Camille LaFosse Stagg, Ph.D.
Camille Stagg is a Research Ecologist at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Camille's research focuses on how ecosystem functions, such as elevation change, carbon cycling, and resilience, are affected by global stressors. Her goal is to understand how these processes respond to changing conditions, including rising sea levels, elevated atmospheric CO2, and land use change, to provide guidance for management and restoration of these dynamic ecosystems.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, 2009
M.S., Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University, 2004
B.S., Biology, Christian Brothers University, 2002
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Filter Total Items: 33
Salt marsh phenology and sexual reproductive characteristics at reference and restored sites in Louisiana, USA (2016) Salt marsh phenology and sexual reproductive characteristics at reference and restored sites in Louisiana, USA (2016)
This dataset provides information on plant sexual reproduction of a clonally-spreading perennial species, Spartina alterniflora. We investigated flowering phenology, potential seed and seedling production, and flower damage in reference and restored sites in southeastern Louisiana. Additional covariates of elevation and soil parameters were used to investigate underlying mechanisms of...
Salt marsh carbon dynamics under altered hydrologic regimes and elevated CO2 conditions, Louisiana, USA (2014-2015) Salt marsh carbon dynamics under altered hydrologic regimes and elevated CO2 conditions, Louisiana, USA (2014-2015)
Plant-mediated processes are often important in determining carbon cycling and storage in ecosystems. With climate-induced changes in the environment, plant-associated processes may also shift. Salt marshes in particular are useful systems to investigate plant-mediated carbon cycling, as these systems experience both sea-level rise and increased carbon dioxide concentrations due to...
Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought, Louisiana saltmarsh, 2015 Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought, Louisiana saltmarsh, 2015
In recent decades the encroachment of woody mangrove species into herbaceous marshes has been documented along the U.S. northern Gulf of Mexico coast. These species shifts have been attributed primarily to rising sea levels and warming winter temperatures, but the role of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and water availability may become more prominent drivers of species...
Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014) Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014)
Above- and belowground production in coastal wetlands are important contributors to carbon accumulation and ecosystem sustainability. As sea level rises, we can expect shifts to more salt-tolerant communities, which may alter these ecosystem functions and services. Although the direct influence of salinity on species-level primary production has been documented, we lack an understanding...
Organic matter decomposition across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2014-2015) Organic matter decomposition across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2014-2015)
Coastal wetlands store more carbon than most ecosystems globally. However, little is known about the mechanisms that control the loss of organic matter in coastal wetlands at the landscape scale, and how sea-level rise will impact this important ecological function.
Elevation change along a coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in the Southeastern U.S.A. (2009-2014) Elevation change along a coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in the Southeastern U.S.A. (2009-2014)
We assessed the resilience of wetlands to sea-level rise along a transitional gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland (TFFW) to oligohaline marsh by measuring processes controlling wetland elevation. We identified fundamental differences in how resilience is maintained across wetland community types, which have important implications for management activities that aim to restore...
Filter Total Items: 67
Winter flooding to conserve agricultural peat soils in a temperate climate: Effect on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential Winter flooding to conserve agricultural peat soils in a temperate climate: Effect on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential
This study investigated the CO 2 and CH 4 emission rates from agricultural operations on peat soils in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, comparing two common soil management treatments: leaving the field fallow in the winter and flooding the field in winter. Winter flooding is intended to reduce the oxidative loss of soil organic matter to CO 2 , as well as other putative benefits. The...
Authors
Brian A. Bergamaschi, Frank Anderson, Ellen J Goodrich-Stuart, Brian A. Pellerin
Ecosystem service co-benefits provided through wetland carbon management Ecosystem service co-benefits provided through wetland carbon management
What is the role of wetland carbon management in providing ecosystem services? Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides to people, and they are often categorized as: provisioning (e.g., food and water), regulating (e.g., climate mitigation and flood protection), cultural (e.g., cultural and recreational), and supporting (e.g., nutrient cycling) services ( www...
Authors
Emily Pindilli
Tradeoffs in habitat value to maximize natural resource benefits from coastal restoration in a rapidly eroding wetland: Is monitoring land area sufficient? Tradeoffs in habitat value to maximize natural resource benefits from coastal restoration in a rapidly eroding wetland: Is monitoring land area sufficient?
Louisiana contains nearly 40% of estuarine herbaceous wetlands in the contiguous United States, supporting valuable ecosystem services and providing significant economic benefits to the state and the entire United States. However, coastal Louisiana is a hotspot for rapid land loss from factors including hurricanes, land use change, and high subsidence rates contributing to high relative...
