Robin L DeBruyne, PhD
Robin DeBruyne is an Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she has worked since 2012.
Robin received her Ph.D. in fisheries and aquatic sciences from Cornell University studying the population responses of walleye and yellow perch to the removal of double-crested cormorants on Oneida Lake. She received M.S. and B.S. degrees in conservation biology from Central Michigan University. Robin’s research focus at the Great Lakes Science Center focuses on fish early life history dynamics in the Great Lakes and connecting waters, evaluation of constructed spawning reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System, and food-web ecology of top predators in the Great Lakes. Her research is often conducted in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams with partners from federal, state, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Robin is an active member of the American Fisheries Society at multiple unit levels.
Professional Experience
2012-Present; Post-doctoral researcher and ecologist at USGS Great Lakes Science Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Cornell University, 2014; Fisheries and Aquatic Science
M.S., Central Michigan University, 2006; Biology - Conservation Biology Concentration
B.S., Central Michigan University, 2004; Biology- Natural Resource Concentration
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
International Association for Great Lakes Research
North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Filter Total Items: 17
Microsatellite genotypes for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Eggs and Larvae from Constructed Reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System (2015-2016) Microsatellite genotypes for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Eggs and Larvae from Constructed Reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System (2015-2016)
This dataset contains the physical collection information (e.g., sample location, date, gear type) and microsatellite DNA genotype of egg and larval Lake Sturgeon collected in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers in 2015 and 2016. Individuals were genotyped for 18 microsatellite loci (13 disomic and 5 polysomic). Alleles (base pair sizes) were recorded as presence absence scores (1:present...
Pre-restoration biological and physical assessment of the lower Rouge River, MI, 2018 Pre-restoration biological and physical assessment of the lower Rouge River, MI, 2018
Data are from biological and physical environmental assessments conducted during 2018 in the lower Rouge River, MI. Sites were located upstream, downstream, and within the concrete channel section of the lower Rouge River. Water quality parameters, riparian zone characteristics, reptiles and amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, and river channel characteristics (water depth, flow, velocity...
Larval Fish Abundance, Identification, and Auxiliary Data from the Great Lakes and Their Connecting Channels Larval Fish Abundance, Identification, and Auxiliary Data from the Great Lakes and Their Connecting Channels
This dataset contains data collected on various vessel operations on the Great Lakes and their connecting channels, primarily the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and western Lake Erie, although other locations have been sampled and included in this dataset. This dataset contains the field variables, environmental conditions, larval catches (numbers), larval fish...
Lake Whitefish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie, 2016-2018 Lake Whitefish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie, 2016-2018
To investigate the contemporary distribution of lake whitefish spawning and over-winter egg survival within western Lake Erie, potential spawning locations were sampled for eggs from 2016 to 2018. Eggs were collected using a 39-kg iron sled attached to a diaphragm pump towed for 2 - 5 minutes. The data describe the number, date of collection, and exact collection location of Lake...
Survey data of larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants collected from the St. Clair River delta, MI (2010-2011) Survey data of larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants collected from the St. Clair River delta, MI (2010-2011)
The St. Clair River delta, part of the St. Clair-Detroit River System (SCDRS), is the most fished coastal wetland area in the Laurentian Great Lakes and provides nursery habitat for a variety of fish species; however, few large-scale surveys of early fish life stages have been performed since the 1980s. Larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants were sampled at 21 sites in delta...
Multimedia related to this scientist
Publications by this scientist
Filter Total Items: 38
Identifying and characterizing juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens, Rafinesque, 1817) occupancy hot spots within the St. Clair-Detroit River System Identifying and characterizing juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens, Rafinesque, 1817) occupancy hot spots within the St. Clair-Detroit River System
Over the past two decades, extensive monitoring has been conducted in the St. Clair – Detroit River System to describe spatial and temporal patterns of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). To characterize spatial patterns in juvenile lake sturgeon (5.1 m and odds of occupancy increased with increased water velocity. Juvenile lake sturgeon in the Detroit and St. Clair River ‘hot spots’...
