Nathaniel (Than) Hitt, PhD (Former Employee)
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Filter Total Items: 21
Stream fish species abundance and associated physical habitat data in Catoctin Mountain Park (2015-2016) Stream fish species abundance and associated physical habitat data in Catoctin Mountain Park (2015-2016)
This Data Release provides records of fish species abundance collected during summer 2015 using single pass backpack electrofishing within sections of Owens Creek, Big Hunting Creek, and Blue Blazes Creek (a tributary to Big Hunting Creek) in Maryland (USA). We also provide water and air temperature data collected during at 30 minute increments summers of 2015 and 2016. Stream physical...
Temperature data for study of shallow mountain bedrock limits seepage-based headwater climate refugia, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Temperature data for study of shallow mountain bedrock limits seepage-based headwater climate refugia, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
A combination of long-term daily temperature records and depth to bedrock measurements were used to parameterize one-dimensional models of shallow aquifer vertical heat transport in Shenandoah National Park, VA, USA. Spatially discontinuous roving water surface and bank temperatures surveys were performed with a handheld thermal infrared camera in September and December 2015 along the...
Air-water temperature data for the study of groundwater influence on stream thermal regimes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (ver. 2.0, May 3, 2018) Air-water temperature data for the study of groundwater influence on stream thermal regimes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (ver. 2.0, May 3, 2018)
USGS Leetown Science Center scientists collected hourly air and water temperature data at 79 site locations within nine watersheds in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia over four water years (2012-2015). Data were collected using HOBO Pro V2 thermographs (accuracy = 0.2 degrees Celsius, drift = less than 0.1 degrees Celsius per year per year).
Filter Total Items: 52
Assessing native fish restoration potential in Catoctin Mountain Park Assessing native fish restoration potential in Catoctin Mountain Park
Biological conservation is a fundamental purpose of the National Park system, and Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO) supports high-quality habitat for native fishes in the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in eastern North America. However, native Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) have been extirpated in Big Hunting Creek above Cunningham Falls in CATO. Prior research...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karmann G. Kessler, Zachary A. Kelly, Karli M. Rogers, Hannah E. Macmillan, Heather L. Walsh
Heed the data gap: Guidelines for using incomplete datasets in annual stream temperature analyses Heed the data gap: Guidelines for using incomplete datasets in annual stream temperature analyses
Stream temperature data are useful for deciphering watershed processes important for aquatic ecosystems. Accurately extracting signal trends from stream temperature is essential for predicting responses of environmental and ecological indicators to change. Missing data periods are common for various reasons, and pose a challenge for scientists using temperature signal analysis to support...
Authors
Zachary C. Johnson, Brittany G. Johnson, Martin A. Briggs, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Warren Devine
Modeling occupancy of rare stream fish species in the upper Cumberland and Kentucky River Basins Modeling occupancy of rare stream fish species in the upper Cumberland and Kentucky River Basins
Biological conservation often requires an understanding of how environmental conditions affect species occurrence and detection probabilities. We used a hierarchical framework to evaluate these effects for several Appalachian stream fish species of conservation concern: Chrosomus cumberlandensis (BSD; blackside dace), Etheostoma sagitta (CAD; Cumberland arrow darter), and Etheostoma...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli M. Rogers, Karmann Kessler, Hannah E. Macmillan
Comparison of underwater video with electrofishing and dive‐counts for stream fish abundance estimation Comparison of underwater video with electrofishing and dive‐counts for stream fish abundance estimation
Advances in video technology enable new strategies for stream fish research. We compared juvenile (age‐0) and adult (age 1+) Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis abundance estimates from underwater video with backpack electrofishing and dive‐count methods across a series of stream pools in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (n = 41). Video methods estimated greater mean abundance of adult...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli M. Rogers, Craig D. Snyder, C. Andrew Dolloff
Paired air-water annual temperature patterns reveal hydrogeological controls on stream thermal regimes at watershed to continental scales Paired air-water annual temperature patterns reveal hydrogeological controls on stream thermal regimes at watershed to continental scales
Despite decades of research into air and stream temperature dynamics, paired air-water annual temperature signals have been underutilized to characterize watershed processes. Annual stream temperature dynamics are useful in classifying fundamental thermal regimes and can enhance process-based interpretation of stream temperature controls, including deep and shallow groundwater discharge...
