Vermont Staff Member
Mark J. Henderson
Unit Leader
Phone: (802) 656 - 2963
Email: mhenderson@usgs.gov
Faculty Email: mark.henderson@uvm.edu
Faculty Website
Education
- Ph D College of William and Mary 2012
- MS University of Washington 2005
- BS SUNY Geneseo 2000
Biography
Mark Henderson recently started as the Unit Leader for the USGS Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Vermont. Prior to joining the Vermont Cooperative Research Unit, he was the acting unit leader at the California Cooperative Research Unit for six years.
Mark's overarching research interests are how the physical, and biological, environment influences fish population dynamics (e.g., movements, growth, and mortality) on different spatial and temporal scales. He is a quantitative ecologist that uses various modeling approaches to answer applied research questions related to fisheries management. Research in his lab group primarily focuses on the interactions between fishes and their environment, and how our changing climate will affect species distributions, habitat availability, and population dynamics.
Prior to coming to Vermont, the majority of the research in Mark's lab focused on using population dynamics and species distribution models to understand the causes of salmonid mortality. Many of the salmonid populations in California are ESA listed as threatened or endangered, thus identifying the causes of mortality and what management and restoration actions may aid in population recovery is critical. In Vermont, Mark will apply similar quantitative methods to understand the population dynamics and management of Lake Champlain and inland fishes in Vermont.
Areas of Expertise
AI/Machine Learning, Adaptive Management, Aquatic Ecology, Behavioral Ecology, Decision Support/Analysis, Fisheries Management, GIS/Spatial Analysis, Hydroacoustics/Bioacoustics, Marine/Coastal Ecology, Movement Ecology, Population Dynamics, Population and Community Ecology, Predator-Prey Dynamics, Species Distribution Modeling, Statistics and Modelling, Stream Ecology, eDNA
Taxon Groups Studied
Anadromous Fishes, Freshwater Fishes, Gamefish, Salmonids
| Research Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Winship A.J., Thorson J., Clarke E., Coleman H., Costa B., Georgian S., Gillett D., Grüss A., Henderson M., Hourigan T.F., Huff D., Kreidler N., Pirtle J., Olson J.V., Poti M., Rooper C.N., Sigler M.F., Viehman S., and Whitmire C.E. in review . Good practices for species distribution modeling of deep-sea corals and sponges: data collection, analysis, validation, and communication. Submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science. | Abstract | May 2020 |
| Van Vleet, N. P., Ward, D. M., Som, N. A., Barton, D. C., Anderson, C., & Henderson, M. J. (2024). It's about time: A multistate semicontinuous time mark–recapture model to evaluate seasonal survival and movement rates of juvenile Coho Salmon in a small coastal watershed. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 153, 541–1. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10471 | Abstract | August 2024 |
| Shi, Y., Dick, C.M., Karpan, K., Baetscher, D., Henderson, M.J., Sethi, S.A., McPhee, M.V., Larson, W.A. Towards absolute abundance for conservation applications: estimating the number of contributors via microhaplotype genotyping of mixed-DNA samples. submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources. | Abstract | May 2023 |
| Rub, A.M., Som, N.A., Henderson, M.J., Sandford, B.P., Van Doornik, D.M., Teel, D.J., Tennis, M, Langness, O., van der Leeuw, B., Huff, D.D. 2019. Changes in adult Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) survival with the lower Columbia River amid increasing pinniped abundance. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 76: 1862-1873. dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2018-0290 | Abstract | September 2019 |
| Robinson, H.E., Strickler, J.R., Henderson, M.J., Hartline, D.K., Lenz, P.H. 2019. Predation strategies of larval clownfish capturing evasive copepod prey. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 614: 125-146. DOI: 10.3354/meps12888 | Abstract | April 2019 |
| Robinson, D.H., Henderson, M.J., H.E., Goodman, Perry, R.W., Som, N.A. From site to system: approaches for producing system-wide estimates of fish habitat in large rivers. To be submitted to River Research and Applications. | Abstract | October 2021 |
