Collin Eagles-Smith
Biography
Dr. Eagles-Smith is a Research Ecologist with the Corvallis Reseach Group in Corvallis, Oregon. His research focuses on the interactions among ecological processes, contaminant bioaccumulation, and effects on wild populations. His work specifically focuses on (1) the ecological factors regulating contaminant bioaccumulation and trophic transfer, with an emphasis on food web processes and contaminant cycling, (2) land use practices and ecosystem restoration effects on contaminant cycling through food webs, and (3) the sublethal effects of contaminants on individuals and contaminant-induced impairment to reproduction in the wild. Dr. Eagles-Smith's research is broadly applied across taxa (primarily fish and waterbirds) and habitat types (including lakes, freshwater wetlands, agricultural fields, and estuarine habitats).
Education
Ph.D. Ecology. University of California, Davis (2006)
B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) Env. Resource Sciences.
University of California, Davis (2000)
Professional Experience
Supervisory Research Ecologist, USGS, FRESC, Corvallis Research Group (8/07-3/2010).
Wildlife Biologist, USGS, WERC, UC Davis Field Station (8/07-3/2010).
Senior Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento (2/07-8/07).
Staff Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento (2/03-2/07).
Doctoral Research, Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Cons. Biology, UC Davis (9/00-11/06).
Staff Research Assistant, Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Cons. Biology, UC Davis (2/98-9/00).
Research Interests
Stable isotope applications to ecosystem energetics, food web ecology, fish and avian foraging ecology, mercury bioaccumulation in aquatic food webs, mercury effects on waterbirds, mercury bioaccumulation in waterbirds, avian reproductive ecology.
Science and Products
Bioaccumulation of Mercury in Fish Varied by Species and Location in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed—Summary of Existing Data and a Roadmap for Integrated Monitoring
Fish mercury data from State monitoring programs and research studies within the Chesapeake Bay were compiled and summarized to provide a comprehensive overview of the variation in fish mercury concentrations among species and habitats within the watershed. These data are put into context with existing health benchmarks for humans, birds, and fish. Scientists also provide a roadmap for an...
Dragonfly Larvae are Effective Bioindicators of Mercury Exposure in Fish and Amphibians—Results of Citizen Science in 100 National Parks and Protected Places
Mercury concentrations were measured in dragonfly larvae across more than 450 sites in 100 national parks and protected places as part of a partnership among Federal agencies, academic researchers, and more than 4,000 citizen scientists. Mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in fish and amphibians living in the same...
Roadmap to Understanding Factors Influencing Mercury Exposure and Adverse Health Effects
In a comprehensive overview, scientists explain that human and wildlife exposure and toxicological responses to mercury are dependent on factors that operate across global, individual, and molecular scales. They provide a roadmap for unified research to facilitate a better understanding of human and wildlife health risks from mercury exposure.
Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
The Ecologically-Driven Exposure pathways team identifies internal and external pathways and processes that can alter exposure and toxicity of contaminants and pathogens to wildlife the environment. That information is used to distinguish actual health risks to fish and wildlife. If actual risks are identified this project will inform how to economically and effectively minimize risk...
Scientists Identify Processes that Affect Fish Mercury Concentrations in Estuarine Wetlands
In a study designed to help resource managers when considering mercury exposure risk, scientists determined that sulfur cycling—a process closely related to mercury methylation rates—and ecological conditions that influence exposure are important factors affecting fish mercury concentrations in estuarine wetlands.
Ecosystem Effects of Increased Coal Transport Across the Pacific Northwest
Proposed new coal export terminals in Washington and Oregon could increase rail traffic through the Northwest and potentially increase unintended release of coal dust to the environment.
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
The FRESC Contaminant Ecology research program evaluates the distribution, movement, and ecological effects of environmental contaminants across the landscape and strives to provide relevant science in support of natural resource conservation, management, and decision making.
Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities
Mercury contamination is a serious issue that impacts both ecosystem and human health on a global scale. In its organic (methylmercury) form, mercury is highly bioaccumulative and is among the most toxic compounds commonly found in the environment. Mercury is a relatively distinctive contaminant in the sense that the risk of deleterious environmental effects is more strongly related to...
Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation
The distribution and occurrence of contaminants and the associated biological exposure in ecological systems are driven by complex interactions between contaminant sources and mobilization pathways that are overlaid upon the habitat requirements of at-risk organisms. Moreover, landscape structure and land uses can strongly influence the driving processes of contaminant cycling, as well as the...