Authors
Tim J. B. Carruthers, Erin P. Kiskaddon, Melissa M. Baustian, Kelly M. Darnell, Leland C. Moss, Carey L. Perry, Camille Stagg
Extreme precipitation and flooding contribute to sudden vegetation dieback in a coastal salt marsh Extreme precipitation and flooding contribute to sudden vegetation dieback in a coastal salt marsh
Climate extremes are becoming more frequent with global climate change and have the potential to cause major ecological regime shifts. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico, a coastal wetland in Texas suffered sudden vegetation dieback following an extreme precipitation and flooding event associated with Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Historical salt marsh dieback events have been linked to...
Authors
Camille Stagg, Michael Osland, Jena A. Moon, Laura Feher, Claudia Laurenzano, Tiffany C. Lane, William Jones, Stephen Hartley
Belowground productivity varies by assessment technique, vegetation type, and nutrient availability in tidal freshwater forested wetlands transitioning to marsh Belowground productivity varies by assessment technique, vegetation type, and nutrient availability in tidal freshwater forested wetlands transitioning to marsh
Wetlands along upper estuaries are characterized by dynamic transitions between forested and herbaceous communities (marsh) as salinity, hydroperiod, and nutrients change. The importance of belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) associated with fine and coarse root growth also changes but remains the dominant component of overall productivity in these important blue carbon wetlands
Authors
Andrew From, Ken Krauss, Gregory E. Noe, N. Cormier, Camille Stagg, Rebecca Moss, Julie L. Whitbeck
Long-term carbon sinks in marsh soils of coastal Louisiana are at risk to wetland loss Long-term carbon sinks in marsh soils of coastal Louisiana are at risk to wetland loss
Coastal marshes are essential habitats for soil carbon accumulation and burial, which can influence the global carbon budget. Coastal Louisiana has extensive marsh habitats (fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline) where soil cores were collected to a depth of 100 cm at 24 sites to assess long-term carbon accumulation and burial rates. Select soil depth intervals were analyzed for bulk...
Authors
Melissa M. Baustian, Camille Stagg, Carey L. Perry, Leland C. Moss, Tim J. B. Carruthers
Non-USGS Publications**
Stagg, Camille L. and Mendelssohn, Irving A. 2011. Controls on resilience and stability in a sediment subsidized salt marsh. Ecological Applications, 21(5): 1731-1744.
Stagg, Camille L. and Mendelssohn, Irving A. 2012. Littoraria irrorata growth and survival in a sediment-restored salt marsh. Wetlands, 32(4): 643-652.
Stagg, C. L., and Mendelssohn, I. A. 2010. Restoring ecological function to a submerged salt marsh. Restoration Ecology, 18: 10-17.
**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
Filter Total Items: 22
Filter Total Items: 33
Salt marsh phenology and sexual reproductive characteristics at reference and restored sites in Louisiana, USA (2016) Salt marsh phenology and sexual reproductive characteristics at reference and restored sites in Louisiana, USA (2016)
This dataset provides information on plant sexual reproduction of a clonally-spreading perennial species, Spartina alterniflora. We investigated flowering phenology, potential seed and seedling production, and flower damage in reference and restored sites in southeastern Louisiana. Additional covariates of elevation and soil parameters were used to investigate underlying mechanisms of...
Salt marsh carbon dynamics under altered hydrologic regimes and elevated CO2 conditions, Louisiana, USA (2014-2015) Salt marsh carbon dynamics under altered hydrologic regimes and elevated CO2 conditions, Louisiana, USA (2014-2015)
Plant-mediated processes are often important in determining carbon cycling and storage in ecosystems. With climate-induced changes in the environment, plant-associated processes may also shift. Salt marshes in particular are useful systems to investigate plant-mediated carbon cycling, as these systems experience both sea-level rise and increased carbon dioxide concentrations due to...
Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought, Louisiana saltmarsh, 2015 Early growth interactions between a mangrove and an herbaceous salt marsh species are not affected by elevated CO2 or drought, Louisiana saltmarsh, 2015
In recent decades the encroachment of woody mangrove species into herbaceous marshes has been documented along the U.S. northern Gulf of Mexico coast. These species shifts have been attributed primarily to rising sea levels and warming winter temperatures, but the role of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and water availability may become more prominent drivers of species...
Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014) Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014)
Above- and belowground production in coastal wetlands are important contributors to carbon accumulation and ecosystem sustainability. As sea level rises, we can expect shifts to more salt-tolerant communities, which may alter these ecosystem functions and services. Although the direct influence of salinity on species-level primary production has been documented, we lack an understanding...
Organic matter decomposition across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2014-2015) Organic matter decomposition across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2014-2015)
Coastal wetlands store more carbon than most ecosystems globally. However, little is known about the mechanisms that control the loss of organic matter in coastal wetlands at the landscape scale, and how sea-level rise will impact this important ecological function.
