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David A. Beauchamp, Ph.D.

My research in tactical food web ecology incorporates directed sampling, experimentation, and models to mechanistically address and quantify factors that limit survival and growth of salmonids in freshwater and marine environments: predation, carrying capacity, climate change, and invasive species; evaluate feasibilities of salmonid reintroductions above dams, dam removal or re-operation.

Research Interests:

I am interested in advancing a mechanistic understanding for how the behavior, bioenergetics, and sensory capabilities of individual organisms scale up to determine the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems and how food web interactions are mediated by natural and human induced changes in environmental conditions. To this end, I am active in the development and application of bioenergetics models for salmonids, their predators and competitors. When coupled with directed field sampling to obtain growth, thermal experience, distribution, diet/stable isotopes and calorimetry data, we use bioenergetics simulations to identify and quantify factors that limit survival, growth, and production of focal species in a food web such as: predation, seasonal food availability, competition, or environmental stressors. Our team also uses scale- and otolith-based age and growth methods for identifying life history diversity, periods of size-selective mortality, and associated critical growth periods that influence survival through the completion of life cycles for anadromous and resident salmonids.  We use this approach to evaluate the feasibility of species reintroductions above dams or in response to dam removal or re-operations, determine the impact of invasive species, and diagnose factors inhibiting recovery of ESA-listed species.

Because salmonids and most of their predators and competitors rely on vision to feed, we develop, refine, and applying visual foraging models through a combination of experimentation and field measurements. Using spatially-scalable experiments to parameterize how predator-prey reaction or detection distances change as functions of light and turbidity, and how prey size, behavior, and visual conditions affect capture success probability given an encounter, we construct models that predict how the efficacy of predators change given the transparency of a water body at any depth, any time of the day or night, and any time of the year. This approach allows us to evaluate how seasonal and diel changes in the visual environment affect natural variability in foraging and predation risk. In addition, we can determine how increased artificial light pollution and human-induced changes to natural turbidity cycles have changed predation mortality, risk, and prey behavior.

Professional Experience

  • 2016 to Present - Chief of the Ecology Section, USGS, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA

  • 2014-2016 - Professor, University of Washington; Acting Unit Leader, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Seattle, WA

  • 2008-2014 - Professor, University of Washington; Assistant Unit Leader-Fisheries, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Seattle, WA

  • 1999-2008 - Assistant/Associate Professor, University of Washington; Assistant Unit Leader-Fisheries, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Seattle, WA

  • 1994-1999 - Assistant Professor, Utah State University; Assistant Unit Leader-Fisheries, U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Logan, UT

Education and Certifications

  • Post-doctoral Research Associate. 1990-1991. Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University, Logan, UT

  • Ph.D. 1987. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

  • M.S. 1982. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

  • B.S. 1980. Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Honors and Awards

  • 2009 - Fulbright Scholar Grant. Research-Lecture position in Patagonia, Argentina

  • 2008-2013 - Worthington Endowed Professorship, UW School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences

Science and Products

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Flushing stomach contents from a live resident Chinook salmon

WFRC Ecology Section - Projects Overview

The Ecology Section examines how environmental variability, human activities and infrastructure influence food web interactions and species performance in freshwater and marine ecosystems. We have extensive experience in quantifying aquatic food web processes as they relate to growth, survival and production of key species of interest, especially resident and anadromous salmonids.
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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WFRC Ecology Section - Projects Overview

The Ecology Section examines how environmental variability, human activities and infrastructure influence food web interactions and species performance in freshwater and marine ecosystems. We have extensive experience in quantifying aquatic food web processes as they relate to growth, survival and production of key species of interest, especially resident and anadromous salmonids.
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Lahontan Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

Species Studied - Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

Species Studied - Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)
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Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Species Studied - Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
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Ecosystems, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Species Studied - Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
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Anadromous Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Species Studied - Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center
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Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)

Species Studied - Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
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Data used to parameterize and evaluate a bioenergetics model for Redside Shiner (Richardsonius balteatus)

This release includes data used to fit mass- and temperature-dependent functions for consumption and respiration of redside shiner based on controlled laboratory experiments of maximum consumption (Cmax) rates and routine metabolic rates using intermittent-flow respirometry, across a range of fish sizes (0.6–27.3 g) and temperatures (5–31° C). Long term growth experiments were cond
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Western Fisheries Research Center

Influence of urbanization on the health of juvenile salmonids in Pacific Northwest perennial streams

Physical and chemical changes affect the biota within urban streams at varying scales ranging from individual organisms to populations and communities creating complex interactions that present challenges for characterizing and monitoring the impact on species utilizing these freshwater habitats. Salmonids, specifically cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch),
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Washington Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center
Setting up underwater video cameras at low tide
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Setting up underwater video cameras at low tide
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Four nets submerged in a stream to capture drifting invertebrates
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Light at depth measurements Lake Washington
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Artificial Light at Night
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Artificial Light at Night
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Scientist angling on Ross Lake
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Two USGS researchers wait with their sampling equipment on a boat ramp at Ross Lake.
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USGS boat docked at Ross Lake
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Scenic view of Ross Lake, Washington
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Researcher holding a crayfish collected in Diablo Lake
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Juvenile native char in a viewing box
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Scenic view of Ross Lake, Washington with boat wake
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Flushing stomach contents from a live resident Chinook salmon
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Filter Total Items: 58

