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Mark Wildhaber, PhD

Dr. Mark Wildhaber is a Research Ecologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

Mark has worked at USGS, Columbia Environment Research Center since 1991. His major responsibilities include research in all areas of aquatic ecology, fish biology, behavioral ecology, ecological modeling, and climate change in understanding for and support of conservation and recovery efforts. His expertise includes: at-risk, threatened, and endangered fishes, reproductive ecology, bioenergetics and population, community, and ecosystem modeling and forecasting, population monitoring and experiment designs, and Bayesian and non-Bayesian approaches to analyzing fisheries data. Mark's research includes reproductive behavior and physiology and abiotic and biotic requirements for reproductive success of commercially valuable and/or federally-listed as threatened or endangered fishes; effects of heavy metals and acidic contamination on riverine ecosystems; effects of water management on the benthic fish community of riverine ecosystems; effects of organic and inorganic contamination on aquatic benthic invertebrate communities; and spatial and temporal hierarchical fish population modeling using spatially-explicit individual-based models that incorporate bioenergetics, foraging theory, and other models of habitat choice under varying environmental conditions in the context of global climate to guide conservation and recovery efforts.

Professional Experience

  • 1997-present Research Ecologist/Quantitative Ecology Section Leader, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center

  • 1991-1997 Statistician, USFWS/NBS National Fisheries Contaminant Research Center

  • 1989-1991 Research Associate and Tutor, Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University 

  • 1983-1989 Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University

  • 1981-1983 Teaching Assistant, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Texas A&M University

  • 1979 Laboratory Assistant, Department of Biology, Southeast Missouri State University

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Zoology and Biomathematics, Southeast Missouri State University 1989

  • M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, Southeast Missouri State University 1985

  • B.S. Zoology and Mathematics, Minor in Chemistry, Southeast Missouri State University 1981

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • 2017-presesent, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Sturgeon Specialty Group Commission Member

  • 2009-present Member, World Sturgeon Conservation Society

  • 2002-present Fellow, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists

  • 1993-present Member, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society

  • 1993-1994 Continuing Education Coordinator, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society

  • 1993-present Member, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

  • 1993-1995 Continuing Education Coordinator, Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

  • 1990-present Member, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

  • 1988-present Member, Animal Behavior Society

  • 2004-present Member,  Conservation Committee, Animal Behavior Society

  • 1984-present, Member, American Fisheries Society

  • 1994-1995 Member Publications Award Committee, American Fisheries Society

  • 1994-1998 Associate Editor, The Progressive Fish Culturist, American Fisheries Society

Science and Products

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Image: Pallid Sturgeon

Projecting Future Impacts to River Systems and Large River Fish: Missouri River Sturgeon Example

In collaboration with the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, this project advanced efforts to understand and accommodate uncertainty by applying to Missouri River sturgeon population dynamics the tools of multi-scale climate models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling frameworks, linking models for system components together by formal rules of probability. While a complete climate pre
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Climate Adaptation Science Centers
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Projecting Future Impacts to River Systems and Large River Fish: Missouri River Sturgeon Example

In collaboration with the University of Missouri and Iowa State University, this project advanced efforts to understand and accommodate uncertainty by applying to Missouri River sturgeon population dynamics the tools of multi-scale climate models and hierarchical Bayesian modeling frameworks, linking models for system components together by formal rules of probability. While a complete climate pre
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Simulated impacts of feather oiling on avian energetics and migration: R environment model code and raw output

This dataset represents a modeling effort intended to explore the impacts of oiling on migratory birds. The purpose of this model is to provide a first principles approach to predict potential biological impacts of altered energetics dynamics in north American migratory birds due to oiling of feathers. This data includes predicted theoretical impacts on migration timing, wintering latitude, starva
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Neosho Madtom (Noturus placidus) short read archive and whole genome sequence data

Whole genome sequence data from ten Neosho madtom originating from three geographically separated populations. A Neosho madtom genome was de novo assembled and genome size and content were assessed. Genomic DNA was used to construct one small insert paired-end library per fish with an approximate insert size of 300 bp. The library was constructed following the manufacturer's protocol with reagents
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Brecchia pipe uranium mine bird survey data, Grand Canyon region, 2014-2015

Containment ponds at uranium mines in the Grand Canyon region have been suspected to pose an attractive nuisance to local wildlife in this arid landscape. To determine the presence of bird species at uranium mine openings, we surveyed the bird community in the area surrounding the mines repeatedly within one year and summarized species occurrence. We observed 35 species of birds directly using the
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Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Mammalian biodiversity data for four bottomland hardwood restoration sites in Northeastern Indiana USA May 2015-August 2016

Mammalian biodiversity data for four bottomland hardwood restoration sites in northeastern Indiana utilizing various sampling methods and level of effort
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Reproductive strategy, spawning induction, spawning temperatures and early life history of captive sicklefin chub Macrhybopsis meeki-Data

