Laura E D'Acunto, PhD
Laura is a quantitative ecologist interested in the behavioral landscape ecology of wildlife communities and how environmental change and ecosystem restoration impact those wildlife communities.
Additionally, Laura develops decision support tools (including models and visualization) that assist natural resource managers in understanding the potential ecological impacts of an uncertain future. Before joining USGS, Laura's research focused on modeling anthropogenic disturbance to wildlife such as recreation or road traffic to identify management strategies that mitigate adverse effects to wildlife populations. They also researched the landscape and social ecology of threatened and endangered Midwestern bats.
Education and Certifications
PhD., Wildlife Science, Purdue University, 2018
MSc., Biology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 2012
BSc., Wildlife Conservation Biology, University of Rhode Island, 2010
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 18
Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Three of Four, 2019 Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Three of Four, 2019
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Four of Four, 2020 Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Four of Four, 2020
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
Ecological Model Support for RECOVER's Update of Interim Goals, 2019 Ecological Model Support for RECOVER's Update of Interim Goals, 2019
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
EverSparrow model scripts and outputs EverSparrow model scripts and outputs
EverSparrow is a spatially explicit Bayesian model of Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima mirabilis; CSSS) presence that quantifies the interdependent relationships between a range of environmental factors and CSSS presence. Using hydrologic conditions such as mean 4-year hydroperiod and maximum depth, fire occurrence history, and vegetation structure throughout the range of...
Ecological modeling output for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir 2020 Ecological modeling output for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir 2020
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The models of particular interest to the South Florida Water Management District for planning for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir were: (1) Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Marl Prairie Indicator, (2) Florida apple snail (native) population model...
EverWaders species distribution model development and output in the Greater Everglades from 2000-2009 EverWaders species distribution model development and output in the Greater Everglades from 2000-2009
Restoration of the Florida Everglades, a substantial wetland ecosystem within the United States, is one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the world. Decision-makers and managers within the Everglades ecosystem rely on ecological models forecasting indicator wildlife response to changes in the management of water flows within the system. One such indicator of ecosystem health...
Filter Total Items: 13
Small mammal responses to wetland restoration in the Greater Everglades ecosystem Small mammal responses to wetland restoration in the Greater Everglades ecosystem
Wetlands have experienced dramatic losses in extent around the world, disrupting ecosystem function, habitat, and biodiversity. In Florida’s Greater Everglades, a massive restoration effort costing billions of dollars and spanning multiple decades is underway. As Everglades restoration is implemented in incremental projects, scientists and planners monitor the outcomes of projects. In...
Authors
Stephanie Romanach, Laura D’Acunto, Julia Chapman, Matthew R Hanson
Non-USGS Publications**
D’Acunto, L.E. and Zollner, P.A. 2019. Factors influencing endangered bat conservation management by professional foresters. Forest Ecology and Management, 434:172-180.
D’Acunto, L.E., Spaul, R.J., Heath, J.A., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. Simulating the success of trail closure strategies on reducing disturbance to nesting Golden Eagles. The Condor: Ornithological Applications, 120, 703-719.
Flaherty, E.A., Urbanek, R., Wood, D., Day, C., D’Acunto, L., Quinn, V., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. A framework for mentoring students attending their first professional conference. Natural Sciences Education, 47, 1-8.
D’Acunto, L.E., Pauli, B.P., Moy, M., Johnson, K., Abu-Omar, J., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. Timing and technique impact the effectiveness of road-based, mobile acoustic surveys of bats. Ecology and Evolution, 8, 3153-3160.
Mutascio, H.E., Zollner, P.A., Pittman, S.E., and D’Acunto, L.E. 2017. Modeling relative habitat suitability of southern Florida for invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus). Landscape Ecology, 33, 257-274.
Quackenbush*, H., D’Acunto, L.E., Flaherty, E.A., and Zollner, P.A. 2016. Testing the efficacy of an acoustic lure on bat mist-netting success in North American central hardwood forests. Journal of Mammalogy, 97, 1602-1616.
**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: 18
Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Three of Four, 2019 Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Three of Four, 2019
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Four of Four, 2020 Ecological Model Support for the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP) Round Four of Four, 2020
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
Ecological Model Support for RECOVER's Update of Interim Goals, 2019 Ecological Model Support for RECOVER's Update of Interim Goals, 2019
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to...
EverSparrow model scripts and outputs EverSparrow model scripts and outputs
EverSparrow is a spatially explicit Bayesian model of Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima mirabilis; CSSS) presence that quantifies the interdependent relationships between a range of environmental factors and CSSS presence. Using hydrologic conditions such as mean 4-year hydroperiod and maximum depth, fire occurrence history, and vegetation structure throughout the range of...
Ecological modeling output for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir 2020 Ecological modeling output for the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir 2020
Ecological models facilitate evaluation and assessment of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. The models of particular interest to the South Florida Water Management District for planning for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir were: (1) Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Marl Prairie Indicator, (2) Florida apple snail (native) population model...
EverWaders species distribution model development and output in the Greater Everglades from 2000-2009 EverWaders species distribution model development and output in the Greater Everglades from 2000-2009
Restoration of the Florida Everglades, a substantial wetland ecosystem within the United States, is one of the largest ongoing restoration projects in the world. Decision-makers and managers within the Everglades ecosystem rely on ecological models forecasting indicator wildlife response to changes in the management of water flows within the system. One such indicator of ecosystem health...
Filter Total Items: 13
Small mammal responses to wetland restoration in the Greater Everglades ecosystem Small mammal responses to wetland restoration in the Greater Everglades ecosystem
Wetlands have experienced dramatic losses in extent around the world, disrupting ecosystem function, habitat, and biodiversity. In Florida’s Greater Everglades, a massive restoration effort costing billions of dollars and spanning multiple decades is underway. As Everglades restoration is implemented in incremental projects, scientists and planners monitor the outcomes of projects. In...
Authors
Stephanie Romanach, Laura D’Acunto, Julia Chapman, Matthew R Hanson
Non-USGS Publications**
D’Acunto, L.E. and Zollner, P.A. 2019. Factors influencing endangered bat conservation management by professional foresters. Forest Ecology and Management, 434:172-180.
D’Acunto, L.E., Spaul, R.J., Heath, J.A., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. Simulating the success of trail closure strategies on reducing disturbance to nesting Golden Eagles. The Condor: Ornithological Applications, 120, 703-719.
Flaherty, E.A., Urbanek, R., Wood, D., Day, C., D’Acunto, L., Quinn, V., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. A framework for mentoring students attending their first professional conference. Natural Sciences Education, 47, 1-8.
D’Acunto, L.E., Pauli, B.P., Moy, M., Johnson, K., Abu-Omar, J., and Zollner, P.A. 2018. Timing and technique impact the effectiveness of road-based, mobile acoustic surveys of bats. Ecology and Evolution, 8, 3153-3160.
Mutascio, H.E., Zollner, P.A., Pittman, S.E., and D’Acunto, L.E. 2017. Modeling relative habitat suitability of southern Florida for invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus). Landscape Ecology, 33, 257-274.
Quackenbush*, H., D’Acunto, L.E., Flaherty, E.A., and Zollner, P.A. 2016. Testing the efficacy of an acoustic lure on bat mist-netting success in North American central hardwood forests. Journal of Mammalogy, 97, 1602-1616.
**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.