Vegetation assessments are part of an effort to produce seamless, consistent, and high resolution landcover data for the northern portion of the western gulf coastal plain. This geography was once dominated by tallgrass prairie and has undergone dramatic change with less than 1% of this natural habitat in existence.
Larry Allain (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Visual Guide to Louisiana Plants: A Web Based Searchable Plant Database and Photo Gallery of the Plants of Louisiana
An Inventory and Comparative Study of Bees, A Keystone Ecological Group in the Endangered Coastal Prairie of Louisiana
Western Gulf Coastal Plain Louisiana Land Use and Land Cover ground truth observations from 2016 to 2017
Bee populations and habitat survey in southwest Louisiana grasslands
Brazoria NWR Prairie Resilience Data
Grassland priority rankings model for the Western Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana
Soil, geomorphology and pre-European settlement vegetation associations of Southwest Louisiana
Grassland quality and pollinator habitat potential in Southwest Louisiana
High resolution landcover for the Western Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana
Vegetation assessments are part of an effort to produce seamless, consistent, and high resolution landcover data for the northern portion of the western gulf coastal plain. This geography was once dominated by tallgrass prairie and has undergone dramatic change with less than 1% of this natural habitat in existence.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Soil elevation change in mangrove forests and marshes of the greater Everglades: A regional synthesis of surface elevation table-marker horizon (SET-MH) data
A comparison of plant communities in restored, old field, and remnant coastal prairies
Soil surface elevation dynamics in a mangrove-to-marsh ecotone characterized by vegetation shifts
The bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Louisiana: an updated, annotated checklist
Hydrologic restoration in a dynamic subtropical mangrove-to-marsh ecotone
Growth of common brackish marsh macrophytes under altered hydrology and salinity regimes
Plant-plant interactions in a subtropical mangrove-to-marsh transition zone: effects of environmental drivers
A comprehensive list and photographic collection of the vascular flora of Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, March 2011-March 2012
Screening native botanicals for bioactivity: an interdisciplinary approach
Progress report: baseline monitoring of indicator species (butterflies) at tallgrass prairie restorations
Endozoochory of seeds and invertebrates by migratory waterbirds in Oklahoma, USA
Effects of a drawdown on plant communities in a freshwater impoundment at Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
- Science
Visual Guide to Louisiana Plants: A Web Based Searchable Plant Database and Photo Gallery of the Plants of Louisiana
Quality photographs of plant species are rare on the internet, often difficult to find, and are generally copyrighted, preventing them from being used by government agencies and non-government organizations, academics and the general public.An Inventory and Comparative Study of Bees, A Keystone Ecological Group in the Endangered Coastal Prairie of Louisiana
Much of Louisiana's coastal prairie has been converted to rice and sugarcane cultivation. USGS is inventorying bee populations in these areas to explore how effective restoration efforts have been. - Data
Western Gulf Coastal Plain Louisiana Land Use and Land Cover ground truth observations from 2016 to 2017
Collaborative landscape conservation planning is largely limited by the quality of spatial data which can be applied to decision support tools to inform conservation decisions. Conservation entities across the Western Gulf Coastal Plain are taking a collaborative, strategic, landscape scale approach to conservation planning. This effort encourages communication and implementation of restoration anBee populations and habitat survey in southwest Louisiana grasslands
The coastal prairie of Louisiana is classified as a Tier 1 Habitat in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' Wildlife Action Plan, meaning that it is a priority habitat of primary conservation concern. Declines in pollinator populations worldwide have prompted questions about the role of such grasslands as habitat for pollinators. In this study, we surveyed bee populations and the plaBrazoria NWR Prairie Resilience Data
In 1996, 400 tree-centered plots were established by first randomly choosing x- and y- coordinates from an imaginary grid overlaying the study area. Each random point was also randomly assigned a tree-size category from a pre-determined sampling scheme. The scheme was to include 20 trees from each of 5 size categories. Size/height categories were: less than 0.1m, 0.1-1m, 1-2m, 2-3m, and greater thGrassland priority rankings model for the Western Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana
The dataset includes Land Use/Land Cover types throughout the Chenier Eco-Region in Southwest Louisiana. Using the 2015 National Aerial Imagery Program (NAIP) dataset (1m) as the basemap, E-Cognition image objects were derived from the multiresolution segmentation algorithm at 75 and 250 segments. Attempts to refine the data training methods using E-cognition, to extrapolate automating categoriesSoil, geomorphology and pre-European settlement vegetation associations of Southwest Louisiana
Defining the pre-European range of vegetation communities can enhance our understanding of the role soil, hydrology, and climate had on climax plant communities within southwest Louisiana. Coastal prairie grasslands were in a perpetual state of succession due to two primary disturbances; grazing, primarily by bison and other ungulates, and fires ignited by lightning and Native Americans. Along itsGrassland quality and pollinator habitat potential in Southwest Louisiana
Potential pollinator habitat was derived by ranking land use classifications and grassland quality based on ground truthing and remotely sensed features indicative of remnant prairie. High resolution (10m) land use data served as the basemap (Hartley et al 2017) from which most categories were identified. All known prairie remnants, prairie plantings, and clusters of mima mounds were delineated. MHigh resolution landcover for the Western Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana
The dataset includes Land Use/Land Cover types throughout the Chenier Eco-Region in Southwest Louisiana. Using the 2015 NAIP dataset (1m) as the basemap, E-Cognition image objects were derived from the multiresolution segmentation algorithm at 75 and 250 segments. Attempts to refine the data training methods using E-cognition, to extrapolate automating categories of this information to the entire - Multimedia
Assessing Tallgrass Coastal Prairie in Southwest LouisianaAssessing Tallgrass Coastal Prairie in Southwest Louisiana
Vegetation assessments are part of an effort to produce seamless, consistent, and high resolution landcover data for the northern portion of the western gulf coastal plain. This geography was once dominated by tallgrass prairie and has undergone dramatic change with less than 1% of this natural habitat in existence.
Vegetation assessments are part of an effort to produce seamless, consistent, and high resolution landcover data for the northern portion of the western gulf coastal plain. This geography was once dominated by tallgrass prairie and has undergone dramatic change with less than 1% of this natural habitat in existence.
Chinese Tallow fruits, Triadica sebiferaPart of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Chinese Tallow tree, Triadica sebiferaPart of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Chinese tallow tree sprayed with herbicide, Triadica sebiferaChinese tallow tree sprayed with herbicide, Triadica sebiferaPart of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
Part of a floristics inventory that was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S.
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 31
Soil elevation change in mangrove forests and marshes of the greater Everglades: A regional synthesis of surface elevation table-marker horizon (SET-MH) data
Coastal wetlands adapt to rising seas via feedbacks that build soil elevation, which lead to wetland stability. However, accelerated rates of sea-level rise can exceed soil elevation gain, leading to wetland instability and loss. Thus, there is a pressing need to better understand regional and landscape variability in rates of wetland soil elevation change. Here, we conducted a regional synthesisAuthorsLaura Feher, Michael Osland, Karen L. McKee, Kevin R.T. Whelan, Carlos A. Coronado-Molina, Fred H. Sklar, Ken Krauss, Rebecca Howard, Donald Cahoon, James C. Lynch, Lukas Lamb-Wotton, Tiffany G. Troxler, Jeremy R. Conrad, Gordon Anderson, William C. Vervaeke, Thomas J. Smith III, Nicole Cormier, Andrew From, Larry AllainA comparison of plant communities in restored, old field, and remnant coastal prairies
Temperate grasslands are experiencing worldwide declines due to habitat conversion. Grassland restoration efforts are employed to compensate for these losses. However, there is a need to better understand the ecological effects of grassland restoration and management practices. We investigated the effects of three different grassland management regimes on plant communities of coastal prairie ecosyAuthorsLaura Feher, Larry Allain, Michael Osland, Elisabeth Pigott, Christopher Reid, Nicholas LatiolaisSoil surface elevation dynamics in a mangrove-to-marsh ecotone characterized by vegetation shifts
Mangrove forest encroachment into coastal marsh habitats has been described in subtropical regions worldwide in recent decades. To better understand how soil processes may influence vegetation change, we studied soil surface elevation change, accretion rates, and soil subsurface change across a coastal salinity gradient in Florida, USA, an area with documented mangrove encroachment into saline marAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Andrew From, Ken W. Krauss, Kimberly D. Andres, Nicole Cormier, Larry K. Allain, Michael SavareseThe bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Louisiana: an updated, annotated checklist