| Okun, N., McGuire, J., Henderson, M., Gallagher, S., Lang, E. and Mackey, E. Large Wood Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring in a Coastal Northern California Stream: A Paired Watershed Before-After-Control-Impact Study. Final Report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Restoration Grant Program May 2021. | August 2021 |
| Notch J.J., McHuron A.S., Michel C.J., Cordoleani F., Johnson M., Henderson M.J., and Ammann A.J. (in press) Outmigration survival of wild Chinook salmon smolts through the Sacramento River during historic drought and high water conditions. environmental biology of fishes. | Abstract | May 2020 |
| Michel, CJ, Henderson, MJ, Loomis, CM, Smith, JM, Demetras, NJ, Iglesias, IS, Lehman, BM, Huff, DD. Fish Predation on a Landscape Scale. Submitted to Ecological Applications. | Abstract | June 2020 |
| M. McClure, M.A. Haltuch, E. Willis-Norton, D.D. Huff, E.L. Hazen, L.G. Crozier, M.G. Jacox, M.W. Nelson, K.S. Andrews, L.A.K. Barnett, A.M. Berger, S. Beyer, J. Bizzarro, D. Boughton, J.M. Cope, M. Carr, H. Dewar, E. Dick, E. Dorval, J. Dunham, V. Gertseva, C. Greene, R.G. Gustafson, O.S. Hamel, C.J. Harvey, M.J. Henderson, C.E. Jordan, I.C. Kaplan, S.T. Lindley, N.J. Mantua, S.E. Matson, M.H. Monk, P. Moyle, C. Nicol, J. Pohl, R.R. Rykaczewski, J.F. Samhouri, S. Sogard, N. Tolimieri, J. Wallace, C. Wetzel, S.J. Bograd. 2023. Vulnerability to climate change of managed stocks in the California Curret large marine ecosystem. Frontiers in Marine Science. 10, 1103767. | Abstract | February 2023 |
| Henderson, M.J., Loomis, C., Michel, C., Smith, J., Iglesias, I., Lehman, B., Huff, D. Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook salmon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43: 628-645. | Abstract | June 2023 |
| Henderson, M.J., Iglesias, I.S., Michel, C.J., Ammann, A.J., Huff, D.D. 2019. Estimating spatial-temporal differences in Chinook salmon outmigration survival with habitat and predation related covariates. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 76: 1549-1561. dx.doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2018-0212 | September 2019 |
| Henderson, M.J., Huff, D.D., and Yoklavich, M.M. 2018. Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Taxa Increase Demeral Fish Diversity and the Probability of Fish Presence. Frontiers in Marine Science 7:593844. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.593844 | Abstract | Download | November 2020 |
| Henderson, M.J., Fiechter, J., Huff, D.D., and Wells, B. 2019. Spatial Variability in ocean-mediated growth potential is linked to Chinook salmon survival. Fisheries Oceanography, 3: 334-344. DOI: 10.1111/fog.12415 | May 2019 |
| Hassrick, J. L., Henderson, M. J., Huff, D. D., Sydeman, W. J., Sabal, M. C., Harding, J. A., Ammann, A. J., Crandall, E. D., Bjorkstedt, E. P., Garza, J. C., Hayes, S. A. Early ocean distribution of juvenile Chinook salmon in an upwelling ecosystem. Fisheries Oceanography, March 2016, Volume 25, Issue 2, pp. 133-146. | Abstract | Publisher Website | March 2016 |
| Futia, M.H., Binder, T.R., Henderson, M.J., J.E. Marsden. Modelling broad-scale occupancy of fishes using acoustic telemetry: a model comparison framework applied to lake trout. Submitted to Animal Biotelemetry. | Abstract | September 2024 |
| Fabrizio, M.C., Henderson, M.J., Rose, K., Petitgas, P. Editorial: Habitat and Distribution Models of Marine and Estuarine Species: Advances for a Sustainable Future. Submitted to Frontiers in Marine Science. | Abstract | October 2022 |
| Dick, C., Larson, W.A., Karpan, K., Baetscher, D.S., Shi, Y., Sethi, S., Fangue, N.A., Henderson, M.J. Prey ration, temperature, and predator species influence digestion rates of prey DNA inferred from qPCR and metabarcoding. Submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources. | Abstract | August 2023 |
| Deibner-Hanson, J.D. and Henderson, M. Life Cycle Monitoring of Coho Salmon in Prairie Creek 2017-2020. Final Report to Fisheries Restoration Grant Program Project Number P1610520. April 2021. | Abstract | October 2021 |
| Chen, E.K. and Henderson, M.J. 2021. Reduced recruitment of Chinook salmon in a leveed bar-built estuary. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78: 894-904. | Abstract | Download | July 2021 |
