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Stephanie Romañach, Ph.D.

Stephanie uses a combination of field observations and predictive ecological models to explore the impacts of climate change and ecosystem restoration on wildlife. 

Stephanie leads Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM), focused on developing predictive ecological models and decision support tools that help decision makers explore potential ecological impacts from ecosystem restoration and climate change. In addition to her work on Everglades restoration and conservation planning in Florida, she also works on natural resources conservation in Africa and Asia.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • M.A., Ecology, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • B.S., Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 37
Mangrove in Everglades

Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

The USGS collaborated with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes to co-design a dashboard mock-up for a real-time web application that monitors tree island health in the Everglades.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

The USGS collaborated with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes to co-design a dashboard mock-up for a real-time web application that monitors tree island health in the Everglades.
Learn More
Encroaching Mangrove NPS

Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

To sustain economic and ecologically viable ecosystems into the future, USGS is developing freshwater delivery targets for water flowing southward into Everglades National Park by integrating climate and sea level projections, hydrologic modeling, and ecological modeling to forecast ecosystem responses to future freshwater availability scenarios.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

To sustain economic and ecologically viable ecosystems into the future, USGS is developing freshwater delivery targets for water flowing southward into Everglades National Park by integrating climate and sea level projections, hydrologic modeling, and ecological modeling to forecast ecosystem responses to future freshwater availability scenarios.
Learn More
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay

Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Eighteen USGS coastal scientists from all four coasts of the conterminous United States are working together to advance the understanding of climate change and sea-level rise impacts to coastal wetlands.
By
California Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Eighteen USGS coastal scientists from all four coasts of the conterminous United States are working together to advance the understanding of climate change and sea-level rise impacts to coastal wetlands.
Learn More
American Alligator at Everglades National Park, Florida

Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

The USGS Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will work with partners to identify and develop decision support tools for Everglades water management.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

The USGS Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will work with partners to identify and develop decision support tools for Everglades water management.
Learn More
Cape Sable seaside sparrow

Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

WARC will assess Cape Sable seaside sparrow population response and viability under different management and habitat change scenarios. The USGS EverSparrow model will be run on future scenarios, and differences in the predicted probability of presence and the efficacy of varying conservation strategies will be evaluated.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

WARC will assess Cape Sable seaside sparrow population response and viability under different management and habitat change scenarios. The USGS EverSparrow model will be run on future scenarios, and differences in the predicted probability of presence and the efficacy of varying conservation strategies will be evaluated.
Learn More
Everglades National Park

Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 32

Ecological model support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration (BBSEER) Project, 2025: Tentatively Selected Plan, ALT32R Ecological model support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration (BBSEER) Project, 2025: Tentatively Selected Plan, ALT32R

Ecological models facilitate evaluation of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to management...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Synthesis of common themes within semi-structured interviews with members of the Everglades REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER) group Synthesis of common themes within semi-structured interviews with members of the Everglades REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER) group

Dataset of common themes that arose from semi-structured interviews with members of REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER), an interdisciplinary group of agencies, tribes, and institutions that conduct scientific evaluations and assessments to improve the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The interviews centered on the ability and...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Integrated Population Model & Population Viability Analysis of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS, Ammospiza maritima mirabilis) Integrated Population Model & Population Viability Analysis of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS, Ammospiza maritima mirabilis)

This software release contains the R code to jointly run an integrated population model (IPM) and Bayesian population viability analysis (BPVA) for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS; Ammospiza maritima mirabilis). The CSSS is a federally endangered bird endemic to a small part of the Everglades in southern Florida, USA. The IPM-BPVA synthesizes thirty years (1992-2021) of range-wide...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Small mammal captures in Everglades National Park, Florida (2014 - 2019) Small mammal captures in Everglades National Park, Florida (2014 - 2019)

Species differ in their habitat preferences based on seasonal hydrologic conditions. Species such as the semi-aquatic marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) are adapted to high water conditions, while other species, such as the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) and the cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) prefer drier hammocks during the wet season. The aim of our study was to...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Hydrologic scenarios and ecological model output used to explore potential sea-level rise scenarios on ecological models used in Everglades restoration planning Hydrologic scenarios and ecological model output used to explore potential sea-level rise scenarios on ecological models used in Everglades restoration planning

