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Monica M Moritsch, PhD (Former Employee)

Science and Products

Photo of an American Bittern

Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Learn More
Picture of a mature salmon

Fisheries and Fish Habitat

The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Fisheries and Fish Habitat

Fisheries and Fish Habitat

The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
Learn More
Aerial map of modeling area in the Nisqually River Delta

Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
Learn More
Aerial map of modeling area in the Nisqually River Delta

An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
By
Western Geographic Science Center
An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
Learn More
Image: Fire Coral Bleaching

Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Coral reefs are critical providers of food, economic opportunity, and cultural value in the Pacific Islands. Coral bleaching events, driven by extreme water temperatures, jeopardize reefs’ ability to continue providing these services. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves leading to bleaching events, reducing the amount of time for full recovery...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Coral reefs are critical providers of food, economic opportunity, and cultural value in the Pacific Islands. Coral bleaching events, driven by extreme water temperatures, jeopardize reefs’ ability to continue providing these services. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves leading to bleaching events, reducing the amount of time for full recovery, and
Learn More

Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Favorability of environmental conditions for coral reefs in Guam and American Samoa under multiple climate scenarios Favorability of environmental conditions for coral reefs in Guam and American Samoa under multiple climate scenarios

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs of relative environmental favorability for coral growth and survival in the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa across 3 climate scenarios: Present, Intermediate Emissions (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5), and Worst Case Emissions (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5). These datasets were generated from a...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Integrated modeling of climate and land change impacts on future dynamic wetland habitat – a case study from California’s Central Valley Integrated modeling of climate and land change impacts on future dynamic wetland habitat – a case study from California’s Central Valley

This dataset consists of raster geotiff and tabular outputs of annual map projections of land use and land cover for the California Central Valley for the period 2011-2101 across 5 future scenarios. Four of the scenarios were developed as part of the Central Valley Landscape Conservation Project. The 4 original scenarios include a Bad-Business-As-Usual (BBAU; high water, poor management)
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.

By
Western Geographic Science Center
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.

By
Western Geographic Science Center

Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA

Coastal ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services that are valued in diverse ways. The Nisqually River Delta (the Delta), an estuary in Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A., is co-managed by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In an ecosystem services assessment, we used different service-appropriate methods including citizen science...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Laurie Hall, Emily Pindilli, Monica Moritsch, Anthony Good, Susan De La Cruz, Melanie Davis, Glynnis Nakai
By
Western Geographic Science Center

A decade of death and other dynamics: Deepening perspectives on the diversity and distribution of sea stars and wasting A decade of death and other dynamics: Deepening perspectives on the diversity and distribution of sea stars and wasting

Mass mortality events provide valuable insight into biological extremes and also ecological interactions more generally. The sea star wasting epidemic that began in 2013 catalyzed study of the microbiome, genetics, population dynamics, and community ecology of several high-profile species inhabiting the northeastern Pacific but exposed a dearth of information on the diversity...
Authors
Michael Dawson, Paige Duffin, Melina Giakoumis, Lauren Schiebelhut, Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Keith Bosley, Rita Castilho, Christine Ewers-Saucedo, Katie Gavenus, Aimee Keller, Brenda Konar, John Largier, Julio Lorda, Melissa Miner, Monica Moritsch, Sergio Navarette, Peter Raimondi, Sarah Traiger, Monica Turner, John Wares
By
Alaska Science Center

Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate

Scientists, resource managers, and decision-makers increasingly use knowledge co-production to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley, USA to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Elliott Matchett, Claudia Mengelt, Tamara Wilson, Deanne DiPietro, Monica Moritsch, Erin Conlisk, Sam Veloz, Michael Casazza, Matthew Reiter
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary

Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Kristin Byrd, Melanie Davis, Anthony Good, Judith Drexler, James Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina Poppe, John Rybczyk
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Science and Decisions Center, California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center

Climate and land change impacts on future managed wetland habitat: A case study from California’s Central Valley Climate and land change impacts on future managed wetland habitat: A case study from California’s Central Valley

