Dr. Ackerman is a Principal Investigator with USGS and an Associate in the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology at the University of California-Davis.
His research expertise is in wildlife ecology and ecotoxicology, and his research program focuses on bird ecology, wetland management and restoration, contaminant bioaccumulation in fish and wildlife, and effects of contaminants on animal health and populations.
Education
- Ph.D. 2002, Ecology, University of California-Davis
- B.S. 1997 (Magna Cum Laude), Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California-Davis
Professional Experience
- Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, California (2006-present)
- Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, Vallejo, California (2004-2006)
- Post-doctoral Researcher, John Muir Institute of the Environment, University of California-Davis (2003-2004)
- Post-doctoral Researcher, Dept. of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California-Davis (2002-2003)
- Teaching Assistant, Ecology and Management of Waterfowl and Game Birds (Spring 2002) and Field Methods in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology (Summer 2001), Dept. of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California-Davis
- Waterfowl Researcher (1999-2000), Crew Leader (Spring 1998, 1999, 2000), and Technician (Spring 1997), California Waterfowl Association, Sacramento, California
- Doctoral Research, Dept. of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California-Davis (1997-2002)
- Biological Technician (Summer 1995) and Biological Aid (Summer 1994), U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, Nevada City, California
Selected Publications
2020 Ackerman, JT, MP Herzog, DC Evers, DA Cristol, KP Kenow, GH Heinz, RA Lavoie, RL Brasso, ML Mallory, JF Provencher, BM Braune, A Matz, JA Schmutz, CA Eagles-Smith, LJ Savoy, MW Meyer, and CA Hartman. Synthesis of maternal transfer of mercury in birds: implications for altered toxicity risk. Environmental Science and Technology 54:2878-2891.
2016 Ackerman, JT, CA Eagles-Smith, MP Herzog, CA Hartman, SH Peterson, DC Evers, AK Jackson, JE Elliott, SS Vander Pol, and CE Bryan. Avian mercury exposure and toxicological risk across western North America: a synthesis. Science of the Total Environment 568:749-769.
2014 Ackerman, JT, MP Herzog, GS Yarris, ML Casazza, E Burns, and JM Eadie. Chapter 5: Waterfowl ecology and management in Suisun Marsh: Ecological History and Possible Futures. University of California Press: Berkeley, California.
Science and Products
Avian Influenza Prevalence Correlated to Mercury Concentrations in Wild Waterfowl
Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
Wetland Management Technique Designed to Reduce Mercury in Water and Fish Tested During a Short-Term Field Study
Science to Help Understand Exposure and Toxicological Effects of Environmental Mercury to Representative Birds
Suisun Marsh Waterfowl and Wildlife Studies
Scientists Identify Processes that Affect Fish Mercury Concentrations in Estuarine Wetlands
New Method Can Measure Naturally Occurring Element Exposure in Hummingbirds Without Harm
Waterbird Breeding Ecology and Management
Mercury Bioaccumulation in Wetlands
Breeding and Wintering Ecology of Waterfowl
Contaminants in Waterbirds and Effects on Avian Reproduction
Efficacy of Eggshell Analyses as a Nonlethal Method to Estimate Mercury Exposure in Bird Embryos
Data describing habitat use and availability for wild waterfowl in California, USA
Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021
Nest Attendance, Incubation Constancy, and Onset of Incubation in Dabbling Ducks
Mercury, Cortisol, and Blood Biomarkers in Adult Female Northern Elephant Seals from 2011 to 2021
Predator Movements and Duck Nests in Relation to Habitat Features in Suisun Marsh, CA (2016-2019)
Data describing infection status and movement ecology of North American waterfowl
Data measuring avian influenza infection, mercury concentration, and body condition in wild waterfowl
Nocturnal Incubation Recess and Flushing Behavior by Duck Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area 2015-2018
Migration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Egg Morphometric Data Obtained for White-faced Ibis Nesting in Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake, Utah (2010-2012)
How Mallard and Gadwall Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Respond when Flushed (2015 - 2018)
Breeding Waterbird Populations in South San Francisco Bay 2005-2019
Monitoring nesting waterbirds for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project—2022 breeding season
Nest attendance, incubation constancy, and onset of incubation in dabbling ducks
Habitat use by breeding waterbirds in relation to tidal marsh restoration in the San Francisco Bay estuary
Mercury bioaccumulation and cortisol interact to influence endocrine and immune biomarkers in a free-ranging marine mammal
South San Francisco Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project—A synthesis of Phase-1 mercury studies
Waterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Dabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
Postbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
Predator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Spatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Mercury contamination and potential health risks to Arctic seabirds and shorebirds
Waterfowl Ecology in Suisun Marsh and the Pacific Flyway
Learn about waterfowl research by scientists at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
Re-establishing Waterbird Breeding Colonies in San Francisco Bay
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) story map details how partners are using science and management to maintain and establish new bird nesting colonies in support of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
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Avian Influenza Prevalence Correlated to Mercury Concentrations in Wild Waterfowl
Low pathogenic avian influenza infections were directly correlated with blood mercury concentrations in wild waterfowl, indicating that mercury exposure may be related to pathogen susceptibility. Further study is needed to determine if and how mercury and other environmental contaminant exposures may affect disease susceptibility in wildlife.Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Science Team
The Ecologically-Driven Exposure Pathways Integrated Science Team identifies how ecological pathways and physiological processes within a single organism can alter exposure and toxicity of contaminants and pathogens and seek to understand outcomes at different scales from individuals to populations and ecosystems.Wetland Management Technique Designed to Reduce Mercury in Water and Fish Tested During a Short-Term Field Study
Results from a 3-year study indicate there was support for the use of open- and deep-water treatment pools at the downstream end of seasonal wetlands to reduce methylmercury concentrations in water exported from the wetlands, but the treatment had no measurable effect on wetland fish. Questions remain about the long-term potential for mercury removal using this wetland management strategy.Science to Help Understand Exposure and Toxicological Effects of Environmental Mercury to Representative Birds
Exposure and toxicity of environmental mercury to birds can be enhanced or lessened due to the available sources and forms of mercury and other species dependent factors such as life stage, migratory patterns, foraging and nesting behaviors, transfer of mercury from mothers to eggs, and sex. For example, mercury exposure can lead to sublethal toxicological effects that can influence parental...Suisun Marsh Waterfowl and Wildlife Studies
Suisun Marsh provides critical habitat for wintering and breeding waterbirds in California. USGS WERC collaborates with the California Department of Water Resources to examine trends in bird declines and to assess the habitat factors driving long-term survival of waterfowl, rails, and other birds in this important area.Scientists Identify Processes that Affect Fish Mercury Concentrations in Estuarine Wetlands
In a study designed to help resource managers when considering mercury exposure risk, scientists determined that sulfur cycling—a process closely related to mercury methylation rates—and ecological conditions that influence exposure are important factors affecting fish mercury concentrations in estuarine wetlands.New Method Can Measure Naturally Occurring Element Exposure in Hummingbirds Without Harm
Seventeen naturally occurring trace elements, including those associated with adverse health impacts when birds are exposed to toxic levels (iron, lead, mercury, selenium, zinc, cadmium, and arsenic) were measured in small birds without harm. The nonlethal method was developed for hummingbirds, with Anna's hummingbirds (Calypte anna) as a test species and can be more broadly applied to other...Waterbird Breeding Ecology and Management
The San Francisco Bay is designated as a site of hemispheric importance to shorebirds and annually supports over one million waterbirds. Within the USGS WERC waterbird breeding ecology program, Dr. Josh Ackerman and partners are studying habitat selection, movements, and factors influencing waterbird nest success and chick growth and survival.Mercury Bioaccumulation in Wetlands
Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services, but also can be sources of methylmercury production and export. Click the next tab to learn how WERC's Dr. Josh Ackerman is evaluating the ecological factors that drive contaminant bioaccumulation in wetland-dependent fish and wildlife.Breeding and Wintering Ecology of Waterfowl
Western U.S. wetlands provide critical habitat for wintering and breeding waterfowl in California. WERC's Dr. Josh Ackerman is working toward collecting data to understand factors influencing duck nest success, to improve and restore breeding habitat for resident duck populations in California, and understand composition of predator communities. To learn more about how USGS WERC is implementing...Contaminants in Waterbirds and Effects on Avian Reproduction
