Michelle Staudinger, Ph.D.
Dr. Michelle Staudinger is Science Coordinator of the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NE CASC), one of the nine regional centers that form the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center network.
Biography
Dr. Michelle Staudinger is the Science Coordinator for the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was originally trained as a fish ecologist studying trophic dynamics in coastal and marine systems. She received her B.S. in Marine Biology and Environmental Science from Boston University, her M.S. in Marine and Atmospheric Science from Stony Brook University, and her Ph.D. in Marine Science and Technology and Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Prior to her position with USGS, Michelle held a position as Visiting Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology at the University North Carolina Wilmington where she studied the biodiversity, ecological structure and function of open ocean communities. From there, Michelle held a joint post-doctoral position with the National CASC and the Missouri Cooperative Research Unit where she co-led the development of the technical input on Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Ecosystem Services as a contribution to the 3rd National Climate Assessment (NCA); she also served on the Biodiversity, Ecosystems, and Ecosystem Services sector team for the 2018 NCA. Michelle’s current work is multifaceted, working with a variety of state, federal, tribal, and non-government partners to understand the socioecological impacts of climate change on natural and cultural resources. Recent projects have taken ecosystem-based approaches to understand climate-induced shifts in phenology of coastal fish and wildlife including diadromous fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. Additionally, Michelle has studied how the growing impacts of sea level rise, coastal storms, and flooding increases the risk and vulnerability of intertidal and coastal habitats and dependent species. Through all of these activities, Michelle has worked to coordinate across diverse groups of scientists, managers, and conservation practitioners to develop and synthesize information that supports climate adaptation planning at local, regional, and national scales.
Science and Products
Webinar: Timing is Everything: How Fish and Wildlife are Responding to Climate Change Through Shifts in the Timing of Life Events
View this webinar to learn how warming conditions are affecting the seasonal timing of recurring life history events (such as breeding, feeding, and movements) for species across the Gulf of Maine.
Mapping Salt Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise and Evaluating 'Runneling' as an Adaptation Technique to Inform Wildlife Habitat Management in New England
Loss of saltmarsh habitat is one of the biggest threats to coastal sustainability in the Northeast. Salt marsh has been identified as an essential fish and wildlife habitat, and loss of saltmarsh corresponds with precipitous declines in marsh-dependent wildlife. For example, the global population of Saltmarsh Sparrow is predicted to collapse within the next 50 years after experiencing a 9%...
Enhancing the Reliability and Usability of Climate Change Information for Wildlife Action Plans in the Northeastern United States
The northeastern U.S. is home to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats, leading to a variety of interactions occurring between species and climate on multiple scales. Therefore, the most effective strategy to produce and deliver scientific climate information to resource managers is to align the scales of climate projections with the scales of resource management actions. While...
Empowering decision-makers: A dynamic web interface for running Bayesian networks
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are at the forefront of research that is critical for decision-making, particularly through the development of models (Bayesian networks, or BNs) that forecast coastal change. The utility of these tools outside the scientific community has been limited because they rely on expensive, technical software and a moderate understanding of statistical...
Identifying Critical Thresholds and Tipping Points for Priority Coastal Species in a Changing Future
A large portion of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the Caribbean; however, our coasts are also home to many fish, wildlife, and plant species that are important for recreation, tourism, local economies, biodiversity, and healthy coastal ecosystems. Coastal habitats also provide protective ecosystem services to human communities, which are...
Implications of Future Shifts in Migration, Spawning, and Other Life Events of Coastal Fish and Wildlife Species
Climate change is causing species to shift their phenology, or the timing of recurring life events such as migration and spawning, in variable and complex ways. This can potentially result in mismatches or asynchronies in food and habitat resources that negatively impact individual fitness, population dynamics, and ecosystem function. Numerous studies have evaluated phenological shifts in...
Supporting Early Career Climate Communications and Networking
The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey have made it a priority to train the next generation of scientists and resource managers. The Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and consortium institutions are working to contribute to this initiative by building and supporting a network of students across the country who are interested in the climate sciences and climate...
CASC Fish Research
The CASC Fish Research Program addresses the impacts of climate and other stressors on fish and aquatic systems to inform conservation, adaptation, and sustainable use.
Climate impacts on the Gulf of Maine ecosystem: A review of observed and expected changes in 2050 from rising temperatures
The Gulf of Maine has recently experienced its warmest 5-year period (2015–2020) in the instrumental record. This warming was associated with a decline in the signature subarctic zooplankton species, Calanus finmarchicus. The temperature changes have also led to impacts on commercial species such as Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and American...
