Downstream blocknet as part of an electrofishing survey of the fish community in Sevenmile Creek, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in northern Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
James J Roberts, PhD
James J Roberts is a Research Fisheries Biologist based in Huron, OH.
James has broad research expertise and investigates the ecological consequences of stressors like invasive species, climate change, and eutrophication for aquatic systems and specifically fish populations. There are three overall themes his research is split between (Invasive species, native fish ecology/conservation, and climate changes effects) which are all related to the conservation and management of aquatic species and systems.
Currently, he is investigating the movement, behavior, and habitat use of Grass Carp, an invasive species in the Great Lakes. He has also conducted research in the Laurentian Great Lakes examining the ecological consequences of seasonal hypolimnetic hypoxia, dead zones, in Lake Erie. Specifically, he studied the effects (behavioral, physiological, and inter-specific) of hypoxia on the benthic fish assemblage of Lake Erie, while focusing on yellow perch. Previously, James has explored the potential effects climate change may have on the persistence of Cutthroat Trout in stream and lake habitats throughout the Southern Rocky Mountain region."
Science and Products
Science pages by this scientist
Aquatic Ecology and Contaminants
The Aquatic Ecology and Contaminants Team investigates critical ecological processes operating in aquatic and riparian ecosystems and how these processes are affected by human activities. We address questions through a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments, and modeling, while working at multiple levels of biological organization from cells through ecosystems. Topics include land...
Ecological Responses to Fish Reclamation Treatments
Piscicides have been used in Rocky Mountain stream and lakes to restore native fish populations. In the last two decades concerns over piscicide effects to non-target organisms, primarily aquatic invertebrates, has increased. Although piscicides have been used for more than 70 years the impact to invertebrate assemblages has not been well studied and is largely unknown. Given the importance a...
Climate Change and Trout
Cold-water fishes like trout, salmon, and charr are especially vulnerable to shifting conditions related to climate change; for example, warmer temperatures and more variable hydroclimate. Native cutthroat trout of the southern Rocky Mountains now only occupy a tiny fraction of their historic habitats because of stressors such as non-native fishes, habitat fragmentation, and detrimental land...
Characterization of Water Quality and Biology in the Fountain Creek Watershed
Monument and Fountain Creeks and their respective watersheds, located in the Front Range of Colorado, serve as important drainages for surface runoff, waste-water treatment operations, and as a water supply for downstream agricultural needs. As population growth continues in these watersheds, more and more pressures are being applied to the receiving streams, especially Fountain Creek.
The Past as a Prelude to the Future: Assessing Climate Effects on Native Trout in the U.S.
Salmonids (a family of fish that includes salmon, trout, and char) are a keystone species for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and can be an early warning indicator of ecosystem health. Salmonids also have strong societal values and contribute enormously to regional economies and Native American cultures. Today, many native salmonid populations are small, highly fragmented, and isolated fr
Multimedia related to this scientist
Blocknet Backlog
Downstream blocknet as part of an electrofishing survey of the fish community in Sevenmile Creek, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in northern Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Holding Pattern
Fish in a holding net waiting to be measured following an electrofishing survey of Sevenmile Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Fish in a holding net waiting to be measured following an electrofishing survey of Sevenmile Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Day at the Beach
A slimy sculpin from Miners Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
A slimy sculpin from Miners Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Science and Products
Science pages by this scientist
Aquatic Ecology and Contaminants
The Aquatic Ecology and Contaminants Team investigates critical ecological processes operating in aquatic and riparian ecosystems and how these processes are affected by human activities. We address questions through a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments, and modeling, while working at multiple levels of biological organization from cells through ecosystems. Topics include land...
Ecological Responses to Fish Reclamation Treatments
Piscicides have been used in Rocky Mountain stream and lakes to restore native fish populations. In the last two decades concerns over piscicide effects to non-target organisms, primarily aquatic invertebrates, has increased. Although piscicides have been used for more than 70 years the impact to invertebrate assemblages has not been well studied and is largely unknown. Given the importance a...
Climate Change and Trout
Cold-water fishes like trout, salmon, and charr are especially vulnerable to shifting conditions related to climate change; for example, warmer temperatures and more variable hydroclimate. Native cutthroat trout of the southern Rocky Mountains now only occupy a tiny fraction of their historic habitats because of stressors such as non-native fishes, habitat fragmentation, and detrimental land...
Characterization of Water Quality and Biology in the Fountain Creek Watershed
Monument and Fountain Creeks and their respective watersheds, located in the Front Range of Colorado, serve as important drainages for surface runoff, waste-water treatment operations, and as a water supply for downstream agricultural needs. As population growth continues in these watersheds, more and more pressures are being applied to the receiving streams, especially Fountain Creek.
The Past as a Prelude to the Future: Assessing Climate Effects on Native Trout in the U.S.
Salmonids (a family of fish that includes salmon, trout, and char) are a keystone species for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and can be an early warning indicator of ecosystem health. Salmonids also have strong societal values and contribute enormously to regional economies and Native American cultures. Today, many native salmonid populations are small, highly fragmented, and isolated fr
Multimedia related to this scientist
Blocknet Backlog
Downstream blocknet as part of an electrofishing survey of the fish community in Sevenmile Creek, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in northern Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Downstream blocknet as part of an electrofishing survey of the fish community in Sevenmile Creek, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in northern Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Holding Pattern
Fish in a holding net waiting to be measured following an electrofishing survey of Sevenmile Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Fish in a holding net waiting to be measured following an electrofishing survey of Sevenmile Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
Day at the Beach
A slimy sculpin from Miners Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.
A slimy sculpin from Miners Creek in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Photo credit: James Roberts, USGS.