Massachusetts Research: Projects, Research Publications, Presentations, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Publications

Massachusetts Research Activities

Personnel at the Massachusetts Unit installing temperature loggers in a stream.

Projects

Project	Completion Date
Conserving Snake Species of Greatest Conservation Need Threatened by an Emerging Fungal Skin Disease	December 2015	A suspected new fungal skin disease has been identified as a newly emerging threat to snakes, including Species of Greatest Conservation Need such as Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) and Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in multiple eastern and Midwestern states. Using data obtained from this regional snake species assessment, the many state partners will utilize an adaptive management framework for development of long-term conservation strategies for up to 40 snake species potentially impacted by the disease. Other conservation actions include evaluation of treatment options, experimental treatment with antifungal agents, captive rearing, and monitoring.	None
Assessing Habitat Occupancy of Tiger Prey in the Hukaung Valley of Northern Myanmar	May 2014	We used results from camera traps set for tigers (Panthera tigris) during 2001-2011 in the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary of northern Myanmar to assess overall diversity of large mammal and bird species, and to identify differences in photo rates inside and outside of the most protected core area of the Sanctuary. A total of 403 camera stations were deployed during October-July in the dry seasons of 2001-2011, 260 inside the Core area and 143 Outside. From 10,750 trap-nights I obtained 2,077 independent photos of wildlife species and 699 of domestic animals and humans, including 35 species of wild mammals (19 carnivores, 4 primates, 1 elephant, 6 even-toed ungulates, 1 pangolin, and 4 rodents) and 16 species of wild birds. Of these, 1 is considered critically endangered, 7 are endangered, 11 are vulnerable, and 5 are nearly threatened. Some species that probably occur in the Sanctuary (e.g., arboreal or semi-aquatic mammals) were not photographed, likely because of camera placement. In total, 48 wild species were photographed in the Core area vs. 33 outside of the core area. No photos of any domestic animal species or insurgents were obtained inside the Core area but many more photos of poachers and villagers, but also park rangers, were obtained there. Increased patrol efforts likely helped maintain species presence in the Core area, but differences in photo rates between areas were likely influenced by differences in elevation, slope, density of streams, trails, and roads, and perhaps vegetative cover type. Tiger abundance was most influenced naturally by prey availability and anthropogenically by poaching. In the Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Myanmar, a major conservation area established to protect tigers, tiger presence has declined. This study was conducted to assess habitat occupancy and distribution of principal tiger prey species in the Core part of the Sanctuary by surveying for sign on 1651 km partitioned into 554 sampling units during November 2007 and May 2008. Using a standard occupancy model in the program PRESENCE (6.2), habitat occupancy and detection probabilities were predicted and the best candidate model for each species was selected using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). By incorporating 7 environmental and 5 social covariates, the predicted habitat occupancy rates were 0.76 (SE=0.196, naïve estimate = 0.5162) for gaur (Bos gaurus), 0.91 (SE=0.03, naïve estimate = 0.7762) for sambar (Rusa unicolor), 0.57 (SE = 0.003, naïve estimate = 0.3195) for wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and 0.89 (SE = 0.001, naïve estimate = 0.7996) for muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak). Overall, shorter Euclidean distances to ranger stations and trails, decreased stream density, and broadleaved evergreen/semi-deciduous forest and relatively rare rain-fed cropland habitat occurrence positively influenced prey habitat occupancy; conversely, shorter Euclidean distances to villages, roads, and streams, higher elevations, and occurrence of mixed broadleaved and needle-leaved forest habitat negatively influenced occupancy. In addition, Euclidean distance to ranger stations, trails, and roads positively affected species detections, whereas shorter Euclidean distance to villages and streams, high elevations, and high precipitation negatively affected detections. Results indicate that all four prey species were relatively abundant and well-distributed through the Sanctuary Core area and likely not a factor limiting tiger abundance.	None
Inventory and Monitoring for the Federally Endangered Northern Red-bellied Cooter	December 2015	The proposed work is necessary to inform recovery efforts for the endangered Northern Red-bellied Cooter. Our work will emphasize on-the-ground management throughout the cooter’s range (conservation delivery) with the objective of downlisting or even delisting the species. Specific deliverables that will be provided by December 31, 2015 are: (1) final field-tested protocols for Visual Rapid Assessment (VRA) surveys, (2) map showing current geographic extent of cooters in southeastern Massachusetts, (3) final field-tested protocols for assessing habitat, (4) map showing high priority areas for habitat management, and (5) report detailing survey results (using VRA and Mark-Recapture studies already being conducted by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife) and future management and monitoring recommendations. Finalized protocols will allow us to inventory, monitor, and evaluate more sites within the range, and pilot habitat management techniques. Final field protocols for VRA and new maps depicting geographic extent will support outcome based monitoring. In the near term, this information will help us evaluate how well we are meeting our Recovery Plan goals and whether current population levels satisfy downlisting or delisting criteria. In the future, these deliverables will also help us monitor future population changes and help us direct our efforts on-the-ground. Final field protocols for assessing habitat and a map showing high priority areas for habitat management will address conservation design and delivery and ensure we get the greatest biological return with our on-the-ground management. Monitoring at all sites where habitat management is implemented will allow us to measure our success and complete the Strategic Habitat Conservation feedback loop.	None
Movements of Coastal Birds in Southern New England	December 2016	Offshore wind energy is one of the fastest-growing segments of the world energy market, offering a clean and abundant source of electricity to meet growing demands (O’Connell et al. 2009, American Wind Energy Association 2011). However, offshore wind facilities may have detrimental effects on birds, exposing them to increased mortality through turbine collisions and altering behavior, habitat use, and movement patterns (Drewitt and Langston 2006). Several wind energy facilities are currently being planned for offshore Atlantic waters of the United States. Under Federal laws, regulatory agencies such as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), have an obligation to protect populations of marine birds that frequent these areas (O’Connell et al. 2009). In the eastern U.S., BOEM has specific jurisdiction over offshore waters beyond three nautical miles (approximately 5.6 km) of shore (hereafter “Federal waters”). To assess the potential for detrimental effects to marine birds posed by wind turbines in Federal waters, there is a need to collect information on distribution and behavior (e.g., flight paths, timing) from a broad suite of birds in these areas, particularly for species of conservation concern. Studies that use telemetry to track individual birds provide spatial and temporal data on flight paths and distribution, which is needed to identify how birds use areas where wind facilities will be located prior to their construction. This baseline information is essential for evaluating negative interactions between birds and offshore turbines (e.g., displacement from critical foraging habitat, increased collisions) that could occur after an offshore wind facility is built. A better understanding of interactions between birds and operational wind facilities in Federal waters can improve siting procedures for future facilities. In situations where specific siting decisions have not yet been made, tracking information can also be used to identify where high concentrations of birds occur and better understand factors (e.g., seasonality, food, weather) that influence their distributions, allowing regulators and managers to place future offshore wind energy facilities in areas with the lowest predicted impacts (Drewitt and Langston 2006, O’Connell et al. 2009, Burger et al. 2011). Our study will complement other work that is underway or being planned by BOEM, USFWS, and other agencies as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the potential for interactions between wind energy facilities and wildlife within Federal waters of the U.S. Atlantic. For example, we are already collaborating with the Northeast Regional Migration Monitoring Network (NRMMN), a research group whose aim is to understand the migration of birds and bats in the Gulf of Maine region in anticipation of offshore wind project development. We will also continue to assess and refine automated NanoTag tracking technology, laying a foundation for expansion of similar research southward to the mid-Atlantic, and other sections of Federal waters in upcoming years. Pending the outcome of our pilot research, an expanded “Atlantic Flyway Monitoring Network” of automated telemetry stations and NanoTagged coastal and marine birds, land birds, and bats would provide regulators with comprehensive data needed to better assess offshore habitat use and movement patterns of flying wildlife in the offshore environment. Such information will be critical for making decisions about where to site proposed offshore and coastal wind energy facilities in the future to minimize adverse impacts on wildlife.	None
Conserving Wood Turtles and Associated Riparian Species	June 2017	The wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) is a riparian and terrestrial species of conservation concern throughout its range in northeastern North America. The wood turtle occurs discontinuously from Nova Scotia to Iowa and south to Virginia and West Virginia. Because of its terrestrial tendency and life history characteristics (low recruitment rates and late [15-18 years] sexual maturity), it is particularly vulnerable to habitat loss, fragmentation, and other anthropogenic sources of mortality that lead to population decline. Biologists and land managers have expressed concern for over thirty years that the wood turtle appears to be declining throughout its range, with abundant evidence of decline reported from the Northeastern States and adjacent areas. Quantifiable evidence of decline has increased substantially since the 1990s. The primary causes of population decline arew associated with habitat fragmentation and habitat degradation and are generally attributed to automobile roadkill and crushing of adults by farm machinery, collection of wild animals for domestic and foreign pet markets, and other sources. As a result of this concern, the wood turtle was upgraded from “vulnerable” to “endangered” by the IUCN in 2011, and from G4 to G3 (vulnerable) by NatureServe (2010), underscoring the urgency of the situation. In Canada, the wood turtle is listed as “threatened” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The wood turtle is listed as a species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in the Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) of all thirteen northeastern states (NEPARC 2010), and has twice been proposed for federal listing by independent petitioners. The wood turtle has been identified as an extremely high-value focal species for landscape scale conservation in the northern forest, of high regional responsibility and concern by Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, and it is a representative species by the North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative. Successful management of this highly sensitive and at-risk species will require aggressive coordination and strategic planning, with a strong emphasis on sustained implementation. Successful conservation and management of riverine and riparian habitats for wood turtles will also benefit several dozen species of SGCN across the Northeast Region.	None
Offshore Movements of Migratory Bats in the Gulf of Maine	December 2017	Wind energy development is promoted by both government and nonprofit entities as an environmentally friendly alternative to greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels, but the technology can have negative impacts on wildlife, including bats (GAO 2005). Overall, a recent study estimated 600,000 bats were killed by wind power in the United States in 2012 (Hayes 2013). As wind power facilities expand and multiply, concern is growing that wind farm mortality could have significant effects on bat populations at large (Cryan 2011). The effects of wind development on bat populations may be especially detrimental to migratory tree and foliage-roosting bats, which comprise about 75% of all fatalities reported in North America (Arnett et al. 2008). In the northeastern United States, long-distance migrants include the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus), the eastern red bat (L. borealis), and the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). These species face the greatest risks during their fall migration southward, with mortality at wind farms peaking during this season (Arnett et al. 2008). Little is known about the timing, routes, or drivers of migration in these species, or why they are particularly vulnerable to wind farm mortality during fall migration. Migratory activity in bats has been associated with nights of low wind speeds and the passage of storm fronts, as is the case for migrating songbirds (Arnett et al. 2008), but information about speed of migration, on a nightly and seasonal basis, stopover timing, and stopover location are lacking. Major bat migratory pathways in the northeastern U.S. have not been identified, but European bats follow linear features, including coastlines, when migrating (Serra-Cobo et al. 1998, Lesinski 2008, Ahlen et al. 2009, Furmankiewicz & Kucharska 2009) and songbirds often follow coastal routes during migration, so it has been hypothesized that North American bats may follow similar pathways (Cryan 2003, Johnson et al. 2011). Recent acoustic surveys in the Gulf of Maine have found activity of migratory bat species to be higher in coastal areas compared to inland sites (Stantec 2012), supporting the idea that coastal areas may serve as migratory pathways. In addition, there is a century-long historical record of migratory bat activity over the open ocean, sometimes at great distances from shore. Migratory bats utilize marine islands as stopover sites (Cryan & Brown 2007, Johnson et al. 2011), and have been observed visiting barren rocks 30 miles off the coast (Merriam 1897) and roosting on ships at sea (e.g. Nichols 1920, Thomas 1921, Griffin 1940, Corbet 1970). Acoustic surveys documented migratory bats flying over marine buoys on numerous occasions during the migration season (Stantec 2012). Taken together, these observations indicate that coastal and offshore areas, which face significant wind energy development in the near future, may serve as important habitat for migratory bats. Given the dearth of information about bat migration in general, and migration in coastal and offshore environments in particular, further research is needed in order to understand how best to site and operate coastal and offshore wind facilities to minimize bat mortality.	None
Establishing long-term, continuous monitoring of flow, temperature, and macroinvertebrates at reference streams to quantify potential effects of climate change on stream ecosystems	December 2017	Climate change is altering temperatures and flows in stream ecosystems, which can affect the distribution, diversity, and abundance of biotic communities that are used as a basis for resource management. The lack of continuous temperature and flow data for minimally disturbed, unregulated freshwater wadeable streams is an impediment to analyses of long-term trends in biological, thermal, and hydrologic data. Recently, USEPA has been collaborating with east coast states to develop regional reference/climate change monitoring networks that can detect small, progressive changes in stream communities. States in the northeast (CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, and VT) have begun monitoring macroinvertebrates; however, continuous monitoring of temperature (air and water) and hydrology have been limited thus far. To help facilitate more uniform and effective collection of continuous temperature and water depth data, the US EPA and collaborators have developed a guidance document for sampling ungaged sites in wadeable streams. This document addresses equipment needs, installation, maintenance, stream discharge measurements, data retrieval, and data processing. In November 2014, we will hold a 1.5-day workshop for northeast state participants in the reference network and other interested stakeholders on continuous monitoring of stream temperature and flow.	None
The longitudinal extent of thermal alteration downstream of impoundments in Massachusetts streams	June 2015	River and stream impoundments are a pervasive feature of the American landscape. Dams and impoundments offer a multitude of societal benefits: water supply, flood control, electricity, and more (Bednarek 2001; Martinez et. al 2013). Impoundments may be natural or man-made, and vary in both purpose and design (Collier et. al 1996). Unfortunately, despite their benefits, impoundments often have many detrimental effects on stream ecosystem health. One of the most ecologically significant impacts impoundments have on stream and river systems is changes in the thermal regime. Impoundments have the effect of upsetting the natural regime of temperatures in a stream (Bednarek 2001). The impact impoundments have on riverine temperature is variable and dependent on multiple factors, including how the impoundment is operated and the depth from which the water that is impounded is released (Ward 1985). Temperature changes occur at a dam because of the unnatural pooling of water behind the impoundment (Petts 1984). When impounded, water in a stream or river begins to behave more like it would in a lake. Lake habitats are characterized by slow moving water and larger surface areas, causing temperatures to stratify with higher temperature waters resting on the top layer (Bednarek 2001). If this upper layer spills over the impoundment or is intentionally released, downstream temperatures are altered from their natural state (Bendarek 2001). This is often the case in small impoundments, like those found above streams, where downstream temperatures are increased through the release of warm water directly from the surface of a reservoir (Olden and Naiman 2010). In larger operations, water may be released from the lower, hypolimnetic layer of the impounded water, causing decreased temperatures downstream from the impoundment (Olden and Naiman 2010). The objectives of this research are to: 1) Quantify the longitudinal extent of the impact impoundments have on downstream temperature. 2) Compare the longitudinal temperature changes downstream of four different types of impoundments: run of river (ROR), drawdown, water supply, and beaver dams. 3) Determine the role topography, land cover, and discharge play in the longitudinal extent of thermal alteration in streams below impoundments.	None
Urbanization and Massachusetts streams: Unpacking the biological effects of impervious cover	June 2017	Many recent papers have synthesized the negative effects of urbanization and impervious cover on stream ecosystems. Although these responses to urbanization are widely documented and often strong, there are so many possible mechanisms that specific proximate causes are often difficult to distinguish. This is partially because both natural and anthropogenic factors influence the responses at different locations, but also due to a lack of understanding of specific stressors. The general relation between watershed impervious cover and most indicators of stream quality is often represented by a cone that progressively narrows with increasing impervious cover. The high variability in responses at low levels of impervious cover may be explained by factors unrelated or partially related to impervious cover, such as local in-stream habitat modifications, water-quality impairments, altered thermal regimes, and land-use history. Reach-scale habitat and water quality have been shown to be important stressors of biological assemblages. Thus, quantifying in-stream characteristics is important for predicting biotic responses to urbanization and understanding mechanisms of impairment. The goal of this research is to investigate fish and macroinvertebrate responses to regional, local, and in-stream environmental factors within narrow ranges of watershed impervious cover. Specific objectives are to: 1. Assess in-stream physical and chemical conditions (habitat, water quality, and temperature) in streams with similar watershed impervious cover 2. Identify landscape characteristics (natural and anthropogenic) at regional and local scales that predict in-stream physical and chemical characteristics 3. Identify linkages between landscape characteristics, in-stream physical and chemical characteristics, and fish and macroinvertebrates assemblages in streams with similar watershed impervious cover The development of landscape variables and predictive modelling in Objectives 2 and 3 will take place in conjunction with USGS New England Water Science Center (WSC). Overall, the research will help to better understand the mechanisms of impairment and stream response and recovery trajectories.	None
Investigating alewife population dynamics and parent-progeny-relationships in the Parker River towards determining landscape effects on productivity	June 2016	River herring [collectively alewive (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)] have undergone a dramatic decline in landings over the past 5 decades that has resulted in their petition for listing on the Endangered Species Act (ESA). During the ESA process many data gaps were identified including a better detailing of production within freshwater habitat. Traditionally, alewife restoration success and run management has revolved around maximizing the total number of adults entering a nursery system. While aiming for maximum return appears to be a positive approach, there are no data to suggest that high adult returns guarantee strong juvenile production. Previous results have suggested there is likely an asymptotic relationship, where there is a limit to the number of adults that will add to juvenile production, perhaps due to food availability in nursery habitats (Havey 1973, Walton 1987). Furthermore, adult run strength has limitations as a metric for managing harvest in the new ASMFC Sustainable Fishery Plan context, as data required to forecast run strength and determine cohort dynamics are often not available. Understanding of the relationship between number of alewife spawners and juvenile production is critical for setting appropriate management goals for either restoration or harvest. Past efforts to estimate spawner-recruitment relationships have not been entirely successful but have laid the groundwork for a more comprehensive investigation. Since even the most recent study (2006, reported in Gahagan et al. 2010), monitoring technology using video and digital counting has greatly improved, thus allowing researchers to realistically create census counts at greatly reduced cost in hours. The counts created with this technology are also continuous, allowing for concurrent environmental measurements to be directly related to estimates of migration. We believe the development of these technologies and judicious site selection will maximize our ability to control system dynamics, measure juvenile production, and provide adequate power to identify environmental drivers of growth, mortality and movement. A genetic component to the project will provide important and innovative information regarding the contribution of individuals to production. This concern addresses information from Maine suggesting that the production potential of nursery lakes can be “saturated” by the reproductive output of some number of adults. Escapement-based management plans in harvested runs operate on the premise that there is an optimal density of adults to pass into spawning habitats, usually a percentage of the total run. However, this requires knowledge about relative importance of escapement, temporal spacing of spawning events and whether specific portions of the run are particularly important, and whether productivity in ponds is limited by food-web, landscape or other biological characteristics. Negative consequences due to few individuals contributing to subsequent generations, namely, loss of genetic diversity, inbreeding, and reduced adaptive potential (Hare et al. 2011), may occur without managers’ knowledge in the absence of the information we propose to collect. This project seeks to fill critical alewife knowledge gaps by studying the ecosystem properties and evolutionary mechanisms that interact to control alewife productivity in coastal lakes. We will stock adult alewives in lakes where they have been extirpated and quantify juvenile production through sampling resident and migrating age-0 individuals using a variety of traditional and novel approaches. We will consider multiple metrics including number of spawners, number of successful spawners (determined genetically), environmental conditions in the lake throughout the growing season, food availability in nursery areas, and demographic characteristics of age-0 fish over the season. Finally, we will sample alewives in multiple ponds and lakes to assess landscape-scale variables influencing alewife presence and densities.	None
Spatial and temporal variation of stream insect emergence in headwater streams	May 2014	This study is examining spatial patterns of aquatic insect emergence within headwater streams in Massachusetts. The overall goals of the project are 1) to investigate timing and spatial distribution of aquatic insect emergence, and 2) to further characterize the biodiversity of headwater streams. In spring 2013, adult aquatic insects will be collected from emergent structures, open water, and other substrates within the streams. We will compare 1) emergence density between locations within the stream, and 2) timing of emergence among species. The data will be used to inform the larger River’s Calendar project, a citizen science project led by the UMass Water Resource Research Center in which anglers are gathering data on insect phenology as an indicator of climate change.	None
Making decisions in complex landscapes: headwater stream management across multiple agencies	May 2016	There is growing evidence that headwater stream ecosystems are especially vulnerable to changing climate and land use, but their conservation is challenged by the need to address the threats at a landscape scale, often through coordination with multiple management agencies and landowners. This project seeks to fill a gap, providing an example of cooperative landscape decision-making to address the conservation of headwater stream ecosystems in the face of climate change. We will facilitate a structured decision making (SDM) process with agencies that have joint management authority in a shared landscape, to frame their decision context. In each of the watersheds (Potomac River Watershed, Merrimack River Watershed), we will work with management partners (USFWS, NPS, USFS) in a framework that mimics an LCC, but at a smaller scale. The SDM process will involve: (a) preliminary one-on-one conversations with the management agencies to begin to understand their perspectives; (b) a facilitated workshop with the joint management agencies in a watershed (FWS, NPS, USFS) to frame the decision context; (c) development of decision support tools, such as predictive models of species response to management, based on the context identified; (d) subsequent meetings and communication to evaluate the relevance of the support tools; and (e) documentation and training so the managers know how to use the products of this research for decision implementation. The decision-framing itself, as well as the decision-support tools (like predictive models) are important products that will be directly relevant and usable by management agencies. In addition, we will document the findings and process in several publications.	None
Investigating Impacts of Winter Lake Drawdowns on Littoral Ecosystems	December 2019	In Massachusetts, there are about 200 small reservoirs that are drawn down in the fall and refilled in the spring as an approach to kill aquatic vegetation. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is interested in understanding the effects of these drawdowns on fish and wildlife that use the lakes. The project will begin with a literature review of the effects of lake drawdowns on fish and wildlife, and an assessment of the scope (location, timing, amount, rate, etc.) of drawdowns in Massachusetts. This will be followed by a field project assessing the impacts of drawdowns on lake fauna.	Anthropogenic alteration of water levels in lakes is a major stressor to the ecological integrity of littoral zones, which provide critical heterogenous resources that support diverse biological communities. Annual winter drawdowns have used in Massachusetts (MA) for several decades as a macrophyte control technique, among other purposes; however, few studies have estimated impacts to littoral zone habitat and biological communities, particularly at relatively mild magnitudes (i.e., <2 m). This collaborative project with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will characterize winter drawdown hydrological regimes and estimate responses of physical habitat (macrophytes, sediment texture, coarse wood), macroinvertebrate assemblages, and mussel assemblages to variable levels of drawdown magnitude. Results are critical for understanding the scope of drawdowns in Massachusetts and will more broadly assist agencies in evaluating lake management techniques and determining management options that minimize losses to lake ecosystem integrity.
A heads up view of aquatic ecosystem sustainability: understanding the terrestrial landscape scale impacts of urbanization on aquatic biota	August 2015	This work on environmental and societal sustainability has two main objectives: 1) Examine how patterns of stream fish and insect community composition relate to watershed-scale versus landscape-scale land-use patterns. 2) Examine how land-use development scenarios impact the suitability of land acquisition strategies for conserving stream fish and insect communities. Objective 1 takes a multi-scale approach to understanding how land-use patterns relate to stream fish and insect community structure by using existing community data and GIS analysis of land-use patterns. Objective 2 will take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how different land acquisition strategies benefit stream fish and insect populations while maintaining economic growth and societal needs. The work will incorporate land-use development models. The results from objective 2 will be transformed into a decision-support system (DSS) developed to aid agency personnel with land acquisition activities.	None
Plum Island Ecosystems LTER	June 2018	This project examines spatial and temporal distribution, movements, and trophic function of striped bass. This research matters because top fish predators have important impacts on aquatic ecosystems and are popular sportfish prized by anglers. Thus, understanding distribution, diets, and movements of mobile fish predators, like striped bass, provides foundational insights that helps our fisheries management cooperators set science-based harvest limits. The partners for this research are the National Science Foundation. My 17-year research program on these highly motile predators has allowed me to develop a series of increasingly complex scientific questions that have management implications. For example, my research started with simple striped bass distribution-feeding relationships, progressed to using acoustic telemetry to assess local movements, tested mechanisms for mobile predator aggregations, evolved to examine coastal movements, and advanced to making connections across ecosystems. Most recently, my team has tested integrated seascape distribution patterns, quantified how geomorphic features (such as confluences) influence seascape distribution, assessed multi-scale site fidelity, and identified individual distributional groups. This research informs decisions by advancing spatially-explicit frameworks for fisheries management.	This project examines spatial and temporal distribution, movements, and trophic function of striped bass. This research matters because top fish predators have important impacts on aquatic ecosystems and are popular sportfish prized by anglers. Thus, understanding distribution, diets, and movements of mobile fish predators, like striped bass, provides foundational insights that helps our fisheries management cooperators set science-based harvest limits. The partners for this research are the National Science Foundation. My 17-year research program on these highly motile predators has allowed me to develop a series of increasingly complex scientific questions that have management implications. For example, my research started with simple striped bass distribution-feeding relationships, progressed to using acoustic telemetry to assess local movements, tested mechanisms for mobile predator aggregations, evolved to examine coastal movements, and advanced to making connections across ecosystems. Most recently, my team has tested integrated seascape distribution patterns, quantified how geomorphic features (such as confluences) influence seascape distribution, assessed multi-scale site fidelity, and identified individual distributional groups. This research informs decisions by advancing spatially-explicit frameworks for fisheries management.
Population Size and Distribution of Sumatran Rhinoceros	September 2014	Sumatran rhinoceros were once distributed from the Himalayas to Sumatra, Indonesia, but currently have been extirpated from most their historical range. The world population of Sumatran rhinoceros is estimated to have decreased from 600 animals in 1985 to less than 300 in 1995 with the current population believed to be around 200 individuals. On the island of Sumatra, the location with the largest number of Sumatra rhinos in the wild, animals are distributed among 3 discrete populations, but to date, no systematic surveys have been conducted to estimate the population size of rhinos at these locations. We will assess the distribution of Sumatran rhinoceros on Sumatra using the data from an island-wide large mammal patch occupancy survey along with a Sumatran rhino survey conducted in Gunung Leuser National Park. We will estimate the change in occupancy, and the local extinction and colonization rates, with the overall goal of guiding the the conservation of Sumatran Rhinos in the wild.	None
Ant Diversity in Pine Barrens of the Northeast	May 2014	Pine barren ecosystems of the Northeast are globally rare and little is know about the potentially unique ant communities that may be supported there. This study will describe the diversity of ant species inhabiting the pine barrens of New York and Massachusetts with the goal of shedding light on ant communities of sandy soils throughout the Northeast.	None
Understanding the factors that influence outdoor residential water conservation: a case study in suburban Boston	September 2015	In the face of recent droughts and climate change impacts, water conservation is critical for meeting water demands of humans and freshwater ecosystems. Since residential landscaping is a major component of domestic water use, efforts to promote outdoor residential water conservation are critical. Water harvesting using rain barrels, infiltrating stormwater using rain gardens, and landscaping with native plants have been promoted through outreach campaigns as a means to reduce water use and provide ecosystem benefits. There is a need to understand how these recent water conservation outreach efforts impact local residents’ attitudes towards and behaviors incorporating these low-impact development (LID) strategies, and subsequently lead to measureable improvements in water conservation and ecosystem health. In addition, it is important to understand the formal and informal role the green industry plays in promoting residential landscape water conservation. Our project aims to trace watershed conservation measures from policy incentives to impact so as to develop a clearer picture of the relationship between local policy and outreach efforts, and actual decisions to engage and install residential landscape water conservation and stormwater management strategies. The project goals are: 1) to identify local policy and outreach efforts across the watershed and to evaluate connections between those and the adoption of LID practices, 2) to explore the factors that influence local residents’ decisions to engage in low impact development strategies to conserve domestic water and manage stormwater, 3) to understand the connection between adoption of water conservation practices and actual water quantity savings at the household and watershed scales, and 4) to enhance local agencies’ outreach efforts to promote LID and water conservation tools and techniques that are readily adopted by local residents and provide the greatest benefit for the environment and human well-being.	None
Impacts of Surface Water Supply Reservoirs on Stream Flow and Biota	June 2024	In 2010, the Massachusetts Sustainable Water Management Initiative (SWMI) was created to develop a water allocation program that satisfies human water needs while protecting aquatic ecosystem health. The current framework includes a safe yield approach to allocation, biological categorization of streams using fish communities as a surrogate for aquatic integrity, and streamflow criteria (http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/eea/water/framework-draft-feb03-2012.pdf). The approach for setting streamflow standards was based on estimates of flow alteration indicators (based on groundwater withdrawals and discharges), and relationships between estimated flow alteration and fluvial fish assemblages. Although the SWMI process is continuing with existing data, researchers identified the lack of information about flow alteration due to surface water withdrawals from reservoirs as a major information gap.<br><br>The overall goal of this research is to quantify flow alteration due to surface water withdrawals from reservoirs and the relationship between in-stream flow and biotic assemblages downstream of water supply reservoirs. This project involves collecting stream stage, fishes, and macroinvertebrates downstream of water supply reservoirs, and comparing that to non-supply reservoirs and unimpounded streams. We will select streams with similar size watersheds, but varying levels of water withdrawal. Streams will be continuously gaged with pressure transducers, and we will compare actual flows with the monthly withdrawals reported by the water suppliers. We will also investigate relationships between flow and temperature alteration, fish assemblages, and macroinvertebrate assemblages to determine the aspects of the flow and temperature regime that predict biotic assemblages.	Surface water reservoirs used for public water supply are common throughout the landscape and can greatly disrupt stream flow regimes. Predicting effects of water withdrawals on downstream flows and aquatic ecosystems is particularly challenging due to variation in withdrawal and dam management and characteristics of the watershed, reservoir, and streams. This project is a collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Our hydrologic monitoring in streams will help to understand variability in flow alteration and directly link hydrology to biotic responses, which is critical for making decisions on how to manage water supply while protecting stream ecosystems.
Offshore Wind Energy Technology, Environmental Impacts, and Policy	September 2016	We will address three primary issues that are critical for development and operation of offshore wind energy facilities. These are (1) ecological assessment of the positive and negative impacts of offshore wind power for birds and bats, fish and other marine species; (2) identification of critical areas and habitats for marine organisms using radar, sonar, and spatial modeling combined with experiments to quantify population and community dynamics; and (3) development and evaluation of monitoring protocols and technologies for detecting risks to marine organisms, especially given the unique opportunity to deploy aquatic monitoring equipment. During the 5-year period of this project we will train 25 PhD students across 8 different departments at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.	None
Population Ecology of Sumatran Tigers and Their Prey	December 2005	Sumatran tiger populations in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) on Sumatra, Indonesia continue to decline, mainly due to human induced factors such as direct hunting of tigers, prey depletion, and habitat destruction. Using photographs of tigers taken with camera traps, we evaluated tiger abundance in the park based on capture-recapture methods. Our study is the first to quantify the pattern of crop raiding by sambar deer, wild pigs, muntjac, and pig-tailed macaques. We found that the abundance of tiger and sambar deer were significantly correlated. Among environmental variables, elevation was the best predictor of the distribution of tigers and their prey.	None
Small mammal ecology and Lyme disease on Martha=s Vineyard	May 2005	Martha's Vineyard has one of the highest prevalences of Lyme disease in Massachusetts. We tested the effectiveness of bait boxes, which treat small mammals with pesticide, in reducing the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi (disease agent) in small mammals and ticks. Deer tick and B. burgdorferi prevalence decreased as a result of the treatment, thus we have identified a useful technique for reducing the likelihood of contracting Lyme disease. This has important implications for reducing human illness and mortality in the region, and across the country.	None
Limitations to the northernmost distribution of Virginia opossums	September 2008	Limitations to the distribution of a species are poorly understood, though this information is critical to understanding the abundance and distribution of organisms. We examined the biophysical limits to the northernmost distribution of Virginia opossums, by examining conditions near Amherst, Massachusetts, where opossums recently expanded their range. In combination with energetic modeling, we have shown that opossums are only able to exist in the Amherst region if they are near human developments where the microclimate is moderated, and food availability is increased. Our findings are useful in understanding how opossums have been able to successfully expand their range as far north as Canada, and have applications to predicting range expansions under global warming scenarios.	None
Effect of firebreaks on rare insects of M. F. Correllus State Forest, MA	May 2005	Martha's Vineyard is known to have the highest number of rare insect species of any location in Massachusetts, probably due to a lack of insecticide use in the past. We tested several means of expanding firebreaks (cutting, mowing, burning, grazing) to see which techniques are most beneficial to the rare insect species that exist on Martha's Vineyard. We found that a combination of grinding and sheep grazing produces the highest density of scrub oak stems, a requirement of many rare Lepidoptera at the site. These results have broad implications for the management of sandplain Lepidoptera throughout eastern North America.	None
Local and landscape effects on frosted elfins in sandplain communities	August 2008	The frosted elfin is a state-listed butterfly species associated with early successional stages of pine barrens ecosystems, a rare seral stage in Massachusetts. We examined local and landscape predictors of abundance of this rare butterfly, with the aim of improving management for the species and its associated ecological community. We found that larvae of frosted elfins feed on Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo), that are shaded by single trees in a savannah-like fashion, and that larvae are almost always attended by ants that likely protect them from predation. We are the first to document shade selection and ant-tending in this species, ecological traits with important management implications. The Massachusett Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is currently using our results to direct management for frosted elfins in Massachusetts.	None
Ecology and Conservation of Wood Turtles in the Northeast	December 2013	Wood turtles are declining in Massachusetts, and across many parts of their range in eastern North America. We initiated a study of the movements and habitat use of wood turtles in western Massachusetts, a region which may still contain viable populations of the species. Telemetry data have been collected to aid in constructing an individual-based, spatially-explicit, model of the viability of populations across the state. We found that at least 8% of adult turtles are killed each year by hay-mowing operations, an unsustainable level for a k-selected species. In addition we have developed a model of wood turtle abundance based on stream gradient and flow. Both of these findings are being used to change management for wood turtles in Massachusetts and the Northeast. We are currently conducting a status assessment and developing a conservation plan for wood turtles throughout the Northeastern United States.	None
Status assessment of Laysan and black-footed albatrosses	March 2009	We summarized and synthesized data on natural history, population viability, status, threats, habitat requirements, and geographic distribution for Laysan and black-footed albatross. These results will be used to guide the USFWS as they decide whether to list these species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Our recommendations will also be the basis for conservation actions taken by the USFWS and other management agencies. The population modeling we did was novel, and our assessment of North Pacific bycatch is the first of its kind	None
Ecology and Conservation of Short-tailed Albatrosses	December 2012	The short-tailed albatross is an endangered species with a current world population of approximately 3,000 individuals. Almost all birds nest on Torishima Island, 350 miles south of Tokyo, but little is known about how they use the ocean environment. Movement data will be combined with oceanographic data to better understand the variables affecting selection of foraging sites. Also, from 2008-2012 we will be working to re-establish an extirpated colony by translocating chicks from Torishima to Mukojima Island. This work is done in collaboration with the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Toho University, Japanese Ministry of the Environment, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USGS, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Impact: This work has shown that birds travel to the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and along the west coast of North America following the breeding season. These findings have important implications for reducing albatross mortality resulting from commercial fishing operations in this region. During the past 3 years, we have successfully translocated to Mukojima, and reared to fledging, 40 short-tailed albatross chicks that will hopefully provide the nucleus for re-starting this colony that was extirpated by feather hunters.	None
Guiding conservation of eastern box turtles in Massachusetts	May 2010	Eastern box turtles are near the northern edge of their range in Massachusetts, where they are listed as a species of Special Concern. To help guide conservation action in the region, we have been collecting habitat selection and movement data to build models that predict likely areas that could support viable populations of the species. Our modeling is done at multiple spatial and temporal scales, thus allowing us to develop robust predictions of sites that should be the focus of long-term conservation. Our landscape models were recently used to prioritize box turtle sites for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and to complete a conservation plan for the species.	None
Population viability modeling and conservation of Blanding=s turtles	June 2014	We have integrated turtle movement data, habitat selection equations, road data, and other GIS layers to develop an individual-based spatially explicit model of the viability of Blanding's turtle populations in Massachusetts. Our model results have been used to revise the conservation plan we developed for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and we then applied them to the entire Northeast in a collaborative assessment of the status of Blanding’s turtles. This type of population viability analysis is novel for freshwater turtles and incorporates the role of spatial variability.	None
Multi-scale modeling of four-toed salamander habitat preference	December 2012	The four-toed salamander, a small cryptic animal, is infrequently observed in the Northeast, and thus believed to be a rare species in the region. To evaluate whether the species is truly rare, or just difficult to observe, we will use the results from field surveys to build local and landscape models of preferred habitat, and then validate these models by ground-truthing. Results will be used by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to direct conservation efforts and determine the status of the species.	None
Effectiveness of road passage structures for freshwater turtles	December 2012	There is strong scientific agreement that the main threat to populations of freshwater turtles is the high rate of road mortality suffered by adults while moving between habitat patches. We have initiated a 4-year study, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, to experimentally test the effectiveness of various culvert and fencing options to help turtles safely cross roadways. Our results will be used by Mass DOT to decide on the type and number of road passage structures to place along new highways, and how to retro-fit existing roadways in order to reduce turtle road kills. This research is the first of its kind.	None
Foraging ecology of auks at their southern range boundary	December 2011	Matinicus Rock, Maine, supports a diversity of auks, including the southernmost breeding colonies of Atlantic puffins and razorbills, black guillemots, and potentially common murres. Understanding the foraging ecology and at-sea distribution of these species is critical because they serve as indicators of change in the marine environment, and likely forage in waters off of Massachusetts during the non-breeding season, and possibly while feeding chicks. To date, most seabird studies have been conducted within colonies, but recent advances in technology allow us to track birds at sea using satellite telemetry. We will combine analyses of food items brought to chicks, with telemetry locations, in order to better understand the foraging ecology of auks nesting at the southern limit of their distribution. Our results should help managers identify foraging sites of razorbills, help guide placement of offshore wind turbines to minimize impacts to the birds, and perhaps anticipate changes in feeding sites in response to global climate warming.	None
Effects of interacting threats on the survival of long-lived species	August 2009	We are expanding on the traditional use of population viability analyses to include examining interacting threats on the survival of long-lived species, albatrosses. Impact: This is a novel modeling approach with applicability to any k-selected species. No one has documented the multiplicative effect of several simultaneous threats on albatross species, and thus our findings should allow a more accurate assessment of the dangers they face.	None
Feeding behavior and nest site attendance of Atlantic puffins in Maine	December 2011	We have begun gathering data on the foraging behavior of Atlantic puffins in the Gulf of Maine by deploying temperature depth recorders on breeding birds at their nesting colony on Petit Manan Island, Maine. Data from the loggers allow us to estimate the distance to feeding areas, the frequency of diving, and the diving depth of individuals. When these data are paired with information on prey brought to the chicks we are able to develop for the first time, a relatively complete picture of the feeding ecology of this marine bird at the southern limit of its range. Our results should help the USFWS identify foraging locations of Atlantic puffins, and potential corridors of movement that are in need of protection. This is a critical need given the pressure to develop offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Maine, and our need to anticipate changing foraging sites under various global climate change scenarios.	None
Bobcat distribution and movements in a mixed urban-rural environment	December 2013	We are using remote cameras, snow tracking, and radio tracking to determine the distribution, movements, and habitat use of bobcats in the Pioneer Valley of central Massachusetts, an area of mixed urban, suburban, agriculture, and wooded patches.	None
Movements, Site Fidelity, Foraging Ecology, and Roosting Behavior of Ring-billed Gulls in Relation to a Water Supply Reservoir in Central Massachusetts.	December 2013	Concern over potential impacts on water quality by large numbers of roosting gulls using large reservoirs in central Massachusetts prompted this study by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. We are investigating the movement patterns, foraging strategies, and site fidelity of gulls (primarily ring-billed but also herring and great black-backed) in relation to these large and important reservoirs during the non-breeding season. Over 2,000 gulls have been marked with colored, numbered patagial tags, and hundreds of observations have been recorded by project staff and the public throughout much of Massachusetts and all along the east coast. In addition, several birds have been fitted with GPS radios to record their movements. We are also experimenting with ways of influencing and reducing the availability of anthropogenic food resources, such as feeding in parking lots, sewage treatment plants, and landfills.	None
Regeneration of Forest Vegetation in Response to Browsing by Moose and Deer: An Experimental Approach Using Exclosures	December 2027	In cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Harvard Forest, and several other groups, we have built 16 sets of experimental exclosures to monitor the response of forest vegetation in relation to browsing by moose and deer. Each site has two 20x20 m fenced treatments (full exclosure with fencing to the ground, and a partial exclosure with fencing two feet off the ground to allow access to deer but not moose) and an unfenced control. We have documented varying responses of woody vegetation based on treatment in the first few years of the experiment. Our goal is to see that this experiment continues for at least the next few decades.	Moose (Alces americanus) returned to southern New England in the late 20th century after a 1-2 century absence. Moose are generalist browsers and, coupled with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), can have long-term influences on the structure and composition of forest ecosystems. We set out to understand these relationships by constructing 15 20 x 20 m exclosures in a randomized block design with 3 treatment levels: (1) no-ungulates (full exclosure), (2) deer only (partial exclosure), and (3) deer + moose (control, i.e., no fence). During the first phase of this research, we discovered that in logged forests, moose and deer used the cuts at roughly the same frequency despite moose densities being much lower than deer densities. Moose were the dominant browser and after 6–7 years of browsing, deer + moose reduced stem densities and basal area by 2-3-fold, cherry and oak recruitment by 3–6 fold, and species richness by 1.7 species (19%). Browsing resulted in greater herbaceous species richness and greater woody species richness than ungulate exclusion and deer alone. Our initial results illustrate the complex interactions that two native browser can have on forests, with implications for understanding forest ecological dynamics and timber management. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Harvard University, Highstead Foundation, and U. S. Forest Service collaborated on this research. We will continue with this long-term study through various stages of forest development. The information will be used by conservation and management agencies to further understand wildlife-forest habitat relationships and the role they play in forest ecology, animal community dynamics, watershed management, and production of timber and other forest products.