| Presentations | Presentation Date |
|---|---|
| Winship, Thorson, Henderson et. al (2019) Best practices for spatial predictive modeling to support effective management of deep-sea corals and sponges. 7th International Symposium on Deep-Sea Corals. July 29-August 2, 2019, Cartagena, Colombia. | July 2019 |
| Van Vleet, Nicholas and Henderson, Mark. A novel approach to estimate winter movement and survival of juvenile Coho Salmon. 37th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference. April 23-26, 2019. Santa Rosa, CA. | April 2019 |
| Van Vleet N., Henderson M.J., Ward, D. 2018. Winter movement and survival of juvenile Coho Salmon in Freshwater Creek, California. Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 54nd Annual Meeting, Eugene, OR. March 13-16, 2018. | March 2018 |
| Van Vleet N., Henderson M.J., Ward, D. 2018. Winter movement and survival of juvenile Coho Salmon in Freshwater Creek, California. 52nd Annual California-Nevada American Fisheries Society meeting, San Luis Obispo, CA. Feb 28 - March 2, 2018. | March 2018 |
| Solinger L., Bjorkstedt E., Buchheister A., Henderson M., and Field J. 2018. Developing spatially-explicit stock assessment models to explore spatial variability in recruitment of Chilipepper Rockfish (Sebastes goodei). 13th National Stock Assessment Workshop. Irvine, CA. May 22-24, 2018. | May 2018 |
| Pope, K. L., M. P. Carey, D. R. DeVries, J. E. Garvey, M. Henderson, S. Hitchman, M. E. Mather, J. M. Smith, and R. W. Tingley. 2022. Researchers and managers: co-development of science-based management. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan (Virtual). | May 2022 |
| Okun, N. and Henderson, M. Large wood restoration effectiveness for salmonids in Pudding Creek, CA: a before-after-control-impact experiment. 37th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference. April 23-26, 2019. Santa Rosa, CA. | April 2019 |
| Okun, N. and Henderson, M. Large Wood Restoration Effectiveness for Salmonids in Pudding Creek, CA: A before-after-Control-Impact Experiment. 149th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Reno, NV. September 29 - October 3, 2019. | September 2019 |
| Nissa Kreidler, Dave Huff, Jerome Fiechter, Andre Buchheister, Mark Henderson. Species Distributions Modeling of Deep-Sea Coral and Sponge Taxa in the Southern California Bight. Ocean Sciences Meeting. Honolulu HI February 27 - March 4 2022.<br><sup> </sup> | March 2022 |
| Michel C., Smith, J., Demetras N., Iglesias I., Lehman B., Loomis C., Henderson M., Huff D. 2018. Spatial patterns and environmental associations of piscivorous predation throughout the south Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in 2017. 10th biennial Bay-Delta Science Conference, Sacramento, CA. September 10-12, 2018. | September 2018 |
| Michel C., Loomis C., Henderson M., Smith J., Demetras N., Iglesias I., Lehman B., Huff D., and Hayes S. Fish predation on a landscape scale. OneNOAA Science Seminar Series. | August 2020 |
| McReynolds, A., Pientka, B., Henderson, M., Jech, M., Rudstam, L., Marsden, E., Stockwell, J. Shifts in rainbow smelt distributions during alewife invasion in Lake Champlain. International Association for Great Lakes Research, May 20-24, 2024. Windsor, ON, CAN. | May 2024 |
| McReynolds, A., Marsden, J.E. Jech, J.M., Rudstam, L., Henderson, M., Stockwell, J. D. Vessel avoidance by pelagic forage fishes during acoustic/trawl surveys using a hybrid-electric research vessel. International Association for Great Lakes Research - 68th annual conference. Milwaukee, WI. June 2-6, 2025. | June 2025 |
| Loomis, C. and Henderson, M. Estimating predator fish density and abundance in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta using DIDSON Acoustic cameras. 37th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference. April 23-26, 2019. Santa Rosa, CA. | April 2019 |
| Loomis, C and Henderson, M. Density and Distribution of Piscivorous Fishes in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. 149th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Reno, NV. September 29 - October 3, 2019. | October 2019 |
| Loomis C. and Henderson M., 2018. Estimating Delta predatory fish abundance with DIDSON acoustic cameras. 10th biennial Bay-Delta Science Conference, Sacramento, CA. September 10-12, 2018. | September 2018 |
