Brian Tangen
Brian Tangen is an Ecologist with the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center and works at the Lincoln, Nebraska duty station.
I began my professional career processing and identifying aquatic invertebrates and conducting a wide variety of field work for Northern Prairie's aquatics lab. I have worked in a variety of roles at Northern Prairie performing research focused on carbon and greenhouse gas cycling in wetland systems, wetland hydrology, wetland management, and effects of climate- and land-use change.
Professional Experience
Ecologist, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Education and Certifications
M.S., Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 2001
B.A., Biology, Valley City State University, 1999
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society of Wetland Scientists
Science and Products
Conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota: characteristics of wetland catchments and key factors for determination of drainage setback distances
Diurnal patterns of methane flux from a depressional, seasonal wetland
Soil properties and greenhouse gas fluxes of Prairie Pothole Region wetlands: a comprehensive data release
Dissolved greenhouse gas concentrations and fluxes from Wetlands P7 and P8 of the Cottonwood Lake Study area, Stutsman County, North Dakota, 2015
Aquatic invertebrates and vegetation and water-quality of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota: 2013-2014
Soil organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates of inland, freshwater wetlands: Sources of variability and uncertainty
A review of Cattail (Typha) invasion in North American wetlands
Study design and methods for a wetland condition assessment on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fee-title lands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, USA
Typha (cattail) invasion in North American wetlands: Biology, regional problems, impacts, ecosystem services, and management
Aquatic vegetation and invertebrate communities of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
Hydrologic lag effects on wetland greenhouse gas fluxes
Effects of land use on greenhouse gas flux in playa wetlands and associated watersheds in the High Plains, USA
Terrestrial wetlands
Diurnal patterns of methane flux from a seasonal wetland: mechanisms and methodology
Prairie Pothole Region wetlands and subsurface drainage systems: Key factors for determining drainage setback distances
A case study examining the efficacy of drainage setbacks for limiting effects to wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, USA
Abundant carbon substrates drive extremely high sulfate reduction rates and methane fluxes in Prairie Pothole Wetlands
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: 17
Conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota: characteristics of wetland catchments and key factors for determination of drainage setback distances
This data release includes characteristics of wetland catchments associated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife conservation easement lands located in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota. Characteristics include wetland catchment areas, slope length, land use, soil mapping unit, and slope grades of representative soils. County and ecoregion also are included. Summary data pertaining to lateral setbDiurnal patterns of methane flux from a depressional, seasonal wetland
Data on diurnal variation in wetland methane flux were collected to 1) improve understanding of short-term, mechanistic drivers of methane flux, and 2) inform sampling protocols to achieve research objectives. An automated gas flux sampling system was used to measure methane flux every 2.5-4 hours for over 230 diel cycles over the course of three growing seasons (2013-2015). Data were collected frSoil properties and greenhouse gas fluxes of Prairie Pothole Region wetlands: a comprehensive data release
This data release encompass numerous studies examining soil properties and greenhouse gas fluxes of Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) wetland catchments. The PPR is one of the largest wetland ecosystems in the world, encompassing approximately 770,000 square kilometers of the north-central U.S. and south-central Canada, with the U.S. portion including parts of Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North DakotDissolved greenhouse gas concentrations and fluxes from Wetlands P7 and P8 of the Cottonwood Lake Study area, Stutsman County, North Dakota, 2015
A study was conducted to assess the relationships among carbon mineralization, sulfate reduction and greenhouse gas emissions in prairie pothole wetlands. These data are for dissolved methane and carbon dioxide concentrations and fluxes. Dissolved gas concentrations in the water column and fluxes to the atmosphere were estimated from April through November, 2015 for wetlands P7 and P8 of the CottoAquatic invertebrates and vegetation and water-quality of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota: 2013-2014
During 2013 and 2014 aquatic invertebrates were collected and vegetation was inventoried from sample locations distributed throughout Pool 10 and West Pool of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge. Invertebrate sampling was conducted using aquatic activity traps and by collecting organisms from submersed vegetation. Vegetation was inventoried through a combination of visual observation and collection - Multimedia
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 43
Soil organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates of inland, freshwater wetlands: Sources of variability and uncertainty
Impacts of land use, specifically soil disturbance, are linked to reductions of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Correspondingly, ecosystem restoration is promoted to sequester SOC to mitigate anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, which are exacerbating global climate change. Restored wetlands have relatively high potential to sequester carbon compared to other ecosystems, but SOC accumulationAuthorsBrian Tangen, Sheel BansalA review of Cattail (Typha) invasion in North American wetlands
OverviewCattail (Typha) is an iconic emergent wetland plant found worldwide. By producing an abundance of wind-dispersed seeds, cattail can colonize wetlands across great distances, and its rapid growth rate, large size, and aggressive expansion result in dense stands in a variety of aquatic ecosystems such as marshes, ponds, lakes, and riparian areas. Cattail can also quickly dominate disturbed aAuthorsSheel Bansal, Brian Tangen, Shane Lishawa, Sue Newman, Douglas WilcoxStudy design and methods for a wetland condition assessment on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fee-title lands in the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, USA
