Cindy has been with the U.S. Geological Survey for 15 years and working on invasive species issues for over 20 years.
Cindy came to appreciate the outdoors growing up in Michigan and became interested in aquatic ecosystem and their stressors at Michigan State while working on her Bachelor of Science. She has a special interest in the Great Lakes; invasive species prevention, detection, containment, and control; and risk assessment and decision science.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cindy is most interested in the influences of ecosystem stressors on global processes, especially at the nexus of science, policy, and natural resource management.
Professional Experience
Assistant Research Biologist, Illinois Natural History Survey, Sam Parr Biological Station, Kinmundy, Illinois
Research Fishery Biologist, Invasive Species Workgroup Leader, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, USGS, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Affiliate membership, graduate faculty, Biology Department, University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Adjunct faculty at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
Science Advisor/Assistant Program Coordinator, Invasive Species Program, Ecosystems Mission Area, USGS National Center, Reston, Virginia
Education and Certifications
B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
M.S. Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 13
U.S. Geological Survey invasive species research—Improving detection, awareness, decision support, and control
More than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, posing risks to human and wildlife health, native plants and animals, and our valued ecosystems. The annual environmental, economic, and health-related costs of invasive species are substantial. Invasive species can drive native species onto the endangered species list, resulting in associated regulatory costs; exacerb
Invasive species research—Science for detection, containment, and control
Invasive species research within the U.S. Geological Survey’s Ecosystems Mission Area focuses on invasive organisms throughout the United States. U.S. Geological Survey scientists work with partners in the Department of the Interior, other Federal, State and Territorial agencies, Tribes, industry, and agriculture to provide the information needed to help solve problems posed by these invaders. Key
Ecological risk assessment of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for the Great Lakes Basin
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is an herbivorous, freshwater fish that was first introduced in the United States in the early 1960s for use in biological control of aquatic vegetation. It has since escaped and dispersed through the Mississippi River basin towards the Great Lakes. To characterize the risk of Grass Carp to the Great Lakes basin, a binational ecological risk assessment of Grass
USGS science and technology help managers battle invading Asian carp
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts Asian carp research focused on early detection, risk assessment, and development of control tools and strategies. The goals are to prevent the establishment of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes and to reduce their impacts in the Ohio River and Mississippi River Basins and elsewhere. Managers can use the information, tools, and strategies for early de
Binational ecological risk assessment of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) for the Great Lakes Basin.
Bigheaded carps (Bighead and Silver carps) are considered a potential threat to the Great Lakes basin. A binational ecological risk assessment was conducted to provide scientifically defensible advice for managers and decision-makers in Canada and the United States. This risk assessment looked at the likelihood of arrival, survival, establishment, and spread of bigheaded carps to obtain an overall
Managing undesired and invading fishes
No abstract available.
Nonnative Fishes in the Upper Mississippi River System
The introduction, spread, and establishment of nonnative species is widely regarded as a leading threat to aquatic biodiversity and consequently is ranked among the most serious environmental problems facing the United States today. This report presents information on nonnative fish species observed by the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program on the Upper Mississippi River System a nexus of North
Bigheaded carps : a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment
The book is a detailed risk assessment and biological synopsis of the bigheaded carps of the genus Hypophthalmichthys, which includes the bighead, silver, and largescale silver carps. It summarizes the scientific literature describing their biology, ecology, uses, ecological effects, and risks to the environment.
Includes information on taxonomy and distinguishing characteristics, hybrids, native
Risk assessment and screening for potentially invasive fishes
Preventing the introduction of potentially invasive species is becoming more important as this worldwide problem continues to grow. The ability to predict the identity or range of potential invaders could influence regulatory decisions and help to optimally allocate resources to deal with ongoing invasions. One screening tool presented here, using species life history and environmental tolerances
Piscivory in juvenile walleyes: Relative importance of prey species, timing of spawning of prey fish, and density on growth and survival
We examined the effect of the timing of spawning by prey fish and the species of prey fish on the growth and survival of juvenile walleye Stizostedion vitreum. We expected that age-0 walleyes would grow more in ponds when stocked about the same time as the spawning of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum than when stocked about 6 weeks after spawning. We found, however, that the timing of larval gizza
Interactions among zebra mussel shells, invertebrate prey, and Eurasian ruffe or yellow perch
The exotic zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is established in all of the Laurentian Great Lakes and may affect benthivorous fishes by increasing the complexity of benthic substrates and changing energy flow patterns within the food web. Native yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and the nonindigenous Eurasian ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus, are benthivores that may compete for limited food resources.
