Josh T Ackerman
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
Low prevalence of avian influenza virus in shorebirds on the Pacific coast of North America
Breeding stage influences space use of female American avocets in San Francisco Bay, California
Space use by Forster's Terns breeding in South San Francisco Bay
At-sea distribution and abundance of seabirds off southern California: A 20-year comparison
Mercury concentrations and space use of pre-breeding American avocets and black-necked stilts in San Francisco Bay
Spatial use by wintering greater white-fronted geese relative to a decade of habitat change in California's Central Valley
Does life history predict risk-taking behavior of wintering dabbling ducks?
Effectiveness of spinning-wing decoys varies among dabbling duck species and locations
Sexing Forster's Terns using morphometric measurements
Nest occupancy and hatching success of Xantus's murrelets (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) breeding on Santa Barbara Island, California during a twenty-year period
Exploring individual quality: Basal metabolic rate and reproductive performance in storm-petrels
Decade of change: a tracking study shows how white-fronted geese responded to recent habitat changes in the Central Valley
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Low prevalence of avian influenza virus in shorebirds on the Pacific coast of North America
The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has elevated concerns about wild birds as virus hosts; however, little is known about the ecological and epidemiological factors of transmission by shorebirds. Here we summarize results for 2,773 shorebirds that were live-trapped on the Pacific coast of the United States during 2006-2007 and tested for avian influenza virus using real-AuthorsSamuel A. Iverson, John Y. Takekawa, Steven Schwarzbach, Carol J. Cardona, Nils Warnock, Mary Anne Bishop, Greg A. Schirato, Sara Paroulek, Joshua T. Ackerman, Hon S. Ip, Walter M. BoyceBreeding stage influences space use of female American avocets in San Francisco Bay, California
Female American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) were radio-marked (N=15) and tracked in the South San Francisco Bay, California, to determine if space use varied by breeding stage. Visual observations were used to determine breeding stage (pre-incubation, incubation, brood-rearing, post-breeding) of marked avocets. Space use measurements (linear movements, home ranges, core areas, and average diAuthorsScott A. Demers, M. A. Colwell, John Y. Takekawa, Joshua T. AckermanSpace use by Forster's Terns breeding in South San Francisco Bay
Parental care behaviors often differ in dimorphic seabirds, leading to sex-specific differences in foraging behaviors. However, few studies have examined sex-specific foraging behaviors in monomorphic seabirds. Using radio-telemetry, we studied Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri) - a monomorphic and socially monogamous seabird - breeding in the South San Francisco Bay, California. Space use did notAuthorsJ. Bluso-Demers, M. A. Colwell, John Y. Takekawa, Joshua T. AckermanAt-sea distribution and abundance of seabirds off southern California: A 20-year comparison
We conducted aerial at-sea and coastal surveys to examine the distribution and abundance of seabirds off southern California, from Cambria, California, to the Mexican border. From May 1999-January 2002, we flew 102 d, covered >54,640 km of transect lines, and conducted nine complete surveys of southern California in January, May, and September. We identified 54 species comprising 12 families and cAuthorsJ.W. Mason, G.J. McChesney, W.R. McIver, H.R. Carter, John Y. Takekawa, R.T. Golightly, Joshua T. Ackerman, D.L. Orthmeyer, W.M. Perry, J.L. Yee, M.O. Pierson, M.D. McCraryMercury concentrations and space use of pre-breeding American avocets and black-necked stilts in San Francisco Bay
We examined factors influencing mercury concentrations in pre-breeding American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) and black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus), the two most abundant breeding shorebirds in San Francisco Bay, California. We tested the effects of species, site, sex, year, and date on total mercury concentrations in blood of pre-breeding adult birds and used radio telemetry to deterAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, John Y. Takekawa, Scott A. Demers, Terrence L. Adelsbach, J.D. Bluso, A. Keith Miles, Nils Warnock, Thomas H. Suchanek, Steven E. SchwarzbachSpatial use by wintering greater white-fronted geese relative to a decade of habitat change in California's Central Valley
We investigated the effect of recent habitat changes in California's Central Valley on wintering Pacific greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis) by comparing roost-to-feed distances, distributions, population range sizes, and habitat use during 1987-1990 and 1998-2000. These habitat changes included wetland restoration and agricultural land enhancement due to the 1990 implementatioAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, John Y. Takekawa, D.L. Orthmeyer, J. P. Fleskes, J.L. Yee, K.L. KruseDoes life history predict risk-taking behavior of wintering dabbling ducks?
Life-history theory predicts that longer-lived, less fecund species should take fewer risks when exposed to predation than shorter-lived, more fecund species. We tested this prediction for seven species of dabbling ducks (Anas) by measuring the approach behavior (behavior of ducks when approaching potential landing sites) of 1099 duck flocks during 37 hunting trials and 491 flocks during 13 trialsAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, J.M. Eadie, T.G. MooreEffectiveness of spinning-wing decoys varies among dabbling duck species and locations
Spinning-wing decoys are strong attractants to ducks and inc rease kill rates over traditional decoying methods. However, it is unknown whether all duck species are attracted similarly to spinning-wing decoys and whether the effectiveness of these decoys changes with latitude. We examined the effectiveness of spinning-wing decoys for 9 species of dabbling ducks during 545 experimental hunts in CalAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, J.M. Eadie, M.L. Szymanski, J.H. Caswell, Mark P. Vrtiska, Andrew H. Raedeke, J.M. Checkett, A. D. Afton, T.G. Moore, F.D. Caswell, R. A. Walters, D.D. Humburg, J.L. YeeSexing Forster's Terns using morphometric measurements
Forester's Terns (Sterna forsteri), like most seabirds, are monomorphic and are difficult to sex without extensive behavioral observations or genetic sexing. We conducted the first morphological study and discriminant function analysis on Forster's Terns to develop a method to accurately identify their sex in the field. A sample of 84 terns from the San Francisco Bay estuary were captured or colleAuthorsJ.D. Bluso, Joshua T. Ackerman, John Y. Takekawa, J.L. YeeNest occupancy and hatching success of Xantus's murrelets (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) breeding on Santa Barbara Island, California during a twenty-year period
No abstract available at this timeAuthorsC.A. Schwemm, Joshua T. Ackerman, P.L. Martin, W. PerryExploring individual quality: Basal metabolic rate and reproductive performance in storm-petrels
Despite evidence that some individuals achieve both superior reproductive performance and high survivorship, the factors underlying variation in individual quality are not well understood. The compensation and increased-intake hypotheses predict that basal metabolic rate (BMR) influences reproductive performance; if so, variation in BMR may be related to differences in individual quality. We evaluAuthorsA.L. Blackmer, R.A. Mauck, Joshua T. Ackerman, C.E. Huntington, G.A. Nevitt, J. B. WilliamsDecade of change: a tracking study shows how white-fronted geese responded to recent habitat changes in the Central Valley
No abstract available at this timeAuthorsJoshua T. Ackerman, John Y. Takekawa, Fleskes, D.L. Orthmeyer - Web Tools
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