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James Patrick Cronin, Ph.D.

James Cronin's research uses analytical tools to identify ecological processes operating in natural systems and aid decision makers in conserving and restoring natural landscapes. His projects generally focus on (1) translating human knowledge and beliefs about how the world works into causal models and (2) using causal models to inform large-scale restoration efforts.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Pittsburgh

B.A., Biology, St. John's University

BACKGROUND

2018-Present: Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (formerly National Wetland Research Center), Lafayette, LA, USA

2014-2018: Ecologist, US Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center (formerly National Wetland Research Center), Lafayette, LA, USA

2013-2014: Research Scientist I, Five Rivers Services LLC, USGS National Wetland Research Center, Lafayette, LA, USA

2006-2013: Postdoctoral Research Associate Infectious Disease Ecology, Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

1999-2006: Ph.D. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; NSF Gk-12 Teaching Fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA

1996-1999: B.A. Biology, St. John’s University, MN

Science and Products

link
Boulder brain coral with signs of stony coral tissue loss disease

Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

A USGS multi-disciplinary team will use laboratory and modeling approaches to investigate the cause of stony coral tissue loss disease.
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

A USGS multi-disciplinary team will use laboratory and modeling approaches to investigate the cause of stony coral tissue loss disease.
Learn More
link
Biological Planning Units (BPUs)

Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives

The USGS partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its conservation partners to develop 16 Biological Planning Units (BPU) and six Aquatic Extensions and compile population objectives for 166 species that are representative of habitats within each BPU.
By
Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives

The USGS partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its conservation partners to develop 16 Biological Planning Units (BPU) and six Aquatic Extensions and compile population objectives for 166 species that are representative of habitats within each BPU.
Learn More
link
juvenile Gulf sturgeon

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon

WARC researchers partnered with Gulf Sturgeon decision makers and biologists to develop a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the quantity of juvenile winter foraging habitat under alternative river discharge and timing of juvenile arrival scenarios.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon

WARC researchers partnered with Gulf Sturgeon decision makers and biologists to develop a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the quantity of juvenile winter foraging habitat under alternative river discharge and timing of juvenile arrival scenarios.
Learn More
link
Brown Pelican

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of Brown Pelican breeding pairs on islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of Brown Pelican breeding pairs on islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
link
Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of breeding pairs of Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of breeding pairs of Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
link
Alabama beach mouse

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)

WARC researchers partnered with beach mice managers and biologists to estimate habitat objectives and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency) for three beach mice subspecies in Florida’s panhandle.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)

WARC researchers partnered with beach mice managers and biologists to estimate habitat objectives and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency) for three beach mice subspecies in Florida’s panhandle.
Learn More
link
Image: Black Skimmers

Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the gulf need decision-aiding
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the gulf need decision-aiding
Learn More

Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for characterizing the soil texture and topography that may be relevant to Black Skimmer and Gull-billed tern nesting on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. These data characterize soil texture (e.g., sand or shell, loam), elevation, and distance to mean higher high water (MHHW) at 3
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the creation and application of a Bayesian network model that predicts Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents data for the creation of a spatially explicit Bayesian network model that predicts Brown Pelican nests on islands across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Well-targeted management plans are needed to achieve Brown Pelican population objectives (number of breeding pairs) because conservation and restoration opportunities are limited a
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Gulf Sturgeon Bayesian Network Model

This USGS Data Release represents tabular and geospatial data for the Gulf Sturgeon Bayesian Network Model. The Gulf Sturgeon is a federally listed, anadromous species, inhabiting Gulf Coast rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters from Louisiana to Florida. The data release was produced in compliance with the new 'open data' requirements as way to make the scientific products associated with USGS re
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Beach Mice Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast Projects Beach Mice Bayesian network model. The data release was produced in compliance with 'open data' requirements as a way to make the scientific products associated with USGS research efforts and publications available to the public. The release consists of s
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Biological planning units and aquatic extensions for the Gulf Coast

The success of Gulf Coast restoration efforts hinge on partners sharing a common vision for conservation framed by explicit biological objectives for specific conservation targets. However, specific and explicit biological objectives that quantify what it means to actually share a common vision remain undefined. Therefore, this project's goal is to develop explicit biological objectives for a comm
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply

No abstract available.
Authors
Donald Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Identifying information gaps in predicting winter foraging habitat for juvenile Gulf Sturgeon

The Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi is an anadromous species that inhabits Gulf of Mexico coastal waters from Louisiana to Florida and is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Seasonal cues (e.g., freshwater discharge) determine the timing of spawning and migration and may influence the availability of critical habitat during winter months in six estuaries. Large i
Authors
Leah L Dale, James P. Cronin, Virginia Brink, Blair Tirpak, John M. Tirpak, William E. Pine
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Strategic habitat conservation for beach mice: Estimating management scenario efficiencies

The Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis), Choctawhatchee beach mouse (P. p. allophrys), and St. Andrew beach mouse (P. p. peninsularis) are 3 federally endangered subspecies that inhabit coastal dunes of Alabama and Florida, USA. Conservation opportunities for these subspecies are limited and costly. Consequently, well‐targeted efforts are required to achieve their downlis
Authors
James P. Cronin, Blair Tirpak, Leah L Dale, Virginia E Robenski, John M. Tirpak, Bruce G. Marcot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Trait‐based variation in host contribution to pathogen transmission across species and resource supplies

Two key knowledge gaps currently limit the development of more predictive and general models of pathogen transmission: (1) the physiological basis of heterogeneity in host contribution to pathogen transmission (reservoir potential) remains poorly understood, and (2) a general means of integrating the ecological dynamics of host communities has yet to emerge. If the traits responsible for differenc
Authors
Miranda E Welsh, James P. Cronin, Charles E. Mitchell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

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 theoretical langua
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Final project memorandum: Identifying conservation objectives for the Gulf Coast habitats of the black skimmer and gull-billed tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the Gulf need decision-aiding
Authors
James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

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 trait corr
Authors
James P. Cronin, Donald Schoolmaster
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)

IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife hosts in a c
Authors
M. Camille Harris, John M. Pearce, Diann J. Prosser, C. LeAnn White, A. Keith Miles, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Christopher J. Brand, James P. Cronin, Susan De La Cruz, Christine L. Densmore, Thomas W. Doyle, Robert J. Dusek, Joseph P. Fleskes, Paul L. Flint, Gerald F. Guala, Jeffrey S. Hall, Laura E. Hubbard, Randall J. Hunt, Hon S. Ip, Rachel A. Katz, Kevin W. Laurent, Mark P. Miller, Mark D. Munn, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin D. Richards, Robin E. Russell, Joel P. Stokdyk, John Y. Takekawa, Daniel P. Walsh
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment

The role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection

1.The Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) describes global covariation in the traits of plant leaves. The LES is thought to arise from biophysical constraints and habitat filtering (ecological selection against unfit trait combinations along environmental gradients). However, the role of habitat filtering in generating the LES has not been tested experimentally. 2.If the process of habitat filtering pla
Authors
Miranda E Welsh, James P. Cronin, Charles E. Mitchell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Cronin JP, MA Rua, and CE Mitchell. 2014. Why is living fast dangerous? Disentangling the role of resistance and tolerance of disease. The American Naturalist. 184, 172-187 doi: 10.1086/676854
Cronin, JP, Rúa MA and Mitchell CE. 2014. Data from: Why is living fast dangerous? Disentangling the roles of resistance and tolerance of disease. American Naturalist, Dryad Digital Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8mq2q.
Welsh ME, Cronin JP, and Mitchell CE. 2016. The role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection. Journal of Ecology 104, 1768–1777
Welsh ME, Cronin JP and Mitchell CE. 2016. Data from: the role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection. Dryad Digital Repository, http://datadryad.org/resource/doi:10.5061/dryad.356v3
Borer ET, Seabloom EW, Mitchell CE and Cronin JP. 2014. Multiple nutrients and herbivores interact to govern diversity, productivity, composition, and infection in a successional grassland. Oikos. 123, 214-224
Cronin JP, Han BA, Keesing F, Kilpatrick AM, Metcalf CJE, and Welsh ME. 2012. Towards trait-based disease ecology: Integrating theory and data across kingdoms. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 93, 95-99
Cronin JP, Tonsor SJ, and Carson WP. 2010. A simultaneous test of trophic interaction models: Which vegetation characteristic explains herbivore control over plant community mass? Ecology Letters. 13, 202-212
Cronin JP, Welsh ME, Dekkers MG, Abercrombie ST, and Mitchell CE. 2010. Host physiological phenotype explains pathogen reservoir potential. Ecology Letters, 13, 1221-1232
Carson WP, Cronin JP, and Long ZT. 2004. A general rule for predicting when insects will have strong top-down effects on plant communities: On the relationship between insect outbreaks and host concentration. Pages 193-212 in Weisser WW and E Siemann (eds). Insects and Ecosystem Function. Ecological Studies Series Vol. 173. Springer-Verlag
Cronin JP and Carson WP. Competition. 2002. In Macmillian Science Library: Biology Macmillan Reference USA, Gale Group. New York, NY. (Invited)

**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

link
Boulder brain coral with signs of stony coral tissue loss disease

Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

A USGS multi-disciplinary team will use laboratory and modeling approaches to investigate the cause of stony coral tissue loss disease.
By
Eastern Ecological Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
link

Integrating Science and Management to Assist with the Response to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease

A USGS multi-disciplinary team will use laboratory and modeling approaches to investigate the cause of stony coral tissue loss disease.
Learn More
link
Biological Planning Units (BPUs)

Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives

The USGS partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its conservation partners to develop 16 Biological Planning Units (BPU) and six Aquatic Extensions and compile population objectives for 166 species that are representative of habitats within each BPU.
By
Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast: Biological Planning Units & Target Species Population Objectives

The USGS partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and its conservation partners to develop 16 Biological Planning Units (BPU) and six Aquatic Extensions and compile population objectives for 166 species that are representative of habitats within each BPU.
Learn More
link
juvenile Gulf sturgeon

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon

WARC researchers partnered with Gulf Sturgeon decision makers and biologists to develop a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the quantity of juvenile winter foraging habitat under alternative river discharge and timing of juvenile arrival scenarios.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Gulf Sturgeon

WARC researchers partnered with Gulf Sturgeon decision makers and biologists to develop a Bayesian network model that uses habitat characteristics to predict the quantity of juvenile winter foraging habitat under alternative river discharge and timing of juvenile arrival scenarios.
Learn More
link
Brown Pelican

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of Brown Pelican breeding pairs on islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Brown Pelican

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of Brown Pelican breeding pairs on islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
link
Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of breeding pairs of Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

WARC researchers partnered with managers and species experts to develop a Bayesian network model and a geospatial habitat characteristics dataset to predict the number of breeding pairs of Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern along the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
link
Alabama beach mouse

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)

WARC researchers partnered with beach mice managers and biologists to estimate habitat objectives and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency) for three beach mice subspecies in Florida’s panhandle.
By
Species Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico
link

Strategic Habitat Conservation for Beach Mice (Peromyscus polionotus ssp.)

WARC researchers partnered with beach mice managers and biologists to estimate habitat objectives and the amount of effort needed to achieve the habitat objective (i.e., management efficiency) for three beach mice subspecies in Florida’s panhandle.
Learn More
link
Image: Black Skimmers

Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the gulf need decision-aiding
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Identifying Conservation Objectives for the Gulf Coast Habitats of the Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the gulf need decision-aiding
Learn More

Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model - Soil Textures and Topography Index

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for characterizing the soil texture and topography that may be relevant to Black Skimmer and Gull-billed tern nesting on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. These data characterize soil texture (e.g., sand or shell, loam), elevation, and distance to mean higher high water (MHHW) at 3
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Gull-billed Tern and Black Skimmer Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the creation and application of a Bayesian network model that predicts Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) and Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) on bare ground sites across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Management plans with clear priorities can help to achieve Black Skimmer and Gull-billed Tern
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Brown Pelican Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents data for the creation of a spatially explicit Bayesian network model that predicts Brown Pelican nests on islands across the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Well-targeted management plans are needed to achieve Brown Pelican population objectives (number of breeding pairs) because conservation and restoration opportunities are limited a
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Gulf Sturgeon Bayesian Network Model

This USGS Data Release represents tabular and geospatial data for the Gulf Sturgeon Bayesian Network Model. The Gulf Sturgeon is a federally listed, anadromous species, inhabiting Gulf Coast rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters from Louisiana to Florida. The data release was produced in compliance with the new 'open data' requirements as way to make the scientific products associated with USGS re
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Data for Beach Mice Bayesian Network Model

This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release represents tabular and geospatial data for the Biological Objectives for the Gulf Coast Projects Beach Mice Bayesian network model. The data release was produced in compliance with 'open data' requirements as a way to make the scientific products associated with USGS research efforts and publications available to the public. The release consists of s
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Biological planning units and aquatic extensions for the Gulf Coast

The success of Gulf Coast restoration efforts hinge on partners sharing a common vision for conservation framed by explicit biological objectives for specific conservation targets. However, specific and explicit biological objectives that quantify what it means to actually share a common vision remain undefined. Therefore, this project's goal is to develop explicit biological objectives for a comm
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

A graphical causal model for resolving species identity effects and biodiversity–ecosystem function correlations: Reply

No abstract available.
Authors
Donald Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Identifying information gaps in predicting winter foraging habitat for juvenile Gulf Sturgeon

The Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi is an anadromous species that inhabits Gulf of Mexico coastal waters from Louisiana to Florida and is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Seasonal cues (e.g., freshwater discharge) determine the timing of spawning and migration and may influence the availability of critical habitat during winter months in six estuaries. Large i
Authors
Leah L Dale, James P. Cronin, Virginia Brink, Blair Tirpak, John M. Tirpak, William E. Pine
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

Strategic habitat conservation for beach mice: Estimating management scenario efficiencies