Authors
Zachary C. Johnson, Brittany G. Johnson, Martin A. Briggs, Warren Devine, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt, D. Hare, T. Minkova
Spatial and temporal trends in Potomac River fish abundance linked to species traits Spatial and temporal trends in Potomac River fish abundance linked to species traits
Analysis of species abundance trends can inform an understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We evaluated spatial and temporal trends in fish species abundance in the non-tidal Potomac River (USA) from a dataset comprising 2841 seine-hauls with > 250,000 individual fish records across 10 sites and 43 years (1975-2017). The dataset contained 47 species from 7 taxonomic families, with...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli Rogers, Zachary A. Kelly, Josh Henesy, John E. Mullican
Non-USGS Publications**
Hitt, N.P. and M. Hendryx. 2010. Ecological integrity of streams linked to human cancer mortality rates. EcoHealth 7:91-104.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2008. River-stream connectivity affects fish bioassessment performance. Environmental Management 42:132-150.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2008. Evidence for fish dispersal from spatial analysis of stream network topology. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27:304-320.
Hitt, N.P. and B.R. Murphy. 2007. An inquiry-based case study for conservation biology. Journal of Virginia Science Education 2:43-50.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2006. Effects of adjacent streams on local fish assemblage structure in western Virginia: implications for biomonitoring. American Fisheries Society Symposium 48:75-86.
Vignieri, S.N., E.M. Hallerman, B.J. Bergstrom, D.J. Hafner, A.P. Martin, P. Devers, P. Grobler and N.P. Hitt. 2006. Mistaken view of taxonomy undermines conservation of an evolutionarily distinct mouse: a response to Ramey et al. Journal of Animal Conservation 9:237-243.
Allendorf, F.W., R. Leary, N.P. Hitt, K. Knudsen, M. Boyer and P. Spruell. 2005. Cutthroat trout hybridization and the U.S. Endangered Species Act: one species, two policies. Conservation Biology 19:1326-1328.
Hitt, N.P. and C.A. Frissell. 2004. A case study of surrogate species in aquatic conservation planning. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 14:625-633.
Allendorf, F.W., R. Leary, N.P. Hitt, K. Knudsen, L. Lundquist, and P. Spruell. 2004. Intercrosses and the U.S. Endangered Species Act: should hybridized populations be included as westslope cutthroat trout? Conservation Biology 18: 1203-1213.
Hitt, N.P., C.A. Frissell, C.C. Muhlfeld and F.W. Allendorf. 2003. Spread of hybridization between native westslope cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, and non-native rainbow trout, O. mykiss. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:1440-1451.
Hitt, N.P. 2003. Immediate effects of wildfire on stream temperature. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 18:171-173.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Filter Total Items: 21
Stream fish species abundance and associated physical habitat data in Catoctin Mountain Park (2015-2016) Stream fish species abundance and associated physical habitat data in Catoctin Mountain Park (2015-2016)
This Data Release provides records of fish species abundance collected during summer 2015 using single pass backpack electrofishing within sections of Owens Creek, Big Hunting Creek, and Blue Blazes Creek (a tributary to Big Hunting Creek) in Maryland (USA). We also provide water and air temperature data collected during at 30 minute increments summers of 2015 and 2016. Stream physical...
Temperature data for study of shallow mountain bedrock limits seepage-based headwater climate refugia, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia Temperature data for study of shallow mountain bedrock limits seepage-based headwater climate refugia, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
A combination of long-term daily temperature records and depth to bedrock measurements were used to parameterize one-dimensional models of shallow aquifer vertical heat transport in Shenandoah National Park, VA, USA. Spatially discontinuous roving water surface and bank temperatures surveys were performed with a handheld thermal infrared camera in September and December 2015 along the...
Air-water temperature data for the study of groundwater influence on stream thermal regimes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (ver. 2.0, May 3, 2018) Air-water temperature data for the study of groundwater influence on stream thermal regimes in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (ver. 2.0, May 3, 2018)
USGS Leetown Science Center scientists collected hourly air and water temperature data at 79 site locations within nine watersheds in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia over four water years (2012-2015). Data were collected using HOBO Pro V2 thermographs (accuracy = 0.2 degrees Celsius, drift = less than 0.1 degrees Celsius per year per year).
Filter Total Items: 52
Assessing native fish restoration potential in Catoctin Mountain Park Assessing native fish restoration potential in Catoctin Mountain Park
Biological conservation is a fundamental purpose of the National Park system, and Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO) supports high-quality habitat for native fishes in the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in eastern North America. However, native Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) have been extirpated in Big Hunting Creek above Cunningham Falls in CATO. Prior research...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karmann G. Kessler, Zachary A. Kelly, Karli M. Rogers, Hannah E. Macmillan, Heather L. Walsh
Heed the data gap: Guidelines for using incomplete datasets in annual stream temperature analyses Heed the data gap: Guidelines for using incomplete datasets in annual stream temperature analyses
Stream temperature data are useful for deciphering watershed processes important for aquatic ecosystems. Accurately extracting signal trends from stream temperature is essential for predicting responses of environmental and ecological indicators to change. Missing data periods are common for various reasons, and pose a challenge for scientists using temperature signal analysis to support...
