Isa Woo (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat
Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Fisheries and Fish Habitat
The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration
Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington
Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
NASA-USGS National Blue Carbon Monitoring System
The NASA-USGS National Blue Carbon Monitoring System project will evaluate the relative uncertainty of iterative modeling approaches to estimate coastal wetland (marsh and mangrove) C stocks and fluxes based on changes in wetland distributions, using nationally available datasets (Landsat) and as well as finer scale satellite and field derived data in six sentinel sites.
Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries
The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that...
Wetland Restoration in the San Francisco Bay Delta and Pacific Northwest
Estuaries and healthy coastal habitats are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They provide a variety of benefits, including habitat and food for fish and wildlife, flood and erosion protection, improved water quality, increased carbon sequestration, as well as beautiful scenery and opportunities for recreation. Along the U.S. Pacific Coast, both the San Francisco Bay estuary and the...
Filter Total Items: 15
Intertidal biofilm remote sensing paired spectra-biofilm training and validation data, South San Francisco Bay Intertidal biofilm remote sensing paired spectra-biofilm training and validation data, South San Francisco Bay
Intertidal microbial biofilms, or microphytobenthos, support estuarine biogeochemical cycling, the physical stability of mudflats, and food webs, particularly those of migratory shorebirds. Photosynthetic biofilms dominated by diatoms, cyanobacteria and chlorophytes represent a significant fraction of biofilm biomass and contain pigments that can be detected with remote sensing. These...
Water Level, Water Temperature, and Vegetation Biomass at the Nisqually River Delta, WA Water Level, Water Temperature, and Vegetation Biomass at the Nisqually River Delta, WA
This dataset contains water level, water temperature, and vegetation data from 12 locations within the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2010 to 2015. This dataset was part of a larger monitoring effort to document hydrological and vegetation changes throughout the Nisqually River Delta following large scale estuarine restoration (dike removal) in 2009.
Monitoring Changes in Surface Elevation Using Deep Surface Elevation Table and Marker Horizon Data at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Monitoring Changes in Surface Elevation Using Deep Surface Elevation Table and Marker Horizon Data at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington
Surface Elevation Tables and Marker Horizon (collectively SET-MH) datasets provide a unique opportunity to evaluate tidal marsh accretion rates compared with current and projected sea-level rise. SET is a tool that allows for accurate and repeatable measurements of marsh elevation, while Marker Horizon allows for the measurement of sediment that has deposited on top of the feldspar...
Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California
Microbial biofilm communities are composed of fungi, bacteria, and phytoplankton taxonomic groups (e.g., cyanobacteria, diatoms, and chlorophytes), which inhabit the surface of intertidal mudflats. Such biofilms have critical roles in shorebird diets, mudflat stabilization, primary productivity, and carbon storage. These raster datasets represent the presence, nutritional quality...
Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta
Macroinvertebrate and environmental data were collected annually in July-August in the year before dike removal (2009) and the first three years after dike removal (2010-2012) at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, U.S.A. Data were collected along a gradient extending from the inner marsh edge to the delta front and spanning different types of habitat including marsh restored to tidal...
Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Stable Isotopes from Primary Producers, Invertebrates, and Fish at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015 Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Stable Isotopes from Primary Producers, Invertebrates, and Fish at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015
This dataset consists of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope data from primary producers, invertebrates, and fish from the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015. Data were collected to determine food web structure in different habitat zones within the entire river delta. Data collection for primary producers and invertebrates were led by U.S. Geological...
Biofilm Percent Cover Maps in San Francisco Bay, 2020-2022 Biofilm Percent Cover Maps in San Francisco Bay, 2020-2022
This data release includes 9 GeoTIFF rasters that represent percent cover of intertidal microbial biofilm on the mudflats of South San Francisco Bay, CA between June 2020, and June 2022. Rasters follow the naming scheme biofilmPC_YYYYMMDD_10m.tif, where “biofilmPC” describes the dataset, YYYYMMDD is the date of the image, and 10m is the spatial resolution of the raster. Raster data...