Ecological Effects of Contaminants
Whereas the other themes of the Contaminant Ecology Research Program focus on where, why, and how contaminants cycle and bioaccumulate in ecological systems, this theme is focused on determining what happens at environmentally relevant concentrations.
Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs
This is a broad theme representing the largest component of the Contaminant Ecology Research Program, acting as a bridge between the “Habitat and Land Use Influences” and “Ecological Effects” themes. “Contaminant Bioaccumulation” focuses on quantifying the transfer or movement of contaminants through food webs, and identifying the primary landscape factors and ecological mechanisms that are...
Body Symmetry in Forster's Terns Related to Mercury Exposure
Body symmetry of Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco Bay was related to blood and feather mercury concentrations. Body asymmetry can affect a bird's fitness by reducing flight efficiency, thus increasing energetic costs (especially during migration) and interrupting normal feeding and breeding behaviors.
Summary of total mercury concentrations in dragonfly larvae, western mosquitofish, and tree swallow eggs collected from Cosumnes River Preserve 2011 – 2013
In order to document potential environmental health risk in Cosumnes River Preserve wetlands due to mercury, we analyzed dragonfly larvae, western mosquitofish, and tree swallow eggs collected from wetlands and rice fields of the Preserve from 2011 to 2013.
Fluctuating Asymmetry in Waterbirds in Relation to Mercury Exposure
The dataset includes the bird species, sex, mercury concentration in breast feathers and whole blood, and the composite measure of fluctuating asymmetry. Statistical models were developed for each species to analyze the relationship between mercury exposure in either breast feathers or whole blood and the composite measure of fluctuating asymmetry, while accounting for the sex of each bird....
Bullet fragments in Belding's ground squirrels in Oregon and California in 2014-2015
The dataset includes specifics on fragments of bullets recovered from shot Belding's ground squirrels from Oregon and California. Ground squirrels were radiographed and then we used ImageJ software to count and measure the area of those bullet fragments.
Total Mercury Concentrations in Fish Muscle from the Colorado River and Bright Angel Creek, AZ, USA (2015)
This dataset contains data on the length, mass, and muscle total mercury concentration of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) collected from the Colorado River in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (GLCA) and Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA), and Bright Angel Creek in GRCA.
A national-scale assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in United States National Parks using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels through a citizen-science framework
We conducted a national-scale assessment of mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels, by developing a citizen science network to facilitate biological sampling. Implementing a carefully designed sampling methodology for citizen scientists, we developed an effective framework for landscape-level...
Eagles-Smith, Collin; Willacker, James; Nelson, Sarah J.; Flanagan Pritz, Collen M; Krabbenhoft, David P.; Chen, Celia Y.; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Campbell Grant, Evan H.; Pilliod, DavidMercury bioaccumulation in freshwater fishes of the Chesapeake Bay watershed
Chemical contaminants are a threat to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with mercury (Hg) among the most prevalent causes of impairment. Despite this, large-scale patterns of Hg concentrations, and the potential risks to fish, wildlife, and humans across the watershed, are poorly understood. We compiled fish Hg data from state monitoring programs and...
Willacker, James; Eagles-Smith, Collin; Blazer, Vicki S.Mercury and selenium concentrations in fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin, southwestern United States: A retrospective assessment
Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) are contaminants of concern for fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). We explored Hg and Se in fish tissues (2,324 individuals) collected over 50 years (1962–2011) from the UCRB. Samples include native and non-native fish collected from lotic waterbodies spanning 7 major tributaries to the Colorado River....
Day, Natalie; Schmidt, Travis; Roberts, James J.; Osmundson, Barbara C.; Willacker, James; Eagles-Smith, CollinMethylmercury exposure in wildlife: A review of the ecological and physiological processes affecting contaminant concentrations and their interpretation
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) can result in detrimental health effects in wildlife. With advances in ecological indicators and analytical techniques for measurement of MeHg in a variety of tissues, numerous processes have been identified that can influence MeHg concentrations in wildlife. This review presents a synthesis of theoretical...
Chételat, John; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Eagles-Smith, Collin; Hebert, Craig E.Songbird feathers as indicators of mercury exposure: High variability and low predictive power suggest limitations
Although feathers are commonly used to monitor mercury (Hg) in avian populations, their reliability as a sampling matrix has not been thoroughly assessed for many avian species, including most songbirds (Order Passeriformes). To better understand relationships between total Hg (THg) concentrations in feathers and other tissues for birds in the...
