David Wahl, PhD
David is a research scientist at the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He received a PhD in Geography from UC Berkeley in 2005. Since joining the USGS in 2004, his research has focused on understanding drivers and impacts of Quaternary environmental change, specifically droughts, floods, and wildfire, in North America and the Pacific Islands.
Professional Experience
2004 - Present, Research Geographer, US Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
2011 - Present, Assistant Adjunct Professor, Geography Department, UC Berkeley
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geography, University of California, Berkeley, 2005
M.A., Geography, University of California, Berkeley, 2000
B.A., History, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, 1996
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Holocene paleoclimate change in the western US: The importance of chronology in discerning patterns and drivers Holocene paleoclimate change in the western US: The importance of chronology in discerning patterns and drivers
Sediment in lakes and meadows forms a powerful archive that can be used to reconstruct environmental change through time. Reconstructions of lake level, of chemical, biological, and hydrological conditions, and of surrounding vegetation provide detailed information about past climate conditions, both locally and regionally. Indeed, most of our current knowledge of centennial- to...
Authors
Susan Zimmerman, David Wahl
Radiocarbon and geologic evidence reveal Ilopango volcano as source of the colossal 'mystery' eruption of 539/40 CE Radiocarbon and geologic evidence reveal Ilopango volcano as source of the colossal 'mystery' eruption of 539/40 CE
Ilopango volcano (El Salvador) erupted violently during the Maya Classic Period (250–900 CE) in a densely-populated and intensively-cultivated region of the southern Maya realm, causing regional abandonment of an area covering more than 20,000 km2. However, neither the regional nor global impacts of the Tierra Blanca Joven (TBJ) eruption in Mesoamerica have been well appraised due to...
Authors
Robert A. Dull, John R. Southon, Steffen Kutterolf, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Armin Freundt, David Wahl, Payson Sheets, Paul Amaroli, Walter Hernandez, Micheal C. Weimann, Clive Oppenheimer
Paleoenvironmental, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence of total warfare among the Classic Maya Paleoenvironmental, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence of total warfare among the Classic Maya
Despite over a century of archaeological research, the nature and broader consequences of Classic Maya warfare remain poorly understood. Based on frequent epigraphic references and iconographic themes, Classic period (250-950 CE) Maya warfare has largely been viewed as ritualized and limited in scope. Evidence of warfare in the Terminal Classic period (TCP, 800-950 CE) is interpreted as...
Authors
David Wahl, Lysanna Anderson, Francisco Estrada-Belli, Alexandre Tokovinine
Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps
Monitoring ichthyoplankton is useful for identifying reproductive fronts and spawning locations of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Unfortunately, sorting and identifying ichthyoplankton to monitor for bigheaded carp reproduction is time consuming and expensive. Traditional methods require frequent egg-larvae sampling, sorting of all samples to obtain presumptively identified...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, James H. Larson, Jon Amberg, Christopher M. Merkes, Tariq Tajjioui, Steven E. Butler, Matthew J. Diana, David H. Wahl, Michael J. Weber, John D. Waters
Using reverse-time egg transport analysis for predicting Asian Carp spawning grounds in the Illinois River Using reverse-time egg transport analysis for predicting Asian Carp spawning grounds in the Illinois River
Identifying spawning grounds of Asian carp is important for determining the reproductive front of invasive populations. Ichthyoplankton monitoring along the Illinois Waterway (IWW) has provided information on abundances of Asian carp eggs in the IWW's navigation pools. Post-fertilization times derived from egg development stages and water temperatures can be used to estimate spawning...
Authors
Zhenduo Zhu, David Soong, Tatiana Garcia, Mina Shahed Behrouz, Steven E. Butler, Elizabeth A. Murphy, Matthew J. Diana, James J. Duncker, David H. Wahl
Factors regulating year‐class strength of Silver Carp throughout the Mississippi River basin Factors regulating year‐class strength of Silver Carp throughout the Mississippi River basin
Recruitment of many fish populations is inherently highly variable inter‐annually. However, this variability can be synchronous at broad geographic scales due to fish dispersal and climatic conditions. Herein, we investigated recruitment synchrony of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix across the Mississippi River basin. Year‐class strength (YCS) and synchrony of nine populations...
Authors
Christopher J. Sullivan, Michael J. Weber, Clay Pierce, David H. Wahl, Quinton E. Phelps, Carlos A. Camacho, Robert E. Colombo
Non-USGS Publications**
Hansen, R., S. Bozarth, J. Jacob, Wahl D. and T. Schreiner (2002) “Climatic and Environmental Variability in the Rise of Maya Civilization.” Ancient Mesoamerica 13: 273-295.
