Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Staff Member


Dr. Corey G Dunn

A large, female Blue Sucker from the Grand River (Missouri) collected while developing large-river sampling protocols.<br><br>

Unit Leader
Phone: (919) 513 - 2696
Email: cdunn@usgs.gov
Faculty Email: corey_dunn@ncsu.edu
Faculty Website

Links:

Education

  • Ph D University of Missouri 2020
  • MS Virginia Tech 2017
  • BS Virginia Tech 2009

Biography

Originally hailing from Richmond Virginia, Dr. Dunn is the Leader of the North Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and previously served as an Assistant Leader of the Mississippi Unit. Before joining the Cooperative Research Units program, Dr. Dunn received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Virginia Tech, his PhD from the University of Missouri, and was a postdoctoral researcher at Mississippi State University. Growing up on the Fall-line part of Virginia exposed him to the many species of migratory fishes that use the area's shoals for spawning habitat. Consequently, Dr. Dunn became a stream-river fisheries biologist who has worked on conservation issues spanning ephemeral headwaters to the Mississippi River. His main research area is the ecology and conservation of rivers and riverine biota. This overarching theme encompasses several research areas including ecology of large-river fishes, endangered species management, invasion ecology, and riverine landscape ecology. Dr. Dunn has taught several courses, including Ecology of River Systems, Structured Decision Making, Native Species Conservation, and Fisheries Sampling Techniques.

Areas of Expertise

Anthropogenic Impacts, Aquatic Ecology, Biodiversity, Decision Support/Analysis, Ecological Flows, Fisheries Management, GIS/Spatial Analysis, Hydroacoustics/Bioacoustics, Invasive Species, Landscape Ecology, Movement Ecology, Population and Community Ecology, Resilience, Species Distribution Modeling, Species Status Assessments, Statistics and Modelling, Stream Ecology, T&E Species Management

Taxon Groups Studied

Anadromous Fishes, Crayfish, Freshwater Fishes, Gamefish, Invertebrates/Insects, Mussels, Nongame Fish/Wildlife, Species of Greatest Conservation Need