Conditions for the return and simulation of the recovery of burrowing mayflies in western Lake Erie
In the 1950s, burrowing mayflies, Hexagenia spp. (H. Limbata and H. Rigida), were virtually eliminated from the western basin of Lake Erie (a 3300 kmA? area) because of eutrophication and pollution. We develop and present a deterministic model for the recolonization of the western basin by Hexagenia to pre-1953 densities. The model was based on the logistic equation describing the population growt
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 13
U.S. Geological Survey invasive species research—Improving detection, awareness, decision support, and control
More than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, posing risks to human and wildlife health, native plants and animals, and our valued ecosystems. The annual environmental, economic, and health-related costs of invasive species are substantial. Invasive species can drive native species onto the endangered species list, resulting in associated regulatory costs; exacerbInvasive species research—Science for detection, containment, and control
Invasive species research within the U.S. Geological Survey’s Ecosystems Mission Area focuses on invasive organisms throughout the United States. U.S. Geological Survey scientists work with partners in the Department of the Interior, other Federal, State and Territorial agencies, Tribes, industry, and agriculture to provide the information needed to help solve problems posed by these invaders. KeyEcological risk assessment of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for the Great Lakes Basin
Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is an herbivorous, freshwater fish that was first introduced in the United States in the early 1960s for use in biological control of aquatic vegetation. It has since escaped and dispersed through the Mississippi River basin towards the Great Lakes. To characterize the risk of Grass Carp to the Great Lakes basin, a binational ecological risk assessment of GrassUSGS science and technology help managers battle invading Asian carp
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts Asian carp research focused on early detection, risk assessment, and development of control tools and strategies. The goals are to prevent the establishment of invasive Asian carp in the Great Lakes and to reduce their impacts in the Ohio River and Mississippi River Basins and elsewhere. Managers can use the information, tools, and strategies for early deBinational ecological risk assessment of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) for the Great Lakes Basin.
Bigheaded carps (Bighead and Silver carps) are considered a potential threat to the Great Lakes basin. A binational ecological risk assessment was conducted to provide scientifically defensible advice for managers and decision-makers in Canada and the United States. This risk assessment looked at the likelihood of arrival, survival, establishment, and spread of bigheaded carps to obtain an overallManaging undesired and invading fishes
No abstract available.Nonnative Fishes in the Upper Mississippi River System
The introduction, spread, and establishment of nonnative species is widely regarded as a leading threat to aquatic biodiversity and consequently is ranked among the most serious environmental problems facing the United States today. This report presents information on nonnative fish species observed by the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program on the Upper Mississippi River System a nexus of NorthBigheaded carps : a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment
The book is a detailed risk assessment and biological synopsis of the bigheaded carps of the genus Hypophthalmichthys, which includes the bighead, silver, and largescale silver carps. It summarizes the scientific literature describing their biology, ecology, uses, ecological effects, and risks to the environment. Includes information on taxonomy and distinguishing characteristics, hybrids, nativeRisk assessment and screening for potentially invasive fishes
Preventing the introduction of potentially invasive species is becoming more important as this worldwide problem continues to grow. The ability to predict the identity or range of potential invaders could influence regulatory decisions and help to optimally allocate resources to deal with ongoing invasions. One screening tool presented here, using species life history and environmental tolerancesPiscivory in juvenile walleyes: Relative importance of prey species, timing of spawning of prey fish, and density on growth and survival
We examined the effect of the timing of spawning by prey fish and the species of prey fish on the growth and survival of juvenile walleye Stizostedion vitreum. We expected that age-0 walleyes would grow more in ponds when stocked about the same time as the spawning of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum than when stocked about 6 weeks after spawning. We found, however, that the timing of larval gizzaInteractions among zebra mussel shells, invertebrate prey, and Eurasian ruffe or yellow perch
The exotic zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, is established in all of the Laurentian Great Lakes and may affect benthivorous fishes by increasing the complexity of benthic substrates and changing energy flow patterns within the food web. Native yellow perch, Perca flavescens, and the nonindigenous Eurasian ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus, are benthivores that may compete for limited food resources.Conditions for the return and simulation of the recovery of burrowing mayflies in western Lake Erie
In the 1950s, burrowing mayflies, Hexagenia spp. (H. Limbata and H. Rigida), were virtually eliminated from the western basin of Lake Erie (a 3300 kmA? area) because of eutrophication and pollution. We develop and present a deterministic model for the recolonization of the western basin by Hexagenia to pre-1953 densities. The model was based on the logistic equation describing the population growt - Science
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