Donald Schoolmaster, Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Biological Vulnerability to Hypoxia Under a Warmer Climate in the Northern Gulf
USGS researchers are a developing a modeling framework to assess climate warming impacts on hypoxia-related stress to commercially and recreationally important Gulf species.
Lower Trophic Level Monitoring to Support Restoration of Living Resources in Barataria Estuary, Louisiana
USGS researchers are collecting information about lower trophic levels in Barataria Estuary to develop a long-term monitoring plan.
Influence of Sea-Level Rise on Wetland Vegetation Community Structure, Primary Productivity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Carbon Storage
This study will employ a space for time substitution to show long-term effects of rising sea-level and increasing salinity on vegetation community structure, primary production and decomposition. Productivity and decomposition rates will be estimated for four wetland plant community types defined by salinity zones and dominant plant species.
Quantifying Changes in Wetland Area and Habitat Types in the Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Restoration Area 1985-Present with Remote Sensing
USGS researchers will quantify wetland change and wetland vegetation community type change through the analyses of aerial vegetation survey data and investigate potential relationships between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and marsh elevation change.
Puget Sound Marine Benthic Index and Graphical Causal Model
USGS scientists are working with partners at the Puget Sound Partnership and the State of Washington’s Department of Ecology to develop two new tools to help us understand how human disturbance affects life at the top of Puget Sound: a Marine Benthic Index and a graphical causal model.
Understanding Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land Management on Critical Coastal Marsh Habitat
To ensure successful restoration of coastal wetlands, WARC researchers will measure carbon cycling processes that indicate ecosystem health and sustainability.
Understanding Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land Management on Critical Coastal Marsh Habitat
The Science Issue and Relevance: Coastal wetlands are some of the most productive and valuable habitats in the world. Louisiana contains 40% of the United States’ coastal wetlands, which provide critical habitat for waterfowl and fisheries, as well as many other benefits, such as storm surge protection for coastal communities. In terms of ecosystem services, biological resource...
Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Condition in the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network
Salt marsh ecosystems along all US coastlines have been altered, degraded, and destroyed by human activities, including ditching and drainage of the marsh platform, tidal restrictions, discharge of pollutants, and introduction of invasive species. The National Park Service conducts long-term monitoring of salt marsh vegetation and nekton (fish and free-swimming crustaceans) to provide information...
Carbon and Nitrogen content of above- and belowground biomass across a coastal wetland salinity gradient in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2013-2014) Carbon and Nitrogen content of above- and belowground biomass across a coastal wetland salinity gradient in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2013-2014)
Percent total carbon (%TC) and percent total nitrogen (%TN) content of above- and belowground biomass were measured from mixed-species plots in four different wetland types in Coastal Louisiana in July 2013 and July–August 2014 (Stagg et al. 2017). Reference: Stagg, C.L., Schoolmaster, D.R., Piazza, S.C., Snedden, G., Steyer, G.D., Fischenich, C.J., and McComas, R.W., 2017, Primary...
Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for characterizing the soil texture and topography that may be relevant to Black Skimmer and Gull-billed tern nesting on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. These data characterize soil texture (e.g., sand or shell, loam), elevation, and distance to mean higher high water...
Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the creation and application of a Bayesian network model that predicts Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve Black Skimmer and Gull...
Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents data for the creation of a spatially explicit Bayesian network model that predicts Brown Pelican nests on islands across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Well-targeted management plans are needed to achieve Brown Pelican population objectives (number of breeding pairs) because conservation and restoration opportunities are...
Plant, soil, and microbial characteristics of marsh collapse in Mississippi River Deltaic wetlands Plant, soil, and microbial characteristics of marsh collapse in Mississippi River Deltaic wetlands
Site, field, and soil data collected from 14 sites along a chronosequence of wetland submergence on 15 – 17 October 2019 in a Louisiana salt marsh in Barataria Basin, part of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain, along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss at a Louisiana coastal salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain in 2019 Spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss at a Louisiana coastal salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain in 2019
This dataset provides the water content, bulk density, carbon concentrations, nitrogen concentrations, and carbon content of all fourteen cores sampled in coastal Louisiana (CRMS 0224) in October of 2019. Each sample is identified by a unique identifier that corresponds to each site by depth increment combination. The pond age range associated with each site is provided. The depth...