Low, Katherine E.; Ramsden, Danielle K.; Jackson, Allyson K.; Emery, Colleen; Robinson, W. Douglas; Randolph, Jim; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.Synthesis of maternal transfer of mercury in birds: Implications for altered toxicity risk
Maternal transfer is the predominant route of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure to offspring. We reviewed and synthesized published and unpublished data on maternal transfer of MeHg in birds. Using paired samples of females’ blood (n=564) and their eggs (n=1814) from 26 bird species in 6 taxonomic orders, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate...
Ackerman, Joshua T.; Herzog, Mark P.; Evers, David C.; Cristol, Daniel A.; Kenow, Kevin P.; Heinz, Gary; Lavoie, Raphael A; Brasso, Rebecka L; Mallory, Mark L.; Provencher, Jennifer F; Braune, Birgit M; Matz, Angela; Schmutz, Joel A.; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Savoy, Lucas J; Meyer, Michael W.; Hartman, C. AlexContaminant concentrations in sediments, aquatic invertebrates, and fish in proximity to rail tracks used for coal transport in the Pacific Northwest: A baseline assessment
Railway transport of coal poses an environmental risk because coal dust contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury (Hg), and other trace metals. In the Pacific Northwest, proposed infrastructure projects could result in an increase in coal transport by train through the Columbia River corridor. Baseline information is needed on...
Hapke, Whitney B; Black, Robert W.; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Smith, Cassandra; Johnson, Lyndal; Ylitalo, Gina M; Boyd, Daryle; Davis, Jay W; Eldridge, Sara L. Caldwell; Nilsen, ElenaAnticoagulant rodenticides in Strix owls indicate widespread exposure in west coast forests
Exposure of nontarget wildlife to anticoagulant rodenticides (AR) is a global conservation concern typically centered around urban or agricultural areas. Recently, however, the illegal use of ARs in remote forests of California, USA, has exposed sensitive predators, including the federally threatened northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis...
Wiens, David; Dilione, Krista E.; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Herring, Garth; Lesmeister, Damon B.; Gabriel, Mourad W.; Wengert, Greta; Simon, David C.Current state of knowledge on biological effects from contaminants on arctic wildlife and fish
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of the exposure to organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in Arctic biota, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic effect studies. Here, we provide an update on the state of the knowledge of OHC, and also include mercury, exposure and/or...
Dietz, Rune; Letcher, Robert J.; Desforges, Jean-Pierre; Eulaers, Igor; Sonne, Christian; Wilson, Simon; Andersen-Ranberg, Emilie; Basu, Niladri; Barst, Benjamin D.; Bustnes, Jan Ove; Bytingsvik, Jenny; Ciesielski, Tomasz M.; Drevnick, Paul E.; Gabrielsen, Geir W.; Haarr, Ane; Hylland, Ketil; Jenssen, Bjørn Munro; Levin, Milton; McKinney, Melissa A.; Nørregaard, Rasmus Dyrmose; Pedersen, Kathrine E.; Provencher, Jennifer; Styrishave, Bjarne; Tartu, Sabrina; Aars, Jon; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Rosing-Asvid, Aqqalu; Barrett, Rob; Bignert, Anders; Born, Erik W.; Branigan, Marsha; Braune, Birgit; Bryan, Colleen E.; Dam, Maria; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Evans, Marlene S.; Evans, Thomas J.; Fisk, Aaron T.; Gamberg, Mary; Gustavson, Kim; Hartman, C. Alex; Helander, Björn; Herzog, Mark P.; Hoekstra, Paul F.; Houde, Magali; Hoydal, Katrin; Jackson, Allyson K.; Kucklick, John; Lie, Elisabeth; Loseto, Lisa; Mallory, Mark L.; Miljeteig, Cecilie; Mosbech, Anders; Muir, Derek C.G.; Nielsen, Sanna Túni; Peacock, Elizabeth; Pedro, Sara; Peterson, Sarah H.; Polder, Anuschka; Rigét, Frank F.; Roach, Pat; Saunes, Halvor; Sinding, Mikkel-Holger S.; Skaare, Janneche U.; Søndergaard, Jens; Stenson, Garry; Stern, Gary; Treu, Gabriele; Schuur, Stacy S.; Víkingsson, GísliWetland management strategy to reduce mercury export in water and bioaccumulation in fish
Wetland environments provide numerous ecosystem services but also facilitate methylmercury (MeHg) production and bioaccumulation. We developed a wetland‐management technique to reduce MeHg concentrations in wetland fish and water. We physically modified seasonal wetlands by constructing open‐ and deep‐water treatment cells at the downstream end of...