Concept California’s Central Valley provides critical habitat for migratory waterbirds, yet only 10% of naturally occurring wetlands remain. Competition for limited water supplies and climate change will impact the long-term viability of these intensively managed habitats.Objectives Forecast the distribution, abundance, and connectivity of surface water and managed wetland habitats...
Authors
Tamara Wilson, Elliott Matchett, Kristin Byrd, Erin Conlisk, Matthew Reiter, Cynthia Wallace, Lorraine Flint, Alan Flint, Monica Moritsch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, California Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

Modeling watershed carbon dynamics as affected by land cover change and soil erosion Modeling watershed carbon dynamics as affected by land cover change and soil erosion

Process-based ecosystem carbon cycle models typically incorporate vegetation growth, vegetation mortality, and soil respiration as well as the biotic and environmental drivers that influence these variables. However, few spatially explicit process models can efficiently incorporate the influence of land cover change and carbon lateral movement at regional scales or high spatial...
Authors
Jinxun Liu, Benjamin Sleeter, Paul Selmants, Jiaojiao Diao, Qiang Zhou, Bruce Worstell, Monica Moritsch
By
National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Western Geographic Science Center, Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection

Coral reef resilience differs among islands within the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, following successive coral bleaching events Coral reef resilience differs among islands within the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, following successive coral bleaching events

We used a 12-yr data set of benthic cover (2005–2017), spanning two bleaching events, to assess changes in benthic cover and coral community composition along 21 islands within Gulf of Mannar (GoM), southeast India. Overall, between 2005 and 2017 reefs had a simultaneous decrease in relative coral cover (avg. =  − 36%) and increase in algal cover (avg. =  + 45%). Changes in benthic cover...
Authors
K Raj, Greta Aeby, G.M. Mathews, Gareth J Williams, Jamie Caldwell, R Laju, M Bharath, P Dinesh Kumar, A Arasamuthu, N Asir, Lisa Wedding, Andrew Daview, Monica Moritsch, J Edward
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Expansion of intertidal mussel beds following disease-driven reduction of a keystone predator Expansion of intertidal mussel beds following disease-driven reduction of a keystone predator

Disease shapes community composition by removing species with strong interactions. To test whether the absence of keystone predation due to disease produced changes to the species composition of rocky intertidal communities, we leverage a natural experiment involving mass mortality of the keystone predator Pisaster ochraceus from Sea Star Wasting Syndrome. Over four years, we measured...
Authors
Monica Moritsch
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Estimating blue carbon sequestration under coastal management scenarios Estimating blue carbon sequestration under coastal management scenarios

Restoring and protecting “blue carbon” ecosystems - mangrove forests, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows - are actions considered for increasing global carbon sequestration. To improve understanding of which management actions produce the greatest gains in sequestration, we used a spatially explicit model to compare carbon sequestration and its economic value over a broad spatial scale...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Mary Young, Paul Carnell, Peter I Macreadie, Catherine Lovelock, Emily Nicholson, Peter Raimondi, Lisa Wedding, Daniel Ierodiaconou
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Localized outbreaks of coral disease on Arabian reefs are linked to extreme temperatures and environmental stressors Localized outbreaks of coral disease on Arabian reefs are linked to extreme temperatures and environmental stressors

The Arabian Peninsula borders the hottest reefs in the world, and corals living in these extreme environments can provide insight into the effects of warming on coral health and disease. Here, we examined coral reef health at 17 sites across three regions along the northeastern Arabian Peninsula (Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Oman Sea) representing a gradient of environmental...
Authors
Greta Aeby, Emily Howells, Thierry Work, David Abrego, Gareth Williams, Lisa Wedding, Jamie Caldwell, Monica Moritsch, John Burt
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Up in arms: Immune and nervous system response to sea star wasting disease Up in arms: Immune and nervous system response to sea star wasting disease

Echinoderms, positioned taxonomically at the base of deuterostomes, provide an important system for the study of the evolution of the immune system. However, there is little known about the cellular components and genes associated with echinoderm immunity. The 2013–2014 sea star wasting disease outbreak is an emergent, rapidly spreading disease, which has led to large population declines...
Authors
Lauren Fuess, Morgan Eiselord, Collin Closek, Allison Tracy, Ruth Mauntz, Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn, Monica Moritsch, Reyn Yoshioka, Colleen Burge, Drew Harvell, Carolyn S. Friedman, Paul K. Hershberger, Steven Roberts
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP), Marrowstone Marine Field Station (MMFS)

Decision Support for Wetland and Wildlife Management Decision Support for Wetland and Wildlife Management

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

New, integrated, multidisciplinary studies from USGS and partners characterize the importance of sediment supply to coastal resilience and ecosystem...