Aquatic Prey Resources in Response to Estuary Restoration in Willapa Bay, Washington (2014-2015) Aquatic Prey Resources in Response to Estuary Restoration in Willapa Bay, Washington (2014-2015)
The ongoing restoration of more than 200 hectares of estuarine habitat at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, southwestern Washington, is expected to benefit a variety of species, including salmonids that use estuarine and tidal marshes as rearing and feeding areas as well as migratory waterbirds. During March through June 2014 and 2015, this study was initiated to assess aquatic prey...
Biological Tissue Data Used to Evaluate Selenium Hazards in the Salton Sea Ecosystem (1984-2020) Biological Tissue Data Used to Evaluate Selenium Hazards in the Salton Sea Ecosystem (1984-2020)
In response to the rapidly evolving conditions at the Salton Sea with the emergence of both newly formed wetland habitat and increasing hazards to wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey have funded a re-evaluation of data gaps regarding selenium concentrations in biota the region. As part of this work, selenium concentrations in biological tissue samples were...
Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington
This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated...
Sediment Biogeochemistry and Subsequent Mercury Biomagnification in Wetland Food Webs of the San Francisco Bay, CA (ver. 2.0, December 2023) Sediment Biogeochemistry and Subsequent Mercury Biomagnification in Wetland Food Webs of the San Francisco Bay, CA (ver. 2.0, December 2023)
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a globally pervasive contaminant that biomagnifies in food webs and can reach toxic concentrations in consumers at higher trophic levels, including wildlife and humans. The production of MeHg, and its subsequent entry and biomagnification in food webs, is governed by a complex suite of biogeochemical, physical, and ecological processes, resulting in spatial...
Western sandpiper diet composition in south San Francisco Bay, CA Western sandpiper diet composition in south San Francisco Bay, CA
Diet composition can be influenced by age- and sex-related factors including an individual's morphology, social status, and acquired skills; however, specialization may only be necessary when competition is intensified by high population densities or increased energetic demands. The western sandpiper is a small (22-35 grams) migratory shorebird that exhibits female-biased sexual size...
Filter Total Items: 40
Multi-scale spectroscopy to map intertidal microbial biofilm community and trait diversity Multi-scale spectroscopy to map intertidal microbial biofilm community and trait diversity
Intertidal microbial biofilms, or microphytobenthos, support estuarine biogeochemical cycling, the physical stability of mudflats, and food webs, particularly those of migratory shorebirds. Photosynthetic biofilms dominated by diatoms, cyanobacteria, and chlorophytes represent a significant fraction of biofilm biomass and contain pigments that can be detected with remote sensing. These...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Sherry L. Palacios, Nicole Taylor, Isa Woo, Stacy M Moskal, Raymond Kokaly, Todd Hoefen, John Chapman, Susan De La Cruz
Estuarine tidal cycles may preserve thermal refugia as global temperatures increase Estuarine tidal cycles may preserve thermal refugia as global temperatures increase
Climate change is affecting coastal ecosystems worldwide as water temperatures increase, hydrologic regimes change, and sea levels rise. Consequently, estuaries risk declines in ecosystem functioning due to increasing temperatures and other hydrologic factors. Characterizing and predicting estuarine water temperature are challenging because these systems are highly dynamic. Statistical...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz
Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA
Coastal ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services that are valued in diverse ways. The Nisqually River Delta (the Delta), an estuary in Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A., is co-managed by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In an ecosystem services assessment, we used different service-appropriate methods including citizen science...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Laurie Hall, Emily Pindilli, Monica Moritsch, Anthony Good, Susan De La Cruz, Melanie Davis, Glynnis Nakai
A comparison of eDNA sampling methods in an estuarine environment on presence of longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and fish community composition A comparison of eDNA sampling methods in an estuarine environment on presence of longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and fish community composition
The loss of tidal wetlands in the San Francisco Bay estuary have led to declines in native fish presence. Restoration of tidal wetlands in this area has intensified, with a primary goal of increasing the number of native fishes. We compared the presence of longfin smelt in naturally accreted and beneficial dredge reuse wetlands as a measure of successful restoration. We used...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, Shannon Waters-Dynes, Lyndsay Rankin, Karen M. Thorne, Daphne Gille, Susan De La Cruz, Isa Woo, Levi Lewis, Katie Karpenko, Cheryl Dean, Gregg Schumer
Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient
Benthic invertebrates play vital roles in estuarine ecosystems, but like other taxa they have been excluded from former marshlands by diking and land use conversion. Dike removal is one way of restoring marsh, but the response of benthic invertebrates has been little studied. Also understudied is variation in benthic invertebrate communities across entire deltas, particularly in the...