Pelagic food web interactions in a large invaded ecosystem: Implications for reintroducing a native top predator

A series of species introductions, overexploitation, and habitat modification preceded the extirpation of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi; LCT), historically the apex predator, from Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, USA. Studies evaluating limiting factors for LCT emphasise the need to elucidate food web interactions, yet important knowledge gaps regarding trophic interactions

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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Bioenergetics model for the nonnative Redside Shiner

ObjectiveRedside Shiner Richardsonius balteatus has expanded from its native range in the Pacific Northwest region of North America to establish populations in six other western states. This expansion has fueled concerns regarding competition between Redside Shiner and native species, including salmonids. We developed a bioenergetic model for Redside Shiner, providing a powerful tool to quantify i
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Western Fisheries Research Center

Life-cycle model reveals sensitive life stages and evaluates recovery options for a dwindling Pacific salmon population

Population models, using empirical survival rates estimates for different life stages, can help managers explore whether various management options could stabilize a declining population or restore it to former levels of abundance. Here we used two decades of data on five life stages of the Cedar River, USA Sockeye Salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, population to create and parameterize a life-cycle mode

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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Western Fisheries Research Center

A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon

The estuarine habitat mosaic supports the reproduction, growth, and survival of resident and migratory fish species by providing a diverse portfolio of unique habitats with varying physical and biological features. Global climate change is expected to result in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in riverine hydrology, which will have profound effects on the extent and composit
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Cooperative Research Units, Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Fisheries Research Center

Resource use among top-level piscivores in a temperate reservoir: Implications for a threatened coldwater specialist

Evaluations of resource use among native piscivores in natural lakes have consistently documented significant partitioning that supports coexistence. Partitioning may be less prominent in reservoirs where water-level fluctuations can compress habitat and trophic diversity, but studies are lacking. Stable isotopes and bioenergetic models were used to quantify trophic interactions within a native pi
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Western Fisheries Research Center

Physiological and nutritional constraints on zooplankton productivity due to eutrophication and climate change predicted using a resource-based modeling approach

Emerging evidence suggests that zooplankton production is affected by physiological and nutritional constraints due to climate change and eutrophication, which in turn could have broad implications for food-web dynamics and fisheries production. In this study, we developed a resource-based zooplankton production dynamics model that causally links freshwater cladoceran and copepod daily production-
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Merging empirical and mechanistic approaches to modeling aquatic visual foraging using a generalizable visual reaction distance model

Visual encounter distance models are important tools for predicting how light and water clarity mediate visual predator-prey interactions that affect the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems at multiple spatial, temporal, and organizational scales. The two main varieties of visual encounter distance models, mechanistic and empirical, are used for similar purposes but take fundamentally dif
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Western Fisheries Research Center

Taxonomic, temporal, and spatial variations in zooplankton fatty acid composition in Puget Sound, WA, USA

Fatty acid (FA) content and composition of zooplankton in Puget Sound, Washington (USA) was studied to investigate the nutritional quality of diverse zooplankton prey for juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) in terms of their essential fatty acid (EFA) content. The study focus was on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) as these are key FA needed to ma
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Artificial lights with different spectra do not alter detrimental attraction of young Chinook salmon and sockeye salmon along lake shorelines

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is common in lakes with developed shorelines, especially prevalent in the nearshore areas where juvenile fishes, including salmonids, are present. One concern is that fishes may be attracted to ALAN and become more vulnerable to predators. The use of longer wavelength lights has been suggested to reduce the effects of ALAN; however, the response in juvenile salmoni
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Using bottom trawls to monitor subsurface water clarity in marine ecosystems

Biophysical processes that affect subsurface water clarity play a key role in ecosystem function. However, subsurface water clarity is poorly monitored in marine ecosystems because doing so requires in-situ sampling that is logistically difficult to conduct and sustain. Novel solutions are thus needed to improve monitoring of subsurface water clarity. To that end, we developed a sampling method an
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Fisheries Research Center

Variable prey consumption leads to distinct regional differences in Chinook salmon growth during the early marine critical period

Growth during the early marine critical period is positively associated with survival and recruitment for Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp., so it is important to understand how certain foraging strategies may bolster growth in estuarine and marine environments. To elucidate how spatiotemporal and demographic differences in diet contribute to growth rate variability, we analyzed stomach contents in
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

Salmon, forage fish, and kelp

Kelp beds are prominent features of northeast Pacific coastlines. They are seasonal in nature, as are the communities that use them. Here, juvenile and adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – key components of northeast Pacific marine food webs that link plankton and forage fishes to endangered killer whales – have just arrived at the coastal kelp beds (left) and are feeding on the large
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Ecosystems, Fisheries Program (unpublished), Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center

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.

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Examining Food Web Dynamics in Washington Lakes

The WFRC Ecology Section examines how environmental variability, human activities and infrastructure influence food web interactions and species...

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Shedding Some Light on the Issue: Investigating How Artificial Light at Night Impacts Endangered Salmon

Artificial light at night has an impact on fish behavior, altering their patterns of feeding, migrating, and predator avoidance.

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Western Fisheries Science News, August 2017 | Issue 5.8

Science to Support Salmon Recovery Efforts in the Puget Sound

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Western Fisheries Science News, May 2016 | Issue 4.5

WFRC Welcomes Dr. Dave Beauchamp as New Ecology Section Chief

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