Authors
Aaron Mettler, Justin A. Chiotti, Andrew Briggs, James C. Boase, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Richard Drouin
Historic coregonine habitat use and assessment of larval nursery locations in Lake Erie Historic coregonine habitat use and assessment of larval nursery locations in Lake Erie
Coregonine fishes (Coregonus spp.) are important components of Great Lake food webs and support lucrative commercial and recreational fisheries. Due to a combination of several factors including habitat loss, over-exploitation, and introduction of exotic species, the distribution and abundance of coregonines have been reduced. Examples of these declines are evident in Lake Erie where...
Authors
Hannah Schaefer, Edward F. Roseman, Robin DeBruyne, Christopher Vandergoot, James Diana
Export of pelagic fish larvae from a large Great Lakes connecting channel Export of pelagic fish larvae from a large Great Lakes connecting channel
The St. Clair-Detroit River System is located in the heart of the North American Laurentian Great Lakes, connecting lakes Huron and Erie, contributing over 90% of the inflow to Lake Erie, and providing spawning habitat for many fishes including walleye (Sander vitreus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). Dredging and channelization have greatly...
Authors
Edward F. Roseman, Mark DuFour, Jeremy Pritt, J. Fischer, Robin DeBruyne, David Bennion
Spatial extent of contemporary lake whitefish spawning in western Lake Erie Spatial extent of contemporary lake whitefish spawning in western Lake Erie
Degradation of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) spawning areas in the Detroit River, Maumee Bay, and western Lake Erie reefs and shoals has been identified as a contributing factor to Lake Erie’s population collapse in the 1950s. This decline prompted the United States and Canada to take steps to improve the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Erie. A recent increase in commercial fish...
Authors
Zach Amidon, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer
International importance of Percids: Summary and looking forward International importance of Percids: Summary and looking forward
Research presented in the preceding chapters emphasizes recent advancements in the research, management, and aquaculture of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch in North America. These percid fishes, along with the European Perch and Pikeperch, are economically and ecologically important fishes in their native geographic range. Advances in techniques to evaluate current habitat and predict...
Authors
Robin L. DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman
Pedigree accumulation analysis: Combining methods from community ecology and population genetics for breeding adult estimation Pedigree accumulation analysis: Combining methods from community ecology and population genetics for breeding adult estimation
Estimates of the number of successfully breeding adults (NS) in a population can predict levels of recruitment. However, assessments of NS are often difficult to obtain because encounters with adults are limited due to life-history characteristics, low abundance or other constraints associated with access to critical habitats. Alternatively, efforts to sample individuals at earlier...
Authors
Nicholas Sard, Robert D. Hunter, Edward F. Roseman, Daniel B. Hayes, Robin DeBruyne, Kim Scribner
Contemporary and historic dynamics of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eggs, larvae, and juveniles suggest recruitment bottleneck during first growing season Contemporary and historic dynamics of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eggs, larvae, and juveniles suggest recruitment bottleneck during first growing season
To determine if a survival bottleneck occurs in Lake Erie's lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) population and explore possible mechanisms responsible, we examined contemporary and historical dynamics of lake whitefish eggs, larvae and juveniles. Widespread spawning and low overwinter egg retention were observed in 2016–2018, however subsequent larval CPUE remained consistent with...
Authors
Z. Amidon, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer
Nearshore fish species richness and species–habitat associations in the St. Clair–Detroit River System Nearshore fish species richness and species–habitat associations in the St. Clair–Detroit River System
Shallow water riparian zones of large rivers provide important habitat for fishes, but anthropogenic influences have reduced the availability and quality of these habitats. In the St. Clair–Detroit River System, a Laurentian Great Lakes connecting channel, losses of riparian habitat contributed to impairment of fish populations and their habitats. We conducted a seine survey annually...
