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Molly Van Appledorn, PhD

My research centers on understanding how river-floodplain ecosystems function by combining tools and approaches from the disciplines of ecology, hydrology, hydraulics, geomorphology, geographic information science, and statistics. By unpacking important ecosystem processes I can contribute to better stewardship of the unique sets of natural resources they support.

A large focus of my work is to describe the relationships between flooding dynamics and ecological patterns and processes. I also regularly collaborate with other scientists to understand how river-floodplain ecosystems respond to changing hydrology; silvicultural best practices in floodplain forests; and how hydrologic, sediment, and wood regimes interact to shape the quality and distribution of aquatic habitats. The research is used to inform management practices by partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of our ecosystems.

Professional Experience

  • 2023 - Present: Research Ecologist, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (La Crosse, Wisconsin)

  • 2016 - 2023: Ecologist, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (La Crosse, Wisconsin)

  • 2019 - Present: Graduate Faculty, Natural Resources Science & Management Graduate Program, University of Minnesota (St. Paul, Minnesota)

  • 2018 - Present: Graduate Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (La Crosse, Wisconsin)

  • 2018 - Present: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Education and Certifications

  • Geography & Environmental Systems Ph.D., 2016, University of Maryland Baltimore County 

  • Ecology M.S., 2009, Utah State University

  • Environmental Science B.S., 2003, University of Michigan

Science and Products

Interactive Elevation and Water Flow Table

Modeling Overview at UMESC

Models seek to describe the natural world around us and how we interact with the world. For example, physical models might help Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) visitors understand landscapes, such as the Mississippi River or topology and water flow.
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Modeling Overview at UMESC

Modeling Overview at UMESC

Models seek to describe the natural world around us and how we interact with the world. For example, physical models might help Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) visitors understand landscapes, such as the Mississippi River or topology and water flow.
Learn More
Delacroix area Mississippi river delta

Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Future climate conditions in the Upper Mississippi River Basin are projected to include many more extreme precipitation events. These intense periods of rain can lead to flooding of the Mississippi River itself, as well the small streams and rivers that feed it. This flooding presents a challenge for local communities, farmers, small businesses, river users, and the ecosystems and...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Future climate conditions in the Upper Mississippi River Basin are projected to include many more extreme precipitation events. These intense periods of rain can lead to flooding of the Mississippi River itself, as well the small streams and rivers that feed it. This flooding presents a challenge for local communities, farmers, small businesses, river users, and the ecosystems and wildlife in the
Learn More
Upper Mississippi River Floodplain Backwater Forest

Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Floodplain forests along the Upper Mississippi River are heavily managed but understudied systems that provide critical ecosystem services, including habitat for endangered species. Impacts of a changing climate, such as warmer winters and wetter summers with extreme precipitation events, are already influencing hydrologic patterns in these ecosystems, including altering the duration...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Floodplain forests along the Upper Mississippi River are heavily managed but understudied systems that provide critical ecosystem services, including habitat for endangered species. Impacts of a changing climate, such as warmer winters and wetter summers with extreme precipitation events, are already influencing hydrologic patterns in these ecosystems, including altering the duration, frequency
Learn More
Pool 8/Pettibone Island, Upper Mississippi River, Spring 2019, flooding

Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forests are the dominant land cover along the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River System. These forests are primarily made up of relatively short-lived and rapidly growing species, such as willow, cottonwood, silver maple, green ash, American elm, but with inclusions of slower growing and longer-lived species, such as oak and hickory species.
By
Land Management Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forests are the dominant land cover along the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River System. These forests are primarily made up of relatively short-lived and rapidly growing species, such as willow, cottonwood, silver maple, green ash, American elm, but with inclusions of slower growing and longer-lived species, such as oak and hickory species.
Learn More

Hydrogeomorphic Units and Catena Linkages for the Upper Mississippi River System Hydrogeomorphic Units and Catena Linkages for the Upper Mississippi River System

In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program, began a project to characterize potential hydrogeomorphic change associated with hydrogeomorphic units (HGUs) and their catenae (units linked by their association with sediment sources and flow origins). The objective of the project was to develop a geographic information system...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River System Changes in Floodplain Inundation from 1940 to 2022 Upper Mississippi River System Changes in Floodplain Inundation from 1940 to 2022

