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Jeffrey Duda

I am a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center, stationed in Seattle, Washington.

Research Interests:

My research assignment is to develop and execute a research program focused upon priorities of the USGS Ecosystems mission area, in particular those projects that address complex natural resource issues related to land use, habitat restoration, and species recovery. I have had the pleasure to work in diverse ecosystems and ecoregions throughout the United States, on lands and waters contained in both National Parks and military installations. I have also worked across a range of biological scales, from single species to entire communities.

Over the past decade, I have focused much attention on studying the ecological outcomes of dam removal, especially the historic project on the Elwha River. This involved removal of two long-standing dams, with a major goal of restoring the ecosystem and the native anadromous fish populations that once thrived in the river. Working with a multidisciplinary team within the USGS, as well as strong collaborations with partners like NPS, NOAA, FWS, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, we have developed a portfolio of long-term data sets on physical and biological attributes of the Elwha River before and after dam removal.

Recently I was a member of a dam removal science working group at the USGS John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis. We worked to understand patterns of dam removal science, and to synthesize what is known scientifically about this emerging field. This led to development of the USGS Dam Removal Information Portal, an interactive online tool for visualizing and storing scientific studies associated with dam removals nationwide.

Professional Experience

  • 2004 to Present – Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA

  • 1998-2004 – Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA

  • 1993-1995 – Biological Technician, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

Education and Certifications

  • Ecological Society of America, Certified Senior Ecologist, 2018-present

  • M.S. 1998. Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

  • B.S. 1993. Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • 1998 to Present – Ecological Society of America

  • Honorary Lifetime Member – Northwest Scientific Association

  • 2010 to Present – American Fisheries Society

  • 2022 to Present  – Sigma Xi

  • 2015 to 2020 – Scientific Advisory Board, Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study

  • 2012 to 2021 – Science Liaison, Board of Directors, Nature Bridge at Olympic National Park

Honors and Awards

  • 2014 – NOAA Restoration Center, Excellence in Restoration Award

  • 2013 – Northwest Scientific Association, Honorary Lifetime Membership Award

  • 2011 – U.S. Department of the Interior, Superior Service Award

  • 2018 – USGS Unit Award for Excellence of Service, Elwha River Science Team

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15
No Result Found
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 92

Developmental instability in Rhus copallinum L.: multiple stressors, years, and responses Developmental instability in Rhus copallinum L.: multiple stressors, years, and responses

Developmental instability, as assessed by leaf fluctuating asymmetry and stem internode allometry, was examined at nine sites, representing three levels of disturbance, over multiple years. Site selection was based on land‐use disturbance classes related to training of mechanized infantry and other land management activities at Fort Benning, Georgia. Developmental instability varied...
Authors
D. Freeman, Michelle Brown, Jeffrey Duda, John Graham, John Emlen, Anthony Krzysik, Harold Balbach, Dave Kovacic, John Zak
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Estimating disturbance effects from military training using developmental instability and physiological measures of plant stress Estimating disturbance effects from military training using developmental instability and physiological measures of plant stress

We used developmental instability, water potential, and variable fluorescence to determine if populations of winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) were being negatively effected by military training disturbance. We established nine sites that represented a land-use disturbance gradient with three impact levels (low, medium, and high), the effects mostly due to mechanized infantry training...
Authors
J.J. Duda, D.C. Freeman, M. Brown, J.H. Graham, A.J. Krzysik, J.M. Emlen, J.C. Zak, D.A. Kovacic
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Developmental instability: an appropriate indicator of plant fitness? Developmental instability: an appropriate indicator of plant fitness?

No abstract available.
Authors
M. Tracy, D.C. Freeman, J.J. Duda, K.J. Miglia, J.H. Graham, R. Hough
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Ecological effects of ranching: A six-point critique Ecological effects of ranching: A six-point critique

Ranching is the dominant land use in much of the American West. Although a copious literature has examined the effects of various grazing practices on native ecosystems, we present here the idea that ranching has important impacts on the land independent of those caused by grazing itself. If biological conservation is to be successful on the western grasslands and shrublands, ranchers...
Authors
Jerome Freilich, John Emlen, Jeffrey Duda, D. Freeman, Philip Cafaro
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Fitting population models from field data Fitting population models from field data

The application of population and community ecology to solving real-world problems requires population and community dynamics models that reflect the myriad patterns of interaction among organisms and between the biotic and physical environments. Appropriate models are not hard to construct, but the experimental manipulations needed to evaluate their defining coefficients are often both...
Authors
J.M. Emlen, D.C. Freeman, M.D. Kirchhoff, C.L. Alados, J. Escos, J.J. Duda
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Differences in native soil ecology associated with invasion of the exotic annual chenopod, Halgeton glomeratus Differences in native soil ecology associated with invasion of the exotic annual chenopod, Halgeton glomeratus

Various biotic and abiotic components of soil ecology differed significantly across an area whereHalogeton glomeratus is invading a native winterfat, [ Krascheninnikovia (= Ceratoides) lanata] community. Nutrient levels were significantly different among the native, ecotone, and exotic-derived soils. NO3, P, K, and Na all increased as the cover of halogeton increased. Only Ca was highest...
Authors
Jeffrey Duda, D. Freeman, John Emlen, Jayne Belnap, Stanley Kitchen, John Zak, Edward Sobek, Mary Tracy, James Montante
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Spatial organization of desert tortoises and their burrows at a landscape scale Spatial organization of desert tortoises and their burrows at a landscape scale

