Donald Schoolmaster, Ph.D. (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 32
A model of the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss applied to a Louisiana salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain A model of the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss applied to a Louisiana salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain
The potential for carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands is high due to protection of carbon (C) in flooded soils. However, excessive flooding can result in the conversion of the vegetated wetland to open water. This transition results in the loss of wetland habitat in addition to the potential loss of soil carbon. Thus, in areas experiencing rapid wetland submergence, such as the...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Courtney Creamer, Claudia Laurenzano, Eric Ward, Mark P. Waldrop, Melissa M. Baustian, Tiong Aw, Sergio Merino, Rachel Katherine Villani, Laura Scott
A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply
No abstract available.
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations
Identifying and clearly communicating the drivers of ecosystem function is a crucially important goal for both basic and applied ecology. This has proven difficult because the putative causes (e.g., environment, species identity, biodiversity, and functional traits) are numerous and correlated. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of a formal framework for unambiguously relating...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
Using maintenance records from a long-term sensor monitoring network to evaluate the relationship between maintenance schedule and data quality Using maintenance records from a long-term sensor monitoring network to evaluate the relationship between maintenance schedule and data quality
Sensor-based environmental monitoring networks are beginning to provide the large-scale, long-term data required to address important fundamental and applied questions in ecology. However, the data quality from deployed sensors can be difficult and costly to ensure. In this study, we use maintenance records from the 12-year history of Louisiana’s Coastwide Reference Monitoring System...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sarai Piazza
A causal partition of trait correlations: using graphical models to derive statistical models from theoretical language A causal partition of trait correlations: using graphical models to derive statistical models from theoretical language
Recent studies hypothesize various causes of species‐level trait covariation, namely size (e.g., metabolic theory of ecology and leaf economics spectrum), pace‐of‐life (e.g., slow‐to‐fast continuum; lifestyle continuum), evolutionary history (e.g., phylogenetic conservatism), and ecological conditions (e.g., stabilizing selection). Various methods have been used in attempts to partition...
Authors
James P. Cronin, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Vegetation cover, tidal amplitude and land area predict short-term marsh vulnerability in Coastal Louisiana Vegetation cover, tidal amplitude and land area predict short-term marsh vulnerability in Coastal Louisiana
The loss of coastal marshes is a topic of great concern, because these habitats provide tangible ecosystem services and are at risk from sea-level rise and human activities. In recent years, significant effort has gone into understanding and modeling the relationships between the biological and physical factors that contribute to marsh stability. Simulation-based process models suggest...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Leigh Anne Sharp, Tommy S. McGinnis, Bernard Wood, Sarai Piazza
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
Tools for assessing and communicating salt marsh condition are essential to guide decisions aimed at maintaining or restoring ecosystem integrity and services. Multimetric indices (MMIs) are increasingly used to provide integrated assessments of ecosystem condition. We employed a theory-based approach that considers the multivariate relationship of metrics with human disturbance to...
Authors
Jessica L. Nagel, Hilary A. Neckles, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Erika N. Rocks, Donald R. Schoolmaster, James B. Grace, Dennis E. Skidds, Sara Stevens
Resource competition model predicts zonation and increasing nutrient use efficiency along a wetland salinity gradient Resource competition model predicts zonation and increasing nutrient use efficiency along a wetland salinity gradient
A trade-off between competitive ability and stress tolerance has been hypothesized and empirically supported to explain the zonation of species across stress gradients for a number of systems. Since stress often reduces plant productivity, one might expect a pattern of decreasing productivity across the zones of the stress gradient. However, this pattern is often not observed in coastal...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg
Causal mechanisms of soil organic matter decomposition: Deconstructing salinity and flooding impacts in coastal wetlands Causal mechanisms of soil organic matter decomposition: Deconstructing salinity and flooding impacts in coastal wetlands
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. However, our...
Authors
Camille L. Stagg, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Ken W. Krauss, Nicole Cormier, William H. Conner
Soils mediate the impact of fine woody debris on invasive and native grasses as whole trees are mechanically shredded into firebreaks in piñon-juniper woodlands Soils mediate the impact of fine woody debris on invasive and native grasses as whole trees are mechanically shredded into firebreaks in piñon-juniper woodlands
To stem wildfires, trees are being mechanically shredded into firebreaks with the resulting fine woody debris (FWD) potentially exerting immense control over soil and plants. We linked FWD-induced changes in microbial activity and nutrient availability to the frequency of Bromus tectorum and three native, perennial grasses across 31 piñon-juniper woodlands, UT, USA. Using a series of...
Authors
Zachary T. Aanderud, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Deborah Rigby, Jordon Bybee, Tayte Campbell, Bruce A. Roundy
A landscape-scale assessment of above- and belowground primary production in coastal wetlands: Implications for climate change-induced community shifts A landscape-scale assessment of above- and belowground primary production in coastal wetlands: Implications for climate change-induced community shifts
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...
Authors
Camille L. Stagg, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sarai C. Piazza, Gregg Snedden, Gregory D. Steyer, Craig J Fischenich, Robert W. McComas
Barrier displacement on a neutral landscape: Towards a theory of continental biogeography Barrier displacement on a neutral landscape: Towards a theory of continental biogeography
Macroevolutionary theory posits three processes leading to lineage diversification and the formation of regional biotas: dispersal (species geographic range expansion), speciation (species lineage splitting), and extinction (species lineage termination). The Theory of Island Biogeography (TIB) predicts species richness values using just two of these processes; dispersal and extinction...
