Susan Walls, Ph.D.
Susan Walls is a research wildlife biologist who serves as the coordinator and lead scientist for the southeastern region of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI).
ARMI is a national program for which funding was appropriated by Congress in 2000 in response to mounting evidence and concern for declines of amphibians in the U.S. and worldwide. Susan's research group establishes and implements long-term monitoring of amphibians at key sites within the southeastern U.S. (AL, GA, FL, SC, NC and TN) and conducts research on potential causes of declines. The team focuses on model-based monitoring to assess the impacts of climate change, emerging diseases, habitat restoration, and invasive species on amphibian communities.
Science and Products
Vulnerability of Mole Skinks to Sea-Level Rise
Mole skinks that occur on Florida’s islands rely on sand beaches, beach berms, and dunes, making them particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge. USGS researchers predicted the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge on habitat for the Florida Keys mole skink ( Plestiodon egregius egregius), the Cedar Key mole skink ( P. e. insularis), and the Egmont Key mole skink (known from a...
Predicting Sea-Level Rise Impacts to Barrier Island Habitats
Researchers at WARC are determining if temporal mismatches between digital elevation models and land cover data can impact estimates of inundation of beach habitat for barrier islands and low-lying beaches off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Population Persistence of the Ornate Chorus Frog Across Its Distribution
The ornate chorus frog, once common throughout its range, appears to be experiencing population declines. USGS has partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to assess the ornate chorus frog population status across its distribution.
Sea-Level Rise and Florida’s Island Biodiversity
While islands are some of the most biodiverse places on earth, they are also among the most threatened. Researchers from WARC and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assessing the vulnerability of Florida’s coastal islands to inundation from sea-level rise and estimating potential loss of the terrestrial biodiversity on Florida’s islands.
How Wildlife Respond to Tropical Cyclones: Short-Term Tactics and Long-Term Impacts
USGS is collaborating with the University of Florida to describe the diverse and fascinating tactics demonstrated by wildlife to survive tropical cyclones, which can aid in understanding the impact environmental change is having on wildlife and provide insights into how those impacts may be mitigated.
Informing Future Condition Scenario Planning for Habitat Specialists of the Imperiled Pine Rockland Ecosystem of South Florida
South Florida's pine rockland ecosystem represents less than 3% of its original extent. This project will evaluate habitat conditions for two pine rockland snake species to develop future habitat condition scenarios for Species Status Assessments.
Science and Products
Vulnerability of Mole Skinks to Sea-Level Rise
Mole skinks that occur on Florida’s islands rely on sand beaches, beach berms, and dunes, making them particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge. USGS researchers predicted the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge on habitat for the Florida Keys mole skink ( Plestiodon egregius egregius), the Cedar Key mole skink ( P. e. insularis), and the Egmont Key mole skink (known from a...
Predicting Sea-Level Rise Impacts to Barrier Island Habitats
Researchers at WARC are determining if temporal mismatches between digital elevation models and land cover data can impact estimates of inundation of beach habitat for barrier islands and low-lying beaches off the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Population Persistence of the Ornate Chorus Frog Across Its Distribution
The ornate chorus frog, once common throughout its range, appears to be experiencing population declines. USGS has partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to assess the ornate chorus frog population status across its distribution.
Sea-Level Rise and Florida’s Island Biodiversity
While islands are some of the most biodiverse places on earth, they are also among the most threatened. Researchers from WARC and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assessing the vulnerability of Florida’s coastal islands to inundation from sea-level rise and estimating potential loss of the terrestrial biodiversity on Florida’s islands.
How Wildlife Respond to Tropical Cyclones: Short-Term Tactics and Long-Term Impacts
USGS is collaborating with the University of Florida to describe the diverse and fascinating tactics demonstrated by wildlife to survive tropical cyclones, which can aid in understanding the impact environmental change is having on wildlife and provide insights into how those impacts may be mitigated.
Informing Future Condition Scenario Planning for Habitat Specialists of the Imperiled Pine Rockland Ecosystem of South Florida
South Florida's pine rockland ecosystem represents less than 3% of its original extent. This project will evaluate habitat conditions for two pine rockland snake species to develop future habitat condition scenarios for Species Status Assessments.