Macrhybopsis reproduction and propagule traits were studied in the laboratory using two temperature regimes and three hormone treatments and which methods produced the most spawns. Only sicklefin chub (M. meeki) spawned successfully although sturgeon chub (M. gelida) released unfertilized eggs. All temperature and hormone treatments produced M. meeki spawns, but two treatments had similar success
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Columbia Environmental Research Center
Filter Total Items: 78

Exploring genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, Noturus placidus, with whole-genome sequence data

The Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus) is a small catfish, generally less than 3 inches in length, unique to the Neosho-Spring River system within the Arkansas River Basin. It was federally listed as threatened in 1990, largely due to habitat loss. For conservation efforts, we generated whole-genome sequence data from 10 Neosho madtom individuals originating from 3 geographically separated populatio
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Enumerating white-tailed deer using unmanned aerial vehicles

The white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an ecologically important species in forests of North America. Effective management of forests requires accurate, precise estimates of deer population abundance to plan and justify management actions. Spotlight surveys in combination with distance sampling are a common method of estimating deer population abundance; however, spotlight surveys are k
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Water Resources, Ecosystems, Arizona Water Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Effectiveness of a distance sampling from roads program for white-tailed deer in the National Capital Region parks

We evaluated the effectiveness of a distance sampling from roads program for estimating population sizes of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 2001 to 2015 in parks of the National Capital Region (NCR), National Parks Service. Distance sampling is a method for estimating the density of organisms using a distribution of distances to observed individuals. Re-analysis of survey data for
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Population viability analyses for three Macrhybopsis spp. of the Lower Missouri River

Recent declines in three species of chubs that inhabit the lower Missouri River (shoal chub M. hyostoma, sicklefin chub M. meeki and sturgeon chub M. gelida) have become a concern in the management of their own populations and the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) that feeds on them. These chub populations encounter threats from fish predation and habitat loss. With the recent adva
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Potential responses of the Lower Missouri River Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) population to a commercial fishing ban

We developed an age‐structured population matrix model to perform population viability analysis for Lower Missouri River (LMR) shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). We investigated potential effects of the commercial fishing moratorium put in place to help protect the similar‐appearing pallid sturgeon (S. albus). The model applies different components of total variance in life history
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Use of real-time dust monitoring and surface condition to evaluate success of unpaved road treatments

No abstract available.
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Use of real-time dust monitoring and surface condition to evaluate success of unpaved road treatments

Fugitive dust from unpaved roads creates human health hazards, degrades road surfaces, and increases the cost of road maintenance. As a result, many different chemical treatments are applied to unpaved roads in an attempt to control dust and stabilize the wearing course. However, investigations of the effectiveness of these treatments have often been poorly planned or executed. The objective of th
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Ecosystems, Contaminant Biology, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Reproductive strategy, spawning induction, spawning temperatures and early life history of captive sicklefin chub Macrhybopsis meeki

Macrhybopsis reproduction and propagule traits were studied in the laboratory using two temperature regimes and three hormone treatments to determine which methods produced the most spawns. Only sicklefin chub Macrhybopsis meeki spawned successfully although sturgeon chub Macrhybopsis gelida released unfertilized eggs. All temperature and hormone treatments produced M. meeki spawns, but two treatm
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Was everything bigger in Texas? Characterization and trends of a land-based recreational shark fishery

Although current assessments of shark population trends involve both fishery-independent and fishery-dependent data, the latter are generally limited to commercial landings that may neglect nearshore coastal habitats. Texas has supported the longest organized land-based recreational shark fishery in the United States, yet no studies have used this “non-traditional” data source to characterize the
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Visual Basic, Excel-based fish population modeling tool - The pallid sturgeon example

The model presented in this report is a spreadsheet-based model using Visual Basic for Applications within Microsoft Excel (http://dx.doi.org/10.5066/F7057D0Z) prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It uses the same model structure and, initially, parameters as used by Wildhaber and others (2015) for pallid sturgeon. The difference between
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2013

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of pallid sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—A synthesis of science, 2005 to 2012

This report is intended to synthesize the state of the scientific understanding of pallid sturgeon ecological requirements to provide recommendations for future science directions and context for Missouri River restoration and management decisions. Recruitment of pallid sturgeon has been low to non-existent throughout its range. Emerging understanding of the genetic structure of pallid sturgeon po
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Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Wildhaber, M.L., and Neill, W.H., 1992, Activity and distribution of northern and Florida largemouth bass in a Texas impound: Journal of Freshwater Ecology, v. 7, no. 3, p. 293-302
Wildhaber, M.L., and Crowder, L.B., 1991, Mechanisms of patch choice by bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) foraging in a variable environment: Copeia, v. 1991, no. 2, p. 445-460
Wildhaber, M.L., Green, R.F., and Crowder, L.B., 1994, Bluegills continuously update patch giving-up times based on foraging experience: Animal Behaviour, v. 47, no. 3, p. 501-513.
W. Westerman, P., M. Losordo, T., and L. Wildhaber, M., 1996, Evaluation of Various Biofilters in an Intensive Recirculating Fish Production Facility: Transactions of the ASAE, v. 39, no. 2, p. 723-727.

**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.

A rack of eight aquaria used for behavior modification studies
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A rack of eight aquaria used for behavior modification studies
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Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government