Brian Irwin, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
My research interests are in the areas of ecological change, fish population dynamics, and decision making linked to conservation and management of natural resources. Current projects involve using quantitative models to explore how populations respond to anthropogenic and natural influences.
Teaching Interests
My courses introduce concepts and analyses relevant to conservation decision making and sustainable use of exploited natural resources.
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2012-
Education and Certifications
Ph D Cornell University 2006
MS Auburn University 2001
BS University of Illinois 1998
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Using variance structure to quantify responses to perturbation in fish catches Using variance structure to quantify responses to perturbation in fish catches
We present a case study evaluation of gill-net catches of Walleye Sander vitreus to assess potential effects of large-scale changes in Oneida Lake, New York, including the disruption of trophic interactions by double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus and invasive dreissenid mussels. We used the empirical long-term gill-net time series and a negative binomial linear mixed model to...
Authors
Tiffany Vidal, Brian Irwin, Tyler Wagner, Lars Rudstam, James Jackson, James R. Bence
Adapting inland fisheries management to a changing climate Adapting inland fisheries management to a changing climate
Natural resource decision makers are challenged to adapt management to a changing climate while balancing short-term management goals with long-term changes in aquatic systems. Adaptation will require developing resilient ecosystems and resilient management systems. Decision makers already have tools to develop or ensure resilient aquatic systems and fisheries such as managing harvest...
Authors
Craig Paukert, Bob Glazer, Gretchen Hansen, Brian Irwin, Peter Jacobson, Jeffrey Kershner, Brian Shuter, James Whitney, Abigail Lynch
Optimization of scat detection methods for a social ungulate, the wild pig, and experimental evaluation of factors affecting detection of scat Optimization of scat detection methods for a social ungulate, the wild pig, and experimental evaluation of factors affecting detection of scat
Collection of scat samples is common in wildlife research, particularly for genetic capture-mark-recapture applications. Due to high degradation rates of genetic material in scat, large numbers of samples must be collected to generate robust estimates. Optimization of sampling approaches to account for taxa-specific patterns of scat deposition is, therefore, necessary to ensure...
Authors
David Keiter, Fred Cunningham, Olin Rhodes, Brian Irwin, James Beasley
Transboundary fisheries science: Meeting the challenges of inland fisheries management in the 21st century Transboundary fisheries science: Meeting the challenges of inland fisheries management in the 21st century
Managing inland fisheries in the 21st century presents several obstacles, including the need to view fisheries from multiple spatial and temporal scales, which usually involves populations and resources spanning sociopolitical boundaries. Though collaboration is not new to fisheries science, inland aquatic systems have historically been managed at local scales and present different...
Authors
Stephen Midway, Tyler Wagner, Joseph Zydlewski, Brian Irwin, Craig Paukert
Management strategy evaluation of pheromone-baited trapping techniques to improve management of invasive sea lamprey Management strategy evaluation of pheromone-baited trapping techniques to improve management of invasive sea lamprey
We applied a management strategy evaluation (MSE) model to examine the potential cost-effectiveness of using pheromone-baited trapping along with conventional lampricide treatment to manage invasive sea lamprey. Four pheromone-baited trapping strategies were modeled: (1) stream activation wherein pheromone was applied to existing traps to achieve 10−12 mol/L in-stream concentration, (2)...
Authors
Heather Dawson, Michael Jones, Brian Irwin, Nicholas S. Johnson, C. Michael Wagner, Melissa Szymanski
Using GPS telemetry to determine roadways most susceptible to deer-vehicle collisions Using GPS telemetry to determine roadways most susceptible to deer-vehicle collisions
More than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually in the United States. The majority of these accidents involve white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and result in >US $4.6 billion in damage and >200 human fatalities. Prior research has used collision locations to assess sitespecific as well as landscape features that contribute to risk of deer-vehicle collisions. As an...
Authors
David Kramer, Thomas Prebyl, James Stickles, David Osborn, Brian Irwin, Nathan Nibbelink, Robert Warren, Karl Miller
Detecting temporal change in freshwater fisheries surveys: statistical power and the important linkages between management questions and monitoring objectives Detecting temporal change in freshwater fisheries surveys: statistical power and the important linkages between management questions and monitoring objectives
Monitoring to detect temporal trends in biological and habitat indices is a critical component of fisheries management. Thus, it is important that management objectives are linked to monitoring objectives. This linkage requires a definition of what constitutes a management-relevant “temporal trend.” It is also important to develop expectations for the amount of time required to detect a...
