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Spenser Widin, M.S.

Spenser Widin is a Biologist based in Ann Arbor, MI.

Spenser Widin is a Biologist a working to develop new invasive species control methods.  Currently he is conducting laboratory, greenhouse and field studies to develop a non-toxic bioherbicide treatment for a non-native wetland plant, Phragmites australis (common reed).

Professional Experience

  • Biologist, Restoration and Conservation Science Branch, USGS - Great Lakes Science Center | 06/2022 to Present

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. (Conservation Ecology), University of Michigan

  • B.S. (Field and Wildlife Biology), California Polytechnic State University

  • Single Subject Teaching Credential (Life Sciences), California Polytechnic State University

Abstracts and Presentations

  • 2023. Widin, S.L. and Kowalski, K.P. Targeting Plant-Microbe Interactions: Continued Development and Testing of an Alternative Phragmites Management Strategy.  Michigan Wetlands Association Annual Conference, Kalamazoo, MI. 

  • 2022.  Widin, S.L. et al.  Phragmites australis Management During High Water Levels in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Joint Aquatic Sciences Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.

Science and Products

Phragmites management in high water: Cutting plants under water limits biomass production, carbohydrate storage, and rhizome viability

Invasion of Phragmites australis (common reed) in wetlands throughout North America, and particularly the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, poses significant ecological problems. The extended period of low Great Lakes water levels from 2000 to 2013 created conditions for large expansions of Phragmites in the Great Lakes coastal zone. The following extended period of high water in the Great Lakes durin
Authors
Spenser L. Widin, Wesley A. Bickford, Kurt P. Kowalski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Field Site Locations from Phragmites Bioherbicide 2023 Field Experiment in Southeast Michigan

This dataset represents the locations of experimental plots that were used during the Phragmites Bioherbicide 2023 field experiment. To meet the criteria for selection, a site must have relatively dry soil with no standing water, have two or more large monotypic stands of Phragmites australis, and be easily accessible by vehicle. Experimental plots were created at these sites and one of four treat
By
Great Lakes Science Center

2021 USGS Phragmites australis Greenhouse Submergence Experiment Data conducted in Ann Arbor, MI

To determine the potential for controlling non-native Phragmites australis through use of a cut-to-drown management strategy we performed a controlled greenhouse mesocosm experiment in Ann Arbor, MI during summer 2021. Field collected Phragmites rhizomes from one site within Michigan were propagated, cuttings taken of individual stems and potted in nursery pots. Established plants were then subjec
By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand
Love is in the Air
Love is in the Air
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand

Love is in the Air

Love is in the Air

A pair of differential grasshoppers (Mellanoplus differentialis) mating on an invasive Phragmites australis plant within an experimental plot. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand

Love is in the Air

Love is in the Air

A pair of differential grasshoppers (Mellanoplus differentialis) mating on an invasive Phragmites australis plant within an experimental plot. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand
Plant Metrics
Plant Metrics
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand

Plant Metrics

Plant Metrics

USGS wetland scientists (GLSC; Ann Arbor, Michigan) collecting plant growth data during an invasive Phragmites australis control experiment. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand

Plant Metrics

Plant Metrics

USGS wetland scientists (GLSC; Ann Arbor, Michigan) collecting plant growth data during an invasive Phragmites australis control experiment. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center

Science and Products

Phragmites management in high water: Cutting plants under water limits biomass production, carbohydrate storage, and rhizome viability

Invasion of Phragmites australis (common reed) in wetlands throughout North America, and particularly the Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, poses significant ecological problems. The extended period of low Great Lakes water levels from 2000 to 2013 created conditions for large expansions of Phragmites in the Great Lakes coastal zone. The following extended period of high water in the Great Lakes durin
Authors
Spenser L. Widin, Wesley A. Bickford, Kurt P. Kowalski
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Great Lakes Science Center

Field Site Locations from Phragmites Bioherbicide 2023 Field Experiment in Southeast Michigan

This dataset represents the locations of experimental plots that were used during the Phragmites Bioherbicide 2023 field experiment. To meet the criteria for selection, a site must have relatively dry soil with no standing water, have two or more large monotypic stands of Phragmites australis, and be easily accessible by vehicle. Experimental plots were created at these sites and one of four treat
By
Great Lakes Science Center

2021 USGS Phragmites australis Greenhouse Submergence Experiment Data conducted in Ann Arbor, MI

To determine the potential for controlling non-native Phragmites australis through use of a cut-to-drown management strategy we performed a controlled greenhouse mesocosm experiment in Ann Arbor, MI during summer 2021. Field collected Phragmites rhizomes from one site within Michigan were propagated, cuttings taken of individual stems and potted in nursery pots. Established plants were then subjec
By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand
Love is in the Air
Love is in the Air
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand

Love is in the Air

Love is in the Air

A pair of differential grasshoppers (Mellanoplus differentialis) mating on an invasive Phragmites australis plant within an experimental plot. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two Differential Grasshoppers mating in a Phragmites stand

Love is in the Air

Love is in the Air

A pair of differential grasshoppers (Mellanoplus differentialis) mating on an invasive Phragmites australis plant within an experimental plot. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand
Plant Metrics
Plant Metrics
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand

Plant Metrics

Plant Metrics

USGS wetland scientists (GLSC; Ann Arbor, Michigan) collecting plant growth data during an invasive Phragmites australis control experiment. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
Two researchers taking measurement in a tall Phragmites stand

Plant Metrics

Plant Metrics

USGS wetland scientists (GLSC; Ann Arbor, Michigan) collecting plant growth data during an invasive Phragmites australis control experiment. Photo credit: Spenser Widin, USGS.

By
Great Lakes Science Center
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