Authors
Corbin Hilling, Jason L. Fischer, Jason E. Ross, Taaja Tucker, Robin L. DeBruyne, Christine Mayer, Edward F. Roseman
A structured approach to remediation site assessment: Lessons from 15 years of fish spawning habitat creation in the St. Clair‐Detroit River system A structured approach to remediation site assessment: Lessons from 15 years of fish spawning habitat creation in the St. Clair‐Detroit River system
Ideally, restoration re‐establishes natural processes in degraded habitats (e.g., flow and sediment regimes). However, in altered systems where process‐based restoration is not feasible, habitat construction is another approach to mitigate degradation. Because habitat construction does not directly focus on restoring processes that build and maintain desired habitats, projects must be...
Authors
J. Fischer, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer, Todd Wills, Lynn Vaccaro, Jennifer Read, Bruce Manny, Gregory Kennedy, Roseanne Ellison, Richard Drouin, Robin DeBruyne, Aline Cotel, Justin A. Chiotti, James C. Boase, David Bennion
Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River
The Maumee River watershed in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin has been impacted by decades of pollution and habitat modification due to human settlement and development. As such, the lower 35 km of the Maumee River and several smaller adjacent watersheds comprising over 2000 km2 were designated the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC) under the revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in...
Authors
Keith Shane, Melissa Oubre, Todd Crail, Jeffrey G. Miner, Christine Mayer, Taylor Sasak, Robin DeBruyne, Joshua Miller, Edward F. Roseman, William Hintz
Review of methods to repair and maintain lithophilic fish spawning habitat Review of methods to repair and maintain lithophilic fish spawning habitat
Rocky reefs provide important spawning and refuge habitats for lithophilic spawning fishes. However, many reefs have been lost or severely degraded through anthropogenic effects like dredging, channelization, or sedimentation. Constructed reefs have been used to mitigate these effects in some systems, but these reefs are also subject to degradation which may warrant custodial maintenance
Authors
Audrey Baetz, Taaja Tucker, Robin DeBruyne, Alex Gatch, T. Hook, J. Fischer, Edward F. Roseman
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawn in the St. Marys River Rapids, Michigan Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawn in the St. Marys River Rapids, Michigan
The St. Marys River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron, comprising the international border between Michigan, United States, and Ontario, Canada. This Great Lakes connecting channel naturally encompasses various habitats including lakes, wetlands, islands, tributaries, side channels, and main channels. The St. Marys River Rapids are shallow rock areas with high flow velocities (>1 m/s)...
Authors
Edward F. Roseman, Eric Adams, Robin DeBruyne, J. Gostiaux, H. Harrington, K. Kapuscinski, A. Moerke, C. Olds
News about this scientist
Science and Products
Data releases by this scientist
Filter Total Items: 17
Microsatellite genotypes for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Eggs and Larvae from Constructed Reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System (2015-2016) Microsatellite genotypes for Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Eggs and Larvae from Constructed Reefs in the St. Clair-Detroit River System (2015-2016)
This dataset contains the physical collection information (e.g., sample location, date, gear type) and microsatellite DNA genotype of egg and larval Lake Sturgeon collected in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers in 2015 and 2016. Individuals were genotyped for 18 microsatellite loci (13 disomic and 5 polysomic). Alleles (base pair sizes) were recorded as presence absence scores (1:present...
Pre-restoration biological and physical assessment of the lower Rouge River, MI, 2018 Pre-restoration biological and physical assessment of the lower Rouge River, MI, 2018
Data are from biological and physical environmental assessments conducted during 2018 in the lower Rouge River, MI. Sites were located upstream, downstream, and within the concrete channel section of the lower Rouge River. Water quality parameters, riparian zone characteristics, reptiles and amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, and river channel characteristics (water depth, flow, velocity...
Larval Fish Abundance, Identification, and Auxiliary Data from the Great Lakes and Their Connecting Channels Larval Fish Abundance, Identification, and Auxiliary Data from the Great Lakes and Their Connecting Channels
This dataset contains data collected on various vessel operations on the Great Lakes and their connecting channels, primarily the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and western Lake Erie, although other locations have been sampled and included in this dataset. This dataset contains the field variables, environmental conditions, larval catches (numbers), larval fish...