Demography and Habitat of Striped Skunks on the Island of Martha's Vineyard	December 2011	Striped skunks in coastal environments have not been studied. We examined their demographic characteristics and habitat use of both natural and anthropogenic habitat features, as well as potential interactions with beach-nesting birds.	None
Salt Drive in Beavers: An Experimental Assessment with Field Feeding Trials	December 2011	Salt drive is an extensively documented phenomenon that affects varied classes of herbivores worldwide. The conditions that are believed to trigger this response in other herbivores are also operant within the foraging ecology of beavers, but salt drive has not been investigated in this species. We used salt treated and untreated sticks of aspen and milled pine to set up feeding trials at several wetlands in Massachusetts. Beavers uniformly consumed all aspen sticks (both treated and untreated, with a slight indication of selecting the salted ones first). However, treated pine sticks were selected over untreated, but only after aspen was consumed. Our results indicate that beavers are attracted to salt, but do not appear to have the same strong drive for salt that other, more terrestrial, herbivores show. This is likely due to a combination of the physiology, diet, and semi-aquatic life history of beavers.	None
Landscape Use by a Re-colonizing Moose Population in Massachusetts	December 2013	Massachusetts is a mix of developed and rural landscapes. The predominate vegetative cover is mid-aged forest of mixed deciduous and coniferous composition; both early successional and mature forest are underrepresented. We are investigating how moose are using this fragmented landscape, examining their use of forest vegetation and wetlands for food and thermal cover and interactions with roads and development.	None
Ecology of Urban and Rural Black Bears in Massachusetts	December 2015	The black bear population in Massachusetts is growing in numbers and expanding its range in the state. Many bears have taken up residence in and around small to mid-sized towns and cities. We are using GPS technology to track and monitor bears as they live among densely population suburban and urban areas as well as more rural locations in central Massachusetts.	None
Status, Movements, and Habitat Use of Moose in Massachusetts	September 2011	Moose have re-colonized much of their historic range in New England. This recent southern expansion has raised questions as to their ability to cope with different forest types, densely populated areas, and higher temperatures. We used GPS collars to track the movements of moose throughout southern New England. Home ranges were between 30-200 sq km, and moose used a combination of young forest for food, mature forest for thermal cover, and wetlands, esp. during calving, while avoiding the densely developed areas. The population is low density but appears stable. Moose-vehicle collisions remain a concern throughout the region.	None
Investigating stream conductivity and effects on benthic macroinvertebrates in the Charles River Watershed	December 2027	Freshwater salinization is a major concern in temperate climates where road salt is used to manage snow and ice on roadways. Our recent work in the greater Boston area showed that impervious cover is the major driver of stream conductivity, although conductivity may be modulated by human behaviors (e.g., sidewalk salting, road sweeping). Sensor data provided evidence that conductivity varies with discharge, with high pulses during winter storms and evidence of dilution during other times of the year. Recently, the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) purchased conductivity sensors, and they are deploying them upstream and downstream of potential salt sources (e.g., road crossings) to better understand acute and chronic disturbances. This project will (1) assess effects of road crossings on conductivity across seasons and storms, and (2) compare benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages upstream and downstream of road crossings to understand potential effects of road salt on stream ecosystems.	None
Prioritizing Actions for Restoring Connectivity and Climate Resilience in the Appalachian Highlands	June 2027	The goal of this project is to develop a holistic, data-driven process for identifying (1) priority watersheds and sites and (2) habitat and connectivity restoration actions. To clearly articulate ecological problems that stakeholders are interested in, we will convene a Structured Decision-Making (SDM) workshop with several stakeholders and decision-makers, including government agencies (federal, state, and local), watershed groups, and other non-profit organizations. Then, we will develop a shared understanding of watershed processes within the system by co-developing a conceptual model of the social and eco-system function. We will use the conceptual model and facilitated meetings to identify management actions that improve future watershed conditions. We will focus on habitat and connectivity restoration because improvements there often result in improvements to other key freshwater characteristics like streamflow, sediment regime, temperature regulation, water quality, and flood plain access. The research will be conducted in the Appalachian Highlands region of Massachusetts (MA), an area with numerous At-Risk and sensitive species, and with great potential to protect and restore critical habitats.	None
Population assessment, habitat use, and occupancy for multiple freshwater turtle species	September 2028	The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is reviewing a petition to list the Blanding’s, Wood, and Spotted Turtles as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Surveys for Blanding’s Turtles were last conducted on Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) in the early 1990s and early 2000s, although recent surveys and headstarting on adjacent properties (Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area) suggest this area has the largest population of Blanding’s Turtle in the northeast. Given the upcoming listing decisions, new surveys are needed to provide updated baseline population and habitat use information on the freshwater turtle populations at Devens RFTA. Specifically, our objectives are to (1) assess populations status, movement, and habitat use for Blanding’s Turtle using radio telemetry, and (2) conduct presence absence surveys for Spotted Turtle and Wood Turtle on Devens RFTA. Surveys may expand to areas adjacent to the Devens property as well as at the Hansom Air Force Base.	None
NSF: Drivers of infection outbreaks in a temperature-sensitive host-pathogen system	July 2028	Hosts and their pathogens exist in spatiotemporally variable thermal environments, and temperature has been repeatedly shown to impact critical disease quantities, such as contact rates, vector abundance, and recruitment of susceptible hosts. Predicting how a changing climate will impact infectious disease dynamics requires a better understanding of the mechanistic impact of temperature on host-pathogen interactions. Our proposal is focused on how temperature and climate influences in-host infection dynamics in seasonal environments when hosts are sensitive to environmental temperature. Specifically, we will focus on how seasonal temperature variation influences host immune function, pathogen transmission, and host behavior; processes that may be determinants of the timing, magnitude, and extent of seasonal disease outbreaks. We will use the amphibian-<i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis </i>(Bd) system, where both host (the Eastern red-spotted newt, <i>Notopthalmus viridescens</i>) and pathogen are sensitive to temperature, to determine the functional relationship between environmental temperature and host and pathogen responses and parameterize models to predict the timing and magnitude of seasonal infection outbreaks. To accomplish these goals, we combine manipulative field experiments with a robust set of field observations (including a 5-year pilot study) to identify mechanisms that underlie the complex temperature relationships in this system. We will develop statistical and mathematical tools that combine data types, account for observation uncertainty, and allow for prediction and validation. Our results will contribute to disentangling the role of host- (i.e., immune response, behavior) and pathogen-related (i.e., development, growth) contributions to the timing and magnitude of seasonal outbreaks.	None
Connecticut River Migratory Fish	September 2018	Recently much of the popular science literature has focused on the concept of climate change. Thus far, there have been some very simple predictions on how climate change will affect temperature, especially in more northern latitudes. As ectotherms, fish are affected directly by any changes in temperature, which can range from altering foraging, reproduction, metabolism, migration timing, etc. In the Connecticut River, anadromous fish (e.g., Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)) are predicted to change migration patterns in relation to climate change. The life cycle complexity of migratory species introduces several unknowns regarding the transitions from freshwater to marine and back, and from tributary to mainstem in some species. The changing thermal regime will be accompanied by changes in discharge as a component of the altered water cycle. Predictions of changes in shorter-term weather patterns include more severe events; e.g., a tornado occurred in Vermont on May 9, 2009 and Hurricane Irene caused major damage in Vermont tributaries in August 2011. This backdrop provides an opportunity to expand on our previous modeling of Atlantic salmon migration in the Connecticut River. We explored how temperature, discharge, and the indirect effects of dams (by creating delays in migration) were related to survival of Atlantic salmon smolts. We worked in this area for several years using data from previous monitoring and research. The final phase of our efforts was to model juvenile American shad migration in response to changing environmental conditions.	In the Connecticut River, anadromous fish (e.g., Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)) are predicted to change migration patterns in relation to climate change. The life cycle complexity of migratory species introduces several unknowns regarding the transitions from freshwater to marine and back. This backdrop provided an opportunity to expand on our previous modeling of Atlantic salmon migration in the Connecticut River. We explored how temperature, discharge, and the indirect effects of dams (by creating delays in migration) were related to survival. In the last phase of this research, we collaborated with Vermont Fish and Wildlife in modeling American shad a mainstem spawner. Our results showed how temperatures and flow regimes can affect juvenile American shad and their success under changing conditions.
Quantifying wetland change following small dam removal in Massachusetts	September 2024	Across the United States and within Massachusetts, the rate of dam removals pales in comparison to the number of dams aging across the landscape. Though intended to protect wetlands and waters, wetland regulations pose an obstacle to efficiently removing dams and restoring free-flowing waters. Because dam removal inherently alters the open water ecosystem as well as contiguous wetlands, those seeking to remove dams must address regulatory requirements under Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act as well as State and local wetland protection regulations. These regulatory protections do not adequately facilitate ecological restoration projects which may significantly alter existing wetland resources to improve the health of a system in the longer term. Specifically, the dearth of information on wetland response following dam removal has resulted in significant uncertainty for removal practitioners and regulators as they balance the potential ecological benefits and impacts related to dam removal.<br><br>To address this uncertainty, we aim to understand and model how wetland area changes upstream of the impoundment, within the impoundment area, and downstream of the former dam over short (0-2 years) and longer (4-6 years and 9-11 years) durations following dam removal by analyzing 26 small dam removal projects completed in Massachusetts between 2000 and 2012. Additionally, we will evaluate the effect of landscape characteristics and dam removal design on wetland change. We will achieve these objectives through aerial interpretation of aerial imagery and primary permitting data. Our results could describe and set expectations for future wetland change following dam removal, as well as identify dam removal project designs that minimize wetland conversion.	Across the United States and within Massachusetts, the rate of dam removals pales in comparison to the number of dams aging across the landscape. Though intended to protect wetlands and waters, wetland regulations pose an obstacle to efficiently removing dams and restoring free-flowing waters. We aim to understand how wetland area changes following a dam removal and landscape and dam characteristics affecting that change. Our results could describe and set expectations for future wetland change following dam removal, as well as identify dam removal project designs that minimize wetland conversion.
Fish habitat suitability and vulnerability to flow and temperature modification	July 2028	Refugia is important for the survival of coldwater fish species under a changing climate. Refugia provides a space species can inhabit during unfavorable habitat conditions in surrounding areas. Stream temperature and flow are important in defining refugia. Warming stream temperatures during the summer decrease suitable habitat for coldwater fish. Stream flooding and drying can also limit suitable habitat for coldwater fish. However, the potential locations of coldwater fish refuges and the strength of the refugia network (network strength defined by number of refugia and connectivity of refuges) has not been exclusively studied.<br><br>Temperature and flow models are currently being developed to predict how coldwater patches could change under future climate change projections in the Northeast. Our project aims to provide critical information on how biota use coldwater patches and the spatial and temporal extent of refugia needed for populations to persist. We will also examine the vulnerability of fish and mussel species to changes in temperature and flow to develop metrics that managers can use to understand potential climate impacts.	Refugia is important for the survival of coldwater biota under a changing climate. Warming stream temperatures and extreme flows (flooding and drying) can limit suitable habitat, and connectivity barriers (dams, culverts) can prevent access to critical habtiat patches. We are collaborating with MassWildlife to develop projects to better understand how fishes and other biota use coldwater refugia. Increasing our understanding of coldwater refugia on the landscape will allow managers to strategically invest in management and conservation efforts to protect and restore critical habitats and biota.
Mapping wildlife road crossing hotspots	August 2025	Wildlife presents a significant and grave safety hazard on roadways. Each year collisions with wildlife cause numerous accidents resulting in harm to drivers and vehicles. Roadways are detrimental to wildlife both as a source of mortality and as a barrier to movement. MASSDOT is a leader in designing mitigation strategies that protect public safety and connect populations. Despite this, collisions of moose, deer, and bear remain common. This problem is only expected to get worse, and bear population expand towards the Boston metropolitan area, and deer population continue to grow throughout the state. It is therefore imperative that Mass Wildlife and MASSDOT to continue to work together to design mitigation strategies that maintain human health and safety as well as preserve healthy wildlife populations for the sustained use and enjoyment of the people of Massachusetts. We will use and build upon a camera array established in western MA by the Massachusetts Cooperative Research Units and existing telemetry data to map potential wildlife crossing hot spots on roadways in W. Massachusetts that are particularly dangerous for both motorists and wildlife (e.g., I-90, I-91, Rt. 2). This information can then be monitored and used to plan mitigation measures needed make the roadways safer for wildlife and people.	Wildlife presents a significant and grave safety hazard on roadways. Each year collisions with wildlife cause numerous accidents resulting in harm to drivers and vehicles. Roadways are detrimental to wildlife both as a source of mortality and as a barrier to movement. MASSDOT is a leader in designing mitigation strategies that protect public safety and connect populations. Despite this, collisions of moose, deer, and bear remain common. This problem is only expected to get worse, and bear population expand towards the Boston metropolitan area, and deer population continue to grow throughout the state. It is therefore imperative that Mass Wildlife and MASSDOT to continue to work together to design mitigation strategies that maintain human health and safety as well as preserve healthy wildlife populations for the sustained use and enjoyment of the people of Massachusetts. We will use and build upon a camera array established in western MA by the Massachusetts Cooperative Research Units and existing telemetry data to map potential wildlife crossing hot spots on roadways in W. Massachusetts that are particularly dangerous for both motorists and wildlife (e.g., I-90, I-91, Rt. 2). This information can then be monitored and used to plan mitigation measures needed make the roadways safer for wildlife and people.
Habitat, connectivity, and viability of a timber rattlesnake metapopulation in southwestern Massachusetts	May 2014	Timber rattlesnakes were once found throughout Massachusetts but currently are restricted to only 5 sites as a result of habitat changes and persecution by humans. To help inform conservation of the species, we have begun to examine the genetic connectivity of the remaining populations, their use of habitats, and the corridors of movement between sites. Because the largest remaining metapopulation in the state is connected to sites in New York and Connecticut, we are working in collaboration with biologists from both of these states. Results of population genetic analyses should inform which corridors of movement need to be maintained and source populations for possible re-introduction of animals to sites where they have been extirpated. Movement data will be used by MassWildlife to identify land parcels in need of protection.	None
Regeneration of Forest Vegetation in Response to Browsing by Moose and Deer: An Experimental Approach Using Exclosures	December 2010	Our primary objectives are to (1) quantify the composition, structure, and regeneration success of woody browse in harvested plots that are (a) protected from all browsing by moose and deer, (b) protected from moose browsing but subjected to deer browsing, and (c) subjected to all browsing from moose and deer; (2) document the amount of browsing on twigs and buds and estimate bud survival in all plot types, and (3) improve our understanding of moose browsing and its importance for the management of forest stands. With the aid of DCR and Harvard Forest personnel, we have established 3 sets of moose exclosures within the Quabbin (Prescott and Dana) and Ware River watersheds and 3 sets on Harvard Forest in Massachusetts. Each set of exclosures is comprised of 4 plots (full, partial, and paired controls). Exclosures were established in upland white pine, oak, and mixed hardwood stands that had been logged within 3-4 months before construction of exclosures. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the long-term influence of moose on the structure and species composition of the forest types. Data collected from exclosures and paired controls will be compared in order to discriminate between the effects of moose browsing and forest community succession. We now propose to build exclosures with our collaborators in the states of Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This will greatly increase the scope of the research, make the findings applicable to all of southern New England, and involve the Cooperative Research Unit program in a multistate program of research with important regional management implications.	None
Optimal Habitat Configuration for Mature-Forest and Scrub-Shrub Birds	October 2010	Declines in populations of mature-forest and scrub-shrub birds have caused concern among managers (King et al. 2006a, Schlossberg and King 2007). Managers have long assumed that promoting either mature-forest or scrub-shrub bird groups involves a direct tradeoff, i.e., managing against the other group. However, recent research indicates otherwise. Early-successional habitat has been shown to benefit forest-interior birds during the post-breeding period (when adults molt) and the post-fledging period, when young birds have left the nest but are still dependent on their parents. Post-fledging birds suffer high mortality, which significantly impacts population dynamics (King et al. 2006b). The habitat needs of many forest-interior bird species apparently switch between the nesting and post-fledging periods (King et al. 2006b). Many post-breeding forest birds use scrub-shrub habitats and some appear to prefer that habitat over mature forest (Chandler et al. In Prep b). Depending on scale and configuration, the positive effects of scrub-shrub habitat availability on survival rates of forest-interior birds�fledglings and post-breeding adults�likely outweigh the relatively minor negative effects on nesting success, especially when renesting rates are considered	None
Synthesizing the contributions of the Northeast to the North American Bat (NABat) Monitoring Program and developing a regional communication plan to facilitate future research	August 2024	Bats are declining nationally, which led to the formation of the North American Bat Monitoring Program and the USFWS White-nose Syndrome Program. Bats are an integral part of the ecosystem, and provide many ecosystem services. They are important pollinators, pest control agents, among other key ecosystem components. In collaboration with the USFWS, in this project, we will synthesize Northeast partner data contributions within priority grid cells and National Wildlife Refuges to gain a better understanding of the information currently available within the NABat database. Through this project, we will work on NABat’s spatially balanced sampling framework, acoustic data collection and analysis, data management, field techniques for bat monitoring, and science communication and outreach.	In collaboration with the USFWS, in this project, we will synthesize Northeast partner data contributions within priority grid cells and National Wildlife Refuges to gain a better understanding of the information currently available within the NABat database.
At-Risk Species Conservation in the Connecticut River	June 2025	We are investigating ecology and conservation of anadromous river herring and freshwater mussels in the Connecticut River. There are two main components of the project:<br>1) Determine which species of freshwater mussels are using migratory fishes (blueback herring, alewife, American shad, striped bass) as hosts in the Connecticut River. Approaches will include examining temporal and spatial patterns in mussel glochidia infestation, using genetic or morphologic techniques to identify mussel species and develop an identification key, assessing ecological and anthropogenic (e.g. fish passage) ramifications of results, evaluating results in light of emerging benthic habitat and species distribution information, and determining conservation and management implications.<br>2) Develop a standardized approach for sub-sampling aged fish to re-examine scales and determine individual spawning history, and, using the standardized approach, examine existing scale samples (2013-2021) to assess the distribution of annual spawning history and glochidia infestation of the Connecticut River blueback herring population.<br>An understanding of how freshwater mussels use anadromous fish species in this large river will inform conservation and restoration of at-risk freshwater mussel species and river herring.	Freshwater mussels require host fishes for completing their life cycle, and anadromous fishes that only spend a small portion of their lives in freshwater may be important for reproduction and dispersal of mussels. The Connecticut River harbors at-risk and endangered freshwater mussel and river herring species, and an understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of mussel glochidia on river herring is important for conservation of both taxonomic groups. This project is a collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and will inform river herring management and freshwater mussel restoration decisions in the Connecticut River.
Advancing conservation and restoration of Brook Floater and associated freshwater mussels	December 2024	The Brook Floater (<i>Alasmidonta varicosa</i>) is a stream-dwelling freshwater mussel (Bivalvia, Unionoida), native to the Atlantic Slope of the United States and Canada and has experienced significant population declines throughout its range. The species’ distribution has been restricted to approximately 50% of its historic sites, and local population declines have been observed from Nova Scotia to Georgia. Identified threats include decreased habitat and water quality associated with shoreline and watershed development, habitat fragmentation caused by dams and stream crossings, and potential stochastic events associated with a changing climate. This species has been identified by Northeastern states as one of the most critically imperiled species in the region and was one of the few mussel species identified as “At-Risk” by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2021. A range wide, collaborative approach to conservation is needed to reverse the trend of habitat loss and reduce the risk of local and regional extirpations. A nationally competitive State Wildlife Grant involving four funded states was awarded to address this issue. To assist in the coordination of this project, and to serve as a technical lead on project activities, the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has partnered with the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass).<br><br>To increase rangewide cooperative conservation efforts and strategic planning towards reducing further population losses and defining approaches for recovery of Brook Floater throughout the species’ range from Georgia to Nova Scotia. UMass will assist in mussel surveys and habitat assessments to evaluate responses to dam removals for mussel (SGCN) species of greatest conservation need, develop pre-stocking and post-stocking mussel monitoring and habitat assessment protocols to identify and track introduced Brook Floater populations, perform rapid mussel and habitat assessments in Massachusetts and Connecticut to update mussel SGCN distributions, develop multi-species occupancy and detection models using reach- and landscape- scale covariates, and help to maintain the Brook Floater Working Group. Our hope is that State partners will utilize approaches and information outcomes of this grant to assess and maintain populations of Brook Floater and other SGCN using an Adaptive Management Framework and prioritize site-specific actions that will prevent further declines of Brook Floater.	The Brook Floater (<i>Alasmidonta varicosa</i>) is a stream-dwelling freshwater mussel (Bivalvia, Unionoida), native to the Atlantic Slope of the United States and Canada and has experienced significant population declines throughout its range. A range wide, collaborative approach to conservation is needed to reverse the trend of habitat loss and reduce the risk of local and regional extirpations. This project is part of a large research and management collaborative involving state agencies, federal agencies, academics, and consultants across the species' range from Georgia to Nova Scotia, which is funded by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service multi-state competitive state wildlife grant. Our hope is that State partners will utilize approaches and information outcomes of this grant to assess and maintain populations of Brook Floater and other SGCN using an Adaptive Management Framework and prioritize site-specific actions that will prevent further declines of Brook Floater.
Mitigating the Effects of Prescribed Fire on Eastern Box Turtle Populations	May 2023	Eastern Box Turtle (<i>Terrapene carolina</i>)<i> </i>mortality during prescribed fire is a management concern in Massachusetts and other northeastern states from RI to NJ. Numerous observational and experimental studies have examined fire effects on Box Turtles and Box Turtle populations across their range, finding indications that individual Box Turtles exhibit a range of complex behavioral responses to fire, and that early growing season fires may be most lethal under normal circumstances. However, the effect of fire is highly variable, and likely to influence populations differently based on habitat, landscape connectivity, population structure, season, fuel conditions, and weather. Fire mortality of Box Turtles has been documented in Massachusetts populations from the Connecticut Valley to Cape Cod. In part due to the complexity of the issue, we lack a coherent, empirically informed, locally tested management protocol for Box Turtles in the context of fire management in Massachusetts. We propose to undertake a 4-year intensive field study to build upon the existing body of literature and test specific, relevant hypotheses about the effect of fire on Massachusetts Box Turtle populations.<br><br>The primary objective of this multifaceted study is to evaluate the population-level effects of a range of prescribed fire conditions on Massachusetts box turtle populations, to better identify priority box turtle populations at risk of extirpation or substantial decline resulting from prescribed fire management and to minimize the mortality/morbidity rate through practical modifications where feasible. This study will incorporate new data from a reference box turtle population at Camp Edwards and conduct experimental and observational studies at Camp Edwards and adjacent conserved areas. MassWildlife envisions a focused and practical study with a range of opportunistic and experimental components, recognizing that some of these objectives are subject to the frequency accessibility of prescribed fire events and the cooperation of fire managers.	Eastern Box Turtle (<i>Terrapene carolina</i>)<i> </i>mortality during prescribed fire is a management concern in Massachusetts and other northeastern states from RI to NJ. Numerous observational and experimental studies have examined fire effects on Box Turtles and Box Turtle populations across their range, finding indications that individual Box Turtles exhibit a range of complex behavioral responses to fire, and that early growing season fires may be most lethal under normal circumstances. However, the effect of fire is highly variable, and likely to influence populations differently based on habitat, landscape connectivity, population structure, season, fuel conditions, and weather. Fire mortality of Box Turtles has been documented in Massachusetts populations from the Connecticut Valley to Cape Cod. In part due to the complexity of the issue, we lack a coherent, empirically informed, locally tested management protocol for Box Turtles in the context of fire management in Massachusetts. We propose to undertake a 4-year intensive field study to build upon the existing body of literature and test specific, relevant hypotheses about the effect of fire on Massachusetts Box Turtle populations.<br><br>The primary objective of this multifaceted study is to evaluate the population-level effects of a range of prescribed fire conditions on Massachusetts box turtle populations, to better identify priority box turtle populations at risk of extirpation or substantial decline resulting from prescribed fire management and to minimize the mortality/morbidity rate through practical modifications where feasible. This study will incorporate new data from a reference box turtle population at Camp Edwards and conduct experimental and observational studies at Camp Edwards and adjacent conserved areas. MassWildlife envisions a focused and practical study with a range of opportunistic and experimental components, recognizing that some of these objectives are subject to the frequency accessibility of prescribed fire events and the cooperation of fire managers.
Strategic confiscation and placement of illegally collected turtles for maximizing conservation outcomes	July 2025	The US Fish and Wildlife Service, working with state and federal agencies with regulatory authority over turtles in the northeastern U.S., makes decisions about the confiscation and disposition of multiple species of turtles encountered via legal and extra-legal trade routes. Illegal collection of wild animals for the pet trade has resulted in population declines (Stanford et al. 2020), and U.S. freshwater turtles are particularly vulnerable to illegal collection (Mali et al 2014). Decision-makers wish to maximize the conservation status of turtle populations in the wild, which are declining (or locally extirpated) in part because of illegal harvest, but also because of other threats such as climate change, urbanization, and disease. The decision is complicated by risk to both individuals and populations, primarily of the disease and genetic (i.e., originating-recipient population mismatch) status of confiscated turtles. <b><u>Here, we propose to use tools from decision analysis and population viability analysis to frame and address this problem.</u></b> We will use wood turtles as a case study, as a model species listed under Appendix II of CITES (at risk for extinction given current levels of trade). The USFWS and partners will use this analysis as a basis for expanding this case study for other turtle species of trade concern (spotted turtles, eastern box turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and diamondback terrapins). The analysis and approach we propose will improve coordination in repatriating or releasing confiscated turtles to the wild.	The US Fish and Wildlife Service, working with state and federal agencies with regulatory authority over turtles in the northeastern U.S., makes decisions about the confiscation and disposition of multiple species of turtles encountered via legal and extra-legal trade routes. Illegal collection of wild animals for the pet trade has resulted in population declines (Stanford et al. 2020), and U.S. freshwater turtles are particularly vulnerable to illegal collection (Mali et al 2014). Decision-makers wish to maximize the conservation status of turtle populations in the wild, which are declining (or locally extirpated) in part because of illegal harvest, but also because of other threats such as climate change, urbanization, and disease. The decision is complicated by risk to both individuals and populations, primarily of the disease and genetic (i.e., originating-recipient population mismatch) status of confiscated turtles. <b><u>Here, we propose to use tools from decision analysis and population viability analysis to frame and address this problem.</u></b> We will use wood turtles as a case study, as a model species listed under Appendix II of CITES (at risk for extinction given current levels of trade). The USFWS and partners will use this analysis as a basis for expanding this case study for other turtle species of trade concern (spotted turtles, eastern box turtles, Blanding’s turtles, and diamondback terrapins). The analysis and approach we propose will improve coordination in repatriating or releasing confiscated turtles to the wild.
Applications of structured-decision making to disease systems	February 2027	This work involves collaborating with federal and state agencies with decision-making authority to improve the long-term management of CWD, Bsal, and WNS. Work involves helping agencies frame the decision they face within their jurisdiction, and identify management alternatives, knowledge gaps, and optimal decisions. Potential partnerships include scientists from the USGS Fort Collins Science center, USGS National Health Center, and USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (Paul Cross and colleagues), among others.<br><br>Management of most diseases are challenging because of trade-offs among important management objectives, uncertainty in the dynamics of the disease, some risks that are well understood and some that are not, jurisdictional overlap, disjunct authorities, and potentially different tradeoffs in individual decisions made by Federal, Tribal, State, and private management entities. Over the past several decades, there are several diseases of great concern in the United States, which include chronic wasting disease (CWD), the salamander killing fungus (Bsal), white-nose syndrome (WNS), SARS-CoV-2, and others. <b>In this proposal, our objective is to frame and analyze the decisions for several disease systems, as well as develop models for supporting surveillance and management decisions other disease systems for their management on federally and state managed lands.</b><br><br>For example, it is well documented that CWD has spread across Wyoming and was detected for the first time in Grand Teton National Park in the fall of 2020. The detection of CWD in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) has created concern among wildlife managers and the public of the potential impacts that the disease may have on affected host populations, public enjoyment, and local economies. Decision analysis facilitation and technical support could help management agencies understand the diverse needs of affected stakeholders and design actions that align with their long-term management goals for the GYE under the threat of CWD.	Management of most diseases are challenging because of trade-offs among important management objectives, uncertainty in the dynamics of the disease, some risks that are well understood and some that are not, jurisdictional overlap, disjunct authorities, and potentially different tradeoffs in individual decisions made by Federal, Tribal, State, and private management entities. Over the past several decades, there are several diseases of great concern in the United States, which include chronic wasting disease (CWD), the salamander killing fungus (Bsal), white-nose syndrome (WNS), SARS-CoV-2, and others. <b>In this proposal, our objective is to frame and analyze the decisions for several disease systems, as well as develop models for supporting surveillance and management decisions other disease systems for their management on federally and state managed lands.</b><br><br>For example, it is well documented that CWD has spread across Wyoming and was detected for the first time in Grand Teton National Park in the fall of 2020. The detection of CWD in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) has created concern among wildlife managers and the public of the potential impacts that the disease may have on affected host populations, public enjoyment, and local economies. Decision analysis facilitation and technical support could help management agencies understand the diverse needs of affected stakeholders and design actions that align with their long-term management goals for the GYE under the threat of CWD.
Automated Real-Time Analysis of Bald Eagle Nest Camera Imagery Using Machine Learning: with applications for investigating food resource use and nesting ecology in urbanized landscapes.	December 2022	Bald eagles populations are increasing rapidly in the lower 48 United States. As habitats become saturated, eagles are expanding into novel environments and encountering human stressors. We seek to use bald eagle nest cameras to quantify and monitor forage and demography throughout the urban-rural gradient. The volume of data provided by camera monitoring requires the development of machine-learning algorithms that once trained, will eventually be able to create demographic and provisioning data in near real time. Our project seeks to build and pilot novel computer vision tools using remote camera footage.	Bald eagles populations are increasing rapidly in the lower 48 United States. As habitats become saturated, eagles are expanding into novel environments and encountering human stressors. We seek to use bald eagle nest cameras to quantify and monitor forage provisioning and demography throughout the urban-rural gradient. The volume of data generated by camera monitoring requires the development of machine-learning algorithms to replace the need for manual processing and image-tagging. This project is a collaboration between US Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Migratory Birds, the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and the University of Massachusetts Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences. Our project seeks to build and pilot novel computer vision tools using remote camera footage. Once built and fully trained, we hope to be able to create demographic and provisioning data in near real time.
Scales and drivers of variability in dissolved organic carbon across diverse urban watersheds	April 2024	A critical gap for ecosystems science is that human activities alter the spatial and temporal scales of existing ecological processes and introduce novel sources of ecological variability. Most ecosystems worldwide are impacted by human activities; yet the effects of human activities across scales are not adequately represented by existing ecosystem models. This is especially true for models of aquatic carbon (C) cycling and fluxes. Only recently has the magnitude of fluvial C fluxes been recognized within the global carbon cycle; yet these estimates explicitly ignore the influence of human activities, such as urbanization. We propose to assess urbanization effects on dissolved organic carbon (DOC)—the largest flux of carbon in streams—focusing on how urbanization affects ecosystems in regionally-specific ways. <u>We hypothesize that human activities introduce novel sources of ecological variability and affect the spatial and temporal scales of ecological processes differently in different geographies and urban contexts</u>. We will test this hypothesis using a comparative approach to understand urban effects on DOC. We will collect data on DOC quality and dynamics at 600 sites across five urban study areas to develop a multi-scale understanding of the quantity and quality of DOC in urban systems. We will use spatial statistics and time-series analyses to identify key spatio-temporal characteristics of human development (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical factors (e.g., discharge, precipitation, canopy cover) that control the concentration, characteristics, and bioavailability of DOC. Our research takes a <i><u>novel approach</u></i> to jointly consider how the human and ecological dimensions of ecosystem ecology interact to control the quality, quantity, and timing of DOC entering watersheds across the continent.	Rivers and the landscapes through which they flow vary widely in both human factors (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density, impervious surfaces) and biophysical factors (e.g., discharge, precipitation, temperature, canopy cover). Over a 12-month period, 100 sites in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers in the Boston urban area will be sampled to determine how human and biophysical factors and their interactions influence dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and stream function. Sampling locations in tributaries and rivers are being selected to reflect gradients in factors such as canopy cover, housing density, environmental justice communities, age of development, impervious land cover, and wastewater infrastructure. This project is a collaboration between USGS and University scientists, along with local partners. Together with samples collected in four other urban areas (Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; Salt Lake City, UT; Portland, OR), these data will lead to better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers and provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Landscape drivers of freshwater mussel assemblages and imperiled species status: implications for optimal allocation of conservation effort within the Delaware River Basin	May 2023	The Delaware River provides an ideal case study for developing a basin-wide conservation strategy for imperiled freshwater mussels in the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region. The watershed contains 12 species of Atlantic slope mussels (Blakeslee<i> et al.</i> 2018), including the federally endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel and the at-risk Brook Floater. Nearly 15 million people depend on its water supply, and propagation of freshwater mussels is actively being pursued by conservation groups to aid water quality improvements in the estuary. The variation in dominant stressors throughout the basin, from environmental flow issues in the upper basin to water quality issues and saltwater intrusion in the lower basin, coincide with documented shifts in mussel community composition (Blakeslee<i> et al.</i> 2018). These complexities require a deliberative and transparent process to identify robust and collaborative conservation strategies. Our research activities will help foster a basin-wide perspective on mussel conservation and identify collaborative strategies for implementation by federal, state, and non-governmental groups working in the Delaware. The approach to assessing threats and prioritizing actions will be transferable to other watersheds with similar mussel assemblages. <br><br>The overarching goal of this project is to develop a framework to inform decisions on the allocation of conservation effort across potential actions and watersheds to advance freshwater mussel conservation in the Delaware River Basin. This will be achieved through a structured decision-making process to identify robust conservation strategies, combined with predictive modeling of existing data to understand the local and landscape stressors affecting mussel community resilience throughout the basin. Specifically, this project seeks to:<br>1. Identify portfolios of freshwater mussel conservation actions based on national recommendations, locally identified objectives, and feasibility<br>2. Develop predictive models of the stressors and conservation efforts affecting freshwater mussel resilience and community structure<br>3. Integrate multi-attribute tradeoff analysis with empirical models to inform spatial application of freshwater mussel conservation actions	The overarching goal of this project is to develop a framework to inform decisions on the allocation of conservation effort across potential actions and watersheds to advance freshwater mussel conservation in the Delaware River Basin. This will be achieved through a structured decision-making process to identify robust conservation strategies, combined with predictive modeling of existing data to understand the local and landscape stressors affecting mussel community resilience throughout the basin. This information is needed to inform conservation and restoration decisions in the Delaware River Basin, and the approach will be transferable to other watersheds to advance freshwater mussel conservation more broadly. This research will be a collaboration among the USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the USGS Leetown Science Center, and the University of Massachusetts, and includes partners from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, state agencies, and non-profit organizations within the Delaware River basin. Our research activities will help foster a basin-wide perspective on mussel conservation and identify collaborative strategies for implementation by federal, state, and non-governmental groups working in the Delaware.
Implementation of the bog turtle conservation plan for the northern population	June 2023	The Northern Population of Bog Turtle (<i>Glyptemys muhlenbergii</i>) was federally listed in 1997 due primarily to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation (USFWS 2001). Bog Turtle populations are still vulnerable to decline and further imperilment. Further, the Bog Turtle is listed as “Endangered” under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) and its implementing regulations. The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has partnered with six other state wildlife agencies (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut) on a Competitive State Wildlife Grant (CSWG) to implement a regional Conservation Plan (Erb 2019) that was also developed with CSWG funds. At present, there are only two known occupied Bog Turtle sites in Massachusetts (Sites A and B). At least two additional sites are believed to be historic localities for Bog Turtles in Massachusetts. Incidental observations, available habitat, and regional patterns in adjacent New York and Connecticut indicate that there are likely areas of Bog Turtle occurrence in Massachusetts that are not currently known. This project is intended to support regional conservation planning efforts in coordination with adjacent and northeastern states, to document the spatial ecology of known populations, and to more fully document the distribution of the species in Massachusetts.<br><br>Our primary objective as a seven-state collaborative funded through CSWG is to protect and maintain the Northern Population of Bog Turtle and its habitat through implementation of high priority conservation actions identified in a 2001 recovery plan, the individual state Wildlife Action Plans, and a recently developed (funded via a prior Competitive State Wildlife Grant #F16AP00001) Bog Turtle Conservation Plan for the Northern Population (Erb 2001). Specifically in Massachusetts, our primary objectives are to document the distributional extent of the species in the Commonwealth, identify areas of potential habitat for restoration and/or surveys, to conduct habitat management, and to monitor the effects of habitat management while contributing data and information to the USFWS, the regional conservation planning effort, and the state’s endangered species program.	The Northern population of Bog turtle has been federally listed as a threatened species since 1997 and is listed as “Endangered” under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. There are two known sites currently occupied by Bog turtles within the state, with two additional sites believed to have been historically occupied. As the species continues to face threats of habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation the populations of the two known sites have been studied on a 10-year rotation since the early 2000’s with supporting research being conducted since the 1980’s. The overall goals of this project are to examine the current population status within the known sites, habitat available at each site, extent of habitat used, and search for other potentially occupied sites. This project is a collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy. As one of the longest-running studies on the species, these data will contribute to a regional database to help inform priority habitat management projects for the Bog turtle.
Rethinking lake management for invasive plants under future climate: Sensitivity of lake ecosystems to winter water level drawdowns	December 2024	Small lakes are important to local economies as sources of water supply and places of recreation. Commonly, lakes are considered more desirable for recreation if they are free of the thick weedy vegetation, often comprised of invasive species, that grows around the lake edge; this vegetation makes it difficult to launch boats and swim. In order to reduce this vegetation, a common technique in the US northeast and midwest is a ‘winter drawdown’ (WD). In a WD, the lake level is artificially lowered (via controls in a dam) during the winter to expose shoreline vegetation to freezing conditions, thereby killing them and preserving recreational value of the lake. However, this practice can impact water quality (including prevalence of harmful algal blooms) and native aquatic plants and animals in lakes. Moreover, studies show that WDs are not always effective at killing nuisance and invasive plants. Almost no research has been done to study how WDs interact with climate; wet years, droughts, and heavy snow winters will all have different effects on the effectiveness of the WD at killing vegetation and the impacts on lake ecosystems. This research will specifically investigate WD standard practices and understand how, when, and why WDs can be better managed in differing climates. Further, we will map WD lakes across the entire northeast and midwest regions for the first time, providing policy makers with a first-ever estimate of the total number of WD lakes, the total amount of water released by these lakes (via new hydrology models we will build), and the prevalence of harmful algal blooms. This research will give state and local governments and lake managers a much-needed scientific basis for managing lakes, to ideally to optimize water quality and macrophytes for both human use and ecosystem integrity under future climates.	Human acceleration of eutrophication through continued watershed and lakeshore development, combined with changes in temperature and climate, increasingly challenges managers to meet human needs while protecting aquatic resources. While annual winter water level drawdowns (WDs) are commonly used to reduce nuisance macrophyte biomass, the future utility and impacts to ecosystems under climate change remains uncertain. Moreover, the timing and magnitude of drawdowns, which are influenced by climate, affect the negative impacts of drawdowns on lake ecosystems and water quality, including harmful algal blooms. Using remote sensing data, validated with on-the-ground water level and cyanobacteria data, <i>we will characterize water level fluctuations and cyanobacteria blooms in WD lakes coupled to novel hydrologic models that assess sensitivity of WDs and vulnerability of cyanobacteria blooms to future climate and precipitation. </i>The results from this research, which will be shared in scientific publications and online data repositories, will help evaluate WDs as a macrophyte management tool under future climate change and weigh any remaining benefits with the ecological and socioeconomic costs of performing WDs. This research is a collaboration between the USGS, UMass Amherst, USEPA, and seven state agencies, who will provide in-kind support for compilation and collection of field data and translate results into guidance for lake managers.
Yellow Lampmussel Habitat Assessment in the Connecticut River	April 2025	The Yellow Lampmussel (YLM), <i>Lampsilis cariosa</i>, is a freshwater mussel that has been declining throughout its range and is considered endangered in many states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut. Informal comparisons across boundaries have revealed that YLM populations occur in a variety of habitats throughout its range. However, little is known about the microhabitats that exist within the Connecticut River or their association with YLM. Mapping these fine-scale habitat features using side-scan sonar could illuminate this relationship. A goal of this project is to associate habitat characteristics within the Connecticut River and YLM presence/absence. A highly-accurate, fine-scale habitat assessment using side-scan sonar could be invaluable for land managers within the Connecticut River watershed and beyond.<br>An understanding of host fish for YLM is also essential for understanding the species’ historic and current distribution and developing conservation plans. Striped Bass (<i>Morone saxatilis</i>) is a piscivorous fish that may be a suitable host for YLM; it is closely related to a confirmed host fish species. Observations of YLM glochidial infestation in wild populations of Striped Bass with a large sample size, combined with successful encystment and metamorphosis in laboratory conditions, would confirm this species as a viable host fish. This would have important implications for the conservation of YLM, with Striped Bass serving as a critical source of long-distance dispersal across drainages.	Yellow Lampmussel (<i>Lampsilis cariosa) </i>is a priority at-risk freshwater mussel species for the USFWS and has been designated as endangered or another special status in many states, including MA and CT. Yellow Lampmussel populations occur in a variety of habitats throughout its range; the species inhabits a variety of substrates and flow conditions, suggesting impacts by different stressors. This project aims to assess potential locations for Yellow Lampmussel conservation action within the Connecticut River watershed based on mussel densities, host fish densities, and mussel habitat requirements. This project is a collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Results from this project may be useful for identifying target areas for novel surveys or candidate areas for release of propagated or relocated Yellow Lampmussel.
Using Aerial surveys to estimate trends in brown bear population dynamics at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska	August 2025	Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska hosts one of the world’s largest protected populations of brown bears (<i>Ursus arctos</i>), their habitat, and critical food sources. To monitor this population Katmai collected counts of bears as they fed at salmon streams for decades. Using these stream counts to make inference about the status and trend of bear population or make effective management decisions is complicated by a host of challenges associated with index count data. We will improve inference from these legacy data by using replicate surveys to estimate detection probability. We will then use the legacy stream counts to examine bear population dynamics by combining them with other data in an integrated population modeling approach.	Current brown bear monitoring at Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska uses index counts of bears feeding at salmon streams. Using these data to support management decisions presents a number of challenges: 1) counts are biased low because they do not account for imperfect detection; 2) the representativeness of the bears using salmon streams is unknown. We will overcome these challenges using replicate surveys and an integrated population modeling framework. This project is supported by staff and internal funding at NPS and the Katmai Conservancy. The results will be used to support park management manage visitor access and prevent bear-human interactions.
Effects of habitat, density, and climate on moose and winter tick ecology in the northeast US	February 2025	Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) populations in the northeastern US have declined by over 50% in the past 15 years. Winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) infestations are a major driver of moose population trends, negatively affecting both survival and reproduction. We will partner with cooperators in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont to measure winter tick and moose distribution and abundance on a large camera trapping array. We will use our data to evaluate moose-tick dynamics across the full distribution of moose in New England. In doing so we can examine the relative importance of climate, habitat, and moose density in driving damaging epizootic conditions.	Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) populations in the northeastern US have declined by over 50% in the past 15 years. Winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) infestations are a major driver of moose population trends, negatively affecting both survival and reproduction. We measure winter tick and moose abundance on a large camera array to examine the relative importance of climate, habitat, and moose density in driving damaging epizootic conditions. This regional effort has the full support of partner agencies, who will assist in the collection of data (Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, New Hampshire Fish and Game, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, State College of New York, White Mountain National Forest, and Green Mountain National Forest). Our work will improve the monitoring efforts and provide excellent monitoring data to support management decisions at the regional scale.
