Kyle I McLean
Biography
Kyle McLean is a Research Ecologist at Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center (NPWRC). Dr. McLean has worked with NPWRC as a Biological Science Technician (2009-2011), Master's student (2012-2015), Ecologist (2015-2016), and Student Trainee (2016-2020). As a graduate student and USGS Student Trainee (Pathways Intern), Dr. McLean investigated fish, amphibian, and invertebrate community response to temporal changes in hydrology and water chemistry in prairie-pothole wetlands. He continues to use long-term monitoring data from the Cottonwood Lake Study Area to identify how spatial and temporal variation of wetland habitats influence wetland biodiversity. Dr. McLean is also working on prairie-stream projects with the US Environmental Protection Agency investigating freshwater mussel distribution and ecology on the Pipestem Creek and monitoring streamflow permanence in the Upper James River watershed in central North Dakota.
Education
- Ph.D. (2020) Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
- M.S. (2015) Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
- B.S. (2011) Fisheries and Wildlife Science, Biology, Valley City State University, Valley City, ND
Professional Experience
- 2021-Present: Research Ecologist, U.S., Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
- 2016-2020: Student Trainee (Ecology), U.S., Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
- 2015-2016: Ecologist (Term), U.S., Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
- 2011-2012: Biologist (Avian Lead/Wetland Specialist), SWCA Environmental Consultants, Bismarck, ND
- 2009-2011: Biological Science Technician (Student Contractor), U.S., Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND
Science and Products
Temporal and spatial patterning of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in response to changing environmental conditions
An increased understanding of prairie-pothole-wetland macroinvertebrate dynamics is crucial to better inform conservation strategies related to waterfowl production, biodiversity enhancement, and wetland function/health maintenance. Wetlands in general are highly variable in space and time, and wetland macroinvertebrates are adapted to this great variability. Wetland ecosystems are also...
Development, application, and refinement of a systems model fo prairie wetlands
NPWRC is developing, applying, and refining an integrated, process-based, systems model for prairie-pothole wetlands to facilitate forecasts of how climate and land-use change will affect wetland processes and biota. The Pothole Hydrology Linked System Simulator model (PHyLiSS) simulates changes in hydrology, water chemistry, plant communities, invertebrates, and other biota as a result of...
Development and validation of wetland-connectivity indicators in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region
We are working in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to (1) quantify cumulative effects of prairie-pothole wetlands on stream communities; (2) explore relationships between aquatic-system connectivity and genetic-, species-, and ecosystem-scale biological diversity at watershed and landscape scales; (3) develop mapping unit descriptors based on biotic community traits...
Climate- versus geographic-dependent patterns in the spatial distribution ofmacroinvertebrate assemblages in New World depressional wetlands
Analyses of biota at lower latitudes may presage impacts of climate change on biota at higher latitudes. Macroinvertebrate assemblages in depressional wetlands may be especially sensitive to climate change because weather‐related precipitation and evapotranspiration are dominant ecological controls on habitats, and organisms of depressional...
Stenert, C.; Pires, M.M.; Epele, L.B.; Grech, M.G.; Maltchik, L.; Mclean, Kyle I.; Mushet, David M.; Batzer, D.P. Invertebrate communities of Prairie-Pothole wetlands in the age of the aquatic Homogenocene
Simplification of communities is a common consequence of anthropogenic modification. However, the prevalence and mechanisms of biotic homogenization among wetland systems require further examination. Biota of wetlands in the North American Prairie Pothole Region are adapted to high spatial and temporal variability in ponded-water duration and...
Mclean, Kyle I.; Mushet, David M.; Sweetman, Jon N.; Anteau, Michael J.; Wiltermuth, Mark Alternative stable states in inherently unstable systems
Alternative stable states are nontransitory states within which communities can exist. However, even highly dynamic communities can be viewed within the framework of stable‐state theory if an appropriate “ecologically relevant” time scale is identified. The ecologically relevant time scale for dynamic systems needs to conform to the amount of time...