Pershing, Andrew J.; Alexander, Michael A.; Brady, Damian C.; Brickman, David; Curchitser, Enrique N.; Diamond, Anthony W.; McClenachan, Loren; Mills, Kathy; Nichols, Owen; Pendleton, Daniel; Record, Nicholas; Scott, James; Staudinger, Michelle; Wang, Yanjun Daily patterns of river herring (Alosa spp.) spawning migrations: Environmental drivers and variation among coastal streams in Massachusetts
The timing of life history events in many plants and animals depends on the seasonal fluctuations of specific environmental conditions. Climate change is altering environmental regimes and disrupting natural cycles and patterns across communities. Anadromous fishes that migrate between marine and freshwater habitats to spawn are particularly...
Legett, Henry; Jordaan, Adrian; Roy, Allison; Sheppard, John; Somos-Valenzuela, Marcelo; Staudinger, Michelle How does climate change affect emergent properties of aquatic ecosystems?
Emergent properties of ecosystems are community attributes, such as structure and function, that arise from connections and interactions (e.g., predator–prey, competition) among populations, species, or assemblages that, when viewed together, provide a holistic representation that is more than the sum of its individual parts. Climate change is...
Staudinger, Michelle; Lynch, Abigail; Gaichas, Sarah; Fox, Michael; Gibson-Reinemer, Daniel; Langan, Joseph; Teffer, Amy K.; Thackeray, Stephen; Winfield, Ian Assessing the impact of an online climate science community: The Early Career Climate Forum
Online science communities can serve as powerful platforms for advancing scientific knowledge, capacity, and outreach by increasing collaboration and information sharing among geographically distant peers, practitioners, and the public. Here, we examine the value and role of the Early Career Climate Forum (ECCF), a climate-focused online science...
Guckian, Meaghan; Markowitz, Ezra; Tucker, Clay; Kiekebusch, Elsita; Klemm, Toni; Middleton, Lindsey; Wootten, Adrienne; Staudinger, Michelle How and why is the timing and occurrence of seasonal migrants in the Gulf of Maine changing due to climate?
Plants and animals undergo certain recurring life-cycle events, such as migrations between summer and winter habitats or the annual blooming of plants. Known as phenology, the timing of these events is very sensitive to changes in climate (and changes in one species’ phenology can impact entire food webs and ecosystems). Shifts in phenology have...
Jordaan, Adrian; Pendleton, Daniel; Sutherland, Chris; Staudinger, Michelle The role of sand lances (Ammodytes sp.) in the Northwest Atlantic Ecosystem: A synthesis of current knowledge with implications for conservation and management
The American sand lance (Ammodytes americanus, Ammodytidae) and the Northern sand lance (A. dubius, Ammodytidae) are small forage fishes that play an important functional role in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (NWA). The NWA is a highly dynamic ecosystem currently facing increased risks from climate change, fishing and energy development. We need a...
Staudinger, Michelle D.; Goyert, Holly ; Suca, Justin ; Coleman, Kaycee ; Welch, Linda ; Llopiz, Joel ; Wiley, Dave ; Altman, Irit ; Applegate, Andew ; Auster, Peter ; Baumann, Hannes ; Beaty, Julia ; Boelke, Deirdre ; Kaufman, Les ; Loring, Pam ; Moxley, Jerry ; Paton, Suzanne ; Powers, Kevin; Richardson, David ; Robbins, Jooke ; Runge, Jeff ; Smith, Brian ; Spiegel, Caleb ; Steinmetz, Halley Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Climate change is a pervasive and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. Here, we present the most up-to-date assessment of climate change impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services in the U.S. and implications for natural resource management. We draw from the 4th National Climate Assessment to summarize observed...
Weiskopf, Sarah R.; Rubenstein, Madeleine A.; Crozier, Lisa; Gaichas, Sarah; Griffis, Roger; Halofsky, Jessica E.; Hyde, Kimberly J. W.; Morelli, Toni Lyn; Morisette, Jeffrey T.; Muñoz, Roldan C.; Pershing, Andrew J.; Peterson, David L.; Poudel, Rajendra; Staudinger, Michelle D.; Sutton-Grier, Ariana E.; Thompson, Laura; Vose, James; Weltzin, Jake; Whyte, Kyle Powys Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) climate scenario planning pilot report
Scenario planning is a structured process that embraces uncertainty and explores plausible alternative future conditions under different assumptions to help manage risk and prioritize actions ( Schwartz 1996, Peterson et al. 2003). It has been used by a variety of organizations to explore and help prepare for the future, lends itself well to...