California’s Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Estuary have a long history of mercury contamination from past mercury mining and gold extraction. Waterbirds are particularly susceptible to mercury because of their use of wetland habitats where methylmercury (the most toxic and biologically available form) is produced and relatively low methylmercury exposure can reduce reproductive success...Efficacy of Eggshell Analyses as a Nonlethal Method to Estimate Mercury Exposure in Bird Embryos
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists evaluated a nonlethal method to estimate mercury in the embryos of 23 bird species using mercury content in eggshells. This method was effective for a wide range of ages and species. - Data
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Data describing habitat use and availability for wild waterfowl in California, USA
These data describe the overlap of wild waterfowl and domestic poultry operations in California, USA. These data support a paired USGS publication.Geochemical data for water, sediment, and biota in Lake Combie, California, 2017-2021
This dataset includes field measurements and laboratory analyses of surface water, bottom water (sediment-water interface), surficial (0-2 cm) sediment, pore water (0-2 cm), and biota collected in Lake Combie, California, from September 2017 through August 2021. The study area includes six sites within the reservoir where discrete samples of surface water, bottom water, sediment, and pore water weNest Attendance, Incubation Constancy, and Onset of Incubation in Dabbling Ducks
This dataset includes daily nest attendance (proportion of time females spent at the nest), incubation constancy (proportion of time females maintained their nests at nest-specific incubation temperatures), nest temperature variation, and the duration of individual incubation bouts for three species of dabbling ducks (mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal) nesting in Suisun Marsh, California duringMercury, Cortisol, and Blood Biomarkers in Adult Female Northern Elephant Seals from 2011 to 2021
This dataset represents 179 unique adult female northern elephant seals that were sampled between 2011 and 2021 during four different life history states (early breeding, late breeding, early molting, and late molting) at the Ano Nuevo colony in California, USA. Some individual seals were sampled multiple times, resulting in a total of 313 tissue samples. Tissue samples were collected from seals aPredator Movements and Duck Nests in Relation to Habitat Features in Suisun Marsh, CA (2016-2019)
This dataset describes mesopredator locations (raccoons and striped skunks), dabbling duck nest locations (mallard, gadwall, and cinnamon teal), northern harrier nest locations, and random locations in relation to a set of habitat features in Suisun Marsh, California during 2016 through 2019. We designed a series of questions to link fine-scale predator movements and vulnerability of dabbling duckData describing infection status and movement ecology of North American waterfowl
These data, which support a USGS authored manuscript, describe how active and previous previous infection with avian influenza impacts the movement ecology of several wild waterfowl species that overwinter in California. Results varied by species and demonstrate that the relationships between avian influenza infection and wild bird movements are context- and species-dependent.Data measuring avian influenza infection, mercury concentration, and body condition in wild waterfowl
These data represent mercury contamination, influenza infection, and body condition in 11 species of dabbling and diving ducks in the Pacific Flyway. These data support a USGS lead scientific publication.Nocturnal Incubation Recess and Flushing Behavior by Duck Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area 2015-2018
This dataset describes nocturnal incubation recess behavior for mallard and gadwall hens nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in breeding seasons 2015-2018. It includes the frequency, start time and duration of recesses, and details a method for determining whether a recess was initiated in response to a predator at the nest using nest temperature data. These data support the following pubMigration stopover ecology of cinnamon teal in western North America
Identifying migration routes and fall stopover sites of cinnamon teal (Spatula cyanoptera septentrionalium) can provide a spatial guide to management and conservation efforts, and address vulnerabilities in wetland networks that support migratory waterbirds. Using high spatio-temporal resolution GSM-GPS transmitters, we tracked the fall migration of 61 cinnamon teal across western North America ovEgg Morphometric Data Obtained for White-faced Ibis Nesting in Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Great Salt Lake, Utah (2010-2012)
This data consists of egg morphometric data from white-faced ibis. Eggs were collected in the field and then measured and dissected in the lab to obtain estimates of length, width and mass. This data supports the following publication: Herzog, M.P., Ackerman, J.T. and Hartman, C.A., 2021. Egg morphometrics and egg shape coefficients for White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi). The Wilson JournalHow Mallard and Gadwall Hens Nesting in Grizzly Island Wildlife Area Respond when Flushed (2015 - 2018)