We thoroughly surveyed two 9 km 2 study plots using 624 km of transect lines in the south- central Mojave Desert, California, mapping with a precision global positioning system the location of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and their burrows. We found 98 desert tortoises and 1463 tortoise burrows. Three separate geospatial methods (quadrat-variance, nearest neighbor, and 3...
Authors
Jeffrey Duda, Anthony Krzysik, Joel Meloche
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Effects of drought on desert tortoise movement and activity Effects of drought on desert tortoise movement and activity

We monitored movement and activity patterns of 38 desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at 2 locations in the southcentral Mojave Desert during 2 consecutive years differing markedly in winter rainfall. During the first year, winter precipitation was 225% greater than the long-term average for this region, whereas a drought the following year resulted in precipitation that was 25% of the...
Authors
J.J. Duda, A.J. Krzysik, J.E. Freilich
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Duda, J.J., and A.J. Krzysik. 1998. Radiotelemetry study of a desert tortoise population: Sand Hill Training Area, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories Technical Report 98/39. 75 p.
Duda, J.J. 1998. Home range, burrow use, and activity patterns of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the south-central Mojave Desert. M.S. Thesis. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 60 p.

**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

Filter Total Items: 15
No Result Found
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 92

Developmental instability in Rhus copallinum L.: multiple stressors, years, and responses Developmental instability in Rhus copallinum L.: multiple stressors, years, and responses

Developmental instability, as assessed by leaf fluctuating asymmetry and stem internode allometry, was examined at nine sites, representing three levels of disturbance, over multiple years. Site selection was based on land‐use disturbance classes related to training of mechanized infantry and other land management activities at Fort Benning, Georgia. Developmental instability varied...
Authors
D. Freeman, Michelle Brown, Jeffrey Duda, John Graham, John Emlen, Anthony Krzysik, Harold Balbach, Dave Kovacic, John Zak
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Estimating disturbance effects from military training using developmental instability and physiological measures of plant stress Estimating disturbance effects from military training using developmental instability and physiological measures of plant stress

We used developmental instability, water potential, and variable fluorescence to determine if populations of winged sumac (Rhus copallinum) were being negatively effected by military training disturbance. We established nine sites that represented a land-use disturbance gradient with three impact levels (low, medium, and high), the effects mostly due to mechanized infantry training...
Authors
J.J. Duda, D.C. Freeman, M. Brown, J.H. Graham, A.J. Krzysik, J.M. Emlen, J.C. Zak, D.A. Kovacic
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Developmental instability: an appropriate indicator of plant fitness? Developmental instability: an appropriate indicator of plant fitness?

No abstract available.
Authors
M. Tracy, D.C. Freeman, J.J. Duda, K.J. Miglia, J.H. Graham, R. Hough
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Ecological effects of ranching: A six-point critique Ecological effects of ranching: A six-point critique

Ranching is the dominant land use in much of the American West. Although a copious literature has examined the effects of various grazing practices on native ecosystems, we present here the idea that ranching has important impacts on the land independent of those caused by grazing itself. If biological conservation is to be successful on the western grasslands and shrublands, ranchers...
Authors
Jerome Freilich, John Emlen, Jeffrey Duda, D. Freeman, Philip Cafaro
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Fitting population models from field data Fitting population models from field data

The application of population and community ecology to solving real-world problems requires population and community dynamics models that reflect the myriad patterns of interaction among organisms and between the biotic and physical environments. Appropriate models are not hard to construct, but the experimental manipulations needed to evaluate their defining coefficients are often both...
Authors
J.M. Emlen, D.C. Freeman, M.D. Kirchhoff, C.L. Alados, J. Escos, J.J. Duda
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Differences in native soil ecology associated with invasion of the exotic annual chenopod, Halgeton glomeratus Differences in native soil ecology associated with invasion of the exotic annual chenopod, Halgeton glomeratus

Various biotic and abiotic components of soil ecology differed significantly across an area whereHalogeton glomeratus is invading a native winterfat, [ Krascheninnikovia (= Ceratoides) lanata] community. Nutrient levels were significantly different among the native, ecotone, and exotic-derived soils. NO3, P, K, and Na all increased as the cover of halogeton increased. Only Ca was highest...
Authors
Jeffrey Duda, D. Freeman, John Emlen, Jayne Belnap, Stanley Kitchen, John Zak, Edward Sobek, Mary Tracy, James Montante
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Spatial organization of desert tortoises and their burrows at a landscape scale Spatial organization of desert tortoises and their burrows at a landscape scale

We thoroughly surveyed two 9 km 2 study plots using 624 km of transect lines in the south- central Mojave Desert, California, mapping with a precision global positioning system the location of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and their burrows. We found 98 desert tortoises and 1463 tortoise burrows. Three separate geospatial methods (quadrat-variance, nearest neighbor, and 3...
Authors
Jeffrey Duda, Anthony Krzysik, Joel Meloche
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Effects of drought on desert tortoise movement and activity Effects of drought on desert tortoise movement and activity

We monitored movement and activity patterns of 38 desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at 2 locations in the southcentral Mojave Desert during 2 consecutive years differing markedly in winter rainfall. During the first year, winter precipitation was 225% greater than the long-term average for this region, whereas a drought the following year resulted in precipitation that was 25% of the...
Authors
J.J. Duda, A.J. Krzysik, J.E. Freilich
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Duda, J.J., and A.J. Krzysik. 1998. Radiotelemetry study of a desert tortoise population: Sand Hill Training Area, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories Technical Report 98/39. 75 p.
Duda, J.J. 1998. Home range, burrow use, and activity patterns of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the south-central Mojave Desert. M.S. Thesis. Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 60 p.

**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.

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

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