Gregory Steyer, Ph.D.

Biography

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Oceanography and Coastal Studies, Louisiana State University, 2008

M.S., Biology, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1988

B.S., Biology, University of Maryland College Park, 1985

RESEARCH

Greg's primary interest is developing ecological indicators, adaptive management approaches, and ecological and landscape models for use in natural resource decision support. For over 30 years, he has worked for State and Federal governments developing monitoring, modeling and research programs for the evaluation of wetland restoration projects and programs.

Greg has developed a comprehensive wetland monitoring network for the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) called the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (http://www.lacoast.gov/crms2/Home.aspx), that allows evaluation of the effects of restoration and protection efforts at project, hydrologic basin and coastwide scales. Greg has also developed desktop ecological models for the Louisiana Coastal Area and Louisiana State Master Plan that project over 50 years how wetland vegetation communities and coastal geomorphology will change with and without restoration and protection efforts. Greg is actively involved in working with USGS, DOI and other Gulf of Mexico scientists in developing foundational monitoring and adaptive management programs for the RESTORE Council and Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration Trustee Council. His current research investigates the cumulative effects of multiple restoration projects on coastal landscape change and resilience.

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 4

Location

Date published: October 29, 2020

Status: Active

Enhancing Cross-Jurisdictional Adaptive Management in the Gulf of Mexico

Using an iterative qualitative coding process, WARC researchers are identifying objectives, stressors, and management priorities to support the implementation of adaptive management in restoration programs across the Gulf of Mexico.

Contacts: Ann Commagere Hijuelos, Stephanie Romañach, Ph.D., Gregory Steyer, Ph.D.

Attribution: Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Date published: August 30, 2019

Status: Active

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and USGS will jointly lead the development of foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring.

Contacts: Gregory Steyer, Ph.D., Michelle Meyers, Michael Lee, Nicholas M Enwright, Ph.D., Kevin Suir, Richard A Rebich

Attribution: Ecosystems, Region 2: South Atlantic-Gulf (Includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Region 4: Mississippi Basin, Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Date published: May 3, 2016

Status: Active

Structured Decision-Making to Facilitate Multi-Stakeholder Coastal Conservation and Restoration under Climate Change Uncertainties: Case Study on Barrier Island of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Barrier island resource managers within the northern Gulf of Mexico have the opportunity to more directly incorporate scientific uncertainties and technological challenges inherent with large-scale barrier island restoration projects, and as such, commit to developing robust long-term monitoring programs and applying adaptive management.

Contacts: Gregory Steyer, Ph.D., Michelle Meyers

Attribution: Ecosystems, Region 4: Mississippi Basin, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Date published: January 1, 2013

Status: Completed

Structured Decision-Making as a Tool for Coastal Restoration: A Case Study on Ship Island, Mississippi

Barrier islands protect mainland areas from storm surge, but can erode over time and require restoration. Ship Island, a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi, provides an example of this: the island was battered by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and split into two separate islands. As part of the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to use...

Contacts: Gregory Steyer, Ph.D.

Attribution: Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Pre-USGS Publications

Landscape change and relative elevation sub-models, Appendix D-2 Wetland Morphology Model Technical Report in Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast

Steyer, G.D., Couvillion, B., Wang, H., Sleavin, B., Rybczyk, J., Trahan, N., Beck, H., Fischenich, C., Boustany, R., and Allen, Y. 2012. Landscape change and relative elevation sub-models, Appendix D-2 Wetland Morphology Model Technical Report in Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast, 104 p.

Improving Conceptual Model Development: Avoiding Underperformance Due to Project Uncertainties

Casper, Andrew F., Rebecca A. Efroymson, Steven M. Davis, Greg Steyer, and Brian Zettle, 2010, Improving Conceptual Model Development: Avoiding Underperformance Due to Project Uncertainties. ERDC TN-EMRRP-EBA-5, 7 p. The product is available online at http://libweb.erdc.usace.army.mil/Archimages/3263.PDF

Evaluation of a Method for Measuring Lateral Obscuration of Coastal Marsh Vegetation in Louisiana

Lin, Jeff P., Scott Bourne, Brady Couvillion, Jane M. Smith, Gregg Snedden, Gregory D. Steyer, and Sally L. Yost, 2010, Evaluation of a Method for Measuring Lateral Obscuration of Coastal Marsh Vegetation in Louisiana. ERDC/EL TN-10-2, 15 p. The product is available online at http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/elpubs/pdf/eltn10-02.pdf