Research Publications Publication Date
Miranda, L.E., J. Tompkins, C.G. Dunn, J. Morris, and M.C. Combs. 2023. Patterns of zero and nonzero counts indicate spatiotemporal distributions, aggregation, and dispersion of invasive carp. Management of Biological Invasions 14(2): 363-377. https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2023.14.2.12 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website February 2023
Dunn, C.G., M.J. Moore, N.A. Sievert, C.P. Paukert, and R.J. DiStefano. 2021. Co-occuring lotic crayfishes exhibit variable long-term responses to extreme-flow events and temperature. Freshwater Science 40:626-643: https://doi.org/10.1086/717486 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website December 2021
Dunn, C.G., D.A. Schumann, M.E. Colvin, L.J Sleezer, M. Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, S. McRae, and K. Evans. In 2024. Using resiliency, redundancy, and representation in a Bayesian belief network to assess imperilment of riverine fishes. Ecosphere. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4738 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website January 2024
Dunn, C., B. Brooke, R. Hrabik, and C. Paukert. 2018. Intensive Sampling Reveals Underreported Use of Great-River Tributaries by Large-River Fishes in Missouri. Southeastern Naturalist 17:512-520.doi.org/10.1656/058.017.0316 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website July 2018
Dunn, C. G., and C. P. Paukert. 2021. Accounting for dispersal and local habitat when evaluating tributary use by riverine fishes. Ecosphere. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3711. | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website August 2021
Dunn, C. G., and C. P. Paukert. 2020. A Flexible Survey Design for Monitoring Spatiotemporal Fish Richness in Non-wadeable Rivers: Optimizing Efficiency by Integrating Gears. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77(6): 978-990. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0315. | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website February 2020
Dunn, C. G., & P,L. Angermeier. 2019. Remaining populations of an upland stream fish persist in refugia defined by habitat features at multiple scales. Diversity and Distributions, 25(3), 385-399. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12866 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website January 2019
Dunn, C. G., & Angermeier, P. L. (2016). Development of habitat suitability indices for the Candy Darter, with cross-scale validation across representative populations. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 145(6), 1266-1281. https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2016.1217929 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website October 2016
Dunn, C. G. (2016). Documentation of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis (eastern hellbender) predation on nest-associate stream fishes. Northeastern naturalist, 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1656/045.023.0303 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website October 2016
Bouska, K., B. Healy, M. Moore, C. Dunn, J. Spurgeon, and C. Paukert. 2023. Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene. Frontiers in Environmental Science 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1151315 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website March 2023
Besson, J.C., J. Neary, J.D. Stafford, C.G. Dunn, L.E. Miranda. 2023. Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade. Freshwater Biology 68:1079-1091. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.14087 | Abstract | Download | Publisher Website April 2023
Project Completion Date
Conservation and Management of Missouri’s Mid-Sized Rivers: Development of Sampling Protocols and Application to Priority Watershed Rivers June 2019
Population ecology of variegate darter in Virginia May 2012
Assessment of Tombigbee Darter Status In Wadeable Streams Using Backpack Electrofishing June 2024
Efficacy of population genetics as a tool to quantify resiliency, redundancy, and representation of burrowing crayfishes within the Species Status Assessment framework September 2024
Examining deterrence potential of existing water infrastructure for limiting invasive carps movements while promoting population connectivity of native fishes September 2028
Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the 1 Anthropocene December 2023
Using a Bayesian belief network to structure Species Status Assessments of data-deficient species: a case study with Piebald Madtom August 2026
Invasive carp distribution in MAV July 2024
Tennessee-Cumberland rivers invasive carps data management application September 2023
Connectivity in oxbow lakes December 2023
Spatial and temporal distribution of silver carp in the Eagle Lake system September 2023
Use of machine learning to quantify habitat for the Oktibbeha Rivulet Crayfish: College of Forest Resources August 2022
Methods to monitor American Eel distribution and status August 2021
Developing a cooperative post stocking conservation framework to evaluate stocking effectiveness and inform restoration efforts September 2023
Using conservation genomics, morphometrics, and occupancy modeling to support Species Status Assessments of rivulet crayfishes (Hobbseus spp.) September 2025
Development of quantitative tools to support Species Status Assessments of freshwater mussels September 2024
Integrating Conservation Planning Tools to Develop a Transparent Conservation Blueprint for Southeastern Aquatic Species August 2022
Global horizon scan to assess U.S. invasion risk of terrestrial and freshwater vertebrates in trade September 2023
Ahmad, Hafez
Master's
ha626@msstate.edu

