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William Royce Jones

William Jones is a Geographer at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center. 

Develops databases for coast landscapes and federal lands. Data are used for restoration and mitigation activities to protect and enhance coastal wetlands. Wetland projects include the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA - lacoast.gov) and the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System (CRMS). Licensed FAA Certified Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot. Fly reconnaisance and data acquisitions to map, monitor and analyize landscape features for restoration and scientific research. 

Science and Products

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3DR Solo Unmanned Aerial Systems

Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Capabilities to Help Identify Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and the effects of Salvinia weevil (Cyrtogagous salviniae)

USGS is collecting remotely sensed data to classify Salvinia molesta, a non-native aquatic species that reduces light and oxygen levels in water, making it unsuitable for fish and other aquatic plant life.
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Capabilities to Help Identify Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and the effects of Salvinia weevil (Cyrtogagous salviniae)

USGS is collecting remotely sensed data to classify Salvinia molesta, a non-native aquatic species that reduces light and oxygen levels in water, making it unsuitable for fish and other aquatic plant life.
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Mottled duck

Identification of Hydrologic Controls on Coastal Spartina patens Marshes and Optimal Hydrological Conditions for Sustainable Mottled Duck Habitat

Mottled ducks rely on the coastal marshes of the Texas Chenier Plain, which are considered among the most critically endangered habitats in the United States. USGS scientists are evaluating what might be contributing to the degradation of high-quality mottled duck habitat to better understand the causes of habitat loss and subsequently mitigate those losses.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Identification of Hydrologic Controls on Coastal Spartina patens Marshes and Optimal Hydrological Conditions for Sustainable Mottled Duck Habitat

Mottled ducks rely on the coastal marshes of the Texas Chenier Plain, which are considered among the most critically endangered habitats in the United States. USGS scientists are evaluating what might be contributing to the degradation of high-quality mottled duck habitat to better understand the causes of habitat loss and subsequently mitigate those losses.
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McFaddin Project D1 site boundary with 4 ground control points

Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Capabilities to Help Identify Hummock-Hollow Formation and Fragmentation in Critical Marsh Habitat for Mottled Ducks

For many years, coastal marshes in Texas and Louisiana have served as critical habitat for the mottled duck (Anas fulvigula), which is considered a priority species in the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast area.
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Capabilities to Help Identify Hummock-Hollow Formation and Fragmentation in Critical Marsh Habitat for Mottled Ducks

For many years, coastal marshes in Texas and Louisiana have served as critical habitat for the mottled duck (Anas fulvigula), which is considered a priority species in the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast area.
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Wetlands on the Fort A.P. Hill reservation are all freshwater

Mapping Fort A.P. Hill Military Training Center’s Vast Wetlands

Mapping of Fort A.P Hill utilizes 2-D interpretation of 2013, 1-foot Color Infrared orthorectified imagery, affording greater detail in wetland interpretation and classification.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Mapping Fort A.P. Hill Military Training Center’s Vast Wetlands

Mapping of Fort A.P Hill utilizes 2-D interpretation of 2013, 1-foot Color Infrared orthorectified imagery, affording greater detail in wetland interpretation and classification.
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Whiskey Island Caillou Lake Headlands restoration area 2016–2019 shorelines, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program

This data package includes a high-water shoreline position map and a structures map for each year from 2016–2019 for the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Caillou Lake Headlands project area (TE-0100), also known as Whiskey Island. The project created 170 acres of marsh habitat and 917 acres of dune and beach habitat on Whiskey Island in Terrebonne Parish using material dredged from Ship S
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Caminada Headland restoration area 2016-2019 shorelines, Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program

This data package includes a high-water shoreline position map and a structures map for each year from 2016–2019 for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Caminada Headland Beach and Dune Restoration Incr2 project area (BA-0143). The project restored 489 acres of beach and dune habitat along more than seven miles of Caminada Headland in Jefferson and Lafourche Parishes through the direc
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

February 2020 National Wetlands Inventory, Mississippi Barrier Islands Habitat Classification: (Cat Island, Ship Island, Petit Bois Island and Horn Island)