| Kreidler, Buchheister, and Mark Henderson (2019) Habitat Suitability Mapping for Fish Indicative Deep Sea Corals and Sponges in the Southern California Bight. International deep sea coral symposium. | July 2019 |
| Kreidler N., Buchheister A., and Henderson M. 2018. Habitat Suitability Mapping for Southern California Bight Deep Sea Corals and Sponges. 15th Deep-Sea Biology symposium. Monterey, CA. Sept 9-14, 2018 | September 2018 |
| Kanawi, E., Kinziger, A., and Henderson, M. Using environmental DNA water samples to determine the timing and abundance of outmigrating Coho Salmon. 55th Annual Meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 4-8, 2019. Bend, OR. | March 2019 |
| Kanawi, E., Kinziger, A., and Henderson, M. Using environmental DNA water samples to determine the timing and abundance of outmigrating Coho Salmon. 37th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference. April 23-26, 2019. Santa Rosa, CA. | April 2019 |
| Jordan Massie, Russell Perry, Arnold Ammann, Cyril Michel, Jeremy Notch, Mark Henderson. How Spatiotemporal Variation Affects Predation and Outmigration Survival for Juvenile Chinook Salmon. Delta Research Awards Seminar Series, July 10th, 2024 | July 2024 |
| Jordan Massie, Russell Perry, Arnold Ammann, Cyril Michel, Jeremy Notch, Mark Henderson. How Spatiotemporal Variation Affects Predation and Outmigration Survival for Juvenile Chinook Salmon. 2024 Bay-Delta Science Conference, Sacramento, CA, Sept 30-Oct 2, 2024. | October 2024 |
| Jordan Massie, Russell Perry, Arnold Ammann, Cyril Michel, Jeremy Notch, Mark Henderson. How Spatiotemporal Variation Affects Predation and Outmigration Survival for Juvenile Chinook Salmon. 154th meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Honolulu Hawaii, September 15-19, 2024 | September 2024 |
| Henderson, M.J., Kreidler, N, Yoklavich, M., Buchheister, A., Fiechter J., Huff, D. 2021. The importance of accounting for spatial autocorrelation in habitat analyses. 151st meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, MD, USA, November 6-10, 2021. | November 2021 |
| Henderson, M.J., I. Iglesias, C. Michel, D. Huff, E. Danner, and S. Hayes. 2018. Processes influencing outmigrating Chinook Salmon survival in the Sacramento River. 148th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, NJ, 19-23 August 2018. | August 2018 |
| Henderson, M.J., Huff, D.D., and Yoklavich, M. 2018. Associations between deep-sea coral and sponge assemblages and demersal fishes in the Southern California Bight. 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting, Portland OR, 11-16 September 2018. | February 2018 |
| Henderson, M., Iglesias, I., Michel, C., Huff, D., Pike, A., Danner, E., and Hayes, S. 2017. Mortality of Central Valley Chinook Salmon smolts relative to physical habitat features. 51st Annual meeting, Cal-Neva Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Eureka, California, April 5-7, 2017. | April 2017 |
| H. Eve Robinson, J. Rudi Strickler, Mark J. Henderson, Daniel K. Hartline, Petra H. Lenz | June 2018 |
| Graham Montague, Kurt Heim, Laurie Earley, Bernie Pietka, Margaret Murphy, Paige Blaker, Kevin Kelsey, Mark Henderson. Acoustic telemetry of hatchery raised landlocked Atlantic Salmon smolts in Lake Champlain. 154th Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Honolulu, Hawaii, September 15-19, 2024 | September 2024 |
| Futia, M., Henderson, M., Fisk, A., Marsden, E. Using acoustic telemetry to understand Lake trout restoration in Lake Champlain. 153rd Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 20-24, 2023 | August 2023 |
| Futia M., Binder T., Henderson M., Marden E. A Model Comparison Framework for Estimating Broad-scale Occupancy using Acoustic Telemetry. 154th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Honolulu Hawaii, September 15-19 2024 | September 2024 |
| Feyrer, F., Perry, R., Clause, J., Young, M., Huntsman, B., Larwood, V. Enos, E. Henderson, M., Dick, C., Larson, W., Shi, Y., Michel, C., and Nelson, T.R.. Quantifying the Role of Predation by Piscivorous Fishes as a Source of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Mortality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Interagency Ecological Program annual workshop, March 22-24, 2022 | March 2022 |