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). Here, we present results of a change analysis to estimate shifts in floodplain inundation regime characteristics from 1940 to 2022 in navigation pools 3 through 10 along the Upper Mississippi River. Data were derived from a...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Floodplain Forest Response to Multiple Large-Scale Inundation Events Survey Data From Eight Pools of the Upper Mississippi River Collected During the Growing Seasons of 1995 and 2021 Floodplain Forest Response to Multiple Large-Scale Inundation Events Survey Data From Eight Pools of the Upper Mississippi River Collected During the Growing Seasons of 1995 and 2021

Throughout the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS), floods in 1993 and 2019 were record-setting events in terms of flood stage and duration of flooding. Floodplain tree species are adapted to survive moderate frequencies, intensities, and durations of inundation. These events generated interest in quantifying levels of tree mortality and presented an opportunity to study how...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Forest biomass projections under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Reno Bottoms area of the Upper Mississippi River floodplain Forest biomass projections under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Reno Bottoms area of the Upper Mississippi River floodplain

Floodplain forests are being transformed by multiple pressures, prompting widespread management and restoration efforts. It is uncertain how disturbances, including hydrologic change, and management actions will interact to influence the ecology of these threatened forests. Here, we present the results of a forest landscape model in support of an ecological study detailed in the...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Analysis data for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) niche modeling in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories Analysis data for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) niche modeling in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories

This dataset contains the information used to perform ecological niche modeling for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River, USA. We used presence and absence of reed canarygrass from US Army Corps of Engineers forest inventory plots sampled between 2008-2018 as our response variable along with several predictor variables derived from...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Estimates of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories (ver. 2.0, February 2024) Estimates of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories (ver. 2.0, February 2024)

This dataset contains predictions of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories from Pool 3 to Pool 13. Predictions were created using three machine learning algorithms (Bayesian additive regression trees, boosted trees, and random forest). This dataset contains rasters that provide habitat suitability...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River Floodplain forest floor vegetation and inundation metrics in Pools 4 and 8, 2015-2017 Upper Mississippi River Floodplain forest floor vegetation and inundation metrics in Pools 4 and 8, 2015-2017

We conducted this study in Upper Mississippi River Pools 4 and 8 to document the occurrence and cover of Phalaris arundinacea and other forest floor plants in UMR floodplain forests and relate measures of abundance of Phalaris, and community composition and diversity to estimates of flood duration which can exhibit high spatial heterogeneity. We used modeled inundation duration which...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Floodplain Inundation Model and Inundation Depths: Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Floodplain Inundation Model and Inundation Depths: Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS), which comprises the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Here, we present a series of related data products supporting floodplain inundation modeling of the UMRS. First, raster files comprise a unique identifier, river mile...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Functional diversity metrics of floodplain forests from Michigan's Lower Peninsula Functional diversity metrics of floodplain forests from Michigan's Lower Peninsula

Floodplain forest species are presumed to interact strongly with the environment, as evidenced by pronounced spatial variation in flood-driven abiotic constraints and forest composition. These data describe functional diversity and environmental characteristics for 156 forest assemblages sampled on floodplain landforms within transects from the lower peninsula of Michigan. The functional...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

UMRS Floodplain Inundation Attributes UMRS Floodplain Inundation Attributes

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). Here, we present the results of a geospatial surface-water connectivity model in support of ecological investigations fully described in the USGS Open File Report entitled Indicators of Ecosystem Structure and Function for the...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Filter Total Items: 19

Mapping potential sensitivity to hydrogeomorphic change in the UMRS riverscape Mapping potential sensitivity to hydrogeomorphic change in the UMRS riverscape

In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program, began a new project to characterize potential hydrogeomorphic change associated with hydrogeomorphic units (HGUs) and their catenae (units linked by their association with sediment sources and flow origins). The goal of the project was to develop a geographic information system...
Authors
Angus Vaughan, Faith Fitzpatrick, Jayme Strange, Molly Van Appledorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Future forest conditions under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain Future forest conditions under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain

Context Floodplain forests are being transformed by multiple pressures, prompting widespread management and restoration efforts. It is uncertain how disturbances, including hydrologic change, and management actions will interact to influence the ecology of these threatened forests.Objectives This study examined the effects of alternative management and hydrologic regimes on forest...
Authors
Matthew Lewis Trumper, Nathan De Jager, Molly Van Appledorn, Andrew Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River Restoration future hydrology meeting series Upper Mississippi River Restoration future hydrology meeting series

The Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, a broad partnership of State and Federal agencies administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, integrates ecosystem monitoring, research, and modeling to rehabilitate habitat and evaluate ecosystem trends over time in the Upper Mississippi River System. Hydrologic data are integral to the UMRR program because they are used in...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Lucie Sawyer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Spatial differences in predicted Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) occurrence in floodplain forest understories Spatial differences in predicted Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) occurrence in floodplain forest understories

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is one of the most common invaders of floodplains and wetlands in North America. In the Upper Mississippi River floodplain, invasion by reed canarygrass in forest understories can inhibit forest regeneration when gaps form in the overstory. Understanding the distribution of reed canarygrass in forest understories is essential for effective...
Authors
John Delaney, Molly Van Appledorn, Nathan De Jager, Kristen Bouska, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

The where and why of large wood occurrence in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers The where and why of large wood occurrence in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Large wood (LW) plays important geomorphic and ecological roles in rivers and is widely used as a restoration tool. Changes to floodplain land use and historical removal have altered wood dynamics in fluvial systems globally. We know little about the distribution and dynamics of LW in great rivers (approximately >105 km2) like the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers despite its...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Kathi Jankowski, Kaija Gahm, Serenity Budd, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie, Richard Erickson, Roger Haro, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Identifying conditions where reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) functions as a driver of forest loss in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain under different hydrological scenarios Identifying conditions where reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) functions as a driver of forest loss in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain under different hydrological scenarios

Most of the world’s river-floodplain ecosystems are simultaneously undergoing modifications to their hydrological regimes and experiencing species invasions, making it unclear whether invasive species are the main drivers of ecosystem change or simply responding to changes in the hydrological regime. We simulated patterns of forest recruitment and succession in a 2500-ha portion of the...
Authors
Nathan De Jager, Jason Rohweder, Molly Van Appledorn, Enrika Hlavacek, Andy Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Bridging the gap between mathematical biology and undergraduate education using applicable natural resource modeling Bridging the gap between mathematical biology and undergraduate education using applicable natural resource modeling

Mathematical biology is a wide field of study with many venues that undergraduate students can access through research. However, the topics of study for these students can be overwhelming, and many topics of study yield either only trivial results or abstract outcomes that are nonintuitive and diffcult to understand. We have used natural resource modeling, and more specifically, a...
Authors
Richard Erickson, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie, Wako Bungula, Aaron Cupp, James E. Diffendorfer, Eric A. Eager, Roger Haro, Kathi Jankowski, Danelle Larson, Greg J. Sandland, Molly Van Appledorn, James Peirce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Low-complexity floodplain inundation model performs well for ecological and management applications in a large river ecosystem Low-complexity floodplain inundation model performs well for ecological and management applications in a large river ecosystem

Flooding is a dominant physical process that drives the form and function of river-floodplain ecosystems. Efficiently characterizing flooding dynamics can be challenging, especially over geographically broad areas or at spatial and temporal scales relevant for ecosystem management activities. Here, we empirically evaluated a low-complexity geospatial model of floodplain inundation in six...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Nathan De Jager, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

River geomorphology affects biogeochemical responses to hydrologic events in a large river ecosystem River geomorphology affects biogeochemical responses to hydrologic events in a large river ecosystem

Shifts in the frequency and intensity of high discharge events due to climate change may have important consequences for the hydrology and biogeochemistry of rivers. However, our understanding of event-scale biogeochemical dynamics in large rivers lags that of small streams. To fill this gap, we used high-frequency sensor data collected during four consecutive summers from a main channel...
Authors
Taryn Waite, Kathi Jankowski, Denise Bruesewitz, Molly Van Appledorn, Megan Johnston, Jeffrey Houser, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Flood regimes alter the role of landform and topographic constraint on functional diversity of floodplain forests Flood regimes alter the role of landform and topographic constraint on functional diversity of floodplain forests

