David R Smith, Ph.D.
Dave is a Research Statistician (Biology) at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Kearneysville, WV.
Dave Smith graduated from Colorado State (MS in Fish and Wildlife Biology) and University of Georgia (MS in Statistics and PhD in Forest Resources). Currently, he is a biological statistician at the USGS Leetown Science Center where he focuses on applied quantitative ecology in support of natural resource management and environmental decision making.
His research activities mostly focus on the following topics:
- Adaptive sampling of rare and clustered populations
- Conservation and science of horseshoe crabs in North America and Asia
- Conservation of freshwater mussels
- Application of structured decision making and adaptive management to natural resource management
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 117
Experimental and environmental factors affect spurious detection of ecological thresholds Experimental and environmental factors affect spurious detection of ecological thresholds
Threshold detection methods are increasingly popular for assessing nonlinear responses to environmental change, but their statistical performance remains poorly understood. We simulated linear change in stream benthic macroinvertebrate communities and evaluated the performance of commonly used threshold detection methods based on model fitting (piecewise quantile regression [PQR]), data
Authors
Jonathan P. Daily, Nathaniel Hitt, David Smith, Craig Snyder
Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception of the reintroduction program in 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment of self-sustaining populations in the wild. A total of 135 deaths occurred from October 1992 (the first post-release death) through...
Authors
B.A. Rideout, I. Stalis, R. Papendick, A. Pessier, B. Puschner, M.E. Finkelstein, D. R. Smith, Matthew Johnson, M. Mace, R. Stroud, J. Brandt, J. Burnett, C. Parish, J. Petterson, C. Witte, C. Stringfield, K. Orr, J. Zuba, M. Wallace, J. Grantham
Shale Gas Development and Brook Trout: Scaling Best Management Practices to Anticipate Cumulative Effects Shale Gas Development and Brook Trout: Scaling Best Management Practices to Anticipate Cumulative Effects
Shale gas development may involve trade-offs between energy development and benefits provided by natural ecosystems. However, current best management practices (BMPs) focus on mitigating localized ecological degradation. We review evidence for cumulative effects of natural gas development on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and conclude that BMPs should account for potential watershed...
Authors
David Smith, Craig Snyder, Nathaniel Hitt, John Young, Stephen Faulkner
Multispecies modeling for adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and red knots in the Delaware Bay Multispecies modeling for adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and red knots in the Delaware Bay
Adaptive management requires that predictive models be explicit and transparent to improve decisions by comparing management actions, directing further research and monitoring, and facilitating learning. The rufa subspecies of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa), which has recently exhibited steep population declines, relies on horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs as their primary food...
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, David Smith, J. A. Sweka, Julien Martin, James Nichols, R. Wong, J. Lyons, L. Niles, K. Kalasz, J. Brust, M. Klopfer, B. Spear
Non-native fish control below Glen Canyon Dam - Report from a structured decision-making project Non-native fish control below Glen Canyon Dam - Report from a structured decision-making project
This report describes the results of a structured decision-making project by the U.S. Geological Survey to provide substantive input to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for use in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment concerning control of non-native fish below Glen Canyon Dam. A forum was created to allow the diverse cooperating agencies and Tribes to discuss, expand...
Authors
Michael Runge, Ellen Bean, David Smith, Sonja Kokos
Multi-species attributes as the condition for adaptive sampling of rare species using two-stage sequential sampling with an auxiliary variable Multi-species attributes as the condition for adaptive sampling of rare species using two-stage sequential sampling with an auxiliary variable
Assessing populations of rare species is challenging because of the large effort required to locate patches of occupied habitat and achieve precise estimates of density and abundance. The presence of a rare species has been shown to be correlated with presence or abundance of more common species. Thus, ecological community richness or abundance can be used to inform sampling of rare...
Authors
B. Panahbehagh, D. R. Smith, M.M. Salehi, D.J. Hornbach, D.J. Brown
Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: Linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: Linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance
Understanding how events during one period of the annual cycle carry over to affect survival and other fitness components in other periods is essential to understanding migratory bird demography and conservation needs. Previous research has suggested that western Atlantic red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) populations are greatly affected by horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) egg...
