Elise Irwin, PhD
Biologist - Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Headquarters
Research Interests
Elise currently leads the CRU communications team. Previously, Elise led a broad research program at Auburn University in fisheries ecology with emphasis on reduction of uncertainty regarding how anthropomorphic changes in riverine and other aquatic environments affect biological processes of aquatic species. Thematically her research has primarily investigated how management, landscape patterns and disturbance regimes affect biological processes in aquatic systems, with two main areas of focus: 1) effects of spatial and temporal arrangement of riverine habitat on population parameters of fishes and, 2) definition and reduction of uncertainty regarding functional relations between hydrologic and chemical characteristics of riverine environments and fish distribution, abundance and/or growth of fish and invertebrates.
Teaching Interests
Before leading the CRU communications team, Elise taught courses on river systems, structured decision making, and adaptive management at Auburn University and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center in Sheperdstown, West Virginia.
Professional Experience
Biologist, Cooperative Research Units Program Headquarters, 2021-
Assistant Unit Leader, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 1995-2021
Education and Certifications
Ph D North Carolina State University 1994
MS Tennessee Technological University 1989
BS Delaware State College 1987
Science and Products
Toward improved prediction of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes Toward improved prediction of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes
Hydrologic effects on growth and hatching success of age-0 Channel Catfish in the Tallapoosa River basin: Implications for management in regulated systems Hydrologic effects on growth and hatching success of age-0 Channel Catfish in the Tallapoosa River basin: Implications for management in regulated systems
Estimating nitrogen removal services of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Mobile Bay, Alabama Estimating nitrogen removal services of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Mobile Bay, Alabama
Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama
Quantifying harvestable fish and crustacean production and associated economic values provided by oyster reefs Quantifying harvestable fish and crustacean production and associated economic values provided by oyster reefs
Adaptive management of flows from R.L. Harris Dam (Tallapoosa River, Alabama)—Stakeholder process and use of biological monitoring data for decision making Adaptive management of flows from R.L. Harris Dam (Tallapoosa River, Alabama)—Stakeholder process and use of biological monitoring data for decision making
Can data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages? Can data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages?
Experimental stocking of sport fish in the regulated Tallapoosa River to determine critical periods for recruitment Experimental stocking of sport fish in the regulated Tallapoosa River to determine critical periods for recruitment
Long-term fish monitoring in large rivers: Utility of “benchmarking” across basins Long-term fish monitoring in large rivers: Utility of “benchmarking” across basins
Using population models to evaluate management alternatives for Gulf Striped Bass Using population models to evaluate management alternatives for Gulf Striped Bass
Spatial and temporal variation in recruitment and growth of Channel Catfish Alabama bass and Tallapoosa Bass in the Tallapoosa River and associated tributaries Spatial and temporal variation in recruitment and growth of Channel Catfish Alabama bass and Tallapoosa Bass in the Tallapoosa River and associated tributaries
Defining ecological and economical hydropoweroperations: a framework for managing dam releasesto meet multiple conflicting objectives Defining ecological and economical hydropoweroperations: a framework for managing dam releasesto meet multiple conflicting objectives
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
Toward improved prediction of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes Toward improved prediction of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes
Hydrologic effects on growth and hatching success of age-0 Channel Catfish in the Tallapoosa River basin: Implications for management in regulated systems Hydrologic effects on growth and hatching success of age-0 Channel Catfish in the Tallapoosa River basin: Implications for management in regulated systems
Estimating nitrogen removal services of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Mobile Bay, Alabama Estimating nitrogen removal services of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Mobile Bay, Alabama
Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama Decision analysis of restoration actions for faunal conservation and other stakeholder values: Dauphin Island, Alabama
Quantifying harvestable fish and crustacean production and associated economic values provided by oyster reefs Quantifying harvestable fish and crustacean production and associated economic values provided by oyster reefs
Adaptive management of flows from R.L. Harris Dam (Tallapoosa River, Alabama)—Stakeholder process and use of biological monitoring data for decision making Adaptive management of flows from R.L. Harris Dam (Tallapoosa River, Alabama)—Stakeholder process and use of biological monitoring data for decision making
Can data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages? Can data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages?
Experimental stocking of sport fish in the regulated Tallapoosa River to determine critical periods for recruitment Experimental stocking of sport fish in the regulated Tallapoosa River to determine critical periods for recruitment
Long-term fish monitoring in large rivers: Utility of “benchmarking” across basins Long-term fish monitoring in large rivers: Utility of “benchmarking” across basins
Using population models to evaluate management alternatives for Gulf Striped Bass Using population models to evaluate management alternatives for Gulf Striped Bass
Spatial and temporal variation in recruitment and growth of Channel Catfish Alabama bass and Tallapoosa Bass in the Tallapoosa River and associated tributaries Spatial and temporal variation in recruitment and growth of Channel Catfish Alabama bass and Tallapoosa Bass in the Tallapoosa River and associated tributaries
Defining ecological and economical hydropoweroperations: a framework for managing dam releasesto meet multiple conflicting objectives Defining ecological and economical hydropoweroperations: a framework for managing dam releasesto meet multiple conflicting objectives
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.