This data set consists of digital data describing wetlands and uplands habitats for the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) area, consisting of Cat, Ship, Horn and Petit Bois Islands for the year 2020. Wetlands were classified using the Cowardin, et al., wetlands classification scheme to the level of freshwater and tidal, salinity modifiers. Uplands were classified using a customized
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Mississippi Barrier Islands imagery (Cat, East and West Ship, Horn and Petit Bois) acquired February 2020

To document current Mississippi barrier island conditions, imagery was acquired February 28, 2020 using Airborne GPs and field control ground markers. For ground control, markers were established and surveyed in using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) survey equipment. The imagery collected will be processed to produce a mosaic of all 4 islands (Cat, East and West Ship, Horn and Petit Bois) and interprete
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Coastal wetland vegetation and elevation data characterizing a Sudden Vegetation Dieback event in San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in 2019

Climatic extremes are becoming more frequent with climate change and have the potential to cause major ecological shifts and ecosystem collapse. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico, a coastal wetland in the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge in Texas suffered significant and acute vegetation dieback following Hurricane Harvey in 2017. We identified plant zonal boundaries along an elevation gradien
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

December 2018 National Wetlands Inventory Mississippi Barrier Islands habitat classification: (Cat Island, Ship Island, Petit Bois Island and Horn Island)

The Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) has developed a Comprehensive Barrier Island Restoration Plan containing options to ensure the integrity of the Mississippi barrier islands through restoration efforts. Any restoration activities implemented must have minimal adverse impacts to critical habitat for various marine, terrestrial and avian resources. Documenting the success of resto
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Salvina/Weevil Case Study: Using Drone's to monitory Weevil Propagation in Salvinia aquatics.

During summer months, coastal Louisiana is plagued with floating aquatics that fill and block canals and small waterways causing trouble for boaters. This floating aquatic starts growing in the spring and dies off in late summer and early winter months. One natural predator of the Salvinia sp is the weevil that forages on the Salvinia and causes premature die-off. These weevils do exist naturally
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Local and landscape-scale data describing patterns of coastal wetland loss in the Texas Chenier Plain, U.S.A.

We characterized coastal wetland responses to flooding stress by measuring vegetation cover, wetland elevation and water elevation in healthy and degrading wetlands dominated by Spartina patens. Wetland elevation was measured using real-time kinematic survey methods. Vegetation cover was determined by visual estimation methods, and water elevation was measured using in situ continuous recorders. I
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

UAS imagery acquisition for McFaddin NWR and J.D. Murphree WMA acquired fall 2017

To document current marsh conditions, imagery was acquired at 350 feet using unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for 6 separate study locations. Three Sites are healthy marsh and three sites are degraded marshes. For each study site, ground control markers were established and surveyed in using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) survey equipment. The imagery collected will be processed to produce a mosaics for e
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 2012 National Wetlands Inventory Habitat Classification

In the face of sea level rise and as climate change conditions increase the frequency and intensity of topical storms along the north-Atlantic Coast, coastal areas will become increasingly vulnerable to storm damage, and the decline of already-threatened species could be exacerbated. Predictions about response of coastal birds to efrfect of hurricane will b eessential for anticipating and counter
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Hurricane Sandy 2013 National Wetlands Inventory Habitat Classification (Habitat Analysis of Coastal Federal Lands located within High Impact Zones of Hurricane Sandy, October 2012)

Hurricane Sandy directly hit the Atlantic shoreline of New Jersey during several astronomical high tide cycles in late October, 2012. The eastern seaboard areas are subject to sea level rise and increased severity and frequency of storm events, prompting habitat and land use planning changes. Wetland Aquatic Research Center (WARC) has conducted detailed mapping of marine and estuarine wetlands
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Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Extreme precipitation and flooding contribute to sudden vegetation dieback in a coastal salt marsh

Climate extremes are becoming more frequent with global climate change and have the potential to cause major ecological regime shifts. Along the northern Gulf of Mexico, a coastal wetland in Texas suffered sudden vegetation dieback following an extreme precipitation and flooding event associated with Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Historical salt marsh dieback events have been linked to climate extreme
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Quantifying hydrologic controls on local- and landscape-scale indicators of coastal wetland loss