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, James E. Lyons, David Smith, Kevin Kalasz, Lawrence Niles, Amanda Dey, Nigel Clark, Philip Atkinson, Clive Minton, William Kendall
Beach characteristics mitigate effects of onshore wind on horseshoe crab spawning: Implications for matching with shorebird migration in Delaware Bay Beach characteristics mitigate effects of onshore wind on horseshoe crab spawning: Implications for matching with shorebird migration in Delaware Bay
Disruption of food availability by unfavorable physical processes at energetically demanding times can limit recruitment of migratory species as predicted by the match–mismatch hypothesis. Identification and protection of disruption‐resistant habitat could contribute to system resilience. For example, horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus spawning and shorebird stopover must match temporally...
Authors
D. R. Smith, N.L. Jackson, K.F. Nordstrom, R.G. Weber
Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river
Reliable estimates of abundance are needed to assess consequences of proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects on freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Although there is general guidance on sampling techniques for population assessment of freshwater mussels, the actual performance of sampling designs can depend critically on the population density and...
Authors
D. R. Smith, J. Rogala, B. R. Gray, S. Zigler, T.J. Newton
Age and sex specific timing, frequency, and spatial distribution of horseshoe crab spawning in Delaware Bay: Insights from a large-scale radio telemetry array Age and sex specific timing, frequency, and spatial distribution of horseshoe crab spawning in Delaware Bay: Insights from a large-scale radio telemetry array
To study horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus spawning behavior and migration over a large-spatial extent (>100 km), we arrayed fixed station radio receivers throughout Delaware Bay and deployed radio transmitters and archival tags on adult horseshoe crabs prior to their spawning season. We tagged and released 160 females and 60 males in 2004 and 217 females in 2005. The array covered...
Authors
David Smith, L. Brousseau, Mary Mandt, Michael Millard
Structured decision-making and rapid prototyping to plan a management response to an invasive species Structured decision-making and rapid prototyping to plan a management response to an invasive species
We developed components of a decision structure that could be used in an adaptive management framework for responding to invasion of hemlock woolly adelgid Adeleges tsugae on the Cumberland Plateau of northern Tennessee. Hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest, was first detected in this area in 2007. We used a structured decision-making process to identify and refine the...
Authors
S. Blomquist, Trisha Johnson, David Smith, Geoff Call, Brant Miller, W. Thurman, Jamie McFadden, Mary Parkin, G. Bloomer
Effects of nourishment on the form and function of an estuarine beach Effects of nourishment on the form and function of an estuarine beach
Beach nourishment programs in estuaries can enhance shore protection, but they decrease habitat suitability by creating higher berms and wider backshores than would occur under natural conditions. Use of sediment sources from outside the area can result in sedimentary characteristics that differ from native sediments on the surface and at depth, altering conditions for both aeolian...
Authors
N.L. Jackson, K.F. Nordstrom, S. Saini, D. R. Smith
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 117
Experimental and environmental factors affect spurious detection of ecological thresholds Experimental and environmental factors affect spurious detection of ecological thresholds
Threshold detection methods are increasingly popular for assessing nonlinear responses to environmental change, but their statistical performance remains poorly understood. We simulated linear change in stream benthic macroinvertebrate communities and evaluated the performance of commonly used threshold detection methods based on model fitting (piecewise quantile regression [PQR]), data
Authors
Jonathan P. Daily, Nathaniel Hitt, David Smith, Craig Snyder
Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception of the reintroduction program in 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment of self-sustaining populations in the wild. A total of 135 deaths occurred from October 1992 (the first post-release death) through...
Authors
B.A. Rideout, I. Stalis, R. Papendick, A. Pessier, B. Puschner, M.E. Finkelstein, D. R. Smith, Matthew Johnson, M. Mace, R. Stroud, J. Brandt, J. Burnett, C. Parish, J. Petterson, C. Witte, C. Stringfield, K. Orr, J. Zuba, M. Wallace, J. Grantham
Shale Gas Development and Brook Trout: Scaling Best Management Practices to Anticipate Cumulative Effects Shale Gas Development and Brook Trout: Scaling Best Management Practices to Anticipate Cumulative Effects
Shale gas development may involve trade-offs between energy development and benefits provided by natural ecosystems. However, current best management practices (BMPs) focus on mitigating localized ecological degradation. We review evidence for cumulative effects of natural gas development on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and conclude that BMPs should account for potential watershed...
Authors
David Smith, Craig Snyder, Nathaniel Hitt, John Young, Stephen Faulkner
Multispecies modeling for adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and red knots in the Delaware Bay Multispecies modeling for adaptive management of horseshoe crabs and red knots in the Delaware Bay
Adaptive management requires that predictive models be explicit and transparent to improve decisions by comparing management actions, directing further research and monitoring, and facilitating learning. The rufa subspecies of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa), which has recently exhibited steep population declines, relies on horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) eggs as their primary food...