Authors
Tyler Wagner, Brian Irwin, James Bence, Daniel B. Hayes
Re-examination of sea lamprey control policies for the St. Marys River: Completion of an adaptive management cycle Re-examination of sea lamprey control policies for the St. Marys River: Completion of an adaptive management cycle
The St. Marys River (SMR) historically has been a major producer of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. In the early 2000s, a decision analysis (DA) project was conducted to evaluate sea lamprey control policies for the SMR; this project suggested that an integrated policy of trapping, sterile male releases, and Bayluscide treatment was the most cost...
Authors
Michael L. Jones, Travis Brenden, Brian Irwin
A predictive model to inform adaptive management of double-crested cormorants and fisheries in Michigan A predictive model to inform adaptive management of double-crested cormorants and fisheries in Michigan
The proliferation of double-crested cormorants (DCCOs; Phalacrocorax auritus) in North America has raised concerns over their potential negative impacts on game, cultured and forage fishes, island and terrestrial resources, and other colonial water birds, leading to increased public demands to reduce their abundance. By combining fish surplus production and bird functional feeding...
Authors
Iyob Tsehaye, Michael L. Jones, Brian Irwin, David G. Fielder, James Breck, David R. Luukkonen
Epizootiology of cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of Georgia, USA Epizootiology of cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of Georgia, USA
Intracranial abscess disease is a cause of natural mortality for mature male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Most cases of abscesses are associated with bacterial infection byTrueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, but a complete understanding of the epidemiology of this disease is lacking. We quantified the effects of individual characteristics, site-specific herd...
Authors
Bradley Cohen, Emily Belser, Charlie Killmaster, John Bowers, Brian Irwin, Michael Yabsley, Karl Miller
Evaluation of a regional monitoring program's statistical power to detect temporal trends in forest health indicators Evaluation of a regional monitoring program's statistical power to detect temporal trends in forest health indicators
Forests are socioeconomically and ecologically important ecosystems that are exposed to a variety of natural and anthropogenic stressors. As such, monitoring forest condition and detecting temporal changes therein remain critical to sound public and private forestland management. The National Parks Service’s Vital Signs monitoring program collects information on many forest health...
Authors
Stephanie Perles, Tyler Wagner, Brian Irwin, Douglas Manning, Kristina Callahan, Matthew Marshall
Impact of increasing market access on a tropical small-scale fishery Impact of increasing market access on a tropical small-scale fishery
Small-scale fisheries have historically been marginalized in management and policy investments, and they often remain under-reported in national economic and fisheries statistics. Even so, small-scale fisheries are not entirely buffered from the impacts of globalization, such as the introduction and expansion of markets. This study measures the long-term impact of market-access on a...
Authors
Kara Stevens, Brian Irwin, Daniel Kramer, Gerald Urquhart
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Using variance structure to quantify responses to perturbation in fish catches Using variance structure to quantify responses to perturbation in fish catches
We present a case study evaluation of gill-net catches of Walleye Sander vitreus to assess potential effects of large-scale changes in Oneida Lake, New York, including the disruption of trophic interactions by double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus and invasive dreissenid mussels. We used the empirical long-term gill-net time series and a negative binomial linear mixed model to...
Authors
Tiffany Vidal, Brian Irwin, Tyler Wagner, Lars Rudstam, James Jackson, James R. Bence
Adapting inland fisheries management to a changing climate Adapting inland fisheries management to a changing climate
Natural resource decision makers are challenged to adapt management to a changing climate while balancing short-term management goals with long-term changes in aquatic systems. Adaptation will require developing resilient ecosystems and resilient management systems. Decision makers already have tools to develop or ensure resilient aquatic systems and fisheries such as managing harvest...
Authors
Craig Paukert, Bob Glazer, Gretchen Hansen, Brian Irwin, Peter Jacobson, Jeffrey Kershner, Brian Shuter, James Whitney, Abigail Lynch
Optimization of scat detection methods for a social ungulate, the wild pig, and experimental evaluation of factors affecting detection of scat Optimization of scat detection methods for a social ungulate, the wild pig, and experimental evaluation of factors affecting detection of scat
Collection of scat samples is common in wildlife research, particularly for genetic capture-mark-recapture applications. Due to high degradation rates of genetic material in scat, large numbers of samples must be collected to generate robust estimates. Optimization of sampling approaches to account for taxa-specific patterns of scat deposition is, therefore, necessary to ensure...
Authors
David Keiter, Fred Cunningham, Olin Rhodes, Brian Irwin, James Beasley
Transboundary fisheries science: Meeting the challenges of inland fisheries management in the 21st century Transboundary fisheries science: Meeting the challenges of inland fisheries management in the 21st century
Managing inland fisheries in the 21st century presents several obstacles, including the need to view fisheries from multiple spatial and temporal scales, which usually involves populations and resources spanning sociopolitical boundaries. Though collaboration is not new to fisheries science, inland aquatic systems have historically been managed at local scales and present different...