Read Article

Science and Products

Photo of an American Bittern

Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Recreational Birdwatching and Habitat

Thousands of visitors flock to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge every year to look for birds both rare and common. Birdwatching activities contribute to economic activity for the Nisqually area and play a role in the broader outdoor-loving culture of the Pacific Northwest.
Learn More
Picture of a mature salmon

Fisheries and Fish Habitat

The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Fisheries and Fish Habitat

Fisheries and Fish Habitat

The estuarine habitat of the Delta is critical to the production of salmon, which supports recreational, commercial, and subsistence fishing. The combination of shaded pools, shallow reaches, and a rich prey population provide excellent feeding grounds for juvenile fish. Fishing also holds great importance in the cultural practices of the Nisqually Tribe.
Learn More
Aerial map of modeling area in the Nisqually River Delta

Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Marsh Elevation Change and Carbon Sequestration

Tidal marsh vegetation grows in a narrow elevation zone between sea level and the upland behind it. These plant communities have evolved to accumulate sediment over time and maintain their relative elevation with gradual rates of change in sea level. It is uncertain which marsh vegetation communities will be able to accumulate sediment at a rate that keeps pace with accelerated sea level rise.
Learn More
Aerial map of modeling area in the Nisqually River Delta

An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
By
Western Geographic Science Center
An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

An Ecosystem Services Assessment of the Nisqually River Delta, South Puget Sound, Washington

Overview of Nisqually River Delta ecosystem services modeling
Learn More
Image: Fire Coral Bleaching

Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Coral reefs are critical providers of food, economic opportunity, and cultural value in the Pacific Islands. Coral bleaching events, driven by extreme water temperatures, jeopardize reefs’ ability to continue providing these services. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves leading to bleaching events, reducing the amount of time for full recovery...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Identifying Locations for Coral Reef Climate Resilience

Coral reefs are critical providers of food, economic opportunity, and cultural value in the Pacific Islands. Coral bleaching events, driven by extreme water temperatures, jeopardize reefs’ ability to continue providing these services. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of marine heat waves leading to bleaching events, reducing the amount of time for full recovery, and
Learn More

Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington Projected future habitat, elevation change, and carbon accumulation of coastal wetlands in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs from modeling habitat change, marsh vertical accretion, and carbon accumulation in the Nisqually River Delta, Washington, USA. These rasters represent projections of future habitat type, change in surface elevation above Mean Sea Level, and total sediment carbon accumulation since 2011 in coastal wetland habitats. Projections were generated...
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Favorability of environmental conditions for coral reefs in Guam and American Samoa under multiple climate scenarios Favorability of environmental conditions for coral reefs in Guam and American Samoa under multiple climate scenarios

This dataset consists of raster geotiff outputs of relative environmental favorability for coral growth and survival in the United States territories of Guam and American Samoa across 3 climate scenarios: Present, Intermediate Emissions (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5), and Worst Case Emissions (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5). These datasets were generated from a...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Integrated modeling of climate and land change impacts on future dynamic wetland habitat – a case study from California’s Central Valley Integrated modeling of climate and land change impacts on future dynamic wetland habitat – a case study from California’s Central Valley

This dataset consists of raster geotiff and tabular outputs of annual map projections of land use and land cover for the California Central Valley for the period 2011-2101 across 5 future scenarios. Four of the scenarios were developed as part of the Central Valley Landscape Conservation Project. The 4 original scenarios include a Bad-Business-As-Usual (BBAU; high water, poor management)
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.