A risk assessment of chronic wasting disease in Massachusetts and the proactive development of a communication strategy for MassWildlife and wild cervid stakeholders in Massachusetts	September 2025	Emerging infectious diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), force decision-makers to make decisions in the face of large uncertainty and risk. Under these pressing circumstances, two important tactics and tools for decision-makers are: (1) obtaining buy-in from stakeholders and (2) formal risk assessments, which predict the potential distribution of a novel pathogen in new habitats. In an effort to prevent CWD from spreading into Massachusetts (MA), the MA state wildlife agency, The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), is implementing several proactive management strategies (e.g., regulations to restrict whole carcass importation of deer, improving and focusing on standards for cervid farming); however, it is unclear whether there is stakeholder buy-in or how effective this management is. Therefore, to address these barriers, we propose:<br>(1) To assess existing wild cervid stakeholder perceptions, behaviors, and misconceptions using a survey. We will develop and disseminate a survey that reaches 9,500 wild cervid stakeholders in MA.<br>(2) To examine patterns and trends related to wild cervid stakeholder perceptions, behaviors, and misconceptions, we will analyze the data obtained from the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1). This will enable us to extract patterns and trends.<br>(3) To identify areas of high risk for CWD introduction, establishment, and spread in MA, we will conduct a risk assessment based on host and prion ecology.<br>(4) To obtain wild cervid stakeholder buy-in and trust, we will:<br>- update the MA CWD response plan with the results of the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1 & 2) and the risk assessment (obj. 3),<br>- develop a communication strategy that will be used to help MassWildlife engage more regularly with wild cervid stakeholders, and<br>- disseminate the results of the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1 & 2) and the risk assessment (obj. 3) to wild cervid stakeholders as applicable.<br>Collectively, our objectives aim to promote transparency and open the lines of communication between the state of MA and wild cervid stakeholders. More specifically, this proposal aims to engage wild cervid stakeholders prior to CWD invasion, generate a communication strategy based on what wild cervid stakeholders are seeking (and using the modalities of communication they prefer; learned from the survey), and obtain stakeholder buy-in for proactive and reactive CWD management.	Emerging infectious diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), force decision-makers to make decisions in the face of large uncertainty and risk. Under these pressing circumstances, two important tactics and tools for decision-makers are: (1) obtaining buy-in from stakeholders and (2) formal risk assessments, which predict the potential distribution of a novel pathogen in new habitats. In an effort to prevent CWD from spreading into Massachusetts (MA), the MA state wildlife agency, The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), is implementing several proactive management strategies (e.g., regulations to restrict whole carcass importation of deer, improving and focusing on standards for cervid farming); however, it is unclear whether there is stakeholder buy-in or how effective this management is. Therefore, to address these barriers, we propose:<br>(1) To assess existing wild cervid stakeholder perceptions, behaviors, and misconceptions using a survey. We will develop and disseminate a survey that reaches 9,500 wild cervid stakeholders in MA.<br>(2) To examine patterns and trends related to wild cervid stakeholder perceptions, behaviors, and misconceptions, we will analyze the data obtained from the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1). This will enable us to extract patterns and trends.<br>(3) To identify areas of high risk for CWD introduction, establishment, and spread in MA, we will conduct a risk assessment based on host and prion ecology.<br>(4) To obtain wild cervid stakeholder buy-in and trust, we will:<br>- update the MA CWD response plan with the results of the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1 & 2) and the risk assessment (obj. 3),<br>- develop a communication strategy that will be used to help MassWildlife engage more regularly with wild cervid stakeholders, and<br>- disseminate the results of the wild cervid stakeholder survey (obj. 1 & 2) and the risk assessment (obj. 3) to wild cervid stakeholders as applicable.<br>Collectively, our objectives aim to promote transparency and open the lines of communication between the state of MA and wild cervid stakeholders. More specifically, this proposal aims to engage wild cervid stakeholders prior to CWD invasion, generate a communication strategy based on what wild cervid stakeholders are seeking (and using the modalities of communication they prefer; learned from the survey), and obtain stakeholder buy-in for proactive and reactive CWD management.
FRAMEWORK FOR PROTECTING AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY IN THE NORTHEAST UNDER CHANGING CLIMATES	December 2024	Our objective is to incorporate existing climate change research into a framework that evaluates the conservation of aquatic biodiversity under a suite of land protection and restoration scenarios. We will translate existing Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NECASC) products into formats that can be concurrently analyzed and incorporated into novel methods for biodiversity protection in the Northeast. The goal of this work is to identify land protection and restoration actions that optimize aquatic biodiversity protection into the future. We will evaluate potential changes to biotic assemblages with changing climates and identify management actions most likely to mitigate impacts from climate change. Importantly, the tool developed will be scale-able, allowing managers at small scales (e.g., towns) to prioritize climate adaptations within their jurisdiction. The project will be completed in two phases over the course of two years. In Phase I, objectives are to 1) gather and translate all NECASC research applicable to aquatic ecosystems and 2) define standardized aquatic biodiversity metrics (e.g., species richness, community evenness) for the states of New Hampshire (NH), Vermont (VT), Massachusetts (MA), and Connecticut (CT). In Phase II, we will evaluate the amount of biodiversity protected by alternate scenarios of land protection and habitat restoration in the face of climate change.	Our objective is to incorporate existing climate change research into a framework that evaluates the conservation of aquatic biodiversity under a suite of land protection and restoration scenarios. We will translate existing Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (NECASC) products into formats that can be concurrently analyzed and incorporated into novel methods for biodiversity protection in the Northeast. The goal of this work is to identify land protection and restoration actions that optimize aquatic biodiversity protection into the future. We will evaluate potential changes to biotic assemblages with changing climates and identify management actions most likely to mitigate impacts from climate change. Importantly, the tool developed will be scale-able, allowing managers at small scales (e.g., towns) to prioritize climate adaptations within their jurisdiction. The project will be completed in two phases over the course of two years. In Phase I, objectives are to 1) gather and translate all NECASC research applicable to aquatic ecosystems and 2) define standardized aquatic biodiversity metrics (e.g., species richness, community evenness) for the states of New Hampshire (NH), Vermont (VT), Massachusetts (MA), and Connecticut (CT). In Phase II, we will evaluate the amount of biodiversity protected by alternate scenarios of land protection and habitat restoration in the face of climate change.
Improving management and surveillance decisions related to white nose syndrome by accounting for imperfect detection and misclassification error	May 2025	Management decisions for emerging infectious diseases, endangered species, and invasive species depend on the true state of the system and must be made quickly to maximize opportunities for mitigation. However, molecular detection methods, like any diagnostic test used in the detection of pathogens, may occasionally yield false negatives (i.e., when a sample appears negative but is truly positive) as well as ‘ambiguous,’ ‘uncertain,’ or ‘equivocal’ results (i.e., an inability to confidently classify a sample as negative or positive). Here, we will construct a hierarchical Bayesian model to account for imperfect pathogen detection and ambiguity in the white nose syndrome (WNS) system; our model will use surveillance data to improve forecasts of the invasion front, improve state-dependent decision making, and improve our ability to identify high priority areas for WNS surveillance. We foresee our model also improving the management and decision-making process of other pressing issues which benefit from early detection but are challenged by imperfect and ambiguous detections, including those related to invasive species, endangered species, and pathogen surveillance.	Management decisions for emerging infectious diseases, endangered species, and invasive species depend on the true state of the system and must be made quickly to maximize opportunities for mitigation. However, molecular detection methods, like any diagnostic test used in the detection of pathogens, may occasionally yield false negatives (i.e., when a sample appears negative but is truly positive) as well as ‘ambiguous,’ ‘uncertain,’ or ‘equivocal’ results (i.e., an inability to confidently classify a sample as negative or positive). Here, we will construct a hierarchical Bayesian model to account for imperfect pathogen detection and ambiguity in the white nose syndrome (WNS) system; our model will use surveillance data to improve forecasts of the invasion front, improve state-dependent decision making, and improve our ability to identify high priority areas for WNS surveillance. We foresee our model also improving the management and decision-making process of other pressing issues which benefit from early detection but are challenged by imperfect and ambiguous detections, including those related to invasive species, endangered species, and pathogen surveillance.
Difficult disease decisions: how to reduce risk when dealing with multiple competing objectives and opposing risk tolerances	May 2026	Ecosystem resource management becomes complicated quickly when managers have multiple objectives and different risk tolerances to a given management action. For example, when faced with the potential threat of disease emergence, resource managers must balance: (a) the risk of a disease outbreak if delaying management, which may result in animal mass mortality at some unspecified point in time, and (b) the risk of implementing unnecessary management if no disease outbreak occurs, which may require tradeoffs in the near-term (e.g., preemptive culling reduces the immediate population size). Using the high-profile emerging pathogen of amphibians, <i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans </i>(Bsal), that threatens invasion into North America, we will identify approaches to improve decision-making in the face of multiple objectives and opposing risk tolerances. This work builds on ongoing work; we have already framed the decision related to a possible <i>Bsal</i> invasion with three National Wildlife Refuge managers in the northeastern United States (a hotspot for <i>Bsal</i> risk). We will use simulations, modeling, and optimization techniques to identify optimal actions when there are multiple objectives and opposing risks. We will generate user-friendly visualization tools intended to support risk reduction. We anticipate that our approach and framework can be modified and used for future decisions on human well-being and society related to emerging infectious diseases (and other hazards). Therefore, we foresee that our approach and framework will help better understand, predict, and communicate the tradeoffs decision-makers are forced to make in the face of uncertainty.	Ecosystem resource management becomes complicated quickly when managers have multiple objectives and different risk tolerances to a given management action. For example, when faced with the potential threat of disease emergence, resource managers must balance: (a) the risk of a disease outbreak if delaying management, which may result in animal mass mortality at some unspecified point in time, and (b) the risk of implementing unnecessary management if no disease outbreak occurs, which may require tradeoffs in the near-term (e.g., preemptive culling reduces the immediate population size). Using the high-profile emerging pathogen of amphibians, <i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans </i>(Bsal), that threatens invasion into North America, we will identify approaches to improve decision-making in the face of multiple objectives and opposing risk tolerances. This work builds on ongoing work; we have already framed the decision related to a possible <i>Bsal</i> invasion with three National Wildlife Refuge managers in the northeastern United States (a hotspot for <i>Bsal</i> risk). We will use simulations, modeling, and optimization techniques to identify optimal actions when there are multiple objectives and opposing risks. We will generate user-friendly visualization tools intended to support risk reduction. We anticipate that our approach and framework can be modified and used for future decisions on human well-being and society related to emerging infectious diseases (and other hazards). Therefore, we foresee that our approach and framework will help better understand, predict, and communicate the tradeoffs decision-makers are forced to make in the face of uncertainty.
Evaluating the impact of management and stressors on at-risk species in Pine Barrens	September 2025	Mandated by the Sikes Act of 1960, natural resource managers work to manage the habitats and wildlife that are found on military installations in the United States and Territories. At Camp Edwards Military Training Reservation (hereby abbreviated to Camp Edwards), Bourne, MA, such wildlife includes the state-protected eastern box turtle (<i>Terrapene carolina carolina</i>) and the declining prairie warbler (<i>Setophaga discolor</i>), which both occupy pine barrens. Therefore, we conducted a two-part project related to both of the preceding species listed.<br><br>In 2020, natural resource managers at Camp Edwards noticed that eastern box turtles were being infected by myiasis, where parasitic flesh flies larviposit into the living tissue of a host. The hypothesized parasite was <i>Dexosarcophaga cistudinis </i>(Aldrich); but its impacts on the host’s body condition, movement, and habitat use are unknown. Therefore, our objectives were to genetically identify the parasite at Camp Edwards, and to compare the body condition, movement, and habitat characteristics of myiasis infected and noninfected eastern box turtles. We radio-tracked 48 turtles weekly from May to August 2022 at Camp Edwards. Upon capture, we recorded turtle infection status, mass, carapace length, shell surface temperature, GPS location, and capture location habitat characteristics. We identified <i>D. cistudinis</i> as the parasite, but we did not find an effect of myiasis on body condition, habitat use, or average daily distance moved. However, myiasis infected turtles had a significantly higher shell temperature (27.92 ± 5.28 °C) than noninfected turtles (26.77 ± 5.64 °C). Collectively, our results suggest that infected turtles may exhibit behavioral fever in response to myiasis, but there was no observed change in body condition or habitat use during a single field season.<br><br>Next, we investigate prairie warblers, and although prairie warblers are declining throughout their range, prairie warbler abundance has increased at Camp Edwards from 2013 – 2022, where point count estimates show a positive trend. During this same time period, there was increased forest thinning and prescribed fire activities at Camp Edwards. Therefore, to investigate habitat management effects on prairie warbler populations, we used a long-term monitoring dataset from 2013-2022. Using a dynamic occupancy model, we estimated colonization, extinction, and detection probabilities. Colonization probability significantly decreased for 25 years since disturbance (YSD). Latitude and longitude significantly affected colonization probability because of where management projects are concentrated. Extinction probability significantly decreased as YSD increased, presumably because fewer occupied sites in older forests could ‘become extinct.’ Observation year significantly affected detection probability. Our results inform how prairie warblers respond to long-term management. Continued habitat management could improve colonization rates and sustain prairie warbler populations.	Eastern box turtles (<i>Terrapene carolina carolina</i>) are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act as a species of special concern. This species occurs in Pine Barren habitats, where many other species are listed as species of special concern at the state and federal levels. We are currently developing a research study to assess the population dynamics of the eastern box turtle at Joint Base Cape Cod. We aim to explore the effects of a parasitic fly larva on box turtle home range, survival, dispersal, and habitat selection. We will collect radio telemetry data during the summer of 2022, and we will monitor their behavior and/or distribution in comparison to records kept prior to prescribed fire implementation and parasitic larval infestation. The results of this study will be used to inform the upcoming federal listing decisions of species that inhabit Pine barrens habitats by the USFWS.<br><br>We also aim to evaluate the effect of management action on Prairie Warbler occupancy across Camp Edwards.
Closing the loop: characterizing habitat requirements, movements, and life stage linkages of river herring in Massachusetts watersheds	August 2025	In this study, we aim to “close the loop” in our understanding of river herring life stages and limits to productivity by collecting novel data on juvenile river herring density, growth, and survival in estuaries and information on river herring emigrating from lakes. Specifically, our objectives are to: 1)characterize density, growth, and mortality of juvenile river herring in estuaries and upstream lakes, 2) assess age, size, and timing of juvenile river herring during emigration from freshwater to estuarine habitats, and 3) evaluate relationships between spawning adults, juvenile abundance and timing of movements to identify conditions that promote growth and survival. We hypothesize that the timing of juvenile emigration from lakes, size at emigration, and growth in lakes and estuaries will vary among systems and will depend on river herring densities, habitat characteristics, and food resources. The new data collected will be incorporated into a full life-cycle model developed by our collaborators at MADMF to inform the run dynamics and migration timing that leads to the best growth and maintenance of densities, and to inform our work linking life-stages in collaboration with project partners and a population model produced as part of that work. Modeling of factors controlling juvenile size and number during egress, combined with estimates of estuarine-marine survival and growth, will help close current gaps in knowledge of the river herring life cycle and allow for improved understanding of stock-recruitment relationships and population modeling efforts.	River herring (alewife and blueback herring) undergo complex movements between oceanic, estuarine, and freshwater habitats for spawning and rearing of juveniles. Estuaries are likely critical habitats for growth particularly where upstream freshwater habitat is limited; however, no research has sampled juveniles across the freshwater to marine transition to understand the relative contributions to production in different habitats. The proposed project adds to ongoing efforts focused on assessing factors impacting freshwater productivity, monitoring of out-migrants and preliminary estuarine sampling to close the loop in our understanding of factors controlling growth and survival during emigration across the two river herring species. We will partner with other universities (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Connecticut), state agencies (Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries), federal agencies (US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center), non-profit organizations (Mystic River Watershed Association, River Herring Network, The Nature Conservancy), and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to engage citizen scientists in emigration data collection and disseminate information to scientific, public, and policy outlets. The research will lead to improved understanding of stock-recruitment relationships and population modeling efforts toward improving management of river herring.
Impacts of winter lake drawdowns on downstream flows and stream ecosystems	June 2022	Winter lake drawdowns, whereby lakes are drawn down in fall and refilled in spring, are a common lake management tool in Massachusetts. Over the last 6 years, the MA Coop Unit has studied the impacts of drawdowns on lake littoral communities. Not only do winter lake drawdowns impact the hydrology of the lake, but they also cause unintended hydrologic alteration of downstream ecosystems. For example, in the fall during lake water level reductions, water releases cause higher flows than normal. In the spring during refill, flows are greatly reduced during a season when flows are normally the highest. There are general guidelines for drawdowns that include timing of drawdown, limiting maximum flows downstream during drawdown, and maintaining minimum flows downstream during refill; however, it is unknown the extent to which these guidelines are followed, and whether they protect downstream habitats and biota. <br><br>This project will build off preliminary work conducted by MassWildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (MDER), the Housatonic Valley Association, and the USGS MA Coop Unit downstream of Onota lake in Pittsfield, MA where we observed improved macroinvertebrate assemblages following restoration of flows in Peck’s Brook. MDER has identified priority sites for streamflow restoration downstream of winter drawdown lakes and conducted flow monitoring using time-lapse cameras in 2018. We will also use lake hydrology data from 18 drawdown and 3 non-drawdown lakes in Massachusetts to guide site selection. For this project, we will monitor hydrology, habitat, temperature, and biotic assemblages in streams to assess ecological responses to winter drawdowns.	Reservoir water-level management in lakes not only influences lake ecosystems, but also downstream ecosystems. Winter drawdowns result in higher stream flows in fall during drawdown and lower stream flows in spring during refill, relative to lakes not managed for drawdown; however, the impacts of this management on downstream ecosystems are unknown. Quantifying the the hydrologic alterations and associated impacts to habitat and biota are critical for developing management strategies. This project is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and the MA Coop Unit. Ultimately, the hope is that information on downstream effects, in combination with our prior research on in-lake effects, can be used to set recommendations for lake water-level management that can meet human needs while minimizing impacts to ecosystems.
Environmental factors controlling juvenile river herring productivity and emigration	May 2023	This project expands on recent research on juvenile river herring productivity conducted at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) by using a combination of lab experiments, field assessments, and analysis of spatial and temporal datasets to assess environmental factors limiting juvenile productivity. The results will provide an understanding the effects of abiotic and biotic factors on juvenile river herring growth, survival, physiology, and emigration rates, which are essential for improving estimates of productivity and developing strategies for conservation and restoration in response to climate change, habitat alterations and other environmental challenges to river herring populations.<br><br>The overall goal of this project is to conduct research to fill critical information gaps about juvenile river herring productivity and emigration. We will achieve this through two major objectives:<br><br>Objective 1. Evaluate limits to juvenile river herring productivity<br>a. Conduct lab experiments to test the impact of temperature, food availability, and turbidity on survival, growth, swimming performance, and seawater tolerance of blueback herring<br>b. Compare blueback herring growth in field enclosures with different environmental conditions<br>c. Assess abiotic and biotic factors associated with river herring productivity (density, growth, mortality) among lakes and rivers in the northeast<br><br>Objective 2. Assess factors influencing juvenile river herring emigration rates and timing<br>a. Assess timing and rates of juvenile emigration in lake and river systems<br>b. Compare biotic characteristics (e.g., size, age, growth rates) of emigrating and non-emigrating juveniles to assess factors influencing emigration timing<br>c. Perform analyses to understand how emigration rates influence juvenile densities in lakes, and thus how productivity estimates are affected by emigration events.	River herring [collectively alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis)] have been valued by human societies since pre-colonial times, but populations have undergone a dramatic coast-wide decline over the past five decades. Information on factors influencing freshwater productivity of juvenile river herring, emigration timing, and early seawater survival are needed to understand, predict, and mitigate population declines. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey (Conte Anadromous Fish Lab and Massachusetts Coop Unit), the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Results of this research will be used to inform population models for river herring stock assessment and decisions related to federal listing of river herring under the Endangered Species Act and management decisions toward restoring river herring in the northeast.
Assessing attitudes and impacts to society associated with the use of nontoxic ammunition for hunting on National Wildlife Refuges	December 2019	Despite extensive scientific evidence of the detrimental effect of spent lead ammunition on wildlife and potential for human exposure, reducing the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting activities can be a controversial and contentious issue. Through the implementation of mail-back surveys and group interviews, this project aims to understand hunters’ perceptions towards a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on targeted National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. Specifically, this project aims to identify the practical barriers associated with a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use and what factors would influence hunters to switch. Assessment of the practical barriers to transitioning to non-lead ammunition will allow the National Wildlife Refuge System to direct targeted outreach and education strategies to achieve behavioral change in hunter ammunition choice.	Since the 1960s, the recognition of the negative effect of lead on humans and wildlife has resulted in regulations to reduce both human exposure and the amount of lead introduced into the environment. Federal restrictions on lead-based ammunition for waterfowl hunting were implemented in 1991. Since then restrictions on lead-based ammunition use have expanded in some states, however, lead is still a primary component of ammunition used for non-waterfowl hunting in the U.S. The continued use of lead-based ammunition for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), in particular, facilitates completed pathways to lead exposure for hunters, their family members, and for non-target species that scavenge the gut piles and carcasses of deer left in the field. Voluntary approaches to reducing lead-based ammunition use have been shown to garner increased support from hunters and have been recognized as a viable option for mitigating the impacts of lead from hunting activities. In collaboration with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, USGS, and the USFWS, we have conducted mail-back surveys and group interviews with hunters at targeted National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. This project aims to identify the practical barriers associated with a voluntary transition to non-lead as perceived by hunters, and what factors would influence hunters to switch to non-lead alternatives. Identifying the barriers and influences to non-lead use will help the National Wildlife Refuge System direct more targeted outreach and education strategies in order to better achieve behavioral change in regard to hunter ammunition choice.
Natural-Ecological and Socio-Political Factors Influencing Urban Forest Management in Massachusetts	December 2019	From wildlife habitat, to carbon sequestration, urban forests supply an array of ecosystem benefits to over 90% of Massachusetts’ residents, who live and work in an urban setting. Urban trees, however, face a multitude of challenges from limited growing space, to invasive pests. To gain further understanding into emergent urban forest management issues, we conducted 50 qualitative research interviews with municipal tree wardens, from 2014-2016. Forest health emerged as an important theme, as interviewees (n=49) indicated that they routinely monitor for pests of urban trees. A significant number of interviewees (n=13) also indicated that they interact with urban tree committees. We will explore the potential for planting low-maintenance conifers, like Chinese hemlock, as part of an overarching urban forest health management and diversification strategy that incorporates host plant resistant species. We will also explore the characteristics and needs of urban tree committee volunteers.	With estimated losses of 36 million trees per year, urban tree canopy (UTC) cover continues a downward trend, nationwide. UTC cover losses are believed to result from a variety of factors including development, maintenance practices, and pests. Conservative estimates of national UTC cover benefits equate to $100 million per year, relative to carbon sequestration, pollution removal, reduced energy and reduced power plant emissions. These, and other ecosystem services, are enjoyed by large numbers of citizens living and working in urban settings, including an estimated 90% of Massachusetts’ residents. To gain further understanding into emergent urban forest management issues in Massachusetts, we conducted qualitative research interviews with community-based urban forestry decision-makers, known as municipal tree wardens. This project involves collaboration between the US Forest Service, US Geological Survey, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, University of Massachusetts Center for Agriculture Food and the Environment, and the UMass Department of Environmental Conservation. Interviewees indicated they routinely interact with volunteer organizations, including urban tree committees, and routinely monitor for pests of urban trees. Results will inform further UMass urban forestry integrated research and extension initiatives.
The Ecological Value of Spruce Plantations in Massachusetts	December 2019	The planting of exotic Norway spruce plantations to supplement native forest stock has been common practice throughout the north-eastern United states over the past century. These plantations, however, were frequently created without much consideration to the effect they would impose on local wildlife diversity. Recent shifts in conservation priorities towards increasing and supporting biodiversity have raised new questions to the role exotic plantations will have moving forward. More specifically, it is widely unknown if the habitat provided by plantations can support an adequate level of biodiversity. This study aims to examine the comparative ecological value of spruce plantations to surrounding native forest stands in Massachusetts, using birds as indicators of biodiversity. In addition to using avian occupancy and abundance, we will weight relative species values by incorporating Partners in Flight Conservation scores to provide a more objective estimate of overall ecological importance. This project is being conducted in partnership between the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Research Unit, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and U. S. Forest Service. Through this research, we hope to better inform land managers on how Norway spruce plantations are contributing to their conservation goals.	The planting of exotic Norway spruce plantations to supplement native forest stock has been common practice throughout the north-eastern United states over the past century. These plantations, however, were frequently created without much consideration to the effect they would impose on local wildlife diversity. Recent shifts in conservation priorities towards increasing and supporting biodiversity have raised new questions to the role exotic plantations will have moving forward. More specifically, it is widely unknown if the habitat provided by plantations can support an adequate level of biodiversity. This study aims to examine the comparative ecological value of spruce plantations to surrounding native forest stands in Massachusetts, using birds as indicators of biodiversity. In addition to using avian occupancy and abundance, we will weight relative species values by incorporating Partners in Flight Conservation scores to provide a more objective estimate of overall ecological importance. This project is being conducted in partnership between the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Research Unit, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and U. S. Forest Service. Through this research, we hope to better inform land managers on how Norway spruce plantations are contributing to their conservation goals.
Assessing Hunter Values, Expectations, and Satisfaction Regarding Controlled White-Tailed Deer Hunts in Suburban Eastern Massachusetts	December 2019	White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are particularly abundant in portions of eastern Massachusetts where high densities have resulted in ecological degradation from over-browsing as well as increased human-deer conflicts. These negative impacts necessitate the importance of addressing deer overabundance. Regulated hunting is a widely accepted deer management strategy used to effectively reduce and maintain deer densities, although its use in suburban landscapes may be challenged by the limited long-term participation of hunters. Presumably, continued hunter participation is driven largely by participants’ satisfaction with their hunting experience and highly controlled hunts in suburbia may restrict participants in ways that minimize satisfaction. Without a dependable suburban hunting constituency, successful reduction of deer populations will be challenging. A better understanding of suburban hunters’ expectations, preferences, and limitations is of great importance if effective deer management programs are to be implemented. Our research effort is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Geological Survey Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Results of this study will give wildlife managers more insight when guiding communities through the development of management programs that focus on recruiting and retaining devoted hunters willing to considerably lower deer densities over time.	White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are abundant throughout Massachusetts, particularly in eastern portions of the state where suburban landscapes provide high quality habitat. Ecological degradation from over-browsing and increased human-deer conflicts result in a need to address overabundant deer populations. Regulated hunting is a widely accepted deer management strategy used to effectively reduce and maintain deer densities, although its use in suburban landscapes presents challenges. Of particular concern is the long-term participation of devoted hunters. Presumably, continued hunter participation is driven largely by participants’ satisfaction with their hunting experience. Highly controlled hunts may restrict participants in ways that minimize satisfaction. Without a dependable suburban hunting constituency, successful reduction of deer populations may be impeded. A better understanding of suburban hunters’ expectations, preferences, and limitations is of great importance if effective deer management programs are to be implemented. This research effort is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Geological Survey Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Results of this study will assist wildlife managers in better understanding what motivates hunters to participate in controlled deer hunts so that communities may be guided through developing more successful, lasting deer management programs. If community members, town representatives, and state wildlife authorities communicate clearly to make realistic, science-based decisions, effective suburban deer management programs using regulated hunting may be attainable in eastern Massachusetts.
Estimating Black Bear Density, Abundance, and Source-Sink Dynamics in Massachusetts	June 2022	In the 1970s, black bears (Ursus americanus) existed as a small and isolated population in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Since then, the black bear population has grown in number and expanded eastward across the state. However, current black bear density estimates in different parts of the state are lacking, as are population estimates. This information is required for informed and successful management of this important game species across the state. We are conducting a capture-recapture survey for black bears using hair snares and molecular techniques to estimate density and abundance and understand how density and abundance changes with different land cover types and levels of human influence. We are also quantifying black bear population sources and sinks to determine areas of population growth and decline. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Amherst College, and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation are project collaborators. Results from this research will provide information on black bear population dynamics and allow us to estimate the population size of bears across the state. This information will be used in developing a comprehensive management plan for black bears in Massachusetts.	In the 1970s, black bears (Ursus americanus) existed as a small and isolated population in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. Since then, the black bear population has grown in number and expanded eastward across the state. However, current black bear density estimates in different parts of the state are lacking, as are population estimates. This information is required for informed and successful management of this important game species across the state. We are conducting a capture-recapture survey for black bears using hair snares and molecular techniques to estimate density and abundance and understand how density and abundance changes with different land cover types and levels of human influence. We are also quantifying black bear population sources and sinks to determine areas of population growth and decline. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Amherst College, and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation are project collaborators. Results from this research will provide information on black bear population dynamics and allow us to estimate the population size of bears across the state. This information will be used in developing a comprehensive management plan for black bears in Massachusetts.
Modeling Black Bear Habitat Use, Movement, and Connectivity in Massachusetts	December 2019	The black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Massachusetts has been growing in number and expanding into human dominated areas due to conservative management and increasing availability of human food resources. Quantifying seasonal black bear habitat use and movement in relation to land cover in natural and human-dominated areas is necessary for understanding black bear behavior and creating effective black bear management programs. Estimates of connectivity are also required to identify important movement corridors, direct wildlife-road mitigation efforts, and predict black bear movements into currently unoccupied areas of the state. Our analyses are based on GPS telemetry collar data from over 47 bears that has been collected since 2009 by our Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife collaborators. Other collaborators on the project include the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Results will be used to inform management of bears and bear habitat in both natural and human-dominated areas of the state.	The black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Massachusetts has been growing in number and expanding into human dominated areas due to conservative management and increasing availability of human food resources. Quantifying seasonal black bear habitat use and movement in relation to land cover in natural and human-dominated areas is necessary for understanding black bear behavior and creating effective black bear management programs. Estimates of connectivity are also required to identify important movement corridors, direct wildlife-road mitigation efforts, and predict black bear movements into currently unoccupied areas of the state. Our analyses are based on GPS telemetry collar data from over 47 bears that has been collected since 2009 by our Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife collaborators. Other collaborators on the project include the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Results will be used to inform management of bears and bear habitat in both natural and human-dominated areas of the state.
Massachusetts Residents' Attitudes Toward Black Bears and Black Bear Management	December 2019	The black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Massachusetts is growing in size and expanding in range, and bears are becoming increasingly more common in suburban areas of the state. As the Massachusetts’ black bear population increases and expands, it continues to push into areas where the general public is largely inexperienced with bears. A statewide survey, conducted in collaboration with Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and Responsive Management, Inc., will be used to assess Massachusetts residents' attitudes toward black bear and black bear management. Results of this study will provide a more detailed understanding of Massachusetts’ residents’ opinions on the bear population, experience with bears, and opinions on black bear management options. These results will be used by MassWildilfe to make informed management decisions regarding black bears and will help MassWildlife gain a better understanding of the current challenges facing black bear management in the third most densely populated state in the country.	The black bear (Ursus americanus) population in Massachusetts is growing in size and expanding in range, and bears are becoming increasingly more common in suburban areas of the state. As the Massachusetts’ black bear population increases and expands, it continues to push into areas where the general public is largely inexperienced with bears. A statewide human dimensions study of Massachusetts residents' attitudes toward black bear and black bear management will help the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) better understand the current challenges facing black bear management in the third most densely populated state in the country. This research is being conducted in collaboration with MassWildlife and Responsive Management, Inc. Results of this study will provide a more detailed understanding of Massachusetts residents’ opinions on the bear population, experience with bears, and opinions on black bear management options. These results will further examine how those opinions change with geography and demographic characteristics and will be used by MassWildilfe to make informed management decisions regarding black bears.
Dwarf Wedgemussel Propagation and Restoration in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US	May 2022	The dwarf wedgemussel (DWM), Alasmidonta heterodon, is a small, freshwater mussel historically known from at least 15 Atlantic slope drainages from New Brunswick, Canada to North Carolina; however, population declines throughout its range resulted in Federal listing of the species in 1990. The decline of DWM in areas previously thought to have the most viable and largest populations leads to significant concerns about the long-term viability of the species. <br><br>The overall goal of this project is to conduct research to inform and guide recovery of DWM through propagation and reintroduction. This project builds upon recent US Fish & Wildlife Service efforts to evaluate DWM habitat and establish a propagation facility for imperiled mussel populations. There are 3 objectives:<br>1) Develop propagation and culture techniques that optimize survival, growth, and production of mussels at the Cronin Aquatic Resource Center<br>2) Assess potential locations for restoring DWM populations based on mussel densities, population genetics, host fish densities, and mussel habitat and water quality requirements <br>3) Evaluate genetic structure of DWM populations and management actions for restoring DWM to preserve genetic diversity<br>These data will be used to identify management units, develop broodstock genetic guidelines, develop criteria and a decision tree to select ideal locations for reintroduction and augmentation, and ultimately inform recovery and management decisions of this species.	The dwarf wedgemussel (DWM), Alasmidonta heterodon, is a small, freshwater mussel historically known from at least 15 Atlantic slope drainages from New Brunswick, Canada to North Carolina; however, population declines throughout its range resulted in Federal listing of the species in 1990. The decline of DWM in areas previously thought to have the most viable and largest populations leads to significant concerns about the long-term viability of the species. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the USGS Leetown Science Center, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. We will develop in vitro propagation techniques, conduct laboratory experiments to assess different culture methods, compile data on DWM populations and habitat requirements, collect and synthesize data on host fish populations, and assess population genetics. These data will be used to identify management units, develop broodstock genetic guidelines, develop criteria and a decision tree to select ideal locations for reintroduction and augmentation, and ultimately inform recovery and management decisions of this species.
Restoring Aquatic Habitats through Dam Removal	June 2023	There are thousands of small dams in Massachusetts that fragment and impair nearly every stream and river throughout the state, altering fish passage, flow, sediment, and nutrient movement, and making these ecosystems less resilient to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. To date, nearly 60 dams have been removed in the state, yet only a fraction of these streams have been monitored to assess water quality, habitat, and biotic responses to dam removal. Information on the benefits of dam removal, including the watershed and long-term impacts of these changes, are critical for the public to understand expectations following dam removal and to gain support for future dam removals. We also need a better understanding of ecological changes following dam removal in order to better answer questions from local, regional, and national regulatory community that impact our ability to advance projects. Over the last three years, extensive pre-removal data has been collected on temperature, dissolved oxygen, and macroinvertebrates at 12 dam removal sites across Massachusetts through a partnership with researchers at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) and the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (MDER). These data showed that most sites had significant warming downstream of dams, highlighting the potential for extensive consequences of dams on biota, particularly coldwater fishes. However, the magnitude and extent of effects of dams are highly variable across sites and raise additional questions. Here, we propose to continue sampling these 12 sites plus 3 additional coldwater streams to quantify water quality, macroinvertebrate, and fish responses to dam removal. We will use the extensive fish database for Massachusetts and collaborate with UMass, MDER, and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) to add additional sites for a broader assessment of fish responses. The results will be used to model the collective ecological benefits of dam removal statewide and will be synthesized into outreach materials highlighting these benefits to promote future dam removal toward increasing the quality and resilience of stream ecosystems.	There are thousands of small dams in Massachusetts that fragment and impair nearly every stream and river throughout the state, altering fish passage, flow, sediment, and nutrient movement, and making these ecosystems less resilient to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. To date, nearly 60 dams have been removed in the state, yet only a fraction of these streams have been monitored to assess water quality, habitat, and biotic responses to dam removal. Information on the benefits of dam removal, including the watershed and long-term impacts of these changes, are critical for the public to understand expectations following dam removal and to gain support for future dam removals. We also need a better understanding of ecological changes following dam removal in order to better answer questions from local, regional, and national regulatory community that impact our ability to advance projects. This project is a collaborative between the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, the U.S. Geological Survey's Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the USDA Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The assessment of the responses of water quality, macroinvertebrates, and fishes to dam removal will be used to model the collective ecological benefits of dam removal statewide. Deliverables include outreach materials highlighting these benefits to promote future dam removal toward increasing the quality and resilience of stream ecosystems.
Yellow Lampmussel Restoration Initiative	January 2020	The Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa; YLM) is a freshwater mussel (Unionoida) with a restricted range in Massachusetts. The species is currently only known to exist in the Connecticut River mainstem and lower sections of a few major tributaries, with one historic record from the Merrimack River. The species is protected as Endangered under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA), and prior to 2006, was thought to be extirpated from the Commonwealth. Increased surveys from 2005 through 2014 suggest that the Massachusetts population is widespread, with patches of individuals in the Connecticut River from the Connecticut state line upstream to Hadley, MA. Threats to the YLM in the Connecticut River are not fully understood, but are likely associated with hydrologic alteration and sediment distribution. Historic and current point and non-point sources of pollution may also affect the distribution and viability of these populations.<br><br>Like other native freshwater mussels, the YLM’s lifecycle includes a parasitic larval stage (glochidia), which must attach to and mature on a fish host. Yellow Lampmussels have been observed to use Striped Bass, White Perch, Yellow Perch, and Smallmouth Bass as hosts throughout their range. However, host fishes for the Massachusetts populations may be unique, and identification of region-specific host fishes may guide conservation efforts through fishery management. Laboratory propagation of freshwater mussels has also been identified in the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan as a potential conservation measure to reintroduce mussels to historically occupied sites, or to augment populations that are currently present. The Richard Cronin Aquatic Resource Center in Sunderland, MA began research to propagate freshwater mussels in 2015, making it the first mussel propagation facility in New England.<br><br>The project aims to conduct research to inform conservation of YLM through investigations of early life history and ecology. Specifically, USFWS and UMass will:<br>1. Culture YLM juveniles using proven methods.<br>2. Investigate methods to increase growth and survival of juvenile YLM.<br>Research on Eastern Lampmussel (L. radiata), a surrogate species with similar characteristics to YLM, may be used to address the second objective in the event YLM juveniles are not available in research quantities.	In North America 72% of freshwater mussel species are endangered, threatened, or of special concern due to factors such as habitat loss and degradation, biological invasion, and land use change. Propagation of freshwater mussels has been considered a necessary conservation strategy for population restoration where threats have been mitigated but small population sizes limit population viability. Developing and refining culture methods for target mussel species is a critical step toward population restoration. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Our results on the effects of probiotic supplements and secondary rearing designs are critical for developing effective culture methods for the state-listed yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa), and will more broadly add to the limited literature on probiotic use and secondary rearing designs in freshwater mussel culture.
Development of a Rapid Assessment Protocol for Aquatic Passability of Tidally Influenced Road-Stream Crossings	September 2017	As part of a project funded by the North Atlantic LCC, a unified protocol has been developed for the rapid assessment of stream crossings focusing on aquatic connectivity. This protocol and an effort to coordinate and support crossings assessments throughout the region was launched in June 2015 as the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC). The protocol developed for the NAACC is for non-tidal streams and rivers. It is not suitable for tidal crossings because it does not account for the bi-directional flow and daily variations in depth and velocity that are typical of tidal streams. Aquatic organism passage through road-stream crossings on tidal streams is of critical importance not only for fish and other organisms that live in coastal marshes and estuaries, but also for diadromous fish that must pass through the tidal portions of streams to reach important habitat further upstream. We propose to begin development of a rapid assessment field protocol for the assessment of aquatic organism passage at road-stream crossings on tidal streams that can be integrated into the larger NAACC initiative. This first phase of the process will focus on assembling information on the organisms and issues that should be addressed by such a protocol, the convening of an expert technical advisory committee to provide input and critical review of the materials developed as part of the project, and development of a draft field assessment protocol and scoring system for road-stream crossings on tidal streams.	To be added
Interannual Variation in Juvenile River Herring Productivity and Responses to Dam Removal	August 2025	Inter-annual variation in river herring densities presents challenges to understanding the effects of restoration on fish productivity. Many agencies are actively working to improve aquatic connectivity in coastal rivers, with the specific aim of restoring diadromous fish populations, including river herring. There are several recent and future dam removals in eastern Massachusetts that will likely benefit river herring, but there is currently no planned monitoring of freshwater productivity following dam removal. We propose to sample juvenile river herring in freshwater lakes for at least 5 years after dam removal to assess patterns of river herring recovery, while simultaneously sampling lakes with current natural runs to address the following questions:<br>(1)How do juvenile river herring densities and growth vary among years and in relation to lake specific and regional environmental conditions?<br>(2)How many years following dam removal does it take to restore juvenile river herring productivity to that of a natural run?<br>We will also continue to stock two lakes with river herring, where we know the exact number of adults entering the systems, to develop relationships between adult density and juvenile density and growth, and can control stock densities under different environmental conditions. These stocked lakes also provide opportunities to develop pedigrees and understand factors influencing reproductive success.	River herring have been valued by human societies from the pre-colonization period onwards, but are at historical low abundance and at risk of continued declines given continued anthropogenic stressors, including climate change. River herring densities vary widely across New England watersheds, and the numbers and timing of river herring migrations also vary greatly from year to year. Several (>5) years of data is needed to begin to evaluate patterns of adult and juvenile densities among years, particularly given the delay between juvenile outmigration and their return to spawn 3-4 years later. Our results will show how densities and growth of juvenile river herring vary among years in relation to environmental conditions and will also document changes in river herring productivity following dam removal. This research is a collaboration between the USGS, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, and The Nature Conservancy. Knowledge of the link between run counts and juvenile productivity are critical to update population models, and information about year-to-year variability can help to describe uncertainty around population estimates, ultimately informing river herring management decisions. Data from dam removal sites will provide valuable new insights about annual changes in river herring densities with novel access, and can be used to develop expectations for future aquatic connectivity restoration projects.
Brook Floater Research and Conservation	October 2021	The Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) is a stream-dwelling freshwater mussel native to the Atlantic Slope of the United States and Canada that has experienced large population declines over the last 50 years and is at high risk of extinction. The species’ distribution has been restricted to approximately 50% of its historic sites, is listed as Threatened or Endangered by most states where it occurs, and has been petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. Five states within the region were awarded a competitive State Wildlife Grant (SWG) to increase range-wide cooperative conservation efforts and strategic planning towards reducing further population losses, and defining approaches for recovery of A. varicosa. This project will focus on strategies for achieving conservation through multiple objectives: (1) Project partners will build upon findings from a recently completed range-wide status assessment. (2) Partners will develop a conservation working group that will help to develop initiate standardized surveys that will be conducted throughout partnering states to estimate abundances and predict occupancy of Brook Floater and associated SGCN mussels. (3) We will utilize Structured Decision Making approaches to focus monitoring design and conservation planning objectives at the state and regional scale. (4) We will coordinate the development of propagation methods and approaches for population restoration. (5) We will identify additional site-specific conservation actions to benefit A. varicosa and associated SGCN habitat.	The Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) is a stream-dwelling freshwater mussel native to the Atlantic Slope of the United States and Canada that has experienced large population declines over the last 50 years and is at high risk of extinction. The species’ distribution has been restricted to approximately 50% of its historic sites, is listed as Threatened or Endangered by most states where it occurs, and has been petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. This project aims to reduce further population losses and restore the Brook Floater throughout its range through cooperative conservation efforts and strategic planning. Population augmentation and reintroduction have been identified as critical components of a recovery plan, and our research will develop methods to propagate Brook Floater. This research is a collaboration between Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Connecticut River Conservancy, with additional collaboration from several state agencies along the east coast from Maine to Georgia, mussel biologists, and consultants. We will develop and implement a rapid assessment protocol and a long-term monitoring protocol that will be used throughout the range of Brook Floater to create comparable datasets and develop a species distribution model. The research also includes citizen science involvement in mussel and habitat surveys and numerous restoration and outreach efforts.
Using Genomics to Understand Population Dynamics and Enhance the Management of Canada Lynx Populations in the Contiguous United States	December 2019	Management of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. Tools are needed to provide baseline metrics of population health and an understanding of landscape dynamics to inform regional and range-wide management and monitoring strategies. Next-generation sequencing produces a high density of genetic markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms, structural variants, mutations) that enhance the precision and reliability of population demographic parameter estimates relevant to conservation practitioners. In September of 2018 we produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments. Ultimately this work will provide baseline metrics for managing Canada lynx populations in the lower 48 states and management recommendations that conserve or enhance population fitness and resiliency. This project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration including the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at UMass Amherst, the Vertebrate Genomes Laboratory at Rockefeller University, the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the Smithsonian Institution.	Management of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. Tools are needed to provide baseline metrics of population health and an understanding of landscape dynamics to inform regional and range-wide management and monitoring strategies. Next-generation sequencing produces a high density of genetic markers (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms, structural variants, mutations) that enhance the precision and reliability of population demographic parameter estimates relevant to conservation practitioners. In September of 2018 we produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments. Ultimately this work will provide baseline metrics for managing Canada lynx populations in the lower 48 states and management recommendations that conserve or enhance population fitness and resiliency. This project is a multi-disciplinary collaboration including the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit at UMass-Amherst, the Vertebrate Genomes Laboratory at Rockefeller University, the State of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Comparative Ecology and Conservation of Bears in North and South America	December 2020	The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and American black bear (Ursus americanus) are considered to be representative landscape species, meaning that large scale conservation benefits can result from conservation efforts for these species and the areas they inhabit. However, the general lack of information about spectacled bears, particularly their distribution in Peru, makes it difficult to develop conservation plans. This research aims to create a spectacled bear distribution model and verify the species' presence in areas without current records in order to obtain reliable distribution predictability. In contrast, distribution, ecology, and management strategies for the American black bear are well known, and can serve to inform the same topics for the somewhat similar spectacled bear, for which relatively little is known. Results will contribute to the national plan for the conservation of spectacled bears being implemented by our major collaborator, the Peruvian forest and wildlife service (Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre - SERFOR), and allow a comparative study among these two bear species.	The spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and American black bear (Ursus americanus) are considered to be representative landscape species, meaning that large scale conservation benefits can result from conservation efforts for these species and the areas they inhabit. However, the general lack of information about spectacled bears, particularly their distribution in Peru, makes it difficult to develop conservation plans. This research aims to create a spectacled bear distribution model and verify the species' presence in areas without current records in order to obtain reliable distribution predictability. In contrast, distribution, ecology, and management strategies for the American black bear are well known, and can serve to inform the same topics for the somewhat similar spectacled bear, for which relatively little is known. Results will contribute to the national plan for the conservation of spectacled bears being implemented by our major collaborator, the Peruvian forest and wildlife service (Servicio Nacional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre - SERFOR), and allow a comparative study among these two bear species.