Cathey, Sara
Post Doc
secathey@ncsu.edu

Myers, Bonnie
Post Doc
bemyers2@ncsu.edu

Raburn, Devin
Master's
dmraburn@ncsu.edu

Stafford, Joshua
Master's
js5459@msstate.edu

Presentations Presentation Date
Stewart, T.R., T.L. Cox, M.E. Colvin, C.G. Dunn, M.W. Rogers, and L.E. Miranda. 2022. Simulation tools for estimating statistical power to monitor invasive carps. 152<sup>nd</sup> Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Spokane, Washington. August 2022
Stewart, T.R., M.E. Colvin, C.G. Dunn, M.W. Rogers, and L.E. Miranda. 2022. Teamwork makes the dream work: an app to standardize inter-agency invasive carps surveillance. 152<sup>nd</sup> Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Spokane, Washington. August 2022
Stafford, J.D., C.G. Dunn, M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D.K. Riecke. 2022. Seasonal movements of Silver Carp (<i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i>) in a hydrologically regulated oxbow network. Annual meeting of the Mississippi chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Hattiesburg, Mississippi. February 2022
Stafford, J.D., C.G Dunn, M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D. Riecke. 2024. Efficacy of modified barrier operations on Silver Carp movements into an impounded waterbody. Reservoir Technical Committee meeting, Chattanooga, Tennessee. February 2024
Stafford, J.D., C.G Dunn, M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D. Riecke. 2024. A tale of two dams: evaluating efficacy of modified barrier operations on Silver Carp movements. Annual meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Chattanooga, Tennessee. January 2024
Stafford, J.D., C.G Dunn, M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D. Riecke. 2023. Passage of Silver Carp <i>Hypophthalmichthys molitrix</i> through water-control structures in a floodplain network. Annual meeting of the Mississippi chapter of American Fisheries Society. Natchez, Mississippi. February 2023
Stafford, J.D., C.G Dunn, M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and D. Riecke. 2023. Influence of barrier operations on passage rates of Silver Carp throughout a floodplain network. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan. August 2023
Sleezer, L.J., C.G. Dunn, M.E. Colvin, D.A. Schumann, M Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, and S. McRae. 2022. Assessing Imperilment Risk for Data-deficient Freshwater Fishes – A Bayesian Belief Network Approach. Annual meeting of the Southeastern Fishes Council. Athens, Georgia. November 2022
Sleezer, L.J., C.G. Dunn, M.E. Colvin, D.A. Schumann, M Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, S. McRae, and J. Gilbert. 2024. Expanding Biologists’ Toolbox for Assessing the Status of Southeastern Freshwater Fishes. USGS Friday Findings Webinar. January 2024
Shoemaker, D.S., L.E. Miranda, C.G. Dunn. 2023. Vulnerability of reservoir fish habitats to climate change. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Natchez, Mississippi. February 2023
Shoemaker, D.J., L.E. Miranda, C.G. Dunn, R.P. Boyles, and K.M. Hunt. 2023. Challenges evaluating reservoir fish habitats in a changing climate. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan. August 2023
Raburn, D.M., H. Ahmad, P.F. Allison Jr., S.B. Adams, Z.C. Barnett, R. Garrick, K.A. Sterling, S. Cathey, M.E. Colvin, and C.G. Dunn. 2024. Uncharted waters: high-resolution stream networks reveal hidden habitats for petitioned headwater crayfishes. North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. February 2024
Raburn, D, M., H. Ahmad, P. Allison Jr., S.B. Adams, Z.C. Barnett, R. Garrick, K.A. Sterling, S. Cathey, M.E. Colvin, & C.G. Dunn. 2024. Uncharted waters: high-resolution stream networks reveal hidden habitats for petitioned headwater crayfishes. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. January 2024
Raburn, D, H. Ahmad, P. Allison Jr., S.B. Adams, Z.C. Barnett, R. Garrick, K.A. Sterling, S. Cathey, M.E. Colvin, & C.G. Dunn. 2024. Uncharted waters: high-resolution stream networks reveal hidden habitats for petitioned headwater crayfishes. Mississippi Crayfish Working Group Meeting, Moss Point, MS January 2024
Pinder, M., D. Kirk, and C.G. Dunn. 2022. Presence and habitat assessment of federally Endangered Candy Darters in Cripple Creek, Virginia. Meeting of Candy Darter Conservation Committee. Virtual. March 2022
Palmieri, M., L.E. Miranda, C. Dunn, L. Burger, and D. Riecke. 2023. Invasive bigheaded carp distribution patterns in lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan. August 2023
Palmieri, M., L.E. Miranda, C. Dunn, L. Burger, D. Riecke. 2023. Invasive bigheaded carp distribution patterns in lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Natchez, Mississippi. February 2023