Land area change in Coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) - persistent land change spatial data Land area change in Coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) - persistent land change spatial data
Coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most critically threatened environments in the United States. These wetlands are in peril because Louisiana currently experiences greater coastal wetland loss than all other States in the contiguous United States combined. The analyses of landscape change presented here have utilized historical surveys, aerial, and satellite data to quantify...
Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014) Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014)
Above- and belowground production in coastal wetlands are important contributors to carbon accumulation and ecosystem sustainability. As sea level rises, we can expect shifts to more salt-tolerant communities, which may alter these ecosystem functions and services. Although the direct influence of salinity on species-level primary production has been documented, we lack an understanding...
Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition
Data Release for journal publication describing development of a multimetric index for assessing salt marsh condition in northeastern National Parks. This is the first application of an empirical, metric-selection algorithm to metrics from multiple trophic groups (vegetation and nekton). While MMIs derived from nekton or vegetation metrics alone were strongly correlated with human...
Organic matter decomposition along coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in Southeastern U.S.A. (2010-2011) Organic matter decomposition along coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in Southeastern U.S.A. (2010-2011)
Coastal wetlands significantly contribute to global carbon storage potential. Sea-level rise and other climate change-induced disturbances threaten coastal wetland sustainability and carbon storage capacity. It is critical that we understand the mechanisms controlling wetland carbon loss so that we can predict and manage these resources in anticipation of climate change.
Land area change in coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) Land area change in coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016)
Coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most critically threatened environments in the United States. These wetlands are in peril because Louisiana currently experiences greater coastal wetland loss than all other States in the contiguous United States combined. The analyses of landscape change presented here have utilized historical surveys, aerial, and satellite data to quantify...
Filter Total Items: 32
Classifying and mapping wetland vegetation assemblages in coastal Louisiana with Landsat imagery, 1985-2025 Classifying and mapping wetland vegetation assemblages in coastal Louisiana with Landsat imagery, 1985-2025
The tidal wetlands of Louisiana comprise about 25% of those found throughout the conterminous United States yet estimates of wetland loss rates in the region between 1932 and 2016 have exceeded 60 km2 yr-1. To mitigate further degradation and wetland loss in the region, a globally unprecedented $50B, 50-year plan for coastal Louisiana is driving restoration efforts, and demand exists...
Authors
Gregg Snedden, Brady Couvillion, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA
Species interactions among multiple invasive species can present hidden challenges for management and eradication efforts. Bighead and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and H. molitrix, respectively) are closely related species that have co-invaded the Mississippi River and many of its tributaries, including the Illinois River. We used a combination of causal inference and dynamic...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, James E. Garvey, Richard A. Erickson, Benjamin J. Mareck, David P. Coulter
Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes
Context In coastal wetlands, land area is dynamic in both space and time, and it is crucial to understand the factors that may tip the balance between wetland area loss and gain. Flooding has been shown to be a key regulator of wetland resilience to land loss through effects on vegetation health and productivity. However, the relationship between elevation and land change is complex...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Gregg A. Snedden, Brady R. Couvillion
Decision support tools for brown pelican management in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) Decision support tools for brown pelican management in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis conservation objectives in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico). Efforts to establish clear priorities can be hindered by information gaps, especially those related to the uncertainty associated with changing conditions that influence brown pelican populations. We addressed these gaps...
Authors
James P. Cronin, Blair E. Tirpak, Leah L. Dale, Virginia L. Robenski, John M. Tirpak, Barry C. Wilson, William G. Vermillion, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Elevated CO2 enables brackish marsh transgression into freshwater forested wetlands while stimulating CH4 emissions Elevated CO2 enables brackish marsh transgression into freshwater forested wetlands while stimulating CH4 emissions
Wetlands are significant carbon (C) sinks and are expected to promote greater C assimilation as atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise. However, the fate of C with environmental change along fresh-to-oligohaline wetland transitions is not well understood. We established an ex-situ mesocosm experiment to mimic future elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2, 720 ppm) versus current (380...
