Susan De La Cruz
Dr. Susan De La Cruz is a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Ecological Research Center.
She has over 20 years of wildlife research experience in San Francisco Bay Delta and along the Pacific and Central Flyways and as the senior researcher at the San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, she oversees and directs research activities. With Federal, State, University, non-profit, and local partners, she is actively involved in designing, funding, implementing and publishing research on foraging and migration ecology, winter habitat use, survival and contaminant effects in nearshore avian species. Her Ph.D. research focused on how changes in benthic prey resources in the estuary influence winter body condition, subsequent spring migration and cross-seasonal reproduction in surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata), a declining sea duck species that winters in along the Pacific coast. Other current research includes modeling effects of sea-level rise and geomorphic change on avian foraging ecology and carrying capacity, evaluating the effects of water traffic on avian habitat use and behavior, measuring post-oil spill survival and behavior, determining the value of natural and restored intertidal and subtidal habitats for waterbirds and tidal marsh endemics, assessing impacts of dredge operations on benthic communities, and assessing the effectiveness of sediment augmentation (sediment subsidies) on tidal marsh resiliency.
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
Harris, M.C., Pearce, J.M., Prosser, D.J., White, C.L., Miles, A.K., Sleeman, J.M., Brand, C.J., Cronin, J.P., De La Cruz, S., Densmore, C.L., Doyle, T.W., Dusek, R.J., Fleskes, J.P., Flint, P.L., Guala, G.F., Hall, J.S., Hubbard, L.E., Hunt, R.J., Ip, H.S., Katz, R.A., Laurent, K.W., Miller, M.P., Munn, M.D., Ramey, A.M., Richards, K.D., Russell, R.E., Stokdyk, J.P., Takekawa, J.Y., and Walsh, D.P. 2016. U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1121, 38 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161121.
Mills, K.L., J.K. Gaydos, C.G. Fiorello, E.R. Whitmer, S.E.W. De La Cruz, D.M. Mulcahy, L.I. Vilchis, and M.H. Ziccardi. 2016. Post-release survival and movement of Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) implanted with intracoelomic satellite transmitters. Waterbirds 39(2):175-186. http://dx.do
Education and Certifications
University of California, Davis: Ph.D., Ecology, Ecotoxicology Emphasis, December 2010
Dissertation title: Habitat, Diet, and Contaminant Relationships of Surf Scoters Wintering in San Francisco
Texas A&M University: M.S., Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, December 1998
Thesis title: Screening for Endocrine Disrupting Effects of Xenobiotics in Wildlife Using Oxbow Lakes and Settling
University of California, Davis: B.S., Biological Sciences, December 1992
Science and Products
Effects of Sea-Level Rise and Extreme Storms on California Coastal Habitats: Part 1
Small mammal surveys from northern San Francisco Bay: 1998-2014
Reference values and comparison of blood chemistry and plasma protein values between gold standard analyzers and four point-of-care devices in free-ranging canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria)
A climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon
Pathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape
Host correlates of avian influenza virus infection in wild waterfowl of the Sacramento Valley, California
Small shorebirds feast on green slime to fuel their long migration
Climate change vulnerability assessment for the California coastal national monument—Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta units
Effects of season, location, species, and sex on hematologic and plasma biochemical values and body mass in free-ranging Grebes (Aechmophorus species)
Age‐ and sex‐related dietary specialization facilitate seasonal resource partitioning in a migratory shorebird
Impacts of periodic dredging on macroinvertebrate prey availability for benthic foraging fishes in central San Francisco Bay, California
Influenza A viruses remain infectious for more than seven months in northern wetlands of North America
Rediscovery of the horseshoe shrimp Lightiella serendipita Jones, 1961 (Cephalocarida: Hutchinsoniellidae) in San Francisco Bay, California, USA, with a key to the worldwide species of Cephalocarida
Carbon sources in the sediments of a restoring vs. historically unaltered salt marsh
Science and Products
- Science
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Effects of Sea-Level Rise and Extreme Storms on California Coastal Habitats: Part 1
In California, the near-shore area where the ocean meets the land is a highly productive yet sensitive region that supports a wealth of wildlife, including several native bird species. These saltmarshes, mudflats, and shallow bays are not only critical for wildlife, but they also provide economic and recreational benefits to local communities. Today, sea-level rise, more frequent and stronger stor - Data
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Small mammal surveys from northern San Francisco Bay: 1998-2014
This datasets summarizes small mammal trapping efforts that USGS San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station has led, co-led, or supervised, to detect and monitor the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay from 1998-2014. As the salt marsh harvest mouse is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, sensitive location - Publications
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Reference values and comparison of blood chemistry and plasma protein values between gold standard analyzers and four point-of-care devices in free-ranging canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria)
Accurate, timely, and cost-effective blood chemistry analysis is an essential tool for directing emergency treatment, monitoring the health status of captive and free-ranging individuals and flocks, and improving the efficacy of conservation actions. Blood samples were obtained from 52 canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) that were captured on San Francisco Bay, California, during December 2017 as parAuthorsNancy L. Anderson, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Maris Brenn-White, Greg Frankfurter, Michael H. Ziccardi, Beatriz Martínez-LópezA climate-mediated shift in the estuarine habitat mosaic limits prey availability and reduces nursery quality for juvenile salmon
The estuarine habitat mosaic supports the reproduction, growth, and survival of resident and migratory fish species by providing a diverse portfolio of unique habitats with varying physical and biological features. Global climate change is expected to result in increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, and changes in riverine hydrology, which will have profound effects on the extent and compositAuthorsMelanie J. Davis, Isa Woo, Christopher S. Ellings, Sayre Hodgson, David Beauchamp, Glynnis Nakai, Susan E. W. De La CruzPathways for avian influenza virus spread: GPS reveals wild waterfowl in commercial livestock facilities and connectivity with the natural wetland landscape
