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Deborah Epperson, Ph.D.

Deb Epperson is the Acting Deputy Director and Science Advisor at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center. 

 

 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Wildlife Biology, Clemson University, 2003

  • M. S., Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 1997

  • B.S., Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida

Science and Products

link
Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

Climate change is expected to worsen the harmful effects of invasive species on native wildlife. This presents a growing conservation challenge for invasive species managers in the southeastern United States where thousands of invasive species exist. While many of these invasive species currently have relatively small ranges in the southeastern U.S., climate change may allow them to expand into ne
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

Climate change is expected to worsen the harmful effects of invasive species on native wildlife. This presents a growing conservation challenge for invasive species managers in the southeastern United States where thousands of invasive species exist. While many of these invasive species currently have relatively small ranges in the southeastern U.S., climate change may allow them to expand into ne
Learn More
link
Coastal Everglades

An Assessment of Invasive Species Range Shifts in the Southeastern U.S. and Actions to Manage Them

Species are on the move as they respond to climate change. This includes many native species, but also species with high costs to society such as disease vectors, pests, and nonnative invasive species (an invasive species is a species that is not native to a specific location but is spreading with the tendency of causing damage to native plants and animals). Currently there are hundreds of invasiv
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

An Assessment of Invasive Species Range Shifts in the Southeastern U.S. and Actions to Manage Them

Species are on the move as they respond to climate change. This includes many native species, but also species with high costs to society such as disease vectors, pests, and nonnative invasive species (an invasive species is a species that is not native to a specific location but is spreading with the tendency of causing damage to native plants and animals). Currently there are hundreds of invasiv
Learn More

Red imported fire ants reduce invertebrate abundance, richness, and diversity in Gopher Tortoise burrows

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows support diverse commensal invertebrate communities that may be of special conservation interest. We investigated the impact of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the invertebrate burrow community at 10 study sites in southern Mississippi, sampling burrows (1998–2000) before and after bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. We sample
Authors
Deborah Mardeane Epperson, Craig R. Allen, Katharine F.E. Hogan
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Wildland Fire Science

Red imported fire ant impacts on upland arthropods in Southern Mississippi

Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) have negative impacts on a broad array of invertebrate species. We investigated the impacts of fire ants on the upland arthropod community on 20???40 ha study sites in southern Mississippi. Study sites were sampled from 19972000 before, during, and after fire ant bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. Fire ant abundance was assessed with bait tr
Authors
D.M. Epperson, Craig R. Allen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Daily energy expenditure in free-ranging Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Studies of ecological energetics in chelonians are rare. Here, we report the first measurements of daily energy expenditure (DEE) and water influx rates (WIRs) in free-ranging adult Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). We used the doubly labeled water (DLW) method to measure DEE in six adult tortoises during the non-breeding season in south-central Mississippi, USA. Tortoise DEE ranged from 76.
Authors
P.G.R. Jodice, D.M. Epperson, G. Henk Visser
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Red imported fire ant impacts on wildlife: A decade of research

The negative impacts of biological invasion are economically and ecologically significant and, while incompletely quantified, they are clearly substantial. Ants (family Formicidae) are an important, although often overlooked, component of many terrestrial ecosystems. Six species of ants are especially striking in their global ability to invade, and their impacts. This paper focuses on the impacts
Authors
Craig R. Allen, D.M. Epperson, A.S. Garmestani
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Rosel, P. E., P. Corkeron, L. Engleby, D. Epperson, K. D. Mullin, M. S. Soldevilla, B. L. Taylor.
2016. Status Review of Bryde’s Whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Mexico under the
Endangered Species Act. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-692
Baker, K., D. Epperson, G. Gitschlag, H. Goldstein, J. Lewandowski, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, and T. Turk. 2013. National Standards for a Protected Species Observer and Data Management Program: A Model Using Geological and Geophysical Surveys. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum. NMFS-OPR-49. 73 p.
Baker, K., D. Epperson, H. Goldstein, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, G. Gitchslag, J. Lewandowski, and T. Turk. 2012. Standardizing protected species observer requirements in the United States. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 637-640.
Goldstein, H. D. Epperson, K. Baker, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, G. Gitchslag, J. Lewandowski, and T. Turk. 2012. Development of a national database and standards for protected species observer data in the United States. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 645-648.
Lewandowski, J. B. Burkhard, K. Skrupky, and D. Epperson. 2012. United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement: filling data gaps to better understand the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 567-570.
Stephen C. Richter, Jeffrey A. Jackson, Matthew Hinderliter, Deborah Epperson, Christopher W. Theodorakis, and S. Marshall Adams. 2011. Conservation genetics of the largest cluster of federally threatened Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) colonies with implications for species management. Herpetologica 67:406-419.
Yager, L. Y., M. G. Hinderliter, C. D. Heise, and D. M. Epperson. 2007. Gopher Tortoise Response to Habitat Management by Prescribed Burning. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2) 428-434.
Epperson, D. M. 2005. Mycoplasma testing of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in relation to military training activities at Camp Shelby Training Site, Mississippi. Herpetological Review 36:12-15.
Heise, C. D. and D. M. Epperson. 2004. Site fidelity and movement of relocated gopher tortoises in Mississippi. Applied Herpetology 2:171-186.
Epperson, D. M. 2003. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) Mortality. Herpetological Review 34:241.
Epperson, D. M. and C. D Heise. 2003. Nesting and hatchling ecology of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in southern Mississippi. Journal of Herpetology 37:315-324.
Epperson, D. M. and L. D. Wendland. 1997. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) Nesting. Herpetological Review 28:87.