Palmieri, M. L.E. Miranda. C.G. Dunn, L. Burger, and D. Riecke. 2024. Bigheaded carp distribution patterns in oxbow lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division, American Fisheries Society, Chattanooga, Tennessee. February 2024
Palmieri, M. L.E. Miranda. C.G. Dunn, L. Burger, and D. Riecke. 2024. Bigheaded carp distribution patterns in oxbow lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Tupelo, Mississippi. February 2024
Mabery, M., C. Dunn, and C. Paukert. Population Dynamics of Gravel Chub in Two Missouri Rivers. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO February 2016
Dunn. 2023. From pre-med to fish doc: lessons from an early career fisheries professional. Invited presentation to North Carolina State University sub-unit of the American Fisheries Society. Raleigh, NC. October 2023
Dunn, C.G., and C.P. Paukert. 2024. Casting a wider net: optimizing sampling to monitor imperiled fishes in southeastern rivers. Annual meeting of the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Sylva, NC February 2024
Dunn, C.G., and C.P. Paukert. 2020. Casting a wider net: efficacy of a multi-gear survey design for detecting Missouri’s imperiled riverine fishes. Invited contribution to Endangered Species Research and Management symposium, Midwest Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Conference. Springfield, IL. January 2020
Dunn, C.G., and C.P. Paukert. 2018. A flexible multi-gear survey design for documenting fish richness in large rivers. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Atlantic City, NJ. August 2018
Dunn, C.G., and C.P. Paukert. 2018. A Structured Approach for Incorporating Manager Feedback into the Survey Design of a Standardized Riverine Fish Sampling Protocol. Oral presentation. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO. February 2019
Dunn, C.G., Sleezer, L.J., M.E. Colvin, D.A. Schumann, M Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, S. McRae, and J. Gilbert. 2024. Believe it or not – A Bayesian network for estimating imperilment of data-deficient fishes. Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Chattanooga, TN January 2024
Dunn, C.G., Sleezer, L.J., M.E. Colvin, D.A. Schumann, M Wagner, D.T. Jones-Farrand, E. Rivenbark, S. McRae, and J Gilbert. 2023. Believe it or not – A Bayesian network for estimating imperilment of data-deficient fishes. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan August 2023
Dunn, C.G. and C.P. Paukert. 2021. Pinpointing biodiversity hotspots: local habitat and regional connectivity shape fish richness along rivers with contrasting habitat diversity. Annual meeting of the Southeastern Fishes Council. Columbus, Georgia. (delivered virtually) November 2021
Dunn, C.G. 2023. Conserving riverine fishes through cooperator-driven research, graduate education, and service. Invited seminar to the Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University. January 2023
Dunn, C.G. 2022. Still waters run deep, but do they harbor big-river fishes? Invited seminar to Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Iowa State University. November 2022
Dunn, C.G. 2022. Confronting carps on three invasion fronts: research overview of carps in the lower Mississippi and Tennessee-Tombigbee rivers. Invited seminar to Department of Interior Invasive Carps Community of Practice. Virtual. December 2022
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. 2017. Influences of downriver connectivity and site conditions on richness patterns of great-river fishes within free-flowing tributary networks. Society of Freshwater Science, Raleigh, North Carolina June 2017
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. 2017. In pursuit of a silver bullet: does standardized sampling need to accommodate seasonal and regional influences on fish richness across large rivers of Missouri? Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE. February 2017
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. 2017. Does Standardized Fish Sampling within Mid-Sized Rivers of Missouri Need to Account for Seasonal and Regional Influences on Fish Species Richness? Missouri natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO February 2017
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. Emerging distributional patterns and preliminary results from the Missouri Mid-Sized Rivers Fish Sampling Protocol: A scalable multi-method tool for studying Missouri’s large-river fish assemblages. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO February 2016
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. 2018. Test-driving a newly developed fish sampling protocol to identify biodiversity hotspots in two Missouri mid-sized rivers. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO. February 2018