Effects of Dam Removal on Stream Ecosystems	January 2018	Concerns about safety and interests in restoring stream connectivity have increased dam removal in the last two decades. This research investigates the effects of dam removal on stream ecosystems. We will quantify dissolved oxygen and temperature upstream, within, and downstream of impoundments at 12 sites in MA. Eight of the sites are slated for dam removal in 2015 and 2016, and we will quantify the effects of removal on dissolved oxygen, temperature, and other aspects of the stream ecosystem. Data will be useful in understanding the extent to which dams impair stream ecosystems and quantifying potential improvements in water quality following dam removal. Potential improvements can be used to leverage support for dam removal and help to prioritize dam removals that will maximize ecological benefits.	Dams are highly pervasive features of the American landscape, and are especially prevalent in New England, the region with the highest density of dams in the United States. Dams have numerous impacts on stream ecosystems; however, the extent of impacts are likely to vary based on dam characteristics and the surrounding landscape. This research documents the variability of impacts to dissolved oxygen and temperature and will quantify factors explaining variation in response. Understanding factors influencing the extent of dam impacts on water quality can help to predict impacts of dams and dam removal on aquatic ecosystems . This research is a collaboration between the USGS, the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and the USFS. Ultimately, a better understanding of impacts of dams can help to prioritize dam removal restoration efforts to maximize ecological benefits.
Feasibility and uses for freshwater mussel culture in Massachusetts	December 2017	Half of Massachusetts native freshwater mussel fauna are listed as Endangered or Special Concern under MESA. Population augmentation and re-introduction programs have been used to restore freshwater mussel populations in other states for more than 20 years, and have reported significant success with some species. We propose to test the feasibility of mussel propagation at the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Cronin Aquatic Resource Center in Sunderland, MA. Siting of a propagation facility in Massachusetts will increase collaboration with other New England states for the management of regional populations, increase collaboration with academic and Federal partners, and increase competitiveness for funding sources. Ultimately, we hope to develop a successful restoration program in Massachusetts.	None
Evaluating freshwater productivity and sampling approaches for juvenile river herring in freshwater lakes and ponds	December 2017	Anadromous alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) populations have experienced alarming declines during the last two centuries. Seasonal migration and a unique life history has left them vulnerable to continued anthropogenic effects/events like habitat degradation, bycatch at sea and disrupted access to critical spawning rivers due to dams. Alewife provide vital marine-derived nutrients to freshwater systems, contribute as a prey-base for various piscivorous species and have strong cultural significance among coastal communities. To date, most population assessments are a function of adult run counts as they enter spawning habitats and data associated with freshwater juvenile productivity is lacking. Information gaps exist on the relationship between these adult spawning stocks and recruitment. Reliable abundance estimates hinge on accurate early life history data and remains a challenge. Our research objective is two-fold: evaluate factors influencing freshwater productivity and compare standardized and cost-effective survey-methodology to be applied across systems. A survey of 20 coastal lakes sampled in Massachusetts in 2014 will be expanded geographically to include nursery lakes with known alewife runs in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. Each lake will be sampled using purse seines and sonar imaging three times throughout the summer of 2015 for alewife young of year. We will assess juvenile densities, age and growth and mortality rates along with environmental predictors of nursery habitat. By testing novel methods of estimating alewife cohort dynamics we will compare/evaluate the legitimacy of these metrics to predict population size. Our results will help inform future population models and provide direction for habitat restoration and management decisions	None
Establishing links between stream flow and ecological integrity in the Sudbury River	February 2015	Streamflow is a primary driver of river and stream ecology. Lotic organisms are adapted to living in flowing water with a characteristic timing, duration, and magnitude of high and low flow events. Alteration of this flow regime as a result of impoundments, water withdrawals, and changes to land use patterns is frequently accompanied by dramatic changes to the biotic assemblages. We investigated effects of flow alteration on stream ecology in the Sudbury River, a river located in a suburban Boston and that has long been exploited for water resources. The Sudbury River has the full complement of flow alterations, including: mainstem impoundments, surface and groundwater withdrawals, and urbanization. Analysis of 33 years of stream gage data indicates that the river is undergoing contemporary hydrologic alteration. These changes include a roughly 200% increase in rise rates of flows, an approximate 65% decrease in 1-day minimum flows, and a trend towards increasing high flow pulse counts. Biotic sampling of macroinvertebrates, mussels, and fishes in summer of 2014 demonstrated that the Sudbury River is now dominated by generalist species. The high proportion of tolerant and moderately tolerant macroinvertebrate taxa within our samples suggests that water quality pollution is a problem in the Sudbury. Of five mussel species sampled, all are generalists in their habitat requirements. Though one mussel species of special concern was sampled, the most abundant species collected were the widespread Eastern elliptio (58%) and Eastern lampmussel (40%). We used the target fish community (TFC) model to assess the degree to which the fish assemblage deviated from that expected for a river with similar zoogeographic and physical features. Overall, the current community has a 22.7% similarity to the TFC. Of the four fluvial specialist species present in the TFC, only fallfish was sampled in our study. The fish assemblage has shifted from one that should be dominated by fluvial specialist and fluvial dependent species to one overwhelmingly dominated by macrohabitat generalists (90.6% of fishes sampled). These shifts in biotic assemblages are consistent with other studies that show shifts in assemblages from fluvial specialists to habitat generalists with hydrologic alteration. If the current trends continue, it is likely that biotic assemblages will experience increasing pressure from hydrologic alteration.	None

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Zipkin, E.F., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2022. Biodiversity is decimated by the cascading effects of the amphibian-killing fungus. PLoS Pathogens, 18(7), e1010624. DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010624.	July 2022
Zeller, K.A., Wattles, D.W., Conlee, L., DeStefano, S.2019. American black bears (Ursus americanus) alter movements in response to anthropogenic features with time of day and season. Movement Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40462-019-0166-4	July 2019
Zeller, K. A., D. W. Wattles, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Incorporating road crossing data into vehicle collision risk models for moose (Alces americanus) in Massachusetts, USA. Environmental Management.	June 2018
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.M. Houle, B. Lambert, B.H. Letcher, K.H. Nislow, and C. Smith. 2020. Impacts of small dams on stream temperature. Ecological Indicators. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106878 \| Publisher Website	September 2020
Yako, L. A., M. E. Mather, and F. Juanes. 2002. Mechanisms for migration of anadromous herring; providing an ecological basis for an effective conservation plan. Ecological Applications 12:521-534	January 2002
Yako, L. A., M. E. Mather, and F. Juanes. 2000. Assessing the contribution of anadromous herring to largemouth bass growth. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: 150: 2-17	January 2000
Wilzbach, M. A., M. E. Mather, C. L. Folt, A. Moore, R. J Naiman, A. F. Youngson, and J. McMenemy. 1998. Proactive responses to human impacts that balance development and Atlantic salmon conservation (Salmo salar): an integrative model. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55:288-302.	January 1999
Whalen, K. G., D. L. Parrish, and M. E. Mather. 1999. Effect of ice formation on selection of habitats and winter distribution of post young-of-year Atlantic salmon parr. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56:87-96.	November 1999
Whalen, K. G., D. L. Parrish, M. E. Mather, and J. McMenemy. 2000. Cross-tributary analysis of parr to smolt recruitment of Atlantic salmon. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57:1607-1616	January 2000
Weinstein, S.Y., J.A. Coombs, K.H. Nislow, C. Riley, A.H. Roy, and A.R. Whiteley. 2019. Evaluating the effects of barriers on Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) movement and population connectivity using novel sibship-based and traditional genetic metrics. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 148: 1117-1131. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10202 \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2019
Webster, C. M., and S. DeStefano. 2004. Using public surveys to determine the distribution of greater roadrunners in urban and suburban Tucson, Arizona. Pages 69-77 in W. W. Shaw, L. K. Harris, and L. VanDruff, eds. Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Urban wildlife Conservation, Tucson, AZ.	September 2004
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2013. Space use and movements of moose in Massachusetts: implications for conservation of large mammals in a fragmented environment. Alces 49:65–81.	October 2013
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2013. Moose habitat in Massachusetts: assessing use at the southern edge of the range. Alces 49:133–147.	October 2013
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2011. Status and management of moose in the northeastern United States. Alces 47:53-68. \| Abstract	July 2011	Moose (Alces alces) populations have been re-established in much of the historic range in the northeastern United States. Recently the southern edge of the range has been extended southward into southern New England and northern New York from established populations in northern New England. Moose populations are now well established in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and continue to expand in New York. This southerly range expansion in the Northeast has taken place when moose populations elsewhere along the southern edge of their range are in decline, with climate change being cited as a prominent cause. The forests of New England transition from northern forest types dominated by spruce (Picea spp.), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), beech (Fagus grandifolia), birch (Betula spp.), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), and maple (Acer spp.), where moose are common, to transitional hardwood forests increasingly dominated by oak (Quercus spp.) and white pine (Pinus strobus), where little is known about moose habitat requirements. The habitat moose have recently occupied in the Northeast is also some of the most densely populated by humans anywhere in moose range, which has raised concerns over human safety and the threat posed by moose-vehicle collisions. In light of these recent developments, we conducted a literature search on moose in the northeastern United States and distributed a questionnaire and conducted phone interviews with biologists responsible for moose management across the region to determine the status of moose in the northeast, what management activities are taking place, and what research is needed to fill the knowledge gaps regarding moose in New England and New York. Moose numbers have stabilized throughout much of the region, with continued population growth in northern New York. Management activities range from regulated harvest of moose in the 3 northern New England states, to no active management in southern New England and New York. In Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, >3,000 moose are harvested every fall. Moose-vehicle collisions are a concern across the region, with >1,000 occurring annually, including several human fatalities. Increased information on demographics, specifically the roles that parasitism by winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) and brain-worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) play in mortality, is greatly desired. In general moose appear to be thriving in the Northeast despite continued concerns with high temperatures and incompatibility with high human populations.
Wattles, D. W., K. A. Zeller, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Response of moose to a high-density road network. Journal of Wildlife Management.	April 2018
Wattles, D. W., K. A. Zeller, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Range expansion in unfavorable environments through behavioral responses to microclimatic conditions: moose (Alces americanus) as the model. Mammalian Biology.	July 2018
Walter, J. F., A. S. Overton, K. H. Ferry, M. E. Mather. 2002. Atlantic coast feeding habitats of striped bass: a synthesis of data supporting a comprehensive coastwide understanding of trophic biology. Fisheries Management and Ecology 10:-1-13	August 2003
Walsh, C.J., D.B. Booth, M.J. Burns, T.D. Fletcher, R.L. Hale, L.N. Hoang, G. Livingston, M.A. Rippy, A.H. Roy, M. Scoggins, and A. Wallace. 2016. Principles for urban stormwater management to protect stream ecosystems. Freshwater Science 35:398-411.	January 2016
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2014. Best practices for continuous monitoring of temperature and flow in wadeable streams. Global Change Research Program, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC. EPA/600/R-13/170F \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2014	The lack of continuous temperature and flow data for minimally disturbed, unregulated freshwater wadeable streams is an impediment to analyses of long-term trends in biological, thermal, and hydrologic data. In recent years, there has been substantial interest in developing Regional Monitoring Networks with states and EPA Regional offices to detect long-term climate change–related impacts on aquatic communities in freshwater streams. Current participants, including states in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and southeast, are initiating collection of thermal, hydrologic and biological data from targeted sites in each state. To help further this effort, the U.S. EPA and collaborators have written a guidance document to facilitate more uniform and effective collection of continuous temperature and water depth data at ungaged sites in wadeable streams. This document addresses questions related to equipment needs, configuration, placement, installation techniques, data retrieval, and data processing. The collection of these data will further efforts to detect and track climate change–related impacts over the long term, further our understanding of how biological, thermal, and hydrologic conditions vary spatially and temporally and inter-relate to one another, and help inform state and federal agencies on how to attribute altered environmental conditions to climate change versus other stressors.
Tucker, M. et al. 2018. Moving in the Anthropocene: Global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements. Science 359:466-469. DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9712 \| Download	January 2018
Suryan, R. M., Sato, F., Balogh, G., Hyrenbach, K. D., Sievert, P. R., and Ozaki, K. 2006. Foraging destinations and marine habitat use of short-tailed albatrosses: A multi-scale approach using first-passage time analysis. Deep Sea Research II 53(3-4):370-386.	June 2006
Suryan, R. M., D. J. Anderson, S. A. Shaffer, D. D. Roby, Y. Tremblay, D. P. Costa, P. R. Sievert, F. Sato, and K. Ozaki. 2007. Wind, waves, and wing loading: their relative importance to the at-sea distribution and movements of North and Central Pacific albatrosses. PLoS ONE 3(12):e401	January 2008
Strules, J., and S. DeStefano. 2016. Seasonal foraging responses of beavers to sodium-enhanced foods: an experimental assessment with field feeding trials. Journal of Mammalogy 97:89–101.	January 2016
Sterrett, S., A. Roy, P. Hazelton, B. Watson, B. Swartz, T.R. Russ, L. Holst, M. Marchand, J. Wisniewski, M. Ashton, and B. Wicklow. 2018. Brook Floater Rapid Assessment Monitoring Protocol. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-132-2018, Washington, D.C. \| Publisher Website	September 2018
Sterrett, S., A. Roy, P. Hazelton, B. Swartz, E. Nedeau, J. Carmignani, and A. Skorupa. 2022. Standard Operating Protocol for Mark and Recapture Monitoring of Brook Floater in Streams. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-142-2022, Washington, D. C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css67282137 \| Publisher Website	July 2022
Stein A. B., T. K. Fuller, S. DeStefano, and L. L. Marker. 2011. Leopard population and home range estimates in north-central Namibia. African Journal of Ecology 49:383-387.	August 2011
Steidl, R. J., S. DeStefano, and W. J. Matter. 2000. On increasing the quality, reliability, and rigor of wildlife science. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:518-521.	January 2000
Stacy, J., R.L. Ryan, A.H. Roy, and A. Milman. 2021. Homeowners' willingness to adopt environmentally beneficial landscape practices in an urbanizing watershed. Cities and the Environment 14(1). DOI: 10.15365/cate.2021.140102 \| Publisher Website	July 2021
Smith, J. S., M. E. Mather, H. J. Frank, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn, S. D. McCormick. 2009. Evaluation of a gastric radio tag insertion technique for anadromous alewives. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:367–377.	April 2009
Skorupa, A.J., D. Perkins, A.H. Roy, and J.E. Ryan. 2023. Watershed selection to support freshwater mussel restoration: An open-loop decision guide. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/149-2023, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.3996/css85533320 \| Publisher Website	May 2023
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2022. Evaluation of host fishes for the Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) from populations in Massachusetts and Maine. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 25:91-102. DOI:10.31931/fmbc-d-21-00011 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2022
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, T. Warren, and B.S. Cheng. 2024. Food and water quality impact in situ growth of a freshwater mussel: implications for population restoration. Freshwater Science 43(2):107-123. \| Download	April 2024
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, T. Warren, and A. Fisk. 2024. Abundance of five sympatric stream dwelling mussels varies with physical habitat. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 2024:e4069. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4069 \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024
Sirén, A.P.K., Michael Hallworth, J. Kilborn, C.A. Bernier, N.L. Fortin, K.D. Gieder, R. Patry, R.M. Cliché, L.S. Prout, S. Gifford, S. Wixsom, T.L. Morelli, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Monitoring animal populations with cameras using open, multistate, N-mixture models. Ecology and Evolution. \| Abstract	December 2024	Remote cameras have become a mainstream tool for studying wildlife populations. For species whose developmental stages are identifiable in photographs, there are opportunities for tracking population changes and estimating demographic rates. Recent developments in hierarchical models allow for the estimation of ecological states and rates over time for unmarked animals whose stages are known. However, this powerful class of models has been underutilized as they are computationally intensive and model outputs can be difficult to interpret. Here, we use simulation to show how camera data can be analyzed with open, multistate, N-mixture (hereafter multistate DM) models to estimate abundance, survival, and recruitment. We evaluated 4 commonly encountered scenarios arising from camera trap data (low and high abundance and 25% and 50% missing data) each with 18 different sample size combinations (camera sites = 40, 250; surveys = 4, 8, 12; and years = 2, 5, 10) and evaluated the bias and precision of abundance, survival, and recruitment estimates. We also analyzed our empirical camera data on moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) with multistate DM models and compared inference with telemetry studies from the same time and region to assess the accuracy of camera studies to track moose populations. Most scenarios recovered the known parameters from our simulated data with higher accuracy and increased precision for scenarios with more sites, surveys, and/or years. Large amounts of missing data and fewer camera sites, especially at higher abundances, reduced accuracy and precision of survival and recruitment. Our empirical analysis provided biologically realistic estimates of moose survival and recruitment and recovered the known pattern of moose abundance across the region. Multistate DM models can be used for estimating demographic parameters from camera data when developmental stages are clearly identifiable. We discuss several avenues for future research and caveats for using these models for large-scale population monitoring.
Sirén, A.P.K., J. Berube, L.A. Clarfeld, C.F.Sullivan, B. Simpson, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Accounting for missing ticks: Use (or lack thereof) of hierarchical models in tick ecology studies. Ticks and Tickborne Diseases 15:102342. DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102342. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	April 2024	Ixodid (hard) ticks play important ecosystem roles and have significant impacts on animal and human health via tick-borne diseases and physiological stress from parasitism. Tick occurrence, abundance, activity, and key life-history traits are highly influenced by host availability, weather, microclimate, and landscape features. As such, changes in the environment can have profound impacts on ticks, their hosts, and the spread of diseases. Researchers recognize that spatial and temporal factors influence activity and abundance and attempt to account for both by conducting replicate sampling bouts spread over the tick questing period. However, common field methods notoriously underestimate abundance, and it is unclear how (or if) tick studies model the confounding effects of factors influencing activity and abundance. This step is critical as unaccounted variance in detection can lead to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance. We performed a descriptive review to evaluate the extent to which studies account for the detection process while modeling tick data. We also categorized the types of analyses that are commonly used to model tick data. We used hierarchical models (HMs) that account for imperfect detection to analyze simulated and empirical tick data, demonstrating that inference is muddled when detection probability is not accounted for in the modeling process. Our review indicates that only 5 of 412 (1 %) papers explicitly accounted for imperfect detection while modeling ticks. By comparing HMs with the most common approaches used for modeling tick data (e.g., ANOVA), we show that population estimates are biased low for simulated and empirical data when using non-HMs, and that confounding occurs due to not explicitly modeling factors that influenced both detection and abundance. Our review and analysis of simulated and empirical data shows that it is important to account for our ability to detect ticks using field methods with imperfect detection. Not doing so leads to biased estimates of occurrence and abundance which could complicate our understanding of parasite-host relationships and the spread of tick-borne diseases. We highlight the resources available for learning HM approaches and applying them to analyzing tick data.
Shuster, W.D., A.S. Garmestani, O.O. Green, L.K. Rhea, A.H. Roy, and H.W. Thurston. 2013. Catchment-scale stormwater management via economic incentives-- an overview and lessons-learned. Proceedings of the 8th International Conference of Novatech. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	June 2013	Long-term field studies of the effectiveness and sustainability of decentralized stormwater management are rare. From 2005-2011, we tested an incentive-based approach to citizen participation in stormwater management in the Shepherd Creek, Cincinnati OH USA. Hydrologic, biological, and water quality data were characterized in a baseline monitoring effort 2005-2007. Reverse auctions held successively in 2007 and 2008 engaged citizens to voluntarily bid on stormwater control measures (SCMs); and successful bids led to implementation of SCMs, which led to an enhancement of catchment detention capacity. We tested for attributes of sustainability (co-consideration of social, economic, and environmental (hydrologic, soils, aquatic biology) aspects), and summarize lessons-learned. Our results and outcomes provide a basis for planning future field studies that more fully determine the effectiveness of stormwater management in terms of sustainability.
Scoggins, M., D.B. Booth, M. Fork, R. Hale, R.J. Hawley, A.H. Roy, E.E. Bilger, N. Bond, M.J. Burns, T. Fletcher, A. Gonzalez, K.G. Hopkins, K.H. Macneale, E. Marti, S.K. McKay, M.W. Neale, M.J. Pail, B. Rios-Touma, K.L. Russell, R.F. Smith, S. Wenger, and S. Wagner. 2022. Community-powered urban stream restoration: A framework for sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems. Freshwater Science 41: 404-419. https://doi.org/10.1086/721150 \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Schmidt, J.H., W.L. Thompson, T.L. Wilson, J.H. Reynolds. 2022. Understanding the impacts of the detection process on distance sampling surveys: selecting among approaches and minimizing total error. Wildlife Monographs 210: e1070. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmon.1070 \| Abstract	July 2022	Wildlife population estimators often require formal adjustment for imperfect detection of individuals during surveys. Conventional distance sampling (CDS) and its extensions (mark‐recapture distance sampling [MRDS], temporary emigration distance sampling [TEDS]) are popular approaches for producing unbiased estimators of wildlife abundance. However, despite extensive discussion and development of distance sampling theory in the literature, deciding which of these alternatives is most appropriate for a particular scenario can be confusing. Some of this confusion may stem from an incomplete understanding of how each approach addresses the components of the detection process. Here we describe the proper application of CDS, MRDS, and TEDS approaches and use applied examples to help clarify their differing assumptions with respect to the components of the detection process. To further aid the practitioner, we summarize the differences in a decision tree that can be used to identify cases where a more complex alternative (e.g., MRDS or TEDS) may be appropriate for a given survey application. Although the more complex approaches can account for additional sources of bias, in practical applications one also must consider estimator precision. Therefore, we also review the concept of total estimator error in the context of comparing competing methods for a given application to aid in the selection of the most appropriate distance sampling approach. Finally, we detail how the use of more advanced techniques (i.e., informed priors, open‐population distance sampling models, and integrated modeling approaches) can further reduce total estimator error by leveraging information from existing and ongoing data collection .By synthesizing the existing literature on CDS, MRDS, TEDS and their extensions, in conjunction with the concepts of total estimator error and the components of the detection process, we provide a comprehensive guide that can be used by the practitioner to more efficiently, effectively, and appropriately apply distance sampling in a variety of settings.
Schmidt, J.H., T.L. Wilson, W.L. Thompson, B.A. Mangipane. 2022. Integrating distance sampling survey data with population indices to separate trends in abundance and resource use. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22185. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22185 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	January 2022	Managers rely on accurate estimators of wildlife abundance and trends for management decisions. Despite the focus of contemporary wildlife science on developing methods to improve inference from wildlife surveys, legacy datasets often rely on index counts that lack information about the detection process. Data integration can be a useful tool for combining index counts with data collected under more rigorous designs (i.e., designs that account for the detection process), but care is required when datasets represent different population processes or are mismatched in space and time. This can be particularly problematic in cases where animals aggregate in response to a spatially or temporally limited resource because individuals may temporarily immigrate from outside the study area and be included in the abundance index. Abundance indices based on brown bear (<i>Ursus arctos</i>) feeding aggregations within coastal meadows in early summer in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA, are one such example. These indices reflect the target population (brown bears residing within the park) and temporary immigrants (i.e., bears drawn from outside the park boundary). To properly account for the effects of temporary immigration, we integrated the index data with abundance data collected via park-wide distance sampling surveys, the latter of which properly addressed the detection process. By assuming that the distance data provide inference on abundance and the index counts represent some combination of abundance and temporary immigration processes, we were able to decompose the relative contribution of each to overall trend. We estimated that the density of brown bears within our study area was 38–54 adults/1,000 km<sup>2</sup> during 2003–2019 and that abundance increased at a rate of approximately 1.4%/year. The contribution of temporary immigrants to overall trend in the index was low, so we created 3 hypothetical scenarios to more fully demonstrate how the integrated approach could be useful in situations where the composite trend in meadow counts may obscure trends in abundance (e.g., opposing trends in abundance and temporary immigration). Our work represents a conceptual advance supporting the integration of legacy index data with more rigorous data streams and is broadly applicable in cases where trends in index values may represent a mixture of population processes.
Schmidt, J.H., H.A., Coletti, K.A. Cutting, T.L. Wilson, B.A. Mangipane, C. Schultz, D.T. Schertz. 2024. The effects of spatiotemporal variation in marine resources on the occupancy dynamics of a terrestrial avian predator. Ecosphere: e70078. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70078. \| Abstract	November 2024	Identifying relationships between population dynamics and system drivers such as weather, climate, habitat, and resource availability is critical in understanding how populations respond to changing conditions. In coastal areas, the transfer of nutrients across the marine and terrestrial interface leads to further complexity. Nesting populations of bald eagles along the Pacific coast, although terrestrial, are largely dependent on marine resources during the breeding season and therefore represent a good focal species for understanding linkages of nutrients between terrestrial and marine systems. However, coastal areas are susceptible to a variety of perturbations, from both land and sea, which can be further exacerbated by climate change. For example, the northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave (PMH) of 2014-2016 had wide-ranging impacts on the marine ecosystem, providing a convenient natural experiment for further exploring how marine conditions can impact terrestrial systems. We used a spatially-explicit multi-state occupancy modeling framework to analyze >30yrs of bald eagle nest occupancy data collected in 4 large national parks along a coastal-interior gradient in Alaska, USA. We assessed occupancy state in relation to weather conditions, salmon abundance, access to alternate prey resources, and the PMH event to help elucidate the factors affecting bald eagle occupancy dynamics over time. We found that occupancy probability was higher in areas where prey resources were concentrated (e.g., near seabird colonies, where bears facilitate access to salmon carcasses), and the probability of success was higher during warmer, drier springs with higher-than-average salmon abundance. After the onset of the marine heatwave, success declined in the areas most dependent on non-salmon marine resources. These findings confirm the importance of spring weather conditions and access to salmon resources during the critical chick-rearing period, but also reveal that marine heatwaves may have important secondary effects through a reduction in the overall quantity or quality of prey available to bald eagles. Given ongoing warming at high latitudes and the expectation that marine heatwaves will become more common, our findings are useful for understanding ongoing and future changes in the transfer of nutrients from marine to terrestrial ecosystems and how such changes may impact terrestrial species such as bald eagles.
Schlossberg, S., D. I. King, S. DeStefano, and M. J. Hartley. 2018. Effects of early-successional shrubland management on breeding wood thrush populations. Journal of Wildlife Management 82.	August 2018
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L. Perkins, T. Warren, C. Walsh, and R. Wick. 2022 Assessing methods for mitigating fungal contamination in freshwater mussel in vitro propagation. Hydrobiologia 849:2487-2501. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04865-1 \| Download	April 2022
Roy, A.H., L.K. Rhea, A.L. Mayer, W.D. Shuster, J.J. Beaulieu, M.E. Hopton, M.A. Morrison, and A. St. Amand. 2014. How much is enough? Minimal responses of water quality and stream biota to partial retrofit stormwater management in a suburban neighborhood. PLoS ONE 9: e85011 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2014	Decentralized stormwater management approaches (e.g., biofiltration swales, pervious pavement, green roofs, rain gardens) that capture and detain, infiltrate, and filter runoff are now more commonly used throughout catchments to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces on aquatic ecosystems. However, there is little research on the effectiveness of retrofit, parcel-scale stormwater management for improving downstream ecosystem health. A reverse auction was used to encourage homeowners to mitigate stormwater on their property within the suburban, 1.8 km2 Shepherd Creek catchment in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA). In 2007–2008, 165 rain barrels and 81 rain gardens were installed on 30% of the properties in four experimental (treatment) subcatchments, and two additional subcatchments were maintained as controls. At the base of the subcatchments, we sampled monthly baseflow water quality, and seasonal (5x/year) physical habitat, macroinvertebrate and periphyton assemblages in the streams for the three years before and after treatment implementation. There were very few significant differences in water quality and biotic variables from rain garden and rain barrel installations. Observed responses show trends (p < 0.10) toward increased iron, conductivity, filamentous algae, and macroinvertebrate diversity in control sites, with a corresponding lack of change (or decrease) in experimental sites, indicating a significant treatment effect. We attributed the minimal shifts in stream water quality and biota to the relatively small reductions in stormflow volume associated with the treatment. Improvement in overall stream health is unlikely without treatment of all major impervious surfaces (including roads, apartment buildings, and parking lots), stream bank and riparian improvements, and mitigation of septic tanks and other water quality stressors. Despite the challenges of catchment-scale restoration, additional research is needed to determine the extent of management necessary to improve the health of stream ecosystems.
Roy, A.H., K.A. Capps, R.W. El-Sabaawi, K.L. Jones, T.B. Parr, A. Ramirez, R.F. Smith, C.J. Walsh, and S.J. Wenger. 2016. Urbanization and stream ecology: Diverse mechanisms of change. Freshwater Science 35:272-277.	January 2016
Roy, A.H., E. Bjerre, J. Cummings, K. Kalasz, J. Carmignani, P. Hazelton, M. Kern, D. Perkins, L. Saucier, A. Skorupa, R. Katz, and C.C. Coghlan. 2022. Brook floater restoration: Identifying locations to reintroduce or augment populations with propagated mussels. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series.FWS/CSS-141-2022. doi.org/10.3996/css40468057 \| Publisher Website	March 2022
Rosset, J., A.H. Roy, B. Gahagan, A. Whiteley, M. Armstrong, J. Sheppard, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Temporal patterns of river herring migration and spawning in coastal Massachusetts. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 146:1101-1114. DOI: 10.1080/00028487.2017.1341851 \| Publisher Website	September 2017
Rosenblatt, E, Cook, J. D., DiRenzo, G.V., Grant, E.H.C., Arce, F., Pepin, K. M., Rudolph, J.F., Runge, M.C., Shriner, S., Walsh, D., and Mosher, B.A. 2023. Epidemiological modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reveals conditions for introduction and widespread transmission. biorxiv.	September 2023
Rogers, A. S., S. DeStefano, and M. Ingraldi. 2005. Quantifying raptor diets: a comparative study between remote cameras and observation from blinds. Journal of Raptor Research 39:303-309.	August 2005
Rogers, A. S., S. DeStefano, and M. F. Ingraldi. 2006. Diet, prey delivery rates, and prey biomass of northern goshawks in east-central Arizona. Studies in Avian Biology 31:219-227.	September 2006
Pautzke, S. M., M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, L. A. Deegan, R. M. Muth. 2010. Seasonal use of a New England estuary by foraging contingents of migratory striped bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139: 257–269	January 2010
Parrish, D. L., M. E. Mather, and R. A. Stein. 1995. Problem-solving research for management: a perspective. Fisheries 20:6-13.	January 1996
Odell, J., M. E. Mather, and R. M. Muth. 2005. Biosocial Approach for Analyzing Environmental Conflicts: A Case Study of Horseshoe Crab Allocation. Bioscience 55 (9): 735-748(14)	September 2005
Nitschke, P., M. E. Mather, and F. Juanes. 2002. The role of anthropogenic disturbance, density, habitat, and abiotic factors on recruitment of a temperate reef fish, cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), in Cape Cod Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 226:165-178	January 2002
Nitschke, P., M. E. Mather, and F. Juanes. 2001. Length-, weight-, and age-fecundity relationships for cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus). North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21:86-95	August 2001
Nishida, C., C.W. Boal, S. DeStefano, and R. G. Hobbs. 2013. Nesting habitat and productivity of Swainson's hawks in Southeastern Arizona. Journal of Raptor Research 47:377-384.	December 2013
Muth, R. M., R. R. Zwick, M. E. Mather, J. F. Organ. 2002. Passing the torch of fisheries and wildlife management: comparing the attitudes and values of younger and older conservation professionals. Transactions of the 67th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, p 178-193. Wildlife Management Institute, Washington. DC	December 2002
Muth, R. M., D. A. Hamilton, J. F. Organ, D. J. Witter, M. E. Mather, and J. J. Daigle. 1998. The future of wildlife and fisheries policy: assessing the attitudes and values of wildlife and fisheries professionals. Transactions of the 63rd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.	January 1999
Muth, R. M, R. R. Zwick, M. E. Mather, J. F. Organ, J. J. Daigle, S. A. Jonker. 2006. Unnecessary source of pain and suffering or necessary management tool: examining the attitudes of conservation professionals toward outlawing the leghold trap. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:706-715	September 2006
Mueller, T., K. A. Olson, G. Dressler, P. Leimgruber, T. K. Fuller, C. Nicolson, A. J. Novaro, M. J. Bolgeri, D. Wattles, S. DeStefano, J. M. Calabrese, and W. Fagan. 2011. How landscape dynamics link individual- to population-level movement patterns: a multispecies comparison of ungulate relocation data. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20:683–694.	January 2011
Moloney, D., K. Wormington, and S. DeStefano. 2002. Stag retention and use by arboreal marsupials in eucalypt forests of southeast Queensland, Australia: implications for management. Pages 347-355 in W. F. Laudenslayer, Jr. et al., editors. Proceedings of the symposium on the ecology and management of dead wood in western forests. U. S. Forest Service, Albany, CA.	December 2002
McPherson, G. M., and S. DeStefano. 2002. Applied ecology and natural resource management. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.	December 2002
McGrath, M. T., S. DeStefano, R. A. Riggs, L. L. Irwin, and G. J. Roloff. 2003. Spatially explicit influences on northern goshawk nesting habitat in the interior Pacific Northwest. Wildlife Monographs 154.	October 2003
McEachran, M. C., Harvey, J. A., Mummah, R. O., Bletz, M. C., Teitelbaum, C. S., Rosenblatt, E., ... & Cook, J. D. (2024). Reframing wildlife disease management problems with decision analysis. Conservation Biology, e14284.	May 2024
McDonald, J. E., S. DeStefano, C. Gaughan, M. Meyer, W. A. Woytek, S. Christensen, and T. K. Fuller. 2011. Survival and harvest-related mortality of white-tailed deer in Massachusetts. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:209–219.	July 2011
McCarthy, K. P., and S. DeStefano. 2011. Effects of spatial disturbance on common loon nest site selection and territory success. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:289-296.	April 2011
McCarthy, K. P., and S. DeStefano. 2011. Common loon nest defense against an American mink. Northeastern Naturalist 18:247-249.	April 2011
McCarthy, K. P., S. DeStefano, and T. Laskowski. 2010. Bald eagle predation on a common loon egg. Journal of Raptor Research 44:249-251. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	December 2010	We document the predation of an active Common Loon (Gavia immer) nest by an immature Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) on Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, Maine. It is likely that with eagle populations increasing in New England and many other parts of the range where Bald Eagles and loons overlap, there will be subsequent increases in Bald Eagle predation on Common Loon nests. This may be important at a local scale on lakes of key concern such as Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge where nest success is declining.
Mayer, A.L., W.D. Shuster, J.J. Beaulieu, M.E. Hopton, L.K. Rhea, A.H. Roy, and H.W. Thurston. 2012. Building green infrastructure via citizen participation: a six-year study in the Shepherd Creek (Ohio). Environmental Practice 14:57-67. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2012	Green infrastructure at the parcel scale provides critical ecosystem goods and services when these services (such as flood mitigation) must be provided locally. Here we report on an approach that encourages suburban landowners to mitigate impervious surfaces on their properties through a voluntary auction mechanism. We used an economic incentive to place rain gardens and rain barrels onto parcels in a 1.8-km2 watershed near Cincinnati, Ohio. A comprehensive hydrologic, water-quality, and ecological monitoring campaign documented environmental conditions before and after treatment. In 2007 and 2008, we engaged private landowners through a reverse auction to encourage placement of one rain garden and up to four rain barrels on their property. The program led to the installation of 83 rain gardens and 176 rain barrels onto more than 20% of the properties, and preliminary analyses indicate that the overall discharge regime was altered by the treatments. The length of the study (six years) may have precluded observation of treatment effects on water quality and aquatic biological communities, as we would expect these conditions to respond more slowly to management changes. These distributed storm-water installations contributed to ecosystem services such as flood protection, water supply, and water infiltration; provided benefits to the local residents; and reduced the need for larger, expensive, centralized retrofits (such as deep tunnel storage).
Mattocks, S., S. Bittner, V. Luzanau, H. Mohammadi, A.H. Roy, M. Staudinger, and A. Jordaan. 2024. River herring influence perch morphology, physiology, and life history. Environmental Biology of Fishes 107: 1179-1201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-024-01595-2 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2024
Mather, M. E., and R. A. Stein. 1993. Using growth-mortality tradeoffs to explore a crayfish species replacement in stream riffles and pools. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 50: 88-96.	January 1994
Mather, M. E., and R. A. Stein. 1993. Direct and indirect effects of fish predation on the replacement of a native crayfish by an invading congenor. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 50: 1279-1288.	January 1994
Mather, M. E., M. J. Vanni, T. E. Wissing, S. A. Davis, and M. H. Schaus. 1995. Regeneration of nitrogen and phosphorus by bluegill and gizzard shad: effect of feeding history. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52: 2327-2338.	January 1996
Mather, M. E., D. L. Parrish. C. A. Campbell, J. R. McMenemy, and J. M. Smith. 2008. Summer temperature variation and implications for juvenile Atlantic salmon. Hydrobiologia 603:183-196	March 2008
Mather, M. E., D. L. Parrish, and J. M. Dettmers. 2009. The extensive and complex landscape of fish-related journals authors’ response. Fisheries 34:144-145.	March 2009
Mather, M. E., D. L. Parrish, R. A. Stein, and R. M. Muth. 1995. Management issues and their relative priorities within state fisheries agencies. Fisheries 20:14-21.	January 1996
Mather, M. E., D. L. Parrish, J. M. Dettmers. 2008. Mapping the changing landscape of fish-related journals: setting a course for successful communication of scientific information. Fisheries 33(9): 444-453.	September 2008
Mather, M. E., D. L. Parrish, C. L. Folt, and D. M. DeGraaf. 1998. Integrating across scales: effectively applying science for the successful conservation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55:1-8.	January 1999
Mather, M. E. 1998. The role of context specific predation in understanding patterns exhibited by anadromous salmon. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55: 232-246.	January 1999
Mather, M. E, J. T. Finn, K. H. Ferry, L. A. Deegan, G. A. Nelson.. 2009. Use of non-natal estuaries by migratory striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in summer. Fishery Bulletin 107(3): 329-337	July 2009
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, B.I. Gahagan, A. Jordaan, J. Rosset, and A.R. Whiteley. 2023. Alewife that stay longer mate longer: An investigation of adult freshwater residence time in an anadromous fish species. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 80: 563-576. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2022-0086 \| Publisher Website	January 2023
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.G. Slocombe, J.J. Sheppard, S. Batchelder, R. Govostes, and J.K. Llopiz. 2024. A video monitoring and computational system for estimating juvenile fish abundance. Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 22:295-310. https://doi.org/10.1002/lom3.10607 \| Download	March 2024
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, A. Jordaan, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, and A.R. Whiteley. 2019. Larger body size and earlier run timing increase alewife reproductive success in a whole lake experiment. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 76:1134-1146. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2017-0451 \| Publisher Website	July 2019
Lerman, S. B., K. H. Nislow, D. J. Nowak, S. DeStefano, D. I. King, and D. T. Jones-Farrand. 2014. Using urban forest assessment tools to model bird habitat potential. Landscape and Urban Planning 122:29–40.	April 2014
Legett, H.D., A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, J.J. Sheppard, M. Somos-Valenzuela, and M.D. Staudinger. 2021. Daily patterns of river herring (Alosa spp.) spawning migrations: environmental drivers and variation among coastal streams in Massachusetts. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10301 \| Publisher Website	May 2021
LeFlore, E.G., T.K. Fuller, J.T. Finn, S. DeStefano, and J.F. Organ. 2019. Wild canid distribution and co-existence during Fall in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Northeastern Naturalist 26:325-342.	June 2019
Kuvlesky, W. P., Jr., S. A. Gall, S. J. Dobrott, S. Tolley, F. S. Guthery, S. DeStefano, N. King, K. R. Nolte, N. J. Silvy, J. C. Lewis, G. Gee, G. Camou-Lourdes, and R. Engel-Wilson. 2000. The status of masked bobwhite recovery in the United States and Mexico. Pages 42-57 in L. A. Brennan, W. E. Palmer, L. W. Burger, Jr., and T. L. Pruden, eds. Quail IV: Proceedings of the Fourth National Quail Symposium 4, Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL.	January 2000
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, X. He, and C. Butler. 2024. LakeLevel Tracker: A Google Earth Engine-based web application for characterizing lake water levels. LakeLine 43(4): 21-25. \| Download \| Publisher Website	January 2024
Kumar, A. A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, X. He, and C. Butler. 2024. A multi-sensor approach to characterize winter water level drawdown patterns in lakes. Remote Sensing 16:947. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16060947 \| Publisher Website	March 2024
Kosa, J. T., and M. E. Mather. 2001 Processes contributing to variability in regional patterns of juvenile river herring abundance across small coastal systems. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 130: 600-619	August 2001
Koenen, K., S. DeStefano, C. Henner, and T. Beroldi. 2005. From the field: capturing beavers in box traps. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:1153-1159.	August 2005
Koenen, K. G., S. DeStefano, and P. R. Krausman. 2002. Using distance sampling to estimate seasonal densities of desert mule deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:53-63.	January 2002
Kaushal, S.S., M.J. Fork, R.J. Hawley, K.G. Hopkins, B. Rios-Touma, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Stream restoration milestones: monitoring scales determine successes and failures. Urban Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-023-01370-8 \| Publisher Website	May 2023
Katz, R., E. Grant, M. Runge, B. Connery, M. Crockett, E. Herland, S. Johnson, D. Kirk, J. Wofford, R. Bennett, K. Nislow, M. Norris, D. Hocking, B. Letcher, A. Roy. 2014. Making decisions in complex landscapes: Headwater stream management across multiple federal agencies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, Structured Decision Making Workshop Report. \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2014
Kanda, L. L., T. K. Fuller, P. R. Sievert, and R. L. Kellogg. 2009. Seasonal source-sink dynamics at the edge of a species range. Ecology 90(6):1574-1585.	July 2009
Kanda, L. L., Fuller, T. K., and Sievert, P. R. 2006. Local distribution and landscape associations of road-killed Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in central Massachusetts. American Midland Naturalist 156:128-134.	August 2006
Kanda, L. L., Fuller, T. K., and Sievert, P. R. 2006. Landscape associations of road-killed Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) in central Massachusetts. American Midland Naturalist 156:128-134.	July 2006
Kanda, L. L., Fuller, T. K., Sievert, P. R., and Friedland, K. D. 2005. Variation in winter microclimate and its potential influence on Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) survival in Amherst, Massachusetts. Urban Ecosystems 8: 213-223.	September 2005
Jordan, C. N., T. Kaur, K. Koenen, S. DeStefano, A. M. Zajac, and D. S. Lindsay. 2005. Prevalence of agglutinating antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Sarcocystis neurona in beavers (Castor canadensis) from Massachusetts. Journal of Parasitology 91:210-211.	August 2005
Jane, S. F., A. H. Roy, P. D. Hazelton, T. A. Richards, J. T. Finn, and T. O. Randhir. 2016. Establishing links between streamflow and ecological integrity in the Sudbury River. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-122-2016, Washington, D.C. \| Publisher Website	December 2016
Jackson, J.K., S.A. Entrekin, H.S. Greig, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Atlantic Rivers-- Northeast United States. Chapter 2 in Delong, M., T. Jardine, A. Benke, and C. Cushing (editors). Rivers of North America. Second Edition. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780128188477 \| Publisher Website	April 2023
Hobbs, R. J., S. DeStefano, and W. L. Halvorson. 2006. Breeding biology of red-tailed hawks in an altered desert grassland. Journal of Raptor Research 40:38-45.	September 2006
Hinojosa-Huerta, O., S. DeStefano, and W. W. Shaw. 2001. Abundance and distribution of the Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis) in the Colorado River delta, Mexico. Journal of Arid Environments 49:171-182.	September 2001
Hinojosa-Huerta, O., S. DeStefano, Y. Carrillo-Guerrero, W. W. Shaw, and C. Valdes-Casillas. 2004. Waterbird communities and associated wetlands of the Colorado River Delta, Mexico. Studies in Avian Biology 27:52-60.	March 2004
Hewitt, D, A., J. S. Link, D. H. Wahl, S. J. Cooke, and M. E. Mather 2009. Maintaining the Competitiveness of the American Fisheries Society Journals: An Assessment Based on Influence and Cost-Effectiveness. Fisheries 34:598-606	December 2009
He, Xinchen, K. Andreadis, A.H. Roy, A. Kumar, and C. Butler. 2023. Developing a hydrological modeling framework for lake water level drawdown management. Journal of Environmental Management 345: 118744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118744 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2023
Harper, R.W., E.S. Huff, D.V. Bloniarz, S. DeStefano, and C.R. Nicolson. 2018. Exploring the characteristics of successful volunteer-led urban forest tree committees in Massachusetts. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 34: 311-317.	August 2018
Harper, R. W., D. V. Bloniarz, S. DeStefano, and C. R. Nicolson. 2017. Urban forest management in New England: towards a contemporary understanding of tree wardens in Massachusetts communities. Arboricultural Journal 39:162-178.	October 2017
Halstead, B. J., P. M. Kleeman, G. V. DiRenzo, & J. P. Rose. 2022. Occurrence of Shasta salamanders (Hydromantes spp.) in little-studied portions of their range, with implications for optimizing survey design. Journal of Herpetology 56, 218-228. DOI: 10.1670/20-119.	August 2022
Haggerty, S. A., and Sievert, P. R. 2005. Managing firebreak fuels to promote habitat of an imperiled moth. Ecological Restoration 23(1): 67-68.	March 2005
Guthery, F. S., N. M. King, K. R. Nolte, W. P. Kuvlesky, Jr., S. DeStefano, S. A. Gall, and N. J. Silvy. 2001. Multivariate perspectives on patch use by masked bobwhites. Journal of Wildlife Management 65:118-124.	July 2000
Guthery, F. S., N. M. King, K. R. Nolte, W. P. Kuvlesky, Jr., S. DeStefano, S. A. Gall, and N. J. Silvy. 2000. Comparative habitat ecology of Texas and masked bobwhites. Journal of Wildlife Management 64:407-420.	January 2000
Grgurovic, M., and Sievert, P. R. 2005. Movement patterns of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in the suburban landscape of eastern Massachusetts. Urban Ecosystems 8: 201-211.	September 2005
Grant, E. H. C., Mummah, R., Mosher, B. A., Evans, J., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Inferring pathogen presence and prevalence under sample misclassification and partial observation. Methods in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.14102. \| Abstract	April 2023	Surveillance programs are essential for detecting emerging pathogens and often rely on molecular methods to make inference about the presence of a target disease agent. However, molecular methods rarely detect target DNA perfectly. For example, molecular pathogen detection methods can result in misclassification (i.e., false positives and false negatives) or partial detection errors (i.e., detections with ‘ambiguous’, ‘uncertain’, or ‘equivocal’ results). Typically, these partial observations are either discarded or censored from the data; this, however, disregards information that may be exploited to make inference to the true state. Here, we develop a Bayesian hierarchal framework that accommodates false negative, false positive, and uncertain detections to improve inference to the occupancy of a pathogen. We apply our modeling framework to a case study of the fungal pathogen <i>Pseudogymnoascus destructans</i> (Pd) identified in Texas bats at the invasion front of white-nose syndrome. To improve future surveillance programs, we provide guidance on sample sizes required to be 95% certain a target organism is absent from a site. We found that the presence of uncertain detections increased the variability of resulting posterior probability distributions of pathogen occurrence, and estimates of required sample size were very sensitive to prior information about occupancy and prevalence. In the Pd case study, we found that the posterior probability of occupancy was very low in 2018, but approached 1 in 2020, reflecting increasing prior probabilities of occupancy and prevalence elicited from a manager.Our modeling framework provides the user a posterior probability distribution of pathogen occurrence, which allows for subjective interpretation by the decision-maker. To help readers apply and use the methods we developed, we also provide an interactive RShiny app that generates target species occupancy estimation and sample size estimates to make these methods more accessible to the scientific community. This modeling framework and sample size guide will be useful to improving inferences from molecular surveillance data about emerging pathogens, non-native invasive species, and endangered species where misclassifications and ambiguous detections are known to occur.