Authors
Luzhen Chen, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Ken Krauss, Camille Stagg, Nicole Cormier, Rebecca Moss, Yiyi Xiong, Nathaniel B. Weston
Vegetation loss following vertical drowning of Mississippi River deltaic wetlands leads to faster microbial decomposition and decreases in soil carbon Vegetation loss following vertical drowning of Mississippi River deltaic wetlands leads to faster microbial decomposition and decreases in soil carbon
Wetland ecosystems hold nearly a third of the global soil carbon pool, but as wetlands rapidly disappear the fate of this stored soil carbon is unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify and then link potential rates of microbial decomposition after vertical drowning of vegetated tidal marshes in coastal Louisiana to known drivers of anaerobic decomposition altered by vegetation loss...
Authors
Courtney Creamer, Mark P. Waldrop, Camille L. Stagg, Kristen L. Manies, Melissa Millman Baustian, Claudia Laurenzano, Tiong Gim Aw, Monica Haw, Sergio Merino, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sabrina N. Sevilgen, Rachel Katherine Villani, Eric Ward
Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations
Behavioral deterrents of among-pool movement represent a promising tool for controlling invasive fish populations. To date, much of the research in this area has been focused on the direct effectiveness of different methods of deterrence. However, the effect of these structures on populations in spatially complex habitats is unknown. We combine a metacommunity model with movement data of...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Aaron R. Cupp, Alison A. Coulter, Richard A. Erickson
A new method for bioassessment of ecosystems with complex communities and environmental gradients A new method for bioassessment of ecosystems with complex communities and environmental gradients
Bioassessment of complex and heterogeneous ecosystems is a challenge when there are multiple, strong, natural environmental gradients; unknown, or spatially varying, mixtures of stressors; and large numbers of taxa with unknown responses to both the environmental gradients and the stressors. Current methods of bioassessment are not designed for use under this set of constraints. To...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Valerie A. Partridge
Evolution of a minimal cell Evolution of a minimal cell
Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life1,2. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell3,4 contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported...
Authors
Roy Z. Moger-Reischer, John I. Glass, Kim S. Wise, Lijie Sun, Daniela Bittencourt, Brent K. Lehmkuhl, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Michael Lynch, Jay T. Lennon
2023 Coastal master plan: ICM-wetlands – Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) updates 2023 Coastal master plan: ICM-wetlands – Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) updates
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) provides critical structural habitat for valuable nekton and wildlife species across coastal ecosystems and can buffer the negative effects of land loss. Landscape change and restoration efforts across coastal Louisiana can impact the occurrence, coverage, and species assemblages of SAV, and changes to these foundational species can have cascading...
Authors
Kristin DeMarco, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Brady Couvillion
Results of validation exercise for Marine Benthic Index Results of validation exercise for Marine Benthic Index
Marine benthic invertebrates (benthos) are key components of the Puget Sound ecosystem. Because of their direct association living in, and sometimes consuming, sediments, benthos can be valuable sentinels of ecosystem health. Therefore, indicators of benthic invertebrate community health can serve as direct measures of sediment and water quality. In 2021, the Puget Sound Partnership...
Authors
Valerie Partridge, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Analysis of per capita contributions from a spatial model provides strategies for controlling spread of invasive carp Analysis of per capita contributions from a spatial model provides strategies for controlling spread of invasive carp
Metapopulation models may be applied to inform natural resource management to guide actions targeted at location-specific subpopulations. Model insights frequently help to understand which subpopulations to target and highlight the importance of connections among subpopulations. For example, managers often treat aquatic invasive species populations as discrete populations due to...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Alison A. Coulter, Jahn L. Kallis, David C. Glover, John M. Dettmers, Richard A. Erickson
Science and Products
Biological Vulnerability to Hypoxia Under a Warmer Climate in the Northern Gulf
USGS researchers are a developing a modeling framework to assess climate warming impacts on hypoxia-related stress to commercially and recreationally important Gulf species.