Background and AimsCoastal wetlands have evolved to withstand stressful abiotic conditions through the maintenance of hydrologic feedbacks among vegetation production and flooding. However, disruption of these feedbacks can lead to ecosystem collapse, or a regime shift from vegetated wetland to open water. To prevent the loss of critical coastal wetland habitat, we must improve understanding of th
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Using UAS capabilities to help identify hummock-hollow formation and fragmentation in critical marsh habitat (Spartina patens) for mottled ducks in southeast Texas

For many years, marshes in the coastal areas from Texas to Louisiana have served as critical habitat for Anas fulvigula, the mottled duck. Mottled ducks are a priority species in the Texas/Louisiana Gulf Coast area and have been affected by critical habitat reduction. In recent years, mottled duck habitats have been threatened by natural and anthropogenic changes including urbanization, flooding,
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Potential sea level rise for the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana

Situated in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain of the Gulf Coast Prairie Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCP LCC), the Chitimacha Tribe is one of four federally recognized tribes in Louisiana. The Tribal seat, trust lands/ reservation, and adjacent Tribal owned lands are located near Charenton, Louisiana, totaling nearly 1,000 acres. The Chitimacha, with a population of approximately 1,400 people,
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Mississippi Delta: Chapter G in Emergent wetlands status and trends in the northern Gulf of Mexico: 1950-2010

The Mississippi River Delta, the tip of the longest river in North America, is located in the coastal plains of southeastern Louisiana. The study area included in the Mississippi River Delta vignette of southeastern Louisiana follows the Mississippi River southward from Port Sulphur within the modern Plaquemines-Balize Delta lobe (Figure 1). It extends eastward through Long Bay into California Bay
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Barataria and Terrebonne Bays: Chapter F in Emergent wetlands status and trends in the northern Gulf of Mexico: 1950-2010

The study area included in the Barataria and Terrebonne Bays vignette of southeastern Louisiana spans eastward from Terrebonne Bay to Barataria Bay (Figure 1) and includes portions of Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. This area falls between the Mississippi River on the east and northeast, extends down through the western shore of Lake S
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Mangrove expansion and contraction at a poleward range limit: Climate extremes and land-ocean temperature gradients

Within the context of climate change, there is a pressing need to better understand the ecological implications of changes in the frequency and intensity of climate extremes. Along subtropical coasts, less frequent and warmer freeze events are expected to permit freeze-sensitive mangrove forests to expand poleward and displace freeze-tolerant salt marshes. Here, our aim was to better understand th
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Analysis of the impact of spatial resolution on land/water classifications using high-resolution aerial imagery

Long-term monitoring efforts often use remote sensing to track trends in habitat or landscape conditions over time. To most appropriately compare observations over time, long-term monitoring efforts strive for consistency in methods. Thus, advances and changes in technology over time can present a challenge. For instance, modern camera technology has led to an increasing availability of very high-
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Pictorial account and landscape evolution of the crevasses near Fort St. Philip, Louisiana

Quantifying the effects of active natural and constructed crevasses is critical to the planning and success of future ecosystem restoration activities. This document provides a historical overview of landscape changes within the vicinity of the natural crevasses near Fort St. Philip, Louisiana. A significant event influencing landscape change within the Fort St. Philip study area was the breaching
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Classifications for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) site-specific projects: 2010

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) funds over 100 wetland restoration projects across Louisiana. Integral to the success of CWPPRA is its long-term monitoring program, which enables State and Federal agencies to determine the effectiveness of each restoration effort. One component of this monitoring program is the classification of high-resolution, color-infrare
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Classifications for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act site-specific projects: 2008 and 2009

The Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) funds over 100 wetland restoration projects across Louisiana. Integral to the success of CWPPRA is its long-term monitoring program, which enables State and Federal agencies to determine the effectiveness of each restoration effort. One component of this monitoring program is the analysis of high-resolution, color-infrared aeri
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Mississippi river delta: Chapter G in Emergent wetlands status and trends in the northern Gulf of Mexico: 1950-2010

No abstract available. 
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

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