Mushet, David M.; McKenna, Owen P.; Mclean, Kyle I.
The Pothole Hydrology-Linked Systems Simulator (PHyLiSS)—Development and application of a systems model for prairie-pothole wetlands
The North American Prairie Pothole Region covers about 770,000 square kilometers of the United States and Canada (including parts of 5 States and 3 provinces: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta). The Laurentide Ice Sheet shaped the landscape of the region about 12,000 to 14,000 years ago. The...
McKenna, Owen P.; Mushet, David M.; Scherff, Eric J.; Mclean, Kyle I.; Mills, Christopher T. Clinal patterns in genetic variation for northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens): Conservation status and population histories
The security of the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) varies spatially with populations east and west of North Dakota considered as secure and at risk, respectively. We used genetic markers to characterize the conservation status of northern leopard frog populations across North Dakota. We used multiple regression analyses and model selection...
Stockwell, Craig A.; Fisher, Justin D.L.; McLean, Kyle I. Aquatic-macroinvertebrate communities of Prairie-Pothole wetlands and lakes under a changed climate
Understanding how aquatic-macroinvertebrate communities respond to changes in climate is important for biodiversity conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region and other wetland-rich landscapes. We sampled macroinvertebrate communities of 162 wetlands and lakes previously sampled from 1966 to 1976, a much drier period compared to our 2012–2013...
McLean, Kyle I.; Mushet, David M.; Renton, David A.; Stockwell, Craig A. From "Duck Factory" to "Fish Factory": Climate induced changes in vertebrate communities of prairie pothole wetlands and small lakes
The Prairie Pothole Region’s myriad wetlands and small lakes contribute to its stature as the “duck factory” of North America. The fishless nature of the region’s aquatic habitats, a result of frequent drying, freezing, and high salinity, influences its importance to waterfowl. Recent precipitation increases have resulted...
McLean, Kyle I.; Mushet, David M.; Stockwell, Craig A. Cannibalistic-morph Tiger Salamanders in unexpected ecological contexts
Barred tiger salamanders [Ambystoma mavortium (Baird, 1850)] exhibit two trophic morphologies; a typical and a cannibalistic morph. Cannibalistic morphs, distinguished by enlarged vomerine teeth, wide heads, slender bodies, and cannibalistic tendencies, are often found where conspecifics occur at high density. During 2012 and 2013, 162 North...
McLean, Kyle I.; Stockwell, Craig A.; Mushet, David M.
Chemical and biotic characteristics of prairie lakes and large wetlands in south-central North Dakota—Effects of a changing climate
The climate of the prairie pothole region of North America is known for variability that results in significant interannual changes in water depths and volumes of prairie lakes and wetlands; however, beginning in July 1993, the climate of the region shifted to an extended period of increased precipitation that has likely been unequaled in the...
Mushet, David M.; Goldhaber, Martin B.; Mills, Christopher T.; McLean, Kyle I.; Aparicio, Vanessa M.; McCleskey, R. Blaine; Holloway, JoAnn M.; Stockwell, Craig A. Historic and recent nesting records of Turkey Vultures in South Dakota
Present-day vultures are generally classified into two distinct groups: Old World vultures and new World vultures. The two groups share morphological and behavioral characters (e.g. scavenger diet, energy-efficient soaring, mostly featherless head), but historically the two groups were considered phylogenetically distant with long and independent...
Igl, Lawrence D.; Chepulis, Brian J.; McLean, Kyle E. Salamander colonization of Chase Lake, Stutsman County, North Dakota
Salt concentrations in lakes are dynamic. In the western United States, water diversions have caused significant declines in lake levels resulting in increased salinity, placing many aquatic species at risk (Galat and Robinson 1983, Beutel et al. 2001). Severe droughts can have similar effects on salt concentrations and aquatic communities (...
Mushet, David M.; McLean, Kyle I.; Stockwell, Craig A.