Lower Trophic Level Monitoring to Support Restoration of Living Resources in Barataria Estuary, Louisiana
USGS researchers are collecting information about lower trophic levels in Barataria Estuary to develop a long-term monitoring plan.
Influence of Sea-Level Rise on Wetland Vegetation Community Structure, Primary Productivity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Carbon Storage
This study will employ a space for time substitution to show long-term effects of rising sea-level and increasing salinity on vegetation community structure, primary production and decomposition. Productivity and decomposition rates will be estimated for four wetland plant community types defined by salinity zones and dominant plant species.
Quantifying Changes in Wetland Area and Habitat Types in the Deepwater Horizon Louisiana Restoration Area 1985-Present with Remote Sensing
USGS researchers will quantify wetland change and wetland vegetation community type change through the analyses of aerial vegetation survey data and investigate potential relationships between Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and marsh elevation change.
Puget Sound Marine Benthic Index and Graphical Causal Model
USGS scientists are working with partners at the Puget Sound Partnership and the State of Washington’s Department of Ecology to develop two new tools to help us understand how human disturbance affects life at the top of Puget Sound: a Marine Benthic Index and a graphical causal model.
Understanding Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land Management on Critical Coastal Marsh Habitat
To ensure successful restoration of coastal wetlands, WARC researchers will measure carbon cycling processes that indicate ecosystem health and sustainability.
Understanding Impacts of Sea-Level Rise and Land Management on Critical Coastal Marsh Habitat
The Science Issue and Relevance: Coastal wetlands are some of the most productive and valuable habitats in the world. Louisiana contains 40% of the United States’ coastal wetlands, which provide critical habitat for waterfowl and fisheries, as well as many other benefits, such as storm surge protection for coastal communities. In terms of ecosystem services, biological resource...
Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Condition in the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network
Salt marsh ecosystems along all US coastlines have been altered, degraded, and destroyed by human activities, including ditching and drainage of the marsh platform, tidal restrictions, discharge of pollutants, and introduction of invasive species. The National Park Service conducts long-term monitoring of salt marsh vegetation and nekton (fish and free-swimming crustaceans) to provide information...
Carbon and Nitrogen content of above- and belowground biomass across a coastal wetland salinity gradient in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2013-2014) Carbon and Nitrogen content of above- and belowground biomass across a coastal wetland salinity gradient in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2013-2014)
Percent total carbon (%TC) and percent total nitrogen (%TN) content of above- and belowground biomass were measured from mixed-species plots in four different wetland types in Coastal Louisiana in July 2013 and July–August 2014 (Stagg et al. 2017). Reference: Stagg, C.L., Schoolmaster, D.R., Piazza, S.C., Snedden, G., Steyer, G.D., Fischenich, C.J., and McComas, R.W., 2017, Primary...
Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for characterizing the soil texture and topography that may be relevant to Black Skimmer and Gull-billed tern nesting on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. These data characterize soil texture (e.g., sand or shell, loam), elevation, and distance to mean higher high water...
Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the creation and application of a Bayesian network model that predicts Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve Black Skimmer and Gull...
Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents data for the creation of a spatially explicit Bayesian network model that predicts Brown Pelican nests on islands across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Well-targeted management plans are needed to achieve Brown Pelican population objectives (number of breeding pairs) because conservation and restoration opportunities are...
Plant, soil, and microbial characteristics of marsh collapse in Mississippi River Deltaic wetlands Plant, soil, and microbial characteristics of marsh collapse in Mississippi River Deltaic wetlands
Site, field, and soil data collected from 14 sites along a chronosequence of wetland submergence on 15 – 17 October 2019 in a Louisiana salt marsh in Barataria Basin, part of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain, along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss at a Louisiana coastal salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain in 2019 Spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss at a Louisiana coastal salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain in 2019
This dataset provides the water content, bulk density, carbon concentrations, nitrogen concentrations, and carbon content of all fourteen cores sampled in coastal Louisiana (CRMS 0224) in October of 2019. Each sample is identified by a unique identifier that corresponds to each site by depth increment combination. The pond age range associated with each site is provided. The depth...