This dataset describes responses to flushes by surveyors and predators for mallard and gadwall hens nesting on the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, Suisun Marsh, California in 2015 through 2018. It includes the start time and duration of recesses, as well as the cause of recess initiation and responses of hens to various trapping activities at the nest site. These data support the following publBreeding Waterbird Populations in South San Francisco Bay 2005-2019
The dataset includes three separate excel spreadsheets which provides waterbird (and predator) observations within individual survey units during the May 2019 breeding waterbird survey of south San Francisco Bay (2019WaterbirdSurveyFullData.xlsx), the total number of American avocets, black-necked stilts, and Forster's terns within each pond unit surveyed during the May 2019 survey (2019WaterbirdS - Multimedia
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Monitoring nesting waterbirds for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project—2022 breeding season
The San Francisco Bay supports thousands of breeding waterbirds annually and hosts large populations of American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), and Forster’s terns (Sterna forsteri). These three species have relied largely on former commercial salt ponds in South San Francisco Bay, which provide wetland foraging habitat and island nesting habitat. ThAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, C. Alex Hartman, Mark P. HerzogNest attendance, incubation constancy, and onset of incubation in dabbling ducks
In birds, parents must provide their eggs with a safe thermal environment suitable for embryonic development. Species with uniparental incubation must balance time spent incubating eggs with time spent away from the nest to satisfy self-maintenance needs. Patterns of nest attendance, therefore, influence embryonic development and the time it takes for eggs to hatch. We studied nest attendance (timAuthorsC. Alex Hartman, Josh T. Ackerman, Sarah H. Peterson, Brady Lynn Fettig, Michael L. Casazza, Mark P. HerzogHabitat use by breeding waterbirds in relation to tidal marsh restoration in the San Francisco Bay estuary
The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project aims to restore many former salt production ponds, now managed for wildlife and water quality, to tidal marsh. However, because managed ponds support large densities of breeding waterbirds, reduction of pond habitat may influence breeding waterbird distribution and abundance. We investigated habitat use associated with breeding, feeding, and roosting behAuthorsCarley Rose Schacter, C. Alex Hartman, Mark P. Herzog, Sarah H. Peterson, Max L. Tarjan, Yewei Wang, Cheryl Strong, Rachel Tertes, Neil Warnock, Josh T. AckermanMercury bioaccumulation and cortisol interact to influence endocrine and immune biomarkers in a free-ranging marine mammal
Mercury bioaccumulation from deep-ocean prey and the extreme life history strategies of adult female northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) provide a unique system to assess the interactive effects of mercury and stress on animal health by quantifying blood biomarkers in relation to mercury (skeletal muscle and blood mercury) and cortisol concentrations. The thyroid hormone thyroxine (tAuthorsSarah H. Peterson, Josh T. Ackerman, Rachel R. Holser, Birgitte I. McDonald, Daniel P. Costa, Daniel E. CrockerSouth San Francisco Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project—A synthesis of Phase-1 mercury studies
The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (SBSPRP) encompasses over 6,000 hectares of former salt production ponds along the south edge of the San Francisco Bay and represents the largest wetland restoration effort on the west coast of North America. A series of studies associated with Phase 1 (2010–2018) restoration activities that are focused on a historically mercury contaminated slough and sAuthorsMark Marvin-DiPasquale, Darell Slotton, Josh T. Ackerman, Maureen A. Downing-Kunz, Bruce E. Jaffe, Amy C. Foxgrover, Fernanda Achete, Mick van der WegenWaterfowl recently infected with low pathogenic avian influenza exhibit reduced local movement and delayed migration
Understanding relationships between infection and wildlife movement patterns is important for predicting pathogen spread, especially for multispecies pathogens and those that can spread to humans and domestic animals, such as avian influenza viruses (AIVs). Although infection with low pathogenic AIVs is generally considered asymptomatic in wild birds, prior work has shown that influenza-infected bAuthorsClaire S. Teitelbaum, Michael L. Casazza, Fiona McDuie, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Cory T. Overton, Laurie Anne Hall, Elliott Matchett, Josh T. Ackerman, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Andrew M. Ramey, Diann ProsserDabbling duck eggs hatch after nest abandonment in the wild