Authors
James S. Albert, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Victor Tagliacollo, Scott M. Duke-Sylvester
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 32
A model of the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss applied to a Louisiana salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain A model of the spatiotemporal dynamics of soil carbon following coastal wetland loss applied to a Louisiana salt marsh in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain
The potential for carbon sequestration in coastal wetlands is high due to protection of carbon (C) in flooded soils. However, excessive flooding can result in the conversion of the vegetated wetland to open water. This transition results in the loss of wetland habitat in addition to the potential loss of soil carbon. Thus, in areas experiencing rapid wetland submergence, such as the...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Courtney Creamer, Claudia Laurenzano, Eric Ward, Mark P. Waldrop, Melissa M. Baustian, Tiong Aw, Sergio Merino, Rachel Katherine Villani, Laura Scott
A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply
No abstract available.
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations
Identifying and clearly communicating the drivers of ecosystem function is a crucially important goal for both basic and applied ecology. This has proven difficult because the putative causes (e.g., environment, species identity, biodiversity, and functional traits) are numerous and correlated. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of a formal framework for unambiguously relating...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
Using maintenance records from a long-term sensor monitoring network to evaluate the relationship between maintenance schedule and data quality Using maintenance records from a long-term sensor monitoring network to evaluate the relationship between maintenance schedule and data quality
Sensor-based environmental monitoring networks are beginning to provide the large-scale, long-term data required to address important fundamental and applied questions in ecology. However, the data quality from deployed sensors can be difficult and costly to ensure. In this study, we use maintenance records from the 12-year history of Louisiana’s Coastwide Reference Monitoring System...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sarai Piazza
A causal partition of trait correlations: using graphical models to derive statistical models from theoretical language A causal partition of trait correlations: using graphical models to derive statistical models from theoretical language
Recent studies hypothesize various causes of species‐level trait covariation, namely size (e.g., metabolic theory of ecology and leaf economics spectrum), pace‐of‐life (e.g., slow‐to‐fast continuum; lifestyle continuum), evolutionary history (e.g., phylogenetic conservatism), and ecological conditions (e.g., stabilizing selection). Various methods have been used in attempts to partition...
Authors
James P. Cronin, Donald R. Schoolmaster
Vegetation cover, tidal amplitude and land area predict short-term marsh vulnerability in Coastal Louisiana Vegetation cover, tidal amplitude and land area predict short-term marsh vulnerability in Coastal Louisiana
The loss of coastal marshes is a topic of great concern, because these habitats provide tangible ecosystem services and are at risk from sea-level rise and human activities. In recent years, significant effort has gone into understanding and modeling the relationships between the biological and physical factors that contribute to marsh stability. Simulation-based process models suggest...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg, Leigh Anne Sharp, Tommy S. McGinnis, Bernard Wood, Sarai Piazza
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
Tools for assessing and communicating salt marsh condition are essential to guide decisions aimed at maintaining or restoring ecosystem integrity and services. Multimetric indices (MMIs) are increasingly used to provide integrated assessments of ecosystem condition. We employed a theory-based approach that considers the multivariate relationship of metrics with human disturbance to...
Authors
Jessica L. Nagel, Hilary A. Neckles, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Erika N. Rocks, Donald R. Schoolmaster, James B. Grace, Dennis E. Skidds, Sara Stevens
Resource competition model predicts zonation and increasing nutrient use efficiency along a wetland salinity gradient Resource competition model predicts zonation and increasing nutrient use efficiency along a wetland salinity gradient
A trade-off between competitive ability and stress tolerance has been hypothesized and empirically supported to explain the zonation of species across stress gradients for a number of systems. Since stress often reduces plant productivity, one might expect a pattern of decreasing productivity across the zones of the stress gradient. However, this pattern is often not observed in coastal...
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Camille L. Stagg
Causal mechanisms of soil organic matter decomposition: Deconstructing salinity and flooding impacts in coastal wetlands Causal mechanisms of soil organic matter decomposition: Deconstructing salinity and flooding impacts in coastal wetlands
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. However, our...
Authors
Camille L. Stagg, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Ken W. Krauss, Nicole Cormier, William H. Conner
Soils mediate the impact of fine woody debris on invasive and native grasses as whole trees are mechanically shredded into firebreaks in piñon-juniper woodlands Soils mediate the impact of fine woody debris on invasive and native grasses as whole trees are mechanically shredded into firebreaks in piñon-juniper woodlands
To stem wildfires, trees are being mechanically shredded into firebreaks with the resulting fine woody debris (FWD) potentially exerting immense control over soil and plants. We linked FWD-induced changes in microbial activity and nutrient availability to the frequency of Bromus tectorum and three native, perennial grasses across 31 piñon-juniper woodlands, UT, USA. Using a series of...
Authors
Zachary T. Aanderud, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Deborah Rigby, Jordon Bybee, Tayte Campbell, Bruce A. Roundy
A landscape-scale assessment of above- and belowground primary production in coastal wetlands: Implications for climate change-induced community shifts A landscape-scale assessment of above- and belowground primary production in coastal wetlands: Implications for climate change-induced community shifts
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...
Authors
Camille L. Stagg, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Sarai C. Piazza, Gregg Snedden, Gregory D. Steyer, Craig J Fischenich, Robert W. McComas
Barrier displacement on a neutral landscape: Towards a theory of continental biogeography Barrier displacement on a neutral landscape: Towards a theory of continental biogeography
Macroevolutionary theory posits three processes leading to lineage diversification and the formation of regional biotas: dispersal (species geographic range expansion), speciation (species lineage splitting), and extinction (species lineage termination). The Theory of Island Biogeography (TIB) predicts species richness values using just two of these processes; dispersal and extinction...
Authors
James S. Albert, Donald R. Schoolmaster, Victor Tagliacollo, Scott M. Duke-Sylvester