Gabriel River and two sites on the Santa Ana River. Suckers were captured in the San Gabriel River (avAuthorsMichael K. Saiki, Barbara A. Martin, Glen W. Knowles, Patrick W. TennantRelation of desert pupfish abundance to selected environmental variables in natural and manmade habitats in the Salton Sea basin
We assessed the relation between abundance of desert pupfish, Cyprinodon macularius, and selected biological and physicochemical variables in natural and manmade habitats within the Salton Sea Basin. Field sampling in a natural tributary, Salt Creek, and three agricultural drains captured eight species including pupfish (1.1% of the total catch), the only native species encountered. According to BAuthorsB.A. Martin, M. K. SaikiNon-USGS Publications**
Martin, B.A. 1997. Effects of ambient water quality on the endangered Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. M.S. thesis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA. 55 pp.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government