**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

  • Science
    link
    Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

    Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

    Climate change is expected to worsen the harmful effects of invasive species on native wildlife. This presents a growing conservation challenge for invasive species managers in the southeastern United States where thousands of invasive species exist. While many of these invasive species currently have relatively small ranges in the southeastern U.S., climate change may allow them to expand into ne
    By
    Climate Adaptation Science Centers
    link

    Southeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network (SE RISCC)

    Climate change is expected to worsen the harmful effects of invasive species on native wildlife. This presents a growing conservation challenge for invasive species managers in the southeastern United States where thousands of invasive species exist. While many of these invasive species currently have relatively small ranges in the southeastern U.S., climate change may allow them to expand into ne
    Learn More
    link
    Coastal Everglades

    An Assessment of Invasive Species Range Shifts in the Southeastern U.S. and Actions to Manage Them

    Species are on the move as they respond to climate change. This includes many native species, but also species with high costs to society such as disease vectors, pests, and nonnative invasive species (an invasive species is a species that is not native to a specific location but is spreading with the tendency of causing damage to native plants and animals). Currently there are hundreds of invasiv
    By
    Climate Adaptation Science Centers
    link

    An Assessment of Invasive Species Range Shifts in the Southeastern U.S. and Actions to Manage Them

    Species are on the move as they respond to climate change. This includes many native species, but also species with high costs to society such as disease vectors, pests, and nonnative invasive species (an invasive species is a species that is not native to a specific location but is spreading with the tendency of causing damage to native plants and animals). Currently there are hundreds of invasiv
    Learn More
  • Publications

    Red imported fire ants reduce invertebrate abundance, richness, and diversity in Gopher Tortoise burrows

    Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrows support diverse commensal invertebrate communities that may be of special conservation interest. We investigated the impact of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) on the invertebrate burrow community at 10 study sites in southern Mississippi, sampling burrows (1998–2000) before and after bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. We sample
    Authors
    Deborah Mardeane Epperson, Craig R. Allen, Katharine F.E. Hogan
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Wildland Fire Science

    Red imported fire ant impacts on upland arthropods in Southern Mississippi

    Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) have negative impacts on a broad array of invertebrate species. We investigated the impacts of fire ants on the upland arthropod community on 20???40 ha study sites in southern Mississippi. Study sites were sampled from 19972000 before, during, and after fire ant bait treatments to reduce fire ant populations. Fire ant abundance was assessed with bait tr
    Authors
    D.M. Epperson, Craig R. Allen
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

    Daily energy expenditure in free-ranging Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

    Studies of ecological energetics in chelonians are rare. Here, we report the first measurements of daily energy expenditure (DEE) and water influx rates (WIRs) in free-ranging adult Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). We used the doubly labeled water (DLW) method to measure DEE in six adult tortoises during the non-breeding season in south-central Mississippi, USA. Tortoise DEE ranged from 76.
    Authors
    P.G.R. Jodice, D.M. Epperson, G. Henk Visser
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

    Red imported fire ant impacts on wildlife: A decade of research

    The negative impacts of biological invasion are economically and ecologically significant and, while incompletely quantified, they are clearly substantial. Ants (family Formicidae) are an important, although often overlooked, component of many terrestrial ecosystems. Six species of ants are especially striking in their global ability to invade, and their impacts. This paper focuses on the impacts
    Authors
    Craig R. Allen, D.M. Epperson, A.S. Garmestani
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Rosel, P. E., P. Corkeron, L. Engleby, D. Epperson, K. D. Mullin, M. S. Soldevilla, B. L. Taylor.
    2016. Status Review of Bryde’s Whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Gulf of Mexico under the
    Endangered Species Act. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFSC-692
    Baker, K., D. Epperson, G. Gitschlag, H. Goldstein, J. Lewandowski, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, and T. Turk. 2013. National Standards for a Protected Species Observer and Data Management Program: A Model Using Geological and Geophysical Surveys. U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Technical Memorandum. NMFS-OPR-49. 73 p.
    Baker, K., D. Epperson, H. Goldstein, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, G. Gitchslag, J. Lewandowski, and T. Turk. 2012. Standardizing protected species observer requirements in the United States. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 637-640.
    Goldstein, H. D. Epperson, K. Baker, K. Skrupky, B. Smith, G. Gitchslag, J. Lewandowski, and T. Turk. 2012. Development of a national database and standards for protected species observer data in the United States. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 645-648.
    Lewandowski, J. B. Burkhard, K. Skrupky, and D. Epperson. 2012. United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement: filling data gaps to better understand the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life. In Popper, A. N., Hawkins, A. (eds) The effects of noise on aquatic life. Springer, pp. 567-570.
    Stephen C. Richter, Jeffrey A. Jackson, Matthew Hinderliter, Deborah Epperson, Christopher W. Theodorakis, and S. Marshall Adams. 2011. Conservation genetics of the largest cluster of federally threatened Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) colonies with implications for species management. Herpetologica 67:406-419.
    Yager, L. Y., M. G. Hinderliter, C. D. Heise, and D. M. Epperson. 2007. Gopher Tortoise Response to Habitat Management by Prescribed Burning. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2) 428-434.
    Epperson, D. M. 2005. Mycoplasma testing of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in relation to military training activities at Camp Shelby Training Site, Mississippi. Herpetological Review 36:12-15.
    Heise, C. D. and D. M. Epperson. 2004. Site fidelity and movement of relocated gopher tortoises in Mississippi. Applied Herpetology 2:171-186.
    Epperson, D. M. 2003. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) Mortality. Herpetological Review 34:241.
    Epperson, D. M. and C. D Heise. 2003. Nesting and hatchling ecology of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in southern Mississippi. Journal of Herpetology 37:315-324.
    Epperson, D. M. and L. D. Wendland. 1997. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher tortoise) Nesting. Herpetological Review 28:87.

    **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.