Authors
Zachary C. Johnson, Brittany G. Johnson, Martin A. Briggs, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Warren Devine
Modeling occupancy of rare stream fish species in the upper Cumberland and Kentucky River Basins Modeling occupancy of rare stream fish species in the upper Cumberland and Kentucky River Basins
Biological conservation often requires an understanding of how environmental conditions affect species occurrence and detection probabilities. We used a hierarchical framework to evaluate these effects for several Appalachian stream fish species of conservation concern: Chrosomus cumberlandensis (BSD; blackside dace), Etheostoma sagitta (CAD; Cumberland arrow darter), and Etheostoma...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli M. Rogers, Karmann Kessler, Hannah E. Macmillan
Comparison of underwater video with electrofishing and dive‐counts for stream fish abundance estimation Comparison of underwater video with electrofishing and dive‐counts for stream fish abundance estimation
Advances in video technology enable new strategies for stream fish research. We compared juvenile (age‐0) and adult (age 1+) Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis abundance estimates from underwater video with backpack electrofishing and dive‐count methods across a series of stream pools in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (n = 41). Video methods estimated greater mean abundance of adult...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli M. Rogers, Craig D. Snyder, C. Andrew Dolloff
Paired air-water annual temperature patterns reveal hydrogeological controls on stream thermal regimes at watershed to continental scales Paired air-water annual temperature patterns reveal hydrogeological controls on stream thermal regimes at watershed to continental scales
Despite decades of research into air and stream temperature dynamics, paired air-water annual temperature signals have been underutilized to characterize watershed processes. Annual stream temperature dynamics are useful in classifying fundamental thermal regimes and can enhance process-based interpretation of stream temperature controls, including deep and shallow groundwater discharge...
Authors
Zachary C. Johnson, Brittany G. Johnson, Martin A. Briggs, Warren Devine, Craig D. Snyder, Nathaniel P. Hitt, D. Hare, T. Minkova
Spatial and temporal trends in Potomac River fish abundance linked to species traits Spatial and temporal trends in Potomac River fish abundance linked to species traits
Analysis of species abundance trends can inform an understanding of the underlying mechanisms. We evaluated spatial and temporal trends in fish species abundance in the non-tidal Potomac River (USA) from a dataset comprising 2841 seine-hauls with > 250,000 individual fish records across 10 sites and 43 years (1975-2017). The dataset contained 47 species from 7 taxonomic families, with...
Authors
Nathaniel P. Hitt, Karli Rogers, Zachary A. Kelly, Josh Henesy, John E. Mullican
Non-USGS Publications**
Hitt, N.P. and M. Hendryx. 2010. Ecological integrity of streams linked to human cancer mortality rates. EcoHealth 7:91-104.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2008. River-stream connectivity affects fish bioassessment performance. Environmental Management 42:132-150.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2008. Evidence for fish dispersal from spatial analysis of stream network topology. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27:304-320.
Hitt, N.P. and B.R. Murphy. 2007. An inquiry-based case study for conservation biology. Journal of Virginia Science Education 2:43-50.
Hitt, N.P. and P.L. Angermeier. 2006. Effects of adjacent streams on local fish assemblage structure in western Virginia: implications for biomonitoring. American Fisheries Society Symposium 48:75-86.
Vignieri, S.N., E.M. Hallerman, B.J. Bergstrom, D.J. Hafner, A.P. Martin, P. Devers, P. Grobler and N.P. Hitt. 2006. Mistaken view of taxonomy undermines conservation of an evolutionarily distinct mouse: a response to Ramey et al. Journal of Animal Conservation 9:237-243.
Allendorf, F.W., R. Leary, N.P. Hitt, K. Knudsen, M. Boyer and P. Spruell. 2005. Cutthroat trout hybridization and the U.S. Endangered Species Act: one species, two policies. Conservation Biology 19:1326-1328.
Hitt, N.P. and C.A. Frissell. 2004. A case study of surrogate species in aquatic conservation planning. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 14:625-633.
Allendorf, F.W., R. Leary, N.P. Hitt, K. Knudsen, L. Lundquist, and P. Spruell. 2004. Intercrosses and the U.S. Endangered Species Act: should hybridized populations be included as westslope cutthroat trout? Conservation Biology 18: 1203-1213.
Hitt, N.P., C.A. Frissell, C.C. Muhlfeld and F.W. Allendorf. 2003. Spread of hybridization between native westslope cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, and non-native rainbow trout, O. mykiss. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:1440-1451.
Hitt, N.P. 2003. Immediate effects of wildfire on stream temperature. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 18:171-173.
**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.