Understanding patterns of species coexistence is a fundamental challenge in ecology. The physical environment is believed to play an important role, influencing patterns of dispersal and biotic interactions across space and time. Floodplain forest species are presumed to interact strongly with their environment, as evidenced by pronounced spatial variation in forest composition...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Matthew Baker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Survival and growth of four floodplain forest species in an Upper Mississippi River underplanting Survival and growth of four floodplain forest species in an Upper Mississippi River underplanting

Forest restoration efforts commonly occur in degraded ecosystems. For the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River, the combination of aging canopy trees and expansion of invasive species such as reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) can shift forested ecosystems to open meadows. Before this shift occurs, there may be opportunities to proactively underplant. Our study...
Authors
Marcella Windemuller-Campione, Molly Van Appledorn, Andrew Meier, Laura Reuling
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

What is a stand? Assessing the variability of composition and structure in floodplain forest ecosystems across spatial scales in the Upper Mississippi River What is a stand? Assessing the variability of composition and structure in floodplain forest ecosystems across spatial scales in the Upper Mississippi River

The forest stand typically represents relatively homogenous forest conditions; the forest stand is generally the unit at which forest attributes are assessed, summarized, and subsequently managed. However, some ecosystems, such as the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR), can exhibit high variability at fine spatial scales that can confound prescription development
Authors
Marcella Windmuller-Campione, Laura Reuling, Molly Van Appledorn, Daniel Nilesen, Andrew Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Van Appledorn, M., Lamb, D.A., Albalak, K., Bach, C.E. 2007. Zebra mussels decrease burrowing ability and growth of a native snail, Campeloma decisum. Hydrobiologia 575: 441 - 445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0280-3
Van Appledorn, M., Bach, C.E. 2007. Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on mobility of three native mollusk species. American Midland Naturalist 158(2): 329 - 338. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031(2007)158[329:EOZMDP]2.0.CO;2
Van Appledorn, M., Baker, M.E., and Miller, A.J. 2019. Empirical evaluation of two-dimensional unsteady hydraulic models for applications in floodplain forest ecology. Physical Geography. DOI: 10.1080/02723646.2019.1676186

**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

Interactive Elevation and Water Flow Table

Modeling Overview at UMESC

Models seek to describe the natural world around us and how we interact with the world. For example, physical models might help Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) visitors understand landscapes, such as the Mississippi River or topology and water flow.
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Modeling Overview at UMESC

Modeling Overview at UMESC

Models seek to describe the natural world around us and how we interact with the world. For example, physical models might help Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) visitors understand landscapes, such as the Mississippi River or topology and water flow.
Learn More
Delacroix area Mississippi river delta

Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Future climate conditions in the Upper Mississippi River Basin are projected to include many more extreme precipitation events. These intense periods of rain can lead to flooding of the Mississippi River itself, as well the small streams and rivers that feed it. This flooding presents a challenge for local communities, farmers, small businesses, river users, and the ecosystems and...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Workshop: Natural Solutions to Ecological and Economic Problems Caused by Extreme Precipitation Events in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Future climate conditions in the Upper Mississippi River Basin are projected to include many more extreme precipitation events. These intense periods of rain can lead to flooding of the Mississippi River itself, as well the small streams and rivers that feed it. This flooding presents a challenge for local communities, farmers, small businesses, river users, and the ecosystems and wildlife in the
Learn More
Upper Mississippi River Floodplain Backwater Forest

Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Floodplain forests along the Upper Mississippi River are heavily managed but understudied systems that provide critical ecosystem services, including habitat for endangered species. Impacts of a changing climate, such as warmer winters and wetter summers with extreme precipitation events, are already influencing hydrologic patterns in these ecosystems, including altering the duration...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Characterizing Climate-Driven Changes to Flood Events and Floodplain Forests in the Upper Mississippi River to Inform Management