Authors
Stephen Rubin, Melanie Davis, Eric Grossman, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz, Glynnis Nakai, John Y. Takekawa
Allochthonous marsh subsidies enhances food web productivity in an estuary and its surrounding ecosystem mosaic Allochthonous marsh subsidies enhances food web productivity in an estuary and its surrounding ecosystem mosaic
Terrestrial organic matter is believed to play an important role in promoting resilient estuarine food webs, but the inherent interconnectivity of estuarine systems often obscures the origins and importance of these terrestrial inputs. To determine the relative contributions of terrestrial (allochthonous) and aquatic (autochthonous) organic matter to the estuarine food web, we analyzed...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz, Christopher Ellings, Sayre Hodgson, Glynnis Nakai
Nisqually River Delta—Humans and nature benefiting together Nisqually River Delta—Humans and nature benefiting together
IntroductionThis is a brochure created in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Designed for a public audience, the brochure describes the history of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the ecology of the delta, the resources and recreational opportunities available for Refuge visitors, future...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Glynnis Nakai, Debbie Preston, Shonte Jenkins
Linking meso-scale spatial variation in methylmercury production to bioaccumulation in tidal marsh food webs Linking meso-scale spatial variation in methylmercury production to bioaccumulation in tidal marsh food webs
Differences in sediment biogeochemistry among tidal marsh features with different hydrological and geomorphological characteristics, including marsh interiors, marsh edges, first-order channels, and third-order channels, can result in spatial variation in MeHg production and availability. To better understand the link between MeHg production in sediments and bioaccumulation in primary...
Authors
Laurie Hall, Isa Woo, Mark Marvin-DiPasquale, John Y. Takekawa, David Krabbenhoft, Donald Yee, Letitia Grenier, Susan De La Cruz
Selenium hazards in the Salton Sea environment—Summary of current knowledge to inform future wetland management Selenium hazards in the Salton Sea environment—Summary of current knowledge to inform future wetland management
Quaternary marine and continental shales in the western United States are sources of selenium that can be loaded into the aquatic environment through mining, agricultural, and energy production processes. The mobilization of selenium from shales through agricultural irrigation has been recognized since the 1930s; however, discovery of deformities in birds and other wildlife using...
Authors
Michael Rosen, Susan De La Cruz, Krishangi Groover, Isa Woo, Sarah Roberts, Melanie Davis, Cristiana Antonino
Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data
Few studies have evaluated the optimal sampling design for tracking small mammal population trends, especially for rare or difficult to detect species. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models present an advancement over non-spatial models by accounting for individual movement when estimating density. The salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) is a federal...
Authors
Chase Freeman, Laureen Barthman-Thompson, Robert Klinger, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne
Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary
Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Kristin Byrd, Melanie Davis, Anthony Good, Judith Drexler, James Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina Poppe, John Rybczyk
A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon
The estuarine habitat mosaic supports the reproduction, growth, and survival of resident and migratory fish species by providing a diverse portfolio of unique habitats with varying physical and biological features. Global climate change is expected to result in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in riverine hydrology, which will have profound effects on the extent...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Christopher Ellings, Sayre Hodgson, David Beauchamp, Glynnis Nakai, Susan De La Cruz
Science and Products
Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat
Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Fisheries and Fish Habitat
The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration
Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington
Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
NASA-USGS National Blue Carbon Monitoring System
The NASA-USGS National Blue Carbon Monitoring System project will evaluate the relative uncertainty of iterative modeling approaches to estimate coastal wetland (marsh and mangrove) C stocks and fluxes based on changes in wetland distributions, using nationally available datasets (Landsat) and as well as finer scale satellite and field derived data in six sentinel sites.