One of the largest and most expensive restoration efforts in the world is occurring in the Everglades, a sub-tropical freshwater wetland system located in southern Florida. This unique ecosystem supports several endemic and endangered species, provides flood control for Florida’s large urban population, and provides water for both agriculture and drinking supply within the state. The...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Code to assemble and generate output for an integrated population model of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Code to assemble and generate output for an integrated population model of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow

This data release contains the R code to run an integrated population model (IPM) for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS; Ammospiza maritima mirabilis), a federally endangered bird endemic to a small part of the Everglades in southern Florida, USA, and provides the parameter estimates from the model. The IPM synthesizes thirty years (1992-2021) of range-wide surveys, mark-resight, and...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 63

A tool to monitor hydrologic conditions on tree islands in the Everglades A tool to monitor hydrologic conditions on tree islands in the Everglades

Tree islands are patchy upland forested habitats in Florida's Everglades that face degradation and disappearance due to altered hydrologic patterns. The U.S. Geological Survey coordinated with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida to co-develop a decision-support tool based on tree-island hydrologic conditions. Everglades managers can use this tool...
Authors
Saira M. Haider, Craig van der Heiden, Marcel Bozas, Stephanie S. Romañach
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Restoring the Florida Everglades: Insights on integrating sea level rise into decision-support tools Restoring the Florida Everglades: Insights on integrating sea level rise into decision-support tools

Although coastal ecosystems are impacted by climate change and sea-level rise, many ecological and hydrological models do not yet incorporate sea-level rise projections in their modeling outputs. Therefore, this research examined the various challenges that may prevent sea-level rise from being effectively incorporated in modeling and decision-support tools. We conducted semi-structured...
Authors
Stephanie Castellano, Mysha Clarke, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie S. Romañach, Stephanie Cadaval
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress

An ecological threshold is the point at which a comparatively small environmental change triggers an abrupt and disproportionately large ecological response. In the face of accelerating climate change, there is concern that abrupt ecosystem transformations will become more widespread as critical ecological thresholds are crossed. There has been ongoing debate, however, regarding the...
Authors
Michael Osland, John B. Bradford, Lauren T. Toth, Matthew J. Germino, James Grace, Judith Z. Drexler, Camille L. Stagg, Eric E. Grossman, Karen M. Thorne, Stephanie Romanach, Davina Passeri, Gregory E. Noe, Jessica R. Lacy, Ken Krauss, Kurt P. Kowalski, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Neil K. Ganju, Nicholas Enwright, Joel A. Carr, Kristin B. Byrd, Kevin J. Buffington
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, California Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Linking environmental variability to long-term demographic change of an endangered species using integrated population models Linking environmental variability to long-term demographic change of an endangered species using integrated population models

Understanding how species populations change with environmental conditions is important for implementing effective habitat management and conservation strategies. Challenges to evaluating population-level responses to environmental conditions arise when data are sparse or not spatiotemporally aligned, especially for at-risk species with small, declining numbers.We synthesized 30 years...
Authors
Marisa Takada Martinez, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Integrating sea level rise scenarios into Everglades restoration planning Integrating sea level rise scenarios into Everglades restoration planning

One of the largest and most expensive restoration efforts in the world is occurring in the Everglades, a sub-tropical freshwater wetland system located in southern Florida. This unique ecosystem supports several endangered species, provides flood control for Florida’s large urban population, and provides water for both agriculture and drinking supply within the state. The Comprehensive...
Authors
Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach, Stephanie Castellano, Mysha Clarke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Bobcat occupancy, tree islands, and invasive Burmese pythons in an Everglades conservation area Bobcat occupancy, tree islands, and invasive Burmese pythons in an Everglades conservation area