| Dick, C., Larson, W., and Henderson, M. How many salmon smolts are consumed in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: quantifying predation with molecular methods. 151st annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Baltimore, MD, USA. November 6-10, 2021 | November 2021 |
| Chen, Emily and Henderson, Mark. Contribution of estuarine rearing in a bar-built estuary to recruitment of Chinook salmon using a hierarchical life cycle model. 55th Annual Meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. March 4-8, 2019. Bend, OR. | March 2019 |
| Chen, Emily and Henderson, Mark. Barred from the Ocean: Consequences of a Unique Estuary Phenomenon on Juvenile Growth and Population Recruitment of Chinook Salmon in Redwood Creek. 37th Annual Salmonid Restoration Conference. April 23-26, 2019. Santa Rosa, CA. | April 2019 |
| Chen, E.K., Som, N.A., Deibner-Hanson, J.D., Anderson, D.G., Henderson, M.H., A life cycle model for evaluating estuary residency and restoration potential in Chinook salmon. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series. | August 2022 |
| Chen, E. and Henderson, M. Barred from the Ocean: Consequences of a Unique Estuary Phenomenon on Recruitment of Chinook Salmon. 149th annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Reno, NV. September 29 - October 3, 2019. | October 2019 |
| Chen E. K., Henderson M.J. 2018 Contribution of juvenile estuarine residency to Chinook Salmon recruitment in Redwood Creek, California. Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 54nd Annual Meeting, Eugene, OR. March 13-16, 2018. | March 2018 |
| Chen E. K., Henderson M.J. 2018 Contribution of juvenile estuarine residency to Chinook Salmon recruitment in Redwood Creek, California. Cal-Neva Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 52nd Annual Meeting, San Luis Obispo, CA. Feb 28-March 2, 2018. | March 2018 |
| Caught in the middle: Top-down impact of seabirds on Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is dependent on bottom-up mechanisms | November 2016 |
| Bridegum, J., Kinziger, A., Bandy, G., Poytress, B., and Henderson, M. Comparing eDNA and juvenile salmon trap passage estimates on the Sacramento River. Coastwide salmonid genetic conference, Boise, ID June 27-29, 2023. | June 2023 |
| Bridegum, J., Kinziger, A., Bandy, G., Poytress, B., and Henderson, M. Comparing eDNA and Juvenile Salmon trap passage estimates on the Sacramento River. 153rd Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 20-24, 2023 | August 2023 |
| Associations between deep-sea coral/sponge assemblages and demersal fishes in the Southern California Bight | September 2016 |
| <b>Mohammad Habibur Rahman Molla<sup>1</sup>, Emily Guswa<sup>2</sup>, Vicki S. Blazer<sup>3</sup>, Peter Emerson<sup>4</sup>, Matthew Bodnar<sup>4</sup>, Tom Jones<sup>4</sup>, Julie Dragon<sup>2</sup>, Mark J Henderson<sup>5*</sup>. <b>Brown Bullhead Fish</b><b> Epigenetics: Insights into Disease Identification and Environmental Consequences. 154th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Honolulu Hawaii, September 15-19, 2024.</b></b> | September 2024 |
| <b>Lindsey N. Hartzell</b>, Vicki S. Blazer, Heather L. Walsh, Peter Emerson, Matthew Bodnar, Thomas Jones, Jean-Sébastien Messier, Patricia M. Mazik and Mark J. Henderson. Malignant Melanomas of Brown Bullhead<i> Ameiurus nebulosus</i> in Lake Memphremagog. 2023 Joint Meeting of the Northeast Fish Health Committee and the AFS Fish Health Section. Burlington, VT, July 24-27, 2023. | July 2023 |
| Technical Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Limberg, K., Gibson, J., Haskill, C., Henderson, M., Huynh, Q. 2020. American Shad Benchmark Stock Assessment Peer Review Report. Stock Assessment Report of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. | August 2020 |
| Iglesias I.S., Henderson M.J., Michel C.J., Ammann A.J., and Huff D.D. 2017. Chinook salmon smolt mortality zones and the influence of environmental factors on out-migration success in the Sacramento River Basin. Final report to USFWS - Agreement Number F15PG00146. 30 pgs. | April 2017 |
| Role and Organization | Individual | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Fisheries Society - North American Journal of Fisheries Management Best Paper Award committee | Henderson | February 2018 | Present |
| American Fisheries Society - Member | Henderson | January 2005 | Present |