Assessing the Benefits and Vulnerability of Current and Future Potential Ecosystem Services of the Nisqually River Delta and other Puget Sound Estuaries
The Nisqually River Delta represents the largest wetland restoration in the Pacific Northwest. The restoration resulted in a 50% increase in potential salt marsh habitat. The Delta supports threatened salmon fisheries, large populations of migratory birds, and provides unique opportunities for recreation. The Delta also provides multiple ecosystem services, which are the benefits that...
Wetland Restoration in the San Francisco Bay Delta and Pacific Northwest
Estuaries and healthy coastal habitats are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They provide a variety of benefits, including habitat and food for fish and wildlife, flood and erosion protection, improved water quality, increased carbon sequestration, as well as beautiful scenery and opportunities for recreation. Along the U.S. Pacific Coast, both the San Francisco Bay estuary and the...
Filter Total Items: 15
Intertidal biofilm remote sensing paired spectra-biofilm training and validation data, South San Francisco Bay Intertidal biofilm remote sensing paired spectra-biofilm training and validation data, South San Francisco Bay
Intertidal microbial biofilms, or microphytobenthos, support estuarine biogeochemical cycling, the physical stability of mudflats, and food webs, particularly those of migratory shorebirds. Photosynthetic biofilms dominated by diatoms, cyanobacteria and chlorophytes represent a significant fraction of biofilm biomass and contain pigments that can be detected with remote sensing. These...
Water Level, Water Temperature, and Vegetation Biomass at the Nisqually River Delta, WA Water Level, Water Temperature, and Vegetation Biomass at the Nisqually River Delta, WA
This dataset contains water level, water temperature, and vegetation data from 12 locations within the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2010 to 2015. This dataset was part of a larger monitoring effort to document hydrological and vegetation changes throughout the Nisqually River Delta following large scale estuarine restoration (dike removal) in 2009.
Monitoring Changes in Surface Elevation Using Deep Surface Elevation Table and Marker Horizon Data at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Monitoring Changes in Surface Elevation Using Deep Surface Elevation Table and Marker Horizon Data at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington
Surface Elevation Tables and Marker Horizon (collectively SET-MH) datasets provide a unique opportunity to evaluate tidal marsh accretion rates compared with current and projected sea-level rise. SET is a tool that allows for accurate and repeatable measurements of marsh elevation, while Marker Horizon allows for the measurement of sediment that has deposited on top of the feldspar...
Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California Intertidal biofilm presence, quantity, nutritional quality, and composition maps derived from AVIRIS-Next Generation 3.7-meter airborne imagery, South San Francisco Bay, California
Microbial biofilm communities are composed of fungi, bacteria, and phytoplankton taxonomic groups (e.g., cyanobacteria, diatoms, and chlorophytes), which inhabit the surface of intertidal mudflats. Such biofilms have critical roles in shorebird diets, mudflat stabilization, primary productivity, and carbon storage. These raster datasets represent the presence, nutritional quality...
Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta Data collected in 2009-2012 to assess benthic macroinvertebrate response to dike removal on the Nisqually River delta
Macroinvertebrate and environmental data were collected annually in July-August in the year before dike removal (2009) and the first three years after dike removal (2010-2012) at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, U.S.A. Data were collected along a gradient extending from the inner marsh edge to the delta front and spanning different types of habitat including marsh restored to tidal...
Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Stable Isotopes from Primary Producers, Invertebrates, and Fish at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015 Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Stable Isotopes from Primary Producers, Invertebrates, and Fish at the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015
This dataset consists of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotope data from primary producers, invertebrates, and fish from the Nisqually River Delta, Washington from 2011, 2012, and 2015. Data were collected to determine food web structure in different habitat zones within the entire river delta. Data collection for primary producers and invertebrates were led by U.S. Geological...
Biofilm Percent Cover Maps in San Francisco Bay, 2020-2022 Biofilm Percent Cover Maps in San Francisco Bay, 2020-2022
This data release includes 9 GeoTIFF rasters that represent percent cover of intertidal microbial biofilm on the mudflats of South San Francisco Bay, CA between June 2020, and June 2022. Rasters follow the naming scheme biofilmPC_YYYYMMDD_10m.tif, where “biofilmPC” describes the dataset, YYYYMMDD is the date of the image, and 10m is the spatial resolution of the raster. Raster data...