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are terrestrial mammals that also inhabit tree islands (i.e., topographically elevated patches of forested land) embedded in the subtropical Everglades wetlands, which serve as a dry refuge habitat during the wet season in this region of Florida, USA. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan seeks to restore Everglades water flow to pre-drainage conditions, but...
Authors
Katherine M. Buckman, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach, Rachel M. Taylor, Nathan J. Dorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Lindsey, P.A., Havemann, C.P., Lines, R.M., Price, A.E., Retief, T.A., Rhebergen, T., Van der Waal, C. and Romañach, S.S., 2013. Benefits of wildlife-based land uses on private lands in Namibia and limitations affecting their development. Oryx, 47(01), pp.41-53.
Romañach, S.S., Lindsey, P.A. and Woodroffe, R., 2010. Attitudes toward predators and options for their conservation in the Ewaso Ecosystem. A Chronology of Middle Missouri Plains Village Sites, 85.
Lindsey, Peter Andrew, S. S. Romanach, S. Matema, C. Matema, I. Mupamhadzi, and J. Muvengwi. "Dynamics and underlying causes of illegal bushmeat trade in Zimbabwe." Oryx 45, no. 01 (2011): 84-95.
Lindsey, Peter Andrew, S. S. Romanach, Craig J. Tambling, K. Chartier, and R. Groom. "Ecological and financial impacts of illegal bushmeat trade in Zimbabwe." Oryx 45, no. 01 (2011): 96-111.
Lindsey, P. A., S. S. Romanach, and H. T. Davies‐Mostert. "The importance of conservancies for enhancing the value of game ranch land for large mammal conservation in southern Africa." Journal of Zoology 277, no. 2 (2009): 99-105.
Lindsey, P., Romanach, S., Romanach, S.S. and Davies-Mostert, H., 2009. A synthesis of early indicators of the drivers of predator conservation on private lands in south africa. Anonymous Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators.: Wiley-Blackwell, pp.321-344.
Lindsey, P.A., du Toit, R., Pole, A. and Romañach, S., 2008. Savé Valley Conservancy: a large-scale African experiment in cooperative wildlife management. Evolution and innovation in wildlife conservation: parks and game ranches to transfrontier conservation areas, pp.163-184.
Romañach, S.S. and Lindsey, P.A., 2008. Conservation implications of prey responses to wild dogs Lycaon pictus during the denning season on wildlife ranches. Animal conservation, 11(2), pp.111-117.
Romanach, S.S., Lindsey, P.A. and Woodroffe, R., 2007. Determinants of attitudes towards predators in central Kenya and suggestions for increasing tolerance in livestock dominated landscapes. Oryx, 41(02), pp.185-195.
Romanach, S.S., Seabloom, E.W. and Reichman, O.J., 2007. Costs and benefits of pocket gopher foraging: Linking behavior and physiology. Ecology, 88(8), pp.2047-2057.
Georgiadis, N.J., Olwero, J.N. and Romañach, S.S., 2007. Savanna herbivore dynamics in a livestock-dominated landscape: I. Dependence on land use, rainfall, density, and time. Biological conservation, 137(3), pp.461-472.
Georgiadis, N.J., Ihwagi, F., Olwero, J.N. and Romañach, S.S., 2007. Savanna herbivore dynamics in a livestock-dominated landscape. II: Ecological, conservation, and management implications of predator restoration. Biological Conservation, 137(3), pp.473-483.
Lindsey, P.A., Roulet, P.A. and Romanach, S.S., 2007. Economic and conservation significance of the trophy hunting industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Biological conservation, 134(4), pp.455-469.

**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.

Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Support Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Support

The JEM community of practice is focused on ecological modeling and monitoring across the Greater Everglades, with particular interest in habitats, how various factors affect habitat change, and how the organisms dependent on those habitats respond today and into the future.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Everglades Eco-Modeling Data Visualization and Tool Development Everglades Eco-Modeling Data Visualization and Tool Development

Working with the Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) community of practice, the WARC Advanced Applications Team developed and maintains the EverVIEW Data Viewer desktop visualization platform, which allows users to easily visualize and inspect standards-compliant NetCDF modeling data and has experienced tremendous feature growth driven by user feedback.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

ever4cast ever4cast

The Everglades Forecasting application (EverForecast) is a hydrologic and multi-species management tool. Designed to support natural resource managers, the tool simulates near future water levels across the Florida Everglades and models the likely impacts on the habitats and populations of numerous species. EverForecast is part of the Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) suite of tools. The...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Restoration Runs R Library Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Restoration Runs R Library

restoration_runs is a library of R-language scripts used to summarize/post-process output of Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM; https://jem.gov/) models used in Everglades restoration planning for projects such as the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) and the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). The scripts summarize model output and create graphs and maps for each...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

As climate change accelerates, the risk of sudden, large-scale shifts in ecosystems is growing. A new USGS study examines the mechanisms behind these...

Read Article
Sea level rise could significantly impact an endangered sparrow in Florida 

Sea level rise could significantly impact an endangered sparrow in Florida 

Sea level rise along southern Florida’s coast could contribute to a significant decrease in the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow population in...