Authors
Stephen Midway, Tyler Wagner, Joseph Zydlewski, Brian Irwin, Craig Paukert
Management strategy evaluation of pheromone-baited trapping techniques to improve management of invasive sea lamprey Management strategy evaluation of pheromone-baited trapping techniques to improve management of invasive sea lamprey
We applied a management strategy evaluation (MSE) model to examine the potential cost-effectiveness of using pheromone-baited trapping along with conventional lampricide treatment to manage invasive sea lamprey. Four pheromone-baited trapping strategies were modeled: (1) stream activation wherein pheromone was applied to existing traps to achieve 10−12 mol/L in-stream concentration, (2)...
Authors
Heather Dawson, Michael Jones, Brian Irwin, Nicholas S. Johnson, C. Michael Wagner, Melissa Szymanski
Using GPS telemetry to determine roadways most susceptible to deer-vehicle collisions Using GPS telemetry to determine roadways most susceptible to deer-vehicle collisions
More than 1 million wildlife-vehicle collisions occur annually in the United States. The majority of these accidents involve white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and result in >US $4.6 billion in damage and >200 human fatalities. Prior research has used collision locations to assess sitespecific as well as landscape features that contribute to risk of deer-vehicle collisions. As an...
Authors
David Kramer, Thomas Prebyl, James Stickles, David Osborn, Brian Irwin, Nathan Nibbelink, Robert Warren, Karl Miller
Detecting temporal change in freshwater fisheries surveys: statistical power and the important linkages between management questions and monitoring objectives Detecting temporal change in freshwater fisheries surveys: statistical power and the important linkages between management questions and monitoring objectives
Monitoring to detect temporal trends in biological and habitat indices is a critical component of fisheries management. Thus, it is important that management objectives are linked to monitoring objectives. This linkage requires a definition of what constitutes a management-relevant “temporal trend.” It is also important to develop expectations for the amount of time required to detect a...
Authors
Tyler Wagner, Brian Irwin, James Bence, Daniel B. Hayes
Re-examination of sea lamprey control policies for the St. Marys River: Completion of an adaptive management cycle Re-examination of sea lamprey control policies for the St. Marys River: Completion of an adaptive management cycle
The St. Marys River (SMR) historically has been a major producer of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. In the early 2000s, a decision analysis (DA) project was conducted to evaluate sea lamprey control policies for the SMR; this project suggested that an integrated policy of trapping, sterile male releases, and Bayluscide treatment was the most cost...
Authors
Michael L. Jones, Travis Brenden, Brian Irwin
A predictive model to inform adaptive management of double-crested cormorants and fisheries in Michigan A predictive model to inform adaptive management of double-crested cormorants and fisheries in Michigan
The proliferation of double-crested cormorants (DCCOs; Phalacrocorax auritus) in North America has raised concerns over their potential negative impacts on game, cultured and forage fishes, island and terrestrial resources, and other colonial water birds, leading to increased public demands to reduce their abundance. By combining fish surplus production and bird functional feeding...
Authors
Iyob Tsehaye, Michael L. Jones, Brian Irwin, David G. Fielder, James Breck, David R. Luukkonen
Epizootiology of cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of Georgia, USA Epizootiology of cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) of Georgia, USA
Intracranial abscess disease is a cause of natural mortality for mature male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Most cases of abscesses are associated with bacterial infection byTrueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, but a complete understanding of the epidemiology of this disease is lacking. We quantified the effects of individual characteristics, site-specific herd...
Authors
Bradley Cohen, Emily Belser, Charlie Killmaster, John Bowers, Brian Irwin, Michael Yabsley, Karl Miller
Evaluation of a regional monitoring program's statistical power to detect temporal trends in forest health indicators Evaluation of a regional monitoring program's statistical power to detect temporal trends in forest health indicators
Forests are socioeconomically and ecologically important ecosystems that are exposed to a variety of natural and anthropogenic stressors. As such, monitoring forest condition and detecting temporal changes therein remain critical to sound public and private forestland management. The National Parks Service’s Vital Signs monitoring program collects information on many forest health...
Authors
Stephanie Perles, Tyler Wagner, Brian Irwin, Douglas Manning, Kristina Callahan, Matthew Marshall
Impact of increasing market access on a tropical small-scale fishery Impact of increasing market access on a tropical small-scale fishery
Small-scale fisheries have historically been marginalized in management and policy investments, and they often remain under-reported in national economic and fisheries statistics. Even so, small-scale fisheries are not entirely buffered from the impacts of globalization, such as the introduction and expansion of markets. This study measures the long-term impact of market-access on a...
Authors
Kara Stevens, Brian Irwin, Daniel Kramer, Gerald Urquhart