Aquatic Prey Resources in Response to Estuary Restoration in Willapa Bay, Washington (2014-2015) Aquatic Prey Resources in Response to Estuary Restoration in Willapa Bay, Washington (2014-2015)
The ongoing restoration of more than 200 hectares of estuarine habitat at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, southwestern Washington, is expected to benefit a variety of species, including salmonids that use estuarine and tidal marshes as rearing and feeding areas as well as migratory waterbirds. During March through June 2014 and 2015, this study was initiated to assess aquatic prey...
Biological Tissue Data Used to Evaluate Selenium Hazards in the Salton Sea Ecosystem (1984-2020) Biological Tissue Data Used to Evaluate Selenium Hazards in the Salton Sea Ecosystem (1984-2020)
In response to the rapidly evolving conditions at the Salton Sea with the emergence of both newly formed wetland habitat and increasing hazards to wildlife, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Geological Survey have funded a re-evaluation of data gaps regarding selenium concentrations in biota the region. As part of this work, selenium concentrations in biological tissue samples were...
Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington
This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated...
Sediment Biogeochemistry and Subsequent Mercury Biomagnification in Wetland Food Webs of the San Francisco Bay, CA (ver. 2.0, December 2023) Sediment Biogeochemistry and Subsequent Mercury Biomagnification in Wetland Food Webs of the San Francisco Bay, CA (ver. 2.0, December 2023)
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a globally pervasive contaminant that biomagnifies in food webs and can reach toxic concentrations in consumers at higher trophic levels, including wildlife and humans. The production of MeHg, and its subsequent entry and biomagnification in food webs, is governed by a complex suite of biogeochemical, physical, and ecological processes, resulting in spatial...
Western sandpiper diet composition in south San Francisco Bay, CA Western sandpiper diet composition in south San Francisco Bay, CA
Diet composition can be influenced by age- and sex-related factors including an individual's morphology, social status, and acquired skills; however, specialization may only be necessary when competition is intensified by high population densities or increased energetic demands. The western sandpiper is a small (22-35 grams) migratory shorebird that exhibits female-biased sexual size...
Filter Total Items: 40
Multi-scale spectroscopy to map intertidal microbial biofilm community and trait diversity Multi-scale spectroscopy to map intertidal microbial biofilm community and trait diversity
Intertidal microbial biofilms, or microphytobenthos, support estuarine biogeochemical cycling, the physical stability of mudflats, and food webs, particularly those of migratory shorebirds. Photosynthetic biofilms dominated by diatoms, cyanobacteria, and chlorophytes represent a significant fraction of biofilm biomass and contain pigments that can be detected with remote sensing. These...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Sherry L. Palacios, Nicole Taylor, Isa Woo, Stacy M Moskal, Raymond Kokaly, Todd Hoefen, John Chapman, Susan De La Cruz
Estuarine tidal cycles may preserve thermal refugia as global temperatures increase Estuarine tidal cycles may preserve thermal refugia as global temperatures increase
Climate change is affecting coastal ecosystems worldwide as water temperatures increase, hydrologic regimes change, and sea levels rise. Consequently, estuaries risk declines in ecosystem functioning due to increasing temperatures and other hydrologic factors. Characterizing and predicting estuarine water temperature are challenging because these systems are highly dynamic. Statistical...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz
Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA
Coastal ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services that are valued in diverse ways. The Nisqually River Delta (the Delta), an estuary in Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A., is co-managed by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In an ecosystem services assessment, we used different service-appropriate methods including citizen science...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Laurie Hall, Emily Pindilli, Monica Moritsch, Anthony Good, Susan De La Cruz, Melanie Davis, Glynnis Nakai
A comparison of eDNA sampling methods in an estuarine environment on presence of longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and fish community composition A comparison of eDNA sampling methods in an estuarine environment on presence of longfin smelt (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and fish community composition
The loss of tidal wetlands in the San Francisco Bay estuary have led to declines in native fish presence. Restoration of tidal wetlands in this area has intensified, with a primary goal of increasing the number of native fishes. We compared the presence of longfin smelt in naturally accreted and beneficial dredge reuse wetlands as a measure of successful restoration. We used...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, Shannon Waters-Dynes, Lyndsay Rankin, Karen M. Thorne, Daphne Gille, Susan De La Cruz, Isa Woo, Levi Lewis, Katie Karpenko, Cheryl Dean, Gregg Schumer
Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient Benthic macroinvertebrate response to estuarine emergent marsh restoration across a delta-wide environmental gradient
Benthic invertebrates play vital roles in estuarine ecosystems, but like other taxa they have been excluded from former marshlands by diking and land use conversion. Dike removal is one way of restoring marsh, but the response of benthic invertebrates has been little studied. Also understudied is variation in benthic invertebrate communities across entire deltas, particularly in the...