In most birds, parental incubation of eggs is necessary for embryo development and survival. Using a combination of weekly nest visits, temperature dataloggers, infrared video cameras, and GPS tracking of hens, we documented several instances of duck eggs hatching after being abandoned by the incubating female. Of 2826 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Gadwall (Mareca strepera) nests monitored 2015AuthorsCarley Rose Schacter, Brady Lynn Fettig, Sarah H. Peterson, C. Alex Hartman, Mark P. Herzog, Michael L. Casazza, Josh T. AckermanPostbreeding movements and molting ecology of female gadwalls and mallards
The wing molt is an important annual life-history event that occurs in waterfowl and molt site selection can play an important role in determining survival. We tracked postbreeding movements of gadwall (Mareca strepera) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) females that bred in the Suisun Marsh (Suisun) of California, USA, to determine molt site selection and wing molt chronology. We attached backpackAuthorsJeffrey D Kohl, Michael L. Casazza, Cory T. Overton, Mark P. Herzog, Josh T. Ackerman, Cliff L. Feldheim, John M. EadiePredator movements in relation to habitat features reveal vulnerability of duck nests to predation
Nest predation is the main cause of nest failure for ducks. Understanding how habitat features influence predator movements may facilitate management of upland and wetland breeding habitats that reduces predator encounter rates with duck nests and increases nest survival rates. For 1618 duck nests, nest survival increased with distance to phragmites (Phragmites australis), shrubs, telephone poles,AuthorsSarah H. Peterson, Josh T. Ackerman, Meghan P Keating, Carley Rose Schacter, C. Alex Hartman, Michael L. Casazza, Mark P. HerzogAvian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infAuthorsClaire Stewart Teitelbaum, Josh T. Ackerman, Mason A. Hill, Jaqueline M. Satter, Michael L. Casazza, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Walter M. Boyce, Evan James Buck, John M. Eadie, Mark P. Herzog, Elliott Matchett, Cory T. Overton, Sarah H. Peterson, Magdalena Plancarte, Andrew M. Ramey, Jeffery D. Sullivan, Diann ProsserSpatiotemporal changes in influenza A virus prevalence among wild waterfowl inhabiting the continental United States throughout the annual cycle
Avian influenza viruses can pose serious risks to agricultural production, human health, and wildlife. An understanding of viruses in wild reservoir species across time and space is important to informing surveillance programs, risk models, and potential population impacts for vulnerable species. Although it is recognized that influenza A virus prevalence peaks in reservoir waterfowl in late summeAuthorsCody M. Kent, Andrew M. Ramey, Josh T. Ackerman, Justin Bahl, Sarah N. Bevins, Andrew S. Bowman, Walter Boyce, Carol Cardona, Michael L. Casazza, Troy D. Cline, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Jeffrey S. Hall, Nichola J. Hill, Hon S. Ip, Scott Krauss, Jennifer M. Mullinax, Jacqueline M. Nolting, Magdalena Plancarte, Rebecca L. Poulson, Jonathan A. Runstadler, Richard D. Slemons, David E. Stallknecht, Jeffery D. Sullivan, John Y. Takekawa, Richard J. Webby, Robert G. Webster, Diann J. ProsserMercury contamination and potential health risks to Arctic seabirds and shorebirds
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of mercury (Hg) on Arctic biota in 2011 and 2018, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic bird studies. This review article provides contemporary Hg exposure and potential health risk for 36 Arctic seabird and shorebird species, representing a larger portion of the Arctic than during preAuthorsOlivier Chastel, Jérôme Fort, Josh T. Ackerman, Céline Albert, Frédéric Angelier, Niladri Basu, Pierre Blévin, Maud Brault-Favrou, Jan O. Bustnes, Paco Bustamante, Jóhannis Danielsen, Sébastien Descamps, Rune Dietz, Kjell Einar Erikstad, Igor Eulaers, Alexey Ezhov, Abram B Fleishman, Geir W. Gabrielsen, Maria Gavrilo, Grant Gilchrist, Olivier Gilg, Sindri Gíslason, Elena Golubova, Aurélie Goutte, David Grémillet, Gunnar T. Hallgrimsson, Erpur S Hansen, Sveinn A Hanssen, Scott Hatch, Nicholas P Huffeldt, Dariusz Jakubas, Jón Einar Jónsson, Alexander S Kitaysky, Yann Kolbeinsson, Yuri Krasnov, Robert J. Letcher, Jannie F Linnebjerg, Mark L. Mallory, Flemming R Merkel, Børge Moe, William J Montevecchi, Anders Mosbech, Bergur Olsen, Rachael A Orben, Jennifer F Provencher, Sunna B. Ragnarsdottir, Tone K Reiertsen, Nora A. Rojek, Marc Romano, Jens Søndergaard, Hallvard Strøm, Akinori Takahashi, Sabrina Tartu, Thorkell L Thórarinsson, Jean-Baptiste Thiebot, Alexis P Will, Simon Wilson, Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas, Glenn Yannic - Web Tools
Waterfowl Ecology in Suisun Marsh and the Pacific Flyway
Learn about waterfowl research by scientists at the USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
Re-establishing Waterbird Breeding Colonies in San Francisco Bay
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) story map details how partners are using science and management to maintain and establish new bird nesting colonies in support of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
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