Wahl, D., R. Byrne, T. Schreiner and R. Hansen (2006) “Holocene Vegetation Change in the Northern Peten and its Implications for Maya Prehistory.” Quaternary Research 65:380-389.
**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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 38
Holocene paleoclimate change in the western US: The importance of chronology in discerning patterns and drivers Holocene paleoclimate change in the western US: The importance of chronology in discerning patterns and drivers
Sediment in lakes and meadows forms a powerful archive that can be used to reconstruct environmental change through time. Reconstructions of lake level, of chemical, biological, and hydrological conditions, and of surrounding vegetation provide detailed information about past climate conditions, both locally and regionally. Indeed, most of our current knowledge of centennial- to...
Authors
Susan Zimmerman, David Wahl
Radiocarbon and geologic evidence reveal Ilopango volcano as source of the colossal 'mystery' eruption of 539/40 CE Radiocarbon and geologic evidence reveal Ilopango volcano as source of the colossal 'mystery' eruption of 539/40 CE
Ilopango volcano (El Salvador) erupted violently during the Maya Classic Period (250–900 CE) in a densely-populated and intensively-cultivated region of the southern Maya realm, causing regional abandonment of an area covering more than 20,000 km2. However, neither the regional nor global impacts of the Tierra Blanca Joven (TBJ) eruption in Mesoamerica have been well appraised due to...
Authors
Robert A. Dull, John R. Southon, Steffen Kutterolf, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Armin Freundt, David Wahl, Payson Sheets, Paul Amaroli, Walter Hernandez, Micheal C. Weimann, Clive Oppenheimer
Paleoenvironmental, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence of total warfare among the Classic Maya Paleoenvironmental, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence of total warfare among the Classic Maya
Despite over a century of archaeological research, the nature and broader consequences of Classic Maya warfare remain poorly understood. Based on frequent epigraphic references and iconographic themes, Classic period (250-950 CE) Maya warfare has largely been viewed as ritualized and limited in scope. Evidence of warfare in the Terminal Classic period (TCP, 800-950 CE) is interpreted as...
Authors
David Wahl, Lysanna Anderson, Francisco Estrada-Belli, Alexandre Tokovinine
Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps
Monitoring ichthyoplankton is useful for identifying reproductive fronts and spawning locations of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Unfortunately, sorting and identifying ichthyoplankton to monitor for bigheaded carp reproduction is time consuming and expensive. Traditional methods require frequent egg-larvae sampling, sorting of all samples to obtain presumptively identified...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, James H. Larson, Jon Amberg, Christopher M. Merkes, Tariq Tajjioui, Steven E. Butler, Matthew J. Diana, David H. Wahl, Michael J. Weber, John D. Waters
Using reverse-time egg transport analysis for predicting Asian Carp spawning grounds in the Illinois River Using reverse-time egg transport analysis for predicting Asian Carp spawning grounds in the Illinois River
Identifying spawning grounds of Asian carp is important for determining the reproductive front of invasive populations. Ichthyoplankton monitoring along the Illinois Waterway (IWW) has provided information on abundances of Asian carp eggs in the IWW's navigation pools. Post-fertilization times derived from egg development stages and water temperatures can be used to estimate spawning...
Authors
Zhenduo Zhu, David Soong, Tatiana Garcia, Mina Shahed Behrouz, Steven E. Butler, Elizabeth A. Murphy, Matthew J. Diana, James J. Duncker, David H. Wahl
Factors regulating year‐class strength of Silver Carp throughout the Mississippi River basin Factors regulating year‐class strength of Silver Carp throughout the Mississippi River basin
Recruitment of many fish populations is inherently highly variable inter‐annually. However, this variability can be synchronous at broad geographic scales due to fish dispersal and climatic conditions. Herein, we investigated recruitment synchrony of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix across the Mississippi River basin. Year‐class strength (YCS) and synchrony of nine populations...
Authors
Christopher J. Sullivan, Michael J. Weber, Clay Pierce, David H. Wahl, Quinton E. Phelps, Carlos A. Camacho, Robert E. Colombo
Non-USGS Publications**
Hansen, R., S. Bozarth, J. Jacob, Wahl D. and T. Schreiner (2002) “Climatic and Environmental Variability in the Rise of Maya Civilization.” Ancient Mesoamerica 13: 273-295.
Wahl, D., R. Byrne, T. Schreiner and R. Hansen (2006) “Holocene Vegetation Change in the Northern Peten and its Implications for Maya Prehistory.” Quaternary Research 65:380-389.
**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.