Danelle Marie Larson, PhD
Danelle serves as the long-term aquatic vegetation monitoring and research lead for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program since 2019. Her research team is multidisciplinary and includes peer scientists, resource managers, University faculty, and students from around the world.
We collect and analyze aquatic vegetation survey data each year throughout the Upper Mississippi River System to describe the status and trends through time because plants are indicators of ecosystem health and the quality of waterfowl habitat. Our research uses a combination of field and laboratory experiments and long-term monitoring data to understand the impacts of natural and human disturbances on aquatic plant diversity and resiliency. The results help restoration practitioners select the best management tools and techniques for restoring aquatic plants to this unique, large floodplain river.
Professional Experience
Provided aquatic ecology research and consulting for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, many state agencies, the Columbus Zoo, and the Legislative-Citizen’s Commission on Minnesota’s Resources.
Provided scientific mentorship to over 25 students from multiple Universities since 2014.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Biology, Kansas State University, 2014
Applied Statistics Certificate, Kansas University, 2014
B.S. Ecology & Conservation Biology, cum laude, University of Idaho, 2010
A.S. Wilderness Management, cum laude, Vermilion Community College, 2007
Affiliations and Memberships*
University of Wisconsin- La Crosse, graduate faculty. 2020 – Present
Bemidji State University, graduate faculty. 2016 – Present
Ducks Unlimited member. 2016 – Present
Ecological Society of America member. 2012 – Present
Mississippi River Research Consortium. 2012 – Present
Society of Freshwater Science member. 2011 – Present
Science and Products
Recommendations regarding water level management to achieve ecological goals in the Upper Mississippi River System Recommendations regarding water level management to achieve ecological goals in the Upper Mississippi River System
Protocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands Protocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands
High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands
Aquatic vegetation dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River over 2 decades spanning vegetation recovery Aquatic vegetation dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River over 2 decades spanning vegetation recovery
Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration
Science and Products
Recommendations regarding water level management to achieve ecological goals in the Upper Mississippi River System Recommendations regarding water level management to achieve ecological goals in the Upper Mississippi River System
Protocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands Protocols for collecting and processing macroinvertebrates from the benthos and water column in depressional wetlands
High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands
Aquatic vegetation dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River over 2 decades spanning vegetation recovery Aquatic vegetation dynamics in the Upper Mississippi River over 2 decades spanning vegetation recovery
Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration
*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