Zoonotic diseases are of considerable concern to the human population and viruses such as avian influenza (AIV) threaten food security, wildlife conservation and human health. Wild waterfowl and the natural wetlands they use are known AIV reservoirs, with birds capable of virus transmission to domestic poultry populations. While infection risk models have linked migration routes and AIV outbreaks,AuthorsFiona McDuie, Elliott Matchett, Diann Prosser, John Y. Takekawa, Maurice E. Pitesky, Austen Lorenz, Madeline M McCuen, Cory T. Overton, Josh T. Ackerman, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Michael L. CasazzaHost correlates of avian influenza virus infection in wild waterfowl of the Sacramento Valley, California
Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are distributed globally in members of the family Anatidae (waterfowl), and significant disease may occur when these viruses infect commercial poultry or humans. Early detection of AIV through surveillance of wild waterfowl is one measure to prevent future disease outbreaks. Surveillance efforts that are designed to account for host and environmental determinants ofAuthorsElizabeth A. Bianchini, Raymond J. Bogiatto, Robin A. Donatello, Michael L. Casazza, Josh T. Ackerman, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Troy D. ClineSmall shorebirds feast on green slime to fuel their long migration
Shorebirds wade in shallow waters along shorelines searching for food. More than a million shorebirds visit the San Francisco Estuary each year during their migration to feast on the insects, worms, clams, and crabs that live on or under the surface of the sand or mud. The abundant food in the Estuary provides shorebirds with the energy they need to migrate thousands of kilometers, between their bAuthorsLaurie Anne Hall, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Isa Woo, Tomohiro Kuwae, David Mcgovern Nelson, John Y. TakekawaClimate change vulnerability assessment for the California coastal national monument—Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta units
Executive SummaryThe California Coastal National Monument protects islets, reefs, and rock outcropping habitats in six onshore units, including the Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta Units.The California Coastal National Monument provides crucial habitat for resident and migratory species of seabirds, marine mammals, and invertebrates, which includes several federally listed threatened and endangeAuthorsKaren M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin J. Buffington, Susan E.W. De La CruzEffects of season, location, species, and sex on hematologic and plasma biochemical values and body mass in free-ranging Grebes (Aechmophorus species)
The effects of season, location, species, and sex on body weight and a comprehensive array of blood chemistry and hematology analytes were compared for free-ranging western (Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark's (Aechmophorus clarkii) grebes. Birds (n = 56) were collected from Puget Sound, WA, and Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay, CA, from February 2007 to March 2011. The data supported generalAuthorsNancy L Anderson, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Joseph K Gaydos, Michael H. Ziccardi, Danielle J HarveyAge‐ and sex‐related dietary specialization facilitate seasonal resource partitioning in a migratory shorebird
Dietary specialization is common in animals and has important implications for individual fitness, inter‐ and intraspecific competition, and the adaptive potential of a species. Diet composition can be influenced by age‐ and sex‐related factors including an individual's morphology, social status, and acquired skills; however, specialization may only be necessary when competition is intensified byAuthorsLaurie Anne Hall, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Isa Woo, Tomohiro Kuwae, John Y. TakekawaImpacts of periodic dredging on macroinvertebrate prey availability for benthic foraging fishes in central San Francisco Bay, California
BackgroundBecause of its importance for species covered under Federal Fishery Management Plans (FMPs), the San Francisco Bay (SFB) estuary has been designated as Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA; 16 United States Code §18559b). Within this estuary, benthic macroinvertebrate communities provide important prey resources for many ecoAuthorsSusan E. W. De La Cruz, Isa Woo, Laurie Hall, Alison Flanagan, Hannah MittelstaedtInfluenza A viruses remain infectious for more than seven months in northern wetlands of North America
In this investigation, we used a combination of field- and laboratory-based approaches to assess if influenza A viruses (IAVs) shed by ducks could remain viable for extended periods in surface water within three wetland complexes of North America. In a field experiment, replicate filtered surface water samples inoculated with duck swabs were tested for IAVs upon collection and again after an overwAuthorsAndrew M. Ramey, Andrew B. Reeves, Judith Z. Drexler, Josh T. Ackerman, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Andrew S. Lang, Christina Leyson, Paul T. Link, Diann Prosser, Gregory J. Robertson, Jordan Wight, Sungsu Youk, Erica Spackman, Mary Pantin-Jackwood, Rebecca L. Poulson, David E. StallknechtRediscovery of the horseshoe shrimp Lightiella serendipita Jones, 1961 (Cephalocarida: Hutchinsoniellidae) in San Francisco Bay, California, USA, with a key to the worldwide species of Cephalocarida
Lightiella serendipitaJones, 1961 was first discovered in San Francisco Bay, California in 1953, but it had not been observed since 1988. In 2017, a total of 13 adult L. serendipita specimens were found as part of a study in central San Francisco Bay, nearly doubling the total number of specimens ever collected. We measured vertical distribution of macroinvertebrates and environmental variables, iAuthorsCrystal Garcia, Isa Woo, D. Christopher Rogers, Alison M Flanagan, Susan E. W. De La CruzCarbon sources in the sediments of a restoring vs. historically unaltered salt marsh
Salt marshes provide the important ecosystem service of carbon storage in their sediments; however, little is known about the sources of such carbon and whether they differ between historically unaltered and restoring systems. In this study, stable isotope analysis was used to quantify carbon sources in a restoring, sparsely vegetated marsh (Restoring) and an adjacent, historically unaltered marshAuthorsJudith Z. Drexler, Melanie J. Davis, Isa Woo, Susan E.W. De La Cruz - News