Ackerman, Joshua T.; Fleck, Jacob; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Marvin-DiPasquale, Mark C.; Windham-Myers, Lisamarie; Herzog, Mark P.; McQuillen, Harry L.Timber harvest alters mercury bioaccumulation and food web structure in headwater streams
Timber harvest has many effects on aquatic ecosystems, including changes in hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological processes that can influence mercury (Hg) cycling. Although timber harvest’s influence on aqueous Hg transformation and transport are well studied, the effects on Hg bioaccumulation are not. We evaluated Hg bioaccumulation,...
Willacker, James; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Kowalski, Brandon M; Danehy, Robert J; Jackson, Allyson K.; Adams, Evan M.; Evers, David C.; Eckley, Chris S.; Tate, Michael T.; Krabbenhoft, David P.Spatial variation in aquatic invertebrate and riparian songbird mercury exposure across a river-reservoir system with a legacy of mercury contamination
Mercury (Hg) loading and methylation in aquatic systems causes a variety of deleterious effects for fish and wildlife populations. Relatively little research has focused on Hg movement into riparian food webs and how this is modulated by habitat characteristics. This study characterized differences in Hg exposure in aquatic invertebrates and...
Jackson, Allyson K.; Eagles-Smith, Collin A.; Emery, ColleenPre-USGS Publications
From Forests to Fish: Mercury in Mountain Lake Food Webs Influenced by Factors at Multiple Scales
Mercury bioaccumulation in mountain lakes varies widely due to strong environmental gradients, and there are complex, hierarchical factors that affect mercury transport and loading, methylmercury production, and food web biomagnification.
Literature Review: Environmental Selenium-Mercury Interactions
Mercury is a pervasive environmental pollutant and contaminant of concern for both people and wildlife.
Assessment of Mercury Bioaccumulation in US National Parks Using Citizen Science
A team of federal, academic, and NGO researchers conducted a national-scale assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels.
Mercury widespread in Chesapeake Bay headwaters fish
Bay Journal — By Jeremy Cox — Updated July 2, 2020
Mercury Bioaccumulation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Despite the prevalence of mercury contamination in the Chesapeake Bay, large-scale patterns of mercury concentrations, and potential risks to fish, wildlife, and humans across the watershed, are poorly understood.
The Lead Lining of Agriculture-Related Subsidies for Golden Eagles
Avian scavengers, including golden eagles, often eat animals culled though recreational hunting and pest shooting on agricultural lands.
Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Pacific Northwest Forest Owls
Researchers evaluated tissues from barred owls collected in Washington and Oregon to assess potential exposure of the Northern spotted owl and other old-forest wildlife in the Pacific Northwest to anticoagulant rodenticides (AR). They used ecologically similar barred owls as a surrogate species for the northern spotted owl, as the two species compete for space, habitat, and small mammal prey...
Timber Harvest Alters Mercury Bioaccumulation and Food Webs in Headwater Streams
Land use change is an important driver of global mercury cycling. Timber harvest is a common land use that can alter associated aquatic ecosystems, yet little is known about how it affects mercury concentrations and associated food web changes.
Modeling Management Actions Helps Researchers Pinpoint the Main Culprit of Wood Frog Declines
Amphibian decline is a global conservation crisis driven by multiple interacting stressors, which often act at a local scale with global implications.
Researchers Compare Mercury in Songbird Feathers, Nails
Although feathers are commonly used to monitor mercury in birds, their reliability has not been assessed for many avian species, including most songbirds.
Mercury Exposure in Aquatic Invertebrates and Songbirds in the Greater Willamette River Basin
The Willamette River basin in western Oregon is a system with legacy mercury contamination from both mining and reservoirs
Identifying Potential Contaminant Exposure to California Condors in the Pacific Northwest
Potential reintroduction of the endangered California Condor to parts of its historic range in the Pacific Northwest would benefit from information on possible threats that could challenge recovery efforts. Exposure to environmental contaminants is a key limiting factor for condor recovery in its southern range.