CRMS Mapping Applications and the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API): An Alternative to the Traditional Web Form

Conzelmann, C., G.D. Steyer, M. Comeaux, and K. Suir. 2009. CRMS Mapping Applications and the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API): An Alternative to the Traditional Web Form. The product is available online at http://cs.tamucc.edu/dim/docs/papers/Craig%20Conzelmann.doc

Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Program: The Role of Ecosystem Forecasting in Evaluating Restoration Planning in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain

Twilley, R.R., B.R. Couvillion, I. Hossain, C. Kaiser, A.B. Owens, G.D. Steyer, and J.M. Visser. 2008. Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Program: The Role of Ecosystem Forecasting in Evaluating Restoration Planning in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. American Fisheries Society Symposium 64:29-46.

Data Collection Network to Support Ecosystem Forecasting for the Barataria Basin – Mississippi River Domain

Steyer, G.D., A.B. Owens, and B.R. Couvillion. 2006. Data Collection Network to Support Ecosystem Forecasting for the Barataria Basin – Mississippi River Domain. Coastal Environment and Water Quality (ed. By Y.J. Xu & V.P. Singh), 431-442. Water Resources Publications, LLC, Highlands Ranch, CO 80163-0026, USA.

An Integrated Monitoring Approach Using Multiple Reference Sites to Assess Sustainable Restoration in Coastal Louisiana

Steyer, G.D., R.R. Twilley and R.C. Raynie. 2006. An Integrated Monitoring Approach Using Multiple Reference Sites to Assess Sustainable Restoration in Coastal Louisiana. Pages 326 – 333 In Aguirre-Bravo, C., Pellicane, Patrick J., Burns, Denver P., and Draggan, Sidney (Eds.) Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere. 2004 September 20-24, Denver, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD, Fort Collins, CO, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 990 p.

Implications of Global Climatic Change and Energy Cost and Availability for the Restoration of the Mississippi Delta

Day, J., J. Barras, E. Clairain, J. Johnston, D. Justic, G. Kemp, J. Ko, R. Lane, W. Mitsch, G. Steyer, P. Templet, and A. Yanez-Arancibia. 2005. Implications of Global Climatic Change and Energy Cost and Availability for the Restoration of the Mississippi Delta. Ecological Engineering. 24:253-265.

The Mississippi Delta: System Functioning, Environmental Impacts, and Sustainable Management

Day, J., P. Templet, J. Ko, W. Mitsch, G.P. Kemp, J. Johnston, G. Steyer, J. Barras, D. Justic, E. Clairain, and R. Theriot. 2004. The Mississippi Delta: System Functioning, Environmental Impacts, and Sustainable Management. Pages 851-880. In: Caso, M., I. Pisanty, and E. Ezcurra (eds). Environmental Diagnosis of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 2. National Institute of Ecology, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Impacts of Oil and Gas Activities on Coastal Wetland loss in the Mississippi Delta

Ko, J., J. Day, J. Barras, R. Morton , J. Johnston, G. Steyer, G.P. Kemp, E. Clairain, and R. Theriot. 2004. Impacts of Oil and Gas Activities on Coastal Wetland loss in the Mississippi Delta. Pages 957-977 In: Caso, M., I. Pisanty, and E. Ezcurra (eds). Environmental Diagnosis of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 2. National Institute of Ecology, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

A Proposed Coast-wide Reference Monitoring System for Evaluating Wetland Restoration Trajectories in Louisiana

Steyer, G.D., C.E. Sasser, J.M. Visser, E.M. Swenson, J.A. Nyman, and R.C. Raynie. 2003. A Proposed Coast-wide Reference Monitoring System for Evaluating Wetland Restoration Trajectories in Louisiana. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 81:107-117.

A Framework for an Integrated and Comprehensive Monitoring Plan for the Estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico

Summers, J.K., and G.D. Steyer. 2000. A Framework for an Integrated and Comprehensive Monitoring Plan for the Estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Gulf Ecology Division, Gulf Breeze, Florida. EPA 620-R-00-006.

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act: A Programmatic Application of Adaptive Management

Steyer, G.D. and D.W. Llewellyn. 2000. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act: A Programmatic Application of Adaptive Management. Ecological Engineering. 15: 385-395.