Land area change in Coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) - persistent land change spatial data Land area change in Coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) - persistent land change spatial data
Coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most critically threatened environments in the United States. These wetlands are in peril because Louisiana currently experiences greater coastal wetland loss than all other States in the contiguous United States combined. The analyses of landscape change presented here have utilized historical surveys, aerial, and satellite data to quantify...
Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014) Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014)
Above- and belowground production in coastal wetlands are important contributors to carbon accumulation and ecosystem sustainability. As sea level rises, we can expect shifts to more salt-tolerant communities, which may alter these ecosystem functions and services. Although the direct influence of salinity on species-level primary production has been documented, we lack an understanding...
Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition
Data Release for journal publication describing development of a multimetric index for assessing salt marsh condition in northeastern National Parks. This is the first application of an empirical, metric-selection algorithm to metrics from multiple trophic groups (vegetation and nekton). While MMIs derived from nekton or vegetation metrics alone were strongly correlated with human...
Organic matter decomposition along coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in Southeastern U.S.A. (2010-2011) Organic matter decomposition along coastal wetland landscape gradient from tidal freshwater forested wetland to oligohaline marsh in Southeastern U.S.A. (2010-2011)
Coastal wetlands significantly contribute to global carbon storage potential. Sea-level rise and other climate change-induced disturbances threaten coastal wetland sustainability and carbon storage capacity. It is critical that we understand the mechanisms controlling wetland carbon loss so that we can predict and manage these resources in anticipation of climate change.
Land area change in coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016) Land area change in coastal Louisiana (1932 to 2016)
Coastal Louisiana wetlands are one of the most critically threatened environments in the United States. These wetlands are in peril because Louisiana currently experiences greater coastal wetland loss than all other States in the contiguous United States combined. The analyses of landscape change presented here have utilized historical surveys, aerial, and satellite data to quantify...
Filter Total Items: 32
Classifying and mapping wetland vegetation assemblages in coastal Louisiana with Landsat imagery, 1985-2025 Classifying and mapping wetland vegetation assemblages in coastal Louisiana with Landsat imagery, 1985-2025
The tidal wetlands of Louisiana comprise about 25% of those found throughout the conterminous United States yet estimates of wetland loss rates in the region between 1932 and 2016 have exceeded 60 km2 yr-1. To mitigate further degradation and wetland loss in the region, a globally unprecedented $50B, 50-year plan for coastal Louisiana is driving restoration efforts, and demand exists...
Authors
Gregg Snedden, Brady Couvillion, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA Understanding co-invading species’ ecological strategies and interactions with causal inference and simple dynamic models: Bighead (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver carp (H. molitrix) in the Illinois River, USA
Species interactions among multiple invasive species can present hidden challenges for management and eradication efforts. Bighead and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and H. molitrix, respectively) are closely related species that have co-invaded the Mississippi River and many of its tributaries, including the Illinois River. We used a combination of causal inference and dynamic...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, James E. Garvey, Richard A. Erickson, Benjamin J. Mareck, David P. Coulter
Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes Local, regional, and coastwide effects of interactions between storms and relative position in tidal frame on Louisiana coastal marshes
Context In coastal wetlands, land area is dynamic in both space and time, and it is crucial to understand the factors that may tip the balance between wetland area loss and gain. Flooding has been shown to be a key regulator of wetland resilience to land loss through effects on vegetation health and productivity. However, the relationship between elevation and land change is complex...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Gregg A. Snedden, Brady R. Couvillion
Decision support tools for brown pelican management in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) Decision support tools for brown pelican management in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis conservation objectives in the northern Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico). Efforts to establish clear priorities can be hindered by information gaps, especially those related to the uncertainty associated with changing conditions that influence brown pelican populations. We addressed these gaps...
Authors
James P. Cronin, Blair E. Tirpak, Leah L. Dale, Virginia L. Robenski, John M. Tirpak, Barry C. Wilson, William G. Vermillion, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Elevated CO2 enables brackish marsh transgression into freshwater forested wetlands while stimulating CH4 emissions Elevated CO2 enables brackish marsh transgression into freshwater forested wetlands while stimulating CH4 emissions
Wetlands are significant carbon (C) sinks and are expected to promote greater C assimilation as atmospheric CO2 concentrations rise. However, the fate of C with environmental change along fresh-to-oligohaline wetland transitions is not well understood. We established an ex-situ mesocosm experiment to mimic future elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations (eCO2, 720 ppm) versus current (380...