An annotated checklist is provided for 243 species and subspecies of bees collected from or thought to occur in the state of Louisiana, where 163 are confirmed records, 46 are probable records, and 34 are possible records. We also list twelve records considered to be “dubious” because of the absence of supporting collection data and extralimital reported ranges. Data on parish localities, seasonalAuthorsBrittany E. Owens, Larry K. Allain, Eric C. VanGorder, Janice L. Bossart, Christopher E. CarltonHydrologic restoration in a dynamic subtropical mangrove-to-marsh ecotone
Extensive hydrologic modifications in coastal regions across the world have occurred to support infrastructure development, altering the function of many coastal wetlands. Wetland restoration success is dependent on the existence of hydrologic regimes that support development of appropriate soils and the growth and persistence of wetland vegetation. In Florida, United States, the Comprehensive EveAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Richard H. Day, Ken W. Krauss, Andrew S. From, Larry K. Allain, Nicole CormierGrowth of common brackish marsh macrophytes under altered hydrology and salinity regimes
Coastal marsh plants are increasingly subject to physicochemical stressors under rising sea levels, and the maintenance of marsh ecological functions can depend on the ability of individual species and communities to tolerate or adapt to altered conditions. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to identify hydrology and salinity effects on growth of three common brackish marsh macrophytes of coastaAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Janelda M. Biagas, Larry K. AllainPlant-plant interactions in a subtropical mangrove-to-marsh transition zone: effects of environmental drivers
Questions Does the presence of herbaceous vegetation affect the establishment success of mangrove tree species in the transition zone between subtropical coastal mangrove forests and marshes? How do plant–plant interactions in this transition zone respond to variation in two primary coastal environmental drivers? Location Subtropical coastal region of the southern United States. MethodsAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Ken W. Krauss, Nicole Cormier, Richard H. Day, Janelda M. Biagas, Larry K. AllainA comprehensive list and photographic collection of the vascular flora of Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, March 2011-March 2012
A floristics inventory was conducted to identify and photograph the vascular plants occurring at Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Texas, from March 2011 to March 2012 by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This research resulted in the identification of 511 taxa of vascular plants representing 111 families and 317 genera. Despite the degreeAuthorsLarry AllainScreening native botanicals for bioactivity: an interdisciplinary approach
Objective: Plant-based therapies have been used in medicine throughout recorded history. Information about the therapeutic properties of plants often can be found in local cultures as folk medicine is communicated from one generation to the next. The aim of this study was to identify native Louisiana plants from Creole folk medicine as a potential source of therapeutic compounds for the treatmentAuthorsAnik Boudreau, Diana M. Cheng, Carmen Ruiz, David Ribnicky, Larry K. Allain, C. Ray Brassieur, D. Phil Turnipseed, William T. Cefalu, Z. Elizabeth FloydProgress report: baseline monitoring of indicator species (butterflies) at tallgrass prairie restorations
This project provides baseline data of butterfly populations at two coastal prairie restoration sites in Louisiana, the Duralde Unit of Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (hereafter, the Duralde site) and the Cajun Prairie Restoration Project in Eunice (hereafter, the Eunice site). In all, four distinct habitat types representing different planting methods were sampled. These data will be used toAuthorsLarry Allain, Malcolm VidrineEndozoochory of seeds and invertebrates by migratory waterbirds in Oklahoma, USA
Given their abundance and migratory behavior, waterbirds have major potential for dispersing plants and invertebrates within North America, yet their role as vectors remains poorly understood. We investigated the numbers and types of invertebrates and seeds within freshly collected faecal samples (n = 22) of migratory dabbling ducks and shorebirds in November 2008 in two parts of Lake Texoma in soAuthorsAndy J. Green, Dagmar Frisch, Thomas C. Michot, Larry K. Allain, Wylie C. BarrowEffects of a drawdown on plant communities in a freshwater impoundment at Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
Disturbance is an important natural process in the creation and maintenance of wetlands. Water depth manipulation and prescribed fire are two types of disturbance commonly used by humans to influence vegetation succession and composition in wetlands with the intention of improving wildlife habitat value. A 6,475-hectare (ha) impoundment was constructed in 1943 on Lacassine National Wildlife RefugeAuthorsRebecca J. Howard, Larry AllainNon-USGS Publications**
Allain, L.K., M.S. Zavada, and D.G. Matthews. 1999. The reproductive biology of Magnolia grandiflora. Rhodora 101(906):143-162.**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.