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages wetlands and grasslands for wildlife habitat throughout the central North American Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). PPR wetlands, or potholes, are widely recognized as critical habitats for North American migratory waterfowl, waterbirds, and other wildlife. Potholes also provide other ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, fAuthorsBrian Tangen, Sheel Bansal, Rachel R. Fern, Edward S. DeKeyser, Christina L. M. Hargiss, David M. Mushet, Cami S. DixonTypha (cattail) invasion in North American wetlands: Biology, regional problems, impacts, ecosystem services, and management
Typha is an iconic wetland plant found worldwide. Hybridization and anthropogenic disturbances have resulted in large increases in Typha abundance in wetland ecosystems throughout North America at a cost to native floral and faunal biodiversity. As demonstrated by three regional case studies, Typha is capable of rapidly colonizing habitats and forming monodominant vegetation stands due to traits sAuthorsSheel Bansal, Shane Lishawa, Sue Newman, Brian Tangen, Douglas Wilcox, Dennis Albert, Michael J. Anteau, Michael J Chimney, Ryann L. Cressey, Edward S. DeKeyser, Kenneth J Elgersam, Sarah A Finkelstein, Joanna Freeland, Richard Grosshans, Page E. Klug, Daniel J Larkin, Beth A. Lawrence, George Linz, Joy Marburger, Gregory B. Noe, Clint R.V. Otto, Nicholas Reo, Jennifer Richards, Curtis J. Richardson, LeRoy Rodgers, Amy J Shrank, Dan Svedarsky, Steven E. Travis, Nancy Tuchman, Arnold van der Valk, Lisamarie Windham-MyersAquatic vegetation and invertebrate communities of Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
Observed degradation of aquatic systems at Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, located in west-central Minnesota, have been associated with sediment-laden inflows from riverine systems. To support management, a study was conducted during 2013–2014 with overall goals of characterizing the aquatic invertebrate and vegetation communities of the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge and exploring relatioAuthorsBrian Tangen, Raymond Finocchiaro, Wesley E. Newton, Charles F. DahlHydrologic lag effects on wetland greenhouse gas fluxes
Hydrologic margins of wetlands are narrow, transient zones between inundated and dry areas. As water levels fluctuate, the dynamic hydrology at margins may impact wetland greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes that are sensitive to soil saturation. The Prairie Pothole Region of North America consists of millions of seasonally-ponded wetlands that are ideal for studying hydrologic transition states. Using a lAuthorsBrian Tangen, Sheel BansalEffects of land use on greenhouse gas flux in playa wetlands and associated watersheds in the High Plains, USA
In the High Plains, U.S., native prairie conversion to cropland agriculture has resulted in a loss of service delivery capabilities from most depressional wetlands as a result of sedimentation. Restoring historic hydrological conditions to affected wetlands may rejuvenate some services, however, there may be tradeoffs due to emissions of CH4 and N2O. We evaluated the influence of two predominant cAuthorsDale W. Daniel, Loren M. Smith, Scott T. McMurry, Brian Tangen, Charles F. Dahl, Ned Euliss, Ted LaGrangeTerrestrial wetlands
1. The assessment of terrestrial wetland carbon stocks has improved greatly since the First State of the Carbon Cycle Report (CCSP 2007) because of recent national inventories and the development of a U.S. soils database. Terrestrial wetlands in North America encompass an estimated 2.2 million km2, which constitutes about 37% of the global wetland area, with a soil and vegetation carbon pool of abAuthorsRandall Kolka, Carl Trettin, Wenwu Tang, Ken W. Krauss, Sheel Bansal, Judith Z. Drexler, Kimberly P. Wickland, Rodney A. Chimner, Dianna M. Hogan, Emily J. Pindilli, Brian Benscoter, Brian Tangen, Evan S. Kane, Scott D. Bridgham, Curtis J. RichardsonDiurnal patterns of methane flux from a seasonal wetland: mechanisms and methodology
Methane emissions from wetlands are temporally dynamic. Few chamber-based studies have explored diurnal variation in methane flux with high temporal replication. Using an automated sampling system, we measured methane flux every 2.5 to 4 h for 205 diel cycles during three growing seasons (2013–2015) from a seasonal wetland in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. During ponded conditions, fAuthorsSheel Bansal, Brian Tangen, Raymond FinocchiaroPrairie Pothole Region wetlands and subsurface drainage systems: Key factors for determining drainage setback distances
Use of agricultural subsurface drainage systems in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America continues to increase, prompting concerns over potential negative effects to the Region's vital wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects a large number of wetlands through conservation easements that often utilize standard lateral setback distances to provide buffers between wetlands and draAuthorsBrian Tangen, Mark T. WiltermuthA case study examining the efficacy of drainage setbacks for limiting effects to wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region, USA
The enhancement of agricultural lands through the use of artificial drainage systems is a common practice throughout the United States, and recently the use of this practice has expanded in the Prairie Pothole Region. Many wetlands are afforded protection from the direct effects of drainage through regulation or legal agreements, and drainage setback distances typically are used to provide a buffeAuthorsBrian Tangen, Raymond FinocchiaroAbundant carbon substrates drive extremely high sulfate reduction rates and methane fluxes in Prairie Pothole Wetlands
Inland waters are increasingly recognized as critical sites of methane emissions to the atmosphere, but the biogeochemical reactions driving such fluxes are less well understood. The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of North America is one of the largest wetland complexes in the world, containing millions of small, shallow wetlands. The sediment pore waters of PPR wetlands contain some of the highestAuthorsPaula Martins, David W. Hoyt, Sheel Bansal, Christopher T. Mills, Malak Tfaily, Brian Tangen, Raymond Finocchiaro, Michael D. Johnston, Brandon C. McAdams, Matthew J. Solensky, Garrett J. Smith, Yu-Ping Chin, Michael J. WilkinsNon-USGS Publications**
Tangen, B.A., Butler, M.G., and Ell, M.J., 2003, Weak correspondence between macroinvertebrate assemblages and land use in Prairie Pothole Region wetlands, USA: Wetlands, v. 23, p. 104–115.**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.
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*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