Grant, E. H. C., A. Brand, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Abtioic and biotic factors reduce the viability of a high-elevation salamander in its native range. Journal of Applied Ecology 60:1684–1697.	December 2022
Gordon Jr, A. B., Drummey, D., Tur, A., Curtis, A. E., McCumber, J. C., Jones, M. T., ... & DiRenzo, G. V. (2024). The Effect of Myiasis on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) Body Condition, Movement, and Habitat Use at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts. Northeastern Naturalist, 31(sp12), T55-T76.	July 2024
Gordon Jr, A. B., Drummey, D., Tur, A., Curtis, A. E., McCumber, J. C., Akresh, M. E., & DiRenzo, G. V. (2024). Long-Term Monitoring Reveals Management Effects on Prairie Warbler Colonization, Local Extinction, and Detection in a Massachusetts Pine Barren. Northeastern Naturalist, 31(3), 418-434.	October 2024
Gaughan, C. R., and S. DeStefano. 2005. Quantifying edge and assessing effects of suburban development on white-tailed deer movement patterns. Urban Ecosystems 8:189-200.	August 2005
Fuller, T. K., and S. DeStefano. 2003. Relative importance of early-successional forests and shrubland habitats to mammals in the northeastern United States. Forest Ecology and Management 185:75-79.	October 2003
Fuller, T. K., and P. R. Sievert. 2001. Carnivore demography and the consequences of changes in prey availability. Pages 163-178 in J. L. Gittleman, S. M. Funk, D. W. Macdonald, and R. K. Wayne, editors. Carnivore conservation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom.	February 2001
Freeman, MC, KR Bestgen, D Carlisle, EA Frimpong, NR Franssen, KB Gido, ER Irwin, Y Kanno, C Luce, SK McKay, MC Mims, JD Olden, NL Poff, DL Propst, L Rack, AH Roy, E Stowe, A Walters, and SJ Wenger. 2022. Towards improved understanding of streamflow effects on freshwater fishes. Fisheries 47:290-298. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10731 \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2022
Franson, J. C., S. P. Hansen, T. E. Creekmore, C. J. Brand, D. C. Evers, A. E. Duerr, and S. DeStefano. 2003. Lead fishing weights and other fishing tackle in selected waterbirds. Waterbirds 26:345-352.	October 2003
Franson, J. C., S. P. Hansen, A. E. Duerr, and S. DeStefano. 2001. Size and mass of grit in gizzards of sandhill cranes, tundra swans, and mute swans. Waterbirds 24:242-244.	June 2001
Frank, H. F, M. E. Mather, J. M. Smith, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn, S. D. McCormick. 2009. What is ‘fallback"?: metrics needed to assess telemetry tag effects on anadromous fish behavior. Hydrobiologia 35:237-249.	August 2009
Frank, H. F, M. E. Mather, R. M. Muth, S. M. Pautzke, J. M. Smith, J. T. Finn, 2009. The Adopt-a-Herring Program as a Fisheries Conservation Tool. Fisheries 34(10):496-507	October 2009
Fork, M.L., K.G. Hopkins, J. Chappell, R. Hawley, S. Kaushal, B. Murphy, B. Rios-Touma, and A.H. Roy. 2022. Urbanization and stream ecology: Moving the bar on multidisciplinary solutions to wicked urban stream problems. Freshwater Science 41:398-403. https://doi.org/10.1086/721470 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Fletcher, T., M.J. Burns, K. Russell, P. Hamel, S. Duchesne, F. Cherqui, and A. Roy. In Press. The changing drivers and expectations of urban hydrology. Nature Reviews. \| Publisher Website	October 2024
Finkelstein, M., V. J. Bakker, D. F. Doak, B. Sullivan, W. H. Satterthwaite, R. L. Lewison, P. B. McIntyre, S. Wolf, D. Priddel, J. M. Arnold, R. W. Henry, P. R. Sievert, and J. P. Croxall. 2008. Evaluating the potential effectiveness of compensatory mitigation strategies for marine bycatch. PLoS ONE 3(6): e2480.	June 2008
Finkelstein, M., Keitt, B. S., Tershy, B., Jarman, W. M., Rodriguez-Pastor, S., Anderson, D. J., Sievert, P. R., Croll, D. A., and Smith, D. R. 2005. Albatross species demonstrate regional differences in North Pacific marine contamination. Ecological Applications 16(2):678-686.	April 2006
Field, R., R. J. Warren, H. Okarma, and P. R. Sievert, editors. 2001. Wildlife, land, and people: priorities for the 21st century. Proceedings of the Second International Wildlife Management Congress. The Wildlife Society, Betheseda, Maryland, USA.	December 2001
Fernandez, P., D. J. Anderson, P. R. Sievert, and K. P. Huyvaert. 2001. Foraging destinations of three low-latitude albatross (Phoebastria) species. Journal of Zoology, London 254:391-404.	June 2001
Fayer, R., M. Santin, J. M. Trout, S. DeStefano, K. Koenen, and T. Kaur. 2006. Prevalence of Microsporidia, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia spp. in beavers (Castor canadensis) in Massachusetts. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 37:492-497.	September 2006
Faison, E. K., S. DeStefano, D. R. Foster, and A. Barker-Plotkin. 2016. Functional response of ungulate browsers in disturbed eastern hemlock forests. Forest Ecology and Management 362:177-183.	April 2016
Faison, E. K., S. DeStefano, D. R. Foster, G. Motzkin, and J. M. Rapp. 2016. Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests. Ecology and Evolution 6:4591–4602.	July 2016
Faison, E. K., S. DeStefano, D. R. Foster, J. M. Rapp, and J. Compton. 2016. Multiple browsers structure tree recruitment in logged temperature forests. PLoS One https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0166783.	November 2016
Faison, E. K., D. R. Foster, and S. DeStefano. 2016. Long-term deer exclusion has complex effects on a suburban forest understory. Rhodora 118:382-402.	July 2016
Engman, A.C. and A.H. Roy. 2023. Fishes and Aquatic Invertebrates. Chapter IIIF in Nilon, C. and M. Aronson (eds). Routledge Handbook of Urban Diversity. London, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003016120 \| Publisher Website	October 2023
Duerr, A. D., and S. DeStefano. 1999. Use of a metal detector for determining abundance of lead fishing sinkers in waterbird habitat. Wildlife Society Bulletin 27:952-958.	November 1999
DiRenzo, G.V., Longo, A.V., Muletz-Wolz, C.R. et al. 2021. Plethodontid salamanders show variable disease dynamics in response to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans chytridiomycosis. Biological Invasions 23: 2797-2815.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-021-02536-1 \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	December 2021	Emerging infectious diseases are among the leading drivers of the sixth mass extinction. The recent invasion of a highly pathogenic chytrid fungus, <i>Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans</i> (<i>Bsal</i>), across Europe has led to salamander mass mortality. To date, it remains unclear whether <i>Bsal</i> will cause salamander mass mortalities in North America. Here, we tested the <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility of eight wild-caught salamander species (<i>Plethodon cinereus</i>, <i>P. glutinosus</i>, <i>P. montanus</i>, <i>P. cylindraceus</i>, <i>Desmognathus fuscus</i>, <i>D. wrighti, Eurycea wilderae</i>, and <i>Notophthalmus viridescens</i>) by inoculating individuals sequentially with a low (10,000 zoospores) and high (500,000 zoospores) <i>Bsal</i> dose<i>.</i> Overall, we found rapid and complete mortality of <i>N. viridescens</i> accompanied with high-<i>Bsal</i> infections (> 200,000 <i>Bsal</i> zoospores) and severe <i>Bsal</i> lesions distributed across the body and deep within the skin. In contrast, we found low mortality of plethodontid salamanders, where only 5 of 60 (8%) <i>Bsal</i>-exposed individuals died over the course of the experiment. In general, plethodontid salamanders experienced moderate <i>Bsal</i> infections (~ 4000 <i>Bsal</i> zoospores) with small numbers of <i>Bsal</i>-type lesions limited to the head and lateral body. Following the first <i>Bsal</i> inoculation, we found that <i>Bd</i> co-infections negatively affected <i>Bsal</i> infections, suggesting cross reactivity of the immune system or competitive exclusion, but this pattern did not persist following the second inoculation. We also found that <i>Bsal</i> infection intensity decreased over time following the second higher <i>Bsal</i> inoculation, suggesting evidence of immune priming. Throughout the experiment, all species and treatments experienced stable or increasing body condition over time. Lastly, ancestral state reconstruction of <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility indicated that although the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the family Plethodontidae is resistant to <i>Bsal</i>, the MRCA of the genus <i>Plethodon</i> is tolerant of <i>Bsal</i>. This highlights the variation in <i>Bsal</i>-infection outcomes across Plethodontidae. Collectively, our results suggest that Plethodontidae salamanders differ in their <i>Bsal</i> susceptibility, with some species less impacted than others, which will likely have consequences for their conservation and management.
DiRenzo, G. V., Miller, D. A. W., Hossack, B. R., Sigafus, B. H., Howell, P. E., Muths, E., & E. H. C. Grant. 2021. Accommodating the role of site memory in dynamic species distribution models. Ecology 102: e03315. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	March 2021	First-order dynamic occupancy models (FODOMs) are a class of state-space model in which the true state (occurrence) is observed imperfectly. An important assumption of FODOMs is that site dynamics only depend on the current state and that variations in dynamic processes are adequately captured with covariates or random effects. However, it is often difficult to understand and/or measure the covariates that generate ecological data, which are typically spatiotemporally correlated. Consequently, the non-independent error structure of correlated data causes underestimation of parameter uncertainty and poor ecological inference. Here, we extend the FODOM framework with a second-order Markov process to accommodate site memory when covariates are not available. Our modeling framework can be used to make reliable inference about site occupancy, colonization, extinction, turnover, and detection probabilities. We present a series of simulations to illustrate the data requirements and model performance. We then applied our modeling framework to 13 yr of data from an amphibian community in southern Arizona, USA. In this analysis, we found residual temporal autocorrelation of population processes for most species, even after accounting for long-term drought dynamics. Our approach represents a valuable advance in obtaining inference on population dynamics, especially as they relate to metapopulations.
DiRenzo, G. V., Hanks, E., & D. A. W. Miller. 2022. A practical guide to understanding and validating complex statistical models using simulations. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 00: 1–15. DOI: 10.1111/2041-210X.14030.	November 2022
DiRenzo, G. V., D. M. W. Miller, & E. H. C. Grant. 2022. Ignoring species availability biases occupancy estimates in single-scale occupancy models. Methods in Ecology & Evolution 13: 1790-1804. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13881 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	May 2022	1. Most applications of single-scale occupancy models do not differentiate between availability and detectability, even though species availability is rarely equal to one. Species availability can be estimated using multi-scale occupancy models, and the availability process includes elements of species movement, behavior, and phenology. However, for the practical application of multi-scale occupancy models, it can be unclear what a robust sampling design looks like and what the statistical properties of the multi-scale and single-scale occupancy models are when availability is less than one.<br><br>2. Using simulations, we explore the following common questions asked by ecologists during the design phase of a field study: (Q1) what is a robust sampling design for the multi-scale occupancy model when there are <i>a priori</i> expectations of parameter estimates?, (Q2) what is a robust sampling design when we have no expectations of parameter estimates?, and (Q3) can a single-scale occupancy model with a random effects term adequately absorb the extra heterogeneity produced when availability is less than one and provide reliable estimates of occupancy probability?.<br><br>3. Our results show that there is a tradeoff between the number of sites and surveys needed to achieve a specified level of acceptable error for occupancy estimates using the multi-scale occupancy model. We also document that when species availability is low (< 0.40 on the probability scale), then single-scale occupancy models underestimate occupancy by as much as 0.40 on the probability scale, produce overly precise estimates, and provide poor parameter coverage. This pattern was observed when a random effects term was and was not included in the single-scale occupancy model, suggesting that adding a random-effects term does not adequately absorb the extra heterogeneity produced by the availability process. In contrast, when species availability was high (> 0.60), single-scale occupancy models performed similarly to the multi-scale occupancy model.<br><br>4. As a companion, we provide an RShiny app that allows users to further explore our results and sampling designs across a number of different scenarios https://gdirenzo.shinyapps.io/multi-scale-occ/. Our results suggest that unaccounted for availability can lead to underestimating species distributions when using single-scale occupancy models, which can have large implications on ecological inference and predictions for practitioners, such as those working at the front lines of invasion ecology, disease emergence, and species conservation.
Devine, M.T., S. Bittner, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Population density and zooplankton biomass influence juvenile river herring growth in freshwater lakes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 107:755-770.	July 2024
Devine, M.T., J. Rosset, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, A.R. Whiteley, A. Jordaan. 2020. Feeling the squeeze: Adult run size and habitat availability limit juvenile river herring densities in lakes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 150:207-221. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10282 \| Download \| Publisher Website	November 2020
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.R. Whiteley, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, and A. Jordaan. 2018. Precision and effectiveness of a purse seine for sampling age-0 river herring in lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10065 \| Publisher Website	March 2018
Desimone, S. M., and S. DeStefano. 2005. Temporal patterns of northern goshawk nest area occupancy and habitat: a retrospective analysis. J. Raptor Research 39(3):299-312.	September 2005
DeStefano, S., and R. M. DeGraaf. 2003. Exploring the ecology of suburban wildlife. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 1:95-101.	February 2003
DeStefano, S., and R. J. Steidl. 2001. The professional biologist and advocacy: what role do we play? Human Dimensions in Wildlife 6:11-19.	June 2001
DeStefano, S., and R. G. Haight, editors. 2002. Forest wildlife-habitat relationships: population and community responses to forest management. Society of American Foresters, Bethesda, MD. 276pp.	May 2002
DeStefano, S., and R. D. Deblinger. 2005. Wildlife as valuable natural resources versus intolerable pests: a suburban wildlife management model. Urban Ecosystems 8:177-188.	August 2005
DeStefano, S., and E. A. Johnson. 2005. Species that benefit from sprawl. Pages 206-235 in E. A. Johnson and M. W. Klemens, eds. Nature in fragments, the legacy of urban sprawl. Columbia University Press, New York, NY.	August 2005
DeStefano, S., and C. M. Webster. 2012. Distribution and habitat of greater roadrunners in urban and suburban Arizona. Studies in Avian Biology 45:155– 166. \| Abstract	July 2012	Abstract. Greater Roadrunners (Geococcyx californianus) are widespread throughout arid regions of the southwestern United States. As a large predatory bird, roadrunners require large home ranges and their relatively low densities and secretive nature make surveys and observations a challenge. However, roadrunners are among the most well-known and charismatic avian species in the Southwest and draw much attention from residents and visitors. Distribution of roadrunners and habitat features of importance to roadrunners in urban and suburban environments have not been described, and it is not known how development may affect roadrunner populations. Although roadrunners are occasionally seen in southwestern cities, urbanization may eliminate local populations. We used public sighting information to document roadrunner locations in metropolitan Tucson, Arizona. We explored and, when possible, evaluated the types of biases (e.g., species misidentification, erroneous information, non-response and self-selection biases) inherent in public information surveys. We also employed researcher-based, randomly distributed surveys to examine roadrunner distribution and habitat use, to estimate the amount of survey effort required to detect a low-density elusive species like roadrunners, and to establish a sample of sightings based on random sampling. We received 1,449 reports of roadrunner sightings from the public and saw 52 roadrunners on 281 researcher-based surveys. The general pattern of distribution of roadrunner sightings in Tucson was similar from both public and researcher surveys, forming a broad band around the edge of Tucson with few or no sightings in the city center. Tucson residents reported seeing roadrunners most often in areas with housing densities of 2.5-7.5 residences per ha (RHA) and non-native vegetation, and less often than expected in areas with washes, natural open space, native vegetation, graded vacant land, and housing densities of 7.5-15 RHA. In contrast, during our random surveys we found roadrunners closer to washes and areas with housing densities of 7.5¬¬-15 RHA, indicating that roadrunners used these land cover-types more frequently than was reported from the public. In general, however, roadrunners used a variety of urban and suburban environments and could be seen almost anywhere in the city except for areas with the highest housing densities (>15 RHA). Public survey information provided a great deal of usable data quickly and inexpensively but reflected where people saw and reported roadrunners. Interpretations of relative abundance or habitat preference need to be made cautiously.
DeStefano, S., and C. Boal. 2018. Perspectives and future directions. Pages 273-286 in C. Boal and C. Dykstra, Eds. Urban raptors: ecology and conservation of birds of prey in an urbanizing world. Island Press, Washington, D.C.	June 2018
DeStefano, S., S. L. Schmidt, and J. deVos. 2000. Predator activity at wildlife water developments in southern Arizona. Journal of Range Management 53:257-260.	January 2000
DeStefano, S., R. D. Deblinger, and C. Miller. 2005. Suburban wildlife: lessons, challenges, and opportunities. Urban Ecosystems 8:131-136.	August 2005
DeStefano, S., M. T. McGrath, S. M. Desimone, and S. K. Daw. 2006. Ecology and habitat of breeding northern goshawks in the inland Pacific Northwest: a summary of research in the 1990s. Studies in Avian Biology 31:76-85.	September 2006
DeStefano, S., K. K. G. Koenen, and J. Pereira. 2013. Common loon incubates rocks as surrogates for eggs. Northeastern Naturalist 20:143-147.	January 2013
DeStefano, S. 2013. Status and potential impacts of exotic grasses and grass-like vegetation on New England wildlife. Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:486–496.	August 2013
DeStefano, S. 2009. Wildlife corridors and developed landscapes. Pages 85-102 in A. X. Esparza and G. R. McPherson, eds. The Planner's Guide to Natural Resource Conservation: The Science of Land Conversion Beyond the Metropolitan Fringe. Springer Book Publishers, New York, NY. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	March 2009	Abstract: An obvious consequence of exurban land development is fragmentation of natural areas. Fragmentation leaves patches of habitat of various sizes, which can become increasingly isolated as development continues. A compelling approach to mitigation is the creation of corridors. Corridors in their simplest form are strips of habitat that connect patches and allow for wildlife movements. Intuitively, corridors make sense and land planners and managers often find them useful in land conservation. However, do wildlife corridors perform as expected? Do they work for all species? And how should they be configured (e.g., width, length, placement)? This chapter addresses these and other questions related to wildlife corridors and exurban land development.
DeStefano, S. 2005. A review of the status and distribution of northern goshawks in New England. Journal of Raptor Research 39:342-350.	August 2005
DeStefano, S. 2002. Regional and national issues for forest wildlife research and management. Forest Science 48:181-189.	May 2002
Daw, S. K., and S. DeStefano. 2001. Forest characteristics of northern goshawk nest stands and post-fledging areas in Oregon. Journal of Wildlife Management 65:59-65.	September 2001
Craig, L.S., J.D. Olden, A.H. Arthington, S. Entrekin, C.P. Hawkins, J.J. Kelly, T.A. Kennedy, B.M., Maitland, E.J. Rosi, A.H. Roy, D.L. Strayer, J.L. Tank, A.O. West, and M.S. Wooten. 2017. Meeting the challenge of interacting threats in freshwater ecosystems: A call to scientists and managers. Elementa 5:72. DOI: 10.1525/elementa.256 \| Publisher Website	December 2017
Coletti, H.A., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, T.L. Wilson, S. Waters, M. Booz, K. Counihan, T. Hollmen, and B. Pister. 2022. The mysterious case of the missing razor clams: using gene transcription to uncover clues to razor clam population differences. Frontiers for Young Minds 10: 715425. doi: 10.3389/frym.2022.715425 \| Publisher Website	October 2022
Coletti, H., L. Bowen, B. Ballachey, T.L. Wilson, S. Waters, M. Booz, K. Counihan, T. Hollmen, B. Pister. 2021. Gene expression profiles in two razor clam populations: discerning drivers of population status. Life 11:1288. DOI: 10.3390/life11121288 \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	November 2021	With rapidly changing marine ecosystems, shifts in abundance and distribution are being documented for a variety of intertidal species. We examined two adjacent populations of Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) in lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. One population (east) supported a sport and personal use fishery, but this has been closed since 2015 due to declines in abundance, and the second population (west) continues to support commercial and sport fisheries. We used gene expression to investigate potential causes of the east side decline, comparing razor clam physiological responses between east and west Cook Inlet. The target gene profile used was developed for razor clam populations in Alaska based on physiological responses to environmental stressors. In this study, we identified no differences of gene expression between east and west populations, leading to two potential conclusions: (1) differences in factors capable of influencing physiology exist between the east and west and are sufficient to influence razor clam populations but are not detected by the genes in our panel, or (2) physiological processes do not account for the differences in abundance, and other factors such as predation or changes in habitat may be impacting the east Cook Inlet population
Clinton, S.M, J. Hartman, K.H. Macneale, and A.H. Roy. 2022. Stream macroinvertebrate reintroductions: A cautionary approach for restored urban streams. Freshwater Science 41:507-520. https://doi.org/10.1086/721471 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2022
Clark, D. E., S. DeStefano, K. G. MacKenzie, K. K. G. Koenen, and J. W. Whitney. 2016. Roost site selection by ring-billed and herring gulls. Journal of Wildlife Management 80:708–719.	April 2016
Clark, D. E., K. K. G. Koenen, K. G. MacKenzie, J. W. Pereira, and S. DeStefano. 2013. Stainless-steel wires exclude ring-billed gulls from a waste water treatment plant. Journal of the American Water Works Association 105:75-76.	September 2013
Clark, D. E., K. K. G. Koenen, J. W. Pereira, K. G. MacKenzie, and S. DeStefano. 2016. Fidelity and persistence of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and herring gulls (Larus argentatus) to wintering sites in Massachusetts. Waterbirds 39:220-234.	April 2016
Clark, D. E., K. G. Koenen, J. Pereira, K. MacKenzie, and S. DeStefano. 2014. Evaluation of a net launcher for capturing urban gulls. Wildlife Society Bulletin 38:605–610.	September 2014
Clark, D. E., J. W. Whitney, K. G. MacKenzie, K. K. G. Koenen, and S. DeStefano. 2015. Assessing gull abundance and food availability in urban parking lots. Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:180–190.	December 2015
Clarfeld, L., A. Sirén, B. Mulhall, T. Wilson, E. Bernier, J. Farrell, G. Lunde, N. Hardy, K. Gieder, R. Abrams, S. Staats, S. McLellan, and T. Donovan. 2023. Evaluating a tandem human-machine approach to labelling of wildlife in remote camera monitoring. Ecological Informatics 77:e102257 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2023.102257. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	August 2023	Remote cameras (“trail cameras”) are a popular tool for non-invasive, continuous wildlife monitoring, and as they become more prevalent in wildlife research, machine learning (ML) is increasingly used to automate or accelerate the labor-intensive process of labelling (i.e., tagging) photos. Human-machine hybrid tagging approaches have been shown to greatly increase tagging efficiency (i.e., time to tag a single image). However, those potential increases hinge on the extent to which an ML model makes correct vs. incorrect predictions. We performed an experiment using a ML model that produces bounding boxes around animals, people, and vehicles in remote camera imagery (MegaDetector) to consider the impact of a ML model's performance on its ability to accelerate human labeling. Six participants tagged trail camera images collected from 12 sites in Vermont and Maine, USA (January–September 2022) using three tagging methods (one with ML bounding box assistance and two without assistance). We used a generalized linear mixed model to examine the influence of ML model performance and tagging method on tagging efficiency. We found that ML bounding boxes offer significant improvement in tagging efficiency when labelling data compared to unassisted tagging. Additionally, the time taken to label with bounding boxes was not statistically different from an unassisted tagging approach. However, we found that gains in efficiency are contingent on the ML algorithm's performance and that incorrect ML predictions, particularly the 4.2% false positive and 3.6% false negative predictions, can slow the tagging process compared to a non-hybrid approach. These findings indicate that although practitioners usually forgo the production of bounding boxes when selecting a data labelling process due to the increased effort, ML bounding box-assisted tagging can offer an efficient method for labeling. More broadly, ML-assisted data labelling offers an opportunity to accelerate the analysis of trail camera imagery, but an assessment of the ML model's performance can illuminate whether the hybrid-tagging approach is ultimately a help or hinderance.
Cheney, K.N., A.H. Roy, R.F. Smith, and R.E. DeWalt. 2019. Effects of stream temperature and substrate type on emergence patterns of Plecoptera and Trichoptera from Northeastern United States headwater streams. Environmental Entomology 48:1349-1359. DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvz106 \| Publisher Website	September 2019
Chandler, R. B., D. I. King, and S. DeStefano. 2009. Scrub-shrub bird habitat associations at multiple spatial scales in beaver meadows in Massachusetts. Auk 126:187-197. \| Abstract	January 2009	Abstract.—Most scrub–shrub bird species are declining in the northeastern United States, and these declines are largely attributed to regional declines in habitat availability. American Beaver (Castor canadensis; hereafter “beaver”) populations have been increasing in the Northeast in recent decades, and beavers create scrub–shrub habitat through their dam-building and foraging activities. Few systematic studies have been conducted on the value of beaver-modified habitats for scrub–shrub birds, and these data are important for understanding habitat selection of scrub–shrub birds as well as for assessing regional habitat availability for these species. We conducted surveys in 37 beaver meadows in a 2,800-km2 study area in western Massachusetts during 2005 and 2006 to determine the extent to which these beaver-modified habitats are used by scrub–shrub birds, as well as the characteristics of beaver meadows most closely related to bird use. We modeled bird abundance in relation to microhabitat-, patch-, and landscape-context variables while adjusting for survey-specific covariates affecting detectability using N-mixture models. We found that scrub–shrub birds of regional conservation concern occupied these sites and that birds responded differently to microhabitat, patch, and landscape characteristics of beaver meadows. Generally, scrub–shrub birds increased in abundance along a gradient of increasing vegetation complexity, and three species were positively related to patch size. We conclude that these habitats can potentially play an important role in regional conservation of scrub–shrub birds and recommend that conservation priority be given to larger beaver meadows with diverse vegetation structure and composition.
Carmignani, J.R., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, and H. Giard. 2019. Annual winter water level drawdowns limit shallow-water mussel densities in small lakes. Freshwater Biology 64:1519-1533. DOI: 10.1111/fwb.13324 \| Publisher Website	June 2019
Carmignani, J.R., A.H. Roy, J. Stolarski, and T. Richards. 2021. Hydrology of annual winter water level drawdown regimes in recreational lakes of Massachusetts, U.S.A. Lake and Reservoir Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2021.1927268 \| Publisher Website	June 2021
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2021. Annual winter water level drawdowns influence littoral zone physical habitat structure and macrophytes in Massachusetts lakes. Ecosphere: eo3442. \| Publisher Website	April 2021
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2017. Ecological impacts of winter lake drawdowns on lake littoral zones: A review. Aquatic Sciences 79:803-824. DOI 10.1007/s00027-017-0549-9 \| Download	July 2017
Carey, M. P., and M. E. Mather. 2008. Tracking Change In A Human Dominated Landscape: Developing Conservation Guidelines Using Freshwater Fish Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 18: 877-890	August 2008
Carey, M. P. and M. E. Mather. 2009. Identifying across-system sources of variation in a generalist freshwater fish: correlates of total and size-specific abundance of yellow perch. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2009: 18: 145–155	March 2009
Booth, D.B., A.H. Roy, B. Smith, and K.A. Capps. 2016. Global perspectives on the urban stream syndrome. Freshwater Science 35:412-420.	January 2016
Bocsi, T.J., P.S. Warren, R.W. Harper and S. DeStefano. 2018. Wildlife Habitat Management on College and University Campuses. Cities and the Environment (CATE) 11:1-14.	May 2018
Bletz, M. C., Grant, E. H. C., & DiRenzo, G. (2024). Quantitative support for the benefits of proactive management for wildlife disease control. Conservation Biology, e14363.	May 2024
Bies, L., M. Hutchins, J. Organ, and S. DeStefano. 2012. Chapter 7. The role of professional societies in connecting science and management: The Wildlife Society as an example. Pages 85-98 in J. P. Sands, S. J. DeMaso, M. J. Schnupp, and L. A. Brennan, editors. Wildlife science: connecting research with management. CRC Press: Taylor Francis Group, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.	April 2012
Bhaskar, A.S., L. Beesley, M.J. Burns, T.D. Fletcher, P. Hamel, C.E. Oldham, and A.H. Roy. 2016. Will it rise or will it fall? Managing the complex effects of urbanization on baseflow. Freshwater Science 35:293-310.	January 2016
Berube, J., A.P.K. Sirén, B. Simpson, K.B. Klingler, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Monitoring off-host winter tick abundance on traditional moose hunting lands. Journal of Wildlife Management 88:e22630. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22630. \| Abstract \| Publisher Website	July 2024	An important symbolic and subsistence animal for many Native American Tribes, the moose (<i>Alces alces</i>; mos in Algonquin, Penobscot language) has been under consistent threat in the northeastern United States because of winter tick (<i>Dermacentor albipictus</i>) parasitism over the past several decades, causing declines in moose populations throughout the region. This decline has raised concern for Tribes and agencies that are invested in moose. Given this concern, it is increasingly important to effectively monitor and develop strategies to manage winter ticks to address consistent population declines of moose due to winter ticks. The Penobscot Nation developed a novel strategy to sample questing winter ticks (i.e., ticks that are actively seeking hosts) using a plot-based sampling protocol that may be suitable for heterogeneous habitats. We deployed this protocol in the northeastern United States in 2022 during the tick questing period (Sep–Dec) on Penobscot Nation sovereign trust lands, the White Mountain National Forest and Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, and western-central Massachusetts, USA. We analyzed the data using occupancy and N-mixture models. Detection probability peaked during mid-October and tick occupancy and abundance were greatest at sites with intermediate understory vegetation height. The sampling protocol was successful at sampling ticks in Massachusetts, where abundances were expected to be low, indicating that it may be useful for studies planning to monitor winter tick distribution and abundance in areas with sub-optimal moose habitat and where winter tick abundance is expected to be low. This approach may also benefit managers or researchers intending to monitor many species of hard ticks, and where imperfect detection is expected.
Becker, S., S. Jackson, A. Jordaan, and A. Roy. 2018. Impacts of Tidal Road-Stream Crossings on Aquatic Organism Passage. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-131-2018, Washington, D.C. \| Publisher Website	August 2018
Bartz, K.K., M.P. Hannam, T.L. Wilson, R.F. Lepak, J.M. Ogorek, D.B., Young, C.A. Eagles-Smith, D.P. Krabbenhoft. 2023. Understanding drivers of mercury in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), top-predator lake fish from southwest Alaska parklands. Environmental Pollution 330: 121678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121678 \| Abstract	May 2023	Mercury (Hg) is a widespread element and persistent pollutant, harmful to fish, wildlife, and humans in its organic, methylated form. The risk of Hg contamination is driven by factors that regulate Hg loading, methylation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification. In remote locations, with infrequent access and limited data, understanding the relative importance of these factors can pose a challenge. Here, we assessed Hg concentrations in an apex predator fish species, lake trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush</i>), collected from 14 lakes spanning two National Parks in southwest Alaska, U.S.A. We then examined factors associated with the variation in fish Hg concentrations using a Bayesian hierarchical model. We found that Hg concentrations in lake water were uniform and very low. Conversely, Hg concentrations in lake trout were variable and, in some lakes, very high, exceeding Alaska’s human consumption threshold at half of our study sites. Additionally, model results indicated that fish age and, to a lesser extent, body condition best explained variation in Hg concentration among fish within a lake, with Hg elevated in older, thinner lake trout. Other factors, including plankton methyl Hg content, fish species richness, volcano proximity, and glacier loss, best explained variation in lake trout Hg concentration among lakes. Collectively, these results provide evidence that multiple, hierarchically nested factors control fish Hg levels in these lakes.
Arata, J.A., P.R. Sievert, and M.B. Naughton. 2009. Status assessment of Laysan and black-footed albatrosses, North Pacific Ocean, 1923-2005: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations report 2009 - 5131, 80 p.	June 2009
Andersen, D. E., S. DeStefano, M. I. Goldstein, K. Titus, C. Crocker-Bedford, J. J. Keane, R. G. Anthony, and R. N. Rosenfield. 2005. Technical review of the status of northern goshawks in the western United States. Journal of Raptor Research 39:192-209.	September 2005
Andersen, D. E., S. DeStefano, M. I. Goldstein, K. Titus, C. Crocker-Bedford, J. J. Keane, R. G. Anthony, and R. N. Rosenfield. 2004. The status of Northern Goshawks in the western United States. The Wildlife Society, Technical Review 04-1, Bethesda MD, 24 p.	September 2004
Albanese, G., P. D. Vickery, and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Habitat characteristics of adult frosted elfins (Callophrys irus) in sandplain communities of southeastern Massachusetts, USA. Biological Conservation. 136(1):53-64.	January 2007
Albanese, G., M. W. Nelson, P. D. Vickery, and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Larval feeding behavior and ant association in frosted elfin, Callophrys irus, (Lycaenidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists? Society 61(2):61-66.	June 2007
Albanese, G. , P. D. Vickery, and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Microhabitat use by larvae and females of a rare barrens butterfly, frosted elfin (Callophrys irus). Journal of Insect Conservation 12(6): 603-615. (Publication date: Dec 2008)	December 2008
Abbott, K.M., P.A. Zaidel, A.H. Roy, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2022. Investigating impacts of small dams and dam removal on dissolved oxygen in streams. PLoS ONE 17: e0277647. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277647 \| Publisher Website	November 2022
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, F.J. Magilligan, K.H. Nislow, and R. Quinones. 2024. Incorporating climate change into restoration decisions: Perspectives from dam removal practitioners. Ecology and Society 29(3):21 https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-15182-290321 \| Download \| Publisher Website	September 2024
Abbott, K., A. Roy, and K. Nislow. 2022. Restoring aquatic habitats through dam removal. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/148-2022, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.3996/css92498424 \| Publisher Website	November 2022

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Zeller, K.A., D.W. Wattles, L. Conlee, and S. DeStefano. 2019. Movement and density of black bears in Massachusetts. East Quabbin Land Trust Monthly Meeting. September 22, 2019.	September 2019	Preliminary results of density and genetic information as gathered through hair snare corrals set up across the landscape of western and central Massachusetts. Results will inform conservation agencies on the distribution, variable densities, and relatedness of bears as they continue to increase in numbers and distribution throughout the Commonwealth.
Zeller, K.A., D.W. Wattles, L. Conlee, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Modeling moose and black bear movement in Massachusetts. The Nature Conservancy workshop for the Berkshire Wildlife Linkages Partnership. Westfield State University. October 22, 2018.	October 2018	We discussed the results of our spatial modeling analyses for large mammals (moose and bears) as this relates to habitat use and landscape conservation. Results are used by TNC to help with their efforts to design and implement connectivity among existing reserves and protected lands.
Zeller, K., D. Wattles, and S. DeStefano. 2019. Forecasting seasonal connectivity in a developing landscape. Annual meeting of The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada.	September 2019	Massachusetts' black bear population is increasing and expanding throughout the Commonwealth, including more urbanized areas of the state. We looked at the effect of seasonal movements as a way to predict bear movements in an urbanizing landscape.
Zeller, K., D. Wattles, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Black bear movements and habitat use. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	For the past 5 years, we have been placing GPS collars on over 45 female black bears. Thousands of locations have documented habitat use in suburban and rural areas, and the expansion of the bear range into central and eastern Massachusetts.
Zeller, K. A., D. W. Wattles, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Modeling road crossings for moose (Alces americanus) and black bear (Ursus americanus) in Massachusetts, USA. 8th Northeastern Transportation & Wildlife Conference, Amherst, MA.	September 2018	We present a new method that combines successful road crossings with vehicle collision data to identify road segments that have both high biological relevance and high risk for moose. This approach couples the predicted probability of moose road crossings with the predicted probability of MVCs to identify road segments that meet the dual criteria of having high biological relevance and high-risk for moose. We identified areas along the road network where road mitigation measures, such as fencin
Zarrella-Smith, K. A., T. Miller, G. V. DiRenzo, T. Dolan, L. Kerr, A. Jordaan. 2024. Integrating Data Across Spatiotemporal Scales Using Species Distribution Models. International Flatfish Conference. Westbrook, CT.	November 2024	Fisheries scientists are challenged to describe population dynamics within a changing environment using variable data streams. Using a case study stock where biomass trends are uncertain, we generated spatiotemporal species distribution models with sdmTMB to enable focus on both regional and stock-level processes.
Zarrella-Smith, K. A., T. Miller, G. V. DiRenzo, T. Dolan, L. Kerr, A. Jordaan. 2024. Building a Climate-Ready Stock Assessment Informed by Spatially-Explicit Population Processes. American Fisheries Society. Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	The inability of traditional stock assessment models to reflect shifting biological and ecological processes is becoming increasingly problematic due to a changing climate and selection pressures that cause heterogeneous population responses. For my fellowship work, I incorporate changing spatial processes such as distribution shifts, regional structuring of populations, and environmental drivers in distribution models to gain a current understanding of Gulf of Maine winter flounder abundance.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, C.R. Smith, and B.H. Letcher. 2016. Impacts of small, surface-release dams on stream temperature. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockland, ME.	March 2016	We quantified impacts of small, surface-release dams on stream temperature at 31 dam sites to understand the factors influencing differences in response among streams. Knowledge of factors influencing temperature below dams may help to guide management of dams (e.g., water releases) or help to prioritize dam removal for ecosystem resiliency, particularly in the face of regional climate warming.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, C.R. Smith, and B.H. Letcher. 2016. Impacts of small, surface-release dams on stream temperature. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including increasing temperatures. Identifying the factors influencing temperature below dams may help guide dam management or prioritize dam removal as a means of increasing ecosystem resiliency, particularly in the face of a changing climate.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, B.H. Letcher, and C.R. Smith. 2016. Small dam impacts to stream temperature and potential consequences for aquatic biota. Northeast Natural History Conference, 22-24 April 2016, Springfield, MA.	April 2016	We report data on impacts of dams on stream temperature, and link this to potential consequences for fish and macroinvertebrates given thermal tolerances. Identifying the factors influencing temperature below dams may help guide dam management or prioritize dam removal as a means of increasing ecosystem resiliency, particularly in the face of a changing climate.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, B.H. Letcher, K. Houle, B. Lambert, and C.R. Smith. 2018. Small dams can have large thermal effects with negative implications for coldwater species. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 20-24 May 2018, Detroit, MI.	May 2018	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study found that small dams can have large impacts on stream temperatures and for far distances downstream, particularly where there are multiple dams in succession, suggesting that focused dam removal within watersheds may be most beneficial to coldwater species.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, B.H. Letcher, K. Houle, B. Lambert, and C.R. Smith. 2017. Tackling the worst first: Variable impacts of dams on stream temperature and dissolved oxygen. 4th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 31 May-3 June 2017, Browns Summit, NC.	June 2017	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including altering temperature and dissolved oxygen. By comparing water quality above and below dams, we can assess the extent to which dam removal may restore stream ecosystems.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, B.H. Letcher, B. Lambert, K. Houle, and C.R. Smith. 2017. Understanding variation in stream temperature and dissolved oxygen responses to small dams. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 4-9 June 2017, Raleigh, NC.	June 2017	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including altering temperature and dissolved oxygen. By comparing water quality above and below dams, we can assess the extent to which dam removal may restore stream ecosystems.