Authors
Stephen Rubin, Melanie Davis, Eric Grossman, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz, Glynnis Nakai, John Y. Takekawa
Allochthonous marsh subsidies enhances food web productivity in an estuary and its surrounding ecosystem mosaic Allochthonous marsh subsidies enhances food web productivity in an estuary and its surrounding ecosystem mosaic
Terrestrial organic matter is believed to play an important role in promoting resilient estuarine food webs, but the inherent interconnectivity of estuarine systems often obscures the origins and importance of these terrestrial inputs. To determine the relative contributions of terrestrial (allochthonous) and aquatic (autochthonous) organic matter to the estuarine food web, we analyzed...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Susan De La Cruz, Christopher Ellings, Sayre Hodgson, Glynnis Nakai
Nisqually River Delta—Humans and nature benefiting together Nisqually River Delta—Humans and nature benefiting together
IntroductionThis is a brochure created in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Designed for a public audience, the brochure describes the history of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the ecology of the delta, the resources and recreational opportunities available for Refuge visitors, future...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Glynnis Nakai, Debbie Preston, Shonte Jenkins
Linking meso-scale spatial variation in methylmercury production to bioaccumulation in tidal marsh food webs Linking meso-scale spatial variation in methylmercury production to bioaccumulation in tidal marsh food webs
Differences in sediment biogeochemistry among tidal marsh features with different hydrological and geomorphological characteristics, including marsh interiors, marsh edges, first-order channels, and third-order channels, can result in spatial variation in MeHg production and availability. To better understand the link between MeHg production in sediments and bioaccumulation in primary...
Authors
Laurie Hall, Isa Woo, Mark Marvin-DiPasquale, John Y. Takekawa, David Krabbenhoft, Donald Yee, Letitia Grenier, Susan De La Cruz
Selenium hazards in the Salton Sea environment—Summary of current knowledge to inform future wetland management Selenium hazards in the Salton Sea environment—Summary of current knowledge to inform future wetland management
Quaternary marine and continental shales in the western United States are sources of selenium that can be loaded into the aquatic environment through mining, agricultural, and energy production processes. The mobilization of selenium from shales through agricultural irrigation has been recognized since the 1930s; however, discovery of deformities in birds and other wildlife using...
Authors
Michael Rosen, Susan De La Cruz, Krishangi Groover, Isa Woo, Sarah Roberts, Melanie Davis, Cristiana Antonino
Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data
Few studies have evaluated the optimal sampling design for tracking small mammal population trends, especially for rare or difficult to detect species. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models present an advancement over non-spatial models by accounting for individual movement when estimating density. The salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) is a federal...
Authors
Chase Freeman, Laureen Barthman-Thompson, Robert Klinger, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne
Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary
Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Kristin Byrd, Melanie Davis, Anthony Good, Judith Drexler, James Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina Poppe, John Rybczyk
A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon
The estuarine habitat mosaic supports the reproduction, growth, and survival of resident and migratory fish species by providing a diverse portfolio of unique habitats with varying physical and biological features. Global climate change is expected to result in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in riverine hydrology, which will have profound effects on the extent...
Authors
Melanie Davis, Isa Woo, Christopher Ellings, Sayre Hodgson, David Beauchamp, Glynnis Nakai, Susan De La Cruz