Collin Eagles-Smith
I am a Research Ecologist with the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis, Oregon. My research focuses on the interactions among ecological processes, contaminant bioaccumulation, and effects on wild populations.
My 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. My research is broadly applied across taxa - primarily fish and waterbirds, and habitat types - including lakes, freshwater wetlands, agricultural fields, and estuarine habitats.
Professional Experience
2010-present: Supervisory Research Ecologist, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
2007-2010: Wildlife Biologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Davis, CA
2003-2007: Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA (2006)
B.S., Environmental Resource Sciences - Magna Cum Laude, University of California, Davis, CA (2000)
Science and Products
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities
Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation
Ecological Effects of Contaminants
Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs
Body Symmetry in Forster's Terns Related to Mercury Exposure
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Modeled Pacific salmon escapement biomass and nutrient and contaminant concentrations across western North America, 1976-2015 (version 2.0, October 2024) Modeled Pacific salmon escapement biomass and nutrient and contaminant concentrations across western North America, 1976-2015 (version 2.0, October 2024)
Mercury stable isotopes in biota, sediment, groundwater, and waste piles, Clear Lake area, Lake County, California, 2019-2022 Mercury stable isotopes in biota, sediment, groundwater, and waste piles, Clear Lake area, Lake County, California, 2019-2022
Mercury in smallmouth bass from the Snake River, USA (ver. 2.0, January 2025) Mercury in smallmouth bass from the Snake River, USA (ver. 2.0, January 2025)
Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021 Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021
Assessment of Mercury and Mercury Stable Isotopes in Sediments and Biota from Reservoirs and Remedial Zones within the Saint Louis River, Minnesota Assessment of Mercury and Mercury Stable Isotopes in Sediments and Biota from Reservoirs and Remedial Zones within the Saint Louis River, Minnesota
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Forest cover influences fish mercury concentrations in national parks of the western U.S. Forest cover influences fish mercury concentrations in national parks of the western U.S.
A meta-analysis of mercury biomagnification in freshwater predatory invertebrates: Community diversity and dietary exposure drive variability A meta-analysis of mercury biomagnification in freshwater predatory invertebrates: Community diversity and dietary exposure drive variability
Continental-scale nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon Continental-scale nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon
Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest
Mercury concentrations in Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Rice Rats differ across the Mississippi River Estuary Mercury concentrations in Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Rice Rats differ across the Mississippi River Estuary
Geographic drivers of mercury entry into aquatic food webs revealed by mercury stable isotopes in dragonfly larvae Geographic drivers of mercury entry into aquatic food webs revealed by mercury stable isotopes in dragonfly larvae
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.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Science and Products
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Contaminant Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Mercury Cycling and Effects on Ecological Communities
Habitat and Land-Use Influences on Contaminant Bioaccumulation
Ecological Effects of Contaminants
Contaminant Bioaccumulation through Food Webs
Body Symmetry in Forster's Terns Related to Mercury Exposure
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Modeled Pacific salmon escapement biomass and nutrient and contaminant concentrations across western North America, 1976-2015 (version 2.0, October 2024) Modeled Pacific salmon escapement biomass and nutrient and contaminant concentrations across western North America, 1976-2015 (version 2.0, October 2024)
Mercury stable isotopes in biota, sediment, groundwater, and waste piles, Clear Lake area, Lake County, California, 2019-2022 Mercury stable isotopes in biota, sediment, groundwater, and waste piles, Clear Lake area, Lake County, California, 2019-2022
Mercury in smallmouth bass from the Snake River, USA (ver. 2.0, January 2025) Mercury in smallmouth bass from the Snake River, USA (ver. 2.0, January 2025)
Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021 Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021
Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021 Mercury concentrations in amphibian tissues across the United States, 2016-2021
Assessment of Mercury and Mercury Stable Isotopes in Sediments and Biota from Reservoirs and Remedial Zones within the Saint Louis River, Minnesota Assessment of Mercury and Mercury Stable Isotopes in Sediments and Biota from Reservoirs and Remedial Zones within the Saint Louis River, Minnesota
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Forest cover influences fish mercury concentrations in national parks of the western U.S. Forest cover influences fish mercury concentrations in national parks of the western U.S.
A meta-analysis of mercury biomagnification in freshwater predatory invertebrates: Community diversity and dietary exposure drive variability A meta-analysis of mercury biomagnification in freshwater predatory invertebrates: Community diversity and dietary exposure drive variability
Continental-scale nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon Continental-scale nutrient and contaminant delivery by Pacific salmon
Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest Wildfires influence mercury transport, methylation, and bioaccumulation in headwater streams of the Pacific Northwest
Mercury concentrations in Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Rice Rats differ across the Mississippi River Estuary Mercury concentrations in Seaside Sparrows and Marsh Rice Rats differ across the Mississippi River Estuary
Geographic drivers of mercury entry into aquatic food webs revealed by mercury stable isotopes in dragonfly larvae Geographic drivers of mercury entry into aquatic food webs revealed by mercury stable isotopes in dragonfly larvae
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.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.