The Perdido Key beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis), Choctawhatchee beach mouse (P. p. allophrys), and St. Andrew beach mouse (P. p. peninsularis) are 3 federally endangered subspecies that inhabit coastal dunes of Alabama and Florida, USA. Conservation opportunities for these subspecies are limited and costly. Consequently, well‐targeted efforts are required to achieve their downlis
Authors
James P. Cronin, Blair Tirpak, Leah L Dale, Virginia E Robenski, John M. Tirpak, Bruce G. Marcot
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Trait‐based variation in host contribution to pathogen transmission across species and resource supplies

Two key knowledge gaps currently limit the development of more predictive and general models of pathogen transmission: (1) the physiological basis of heterogeneity in host contribution to pathogen transmission (reservoir potential) remains poorly understood, and (2) a general means of integrating the ecological dynamics of host communities has yet to emerge. If the traits responsible for differenc
Authors
Miranda E Welsh, James P. Cronin, Charles E. Mitchell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

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 theoretical langua
Authors
Donald R. Schoolmaster, Chad R Zirbel, James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Final project memorandum: Identifying conservation objectives for the Gulf Coast habitats of the black skimmer and gull-billed tern

Many shorebirds and nearshore waterbirds are of conservation concern across the Gulf of Mexico due to stressors such as human disturbance, predation, and habitat loss and degradation. Conservation and protection of these birds is important for the functioning of healthy ecosystems and for maintaining biodiversity in North America. Consequently, resource managers along the Gulf need decision-aiding
Authors
James P. Cronin
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Gulf of Mexico

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 trait corr
Authors
James P. Cronin, Donald Schoolmaster
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)

IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife hosts in a c
Authors
M. Camille Harris, John M. Pearce, Diann J. Prosser, C. LeAnn White, A. Keith Miles, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Christopher J. Brand, James P. Cronin, Susan De La Cruz, Christine L. Densmore, Thomas W. Doyle, Robert J. Dusek, Joseph P. Fleskes, Paul L. Flint, Gerald F. Guala, Jeffrey S. Hall, Laura E. Hubbard, Randall J. Hunt, Hon S. Ip, Rachel A. Katz, Kevin W. Laurent, Mark P. Miller, Mark D. Munn, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin D. Richards, Robin E. Russell, Joel P. Stokdyk, John Y. Takekawa, Daniel P. Walsh
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Alaska Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Laboratory for Infectious Disease and the Environment

The role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection

1.The Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) describes global covariation in the traits of plant leaves. The LES is thought to arise from biophysical constraints and habitat filtering (ecological selection against unfit trait combinations along environmental gradients). However, the role of habitat filtering in generating the LES has not been tested experimentally. 2.If the process of habitat filtering pla
Authors
Miranda E Welsh, James P. Cronin, Charles E. Mitchell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Cronin JP, MA Rua, and CE Mitchell. 2014. Why is living fast dangerous? Disentangling the role of resistance and tolerance of disease. The American Naturalist. 184, 172-187 doi: 10.1086/676854
Cronin, JP, Rúa MA and Mitchell CE. 2014. Data from: Why is living fast dangerous? Disentangling the roles of resistance and tolerance of disease. American Naturalist, Dryad Digital Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8mq2q.
Welsh ME, Cronin JP, and Mitchell CE. 2016. The role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection. Journal of Ecology 104, 1768–1777
Welsh ME, Cronin JP and Mitchell CE. 2016. Data from: the role of habitat filtering in the leaf economics spectrum and plant susceptibility to pathogen infection. Dryad Digital Repository, http://datadryad.org/resource/doi:10.5061/dryad.356v3
Borer ET, Seabloom EW, Mitchell CE and Cronin JP. 2014. Multiple nutrients and herbivores interact to govern diversity, productivity, composition, and infection in a successional grassland. Oikos. 123, 214-224
Cronin JP, Han BA, Keesing F, Kilpatrick AM, Metcalf CJE, and Welsh ME. 2012. Towards trait-based disease ecology: Integrating theory and data across kingdoms. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America 93, 95-99
Cronin JP, Tonsor SJ, and Carson WP. 2010. A simultaneous test of trophic interaction models: Which vegetation characteristic explains herbivore control over plant community mass? Ecology Letters. 13, 202-212
Cronin JP, Welsh ME, Dekkers MG, Abercrombie ST, and Mitchell CE. 2010. Host physiological phenotype explains pathogen reservoir potential. Ecology Letters, 13, 1221-1232
Carson WP, Cronin JP, and Long ZT. 2004. A general rule for predicting when insects will have strong top-down effects on plant communities: On the relationship between insect outbreaks and host concentration. Pages 193-212 in Weisser WW and E Siemann (eds). Insects and Ecosystem Function. Ecological Studies Series Vol. 173. Springer-Verlag
Cronin JP and Carson WP. Competition. 2002. In Macmillian Science Library: Biology Macmillan Reference USA, Gale Group. New York, NY. (Invited)

**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.

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