Lake Whitefish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie, 2016-2018 Lake Whitefish eggs collected in the western basin of Lake Erie, 2016-2018
To investigate the contemporary distribution of lake whitefish spawning and over-winter egg survival within western Lake Erie, potential spawning locations were sampled for eggs from 2016 to 2018. Eggs were collected using a 39-kg iron sled attached to a diaphragm pump towed for 2 - 5 minutes. The data describe the number, date of collection, and exact collection location of Lake...
Survey data of larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants collected from the St. Clair River delta, MI (2010-2011) Survey data of larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants collected from the St. Clair River delta, MI (2010-2011)
The St. Clair River delta, part of the St. Clair-Detroit River System (SCDRS), is the most fished coastal wetland area in the Laurentian Great Lakes and provides nursery habitat for a variety of fish species; however, few large-scale surveys of early fish life stages have been performed since the 1980s. Larval fish, zooplankton, and aquatic plants were sampled at 21 sites in delta...
Multimedia related to this scientist
Publications by this scientist
Filter Total Items: 38
Identifying and characterizing juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens, Rafinesque, 1817) occupancy hot spots within the St. Clair-Detroit River System Identifying and characterizing juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens, Rafinesque, 1817) occupancy hot spots within the St. Clair-Detroit River System
Over the past two decades, extensive monitoring has been conducted in the St. Clair – Detroit River System to describe spatial and temporal patterns of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). To characterize spatial patterns in juvenile lake sturgeon (5.1 m and odds of occupancy increased with increased water velocity. Juvenile lake sturgeon in the Detroit and St. Clair River ‘hot spots’...
Authors
Aaron Mettler, Justin A. Chiotti, Andrew Briggs, James C. Boase, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Richard Drouin
Historic coregonine habitat use and assessment of larval nursery locations in Lake Erie Historic coregonine habitat use and assessment of larval nursery locations in Lake Erie
Coregonine fishes (Coregonus spp.) are important components of Great Lake food webs and support lucrative commercial and recreational fisheries. Due to a combination of several factors including habitat loss, over-exploitation, and introduction of exotic species, the distribution and abundance of coregonines have been reduced. Examples of these declines are evident in Lake Erie where...
Authors
Hannah Schaefer, Edward F. Roseman, Robin DeBruyne, Christopher Vandergoot, James Diana
Export of pelagic fish larvae from a large Great Lakes connecting channel Export of pelagic fish larvae from a large Great Lakes connecting channel
The St. Clair-Detroit River System is located in the heart of the North American Laurentian Great Lakes, connecting lakes Huron and Erie, contributing over 90% of the inflow to Lake Erie, and providing spawning habitat for many fishes including walleye (Sander vitreus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). Dredging and channelization have greatly...
Authors
Edward F. Roseman, Mark DuFour, Jeremy Pritt, J. Fischer, Robin DeBruyne, David Bennion
Spatial extent of contemporary lake whitefish spawning in western Lake Erie Spatial extent of contemporary lake whitefish spawning in western Lake Erie
Degradation of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) spawning areas in the Detroit River, Maumee Bay, and western Lake Erie reefs and shoals has been identified as a contributing factor to Lake Erie’s population collapse in the 1950s. This decline prompted the United States and Canada to take steps to improve the aquatic ecosystem of Lake Erie. A recent increase in commercial fish...
Authors
Zach Amidon, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer
International importance of Percids: Summary and looking forward International importance of Percids: Summary and looking forward
Research presented in the preceding chapters emphasizes recent advancements in the research, management, and aquaculture of Walleye, Sauger, and Yellow Perch in North America. These percid fishes, along with the European Perch and Pikeperch, are economically and ecologically important fishes in their native geographic range. Advances in techniques to evaluate current habitat and predict...
Authors
Robin L. DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman
Pedigree accumulation analysis: Combining methods from community ecology and population genetics for breeding adult estimation Pedigree accumulation analysis: Combining methods from community ecology and population genetics for breeding adult estimation
Estimates of the number of successfully breeding adults (NS) in a population can predict levels of recruitment. However, assessments of NS are often difficult to obtain because encounters with adults are limited due to life-history characteristics, low abundance or other constraints associated with access to critical habitats. Alternatively, efforts to sample individuals at earlier...