The integration of GIS and image processing technology for monitoring wetland restoration projects

Johnston, J.B., J. Barras, S. Hartley, D.A. Fuller, and G. Steyer. 1998. The integration of GIS and image processing technology for monitoring wetland restoration projects. Pages 607-616 in: McComb, A.J., and J.A. Davis, editors. Wetlands for the Future: INTECOL’S V International Wetlands Conference, Perth, Australia.

The integration of GIS and image processing technology with continuous and real-time data collection for monitoring wetland restoration projects

Steyer, G.D., D. Fuller, and J. Barras. 1995. The integration of GIS and image processing technology with continuous and real-time data collection for monitoring wetland restoration projects. National Interagency Workshop on Wetlands, New Orleans, LA.

The influence of Hurricane Andrew on sediment distribution in Louisiana coastal marshes

Cahoon, D.R., D.J. Reed, J.W. Day, Jr., G.D. Steyer, R.M. Boumans, J.C. Lynch, D. McNally, and N. Latif. 1995. The influence of Hurricane Andrew on sediment distribution in Louisiana coastal marshes. Journal of Coastal Research. SI 21: 280-294.

Disturbance and recovery of the Louisiana coastal marsh landscape from the impacts of Hurricane Andrew

Guntenspergen, G.R., D.R. Cahoon, J. Grace, G.D. Steyer, S. Fournet, M.A. Townson, and A.L. Foote. 1995. Disturbance and recovery of the Louisiana coastal marsh landscape from the impacts of Hurricane Andrew. Journal of Coastal Research. SI 21: 324-339.

A resource management approach for evaluating the effectiveness of wetland restoration projects

Steyer, G.D., C.I. Simon, and S.G. Underwood. 1993. A resource management approach for evaluating the effectiveness of wetland restoration projects. Pages 742-745 in: Landin, M.C., editor. Wetlands: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of the Society of Wetland Scientists, New Orleans, LA. South Central Chapter, Society of Wetland Scientists, Utica, MS.

A chronologic overview of climatological and hydrological aspects associated with Hurricane Andrew and its morphological effects along the Louisiana coast

Stone, G.W., J.M. Grymes, III, K.D. Robbins, S.G. Underwood, G.D. Steyer, and R.A. Muller. 1993. A chronologic overview of climatological and hydrological aspects associated with Hurricane Andrew and its morphological effects along the Louisiana coast, USA. Shore and Beach. 61(2): 2-12.

Evaluation of three crevasse splay marsh creation projects at the Mississippi River delta

Trepagnier, C.M., B. Good, G.D. Steyer, and W. B. Sutton. 1993. Evaluation of three crevasse splay marsh creation projects at the Mississippi River delta. Pages 115-119 in: Landin, M.C., editor. Wetlands: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of the Society of Wetland Scientists, New Orleans, LA. South Central Chapter, Society of Wetland Scientists, Utica, MS.

Gregory Steyer, Ph.D.

Biography

Enhancing Cross-Jurisdictional Adaptive Management in the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council Monitoring and Assessment Program Development

Structured Decision-Making to Facilitate Multi-Stakeholder Coastal Conservation and Restoration under Climate Change Uncertainties: Case Study on Barrier Island of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Structured Decision-Making as a Tool for Coastal Restoration: A Case Study on Ship Island, Mississippi

Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large‐scale ecosystem restoration

Council monitoring and assessment program (CMAP): Common monitoring program attributes and methodologies for the Gulf of Mexico Region

Council monitoring and assessment program (CMAP): A framework for using the monitoring program inventory to conduct gap assessments for the Gulf of Mexico Region

Louisiana Adaptive Management Status and Improvement Report: Vision and Recommendations

Council monitoring and assessment program (CMAP) compilation of existing habitat and water quality monitoring and mapping assessments for the Gulf of Mexico Region

Council Monitoring and Assessment Program (CMAP): Inventory of existing water quality and habitat monitoring, and mapping metadata for Gulf of Mexico Programs

Floristic quality index and forested floristic quality index: Assessment tools for restoration projects and monitoring sites in coastal Louisiana

Primary production across a coastal wetland landscape in Louisiana, U.S.A. (2012-2014)

Predicting landscape effects of Mississippi River diversions on soil organic carbon sequestration

Assessing coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast: Gaps and opportunities for developing a coordinated regional sampling network

A landscape-scale assessment of above- and belowground primary production in coastal wetlands: Implications for climate change-induced community shifts

Determining the spatial variability of wetland soil bulk density, organic matter, and the conversion factor between organic matter and organic carbon across coastal Louisiana, U.S.A.

Pre-USGS Publications