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, David Smith, J. A. Sweka, Julien Martin, James Nichols, R. Wong, J. Lyons, L. Niles, K. Kalasz, J. Brust, M. Klopfer, B. Spear
Non-native fish control below Glen Canyon Dam - Report from a structured decision-making project Non-native fish control below Glen Canyon Dam - Report from a structured decision-making project
This report describes the results of a structured decision-making project by the U.S. Geological Survey to provide substantive input to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for use in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment concerning control of non-native fish below Glen Canyon Dam. A forum was created to allow the diverse cooperating agencies and Tribes to discuss, expand...
Authors
Michael Runge, Ellen Bean, David Smith, Sonja Kokos
Multi-species attributes as the condition for adaptive sampling of rare species using two-stage sequential sampling with an auxiliary variable Multi-species attributes as the condition for adaptive sampling of rare species using two-stage sequential sampling with an auxiliary variable
Assessing populations of rare species is challenging because of the large effort required to locate patches of occupied habitat and achieve precise estimates of density and abundance. The presence of a rare species has been shown to be correlated with presence or abundance of more common species. Thus, ecological community richness or abundance can be used to inform sampling of rare...
Authors
B. Panahbehagh, D. R. Smith, M.M. Salehi, D.J. Hornbach, D.J. Brown
Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: Linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: Linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance
Understanding how events during one period of the annual cycle carry over to affect survival and other fitness components in other periods is essential to understanding migratory bird demography and conservation needs. Previous research has suggested that western Atlantic red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) populations are greatly affected by horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) egg...
Authors
Conor P. McGowan, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, James E. Lyons, David Smith, Kevin Kalasz, Lawrence Niles, Amanda Dey, Nigel Clark, Philip Atkinson, Clive Minton, William Kendall
Beach characteristics mitigate effects of onshore wind on horseshoe crab spawning: Implications for matching with shorebird migration in Delaware Bay Beach characteristics mitigate effects of onshore wind on horseshoe crab spawning: Implications for matching with shorebird migration in Delaware Bay
Disruption of food availability by unfavorable physical processes at energetically demanding times can limit recruitment of migratory species as predicted by the match–mismatch hypothesis. Identification and protection of disruption‐resistant habitat could contribute to system resilience. For example, horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus spawning and shorebird stopover must match temporally...
Authors
D. R. Smith, N.L. Jackson, K.F. Nordstrom, R.G. Weber
Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river
Reliable estimates of abundance are needed to assess consequences of proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects on freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Although there is general guidance on sampling techniques for population assessment of freshwater mussels, the actual performance of sampling designs can depend critically on the population density and...
Authors
D. R. Smith, J. Rogala, B. R. Gray, S. Zigler, T.J. Newton
Age and sex specific timing, frequency, and spatial distribution of horseshoe crab spawning in Delaware Bay: Insights from a large-scale radio telemetry array Age and sex specific timing, frequency, and spatial distribution of horseshoe crab spawning in Delaware Bay: Insights from a large-scale radio telemetry array
To study horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus spawning behavior and migration over a large-spatial extent (>100 km), we arrayed fixed station radio receivers throughout Delaware Bay and deployed radio transmitters and archival tags on adult horseshoe crabs prior to their spawning season. We tagged and released 160 females and 60 males in 2004 and 217 females in 2005. The array covered...
Authors
David Smith, L. Brousseau, Mary Mandt, Michael Millard
Structured decision-making and rapid prototyping to plan a management response to an invasive species Structured decision-making and rapid prototyping to plan a management response to an invasive species
We developed components of a decision structure that could be used in an adaptive management framework for responding to invasion of hemlock woolly adelgid Adeleges tsugae on the Cumberland Plateau of northern Tennessee. Hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive forest pest, was first detected in this area in 2007. We used a structured decision-making process to identify and refine the...
Authors
S. Blomquist, Trisha Johnson, David Smith, Geoff Call, Brant Miller, W. Thurman, Jamie McFadden, Mary Parkin, G. Bloomer
Effects of nourishment on the form and function of an estuarine beach Effects of nourishment on the form and function of an estuarine beach
Beach nourishment programs in estuaries can enhance shore protection, but they decrease habitat suitability by creating higher berms and wider backshores than would occur under natural conditions. Use of sediment sources from outside the area can result in sedimentary characteristics that differ from native sediments on the surface and at depth, altering conditions for both aeolian...
Authors
N.L. Jackson, K.F. Nordstrom, S. Saini, D. R. Smith