David Zawada, Ph.D.
David Zawada is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Dr. Zawada is a research oceanographer specializing in underwater imaging and seafloor elevation change.
Professional Experience
Research Oceanograher, USGS, 2005-Present
Principal Scientist, Physical Sciences Inc., 2003-2005
Research Engineer, WET Labs, 2002-2003
Graduate Research Assistant, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 1995-2002
Research Engineer, Argonne National Laboratory, 1987-1995
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 2002
B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 1987
Affiliations and Memberships*
Executive board member, Association of Marine Laboratories of the Caribbean
Science and Products
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-50 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
Seafloor Elevation Change From 2016 to 2017 at Crocker Reef, Florida Keys-Impacts From Hurricane Irma
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-100 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in December 2017, February and March 2018 at Looe Key, the Florida Keys
Seafloor Elevation Change From 2017 to 2018 at a Subsection of Crocker Reef, Florida Keys-Impacts From Hurricane Irma
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-75 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-50 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-100 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in October and December 2017 at Crocker Reef, the Florida Keys
Possible return of Acropora cervicornis at Pulaski Shoal, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Habitat use of breeding green turtles Chelonia mydas tagged in Dry Tortugas National Park: Making use of local and regional MPAs
PhyloChipTM microarray comparison of sampling methods used for coral microbial ecology
PhyloChip™ microarray comparison of sampling methods used for coral microbial ecology
Fractal analysis of the Navassa Island seascape
Topographic complexity and roughness of a tropical benthic seascape
Geomorphology of mesophotic coral ecosystems: Current perspectives on morphology, distribution, and mapping strategies
Detailed seafloor habitat mapping to enhance marine-resource management
Inter-nesting habitat-use patterns of loggerhead sea turtles: Enhancing satellite tracking with benthic mapping
Applying New Methods to Diagnose Coral Diseases
A new towed platform for the unobtrusive surveying of benthic habitats and organisms
Topobathymetric data for Tampa Bay, Florida
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 50
Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL). USGS staff used historical bathymetric point data from the 1930's (National OcProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-50 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation for several sites along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL) including the shallow seafloor along Key West, FL. USGS staffProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation for several sites along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL) including the shallow seafloor along Key West, FL. USGS staffSeafloor Elevation Change From 2016 to 2017 at Crocker Reef, Florida Keys-Impacts From Hurricane Irma
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify bathymetric changes at Crocker Reef near Islamorada, Florida, within a 33.6 square-kilometer area following Hurricane Irma in September 2017. USGS staff used light detection and ranging (lidar)-derived data acquired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) betweenProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Big Pine Key to Marquesas Key, Florida-100 Years From 2011 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Erosion
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation for several sites along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL) including the shallow seafloor along Key West, FL. USGS staffMultibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in December 2017, February and March 2018 at Looe Key, the Florida Keys
The U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS SPCMSC), collected multibeam bathymetry data at Looe Key in the Florida Keys during 3 separate survey legs, December 2017, February 2018 and March 2018, as a part of the Ecosystem Processes impacting Coastal Change project (EPIC) in an effort to assess sediment accumulation within the survey area. This USGS data releSeafloor Elevation Change From 2017 to 2018 at a Subsection of Crocker Reef, Florida Keys-Impacts From Hurricane Irma
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify bathymetric changes at a subsection of Crocker Reef near Islamorada, Florida, within a 6.1 square-kilometer area following the landfall of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. USGS staff used USGS multibeam data collected between October 10 and December 8, 2017 (Fredericks and others, 201Projected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-75 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL). USGS staff used historical bathymetric point data from the 1930's (National OcProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-50 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL). USGS staff used historical bathymetric point data from the 1930's (National OcProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-25 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL). USGS staff used historical bathymetric point data from the 1930's (National OcProjected Seafloor Elevation Along the Florida Reef Tract From Port St. Lucie to Marquesas Key, Florida-100 Years From 2001 Based on Historical Rates of Mean Elevation Change
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted research to quantify the combined effect of all constructive and destructive processes on modern coral reef ecosystems by projecting future regional-scale changes in seafloor elevation along the Florida Reef Tract, Florida (FL). USGS staff used historical bathymetric point data from the 1930's (National OcMultibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in October and December 2017 at Crocker Reef, the Florida Keys
The U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS SPCMSC), collected multibeam bathymetry data at Crocker Reef in the Florida Keys, October and December 2017, as a part of the Ecosystem Processes Impacting Coastal Change project (EPIC) in an effort to asses sediment accumulation within the survey area. This USGS data release includes the resulting processed elevatio - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 25