By
Western Geographic Science Center
Graphic showing the decision support storymap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

Decision support StoryMap tool for wetland and wildlife management for the Central Valley of California.

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.

By
Western Geographic Science Center

Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA Birdwatching preferences reveal synergies and tradeoffs among recreation, carbon, and fisheries ecosystem services in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA

Coastal ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services that are valued in diverse ways. The Nisqually River Delta (the Delta), an estuary in Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A., is co-managed by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In an ecosystem services assessment, we used different service-appropriate methods including citizen science...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Isa Woo, Laurie Hall, Emily Pindilli, Monica Moritsch, Anthony Good, Susan De La Cruz, Melanie Davis, Glynnis Nakai
By
Western Geographic Science Center

A decade of death and other dynamics: Deepening perspectives on the diversity and distribution of sea stars and wasting A decade of death and other dynamics: Deepening perspectives on the diversity and distribution of sea stars and wasting

Mass mortality events provide valuable insight into biological extremes and also ecological interactions more generally. The sea star wasting epidemic that began in 2013 catalyzed study of the microbiome, genetics, population dynamics, and community ecology of several high-profile species inhabiting the northeastern Pacific but exposed a dearth of information on the diversity...
Authors
Michael Dawson, Paige Duffin, Melina Giakoumis, Lauren Schiebelhut, Rodrigo Beas-Luna, Keith Bosley, Rita Castilho, Christine Ewers-Saucedo, Katie Gavenus, Aimee Keller, Brenda Konar, John Largier, Julio Lorda, Melissa Miner, Monica Moritsch, Sergio Navarette, Peter Raimondi, Sarah Traiger, Monica Turner, John Wares
By
Alaska Science Center

Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate

Scientists, resource managers, and decision-makers increasingly use knowledge co-production to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley, USA to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of...
Authors
Kristin Byrd, Elliott Matchett, Claudia Mengelt, Tamara Wilson, Deanne DiPietro, Monica Moritsch, Erin Conlisk, Sam Veloz, Michael Casazza, Matthew Reiter
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary Can coastal habitats rise to the challenge? Resilience of estuarine habitats, carbon accumulation, and economic value to sea-level rise in a Puget Sound estuary

Sea-level rise (SLR) and obstructions to sediment delivery pose challenges to the persistence of estuarine habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Restoration actions and sediment management strategies may help mitigate such challenges by encouraging the vertical accretion of sediment in and horizontal migration of tidal forests and marshes. We used a process-based soil...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Kristin Byrd, Melanie Davis, Anthony Good, Judith Drexler, James Morris, Isa Woo, Lisamarie Windham-Myers, Eric Grossman, Glynnis Nakai, Katrina Poppe, John Rybczyk
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Science and Decisions Center, California Water Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center

Climate and land change impacts on future managed wetland habitat: A case study from California’s Central Valley Climate and land change impacts on future managed wetland habitat: A case study from California’s Central Valley

Concept California’s Central Valley provides critical habitat for migratory waterbirds, yet only 10% of naturally occurring wetlands remain. Competition for limited water supplies and climate change will impact the long-term viability of these intensively managed habitats.Objectives Forecast the distribution, abundance, and connectivity of surface water and managed wetland habitats...
Authors
Tamara Wilson, Elliott Matchett, Kristin Byrd, Erin Conlisk, Matthew Reiter, Cynthia Wallace, Lorraine Flint, Alan Flint, Monica Moritsch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, California Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center

Modeling watershed carbon dynamics as affected by land cover change and soil erosion Modeling watershed carbon dynamics as affected by land cover change and soil erosion

Process-based ecosystem carbon cycle models typically incorporate vegetation growth, vegetation mortality, and soil respiration as well as the biotic and environmental drivers that influence these variables. However, few spatially explicit process models can efficiently incorporate the influence of land cover change and carbon lateral movement at regional scales or high spatial...
Authors
Jinxun Liu, Benjamin Sleeter, Paul Selmants, Jiaojiao Diao, Qiang Zhou, Bruce Worstell, Monica Moritsch
By
National Land Imaging Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Western Geographic Science Center, Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection

Coral reef resilience differs among islands within the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, following successive coral bleaching events Coral reef resilience differs among islands within the Gulf of Mannar, southeast India, following successive coral bleaching events

We used a 12-yr data set of benthic cover (2005–2017), spanning two bleaching events, to assess changes in benthic cover and coral community composition along 21 islands within Gulf of Mannar (GoM), southeast India. Overall, between 2005 and 2017 reefs had a simultaneous decrease in relative coral cover (avg. =  − 36%) and increase in algal cover (avg. =  + 45%). Changes in benthic cover...
Authors
K Raj, Greta Aeby, G.M. Mathews, Gareth J Williams, Jamie Caldwell, R Laju, M Bharath, P Dinesh Kumar, A Arasamuthu, N Asir, Lisa Wedding, Andrew Daview, Monica Moritsch, J Edward
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Expansion of intertidal mussel beds following disease-driven reduction of a keystone predator Expansion of intertidal mussel beds following disease-driven reduction of a keystone predator

Disease shapes community composition by removing species with strong interactions. To test whether the absence of keystone predation due to disease produced changes to the species composition of rocky intertidal communities, we leverage a natural experiment involving mass mortality of the keystone predator Pisaster ochraceus from Sea Star Wasting Syndrome. Over four years, we measured...
Authors
Monica Moritsch
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Estimating blue carbon sequestration under coastal management scenarios Estimating blue carbon sequestration under coastal management scenarios

Restoring and protecting “blue carbon” ecosystems - mangrove forests, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows - are actions considered for increasing global carbon sequestration. To improve understanding of which management actions produce the greatest gains in sequestration, we used a spatially explicit model to compare carbon sequestration and its economic value over a broad spatial scale...
Authors
Monica Moritsch, Mary Young, Paul Carnell, Peter I Macreadie, Catherine Lovelock, Emily Nicholson, Peter Raimondi, Lisa Wedding, Daniel Ierodiaconou
By
Western Geographic Science Center

Localized outbreaks of coral disease on Arabian reefs are linked to extreme temperatures and environmental stressors Localized outbreaks of coral disease on Arabian reefs are linked to extreme temperatures and environmental stressors

The Arabian Peninsula borders the hottest reefs in the world, and corals living in these extreme environments can provide insight into the effects of warming on coral health and disease. Here, we examined coral reef health at 17 sites across three regions along the northeastern Arabian Peninsula (Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Oman Sea) representing a gradient of environmental...
Authors
Greta Aeby, Emily Howells, Thierry Work, David Abrego, Gareth Williams, Lisa Wedding, Jamie Caldwell, Monica Moritsch, John Burt
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, National Wildlife Health Center

Up in arms: Immune and nervous system response to sea star wasting disease Up in arms: Immune and nervous system response to sea star wasting disease

Echinoderms, positioned taxonomically at the base of deuterostomes, provide an important system for the study of the evolution of the immune system. However, there is little known about the cellular components and genes associated with echinoderm immunity. The 2013–2014 sea star wasting disease outbreak is an emergent, rapidly spreading disease, which has led to large population declines...
Authors
Lauren Fuess, Morgan Eiselord, Collin Closek, Allison Tracy, Ruth Mauntz, Sarah Gignoux-Wolfsohn, Monica Moritsch, Reyn Yoshioka, Colleen Burge, Drew Harvell, Carolyn S. Friedman, Paul K. Hershberger, Steven Roberts
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Fish Health Program (FHP), Marrowstone Marine Field Station (MMFS)

Decision Support for Wetland and Wildlife Management Decision Support for Wetland and Wildlife Management

USGS Scientists published a StoryMap showing projected changes in land use, flooded area, and wildlife habitat in California’s Central Valley for five scenarios of future climate and water management.
By
Western Geographic Science Center
Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

Can Coastal Habitats Rise to the Challenge? Assessing Sediment Supply at Nisqually River Delta

New, integrated, multidisciplinary studies from USGS and partners characterize the importance of sediment supply to coastal resilience and ecosystem...

Read Article
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