Authors
Nicholas Sard, Robert D. Hunter, Edward F. Roseman, Daniel B. Hayes, Robin DeBruyne, Kim Scribner
Contemporary and historic dynamics of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eggs, larvae, and juveniles suggest recruitment bottleneck during first growing season Contemporary and historic dynamics of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) eggs, larvae, and juveniles suggest recruitment bottleneck during first growing season
To determine if a survival bottleneck occurs in Lake Erie's lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) population and explore possible mechanisms responsible, we examined contemporary and historical dynamics of lake whitefish eggs, larvae and juveniles. Widespread spawning and low overwinter egg retention were observed in 2016–2018, however subsequent larval CPUE remained consistent with...
Authors
Z. Amidon, Robin DeBruyne, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer
Nearshore fish species richness and species–habitat associations in the St. Clair–Detroit River System Nearshore fish species richness and species–habitat associations in the St. Clair–Detroit River System
Shallow water riparian zones of large rivers provide important habitat for fishes, but anthropogenic influences have reduced the availability and quality of these habitats. In the St. Clair–Detroit River System, a Laurentian Great Lakes connecting channel, losses of riparian habitat contributed to impairment of fish populations and their habitats. We conducted a seine survey annually...
Authors
Corbin Hilling, Jason L. Fischer, Jason E. Ross, Taaja Tucker, Robin L. DeBruyne, Christine Mayer, Edward F. Roseman
A structured approach to remediation site assessment: Lessons from 15 years of fish spawning habitat creation in the St. Clair‐Detroit River system A structured approach to remediation site assessment: Lessons from 15 years of fish spawning habitat creation in the St. Clair‐Detroit River system
Ideally, restoration re‐establishes natural processes in degraded habitats (e.g., flow and sediment regimes). However, in altered systems where process‐based restoration is not feasible, habitat construction is another approach to mitigate degradation. Because habitat construction does not directly focus on restoring processes that build and maintain desired habitats, projects must be...
Authors
J. Fischer, Edward F. Roseman, Christine Mayer, Todd Wills, Lynn Vaccaro, Jennifer Read, Bruce Manny, Gregory Kennedy, Roseanne Ellison, Richard Drouin, Robin DeBruyne, Aline Cotel, Justin A. Chiotti, James C. Boase, David Bennion
Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River Towards improving an Area of Concern: Main-channel habitat rehabilitation priorities for the Maumee River
The Maumee River watershed in the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin has been impacted by decades of pollution and habitat modification due to human settlement and development. As such, the lower 35 km of the Maumee River and several smaller adjacent watersheds comprising over 2000 km2 were designated the Maumee Area of Concern (AOC) under the revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement in...
Authors
Keith Shane, Melissa Oubre, Todd Crail, Jeffrey G. Miner, Christine Mayer, Taylor Sasak, Robin DeBruyne, Joshua Miller, Edward F. Roseman, William Hintz
Review of methods to repair and maintain lithophilic fish spawning habitat Review of methods to repair and maintain lithophilic fish spawning habitat
Rocky reefs provide important spawning and refuge habitats for lithophilic spawning fishes. However, many reefs have been lost or severely degraded through anthropogenic effects like dredging, channelization, or sedimentation. Constructed reefs have been used to mitigate these effects in some systems, but these reefs are also subject to degradation which may warrant custodial maintenance
Authors
Audrey Baetz, Taaja Tucker, Robin DeBruyne, Alex Gatch, T. Hook, J. Fischer, Edward F. Roseman
Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawn in the St. Marys River Rapids, Michigan Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawn in the St. Marys River Rapids, Michigan
The St. Marys River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron, comprising the international border between Michigan, United States, and Ontario, Canada. This Great Lakes connecting channel naturally encompasses various habitats including lakes, wetlands, islands, tributaries, side channels, and main channels. The St. Marys River Rapids are shallow rock areas with high flow velocities (>1 m/s)...
Authors
Edward F. Roseman, Eric Adams, Robin DeBruyne, J. Gostiaux, H. Harrington, K. Kapuscinski, A. Moerke, C. Olds
News about this scientist
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government