Authors
Luzhen Chen, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Ken Krauss, Camille Stagg, Nicole Cormier, Rebecca Moss, Yiyi Xiong, Nathaniel B. Weston
Vegetation loss following vertical drowning of Mississippi River deltaic wetlands leads to faster microbial decomposition and decreases in soil carbon Vegetation loss following vertical drowning of Mississippi River deltaic wetlands leads to faster microbial decomposition and decreases in soil carbon
Wetland ecosystems hold nearly a third of the global soil carbon pool, but as wetlands rapidly disappear the fate of this stored soil carbon is unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify and then link potential rates of microbial decomposition after vertical drowning of vegetated tidal marshes in coastal Louisiana to known drivers of anaerobic decomposition altered by vegetation loss...
Authors
Courtney Creamer, Mark P. Waldrop, Camille L. Stagg, Kristen L. Manies, Melissa Millman Baustian, Claudia Laurenzano, Tiong Gim Aw, Monica Haw, Sergio Merino, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sabrina N. Sevilgen, Rachel Katherine Villani, Eric Ward
Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations Multi-scale effects of behavioral movement deterrents on invasive carp metapopulations
Behavioral deterrents of among-pool movement represent a promising tool for controlling invasive fish populations. To date, much of the research in this area has been focused on the direct effectiveness of different methods of deterrence. However, the effect of these structures on populations in spatially complex habitats is unknown. We combine a metacommunity model with movement data of...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Aaron R. Cupp, Alison A. Coulter, Richard A. Erickson
A new method for bioassessment of ecosystems with complex communities and environmental gradients A new method for bioassessment of ecosystems with complex communities and environmental gradients
Bioassessment of complex and heterogeneous ecosystems is a challenge when there are multiple, strong, natural environmental gradients; unknown, or spatially varying, mixtures of stressors; and large numbers of taxa with unknown responses to both the environmental gradients and the stressors. Current methods of bioassessment are not designed for use under this set of constraints. To...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Valerie A. Partridge
Evolution of a minimal cell Evolution of a minimal cell
Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life1,2. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell3,4 contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported...
Authors
Roy Z. Moger-Reischer, John I. Glass, Kim S. Wise, Lijie Sun, Daniela Bittencourt, Brent K. Lehmkuhl, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Michael Lynch, Jay T. Lennon
2023 Coastal master plan: ICM-wetlands – Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) updates 2023 Coastal master plan: ICM-wetlands – Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) updates
Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) provides critical structural habitat for valuable nekton and wildlife species across coastal ecosystems and can buffer the negative effects of land loss. Landscape change and restoration efforts across coastal Louisiana can impact the occurrence, coverage, and species assemblages of SAV, and changes to these foundational species can have cascading...
Authors
Kristin DeMarco, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Brady Couvillion
Results of validation exercise for Marine Benthic Index Results of validation exercise for Marine Benthic Index
Marine benthic invertebrates (benthos) are key components of the Puget Sound ecosystem. Because of their direct association living in, and sometimes consuming, sediments, benthos can be valuable sentinels of ecosystem health. Therefore, indicators of benthic invertebrate community health can serve as direct measures of sediment and water quality. In 2021, the Puget Sound Partnership...
Authors
Valerie Partridge, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Analysis of per capita contributions from a spatial model provides strategies for controlling spread of invasive carp Analysis of per capita contributions from a spatial model provides strategies for controlling spread of invasive carp
Metapopulation models may be applied to inform natural resource management to guide actions targeted at location-specific subpopulations. Model insights frequently help to understand which subpopulations to target and highlight the importance of connections among subpopulations. For example, managers often treat aquatic invasive species populations as discrete populations due to...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Alison A. Coulter, Jahn L. Kallis, David C. Glover, John M. Dettmers, Richard A. Erickson