Borggaard, Diane; Dick, Dori; Star, Jonathan; Alexander, Mike; Bernier, M.; Collins, Matt; Damon-Randall, Kelly; Dudley, Robert; Roger Griffis, Roger; Hayes, Sean; Johnson, Mike; Kircheis, Dan; Kocik, John; Letcher, Benjamin; Mantua, Nate; Morrison, Wendy; Nislow, Keith; Saba, Vince; Saunders, R.; Sheehan, Tim; Staudinger, Michelle D. It’s about time: A synthesis of changing phenology in the Gulf of Maine ecosystem
The timing of recurring biological and seasonal environmental events is changing on a global scale relative to temperature and other climate drivers. This study considers the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, a region of high social and ecological importance in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and synthesizes current knowledge of 1) key seasonal processes,...
Staudinger, Michelle; Mills, Katherine E.; Stamieszkin, Karen; Record, Nicholas R.; Hudak, Christine A.; Allyn, Andrew; Diamond, Antony; Friedland, Kevin; Golet, Walt; Henderson, Elisabeth; Hernandez, Christina M.; Huntington, Thomas G.; Ji, Rubao; Johnson, Catherine L.; Johnson, David Samuel; Jordaan, Adrian; Kocik, John; Li, Yun; Liebman, Matthew; Nichols, Owen C.; Pendleton, Daniel; Richards, R. Anne; Robben, Thomas; Thomas, Andrew C.; Walsh, Harvey J.; Yakola, Keenan Early career climate communications and networking
The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey have made it a priority to train the next generation of scientists and resource managers. The Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CSC) and consortium institutions are working to contribute to this initiative by supporting and building a network of students across the U.S. interested in...
Ezra Markowitz; Staudinger, Michelle D. A review of coastal management approaches to support the integration of ecological and human community planning for climate change
The resilience of socio-ecological systems to sea level rise, storms and flooding can be enhanced when coastal habitats are used as natural infrastructure. Grey infrastructure has long been used for coastal flood protection but can lead to unintended negative impacts. Natural infrastructure often provides similar services as well as added benefits...
Powell, Emily J.; Tyrrell, Megan C.; Milliken, Andrew; Tirpak, John M.; Staudinger, Michelle D. Ecological and management implications of climate change induced shifts in phenology of coastal fish and wildlife species in the Northeast CASC region
Climate change is causing species to shift their phenology, or the timing of recurring life events such as migration and reproduction, in variable and complex ways. This can potentially result in mismatches or asynchronies in food and habitat resources that negatively impact individual fitness, population dynamics, and ecosystem function. Numerous...
Staudinger, Michelle D.; Jordaan, Adrian
Northeast CASC Contributes to NOAA’s Efforts to Support Right Whale Conservation
Northeast CASC Science Coordinator Michelle Staudinger participated in a scenario planning activity led by NOAA Fisheries supporting future recovery efforts of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale.
A “Quintessential” Forage Fish: Understanding the Crucial Role of the Sand Lance
A new paper published in March 2020 in Fish and Fisheries reviews the state of knowledge and the research needed to update our understanding and population status of the sand lance, a zooplanktivorous fish that spans coastal temperate to polar waters in the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientist Spotlight: Michelle Staudinger & Co-producing Science on Coastal Fish Phenology
Learn about the aquatic and coastal research of Michelle Staudinger, Science Coordinator for the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center.
CASC-Led Paper on Changing Phenology in the Gulf of Maine Among Top Downloaded Papers in the Journal Fisheries Oceanography
A 2019 paper led by Northeast CASC Science Coordinator Michelle Staudinger on changing phenology in the Gulf of Maine is among the top 10% most downloaded papers on the journal Fisheries Oceanography’s website.
A Small Forage Fish, Sand lance, Should Command Greater Notice, Researchers Say
A team led by marine ecologist Michelle Staudinger at the Northeast CASC is bringing an increased focus to sand lance, a small forage fish, and their ecological role in the Gulf of Maine and northwest Atlantic Ocean. The region’s waters are facing increased pressure and risks from climate change, fishing, and offshore wind energy development.
Massachusetts Launches Wildlife Climate Action Tool to Help Conservation Managers, Landowners Respond to Climate Change
A coalition of research institutions and fish and wildlife agencies this week unveiled a new online tool for use by local decision-makers, conservation managers, land trusts, regional planners, landowners and community leaders in Massachusetts who are interested in taking action in response to climate change.
Adaptive capacity of species - a fundamental component when assessing vulnerability to rapid climate change.
A new paper led by U.S. Geological Survey Ecologists Erik Beever (Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center) and Michelle Staudinger (Northeast Climate Science Center) addresses the importance of including adaptive capacity of species as a fundamental component when assessing vulnerability to rapid climate change.
Interior’s Northeast Climate Science Center Releases Report to Help State Wildlife Managers in the Northeast and Midwest Alleviate Impacts of Climate Change on Species and Ecosystems
Interior Department’s Northeast Climate Science Center has released a report today synthesizing the latest information on the vulnerability of species and ecosystems to climate change in a 22-state region in the Northeast and Midwest U.S.