Floodplain forests along the Upper Mississippi River are heavily managed but understudied systems that provide critical ecosystem services, including habitat for endangered species. Impacts of a changing climate, such as warmer winters and wetter summers with extreme precipitation events, are already influencing hydrologic patterns in these ecosystems, including altering the duration, frequency
Learn More
Pool 8/Pettibone Island, Upper Mississippi River, Spring 2019, flooding

Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forests are the dominant land cover along the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River System. These forests are primarily made up of relatively short-lived and rapidly growing species, such as willow, cottonwood, silver maple, green ash, American elm, but with inclusions of slower growing and longer-lived species, such as oak and hickory species.
By
Land Management Research Program, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forest Landscape Ecology of the Upper Mississippi River Floodplain

Forests are the dominant land cover along the floodplain of the Upper Mississippi River System. These forests are primarily made up of relatively short-lived and rapidly growing species, such as willow, cottonwood, silver maple, green ash, American elm, but with inclusions of slower growing and longer-lived species, such as oak and hickory species.
Learn More

Hydrogeomorphic Units and Catena Linkages for the Upper Mississippi River System Hydrogeomorphic Units and Catena Linkages for the Upper Mississippi River System

In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program, began a project to characterize potential hydrogeomorphic change associated with hydrogeomorphic units (HGUs) and their catenae (units linked by their association with sediment sources and flow origins). The objective of the project was to develop a geographic information system...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River System Changes in Floodplain Inundation from 1940 to 2022 Upper Mississippi River System Changes in Floodplain Inundation from 1940 to 2022

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). Here, we present results of a change analysis to estimate shifts in floodplain inundation regime characteristics from 1940 to 2022 in navigation pools 3 through 10 along the Upper Mississippi River. Data were derived from a...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Floodplain Forest Response to Multiple Large-Scale Inundation Events Survey Data From Eight Pools of the Upper Mississippi River Collected During the Growing Seasons of 1995 and 2021 Floodplain Forest Response to Multiple Large-Scale Inundation Events Survey Data From Eight Pools of the Upper Mississippi River Collected During the Growing Seasons of 1995 and 2021

Throughout the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS), floods in 1993 and 2019 were record-setting events in terms of flood stage and duration of flooding. Floodplain tree species are adapted to survive moderate frequencies, intensities, and durations of inundation. These events generated interest in quantifying levels of tree mortality and presented an opportunity to study how...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Forest biomass projections under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Reno Bottoms area of the Upper Mississippi River floodplain Forest biomass projections under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Reno Bottoms area of the Upper Mississippi River floodplain

Floodplain forests are being transformed by multiple pressures, prompting widespread management and restoration efforts. It is uncertain how disturbances, including hydrologic change, and management actions will interact to influence the ecology of these threatened forests. Here, we present the results of a forest landscape model in support of an ecological study detailed in the...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Analysis data for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) niche modeling in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories Analysis data for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) niche modeling in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories

This dataset contains the information used to perform ecological niche modeling for reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River, USA. We used presence and absence of reed canarygrass from US Army Corps of Engineers forest inventory plots sampled between 2008-2018 as our response variable along with several predictor variables derived from...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Estimates of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories (ver. 2.0, February 2024) Estimates of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories (ver. 2.0, February 2024)

This dataset contains predictions of habitat suitability of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) in Upper Mississippi River floodplain forest understories from Pool 3 to Pool 13. Predictions were created using three machine learning algorithms (Bayesian additive regression trees, boosted trees, and random forest). This dataset contains rasters that provide habitat suitability...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River Floodplain forest floor vegetation and inundation metrics in Pools 4 and 8, 2015-2017 Upper Mississippi River Floodplain forest floor vegetation and inundation metrics in Pools 4 and 8, 2015-2017

We conducted this study in Upper Mississippi River Pools 4 and 8 to document the occurrence and cover of Phalaris arundinacea and other forest floor plants in UMR floodplain forests and relate measures of abundance of Phalaris, and community composition and diversity to estimates of flood duration which can exhibit high spatial heterogeneity. We used modeled inundation duration which...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Floodplain Inundation Model and Inundation Depths: Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers Floodplain Inundation Model and Inundation Depths: Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS), which comprises the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Here, we present a series of related data products supporting floodplain inundation modeling of the UMRS. First, raster files comprise a unique identifier, river mile...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Functional diversity metrics of floodplain forests from Michigan's Lower Peninsula Functional diversity metrics of floodplain forests from Michigan's Lower Peninsula