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 37
Mangrove in Everglades

Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

The USGS collaborated with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes to co-design a dashboard mock-up for a real-time web application that monitors tree island health in the Everglades.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

Engaging Indigenous Communities to Co-Design a Web Application to Protect Everglades Tree Islands

The USGS collaborated with the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes to co-design a dashboard mock-up for a real-time web application that monitors tree island health in the Everglades.
Learn More
Encroaching Mangrove NPS

Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

To sustain economic and ecologically viable ecosystems into the future, USGS is developing freshwater delivery targets for water flowing southward into Everglades National Park by integrating climate and sea level projections, hydrologic modeling, and ecological modeling to forecast ecosystem responses to future freshwater availability scenarios.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

Developing a Roadmap for the Future of Natural Resources in Everglades National Park

To sustain economic and ecologically viable ecosystems into the future, USGS is developing freshwater delivery targets for water flowing southward into Everglades National Park by integrating climate and sea level projections, hydrologic modeling, and ecological modeling to forecast ecosystem responses to future freshwater availability scenarios.
Learn More
Mangroves on the outside of a playa within Florida Bay

Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Eighteen USGS coastal scientists from all four coasts of the conterminous United States are working together to advance the understanding of climate change and sea-level rise impacts to coastal wetlands.
By
California Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations

Eighteen USGS coastal scientists from all four coasts of the conterminous United States are working together to advance the understanding of climate change and sea-level rise impacts to coastal wetlands.
Learn More
American Alligator at Everglades National Park, Florida

Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

The USGS Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will work with partners to identify and develop decision support tools for Everglades water management.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

Decision Support Tools for Everglades Ecosystem-Based Management

The USGS Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will work with partners to identify and develop decision support tools for Everglades water management.
Learn More
Cape Sable seaside sparrow

Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

WARC will assess Cape Sable seaside sparrow population response and viability under different management and habitat change scenarios. The USGS EverSparrow model will be run on future scenarios, and differences in the predicted probability of presence and the efficacy of varying conservation strategies will be evaluated.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

Evaluating Population Viability and Habitat Suitability for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Under Future Climate and Management Conditions

WARC will assess Cape Sable seaside sparrow population response and viability under different management and habitat change scenarios. The USGS EverSparrow model will be run on future scenarios, and differences in the predicted probability of presence and the efficacy of varying conservation strategies will be evaluated.
Learn More
Everglades National Park

Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project

The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 32

Ecological model support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration (BBSEER) Project, 2025: Tentatively Selected Plan, ALT32R Ecological model support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration (BBSEER) Project, 2025: Tentatively Selected Plan, ALT32R

Ecological models facilitate evaluation of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to management...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Synthesis of common themes within semi-structured interviews with members of the Everglades REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER) group Synthesis of common themes within semi-structured interviews with members of the Everglades REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER) group

Dataset of common themes that arose from semi-structured interviews with members of REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER), an interdisciplinary group of agencies, tribes, and institutions that conduct scientific evaluations and assessments to improve the implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The interviews centered on the ability and...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Integrated Population Model & Population Viability Analysis of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS, Ammospiza maritima mirabilis) Integrated Population Model & Population Viability Analysis of the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS, Ammospiza maritima mirabilis)

This software release contains the R code to jointly run an integrated population model (IPM) and Bayesian population viability analysis (BPVA) for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS; Ammospiza maritima mirabilis). The CSSS is a federally endangered bird endemic to a small part of the Everglades in southern Florida, USA. The IPM-BPVA synthesizes thirty years (1992-2021) of range-wide...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Small mammal captures in Everglades National Park, Florida (2014 - 2019) Small mammal captures in Everglades National Park, Florida (2014 - 2019)

Species differ in their habitat preferences based on seasonal hydrologic conditions. Species such as the semi-aquatic marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) are adapted to high water conditions, while other species, such as the hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus) and the cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus) prefer drier hammocks during the wet season. The aim of our study was to...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Hydrologic scenarios and ecological model output used to explore potential sea-level rise scenarios on ecological models used in Everglades restoration planning Hydrologic scenarios and ecological model output used to explore potential sea-level rise scenarios on ecological models used in Everglades restoration planning

One of the largest and most expensive restoration efforts in the world is occurring in the Everglades, a sub-tropical freshwater wetland system located in southern Florida. This unique ecosystem supports several endemic and endangered species, provides flood control for Florida’s large urban population, and provides water for both agriculture and drinking supply within the state. The...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Code to assemble and generate output for an integrated population model of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Code to assemble and generate output for an integrated population model of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow

This data release contains the R code to run an integrated population model (IPM) for the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS; Ammospiza maritima mirabilis), a federally endangered bird endemic to a small part of the Everglades in southern Florida, USA, and provides the parameter estimates from the model. The IPM synthesizes thirty years (1992-2021) of range-wide surveys, mark-resight, and...
By
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 63

A tool to monitor hydrologic conditions on tree islands in the Everglades A tool to monitor hydrologic conditions on tree islands in the Everglades

Tree islands are patchy upland forested habitats in Florida's Everglades that face degradation and disappearance due to altered hydrologic patterns. The U.S. Geological Survey coordinated with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida to co-develop a decision-support tool based on tree-island hydrologic conditions. Everglades managers can use this tool...
Authors
Saira M. Haider, Craig van der Heiden, Marcel Bozas, Stephanie S. Romañach
By
Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC)

Restoring the Florida Everglades: Insights on integrating sea level rise into decision-support tools Restoring the Florida Everglades: Insights on integrating sea level rise into decision-support tools

Although coastal ecosystems are impacted by climate change and sea-level rise, many ecological and hydrological models do not yet incorporate sea-level rise projections in their modeling outputs. Therefore, this research examined the various challenges that may prevent sea-level rise from being effectively incorporated in modeling and decision-support tools. We conducted semi-structured...
Authors
Stephanie Castellano, Mysha Clarke, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie S. Romañach, Stephanie Cadaval
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress Ecological thresholds and transformations due to climate change: The role of abiotic stress

An ecological threshold is the point at which a comparatively small environmental change triggers an abrupt and disproportionately large ecological response. In the face of accelerating climate change, there is concern that abrupt ecosystem transformations will become more widespread as critical ecological thresholds are crossed. There has been ongoing debate, however, regarding the...
Authors
Michael Osland, John B. Bradford, Lauren T. Toth, Matthew J. Germino, James Grace, Judith Z. Drexler, Camille L. Stagg, Eric E. Grossman, Karen M. Thorne, Stephanie Romanach, Davina Passeri, Gregory E. Noe, Jessica R. Lacy, Ken Krauss, Kurt P. Kowalski, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Neil K. Ganju, Nicholas Enwright, Joel A. Carr, Kristin B. Byrd, Kevin J. Buffington
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, California Water Science Center, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Linking environmental variability to long-term demographic change of an endangered species using integrated population models Linking environmental variability to long-term demographic change of an endangered species using integrated population models

Understanding how species populations change with environmental conditions is important for implementing effective habitat management and conservation strategies. Challenges to evaluating population-level responses to environmental conditions arise when data are sparse or not spatiotemporally aligned, especially for at-risk species with small, declining numbers.We synthesized 30 years...
Authors
Marisa Takada Martinez, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Integrating sea level rise scenarios into Everglades restoration planning Integrating sea level rise scenarios into Everglades restoration planning

One of the largest and most expensive restoration efforts in the world is occurring in the Everglades, a sub-tropical freshwater wetland system located in southern Florida. This unique ecosystem supports several endangered species, provides flood control for Florida’s large urban population, and provides water for both agriculture and drinking supply within the state. The Comprehensive...
Authors
Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach, Stephanie Castellano, Mysha Clarke
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Bobcat occupancy, tree islands, and invasive Burmese pythons in an Everglades conservation area Bobcat occupancy, tree islands, and invasive Burmese pythons in an Everglades conservation area