Zaidel, P.A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, B.H. Letcher, B. Lambert, K. Houle, and C.R. Smith. 2017. Factors explaining observed variation in dam-induced temperature and dissolved oxygen changes in Massachusetts streams. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including altering temperature and dissolved oxygen. By comparing water quality above and below dams, we can assess the extent to which dam removal may restore stream ecosystems.
Zaidel, P., A. Roy, K. Nislow, B. Letcher, B. Lambert, K. Houle, and C. Smith. 2016. Assessing the potential for dam removal to restore natural thermal and dissolved oxygen regimes. Society for Ecological Restoration New England Chapter Annual Conference, 14-15 October 2016, Durham, NH.	October 2016	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including altering temperature and dissolved oxygen. By comparing water quality above and below dams, we can assess the extent to which dam removal may restore stream ecosystems.
Zaidel, P., A. Roy, K. Nislow, B. Letcher, B. Lambert, K. Houle, and C. Smith. 2016. Assessing the potential for dam removal to restore natural thermal and dissolved oxygen regimes. Life Sciences Graduate Research Symposium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	December 2016	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems, including altering temperature and dissolved oxygen. By comparing water quality above and below dams, we can assess the extent to which dam removal may restore stream ecosystems.
Yorks, D.T., P.R. Sievert, and D. J. Paulson. 2011. Designing road passage structures that maximize use by freshwater turtles. International Conference on Ecology and Transportation, Seattle, WA, 21-25 Aug.	August 2011
Yorks, D., P. R. Sievert, and P. deMaynadier. 2014. Assessing and mitigating the effects of turtle road mortality in Maine, and experimental tests of tunnel and barrier options for reducing road mortality. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Annual Conference, 19-21 Apr 2014.	April 2014	Turtles generally moved at a slower rate when traveling along a translucent barrier, compared to an opaque one. Our results indicate the importance of designing road passage structures for freshwater turtles that provide adequate tunnel lighting in combination with specific entrance designs that meet the goals of the project.
Yorks, D. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2012. Experimental tests of tunnel and barrier options for reducing road mortalities of freshwater turtles. 2012. 10th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, Tucson, AZ, 16-19 Aug.	August 2012
Yorks, D. T., T. Dexter, and P. R. Sievert. 2012. Experimental tests of tunnel and barrier options for reducing road mortalities of freshwater turtles. Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference, South Portland, ME, 16-19 Sep.	September 2012
Yorks, D. T., D. J. Paulson, and P. R. Sievert. 2010. The importance of lighting levels in design of under-road passages for freshwater turtles. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Providence, RI, 7-12 Jul.	July 2010
Yorks, D. T., D. J. Paulson, and P. R. Sievert. 2010. Experimental tests of tunnel options for reducing road mortalities of freshwater turtles in Massachusetts. Northeast Transportation and Wildlife Conference, Amherst, MA, 13-15 Sep	September 2010
Yarra, A.N., T.A. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2015. Impacts of thermal and flow alteration on benthic stream macroinvertebrates downstream of water supply reservoirs. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	We assessed the impact of thermal and hydrologic regimes on macroinvertebrates in 14 central and eastern Massachusetts streams. Our results may be used to generate an understanding of the aspects of hydrologic and thermal regimes linked with biotic impairment, including the potential impacts of surface water withdrawals on stream biota.
Yarra, A.N., T.A. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2015. Impacts of thermal and flow alteration on benthic stream macroinvertebrates downstream of surface water reservoirs in Massachusetts. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	We assessed the impact of thermal and hydrologic regimes on macroinvertebrates in 14 central and eastern Massachusetts streams. Our results may be used to generate an understanding of the aspects of hydrologic and thermal regimes linked with biotic impairment, including the potential impacts of surface water withdrawals on stream biota.
Yarra, A.N., T.A. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2014. Assessing effects of surface water supply reservoirs on stream hydrologic and thermal regimes in Massachusetts. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	There is very little empirical data on the effects of water supply reservoirs on downstream temperatures, and this research fills that gap. Our continuous hydrologic data in these streams allows us to also directly look at the mechanistic link between altered hydrology and altered thermal regimes.
Wittig, T.W., T.L. Wilson, K. Zolfonoon, Z.S. Ladin. 2022. Using nest cameras and machine learning to explore nesting and provisioning of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation and the Florida Ornithological Society. 4 - 9 October. Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA	October 2022	This study explores using machine learning algorithms to extract demographic and diet information. We will present results from our preliminary image classification algorithm.
Wilson, TL, APK Sirén, J Berube, L Clarfeld TM Donovan. 2023. Designing camera trap arrays for multi-species monitoring of mammals at large spatial extents. Annual Meeting, International Association for Landscape Ecology- North America, Riverside, California, 19-23 March2023.	March 2023	We demonstrate the importance of sampling design for improving detection and inference in wildlife monitoring. The work can be used to inform biodiversity monitoring terrestrial mammals using remote sensor arrays.
Wilson, TL, APK Sirén, J Berube, B Simpson. 2023. Effects of imperfect detection on inference from tick-borne disease surveillance data. Joint Workshop on Transboundary Wildlife Diseases. Jeju, Republic of Korea, October 10-11 2023.	October 2023	Tick dragging and flagging studies are carried out to monitor distribution, risk, and prevalence of tickborne diseases. We conducted a comprehensive literature review and found that most programs do not use statistical analysis techniques capable of modeling imperfect detection. We showed how this could affect inferences using both simulated and real tick-drag datasets.
Wilson, T.L., K.K. Bartz, D.B. Young R.F. Lepak, J.M. Ogorek, D.P. Krabbenhoft, C. Eagles-Smith. Landscape factors affecting lake trout mercury concentration in Lake Clark and Katmai National Parks. Annual Meeting, North American Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology. Reno, NV, 12-15 April 2021.	April 2021	This study examined landscape factors leading to elevated levels of total mercury in Lake Trout in southwest Alaska. This work will help determine the source of mercury and help rural Alaskans determine the types of lakes where fish have elevated mercury levels.
Wilson, T.L., J.A. Berube, A.P.K. Sirén. Perfecting the Imperfect Detection of Ticks: Winter Tick Epizootics and Moose Populations in the Northeastern U.S. Moose research in the Northeast U.S. and eastern provinces of Canada: 6 July 2022. On-line meeting.	July 2022	Monitoring for ticks presents data analysis and design challenges. We present preliminary results from a literature review about whether or not authors deal with known data issues, and present a sampling design that addresses all known data issues.
Wilson, T.L., A.P.K. Sirén, J. Berube, B. Simpson. A novel method for monitoring off-host winter ticks in habitat where detection and abundance are expected to be low. Workshop of moose research needs in the Northeast. Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. 13 December 2023.	December 2023	Winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) are impacting moose (alces alces) populations in the Northeast US and southeast Canada, therefore monitoring tick abundance and distribution are of paramount importance. However, ticks are difficult to monitor under the best circumstances. We presented a novel method to collect and analyze tick abundance data in typical moose habitat.
Wilson, T. L., J. Berube, A.P.K Sirén, B. Simpson, K. Klingler. Understanding drivers of winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) abundance and distribution in New England. Asia-Pacific Wildlife Health Workshop, 6-8 August 2024. Hilo, HI.	August 2024	We used both on- and off- host winter tick counts to evaluate the drivers of winter tick epizootics in New England. The results can be used to help design mitigation strategies aimed at reducing parasite loads on moose.
Willey, L.L., P.R. Sievert, and M.T. Jones. 2011. Box turtles at the edge of their range: Population densities and movement patterns of Terrapene carolina in fragmented landscapes in Massachusetts and the Florida Everglades. 9th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, 14-17 Aug.	August 2011
Willey, L.L., M.T. Jones, and P.R. Sievert. 2013. An update on regional conservation planning efforts for two rare turtle species in the Northeastern U.S. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA.	April 2013	We have devised a two-tiered regional monitoring strategy that utilizes broad-scale occupancy and abundance sampling to detect population trends across the region and spatial mark-recapture methods to estimate population density at key sites. Results from 2012, our first regional sampling year, suggest the monitoring program is useful for prioritizing sites and establishing regional baseline abundance estimates.
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Use of anthropogenic nesting areas by eastern box turtles in central Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference X, Albany, NY, 17-18 Apr.	April 2008
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2010. Multi-scale habitat analysis of eastern box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) in central Massachusetts. Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Acadia National Park, ME, 10-11 Aug.	August 2010
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2010. Multi-scale habitat analysis of eastern box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) in central Massachusetts. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Providence, RI, 7-12 Jul.	July 2010
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Habitat use and movement patterns of eastern box turtles in the Connecticut River Valley. Massachusetts Turtle Symposium: Information for Action, Amherst, MA, 23-24 Feb.	February 2007
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Eastern box turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) ecology in central Massachusetts. Massachusetts Turtle ? Transportation Meeting, Westborough, MA, 17 Oct.	October 2006
Willey, L. L., and P. R. Sievert. 2009. Habitat Use by Eastern box turtles in a pitch pine - scrub oak community in central Massachusetts. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Lancaster, PA, 27 Apr.	April 2009
Willey, L. L., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Ecology of box turtles in central Massachusetts. The Northeast Natural History Conference IX, Albany, NY, 21 Apr.	April 2006
Willey, L. L., M. T. Jones, and P. R. Sievert. 2014. The effects of anthropogenic landscape change on characteristics of Blanding’s turtle populations, with implications for regional conservation. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Annual Conference, Newport, RI, 19-21 Apr 2014.	April 2014	The highest Blanding’s turtle abundances are associated with areas of high wetland abundance and diversity and low impervious surface cover and urbanization. We used these results to rank sites across the region, develop a “conservation network” of high priority Blanding’s turtle sites, and make management recommendations at the regional and site level. We are seeking partners in the implementation of the regional conservation plan and feedback on our approach.
Willey, L. L., M. T. Jones, and P. R. Sievert. 2009. Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on home range size of eastern box turtles (Terrapene c. carolina) and wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in central and western Massachusetts. Urban Wildlife Ecology and Management Conference, Amherst, MA, 21-24 Jun.	June 2009
Wibisono, H. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Population ecology of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and their prey in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Indonesia. Wildlife Conservation Society, New York City, NY, 9 Jan.	January 2006
Whiteley, A.R., J. Rosset, B.I. Gahagan, A. Jordaan, and A.H. Roy. 2014. Reproductive success and juvenile growth following and experimental alewife translocation to a Massachusetts pond. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 17-21 August 2014, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	There is poor ecological knowledge of juvenile alewifes in their nursery habitat. This experimental translocation provided critical information on growth rates and parent contributions to offspring to better understand reproductive success.
Wells, S. P., J. M. Smith, M. E. Mather, R. M. Muth, and J. T. Finn. An approach to evaluating the combination of gear that representatively samples fish assemblages in small coastal streams. Abstract submitted, Northeastern Division American Fisheries Society, Newton, MA, April 2010.	April 2010
Weinstein, S., A.R. Whiteley, and A. Roy. 2016. Slimy sculpin movement before and after dam removal. Northeast Natural History Conference, 22-24 April 2016, Springfield, MA.	April 2016	Few studies have focused on benefits of dam removal on movement of non-anadromous fish, despite the importance of small-scale movements for population persistence. The results of this genetics study will help to understand the impacts of barriers on population connectivity, and may be used to guide dam removal decision-making.
Webster, C. M., and S. DeStefano, Sept./2000, Distribution, habitat, and nests of greater roadrunners in metropolitan Tucson, Arizona.	September 2000
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2013. The thermal environment and thermoregulatory behavior of moose in Massachusetts. North American Moose Conference, Whitefield, NH.	May 2013	Conclusive evidence of the role of temperature in influencing habitat selection and use by moose at the extreme southern edge of their geographic range. High ambient temperatures during diurnal hours influnce moose to seek thermal shelter in coniferous forest and wooded wetlands.
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2013. GPS data, GIS layers, and mixed effects models to assess habitat use by forest wildlife. Massachusetts Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Unit Meeting, Hadley, MA, 27 Apr. (Invited)	April 2013	Results of moose research and mixed effect modeling.
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2011. Home range and habitat use of moose in and around the Quabbin Watershed, Massachusetts. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Belchertown, Mass. 16 Dec.	December 2011
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2010. Thermoregulatory behavior by moose in Massachusetts during spring and summer. 45th North American Moose Conference. International Falls, MN. 24 June 2010.	June 2010
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2010. Status and management of moose in the Northeastern United States. 45th North American Moose Conference. International Falls, MN. 24 June 2010.	June 2010
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2009. Relocation of moose as a means of resolving human-wildlife conflicts in urban areas. International Conference on Urban Wildlife and the Environment, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 21 June 2009.	June 2009
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2014. Thermal stress and population declines in moose: is the range shifting north? Graduate Program in Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 7 Apr. (INVITED)	April 2014	Progress on research on the importance of thermal shelter for maintaining moose populations at the southern edge of their geographic range.
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2014. Movements, habitat use, thermoregulatory behavior, and road interactions of moose in Massachusetts. Hitchcock Environmental Center, Amherst, MA, 26 Feb. (INVITED)	February 2014	Highlights the importance of both early successional forest and mature forest for food and thermal shelter, respectively. Discussion of interaction with and avoidance of developed areas and roads by moose.
Wattles, D., S. DeStefano, and S. Christensen. 2010. Reporting, predicting, and preventing moose-vehicle-collisions in Massachusetts. Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. 12-15 September 2010.	September 2010
Wattles, D. W., and S. DeStefano. 2012. Moose habitat use and forest operations. Massachusetts Association of Professional Foresters, Annual Meeting, Northampton, MA. 15 March.	March 2012
Wattles, D. W., and S. DeStefano. 2012. Distribution and habitat of moose in Massachusetts. Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Belchertown, MA. 2 April.	April 2012
Vineyard, J.A., M.T. Jones, A.H. Roy, and A. Sirois-Pitel. 2023. Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) population dynamics and response to habitat management in Massachusetts. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 30 April - 2 May 2023, Hershey, PA.	April 2023	We used visual surveys, trapping, and radio telemetry to assess habitat use and of the federally endangered Bog Turtle and their responses to habitat management in the two Massachusetts populations. By comparing spatial distribution and demographic data to previous studies (1994–1997, 2008–2009), we will be able to assess long-term trajectory of these two critical populations and inform managers of areas in which future habitat restoration efforts should be focused.
Tiernan, R., T. K. Fuller, D. Wattles, and S. DeStefano. 2016. Use of camera traps to assess relative abundance, activity, and distribution of mega-mammals (and other wildlife) in the forests of Massachusetts. USGS MCFWRU Annual Review, Westboro, Mass.	May 2016	Over 30 cameras documented relative abundance and habitat use by bears, moose, deer, coyotes, and other large mammals in various forest types. Fox species were notably absent, indicating possible influence of larger carnivores.
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K., Balogh, G., Sievert, P., Roby, D., and Anderson D. 2004. Marine habitat use by short-tailed albatrosses (Phoebastria albatrus) during the non-breeding season. Third International Albatross and Petrel Conference, 23-27 August 2004, Montevideo, Uruguay.	August 2004
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K., Balogh, G., Sievert, P., Roby, D., and Anderson D. 2004. Foraging destinations of short-tailed albatrosses (Phoebastria albatrus) in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea. 13th Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization, 19-24 October 2004, Honolulu, Hawaii.	October 2004
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K., Balogh, G., Roby, D., Anderson, D., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Short-tailed albatross and seabird-fisheries interactions. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 26 May 2003, Moss Landing, California.	May 2003
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K., Balogh, G., Roby, D., Anderson, D., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Post-breeding dispersal of short-tailed albatrosses and potential interactions with commercial fisheries. 30th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group, Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, 19-23 February.	February 2003
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K., Balogh, G., Roby, D., Anderson, D., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. A satellite telemetry study of the endangered short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus): marine habitat use and potential conflicts with longline fishing fleets in the North Pacific. Cooperative Institute for Marine Resource Studies, Program Review, 10 October 2003, Newport, Oregon.	October 2003
Suryan, R., Hyrenbach, D., Sato, F., Ozaki, K. Balogh, G., Roby, D., Anderson, D., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Short-tailed albatrosses in Japan and North Pacific Ocean: A history of this once abundant species, its near extinction and current recovery and research efforts. 15 September 2003, Willamette University, Oregon.	September 2003
Suryan, R. M., F. Sato, G. R. Balogh, P. R. Sievert, N. Nakamura, and K. Ozaki. 2006. At-sea distribution and movements of short-tailed albatrosses during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. 4th North American Ornithological Conference, Veracruz, Mexico, 3-7 Oct.	October 2006
Suryan, R. M., F. Sato, G. R. Balogh, N. Nakamura, P. R. Sievert, and K. Ozaki. 2006. Kuroshio and Oyashio boundary currents: Critical foraging habitat for the short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), one of Japan?s natural monuments. PICES 15th Annual Meeting, Yokohama, Japan, 13-22 Oct.	October 2006
Suryan, R. M., D. J. Anderson, S. A. Shaffer, D. D. Roby, Y. Tremblay, D. P. Costa, P. R. Sievert, F. Sato, K. Ozaki, G. R. Balogh, N. Nakamura. 2008Wind, waves, and wing loading: Specialization in two Pacific albatross species. Fourth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 11-15 Aug.	August 2008
Sterrett, S.S., L. Stevenson, M. Endries, P. Hazelton, and A.H. Roy. 2018. Freshwater mussel species distribution models to inform proactive conservation decision making. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	Brook floater is a freshwater mussel that is in decline throughout its range and is on state endangered species lists. Using presence data from its entire range, we developed species distribution models to assess habitat suitability and predict critical areas for protection and restoration.
Sterrett, S.C., L. Stevenson, M. Endries, T.L. Morelli, P.D. Hazelton, and A.H. Roy. 2020. Development of a species distribution model to inform proactive conservation decision making: A case study with a freshwater mussel. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 19-21 April 2020, Long Beach, NJ.	April 2020	Brook floater is a freshwater mussel that is in decline throughout its range and is on state endangered species lists. Using presence data from its entire range, we developed a species distribution model to assess habitat suitability and predict critical areas for protection and restoration.
Sterrett, S.C. and A.H. Roy. 2017. The Brook Floater Working Group: A collaborative initiative aimed at regional population restoration and conservation. Ellipsaria 19(3):20-21.	September 2017	This newsletter article raises awareness about the newly established Brook Floater Working Group and associated research initiatives focused on assessment and conservation priorities for the Brook Floater, a freshwater mussel that is State endangered or threatened in much of its range.
Sterrett, S., P.D. Hazelton, A. Doubleday, D. Perkins, A.H. Roy, and M.D. Staudinger. 2017. Brook Floater rangewide conservation and restoration initiative. Meeting of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, 26-30 March 2017, Cleveland, OH.	March 2017	This poster will present the conceptual framework for a new research initiative focused on assessment and conservation priorities for the Brook Floater, a freshwater mussel that is State endangered or threatened in much of its range.
Stephens, J., A.H. Roy, A. Jordaan, D. Perkins, and K. Sprankle. 2023. Investigating the role of river herring as hosts for freshwater mussels in the Connecticut River watershed. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 10-14 April 2023, Portland, OR.	April 2023	We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of freshwater mussel use of river herring hosts within the Connecticut River watershed. The results of this research will provide insight on what mussel species are using river herring as hosts in the Connecticut River watershed and encourage the integration of both the ecology and health of freshwater mussels and river herring to avoid the risk of an extinction cascade.
Stephens, J., A. Roy, A. Jordaan, D. Perkins, and K. Sprankle. 2025. Investigating the host role of returning river herring for freshwater mussels in the Connecticut River watershed. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 15 January 2025, New Bedford, MA.	January 2025	We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of freshwater mussel use of river herring hosts within the Connecticut River watershed. The results of this study may identify previously unknown host fish-mussel relationships, allow temporal inferences between fish migration and glochidia release and encourage future integration of conservation efforts for the two taxa groups.
Stephens, J., A. Roy, A. Jordaan, D. Perkins, and K. Sprankle. 2024. Investigating the size and spawning history of river herring within the Connecticut River over the past decade. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 9 January 2024, Storrs, CT.	January 2024	This project assessed changes in the spawning composition (e.g., proportion virgin vs repeat spawners) and size of Blueback Herring by age and sex within the Connecticut River watershed, 2013-2022. There was a slight increase in the proportion of older fish (5 and above) returning for the first time as virgins in more recent years, which may be concerning because delayed returners miss years of reproduction and have higher risks of ocean mortality.
Stephens, J., A. Roy, A. Jordaan, D. Perkins, and K. Sprankle. 2024. Investigating the host role of returning river herring as hosts for freshwater mussels in the Connecticut River watershed. Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	We investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of freshwater mussel use of river herring hosts within the Connecticut River watershed. The results of this study may identify previously unknown host fish-mussel relationships, allow temporal inferences between fish migration and glochidia release and encourage future integration of conservation efforts for the two taxa groups.
Stengle, A.G., M. Murray, T. Tyning, A. Richmond, and P.R. Sievert. 2011. Observations of secondary disease agents in Northeastern timber rattlesnake populations. 7 Jul.	July 2011
Stengle, A.G., A. Whiteley, P.R. Sievert, and A.R. Richmond. 2013. Conservation of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in New England. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA.	April 2013	This regional research represents a collaboration among many state agencies, universities, zoos, environmental consulting agencies and non-profit organizations. Without these collaborative research efforts, region wide species conservation would not be possible.
Stengle, A. G., T. F. Tyning, and P. R. Sievert. 2012. What is normal? Observations of a possible secondary disease process in northeastern timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). World Congress of Herpetology, Vancouver, Canada, 8-14 Aug.	August 2012
Stankiewicz, K., J. Carmignani, and A.H. Roy. 2016. Hydrologic characteristics of annual winter water-level drawdowns in Massachusetts lakes. New England Association of Environmental Biologists. 23-25 March 2016, Rockland, ME.	March 2016	Winter lake drawdowns are a common management practice to control aquatic vegetation in New England lakes; however, little is known about the ecological impacts of drawdowns. We sought to first characterize the hydrology in 19 lakes to understand how magnitude, timing, and rate of drawdown differs among lakes and may influence the impact of drawdowns on lake ecosystems.
Stamp, J., M. Craddock, D.J. Isaak, L. Parker, A.H. Roy, Z. Holden, and B.G. Bierwagen. 2013. Guidelines for continuous monitoring of temperature and flow in wadeable streams. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, Jacksonville, FL, 19-23 May 2013.	May 2013	The presentation discusses the protocols being put together for continuous monitoring of temperature and hydrology in small streams. Data collected will help to quantify potential climate change impacts on stream biota.
Stainbrook, D. S., S. DeStefano, and D. Wattles. 2013. Status Report on Moose in Massachusetts. North American Moose Conference, Whitefield, NH.	May 2013	Update to international audience on the status and current research on moose in Massachusetts. Ongoing research includes topics related to habitat, demography, and climate change.
Spencer, S. M., and P. R. Sievert, and L. J. Welch. 2010. Foraging behavior of Atlantic puffins breeding on Petit Manan Island. World Seabird Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 7-11 Sep.	September 2010
Spencer, S. M., and P. R. Sievert, and L. J. Welch. 2010. Foraging and nest site attendance of puffins in Maine. Gulf of Maine Seabird Working Group, Bremen, ME, 12 Aug.	August 2010
Spencer S. M., and P. R. Sievert, and L. J. Welch. 2009. Foraging of Atlantic puffins on Petit Manan Island, Maine. Gulf of Maine Seabird Working Group, Bremen, ME, 18 Mar.	March 2009
Spelman, S.B., K.M. Abbott, J.B. Richardson, and A.H. Roy. 2021. Toxic metal bioaccumulation in dammed streams: Implications for food webs. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 3-11 March 2020, virtual. (poster)	March 2021	This study quantified the concentrations of toxic metals accumulated in sediment and food webs in upstream, downstream, and impounded reaches of three dammed streams in Massachusetts. The results provide new insights on how dams alter heavy metal bioaccumulation and contribute to a growing wealth of knowledge on the ecological impacts of small dams on lotic systems.
Sowers, V., A.H. Roy, D. Perkins, P. Hazelton, and T. Warren. 2017. The effect of calcium supplementation on the growth and survival of a freshwater mussel. Joint Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter and Northeast Division of the American Fisheries Society, 26-27 February 2017, Mystic, CT.	February 2017	Our study assessed the effect of increased calcium on the growth and survival of a common freshwater mussel. If calcium supplementation is related to increased growth rates, calcium may be used to decrease culturing time in a laboratory setting, leading to reduced expenses and increased production.
Sowers, V., A.H. Roy, D. Perkins, P. Hazelton, and T. Warren. 2017. The effect of calcium supplementation on the growth and survival of a freshwater mussel. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	Our study assessed the effect of increased calcium on the growth and survival of a common freshwater mussel. If calcium supplementation is related to increased growth rates, calcium may be used to decrease culturing time in a laboratory setting, leading to reduced expenses and increased production.
Someshwar, M., J. Burgoff, A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Comparing zooplankton communities and juvenile river herring diets and littoral and pelagic habitats. Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	We assessed how river herring in littoral and pelagic habitats differ in diets in Upper Mystic Lake (Arlington, Massachusetts). Results from this research will help to model juvenile river herring growth during freshwater residence and will be used to inform lake management strategies that protect zooplankton assemblages in Upper Mystic Lake.
Someshwar, M., D. Bishop, A.H. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2022. Interannual differences in the demographics of anadromous juvenile river herring in freshwater and estuarine habitats of a small Massachusetts watershed. Ecological Society of American Annual Meeting, 14-19 August 2022, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.	August 2022	Estuaries are productive habitats that can act as transitional nurseries for juvenile anadromous fish in between freshwater and marine life stages, yet the effect of occupying estuaries (vs. residing in lakes) on growth and survival of river herring is poorly understood. This study compares length, age, and growth of juvenile river herring between freshwater and estuary habitats and will inform hypotheses about what ecological mechanisms influence juvenile migration and estuarine residency.
Smith, R.F., J. Blaszczak, B. Bledsoe, T. Parr, A.H. Roy, M. Scoggins, R. Utz, and S. Wenger. 2017. A summary of SUSE4: making urban stream rehabilitation a co-evolutionary process. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 4-9 June 2017, Raleigh, NC.	June 2017	The 4th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology aims to synthesize research in urban stream ecology and identify critical needs. This year, stream ecologists will engage in discussions with engineers, managers, planners, and social scientists to develop approaches for improving urban stream restoration and management programs, and this talk will highlight major outcomes of those discussions.
Smith, R.F., G.C. Gunderson, and A.H. Roy. 2015. Catchment land use and dispersal barriers affect fish and insect assemblage composition in urban streams. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, 9-14, August 2015, Baltimore, MD	August 2015	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Dispersal, particularly overland dispersal of insects, is often ignored in predictive models and may be an important part of conservation of stream biota.
Smith, R.F., A.H. Roy, and R.L. Ryan. 2015. Are conservation lands good for streams? Assessing the spatial relationships of conservation lands to stream ecosystems in Massachusetts. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	The goals of this study are to 1) describe where different types of conservation lands are located in relation to stream channels (i.e., in riparian or upland landscapes) and 2) describe the basic relationships between conservation land types with data surrounding land/use cover.
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2017. Exploring the importance of catchment land use and dispersal barriers for fish and insect assemblage composition in human-dominated landscapes. Meeting of the US Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (US-IALE), 9-13 April 2017, Baltimore, MD.	April 2017	Most research on effects of urbanization on stream communities focuses on relationships with overall catchment land use, but our research shows that increased isolation and fragmentation caused by dispersal barriers may additionally decrease biotic diversity and alter fish and insect composition. Thus, effective for conservation and rehabilitation of urban stream communities in human-dominated landscapes should include efforts to improve connectivity, which is discussed for fish but rarely for
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2015. The effect of dispersal barriers on stream fish and insect assemblages in urban landscapes. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Dispersal, particularly overland dispersal of insects, is often ignored in predictive models and may be an important part of conservation of stream biota.
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2014. Thinking outside the shed: Examining landscape characteristics as part of management strategies for sustaining stream ecosystems. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 18-22 May 2014, Portland, OR.	May 2014	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Landscape dispersal is often ignored in predictive models and conservation practices.
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2014. Landscape and watershed predictors of insect and fish assemblage in Massachusetts streams. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Landscape dispersal is often ignored in predictive models and conservation practices.
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2014. How watershed and landscape land use are related should guide investigations of dispersal by stream biota in urbanizing landscapes. Third Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 15-17 May 2014, Portland, Oregon.	May 2014	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Landscape dispersal is often ignored in predictive models and conservation practices.
Smith, R.F. and A.H. Roy. 2013. Comparing insect and fish assemblage responses to urbanization for sustainable management of stream ecosystems. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. 10-13 November 2013.	November 2013	This work examines a novel way to assess the impacts of urbanization on stream communities.
Smith, J., M. E. Mather, and J. Finn. 2007. A roadmap for statistically evaluating fish-flow relationships using real world data. Northeast Division, American Fisheries Society Meeting, Mystic, CT, April 07.	April 2007
Smith, J. S., and M. E. Mather, 2009. Integrating hydrology, anthropogenic impacts, and biotic measures of ecosystem function to protect ecosystems from flow stress. Invited Poster 1st ESA Millennium Conference, “Water-Ecosystem Services, Drought, and Environmental Justice, Athens, GA, October 2009	October 2009
Smith, J. M., M. E. Mather, R. M. Muth and J. T. Finn. 2010. Beaver-dam alterations of fish assemblages in coastal watersheds: Implications of fragmentation on ecosystem function. National meeting, Ecological Society of America, Pittsburgh, August 2010.	August 2010
Smith, C.R., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, and T.A. Richards. 2015. Investigating the longitudinal extent of thermal alteration downstream of impoundments. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	This study quantifies the distance of stream temperature alteration downstream of small impoundments and examines environmental factors controlling the timing and magnitude of this recovery. The results from this study may be used to improve the accuracy of stream temperature models and to assess potential for climate resilience associated with impoundment removals.
Small, D., and S. DeStefano. 2015. Bats of New England. Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Petersham, MA. 18 Oct.	October 2015	Overview of the species, habitat, and issues of local bats, including instructions on building and providing bat houses for local conservation.
Slocombe, M.G.P., M.N. Marjadi, M. Devine, L.W. Guo, A. Jordaan, and A.H. Roy. 2020. Temporal shifts in migratory river herring diets and zooplankton assemblages within a Connecticut River cove. Southern New England American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 13-14 January 2020, Cambridge, MA.	January 2020	Anadromous river herring that inhabit freshwater ecosystems during summer months can have substantial effects on zooplankton assemblages; however, little is known about these relationships in coves adjacent to large rivers. An understanding of the temporal dynamics of juvenile river herring and zooplankton and the influence on herring growth and emigration timing can help elucidate factors driving river herring productivity.
Slocombe, M.G., M. Marjadi, J.K. Llopiz, J.J. Sheppard, and A.H. Roy. 2019. Collaborating with citizen scientists to count migrating juvenile river herring from videos. Southern New England American Fisheries Society Summer Meeting, 27 June 2019, Hadley, MA.	June 2019	Knowledge of the timing and density of juvenile river herring as they leave freshwater lakes is essential for understanding within-lake mortality and for modeling populations across life stages. This effort will test a new method for monitoring and processing juvenile river herring emigration data using citizen scientists, and thus has the potential to not only increase data collection but continue to engage the public in river herring research and conservation.
Skorupa, A.J., S. Doran, C.E. Dumoulin, A.H. Roy, and D.R. Smith. 2023. Towards a decision support tool for freshwater mussel conservation. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	We compiled freshwater mussel species presence/absence data and landscape-scale environmental covariates to predict mussel distributions in the Delaware River basin. By optimizing among actions (e.g., riparian restoration, sediment stabilization) we formulate preliminary conservation portfolios for multiple species.
Skorupa, A.J., S. Doran, C.E. Dumoulin, A.H. Roy, and D.R. Smith. 2023. Predicting the effect of restoration actions on mussel assemblage habitat: A decision tool to aid practitioners. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 10-14 April 2023, Portland, OR.	April 2023	We compiled freshwater mussel species presence/absence data and landscape-scale environmental covariates to predict mussel distributions in the Delaware River basin. By optimizing among actions (e.g., riparian restoration, sediment stabilization) we formulate preliminary conservation portfolios for multiple species.
Skorupa, A.J., S. Doran, C.E. Dumoulin, A.H. Roy, and D.R. Smith. 2023. Evaluating habitat and conservation actions for mussel assemblages in the Delaware River basin, U.S. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 30 April - 2 May 2023, Hershey, PA.	April 2023	We compiled freshwater mussel species presence/absence data and landscape-scale environmental covariates to predict mussel distributions in the Delaware River basin. By optimizing among actions (e.g., riparian restoration, sediment stabilization) we formulate preliminary conservation portfolios for multiple species.
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, T. Warren, A. Fisk, and S.C. Sterrett. 2019. Developing a strategy to restore a freshwater mussel (Alasmidonta varicosa) to Massachusetts watersheds. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 27 February - 1 March, Saratoga Springs, NY.	February 2019	The brook floater is a freshwater mussel that has undergone significant range contractions and populations declines, which has let to its consideration for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. Here, we describe field assessments and lab propagation experiments that are key components of a new strategy for brook floater conservation that aims to increase population resiliency toward overall recovery of the species.
Skorupa, A.J., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, A. Fisk, and S. Sterrett. 2018. Brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) mesohabitat preferences in four Massachusetts watersheds. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) have experienced large declines or have been extirpated throughout Massachusetts. Assessments of local habitat correlates can be used to describe habitat requirements for the species and identify potential areas to search for new populations or reintroduce mussels.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2023. Growth and survival of propagated brook floater in four rivers: implications for population restoration. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 30 April - 2 May 2023, Hershey, PA.	April 2023	We assessed growth and survival of propagated juvenile brook floater (<i>Alasmidonta varicosa</i>) in streams with extant populations to evaluate potential for population augmentation. This information, coupled with data on host fish availability, water quality requirements for glochidia, are part of a multi-pronged field assessment conducted prior to restoration.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2022. Assessing propagated brook floater growth and survival across four rivers. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	We assessed growth and survival of propagated juvenile brook floater (<i>Alasmidonta varicosa</i>) in streams with extant populations to evaluate potential for population augmentation. This information, coupled with data on host fish availability, water quality requirements for glochidia, are part of a multi-pronged field assessment conducted prior to restoration.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2020. Assessing propagated brook floater growth and survival across four rivers with extant populations. ASLO-SFS 2020 Joint Summer Meeting, 7-11 June 2020, Madison, WI.	June 2020	We assessed whether lab-propagated mussels could successfully grow in Massachusetts rivers where there are extant populations of brook floater, a species of greatest conservation need throughout its range. This information is critical for developing a conservation plan around augmentation of native populations.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, A. Fisk, D. Perkins, and T. Warren. 2020. Propagation as a tool for restoration of a state endangered freshwater mussel. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 4-6 March 2020, Newport, RI.	March 2020	We conducted host fish trials for propagating brook floater and tested juvenile mussel growth and survival in native rivers. Our data will be used to build a brook floater restoration plan, which may incorporate reintroduction or augmentation of native populations.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, A. Fisk, D. Perkins, S.C. Sterrett, and T. Warren. 2021. Habitat predicts abundance of five freshwater mussel species in Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference, 12-14 April 2021 [virtual].	April 2021	We surveyed streams for five mussels with low densities in Massachusetts, two of which are state listed. Assessments of local habitat correlates can be used to describe habitat requirements for the species and identify potential areas to search for new populations or reintroduce mussels.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, A. Fisk, D. Perkins, S.C. Sterrett, and T. Warren. 2021. Habitat predicts abundance of five freshwater mussel species in Massachusetts. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 12-14 April 2021 [virtual].	April 2021	We surveyed streams for five mussels with low densities in Massachusetts, two of which are state listed. Assessments of local habitat correlates can be used to describe habitat requirements for the species and identify potential areas to search for new populations or reintroduce mussels.
Skorupa, A., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, A. Fisk, D. Perkins, S.C. Sterrett, and T. Warren. 2019. Mesohabitat relationships to abundance for three mussels found in northeastern US streams. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 14-18 April 2019, San Antonio, TX.	April 2019	We surveyed streams for three mussels with low densities in Massachusetts, two of which are state endangered. Assessments of local habitat correlates can be used to describe habitat requirements for the species and identify potential areas to search for new populations or reintroduce mussels.
Skora, L.C. and T.L. Wilson. Flying low and slow: estimating brown bear (Ursus arctos) density using aerial distance sampling in Katmai National Preserve, Alaska. Contributed oral presentation. International Statistical Ecology Conference. Swansea, United Kingdom. 2024.	July 2024	This work is combined 3 years of distance sampling data to estimate brown bear (Ursus arctos) population status and trend in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.
Skora, L, TL Wilson. 2023. Estimating brown bear abundance along salmon spawning streams in Katmai National Park, Alaska. EURING Analytical Meeting & Workshop, Montpellier, France, 17 – 21 April.	April 2023	Monitoring free-ranging wildlife in wilderness settings can be difficult. We use recent advances in N-mixture models to analyze a long-term count dataset of brown bears using salmon streams in Alaska. This is one is the first attempt to generate a robust population estimate of free-living brown bears with annual count data.
Sirén, A.P.K., T.L. Wilson, K.Dunfey-Ball, K.D. Gieder, C.A. Bernier, N.L. Fortin, T. Smith, J.R. Kilborn, C.B. Callahan, R.M. Cliché, L.S. Prout, S, Wixsom, S. Staats, R. Abrams, S. Gifford, R. K. Patry, L.E. Kantar, T.L. Morelli. Broad-scale climate and habitat influences winter tick-moose dynamics along trailing range edges. North American Moose Conference, Midway, UT, USA. 13-16 May 2024.	May 2024	Winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) parasitism can reduce moose (acles acles) fecundity and juvenile survival, causing range-wide population declines throughout the northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. The negative effects of tick epizootics are not uniformly distributed in space or time. Our region-wide analysis using <5 years of data determined the winter tick epizootics are influenced by broad-scale climatic drivers and density dependence.
Sirén, A.P.K., J. Clark, R.M. Cliché, C.B. Callahan, J.R. Kilborn, C.S. Bernier, K.D. Gieder, P.G. Jensen, R. Patry, L.S. Prout, S. Wixsom, S. Gifford, T.L. Morelli, T.L. Wilson. 2024. Form fits function: Matching camera trap protocols with research objectives. NEAFWA, Hyannis, MA. Invited Oral Presentation. 21-24 April 2024.	April 2024	Camera traps are quickly becoming a preferred tool of for wildlife monitoring, but designing arrays can be confusing for managers. We attempt to clarify the choices by discussing the pros and cons of three different arrays used by the Northeast Wildlife Monitoring Network (NEWMN).
Sirén A.P.K., T.L. Wilson, K. Dunfey-Ball, K.D. Gieder, C.A. Bernier, N.L. Fortin, T. Smith, J.R. Kilborn, C.B. Callahan, R.M. Cliché, L. S. Prout, S. Wixsom, S. Staats, R. Abrams, S. Gifford, R.K. Patry, L.E. Kantar, and T.L. Morelli. Broad scale climate and habitat drivers mediate occupancy-dependent parasitism along trailing range edges. Workshop on moose research needs in the Northeast. Sherbrooke, QC, Canada. 13 December 2023.	December 2023	Winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) parasitism can reduce moose (acles acles) fecundity and juvenile survival, causing range-wide population declines throughout the northeastern United States and Southeastern Canada. The negative effects of tick epizootics are not uniformly distributed in space or time. Our region-wide analysis using <5 years of data determined the winter tick epizootics are influenced by broad-scale climatic drivers and density dependence.
Siren, A., L. Clarfeld, C. Balantic, K. Gieder, P. Jensen, T. Wilson, and T. Donovan. Northeast Wildlife Monitoring Network (NEWMN): A Unifying Framework for Regional Collaboration Using Autonomous Monitoring Units. Northeast Natural History Conference, Burlington VT, 21-23 April 2023.	April 2023	Camera traps have become a standard tool for collecting data on wildlife distribution, abundance, and species richness, but present challenges in terms of data storage, tagging, and sharing data across projects. In this talk, we discuss our standardized, bottom-up approach for regional approach and introduce workflow that streamlines data collection and collaboration.
Sillen, S.J., P.A. Zaidel, A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, K. Houle, and B. Lambert. 2018. Dissolved oxygen response to dam removal in Massachusetts streams. Society for Ecological Restoration New England Conference, 11-13 October 2018, New Haven, CT.	October 2018	Dam removal is increasingly employed to restore previously impaired streams; however, less than 10% of dam removal projects have been scientifically evaluated for ecosystem changes following removal. This study found that dam removal led to an immediate (within 1 year) recovery of the reduced dissolved oxygen in the previously impounded area, leading to overall stream ecosystem restoration.
Sievert, P.R., and Hasegawa, H. 2004. Modeling volcanic risks and the value of safe colonies for short-tailed albatrosses. Third International Albatross and Petrel Conference, 23-27 August 2004, Montevideo, Uruguay.	August 2004
Sievert, P.R., and Hasegawa, H. 2004. Growth of the black-footed albatross population on Torishima Island, Japan. Thirty-first Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group, 21-24 January 2004, La Paz, Mexico.	January 2004
Sievert, P.R., and Hasegawa, H. 2004. Black-footed albatrosses on Torishima, 1989-2004: growth of Japan's largest colony. Third International Albatross and Petrel Conference, 23-27 August 2004, Montevideo, Uruguay.	August 2004
Sievert, P.R., and Hasegawa, H. 2003. Modeling the risk of volcanic eruptions on the short-tailed albatross population of Torishima. 30th Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group, Parksville, British Columbia, Canada, 19-23 February.	February 2003
Sievert, P.R., Grgurovic, M., and Compton, B.W. 2002. Ecology of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in the developing landscape of eastern Massachusetts. 58th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2002, Portland, ME.	April 2002
Sievert, P.R., Grgurovic, M., and Compton B.W. 2004. Conserving Blanding's turtles, Emydoidea blandingii, amid suburban sprawl in eastern Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference, 20-21 May 2004, Albany, NY.	May 2004
Sievert, P.R. and Hasegawa, H. 2004. Reestablishment of a short-tailed albatross colony: logistical and population considerations. Thirty-first Annual Meeting of the Pacific Seabird Group, 21-24 January 2004, La Paz, Mexico.	January 2004
Sievert, P.R. 2004. Population modeling, reclassification and recovery thresholds for short-tailed albatrosses. 2nd Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team Meeting, 25-28 May 2004, Chiba, Japan.	May 2004
Sievert, P.R. 2004. Conserving Blanding's turtles in Massachusetts: A research overview. Northeast Regional Blanding's Turtle Meeting, 13 February 2004, Concord, NH.	February 2004
Sievert, P.R. 2004. Albatross, turtles, and tigers: combining field and modeling approaches for rare species recovery. Invited seminar, Tufts University, 30 April 2004, Grafton, MA.	April 2004
Sievert, P. R., J. Arata, H. Hasegawa, M. B. Naughton, and E. N. Flint. 2005. Population trends of North Pacific albatrosses during the past 30 years. The Wildlife Society 12th Annual Conference, Madison, WI, 25-29 Sep.	September 2005
Sievert, P. R., H. Hasegawa. M. B. Naughton, and E. N. Flint. 2005. Population trends of North Pacific albatrosses from 1976 to the present. Joint Meeting of the Waterbird Society and the Pacific Seabird Group, Portland, OR, 19-23 Jan.	January 2005
Sievert, P. R., D. J. Paulson, and D. T. Yorks. 2011. An experimental test of the effectiveness of road passage structures for freshwater turtles. Symposium on the Influence of Roads on Wildlife in Urban Areas, 18th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Waikoloa, HI, 1-15 Nov.	November 2011
Sievert, P. R. 2007. Growth of New England snake populations: A comparative approach. Snakes of the Northeast Conference, Amherst, MA, 30 Nov - 1 Dec.	November 2007
Sheppard, J.J., M.N. Marjadi, S. Batchelder, R. Govostes, A.H. Roy, M.G. Slocombe, and J.K. Llopiz. 2024. A video monitoring and computational system for estimating juvenile river herring abundance. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, 15-19 September 2024, Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	We developed a state-of-the-art underwater video and computational system to collect automated video data to estimate abundances and migration timing for juvenile river herring (<i>Alosa pseudoharengus</i>; <i>A. aestivalis</i>). Both the video collection system and computational model may be transferrable to other sites and for other species where tracking juvenile emigration may inform management efforts.