Floodplain forest species are presumed to interact strongly with the environment, as evidenced by pronounced spatial variation in flood-driven abiotic constraints and forest composition. These data describe functional diversity and environmental characteristics for 156 forest assemblages sampled on floodplain landforms within transects from the lower peninsula of Michigan. The functional...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

UMRS Floodplain Inundation Attributes UMRS Floodplain Inundation Attributes

Floodplain inundation is believed to be the dominant physical driver of an array of ecosystem patterns and processes in the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS). Here, we present the results of a geospatial surface-water connectivity model in support of ecological investigations fully described in the USGS Open File Report entitled Indicators of Ecosystem Structure and Function for the...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Filter Total Items: 19

Mapping potential sensitivity to hydrogeomorphic change in the UMRS riverscape Mapping potential sensitivity to hydrogeomorphic change in the UMRS riverscape

In 2020 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program, began a new project to characterize potential hydrogeomorphic change associated with hydrogeomorphic units (HGUs) and their catenae (units linked by their association with sediment sources and flow origins). The goal of the project was to develop a geographic information system...
Authors
Angus Vaughan, Faith Fitzpatrick, Jayme Strange, Molly Van Appledorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Future forest conditions under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain Future forest conditions under alternative management and hydrological scenarios in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain

Context Floodplain forests are being transformed by multiple pressures, prompting widespread management and restoration efforts. It is uncertain how disturbances, including hydrologic change, and management actions will interact to influence the ecology of these threatened forests.Objectives This study examined the effects of alternative management and hydrologic regimes on forest...
Authors
Matthew Lewis Trumper, Nathan De Jager, Molly Van Appledorn, Andrew Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Upper Mississippi River Restoration future hydrology meeting series Upper Mississippi River Restoration future hydrology meeting series

The Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) program, a broad partnership of State and Federal agencies administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, integrates ecosystem monitoring, research, and modeling to rehabilitate habitat and evaluate ecosystem trends over time in the Upper Mississippi River System. Hydrologic data are integral to the UMRR program because they are used in...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Lucie Sawyer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Spatial differences in predicted Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) occurrence in floodplain forest understories Spatial differences in predicted Phalaris arundinacea (reed canarygrass) occurrence in floodplain forest understories

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is one of the most common invaders of floodplains and wetlands in North America. In the Upper Mississippi River floodplain, invasion by reed canarygrass in forest understories can inhibit forest regeneration when gaps form in the overstory. Understanding the distribution of reed canarygrass in forest understories is essential for effective...
Authors
John Delaney, Molly Van Appledorn, Nathan De Jager, Kristen Bouska, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

The where and why of large wood occurrence in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers The where and why of large wood occurrence in the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers

Large wood (LW) plays important geomorphic and ecological roles in rivers and is widely used as a restoration tool. Changes to floodplain land use and historical removal have altered wood dynamics in fluvial systems globally. We know little about the distribution and dynamics of LW in great rivers (approximately >105 km2) like the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers despite its...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Kathi Jankowski, Kaija Gahm, Serenity Budd, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie, Richard Erickson, Roger Haro, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Identifying conditions where reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) functions as a driver of forest loss in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain under different hydrological scenarios Identifying conditions where reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) functions as a driver of forest loss in the Upper Mississippi River floodplain under different hydrological scenarios

Most of the world’s river-floodplain ecosystems are simultaneously undergoing modifications to their hydrological regimes and experiencing species invasions, making it unclear whether invasive species are the main drivers of ecosystem change or simply responding to changes in the hydrological regime. We simulated patterns of forest recruitment and succession in a 2500-ha portion of the...
Authors
Nathan De Jager, Jason Rohweder, Molly Van Appledorn, Enrika Hlavacek, Andy Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Bridging the gap between mathematical biology and undergraduate education using applicable natural resource modeling Bridging the gap between mathematical biology and undergraduate education using applicable natural resource modeling