Elevation change along a coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in the Southeastern U.S.A. (2009-2014) Elevation change along a coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in the Southeastern U.S.A. (2009-2014)
We assessed the resilience of wetlands to sea-level rise along a transitional gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland (TFFW) to oligohaline marsh by measuring processes controlling wetland elevation. We identified fundamental differences in how resilience is maintained across wetland community types, which have important implications for management activities that aim to restore...
Filter Total Items: 67
Winter flooding to conserve agricultural peat soils in a temperate climate: Effect on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential Winter flooding to conserve agricultural peat soils in a temperate climate: Effect on greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential
This study investigated the CO 2 and CH 4 emission rates from agricultural operations on peat soils in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, comparing two common soil management treatments: leaving the field fallow in the winter and flooding the field in winter. Winter flooding is intended to reduce the oxidative loss of soil organic matter to CO 2 , as well as other putative benefits. The...
Authors
Brian A. Bergamaschi, Frank Anderson, Ellen J Goodrich-Stuart, Brian A. Pellerin
Ecosystem service co-benefits provided through wetland carbon management Ecosystem service co-benefits provided through wetland carbon management
What is the role of wetland carbon management in providing ecosystem services? Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides to people, and they are often categorized as: provisioning (e.g., food and water), regulating (e.g., climate mitigation and flood protection), cultural (e.g., cultural and recreational), and supporting (e.g., nutrient cycling) services ( www...
Authors
Emily Pindilli
Tradeoffs in habitat value to maximize natural resource benefits from coastal restoration in a rapidly eroding wetland: Is monitoring land area sufficient? Tradeoffs in habitat value to maximize natural resource benefits from coastal restoration in a rapidly eroding wetland: Is monitoring land area sufficient?
Louisiana contains nearly 40% of estuarine herbaceous wetlands in the contiguous United States, supporting valuable ecosystem services and providing significant economic benefits to the state and the entire United States. However, coastal Louisiana is a hotspot for rapid land loss from factors including hurricanes, land use change, and high subsidence rates contributing to high relative...
Authors
Tim J. B. Carruthers, Erin P. Kiskaddon, Melissa M. Baustian, Kelly M. Darnell, Leland C. Moss, Carey L. Perry, Camille Stagg
Extreme precipitation and flooding contribute to sudden vegetation dieback in a coastal salt marsh Extreme precipitation and flooding contribute to sudden vegetation dieback in a coastal salt marsh
Climate extremes are becoming more frequent with global climate change and have the potential to cause major ecological regime shifts. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico, a coastal wetland in Texas suffered sudden vegetation dieback following an extreme precipitation and flooding event associated with Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Historical salt marsh dieback events have been linked to...
Authors
Camille Stagg, Michael Osland, Jena A. Moon, Laura Feher, Claudia Laurenzano, Tiffany C. Lane, William Jones, Stephen Hartley
Belowground productivity varies by assessment technique, vegetation type, and nutrient availability in tidal freshwater forested wetlands transitioning to marsh Belowground productivity varies by assessment technique, vegetation type, and nutrient availability in tidal freshwater forested wetlands transitioning to marsh
Wetlands along upper estuaries are characterized by dynamic transitions between forested and herbaceous communities (marsh) as salinity, hydroperiod, and nutrients change. The importance of belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) associated with fine and coarse root growth also changes but remains the dominant component of overall productivity in these important blue carbon wetlands
Authors
Andrew From, Ken Krauss, Gregory E. Noe, N. Cormier, Camille Stagg, Rebecca Moss, Julie L. Whitbeck
Long-term carbon sinks in marsh soils of coastal Louisiana are at risk to wetland loss Long-term carbon sinks in marsh soils of coastal Louisiana are at risk to wetland loss
Coastal marshes are essential habitats for soil carbon accumulation and burial, which can influence the global carbon budget. Coastal Louisiana has extensive marsh habitats (fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline) where soil cores were collected to a depth of 100 cm at 24 sites to assess long-term carbon accumulation and burial rates. Select soil depth intervals were analyzed for bulk...
Authors
Melissa M. Baustian, Camille Stagg, Carey L. Perry, Leland C. Moss, Tim J. B. Carruthers
Non-USGS Publications**
Stagg, Camille L. and Mendelssohn, Irving A. 2011. Controls on resilience and stability in a sediment subsidized salt marsh. Ecological Applications, 21(5): 1731-1744.
Stagg, Camille L. and Mendelssohn, Irving A. 2012. Littoraria irrorata growth and survival in a sediment-restored salt marsh. Wetlands, 32(4): 643-652.
Stagg, C. L., and Mendelssohn, I. A. 2010. Restoring ecological function to a submerged salt marsh. Restoration Ecology, 18: 10-17.
**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.