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are terrestrial mammals that also inhabit tree islands (i.e., topographically elevated patches of forested land) embedded in the subtropical Everglades wetlands, which serve as a dry refuge habitat during the wet season in this region of Florida, USA. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan seeks to restore Everglades water flow to pre-drainage conditions, but...
Authors
Katherine M. Buckman, Laura D’Acunto, Stephanie Romanach, Rachel M. Taylor, Nathan J. Dorn
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Lindsey, P.A., Havemann, C.P., Lines, R.M., Price, A.E., Retief, T.A., Rhebergen, T., Van der Waal, C. and Romañach, S.S., 2013. Benefits of wildlife-based land uses on private lands in Namibia and limitations affecting their development. Oryx, 47(01), pp.41-53.
Romañach, S.S., Lindsey, P.A. and Woodroffe, R., 2010. Attitudes toward predators and options for their conservation in the Ewaso Ecosystem. A Chronology of Middle Missouri Plains Village Sites, 85.
Lindsey, Peter Andrew, S. S. Romanach, S. Matema, C. Matema, I. Mupamhadzi, and J. Muvengwi. "Dynamics and underlying causes of illegal bushmeat trade in Zimbabwe." Oryx 45, no. 01 (2011): 84-95.
Lindsey, Peter Andrew, S. S. Romanach, Craig J. Tambling, K. Chartier, and R. Groom. "Ecological and financial impacts of illegal bushmeat trade in Zimbabwe." Oryx 45, no. 01 (2011): 96-111.
Lindsey, P. A., S. S. Romanach, and H. T. Davies‐Mostert. "The importance of conservancies for enhancing the value of game ranch land for large mammal conservation in southern Africa." Journal of Zoology 277, no. 2 (2009): 99-105.
Lindsey, P., Romanach, S., Romanach, S.S. and Davies-Mostert, H., 2009. A synthesis of early indicators of the drivers of predator conservation on private lands in south africa. Anonymous Reintroduction of Top-Order Predators.: Wiley-Blackwell, pp.321-344.
Lindsey, P.A., du Toit, R., Pole, A. and Romañach, S., 2008. Savé Valley Conservancy: a large-scale African experiment in cooperative wildlife management. Evolution and innovation in wildlife conservation: parks and game ranches to transfrontier conservation areas, pp.163-184.
Romañach, S.S. and Lindsey, P.A., 2008. Conservation implications of prey responses to wild dogs Lycaon pictus during the denning season on wildlife ranches. Animal conservation, 11(2), pp.111-117.
Romanach, S.S., Lindsey, P.A. and Woodroffe, R., 2007. Determinants of attitudes towards predators in central Kenya and suggestions for increasing tolerance in livestock dominated landscapes. Oryx, 41(02), pp.185-195.
Romanach, S.S., Seabloom, E.W. and Reichman, O.J., 2007. Costs and benefits of pocket gopher foraging: Linking behavior and physiology. Ecology, 88(8), pp.2047-2057.
Georgiadis, N.J., Olwero, J.N. and Romañach, S.S., 2007. Savanna herbivore dynamics in a livestock-dominated landscape: I. Dependence on land use, rainfall, density, and time. Biological conservation, 137(3), pp.461-472.
Georgiadis, N.J., Ihwagi, F., Olwero, J.N. and Romañach, S.S., 2007. Savanna herbivore dynamics in a livestock-dominated landscape. II: Ecological, conservation, and management implications of predator restoration. Biological Conservation, 137(3), pp.473-483.
Lindsey, P.A., Roulet, P.A. and Romanach, S.S., 2007. Economic and conservation significance of the trophy hunting industry in sub-Saharan Africa. Biological conservation, 134(4), pp.455-469.

**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.

Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Support Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Support

The JEM community of practice is focused on ecological modeling and monitoring across the Greater Everglades, with particular interest in habitats, how various factors affect habitat change, and how the organisms dependent on those habitats respond today and into the future.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Everglades Eco-Modeling Data Visualization and Tool Development Everglades Eco-Modeling Data Visualization and Tool Development

Working with the Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) community of practice, the WARC Advanced Applications Team developed and maintains the EverVIEW Data Viewer desktop visualization platform, which allows users to easily visualize and inspect standards-compliant NetCDF modeling data and has experienced tremendous feature growth driven by user feedback.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

ever4cast ever4cast

The Everglades Forecasting application (EverForecast) is a hydrologic and multi-species management tool. Designed to support natural resource managers, the tool simulates near future water levels across the Florida Everglades and models the likely impacts on the habitats and populations of numerous species. EverForecast is part of the Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) suite of tools. The...
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Restoration Runs R Library Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) Restoration Runs R Library

restoration_runs is a library of R-language scripts used to summarize/post-process output of Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM; https://jem.gov/) models used in Everglades restoration planning for projects such as the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) and the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP). The scripts summarize model output and create graphs and maps for each...
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

Ecological Thresholds, Abiotic Stress, and Climate Change: A Conceptual Framework

As climate change accelerates, the risk of sudden, large-scale shifts in ecosystems is growing. A new USGS study examines the mechanisms behind these...

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Sea level rise could significantly impact an endangered sparrow in Florida 

Sea level rise could significantly impact an endangered sparrow in Florida 

Sea level rise along southern Florida’s coast could contribute to a significant decrease in the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow population in...

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