Dunn, C., and C. Paukert. 2017. Predicting potential refugia: spatially explicit determinants of great-river fish richness within two unimpounded tributaries of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL. August 2017
Dunn, C. and P. Angermeier. 2012. Candy darter habitat preferences and their implications for conservation. Annual meeting of Virginia Chapter, American Fisheries Society. February 2012
Dunn, C. and C. Paukert. Development of the Missouri Midsized Rivers Fish Sampling Protocol with preliminary results from the lower Gasconade River. Missouri Natural Resources Conference, Osage Beach, MO February 2015
Dunn, C. G. and P. L. Angermeier. 2011. Habitat use and behavior of candy darters Etheostoma osburni may mediate interactions with an introduced congener. Annual meeting of Southern Division, American Fisheries Society. January 2011
Dunn, C. G. and P. L. Angermeier. 2011. Ecology of saddled darters in the New River drainage. New River Symposium, Athens, WV May 2011
Cathey, S. E., M. E. Colvin, & C. G. Dunn. 2024. Developing a standardized quantitative framework for evaluating imperilment of southeastern crayfishes. Annual meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Chattanooga, Tennessee. January 2024
Brooke, B., R. Kramer, C. Dunn, and C. Paukert. 2017. Seasonal population characteristics of Blue Suckers Cycleptus elongatus within large Missouri and Mississippi River tributaries. Missouri natural Resources Conference, Osage beach, MO February 2017
Brooke, B., R. Kramer, C. Dunn, and C. Paukert. 2017. Seasonal dynamics of Blue Suckers Cycleptus elongatus inhabiting great-river tributaries in Missouri. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE. February 2017
Bouska, K. L.,<b> </b>B. D. Healy, M. J. Moore, C. G. Dunn, J. J. Spurgeon, and C. P. Paukert. Diverse portfolios: investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes. USGS Ecosystem Mission Area Friday Findings Webinar, 15 September 2023. Virtual. IP-157389. September 2023
Blische, H. M.E. Colvin, C.G. Dunn. 2021. Distribution and detection of American eels Anguilla rostrata in Mississippi. Student oral presentation. Annual meeting of the Mississippi chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 2021
Blische, H, M.E. Colvin, and C.G. Dunn. 2021. Distribution and detection of American eels <i>Anguilla rostrata</i> in Mississippi. Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium at Mississippi State. Mississippi State, Mississippi. April 2021
Blische, H, M.E. Colvin, and C.G. Dunn. 2021. Distribution and detection of American Eels Anguilla rostrata in Mississippi. Student oral presentation. Annual meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual conference. April 2021
Besson, J.B., M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, and C.G. Dunn. 2022. Movers and stayers: a look into the movements of Silver Carp in an oxbow lake system. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Hattiesburg, MS. February 2022
Besson, J.B, M.E. Colvin, L.E., Miranda, and C.G. Dunn. 2021. A framework for evaluating Silver Carp movement in a floodplain system. Annual meeting of Mississippi chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual conference. March 2021
Besson, J., M.E. Colvin, L.E. Miranda, C.G. Dunn. 2021. Evaluating movements of Silver Carp in an oxbow lake to inform barrier placement and operation. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, Maryland. November 2021
Allison, P., Jr., C.G. Dunn, S.B. Adams, J. Breinholt, K. Sterling, D. Raburn, Z. Barnett, & R. Garrick. 2024. An Integrative Approach to Species Delimitation of <i>Hobbseus</i> Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae). Mississippi Crayfish Working Group Meeting, Moss Point, MS January 2024
Allison, P. Jr., C.G. Dunn, S. B. Adams, J. Breinholt, K. Sterling, D. Raburn, Z. Barnett, & R. Garrick. 2024. An Integrative Approach to Species Delimitation of <i>Hobbseus</i> Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae). Annual meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Chattanooga, Tennessee. January 2024
Ahmad, H., L.E. Miranda, and C.G. Dunn. 2023. Connectivity of oxbow lakes in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Natchez, Mississippi. February 2023
Ahmad, H., L.E. Miranda, C. Dunn, and M. Colvin. 2023. Hydrological connectivity patterns in oxbow lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan. August 2023
Ahmad, H., L. E. Miranda, C.G. Dunn, M. Boudreau, M. Colvin, and P. Dash. 2024. Hydrologic connectivity in oxbow lakes of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Tupelo, Mississippi. February 2024
Type Citation Publication Date
Software Release Dunn, C.G. and M.E. Colvin. 2023. “Piebald Madtom Bayesian belief network” (V1.2Pieblad_Madtom_BBN). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10034468 October 2023