Possible return of Acropora cervicornis at Pulaski Shoal, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Seabed classification is essential to assessing environmental associations and physical status in coral reef ecosystems. At Pulaski Shoal in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, nearly continuous underwater-image coverage was acquired in 15.5 hours in 2009 along 70.2 km of transect lines spanning ~0.2 km2. The Along-Track Reef-Imaging System (ATRIS), a boat-based, high-speed, digital imaging systeAuthorsBarbara H. Lidz, David G. ZawadaHabitat use of breeding green turtles Chelonia mydas tagged in Dry Tortugas National Park: Making use of local and regional MPAs
Use of existing marine protected areas (MPAs) by far-ranging marine turtles can be determined using satellite telemetry. Because of a lack of information on MPA use by marine turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, we used satellite transmitters in 2010 and 2011 to track movements of 11 adult female breeding green turtles (Chelonia mydas) tagged in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO), in the Gulf of Mexico,AuthorsKristen Hart, David G. Zawada, Ikuko Fujisaki, Barbara H. LidzPhyloChipTM microarray comparison of sampling methods used for coral microbial ecology
Interest in coral microbial ecology has been increasing steadily over the last decade, yet standardized methods of sample collection still have not been defined. Two methods were compared for their ability to sample coral-associated microbial communities: tissue punches and foam swabs, the latter being less invasive and preferred by reef managers. Four colonies of star coral, Montastraea annularisAuthorsChristina A. Kellogg, Yvette M. Piceno, Lauren M. Tom, Todd Z. DeSantis, David G. Zawada, Gary L. AndersenPhyloChip™ microarray comparison of sampling methods used for coral microbial ecology
Interest in coral microbial ecology has been increasing steadily over the last decade, yet standardized methods of sample collection still have not been defined. Two methods were compared for their ability to sample coral-associated microbial communities: tissue punches and foam swabs, the latter being less invasive and preferred by reef managers. Four colonies of star coral, Montastraea annularisAuthorsChristina A. Kellogg, Yvette M. Piceno, Lauren M. Tom, Todd Z. DeSantis, David G. Zawada, Gary L. AndersenFractal analysis of the Navassa Island seascape
This release provides the numerical results of the fractal analyses discussed in Zawada and others (2010) for the Navassa Island reefscape. The project represents the continuation of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research effort begun in 2006 (Zawada and others, 2006) to understand the patterns and scalability of roughness and topographic complexity from individual corals to complete reefscapes.AuthorsDavid G. ZawadaTopographic complexity and roughness of a tropical benthic seascape
Topographic complexity is a fundamental structural property of benthic marine ecosystems that exists across all scales and affects a multitude of processes. Coral reefs are a prime example, for which this complexity has been found to impact water flow, species diversity, nutrient uptake, and wave-energy dissipation, among other properties. Despite its importance, only limited assessments are availAuthorsDavid G. Zawada, Clifford J. Hearn, Gregory PiniakGeomorphology of mesophotic coral ecosystems: Current perspectives on morphology, distribution, and mapping strategies
This paper presents a general review of the distribution of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) in relationship to geomorphology in US waters. It was specifically concerned with the depth range of 30–100 m, where more than 186,000 km2 of potential seafloor area was identified within the US Gulf of Mexico/Florida, Caribbean, and main Hawaiian Islands. The geomorphology of MCEs was largely inheritedAuthorsS. D. Locker, R. A. Armstrong, Timothy A. Battista, John J. Rooney, C. Sherman, David G. ZawadaDetailed seafloor habitat mapping to enhance marine-resource management
Pictures of the seafloor capture important information about the sediments, exposed geologic features, submerged aquatic vegetation, and animals found in a given habitat. With the emergence of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a favored tactic for preserving coral reef resources, knowledge of essential habitat components is paramount to designing effective management strategies. Surprisingly, detaiAuthorsDavid G. Zawada, Kristen M. HartInter-nesting habitat-use patterns of loggerhead sea turtles: Enhancing satellite tracking with benthic mapping
The loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta faces declining nest numbers and bycatches from commercial longline fishing in the southeastern USA. Understanding spatial and temporal habitat-use patterns of these turtles, especially reproductive females in the neritic zone, is critical for guiding management decisions. To assess marine turtle habitat use within the Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO), weAuthorsKristen M. Hart, David G. Zawada, Ikuko Fujisaki, Barbara H. LidzApplying New Methods to Diagnose Coral Diseases
Coral disease, one of the major causes of reef degradation and coral death, has been increasing worldwide since the 1970s, particularly in the Caribbean. Despite increased scientific study, simple questions about the extent of disease outbreaks and the causative agents remain unanswered. A component of the U.S. Geological Survey Coral Reef Ecosystem STudies (USGS CREST) project is focused on develAuthorsChristina A. Kellogg, David G. ZawadaA new towed platform for the unobtrusive surveying of benthic habitats and organisms
Maps of coral ecosystems are needed to support many conservation and management objectives, as well as research activities. Examples include ground-truthing aerial and satellite imagery, characterizing essential habitat, assessing changes, and monitoring the progress of restoration efforts. To address some of these needs, the U.S. Geological Survey developed the Along-Track Reef-Imaging System (ATAuthorsDavid G. Zawada, P.R. Thompson, J. ButcherTopobathymetric data for Tampa Bay, Florida
Topobathymetric data (“topobathy”) are a merged rendering of both topography (land elevation) and bathymetry (water depth) to provide a single product useful for inundation mapping and a variety of other applications. These data were developed using one topographic and two bathymetric datasets collected at different dates. Topography was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National EAuthorsDean J. Tyler, David G. Zawada, A. Nayegandi, John Brock, M. P. Crane, Kimberly K. Yates, Kathryn E. L. Smith - Software
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*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