Scoggins, M., A. Gonzales, R. Hawley, R.F. Smith, E. Bilger, R. Hale, M. Fork, K. Hopkins, Martin Neale, and A.H. Roy. 2020. Moving the bar on multidisciplinary solutions to wicked urban stream problems: A summary of SUSE5. ALSO-SFS 2020 Joint Summer Meeting, 7-12 June 2020, Madison, WI.	June 2020	This presentation will discuss cutting-edge research in urban stream ecology, as recently shared during the 5th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology. We will discuss wicked urban water problems and the role of community members in developing novel stream restoration solutions.
Schlossberg, S., D. King, S. DeStefano, and M. Hartley. 2012. Effects of forest management at the landscape scale on wood thrush demography. New England Society of American Foresters, Amherst, MA. 15 March.	March 2012
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, and D. Perkins. 2020. Fish assessments to inform recovery of dwarf wedgemussel. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 4-6 March 2020, Newport, RI.	March 2020	To inform a recovery plan for the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, we assessed host fish abundances near dwarf wedgemussel populations. This information is critical for understanding the potential impact of fish populations on mussel declines and ensuring adequate conditions for mussel population augmentation.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2021. Mitigating contamination for in-vitro propagation of dwarf wedgemussel. Northeast Natural History Conference, 12-14 April 2021 [virtual].	April 2021	Given concerns about the long-term viability of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, new efforts are underway to propagate the species in the lab for potential population augmentation. Successful in-vitro methods (without a fish host) could be extremely valuable for improved efficiency of transformation and production of this species.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2021. Mitigating contamination for in-vitro propagation of dwarf wedgemussel. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Meeting, 12-14 April 2021 [virtual].	April 2021	Given concerns about the long-term viability of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, new efforts are underway to propagate the species in the lab for potential population augmentation. Successful in-vitro methods (without a fish host) could be extremely valuable for improved efficiency of transformation and production of this species.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, D.L Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2019. In-vitro propagation of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon). Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 14-18 April 2019, San Antonio, TX.	April 2019	Given concerns about the long-term viability of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, new efforts are underway to propagate the species in the lab for potential population augmentation. Although this species has not yet been propagated using in-vitro methods (without a fish host), such methods could be extremely valuable for improved efficiency of metamorphosis.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, D.L Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2019. In-vitro propagation of dwarf wedgemussel. ASLO-SFS 2020 Joint Summer Meeting, 7-11 June 2020, Madison, WI.	June 2020	Given concerns about the long-term viability of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, new efforts are underway to propagate the species in the lab for potential population augmentation. Successful in-vitro methods (without a fish host) could be extremely valuable for improved efficiency of transformation and production of this species.
Ryan, J.E., A.H. Roy, D.L Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2019. In-vitro propagation of Alasmidonta heterodon (dwarf wedgemussel). Northeast Natural History Conference, 17-19 April 2020, Stamford, CT.	April 2020	Given concerns about the long-term viability of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, new efforts are underway to propagate the species in the lab for potential population augmentation. Successful in-vitro methods (without a fish host) could be extremely valuable for improved efficiency of transformation and production of this species.
Roy, A.H., T.A. Richards, C.R. Smith, and A.N. Yarra. 2015. Investigating impacts of impoundments on the hydrology, temperature, and fish assemblages in Massachusetts streams. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	We examined the effects of impoundments (water supply, winter drawdown, and run-of-river) on stream flow, temperature, and fish assemblages. Results will be used to identify mechanisms of impairment and inform decisions related to water supply and impoundment management.
Roy, A.H., S.M. Clinton, J. Hartman, and K.H. Macneale. 2022. Stream macroinvertebrate reintroductions: A cautionary approach for restored urban streams. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	This paper summarizes current knowledge about stream reintroductions and details best practices for aquatic macroinvertebrate reintroduction in restored urban streams. We urge practitioners to consider several criteria when deciding if reintroductions are appropriate for the recipient stream, including evaluating potential risks to both donor and recipient streams, and stress a cautionary approach toward using reintroductions in urban stream restoration projects.
Roy, A.H., S.F. Jane, J.T. Finn, P.D. Hazelton, T.O. Randhir, and T.A. Richards. 2015. Linkages between stream flow, habitat, and biotic assemblages in and urbanized large river. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	The Sudbury River has experienced hydrologic alterations from mainstem impoundments, water withdrawals, and urbanization. Our research shows altered fish and mussel assemblages, and potential for continued pressure from hydrologic alteration.
Roy, A.H., R. Bouldin, P.A. Zaidel, and S. Mattocks. 2018. Increasing resilience of coldwater fish habitat with dam removal. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 19-23 August 2018, Atlantic City, NJ.	August 2018	We explored the effects of dams on stream temperature, and used those thermal differences to infer potential responses of native coldwater fish species to dam removal. At 12 dam sites where were had before-after data, we directly assessed fish responses to dam removal, which may be used to inform continued dam removal and monitoring efforts.
Roy, A.H., P.D. Hazelton, and S.C. Sterrett. 2020. Modeling and monitoring for rangewide conservation of a rare mussel. Northeast Aquatic Biologist Conference, 4-6 March 2012, Newport, RI.	March 2020	We describe results of a species distribution model for brook floater and methods for a new protocol being implemented across the species' range to better assess occupancy. The research and discussions are being used to inform conservation decisions by members of the Brook Floater Working Group for restoring critically imperiled freshwater mussel species.
Roy, A.H., P.D. Hazelton, and S.C. Sterrett. 2019. Using standardized protocols toward improving rangewide conservation of rare mussel species. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 14-18 April 2019, San Antonio, TX.	April 2019	We describe two new protocols for surveying rare stream-dwelling freshwater mussel species that are being used across the range of brook floater to collect novel data on occupancy and population viability. We discuss the value of these methods for informing conservation decisions and restoring critically imperiled freshwater mussel species.
Roy, A.H., P.D. Hazelton, S. Sterrett, A. Doubleday, A. Fisk, L. Holst, M. Marchand, D. Perkins, M.D. Staudinger, B. Swartz, and B. Watson. 2017. What's next? Brook Floater rangewide conservation and restoration initiative. Northeast Freshwater Mussel Meeting, 7 March 2017, Hadley, MA.	March 2017	I will present an overview of the new research initiative focused on assessment and conservation priorities for the Brook Floater, a freshwater mussel that is State endangered or threatened in much of its range.
Roy, A.H., P.A. Zaidel, K. Houle, B. Lambert, and K.H. Nislow. 2018. Potential responses of stream water quality and macroinvertebrates to small dam removal. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 13-15 March 2018, Devens, MA.	March 2018	Dam removal is increasingly used to restore streams, yet only a small fraction of streams has been monitored to assess ecosystem responses to small dam removal. Here, we provide pre-removal data on effects of dams on stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, and macroinvertebrates and use these data to infer potential benefits of small dam removal to stream ecosystems.
Roy, A.H., M.E. Grandinetti, and N.A. Wilgruber. 2014. Exploring sublethal effects of urbanization: fish and macroinvertebrate movement. Third Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 15-17 May 2014, Portland, OR.	May 2014	At the second Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology in 2008, scientists identified a research need for understanding sublethal effects of urbanization on stream biota. This research starts to fill that gap, and provides evidence that behavioral responses are present but complex.
Roy, A.H., M.E. Grandinetti, and H.R. Geib. 2013. Macroinvertebrate drift: a mechanism of biodiversity loss in urban streams? Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, Jacksonville, FL, 19-23 May 2013.	May 2013	The study examines the effect of urbanization on macroinvertebrate drift. Behavioral drift may serve as a sub-lethal indicator of disturbance and precursor to loss of biodiversity.
Roy, A.H., L.K. Rhea, W.D. Shuster, and A. St. Amand. 2012. Managing stormwater for freshwater ecosystems: go big or go home. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 20-24 May 2012.	May 2012
Roy, A.H., L.K. Rhea, W.D. Shuster, A. St. Amand, and H.W. Thurston. 2012. Stream responses to a watershed-scale stormwater retrofit. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 21-23 March 2012.	March 2012
Roy, A.H., K.M. Abbott, and P.A. Zaidel. 2021. Ecological Considerations for Dam Removal: Charles River Dam in South Natick. Charles River Dam Advisory Committee. 14 October 2021.	October 2021	Many local communities struggle with the decision of whether or not to remove a dam. This presentation aims to help the Advisory Committee understand the effects of dams and likely response to removal of the Charles River dam in South Natick, Massachusetts.
Roy, A.H., K.M. Abbott, M.B. Cole, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2019. Impacts of small, low-head dams on stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 19-23 May 2019, Salt Lake City, UT.	May 2019	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed variation in stream macroinvertebrate responses to dams across 15 sites, which may be used to prioritize dam removal and set expectations for restoration.
Roy, A.H., K.A. Capps, R. El-Sabaawi, K.L. Jones, T.B. Parr, A. Ramirez, R.F. Smith, C.J. Walsh, and S.J. Wenger. 2014. Global differences in urbanization and stream ecology: a synthesis. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 18-22 May 2014, Portland, OR.	May 2014	A major research need in urban stream ecology is understanding mechanisms of urban impairment. The symposium will offer an opportunity to synthesize and reflect on global differences in mechanisms, and underlying reasons for those differences.
Roy, A.H., J.R. Carmignani, P.D. Hazelton, A.J. Skorupa, S.C. Sterrett, N. Whelan, and the Brook Floater Working Group. 2023. Using regional working groups for mussel species conservation. Freshwater Sciences 2023, 3-7 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	June 2023	We describe the Brook Floater Working Group, a partner-driven group of managers and scientists throughout the brook floater range, as a model for guiding research and monitoring toward rangewide conservation of At-risk freshwater mussel species. We discuss the group's accomplishments to date, and critical features of the working group that make it successful.
Roy, A.H., J.R. Carmignani, P.D. Hazelton, A.J. Skorupa, S.C. Sterrett, N. Whelan, and the Brook Floater Working Group. 2023. Using regional working groups for mussel species conservation. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 10-14 April 2023, Portland, OR.	April 2023	We describe the Brook Floater Working Group, a partner-driven group of managers and scientists throughout the brook floater range, as a model for guiding research and monitoring toward rangewide conservation of At-risk freshwater mussel species. We discuss the group's accomplishments to date, and critical features of the working group that make it successful.
Roy, A.H., J.R. Carmignani, J.T. Stolarski, and T. Richards. 2021. Hydrology of annual winter water level drawdowns in recreational lakes of Massachusetts, USA. National Monitoring Conference, 19-23 April 2021, virtual.	April 2021	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet monitoring of water levels is rare, making it challenging to understand the impact of drawdown regimes on lake ecosystems. We assessed 3-4 years of continuous hydrological data from 21 lakes to characterize winter drawdowns and understand how practices compare to current recommended guidelines.
Roy, A.H., J.R. Carmignani, J.T. Stolarski, and T. Richards. 2020. Hydrology of annual winter water level drawdowns in recreational lakes of Massachusetts, USA. North American Lake Management Society Meeting, 16-20 November 2020, virtual.	November 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet monitoring of water levels is rare, making it challenging to understand the impact of drawdown regimes on lake ecosystems. We assessed 3-4 years of continuous hydrological data from 21 lakes to characterize winter drawdowns and understand how practices compare to current recommended guidelines.
Roy, A.H., J. Soucie, A. Quick, and R. Hale. 2023. Salted urban streams: understanding spatial and temporal variability in conductivity to guide management. 6th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 29 May - 1 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	May 2023	We are investigating spatial and temporal variability in conductivity within a metropolitan area. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on conductivity across urban rivers will inform management practices towards improving stream health.
Roy, A.H., J. Rosset, M. Marjadi, A. Whiteley, B. Gahagan, A. Jordaan. 2016. Insights in reproduction, growth, and survival of anadromous alewife in freshwater lakes. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockland, ME.	March 2016	Our results provide insights into aspects of alewife life history (e.g., spawning, growth, mortality) and shed light on the high level of variability across lakes. Understanding factors influencing juvenile alewife production will be critical to modeling population dynamics, identifying mortality rates associated with anthropogenic activities, and determining effective approaches for future population recovery.
Roy, A.H., H.R. Lubbers, and M.C. Miller. 2018. Biotic responses to multiple threats of urbanization and drying in headwater streams. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 20-24 May 2018, Detroit, MI.	May 2018	This research found that urbanization had a dominant influence on macroinvertebrate assemblages, despite differences in hydrologic permanence across sites, highlighting the sensitivity of macroinvertebrates to urban disturbance. However, salamanders were influenced by permanence, collectively emphasizing the challenges of managing heterogeneous headwater streams given multiple threats and multiple objectives.
Roy, A.H., D.S. Armstrong, M.E. Baker, C.N. Bentsen, R.F. Smith, and J.T. Stolarksi. 2020. Unpacking fish responses to impervious cover in Massachusetts. Southern New England American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 13-14 January 2020, Cambridge, MA.	January 2020	Impervious cover alters the hydrology, geomorphology, and water quality in streams resulting in impaired biotic assemblages; however, the variation in biotic responses among sites have received little attention. Here, we show that fish responses to impervious cover vary in different physiographic regions and with different reach-scale charactertistics within Massachusetts, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all solution to urban stream restoration is unlikely to be effective.
Roy, A.H., C.N. Bentsen, D.S. Armstrong, and M.E. Baker. 2017. Prioritizing stream restoration and protection to maximize ecological benefits: stream habitat, temperature, and watershed considerations. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 4-9 June 2017, Raleigh, NC.	June 2017	This study identifies reach scale (habitat and water quality) and watershed scale (geology, land use) characteristics that explain differences in biotic assemblages in catchments with similar impervious cover. Results suggest that streams with characteristics such as habitat heterogeneity and better water quality may be more resistant to urban disturbance and thus should be high-priority locations for protection from urban impacts.
Roy, A.H., C.N. Bentsen, D.S. Armstrong, and M.E. Baker. 2017. Context matters: Variable responses of fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages to urbanization based on stream habitat, water quality, and watershed characteristics. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	This study identifies reach scale (habitat and water quality) and watershed scale (geology, land use) characteristics that explain differences in biotic assemblages in catchments with similar impervious cover. Results suggest that streams with characteristics such as habitat heterogeneity and better water quality may be more resistant to urban disturbance and thus should be high-priority locations for protection from urban impacts.
Roy, A.H., A. Quick, R. Hale, K.G. Hopkins, and J. Soucie. 2024. Spatial and temporal variability in stream conductivity in the Boston metropolitan area. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 14-16 February 2024, Fairlee, Vermont.	February 2024	We are investigated spatial and temporal variability in conductivity within a metropolitan area. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on conductivity across urban rivers will inform management practices towards improving stream health.
Roy, A.H., A. Quick, R. Hale, K.G. Hopkins, and J. Soucie. 2024. Drivers of spatial and temporal variability in conductivity in temperate, urban streams. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We are investigated spatial and temporal variability in conductivity within a metropolitan area. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on conductivity across urban rivers will inform management practices towards improving stream health.
Roy, A.H. and R.F. Smith. 2014. Investigating impacts of landscape development on stream fish and insect dispersal. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 17-21 August 2014, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	This research provides a novel analysis of landscape data with respect to fish and invertebrate assemblages. Landscape dispersal is often ignored in predictive models and conservation practices.
Roy, A.H. and K. Andreadis. 2023. Lake water level management under changing climates. Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Webinar Series, 8 March 2023, Amherst, MA.	March 2023	We developed novel methods to derive lake water levels from satellite imagery and designed a hydrological modeling framework to simulate the ability of lakes to achieve winter drawdown and refill targets. Lake managers will be able to use the information to make management decisions given different climate scenarios.
Roy, A.H. and J. R. Carmignani. 2020. Ecological responses of shallow littoral zones to annual wintertime water level drawdowns in reservoirs. ALSO-SFS 2020 Joint Summer Meeting, 7-11 June 2020, Madison, WI.	June 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet little is known about the impact of drawdowns on littoral communities, and how that varies across lakes. Here, we describe the hydrologic regime of 21 lakes with a range of drawdown magnitude and responses of physical habitat, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and freshwater mussels to winter drawdown, which will help inform management of recreational lakes.
Roy, A.H. and A.C. Engman. 2021. Biotic diversity in urban ecosystems: Current knowledge and research needs. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 23-27 May 2021 (virtual).	May 2021	We describe the state of the knowledge of fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages in urban ecosystems and identify 10 topic areas requiring further research. Recognition of the value of natural and novel urban ecosystems can propel research to understand ecological processes and develop strategies to maintain and enhance the biota of these unique systems in the context of global change.
Roy, A.H. X. He, A. Kumar, K. Andreadis, and C. Butler. 2023. Winter lake drawdowns: prevalence, hydrologic characteristics, and ability to meet management guidelines. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	We developed novel methods to derive lake water levels from satellite imagery and designed a hydrological modeling framework to simulate the ability of lakes to achieve winter drawdown and refill targets. Lake managers will be able to use the information to make management decisions given different climate scenarios.
Roy, A.H. Urban streams: To avoid or to embrace? Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	This talk will highlight the challenges and opportunities of monitoring and managing in urban streams and the importance of including community-centered values in urban stream restoration. Embracing urban stream ecosystems within watershed restoration plans can propel creative implementation of restoration and management strategies, ultimately enhancing both environmental and societal benefits.
Roy, A.H. 2016. Urbanization: Using resistance to this homogenizing force to inform management. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	This talk synthesizes the current direction of urban stream ecology, which has recently emphasized differences in responses to urbanization across climate, geologic, and social gradients. At a local scale, resistance to urbanization can be used to add to our understanding of mechanisms of urban disturbance and inform management decisions.
Roy, A., S. Sterrett, P. Hazelton, A. Skorupa, J. Carmignani, and A. Hershberger. 2023. Rapid assessment in wadeable streams. Freshwater Mussel Recovery and Implementation Workshop, Nov 8–9, 2023, Moncton, New Brunswick.	November 2023	We developed a rapid assessment protocol to collect standardized data in areas where Brook Floater are known to occur and develop occupancy models for better understanding habitat preferences. The protocol has been used by several state partners throughout the range and may also be useful for other stream-dwelling mussel species.
Roy, A., M. Devine, L. Guo, M. Marjadi, M.G. Slocombe, J. Benway, J. Davis, K. Job, A. Jordaan, S. McCormick, K. Sprankle, and M. Staudinger. 2023. Juvenile river herring habitat use in the Connecticut River. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	We aimed to characterize spatial and temporal variability in juvenile river herring densities, growth, diets, and condition among small coves along the mainstem river. The observed spatial differences in habitat use among coves helps to understand factors limiting river herring productivity in this large river system.
Roy, A., A Jordaan, A. Whiteley, M. Devine, M. Marjadi, J. Rosset, M. Armstrong, B. Gahagan. 2017. The lake story: insights in reproduction, growth, and survival of anadromous alewife in freshwater. Gaspereau/Alewife Symposium, 16-20 June 2017, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.	June 2017	Our results provide new insights into aspects of alewife life history and the high level of variability across lakes. Understanding factors influencing adult reproductive timing and success and juvenile alewife growth and mortality will be critical to determining effective approaches for recovery of at-risk populations.
Roy, A. and M. Devine. 2022. Limits to juvenile river herring densities and restoration potential. Massachusetts River Herring Network, 25 October 2023, Pembroke, MA.	October 2022	We report the results of studies investigating the response of river herring to dam removal and fish passage and factors driving juvenile river herring density in freshwater lakes.
Roy, A. and J. Carmignani. 2016. Impacts of winter drawdowns on lake ecosystems. The Lakes and Ponds Association of Western Massachusetts Conference, 22 October 2016, Pittsfield, MA.	October 2016	Lake drawdowns are a common practice in New England, yet there are few studies investigating the effects of this management strategy on lake ecosystems. We present preliminary results of a series of studies investigating effects of drawdowns on habitats, macroinvertebrates, mussels, and fish diet that should be used to inform how lakes employ this management practice in the future.
Roy, A. 2023. Working groups for range-wide mussel conservation and restoration. Freshwater Mussel Recovery and Implementation Workshop, Nov 8–9, 2023, Moncton, New Brunswick.	November 2023	We describe two freshwater mussel working groups: the Brook Floater Working Group and the Yellow Lampmussel Working Group. These are partner-driven groups of managers and scientists throughout the species' ranges that are devoted to facilitating collaboration and information sharing. The working groups provide opportunities for multi-species actions, large-range regional databases, sharing expertise, multi-agency funding, and coordinated protection and restoration for both species.
Rosset, J., B.I. Gahagan, P.A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, and A.R. Whiteley. 2014. Life history characteristics of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in freshwater environments. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	Coastal migratory alewife populations are in decline, and information about juvenile productivity in freshwater ponds is a critical gap. The research will help develop a stronger understanding of the role of habitat quality and cohort dynamics while improving alewife restoration throughout their native range.
Rosset, J., A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, A.R. Whiteley, and A.P. Jordaan. 2015. Life history characteristics of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in freshwater environments. American Fisheries Society Southern New England Chapter 2015 Winter Meeting, Narragansett, RI, 27 January 2015.	January 2015	This presentation will discuss juvenile alewife growth and mortality across 20 lakes in Massachusetts. Given that alewife are in decline, and little is known about productivity in freshwater environments, this study provides valuable information on alewife ecology and factors limiting their populations.
Rosset, J., A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, A.R. Whiteley, and A. Jordaan. 2015. Shedding light on past assumptions: a look at life history characteristics of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus). Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 16-20 August 2015, Portland, Oregon.	August 2015	It has been assumed that adult alewives immediately spawn in their respective natal nursery and quickly migrate back to sea; however, our preliminary results based on sampling 20 freshwater lakes and ponds in Massachusetts suggest that there is a distinct delay between adult migration and the resultant adult spawning event. This and other information about juvenile life history is critical for guiding effective management of declining alewife populations.
Rosset, J., A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, A.R. Whiteley, and A. Jordaan. 2015. Shedding light on past assumptions: a look at life history characteristics of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in coastal Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference, 19-20 April 2015, Springfield, MA.	April 2015	It has been assumed that adult alewives immediately spawn in their respective natal nursery and quickly migrate back to sea; however, our preliminary results based on sampling 20 freshwater lakes and ponds in Massachusetts suggest that there is a distinct delay between adult migration and the resultant adult spawning event. This and other information about juvenile life history is critical for guiding effective management of declining alewife populations.
Rosset, J. B.I. Gahagan, A.P. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, and A.R. Whiteley. 2014. Life history characteristics of juvenile alewife in freshwater ponds. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 17-21 August 2014, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	Coastal migratory alewife populations are in decline, and information about juvenile productivity in freshwater ponds is a critical gap. The research will help develop a stronger understanding of the role of habitat quality and cohort dynamics while improving alewife restoration throughout their native range.
Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R. O'Brien, R.M. Quinones, T. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Can management alleviate impacts of climate change to support freshwater fish and mussel biodiversity? Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	Our goal was to assess 1) the effects of climate change on freshwater fish and mussel species in the Northeast, and 2) the potential of management actions (e.g., dam removal, riparian restoration) to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Collectively, our work can benefit managers interested in supporting holistic measures of freshwater biodiversity at the regional scale, as a complement to other targeted local efforts.
Rogers, J.B., G. DiRenzo, R.M. Quinones, T. Richards, and A. Roy. 2023. Modeling freshwater mussel biodiversity in New England streams to support management decisions that consider climate change. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 30 April - 2 May 2023, Hershey, PA.	April 2023	Landscape scale analyses that consider climate change or other land use change can be useful in making informed habitat, species, or biodiversity predictions. we are using freshwater mussel data collected across six states in the northeast to make inference about the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity of lotic systems and identify conservation and restoration opportunities.
Rogers, J.B., G. DiRenzo, R.M. Quinones, T. Richards, and A. Roy. 2023. Modeling aquatic biodiversity in New England streams to support management decisions that consider climate change. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	Landscape scale analyses that consider climate change or other land use change can be useful in making informed habitat, species, or biodiversity predictions. we are using freshwater fish data collected across eight states in the northeast to make inference about the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity of lotic systems and identify conservation and restoration opportunities.
Rogers, J.B., G. DiRenzo, R.M. Quinones, T. Richards, A. Roy, C. Bellucci, C. Buckley, M. Carpenter, A. Chapman, J. Deshler, M. Gallagher, A. Libby, and J. Stolarski. 2023. Modeling aquatic biodiversity in New England streams to support management decisions that consider climate change. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	Landscape scale analyses that consider climate change or other land use change can be useful in making informed habitat, species, or biodiversity predictions. we are using freshwater fish data collected across eight states in the northeast to make inference about the impacts of climate change on aquatic biodiversity of lotic systems and identify conservation and restoration opportunities.
Richards, T.A., C.R. Smith, and A.H. Roy. 2014. Hydrological impacts of water supply reservoirs in Massachusetts streams. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	Although surface water supply reservoirs are common in the landscape, there is little data on the hydrologic impacts of surface water withdrawals on stream hydrologic regimes. The modelled flows in Massachusetts offer the unique opportunity to examine these impacts.
Richards, T.A., C.R. Smith, and A.H. Roy. 2014. Hydrological impacts of water supply reservoirs in Massachusetts streams. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 17-21 August 2014, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	Although surface water supply reservoirs are common in the landscape, there is little data on the hydrologic impacts of surface water withdrawals on stream hydrologic regimes. The modelled flows in Massachusetts offer the unique opportunity to examine these impacts.
Remiszewski, T.T., J. Carmignani, and A.H. Roy. 2018. Impacts of winter water-level lake drawdowns on fish growth. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 19-23 August 2018, Atlantic City, NJ.	August 2018	We asked whether the size and growth of littoral- and benthic-feeding fish species vary across lakes with different levels of winter drawdowns. Our results may be used to inform lake management strategies that minimize impacts to native fish species.
Remiszewski, T.T., A.H. Roy, and J. Carmignani. 2018. Impacts of winter water-level lake drawdowns on fish growth. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 10 January 2018, New Bedford, MA.	January 2018	We asked whether the size and growth of littoral- and benthic-feeding fish species vary across lakes with different levels of winter drawdowns. Our results may be used to inform lake management strategies that minimize impacts to native fish species.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Hopkins, S. Chen, and L. Ortiz Muñoz. 2024. Urbanization effects on stream dissolved organic carbon and water quality across seasons and storm events. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 9-13 December 2024, Washington, DC.	December 2024	We monitored streams in three similarly sized (21.7–28.9 km<sup>2</sup>) adjacent watersheds near Boston, Massachusetts (USA) that vary in urban development (14–83% developed) and analyzed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and optical characteristics. The responses of stream chemistry to seasonality and hydrologic events reveal that specific urban characteristics (such as infrastructure) result in varying sources and characteristics of DOC.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Hopkins, S. Chen, and L. Ortiz Muñoz. 2024. Temporal variation in water quality and dissolved organic carbon in three urbanized streams. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We monitored streams in three similarly sized (21.7–28.9 km<sup>2</sup>) adjacent watersheds in the greater Boston, Massachusetts (USA) that vary in urban development (14–83% developed). The responses of stream chemistry to seasonality and hydrologic events reveal that specific urban characteristics (such as infrastructure) result in varying sources and characteristics of DOC.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, and J. Morse. 2022. Variability in dissolved organic carbon across urban streams in Boston, Massachusetts. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, J.L. Morse, S. Chen, C. Rizzie, and L. Ortiz Muñoz. 2023. Spatial and temporal variation in quantity and bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon within a metropolitan area. Freshwater Sciences 2023, 3-7 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	June 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, J.L. Morse, S. Chen, C. Rizzie, and L. Ortiz Muñoz. 2023. Spatial and temporal variation in quantity and bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon within a metropolitan area. 6th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 29 May - 1 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	May 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, J. Morse, S. Chen, and C. Rizzie. 2022. Seasonal trends in dissolved and particulate organic carbon across urban streams in Boston, USA. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 16-20 May 2022, Grand Rapids, MI.	May 2022	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Quick, A., A. Roy, R. Hale, K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, J. Morse, S. Chen, C. Rizzie, and L. Ortiz. 2023. Characterizing seasonal trends in dissolved organic carbon among urban streams in Boston, USA. 13th National Monitoring Conference, 24-28 April 2023, Virginia Beach, VA.	April 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Pusparini, W., T. Wahyudi, A. H. Ritonga, E. E. Rumapea, E. Ramadiyanta, H. T. Wibisono, G.V. Reddy, P. R. Sievert, and T. K. Fuller. 2013. A Spatially Explicit Model of Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) Occurrence in Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. Life Sciences Graduate Research Symposium, Amherst, MA, 22 Nov 2013.	November 2013	Approximately 1,100 km2 of suitable area are available for Sumatran rhinos in the Leuser landscape, as estimated using 25 environmental and anthropogenic predictors. If the Sumatran rhino population is to increase by 30%, a goal of the Indonesian Rhino Conservation Action Plan, a greater area of suitable habitat needs to be created through strong protection and enforcement actions.
Perkins, D., P. Hazelton, and A. Roy. 2017. A new freshwater mussel collaboration in the northeast. Northeast Freshwater Mussel Meeting, 7 March 2017, Hadley, MA.	March 2017	We will present an overview of the new freshwater mussel research collaborative between US Fish & Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The focus will be on propagation work at the Cronin Aquatic Resource Center, which is the first of its kind in the northeast.
Perkins, D. S. Hanlon, P. Hazelton, and A. Roy. 2018. A new freshwater mussel collaborative in the northeast. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	We will present an overview of the new freshwater mussel research collaborative between US Fish & Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. The focus will be on propagation work at the Cronin Aquatic Resource Center, which is the first of its kind in the northeast.
Pautzke, S., M. E. Mather, J, Finn, L. Deegan, R. M. Muth. 2006 Spatially defining predator impacts on estuarine food webs: assessing striped bass movements via acoustic tracking. American Fisheries Society, Lake Placid, New York, September, 2006	September 2007
Pautzke, S. M., M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, R. M. Muth, and L. A. Deegan. 2007. Habitat use, behaviors, and movements of migratory striped bass during summer residence in Massachusetts. Symposium Presentation, Annual Meeting, Estuarine Research Foundation, Providence, Rhode Island, November 2007	November 2007
Paulson, D., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Evaluating the effectiveness of road passage structures for freshwater turtles in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Turtle Symposium: Information for Action, Amherst, MA, 23-24 Feb.	February 2007
Paulson, D. J., and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Evaluating the effectiveness of road passage structures for freshwater turtles in Massachusetts. Northeast Transportation and Wildlife Conference, Meredith, NH, 21-24 Sep.	September 2008
Paulson, D. J., and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Evaluating the effectiveness of road passage structures for freshwater turtles in Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference X, Albany, NY, 17-18 Apr.	April 2008
Paulson, D. J., and P. R. Sievert. 2010. History and analysis of wildlife road passage structures in Massachusetts. Northeast Transportation and Wildlife Conference, Amherst, MA, 13-15 Sep.	September 2010
Paulson, D. J., and P. R. Sievert. 2010. An experimental test of culvert size and position on passage of painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Providence, RI, 7-12 Jul.	July 2010
Paulson, D. J., and P. R. Sievert. 2009. History and analysis of wildlife road passage structures in Massachusetts. Urban Wildlife Ecology and Management Conference, Amherst, MA, 21-24 Jun	June 2009
Parker, L., M. Craddock, T. Richards, A. Roy, and M. Cole. 2015. Poor little Pecks Brook: Balancing lake goals and downstream needs in an urban watershed. Flow 2015: 28-30 April 2015.	April 2015	Many lakes are drawn down during winters with the goal of controlling aquatic invasive species, resulting in unnatural consistently high flows in fall, and low flows in spring during refill. We report on a case study where streamflow guidance was provided and flows and biota were monitored.
Pacheco, K.P., S.J. Farrington, J. Stephens, and A.H. Roy. 2025. Using morphometrics to identify freshwater mussel glochidia on host fishes. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 5-7 February 2025, Bartlett, NH. (poster)	February 2025	This study employed morphometrics to identify the species of freshwater mussel glochidia found on 15 freshwater fish species collected from lakes and rivers in Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Understanding host fish dynamics will aid managers in assessing the potential distribution and long-term population viability of freshwater mussels.
Ortiz Munoz, L.D., J.S. Kominoski, K. Capps, S. Chen, R. Hale, K. Hopkins, A. Quick, J.L. Morse, C. Rizzie, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Stormwater infrastructure and seasonal hydrology transform dissolved organic carbon and nutrients in urban coastal waters. Freshwater Sciences 2023, 3-7 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	June 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Organ, John F., and S. DeStefano. 2011. Human dimensions of wildlife zoonoses: North American examples. Second Annual Symposium on Conservation Medicine, Andros Bello University, Santiago, Chile. 23 Nov.	November 2011
Organ, J. F., and S. DeStefano. 2013. The evolution of human dimensions in wildlife management. 3rd Symposium on Conservation Medicine, Santiago, Chile, 10 Oct. (Invited)	October 2013	Overview of the history, principles, and methodologies of human dimensions in wildlife management and conservation.
Organ, J. F., G. Medina, F. Astorga, D. Poo, C. Perez, and S. DeStefano. 2011. Carnivores, free ranging dogs, and people: managing a cultural and biological phenomenon in Chile. 18th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Kona, HI. 5-10 Nov.	November 2011
O'Brien, R., J. Carmignani, G.V. DiRenzo, R.M. Quiñones, T. Richards, J.B. Rogers, A.H. Roy. 2024. Drivers of freshwater mussel distributions in the northeastern United States. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We described freshwater mussel diversity in the Northeastern U.S. and identified biological (e.g., host fish abundance), hydrological (e.g., winter flooding), water quality (e.g., nitrate concentration), and landscape (e.g., natural land cover) drivers of those distributions. Our results provide a provide guidance on which areas in the Northeast may harbor species most vulnerable to climate change.
Norwood, P., M.T. Devine, E. Molden, A.H. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2020. Investigating juvenile river herring productivity in Nantucket Ponds: Insights for pond management. Southern New England American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 13-14 January 2020, Cambridge, MA.	January 2020	Nantucket Island managers are interested in restoring and sustaining river herring populations on the island, yet it is unknown how management of connectivity between ponds and the ocean impacts habitat quality and productivity. Here, we investigate the relative abundance, growth, and spatial distribution of juvenile river herring in two ponds with different levels of connectivity to the ocean to provide novel information to inform pond management.
Muth, R. M., and M. E. Mather. Causes underlying human-animal conflicts in urbanized society. Invited presentation, Problem Animal Control Officers Annual Meeting, December 2004	December 2003
Muth, R. M., and M. E. Mather. 2003. Causes underlying human-animal conflicts in urbanized society. Invited presentation, Nashua Watershed Association, September 2003	September 2003
Muth, R. M., M. E. Mather., J. T. Finn, and R.R. Zwick. 2007. Integrating Socioeconomic and Institutional Considerations into Coastal Restoration Decisions. Invited presentation in Symposium. Annual Meeting, Estuarine Research Foundation, Providence, Rhode Island, November 2007	November 2007
Muth, R. M., M. E. Mather, R. Zwick, and J. Organ. 2002. Fisheries management for the future: assessing the attitudes and values of conservation professionals. Contributed Paper, Human Dimensions I, Monday, August 19, 2002, American Fisheries Society Meeting, Baltimore, MD, August 2002	August 2002
Muth, R. M., M. E. Mather, R. Zwick, S. P. Andrews, 2001. Fishing for peace of mind: subsistence and recreational motivations of urban anglers in coastal Massachusetts. Northeastern Fish and Wildlife Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY	April 2001
Muth, R. M., M. E. Mather, J. Organ. R. Zwick. 2001. Conservation policy and management for the future: Assessing gender differences among conservation professionals Northeastern Fish and Wildlife Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY	April 2001
Muth, R. M., M. E. Mather, J. Organ. R. Zwick. 2001. Conservation policy and management for the future: Assessing gender differences among conservation professionals Northeastern Fish and Wildlife Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY	April 2000
Muth, R. M., J. Organ, R. Zwick, and M. E. Mather. 2002. Wildlife management for the future: assessing the attitudes and values of wildlife biologists. Annual Meeting, The Wildlife Society	September 2002
Muth, R. M., J. Organ, R. Zwick, and M. E. Mather. 2002. Conservation policy and management for the future: assessing the attitudes and values of conservation biologists. Annual Meeting, Society of Conservation Biologists, Canterbury, England.	June 2002
Muth, R. M., J. Organ, M. E. Mather, R. Zwick. 2002. The changing guard: upcoming changes in the age structure of conservation professionals. Northeastern Fish and Wildlife Conference	March 2002
Muth , R. M., and M. E. Mather. An Approach To Understanding Estuarine And Coastal Watershed Conflicts. Invited Presentation, Water To Water Symposium, New England Estuarine Research Society, May, 2005	May 2005
Mohammadi, H., M. Devine, S. Bittner, A.H. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2016. Study of feeding habits of alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in northeastern United States. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 14 January 2016, Groton, Connecticut.	January 2016	This study investigates stomach contents of alewife, which, when linked with alewife size and zooplankton abundance, can be used to interpret differences in growth and productivity of alewife among lakes.
Mercado-Silva, N., J. Lyons, S.J. Magnelia, J.T. Petersen, A.H. Roy, and S. Wenger. 2024. Standard methods for sampling fishes in wadeable streams. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, 15-19 September 2024, Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	Publication of a second edition of the American Fisheries Society´s Standard Methods for Sampling Freshwater Fishes book has allowed revision of which gears are recommended for use in monitoring fish communities in wadable streams, and how they should be implemented. Recommended methods should aid in better monitoring and data collection and sharing for management of increasingly threatened wadable lotic ecosystems in North America and beyond.
Mercado-Silva, N., J. Lyons, S.J. Magnelia, J.T. Petersen, A.H. Roy, and S. Wenger. 2023. Standard methods for sampling fishes in wadeable streams. World Fisheries Congress, 3-9 March 2024, Seattle, WA.	March 2024	Publication of a second edition of the American Fisheries Society´s Standard Methods for Sampling Freshwater Fishes book has allowed revision of which gears are recommended for use in monitoring fish communities in wadable streams, and how they should be implemented. Recommended methods should aid in better monitoring and data collection and sharing for management of increasingly threatened wadable lotic ecosystems in North America and beyond.
Mena, K.E., and P.R. Sievert. 2002. Factors affecting nest success of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The 8th Annual Honors Research Conference, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, 3 May 2002.	May 2002
McEachran, M., J. D. Cook, R. E.W. Berl, G. DiRenzo, E. H. Campbell Grant, M. C. Runge. People and prions: human dimensions of CWD decision making. The Wildlife Society, Louiseville, KY 2023.	November 2023	Decision-makers face impediments such as limited resources, difficulty managing risky behaviors among resource users, and multiple competing objectives. To address these challenges, we present a decision-analytical framing that integrates risk and socio-ecological modeling and discuss how this approach can enhance existing CWD management strategies.
McEachran, M., J. D. Cook, R. E.W. Berl, G. DiRenzo, E. H. Campbell Grant, M. C. Runge. Integrating social science to make better decisions for cervid carcass management.	May 2022	Despite decades of work to better understand the biology and ecology of chronic wasting disease (CWD), successful strategies for mitigating its effects in free-ranging cervids remain elusive, for several reasons. To address these challenges, we present a decision-analytical framing that integrates risk and social dimensions modeling and discuss how it can enhance existing strategies for evidence-based management of CWD.
McCarthy, S., and S. DeStefano. 2017. The human dimensions of suburban deer management in eastern Massachusetts. Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, Pepperall, MA.	September 2017	Management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in suburban environments remains a controversial and difficult management issue. We present the importance of engaging stakeholders and other members of the public in the discussions toward solutions to the problem of overabundant deer.