Mathematical biology is a wide field of study with many venues that undergraduate students can access through research. However, the topics of study for these students can be overwhelming, and many topics of study yield either only trivial results or abstract outcomes that are nonintuitive and diffcult to understand. We have used natural resource modeling, and more specifically, a...
Authors
Richard Erickson, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie, Wako Bungula, Aaron Cupp, James E. Diffendorfer, Eric A. Eager, Roger Haro, Kathi Jankowski, Danelle Larson, Greg J. Sandland, Molly Van Appledorn, James Peirce
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Low-complexity floodplain inundation model performs well for ecological and management applications in a large river ecosystem Low-complexity floodplain inundation model performs well for ecological and management applications in a large river ecosystem

Flooding is a dominant physical process that drives the form and function of river-floodplain ecosystems. Efficiently characterizing flooding dynamics can be challenging, especially over geographically broad areas or at spatial and temporal scales relevant for ecosystem management activities. Here, we empirically evaluated a low-complexity geospatial model of floodplain inundation in six...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Nathan De Jager, Jason Rohweder
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

River geomorphology affects biogeochemical responses to hydrologic events in a large river ecosystem River geomorphology affects biogeochemical responses to hydrologic events in a large river ecosystem

Shifts in the frequency and intensity of high discharge events due to climate change may have important consequences for the hydrology and biogeochemistry of rivers. However, our understanding of event-scale biogeochemical dynamics in large rivers lags that of small streams. To fill this gap, we used high-frequency sensor data collected during four consecutive summers from a main channel...
Authors
Taryn Waite, Kathi Jankowski, Denise Bruesewitz, Molly Van Appledorn, Megan Johnston, Jeffrey Houser, Douglas Baumann, Barbara Bennie
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Flood regimes alter the role of landform and topographic constraint on functional diversity of floodplain forests Flood regimes alter the role of landform and topographic constraint on functional diversity of floodplain forests

Understanding patterns of species coexistence is a fundamental challenge in ecology. The physical environment is believed to play an important role, influencing patterns of dispersal and biotic interactions across space and time. Floodplain forest species are presumed to interact strongly with their environment, as evidenced by pronounced spatial variation in forest composition...
Authors
Molly Van Appledorn, Matthew Baker
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Survival and growth of four floodplain forest species in an Upper Mississippi River underplanting Survival and growth of four floodplain forest species in an Upper Mississippi River underplanting

Forest restoration efforts commonly occur in degraded ecosystems. For the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River, the combination of aging canopy trees and expansion of invasive species such as reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) can shift forested ecosystems to open meadows. Before this shift occurs, there may be opportunities to proactively underplant. Our study...
Authors
Marcella Windemuller-Campione, Molly Van Appledorn, Andrew Meier, Laura Reuling
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

What is a stand? Assessing the variability of composition and structure in floodplain forest ecosystems across spatial scales in the Upper Mississippi River What is a stand? Assessing the variability of composition and structure in floodplain forest ecosystems across spatial scales in the Upper Mississippi River

The forest stand typically represents relatively homogenous forest conditions; the forest stand is generally the unit at which forest attributes are assessed, summarized, and subsequently managed. However, some ecosystems, such as the floodplain forests of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR), can exhibit high variability at fine spatial scales that can confound prescription development
Authors
Marcella Windmuller-Campione, Laura Reuling, Molly Van Appledorn, Daniel Nilesen, Andrew Meier
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Van Appledorn, M., Lamb, D.A., Albalak, K., Bach, C.E. 2007. Zebra mussels decrease burrowing ability and growth of a native snail, Campeloma decisum. Hydrobiologia 575: 441 - 445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0280-3
Van Appledorn, M., Bach, C.E. 2007. Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on mobility of three native mollusk species. American Midland Naturalist 158(2): 329 - 338. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031(2007)158[329:EOZMDP]2.0.CO;2
Van Appledorn, M., Baker, M.E., and Miller, A.J. 2019. Empirical evaluation of two-dimensional unsteady hydraulic models for applications in floodplain forest ecology. Physical Geography. DOI: 10.1080/02723646.2019.1676186

**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.

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