Mather., M.E., M. Briggs, C. A. Campbell, L. E. Knight. 2001. Hotspots and pits: assessing basin-wide mechanisms for success and failure of juvenile Atlantic salmon sites throughout the Connecticut River basin. Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission Research Forum	January 2001
Mather, M.E., and K.H. Ferry. 2001. Trophic interactions of striped bass in Plum Island Sound.	May 2001
Mather, M.E., and K.H. Ferry. 2000. Across estuary heterogeneity in striped bass distribution and diet: relative status of the Plum Island Sound estuaries compared to other Massachusetts estuaries. Invited presentation to All Scientists Meeting: Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research Project, Woods Hole, Ma.	January 2000
Mather, M.E., and K. H. Ferry. 2003. Nowhere to swim to, nowhere to hide: consequences of striped bass predation for estuarine prey. New England Estuarine Research Society, May 2003	May 2003
Mather, M.E., K. H. Ferry, and J. Stritzel. 2000. Diet of striped bass in northeastern estuaries: Invited presentation to Trout Unlimited	January 2000
Mather, M.E., E.A. Marschall, and D.L. Parrish. Predicting interactive effects of climate change and dams on success of downstream-migrating salmon. Fish and Climate Change, The Fisheries Society of the British Isles Annual Symposium, Belfast, UK, 26-30 July 2010. Presenter	July 2010
Mather, M.E., C. A. Campbell, and J. McMenemy. 2000. Across year variability in patterns of density, survival, size, and growth of juvenile Atlantic salmon in the Connecticut River: insights for restoration. Invited poster. International Fish Biology Congress. Edinburgh, Scotland.	January 2000
Mather, M.E. and K.H. Ferry. 2000. Migratory striped bass inhabiting Massachusetts estuaries: evaluating heterogeneity in diet, growth potential, and feeding opportunities. Invited presentation, Striped Bass Working Group, Baltimore, MD,August 2000.	August 2000
Mather, M.E. and K.H. Ferry. 1999. Across estuary heterogeneity in striped bass distribution and diet: relative status of the Plum Island Sound estuaries compared to other Massachusetts estuaries. Invited presentation to All Scientists Meeting; Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research Project, Woods Hole, MA.	November 1999
Mather, M.E, C. A. Campbell. 2003. Scope of Temperature Variation in the Connecticut River and Implications for Juvenile Atlantic Salmon Survival and Growth. Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Research Forum, January 2003	January 2003
Mather, M. E., T. Richards, D. Armstrong, A, Bowden, M. Kearns, J. Smith. 2005 Fish communities as bio-indicators of river system alteration in Massachusetts, American Society of Wetlands, Amherst, MA, November 2006	November 2006
Mather, M. E., M. K. Burak, J. T. Finn, R. M. Muth, J. B. Kim, K. H. Ferry. Counting anadromous fish at remote fishways in small coastal streams: a review of past uses of video monitoring with an evaluation of a new system. Abstract submitted, Northeastern Division American Fisheries Society, Newton, MA, April 2010.	April 2010
Mather, M. E., J. Finn, R. M. Muth, K. Ferry, H. Frank, J. Smith. 2006. Stopping the bleeding: a case study for managing estuarine fish in the face of multiple adverse human impacts. Invited Symposium: Death by a Thousand Cuts: Cumulative Impacts of Human Activities in Estuarine Environments. American Fisheries Society, Lake Placid, New York, September, 2006	September 2006
Mather, M. E., J. Finn, L. Deegan, R. Muth, S. Pautzke, K. Ferry. 2005. Defining the spatial and temporal scale of predator impact on estuary food webs: assessing striped bass movements with acoustic tracking. Invited Presentation, All Scientists meeting, Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research, Woods Hold, May, 2005.	May 2005
Mather, M. E., J. Dettmers, D. L. Parrish. 2005. Navigating the changing landscape of fisheries publications: setting a course, avoiding some rocks, and facilitating the rescue. Invited Presentation, American Fisheries Society national meeting, Anchorage, AK	September 2005
Mather, M. E., H. J. Frank, J. M. Smith, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn. 2010. Understanding the role of origin and release location in behavior and habitat use of pre-spawning alewives to improve the efficiency of restoration. Invited Presentation Restoration of American Shad and River Herring in Atlantic Coastal Waters, Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2010	September 2010
Mather, M. E., Finn, J., R. Muth, L. Deegan, K. Ferry, S. Pautzke. 2005. Can Top Fish Predators Influence Estuary Food Webs. Invited Presentation, Water To Water Symposium, New England Estuarine Research Society, May, 2005	May 2005
Mather, M. E., E. A. Marschall, D. L. Parrish, G. Allison, J. McMenemy. 2009 River discharge, temperature, dams, and the timing of downstream migration of Atlantic salmon smolts: a modeling approach. Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Research Forum, Hadley, MA, February, 2009.	February 2009
Mather, M. E., C. A. Campbell, and J. McMenemy. 2003. Scope of Temperature Variation in the Connecticut River and Implications for Juvenile Atlantic Salmon Survival and Growth. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Quebec City, August 2003	August 2003
Mather, M. E., R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn, and R. R. Zwick. 2007. Integrating objective scientific information on biophysical conditions into river-herring restoration decisions in the Ipswich River. Invited presentation in Symposium. Annual Meeting, Estuarine Research Foundation, Providence, Rhode Island, November 2007	November 2007
Mather, M. E., J. T. Finn, R.M. Muth. 2008. Overview of fish research in PIE. Invited presentation to All Scientists Meeting; Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research Project, Woods Hole, MA.	March 2008
Mather, M. E. Striped Bass Potential for Prey Control In Coastal Ecosystems (SPICE). 2004. Invited Presentation. Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research Site All Scientists Meeting, Woods hole, March 2004	March 2004
Mather, M. E. 2005. River herring restoration: thoughts on how alewife and blueback herring use freshwater. Working Group- Coonamessett River Restoration, Falmouth, MA. Invited. Presenter	February 2005
Mather, M. E. 2004. Flowing water ecosystems:A larger view of watershed management. Invited Presentation to Massachusetts Stream Flow Task Force, February 2004, Northboro, MA	February 2004
Mather, M. E. 2003 What is the role of striped bass predators in structuring the higher trophic levels of estuary ecosystems. Invited Presentation. Plum Island Long Term Ecological Research Site All Scientists Meeting, Woods Hole, March 2003	May 2003
Mather, M. E. 2002. Where are the fish?: some thoughts on the distribution of anadromous fish. Public Lecture, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Gloucester. MA. July 2002	July 2002
Mather, M. E. 2002. Pattern and process of foraging striped bass in a north temperature estuary. All Scientists Meeting, Plum Island Estuary - Long Term Ecological Research Meeting, Woods Hole, MA, March 2002	March 2002
Mather, M. E. 2002. Complex spatial and temporal ecological relationships among aquatic organisms in the kettle ponds at the Cape Cod National Seashore: towards a more sensitive approach to monitoring ecosystem health. Monitoring Symposium, Cape Cod National Seashore, Fall 2002.	November 2002
Mather, M. E. 2008 Striped bass in the Great Marsh: where are they and what are they doing there? The Great Marsh Symposium, Newburyport, MA, April 12, 2008)	April 2008
Mather, M. E and R. M. Muth.. 2009. Tracking interactions between anadromous fish and humans in plum island estuary. Invited Presentation to Trustees of Reservations, Crane Castle, Ipswich, MA, Winter, February 2009	February 2009
Martell, V.M., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L. Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2019. Developing propagation methods toward restoration of the Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) populations in New England. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 14-16 April 2018, Groton, CT.	April 2019	Probiotics are widely used for improving health of organisms in aquaculture facilities; however, few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of probiotics for freshwater mussel propagation. Juvenile mussels fed both probiotic and algae had higher growth and survival compared to controls without one of these sources, suggesting that probiotics can help to reduce early mortality in mussel propagation facilities.
Martell, V.M., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, D.L. Perkins, and T.M. Warren. 2018. The effect of probiotics on the growth and survival of a freshwater mussel. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	Probiotics are widely used for improving health of organisms in aquaculture facilities; however, few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of probiotics for freshwater mussel propagation. Juvenile mussels fed both probiotic and algae had higher growth and survival compared to controls without one of these sources, suggesting that probiotics can help to reduce early mortality in mussel propagation facilities.
Marschall , E. A, M. E. Mather, D. L. Parrish, G. W. Allison. 2007 River discharge, river temperature, dams, and the timing of downstream migration of Atlantic salmon smolts: a modeling approach, Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, CA	September 2007
Marjadi, M.N., J.K. Llopiz, M.G. Slocombe, J.J. Sheppard, S. Batchelder, R. Govostes, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Using video monitoring to assess emigration patterns for juvenile alewife. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	Managers and scientists have limited capacity to assess the number of juvenile fishes leaving freshwater ecosystems and the environmental conditions associated with emigration trends. This study used video monitoring to get continuous out-migration for river herring and linked it to environmental characteristics to understand emigration triggers.
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, B.I Gahagan, A. Jordaan, J. Rosset, and A.R. Whiteley. 2022. Longer adult freshwaer residence time related to higher reproductive output in an anadromous clupeid. Ecological Society of America Meeting, 14-19 August 2022, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.	August 2022	We estimated freshwater residence time for spawning adult alewife using a novel approach pairing a pedigree analysis with otolith-derived spawning date estimates, and assessed relationships between residence time and reproductive success. The results have implications for how climate-induced shifts in adult migration timing may affect river herring productivity.
Marjadi, M.N., A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, B.I Gahagan, A. Jordaan, J. Rosset, and A.R. Whiteley. 2022. Alewife that stay longer mate longer: An investigation of adult freshwater residence time. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 21 January 2022, Amherst, MA.	January 2022	We estimated freshwater residence time for spawning adult alewife using a novel approach pairing a pedigree analysis with otolith-derived spawning date estimates, and assessed relationships between residence time and reproductive success. The results have implications for how climate-induced shifts in adult migration timing may affect river herring productivity.
Marjadi, M., J. Rosset, A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, and A.R. Whiteley. 2016. Earlier arrival and larger body size increase reproductive success in alewife. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	Given the large population declines in alewife, research is needed to understand factors that may influence population sizes. These results on reproductive success fill important information gaps in terms of life history and reproductive success that will inform population models and, ultimately, management of the species.
Marjadi, M., A.H. Roy, A. Jordaan, A.R. Whiteley, and E.M. Markowitz. 2017. "Counting fish is my yoga": Evaluating the social and educational value of a river herring citizen monitoring program. Gaspereau/Alewife Symposium, 16-20 June 2017, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.	June 2017	We used pre- and post-surveys to evaluate how involvement in a citizen science river herring monitoring program influenced participants' environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. River herring monitoring can increase public knowledge about river herring, and, consequently, improve conservation of the species.
Marjadi, M., A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, and A.R. Whiteley. 2017. Reproductive success in coastal pond breeding river herring: effects of migration timing and body size. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 20-24 August 2017, Tampa, FL.	August 2017	Given the large population declines in alewife, research is needed to understand factors that may influence population sizes. These results on reproductive success fill important information gaps in terms of life history and reproductive success that will inform population models and, ultimately, management of the species.
Marjadi, M. A.H. Roy, A. Jordaan, A.R. Whiteley, and E.M. Markowitz. 2017. "Counting fish is my yoga": Evaluating the social and educational impacts of a river herring citizen monitoring program. Citizen Science Association 2017, St. Paul, Minnesota.	May 2017	We used pre- and post-surveys to evaluate how involvement in a citizen science river herring monitoring program influenced participants' environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. River herring monitoring can increase public knowledge about river herring, and, consequently, improve conservation of the species.
Marjadi, M. A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, and A.R. Whiteley. 2016. Evaluating reproductive strategies in alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) using pedigree reconstruction. Winter Science Meeting, Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 14 Jan 2016, Groton, Connecticut.	January 2016	We used pedigree analysis for a stocked population of alewife to understand how timing of introduction and body size affect reproductive success. Results will allow managers to better assess how trends in smaller body size and earlier migration timing may influence alewife populations and to design better run management and stocking policies.
Macpherson, C.B., K.M. Abbott, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Examining fish assemblage response to dam removal. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	Dam removal is an important restoration tool in fragmented rivers, but limited information exists on the degree and mechanisms of response of resident fishes to restoration. This study links changes in wetland area and vegetation with shifts in fish assemblages at dam removal sites in Massachusetts. Poster.
Macpherson, C.B., K.M. Abbott, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Examining fish assemblage response to dam removal. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	Dam removal is an important restoration tool in fragmented rivers, but limited information exists on the degree and mechanisms of response of resident fishes to restoration. This study links changes in wetland area and vegetation with shifts in fish assemblages at dam removal sites in Massachusetts. Poster.
M. C. Bletz, G. V. DiRenzo, E. H. C. Grant. 2023. Proactive disease management outperforms reactive action, regardless of action chosen. Ecology & Evolution of Infectious Diseases; State College, PA.	June 2023	To date, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has not been detected in North America but salamander diversity is threatened by its arrival, providing a unique and rare opportunity to be proactive with management. We developed a dynamic multi-state occupancy model it to predict salamander persistence and pathogen prevalence.
M. C. Bletz, G. V. DiRenzo, E. H. C. Grant. 2023. Proactive disease management outperforms reactive action, regardless of action chosen. Ecological Society of America Conference; Portland, OR.	August 2023	To date, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) has not been detected in North America but salamander diversity is threatened by its arrival, providing a unique and rare opportunity to be proactive with management. We developed a dynamic multi-state occupancy model it to predict salamander persistence and pathogen prevalence.
Loring, P., C.R. Griffin, and P.R. Sievert. 2013. Tracking Common Terns and American Oystercatchers in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts: A Pilot Study Using NanoTags. IGERT Symposium, Amherst, MA	April 2013	We anticipate that results of our study will help provide baseline information about flight paths and distributions necessary for evaluating how terns and oystercatchers breeding in the Nantucket Sound region use Federal waters. In addition to receiving signals from the birds we tag in Nantucket Sound, each of our stations will be programmed to detect birds tagged by collaborators, thereby expanding tracking coverage of birds tagged in the Gulf of Maine into Southern New England, and increasing
Loring, P., C. Griffin, and P. R. Sievert. 2014. Tracking Common Terns and American Oystercatchers in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts: A pilot study using NanoTags. Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Symposium, Amherst, MA, 2 Apr 2014.	April 2014	Results from our 2013 pilot work demonstrated that adult common terns nesting within the colony on Monomoy NWR use extensive offshore areas of Nantucket Sound during their breeding and post-breeding periods. To better understand the movements of tern populations throughout the broader southern New England region, we are planning to instrument a robust sample of common terns from two major nesting areas in southern New England during 2014, and to expand our array of receiving stations to include
Loring, P., C. Griffin, and P. R. Sievert. 2013. NanoTag research relevant to Roseate Terns. Roseate Tern Annual Meeting, Hadley, MA, 20 Nov. 2013,	November 2013	Results from our 2013 pilot work demonstrated that adult common terns nesting within the colony on Monomoy NWR use extensive offshore areas of Nantucket Sound during their breeding and post-breeding periods. To better understand the movements of tern populations throughout the broader southern New England region, we are planning to instrument a robust sample of common terns from two major nesting areas in southern New England during 2014, and to expand our array of receiving stations to include
LeFlore, E., T. K. Fuller, J. T. Finn, S. DeStefano, J. Organ, and Charles M. Schweik. 2014. Coyotes in the Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA, 15 Apr. (POSTER)	April 2014	Coyote distribution and behavior based on remote camera arrays set in suburban and rural habitats.
Lama, T., J. Organ, S. DeStefano, and W. Johnson. 2018. Conservation genomics of Canada lynx. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	Management of Canada lynx populations occurring at the edge of the species range has been informed by limited regional studies mostly focused on demographics and ecology. We produced the first-ever reference genome for Canada lynx, which will serve as a publicly available community resource and a powerful tool for population-level assessments.
Kuvlesky, W. P., Jr., F. S. Guthery, N. M. King, S. DeStefano, K. R. Nolte, S. A. Gall, and N. J. Silvy, Sept./2000, Managing endangered masked bobwhite habitat in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.	September 2000
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, and X. He. 2022. An integrated multi-sensor cloud-based framework to characterized winter water level drawdown of lakes and reservoirs. North American Lake Management Society Conference, 14-17 November 2022, Minneapolis, MN.	November 2022	We used satellite data to obtain lake surface area and water level to assess prevalence and timing of winter water level drawdowns in the northeast and upper midwest United States. The open-source visualization tool developed will be valuable for lake managers to appreciate interannual and spatial spatial variation in hydrology toward informing future management.
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, and X. He. 2022. An integrated multi-sensor cloud-based framework to characterized winter water level drawdown of lakes and reservoirs. American Geophysical Union Chapman Conference, 12-16 September 2022, Golden, CO.	September 2022	We used satellite data to obtain lake surface area and water level to assess prevalence and timing of winter water level drawdowns in the northeast and upper midwest United States. The open-source visualization tool developed will be valuable for lake managers to appreciate interannual and spatial spatial variation in hydrology toward informing future management.
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, X. He, and C. Butler. 2023. A multi-sensor cloud-based tool for monitoring cyanobacterical harmful algal blooms in small waterbodies. 13th National Monitoring Conference, 24-28 April 2023, Virginia Beach, VA.	April 2023	We used satellite data to obtain data on cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, creating a novel application for small waterbodies. The open-source visualization tool developed will be valuable for lake managers to identify the location, timing, duration, and severity of blooms for their effective and timely management.
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, C. Butler, and X. He. 2022. A cloud-based framework to characterize winter water level drawdown of lakes in the northeast United States using satellite remote sensing. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	We used satellite data to obtain lake surface area and water level to assess prevalence and timing of winter water level drawdowns in the northeast United States. The open-source visualization tool developed will be valuable for lake managers to appreciate interannual and spatial spatial variation in hydrology toward informing future management.
Kumar, A., A.H. Roy, K. Andreadis, C. Butler, C.J. Gleason, and X. He. 2021. A multi-sensor cloud-based framework to characterize winter water level drawdown of lakes and reservoirs in northeast United States. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 13-17 December 2021, New Orleans, LA.	December 2021	We used satellite data to assess prevalence and timing of winter water level drawdowns and effects on water quality across the upper midwest and northeast United States. The open-source visualization tool developed will be valuable for lake managers to appreciate interannual and spatial spatial variation in hydrology and water quality toward informing future management.
Koenen, K., S. DeStefano, and C. Henner. 2003. Ecology of beaver in an urbanizing environment. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
King, D. I., S. Schlossberg, S. DeStefano, P. S. Warren, and M. Hartley. 2013. Wood thrush nesting success and postfledging survival in suburban and forested landscapes. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA, 14 Apr.	April 2013	No difference in fledgling survival in different forested landscapes.
King, D. I., S. Schlossberg, S. DeStefano, P. S. Warren, and M. Hartley. 2013. Wood thrush nesting success and postfledging survival in suburban and forested landscapes. 69th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Saratoga, N.Y. 8 Apr.	April 2013	We detected no difference in survival of postfledging wood thrushes in suburban (young) versus forested (older) forests.
Kennedy, C. G. M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, L. A. Deegan, and S. M. Pautzke. Determining acoustic receiver range in a shallow northeastern estuary with complex bathymetry: the role of habitat, depth and tide. Southern New England Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Groton, CT, January 2010.	January 2010
Kauffman, K. E., C. S. Hall, and P. R. Sievert. 2010. Diet of razorbill chicks at Matinicus Rock National Wildlilfe Refuge, Maine. World Seabird Conference, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 7-11 Sep.	September 2010
Katz, R.A., E.H. Campbell Grant, M.C. Runge, D. Hocking, B.H. Letcher, and A.H. Roy. 2015. Not all scientific uncertainties are created equal for landscape scale headwater stream management. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	We aim to identify optimal stream management decisions that are robust to a range of scientific uncertainty and describe how value-of-information tools can be used to quantify the relative importance of alternative research programs and projects for informing stream conservation.
Katz, R.A., E.H. Campbell Grant, A.H. Roy, B.H. Letcher, and M.C Runge. 2015. Evaluating collaborative landscape conservation for headwater stream ecosystems in two northeastern US watersheds. 71st Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 19-21 April 2015.	April 2015	Conservation of headwater streams is challenged by multiple conservation organizations managing short- and long-term threats at local and landscape scales. This study explores opportunities for collaborative management of headwater streams that face increasing vulnerabilities to climate and land use change.
Kanda, L.L., Fuller, T.K., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Virginia opossum population persistence in New England: theoretical and actual life history parameters. The Wildlife Society, 10th Annual Conference, 6-10 September 2003, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
Kanda, L. L., T. K. Fuller, and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Source-sink dynamics at the Virginia opossum?s distributional edge. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mammalogists, Amherst, MA, 17-21 Jun.	June 2006
Jordaan, A., A. Roy, S. Jackson, and S. Becker. 2018. Impacts of tidal road-stream crossings on aquatic organism passage. 9th National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration and Management, 8-13 December 2018, Long Beach, California.	December 2018	We conducted a literature-based synthesis to identify species that move within in tidal streams, the unique traits that put them at risk, and passage threats unique to tidal crossings that are not addressed by non-tidal system protocols. This information will be used to create guidelines and rapid assessment tools for assessing the degree risk to aquatic organism passage posed at tidal road-stream crossings.
Jones, M.T., P.R. Sievert, and L.L. Willey. 2011. Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in New England: Long-term Research and Conservation Planning. 9th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles, 14-17 Aug.	August 2011
Jones, M.T., L.L. Willey, and P.R. Sievert, et al. 2013. Conservation planning for Blanding's and wood turtles in the eastern United States. 33rd Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation, Baltimore, MD.	February 2013	We have devised a two-tiered regional monitoring strategy that utilizes broad-scale occupancy and abundance sampling to detect population trends across the region and spatial mark-recapture methods to estimate population density at key sites. Results from 2012, our first regional sampling year, suggest the monitoring program is useful for prioritizing sites and establishing regional baseline abundance estimates.
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Displacement and mortality of wood turtles by seasonal floods. Northeast Natural History Conference X, Albany, NY, 17-18 Apr.	April 2008
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Land management recommendations for the conservation of wood turtles. Massachusetts Turtle Symposium: Information for Action, Amherst, MA, 23-24 Feb.	February 2007
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Wood turtle research in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts: 2004-2006. Massachusetts Turtle ? Transportation Meeting, Westborough, MA, 17 Oct.	October 2006
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Adult mortality in rural wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) populations. The Northeast Natural History Conference IX, Albany, NY, 21 Apr.	April 2006
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2004. Wood turtle movements and habitat use in western Massachusetts. Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Workshop, Boylston, MA, 22 Oct.	October 2004
Jones, M. T., L. L. Willey, P. R. Sievert, et al. 2012. Regional planning and monitoring programs for two rare turtle species in the northeastern USA. World Congress of Herpetology, Vancouver, Canada, 8-14 Aug.	August 2012
Jones, M. T., L. L. Willey, P. R. Sievert, and T. S. B. Akre. 2014. A new perspective on the regional status of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in the Northeastern States. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Annual Conference, 19-21 Apr 2014.	April 2014	The level of regulatory protections provided to wood turtles and critical components of wood turtle upland habitat do not appear to correspond to the high level of concern for wood turtle conservation. To avoid further declines, conservation actions will protect remaining, functional populations in high-quality riparian habitats, and respond to opportunities for riparian restoration and population management on protected lands elsewhere in the range.
Johnson, L., and S. DeStefano. 2010. Sun, surf, and subsidies: examining human-wildlife interactions on North American beaches 17th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Snowbird, UT. 2-6 Oct. 2010.	October 2010
Johnson, L., S. DeStefano, S. Melvin, and D. Wattles. 2016. Movements and resource use of striped skunks inhabiting piping plover nesting beaches on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. USGS MCFWRU Annual Review, Westboro, Mass.	May 2016	Distribution and movements of skunks using bird nesting beaches and potential for nest depredations. Anthropogenic resources and subsidies (food, shelter) enhance skunk populations.
Johnson, L., B. A. Kaplin, and S. DeStefano. 2008. Translating wildlife research into effective community outreach and education. Ecological Society of America, Milwaukee, WI, 4 August.	August 2008
Jane, S.F., J.T. Finn, T.O. Randhir, and A.H. Roy. 2015. Linkages between stream flow, habitat, and biotic integrity in the urbanized Sudbury River. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	The Sudbury River has experienced hydrologic alterations from mainstem impoundments, water withdrawals, and urbanization. Our research shows altered fish and mussel assemblages, and potential for continued pressure from hydrologic alteration.
Huguenin, M., and S. DeStefano. 2015. Trends in human-wildlife interactions as related to land use in Massachusetts. 71st Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newport, RI, 21 Apr.	April 2015	Public reports of human-wildlife interactions throughout Massachusetts.
Hoven, B., M. C. Mceachran, M. J. R. Feehan, & G. V. DiRenzo. Knowledge, behavior, and risk perception with regards to Chronic wasting disease (CWD) among hunters in Massachusetts, a state where CWD has not been detected. Brandeis University.	January 2023	Chronic wasting disease (CWD), caused by an infectious fatal prion, has become a great concern for wildlife agencies. We assessed hunter knowledge, behavior, and perceptions of CWD to inform educational material development for Massachusetts, a state where CWD has not been detected.
Hoven, B. M., M. J. R. Feehan, G. V. DiRenzo. Development of proactive CWD communication and education strategies through measuring knowledge, behavior, and risk perception of cervid stakeholders in Massachusetts.	April 2023	Communication around management and prevention of Chronic Wasting Disease has been a consistent challenge for wildlife agencies. The survey results indicated a likely receptive population with 88% of respondents stating that the prevention of CWD introduction was moderately or highly important to them.
Hoven, B. M., M. C. Mceachran, M. J. R. Feehan, G. V. DiRenzo. Knowledge and risk perception of Chronic wasting disease (CWD) among hunters in Massachusetts, a state where CWD has not been detected. NEAFWA.	April 2022	In states without detected CWD, proactive educational materials tailored to specific audience risk perceptions and existing knowledge may be designed to elevate awareness of CWD, promote risk-reduction behaviors, and prevent incursion of CWD. We therefore assessed hunter knowledge, behavior, and perceptions of CWD to inform educational materials for Massachusetts, a state where CWD has not yet been detected.
Higbie, J., S. DeStefano, T. Green, and J. McDonald. 2014. Home ranges of eastern box turtles at a large scale solar facility. 21st Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Pittsburgh, PA, 25-30 Oct.	October 2014	Comparison of space use by box turtle outside and within a fenced solar power facility in Long Island, NY. Fences were equipped with small openings to allow turtle passage.
Hershberger, A.M., A.H. Roy, and J. Carmignani. 2024. Assessing effects of a phased dam removal on freshwater mussels and habitat. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 14-16 February 2024, Fairlee, Vermont.	February 2024	We will describe a new study assessing 1) the impact of translocation on two rare mussel species, 2) mussel mortality in the impoundment zone above the dam, and 3) mussel densities and habitat response downstream of the dam during dam removal. This study will inform potential strategies for future dam removals to minimize impacts to mussel assemblages and provide critical protection for imperiled species.
Hershberger, A.M., A.H. Roy, J.R. Carmignani, and P.D. Hazelton. 2023. Drivers of brook floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) occupancy and abundance: A watershed analysis across their historic range. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 10-14 April 2023, Portland, OR.	April 2023	We identified drivers of brook floater occupancy and abundance based on standardized sampling data in six states (13 watersheds) from 2016 to 2019. The findings from this study will produce an adaptable regional analysis model that can help managers identify reach-scale habitat preferences for protection and suitable habitat for reintroduction for this At-risk species.
Hershberger, A.M. and A.H. Roy. 2023. Assessing the conservation of freshwater mussels in the eastern United States. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	The goal of this study is to investigate threats, stressors, and habitat preferences of sensitive stream-dwelling freshwater mussels, with a focus on the Brook Floater. We will describe several projects that will occur over the next 5 years to inform mussel biologists and managers on the threats, habitat preferences, conservation needs, and restoration response of Brook Floater and other sensitive species.
Hershberger, A., A. Roy, J. Carmignani, and P. Hazelton. 2024. The effects of habitat on freshwater mussel occurrence in eastern United States watersheds. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We identified drivers of brook floater occupancy based on standardized sampling data in 17 watersheds from 2016 to 2023. The findings of this study highlight the value of regional analyses using standardized protocols to identify mussel habitat preferences.
Hershberger, A., A. Roy, J. Carmignani, P. Hazelton, A. Skorupa, and S. Sterrett. 2025. Freshwater mussel and habitat rapid assessment monitoring protocol for wadeable streams. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 5-7 February 2025, Bartlett, NH.	February 2025	We developed a protocol for sampling freshwater mussels and habitat in wadeable streams. By promoting standardized sampling and cross-regional collaboration, this protocol offers a valuable tool for managers to design studies and allocate sampling efforts, supporting range-wide conservation initiatives.
Henner, C. M., and S. DeStefano. 2004. Density of active and inactive beaver colonies in Massachusetts. Joint Committee of Management Agencies, Amherst, MA.	August 2004
Henner, C. M., S. DeStefano, S. Langlois, and R. D. Deblinger, Mar./2001, Beaver management by state referendum: the first 5 years of Question 1.	March 2001
Henner, C. M., S. DeStefano, R. Deblinger, J. F. Organ, S. Langlois, and K. Koenen. 2005. Beaver colony densities under varying management in Massachusetts. TWS Annual Meeting, Madison, WI.	September 2005
He, X., K. Andreadis, T. Langhorst, A.H. Roy, and A. Kumar. 2024. DeepIce: A deep-learning reconstructed lake ice cover reanalysis dataset for lakes in the Northern Hemisphere. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 9-13 December 2024, Washington, DC.	December 2024	DeepIce can be used to estimate historical lake ice loss for regions with low availability of satellite observations such as Siberia, and small lakes (< 1km<sup>2</sup>), which were frequently ignored in the past global lake ice loss study. Additionally, the near-global spatial coverage and daily variability allow us to advance our understanding of the interactions between ice cover variation and multiple environmental factors on a global scale.
He, X., K. Andreadis, C. Butler, A. Kumar, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Estimating 40-year daily lake ice cover under the climate change for northern temperate lakes. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 14-16 February 2024, Fairlee, Vermont.	February 2024	We estimated daily continuous lake ice coverage for over 980,000 lakes in the Northern temperate zone from 1984 to present. We anticipate that the model will provide valuable insights into future lake ice loss in the context of global climate change.
He, X., K. Andreadis, C. Butler, A. Kumar, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Estimating 40-year daily lake ice cover for 980,000 lakes in the Northern temperate zone. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 11-15 December 2023, San Francisco, CA.	December 2023	We estimated daily continuous lake ice coverage for over 980,000 lakes in the Northern temperate zone from 1984 to present. We anticipate that the model will provide valuable insights into future lake ice loss in the context of global climate change.
He, X., K. Andreadis, A.H. Roy, and A. Kumar. 2022. A hydrological modeling framework for assessing winter drawdown lakes management. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 12-16 December 2022, Chicago, IL.	December 2022	We designed a hydrological modeling framework to simulate the ability of lakes to achieve winter drawdown and refill targets under different WD and climate scenarios . Lake managers will be able to use the information to make management decisions given different climate scenarios.
He, X., K. Andreadis, A. Kumar, C. Butler, C.J. Gleason, A.H. Roy. 2021. Assimilation of satellite data in a hydrological model to improve the water level estimation in winter drawdown lakes, Massachusetts. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 13-17 December 2021, New Orleans, LA.	December 2021	We developed a hydrologic model to understand how precipitation and temperature affect the ability of lakes to achieve winter drawdown and refill targets. Lake managers will be able to use the information to make management decisions given different climate scenarios.
Hazelton, P., S.S. Sterrett, and A. Roy. 2018. A standardized rapid survey protocol for rare freshwater mussels using an occupancy framework. Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	We provide a novel approach for estimating species occupancy of rare freshwater mussel species to understand species distributions and assess factors explaining their presence. The results will be valuable toward conservation of species of greatest conservation need, including the Brook Floater, and the approach can be applied to other systems toward standardization and comparability of methods.
Hazelton, P., A.J. Skorupa, H.A. Robinson, J. Wares, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Determination of mussel host fish relationships: In-situ vs laboratory approaches. Freshwater Mussel Recovery and Implementation Workshop, Nov 8–9, 2023, Moncton, New Brunswick.	November 2023	We describe both laboratory and field-based approaches for identifying host fishes for freshwater mussels. Host species determination is an important conservation objective, especially for stocking and translocation efforts.
Hazelton, P., A. Roy, A. Skorupa, and J. Carmignani. 2021. Trends in mussel abundance and habitat change 5-years post dam removal. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Meeting, 12-14 April 2021 (virtual).	April 2021	Dam removal is an increasingly common restoration strategy for improving stream ecosystems; however, short-term impacts of removal on freshwater mussels are potentially high and long-lasting. We evaluated the effects of dam removal on freshwater mussel abundance and habitat upstream, within the impoundment, and downstream of a dam before and after dam removal.
Hazelton, P., A. Roy, A. Skorupa, and J. Carmignani. 2021 Changes in freshwater mussel abundance and habitat availability following dam removal. Georgia Chapter American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, 19-21 January 2021 (virtual).	January 2021	Dam removal is an increasingly common restoration strategy for improving stream ecosystems; however, short-term impacts of removal on freshwater mussels are potentially high and long-lasting. We evaluated the effects of dam removal on freshwater mussel abundance and habitat upstream, within the impoundment, and downstream of a dam before and after dam removal.
Hatzis, J., A. Hershberger, and A. Roy. 2024. Run-of-river dam impacts on water quality and freshwater mussels in Massachusetts. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We assessed the impact of the Wheelwright Dam on the Ware River in Massachusetts by comparing water quality and mussel assemblages in free-flowing reaches above and below the dam. This study will provide information on existing freshwater mussel populations and water quality that may be used to assess the potential ecological responses to the upcoming phased dam removal.
Hastings, D. M., B. W. Compton, and P. R. Sievert. 2005. Hibernacula fidelity of Blanding's turtles in eastern Massachusetts. Second International Blanding's Turtle Conference, White Point, Nova Scotia, 16-20 May.	May 2005
Harper, R., and S. DeStefano. 2018. Working with volunteers. Tree City USA. Look Park, Northampton, MA.	May 2018	Urban trees and forests are important component to the urban environment for people and wildlife. We discuss the important role that resident volunteers and town tree wardens play in maintaining the health and distribution of urban trees in local cities and towns.
Halstead, B. J., Kleeman, P. M., DiRenzo, G. V., & J. P. Rose. 2021. Occurrence of Shasta salamanders (Hydromantes spp.) in little-studied portions of their range, with implications for optimizing survey design. Presented at the Joint Meetings of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists.	July 2021	One aspect of species biology that limits our knowledge of their spatial distributions is their availability for sampling (e.g., not present at a site during sampling). Our results indicate that conducting replicate surveys that quantify animal availability and detection probabilities will facilitate a better understanding of the habitat associations of Shasta salamanders and other rare species that might often be unavailable for detection.
Hale, R., K. Capps, K. Hopkins, J. Kominoski, J. Morse, A. Roy, S. Chen, A. Quick, A. Blinn, D. Cross, B. Folk, L. Ortiz, C. Pendergast, and C. Rizzie. 2022. Scales and drivers of variability in dissolved organic carbon across diverse urban watersheds. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 16-20 May 2022, Grand Rapids, MI.	May 2022	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Haggerty, S.A. and Sievert, P.R. 2004. Implications of firelane expansion for Hemileuca maia on Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, Martha's Vineyard, Massachustts. Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Connecticut, 26-28 March, Storrs, CT.	March 2004
Haggerty, S.A. and Sievert, P.R. 2004. Implications of fire lane expansion for Hemileuca maia on Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Expanding the Ark: The Emerging Science and Practice of Invertebrate Conservation, American Museum of Natural History Spring Symposium, 25-26 March 2004, New York, NY.	March 2004
Haggerty, S.A. and Sievert, P.R. 2004. Effects of fuels management on buckmoths at Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, Massachusetts. Northeast Barrens Fuels Management, 14-18 June 2004, Martha's Vineyard, MA.	June 2004
Haggerty, S.A. and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Disturbance impacts on two species of rare moths on Martha's Vineyard. Managing Powerline Corridors for Invertebrate Populations, University of Massachusetts, December 2003, Amherst, MA.	December 2003
Grimes, E. S, Michael T. Jones, Tammy L. Wilson, Annie E. Curtis, Jacob C. McCumber, Alex Entrup, Caren Caljouw, Joel R. Carlson, Graziella V. DiRenzo. Using field and lab studies to comprehensively examine the impacts of wildland fire on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) populations. Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Conference. Wesleyn U, Middleton, CT. 30 July 2023.	July 2023	The effect of fire on EBT is highly variable, and it isn’t clear what fire cues lead to variation in box turtle behavior that translate to different mortality outcomes. Therefore, we propose the following comprehensive, empirically informed study with three objectives. First, we will identify the drivers of EBT mortality during prescribed fires.
Grgurovic, M., P. R. Sievert, B. W. Compton, and M. T. Jones. 2005. Movement patterns and wetland habitat selection of Blanding's turtles in a developing landscape. Second International Blanding's Turtle Conference, White Point, Nova Scotia, 16-20 May.	May 2005
Grgurovic, M., Compton, B.W., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. Blanding's turtle home range and seasonal movement patterns in the suburban environment of eastern Massachusetts. The Wildlife Society, 10th Annual Conference, 6-10 September 2003, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
Green, O.O., W.D. Shuster, A.S. Garmestani, A.H. Roy, and H.W. Thurston. 2012. Incorporating social and cultural capital into an experimental approach to urban water resources management. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 20-24 May 2012.	May 2012
Grear, D. A. , ... DiRenzo, G.V., .... 2024 Complex ecology of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in U.S. amphibians. The Wildlife Society. Baltimore, MD.	October 2024	<i>Batrachochytrium </i><i>dendrobatidis </i>(Bd) is a globally distributed fungal pathogen of amphibians that has contributed to one of the largest disease-related biodiversity losses in wildlife. We found Bd occurs widely with a pan-amphibian host range and similar variation in infection among frogs, toad, and salamanders.
Grasso, K., M.T. Devine, A.H. Roy, A.R. Whiteley, J. Rosset, M. Marjadi, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Testing for differences in juvenile growth rates of anadromous alewife and blueback herring. Joint Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter and Northeast Division of the American Fisheries Society, 26-27 February 2017, Mystic, CT.	February 2017	Little is known about differences in growth rates of juvenile alewife and blueback herring, two species of river herring which are managed together despite their different life history requirements. The results of this study will contribute to our understanding of life history traits that are selected for through evolution, may help predict early life history responses to climate change, and facilitate development of restoration strategies.
Grant, E.H.C., M. Runge, R. Katz, B.H. Letcher, and A.H. Roy. 2014. A structured decision framework to identify shared opportunities for decision making among multiple resource management agencies. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America, 10-14 August 2014, Sacramento, CA	August 2014	Effective stream protection requires watershed-scale management, which is challenging due to the spatial scale (i.e., multiple landowners with different objectives) and temporal scale (i.e., management for long-term threats such as climate change). Here, we are testing the potential to do collaborative, watershed management with federal state agencies using s structured decision making process.
Grant, A., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, and B.H. Letcher. 2017. Investigating the effects of interannual differences in streamflow and temperature on macroinvertebrate assemblages. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	Many studies have compared macroinvertebrate assemblages among sites with different flow and thermal regimes, but few studies have examined changes in macroinvertebrate assemblages over long periods of time to address the impacts of climate change. This 13-year dataset allows us to examine potential links between climate-induced temperature and flow alteration and macroinvertebrate assemblages, while also providing potentially important data to explain changes in brook trout growth and mortali
Grandinetti, M.E., A.H. Roy, G.P. Setliff, and H.R. Geib. 2013. The effects of urbanization on macroinvertebrate assemblages in eastern Pennsylvania. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, Jacksonville, FL, 19-23 May 2013.	May 2013	This study examined macroinvertebrate responses to urbanization in streams in eastern Pennsylvania. We found declines in biotic health explained, in part, by declines in water quality, which is consistent with previous research elsewhere in the world.
Gordon, A. B., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, M. T. Jones, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Comparison of shell temperature and habitat characteristics of myiasis infected and uninfected Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) at Camp Edwards. Ecological Society of America Conference, Portland, OR.	August 2023	It is unclear if myiasis impacts Eastern Box Turtle (EBT) behavior. We investigated if infected turtles utilized habitat differently from uninfected turtles, potentially to perform behavioral fever. Therefore, we compared shell temperatures and habitat characteristics of myiasis infected and uninfected EBT’s at Camp Edwards.
Gilbert, N. A., G. V. DiRenzo, E. F. Zipkin. A multispecies capture–recapture model to estimate biodiversity metrics from coordinated monitoring programs. The Wildlife Society, 2024 Sept 30 - Oct , Baltimore, MD.	October 2024	Historically, applications of capture–recapture focused on estimating abundance of a single species at individual study sites. Therefore, we developed a multi-species, spatially stratified capture–recapture model to estimate species abundances from hierarchical biodiversity monitoring programs in which multiple species are sampled at multiple sites.
Gilbert, N. A., G. V. DiRenzo, E. F. Zipkin. A multispecies capture–recapture model to estimate biodiversity metrics from coordinated monitoring programs. International Statistical Ecology Conference, 14 - 19 July, Swansea, UK.	July 2024	Historically, applications of capture–recapture focused on estimating abundance of a single species at individual study sites. Therefore, we developed a multi-species, spatially stratified capture–recapture model to estimate species abundances from hierarchical biodiversity monitoring programs in which multiple species are sampled at multiple sites.
Giard, H., J. Carmigani, and A.H. Roy. 2018. Investigating the effects of winter lake drawdowns on freshwater mussels and consequences for water quality. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 13-15 March 2018, Devens, MA.	March 2018	Freshwater mussels are critical components to aquatic ecosystem functioning, water quality, and food web dynamics, serving as sustenance for various animals and providing substrate for benthic invertebrates and algae. This study will provide critical information about the effects of winter lake drawdowns on freshwater mussels, and, consequently, water quality.
Gaughan, C. R., and S. DeStefano. 2003. Movement patterns of white-tailed deer in suburban and rural Massachusetts. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
Garcia, E. S.J. Farrington, D. Perkins, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Yellow Lampmussel distribution in the Connecticut River: connecting habitat use to species presence for future conservation. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We assessed how river depth and bed texture affect the presence of Yellow Lampmussel in the southern portion of the Connecticut River. The species distribution and habitat maps produced in this research will be valuable for guiding future monitoring done on the Connecticut River and possible management interventions such as habitat restoration or mussel translocation or reintroduction.
Fuller, T. K., S. DeStefano, and P. R. Sievert. 2005. Endangered pests: a management conundrum. TWS Annual Meeting, Madison, WI.	September 2005
Fuller, T. K., S. DeStefano, and P. R. Sievert. 2005. Endangered pests: the ultimate management conundrum. The Wildlife Society 12th Annual Conference, Madison, WI, 25-29 Sep.	September 2005
Frank, H. J. M. E. Mather, S. M. Pautzke, J. M. Smith, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn. 2010 Encouraging stakeholder participation in restoration research: The adopt-a-herring program. Invited Presentation Restoration of American Shad and River Herring in Atlantic Coastal Waters, Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, PA, September 2010	September 2010
Frank, H., M. E. Mather, J. Smith, J. H. Finn, R. Muth, K. Ferry, M. Armstrong. 2007. Examining spawning behavior and habitat use of stocked river herring: a preliminary analysis of restoration efforts in the Ipswich River using radiotelemetry. Southern New England Chapter Meeting, American Fisheries Society, January 2007	January 2007
Fisher, C., M.T. Devine, A. Jordaan, and A.H. Roy. 2022. Freshwater pond recolonization by an anadromous fish species following dam removal. Ecological Society of American Annual Meeting, 14-19 August 2022, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.	August 2022	Previous work has demonstrated that river herring use newly restored habitats immediately after dam removal;, however, little is known about the timing and extent of habitat use in systems with multiple ponds following dam removal. This work shows variability spatial and temporal variability in recovery of river herring populations and may inform monitoring of future dam removals.
Finn J. T, M. E. Mather, R. M. Muth, J. M. Smith, R. R. Zwick. 2007. Putting it all Together: Interdisciplinary Integration through Agent-based Modeling. . Invited presentation in Symposium. Annual Meeting, Estuarine Research Foundation, Providence, Rhode Island, November 2007	November 2007
Finkelstein, M., M. Nakagawa, P. R. Sievert, and D. F. Doak. 2007. Juvenile age classes contribute measurably to population growth and survival of long-lived species: case study of chick mortality on Laysan albatross population stability. Society for Conservation Biology, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 1-5 Jul.	July 2007
Finkelstein, M., M. Nakagawa, P. R. Sievert, and D. F. Doak. 2007. Juvenile age classes contribute measurably to population growth and survival of long-lived species: case study of chick mortality on Laysan albatross population stability. Ecological Society of America / Society for Ecological Restoration Joint Meeting, San Jose, CA, 5-10 Aug.	August 2007
Finkelstein, M. E., P. R. Sievert, S. Wolf, M. Goldman, G. Balogh, H. Hasegawa, D. F. Doak 2008. Volcanoes, behavior and life history of the short-tailed albatross. Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Team Meeting, Cape Town, South Africa, 8-10 Aug.	August 2008
Finkelstein, M. E., P. R. Sievert, S. Wolf, M. Goldman, G. Balogh, H. Hasegawa, D. F. Doak 2008. The anatomy of a (potential) disaster: Volcanoes, behavior and life history of the short-tailed albatross. Society for Conservation Biology, 13-17 Jul.	July 2008
Finkelstein, M. E., P. R. Sievert, S. Wolf, M. Goldman, G. Balogh, H. Hasegawa, D. F. Doak 2008. The anatomy of a (potential) disaster: Volcanoes, behavior and life history of the short-tailed albatross. Fourth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 11-15 Aug.	August 2008
Finkelstein, M. E., M. Nakagawa, P. R. Sievert, J. Klavitter, D. F. Doak. 2009. Assessment of demographic risk factors and management priorities: Impacts on juveniles substantially affect population viability of a long-lived seabird. Pacific Seabird Group Meeting, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan, 21-28 Feb.	February 2009
Ferry, K.H., and M. E. Mather. 2003. Factors driving distribution of migratory striped bass across Massachusetts estuaries: predator prey interactions and implications for multispecies management. Contributed paper, Southern New England Chapter American Fisheries Society and New England Estuarine Research Society Joint Summer Meeting, May, 2003	May 2003
Ferry, K.H and M.E. Mather. 2000. A travel guide for migratory striped bass vacationing in Massachusetts estuaries: evaluating heterogeneity in diet, growth potential, and feeding opportunities. Contributed paper, annual meeting, American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Ferry, K. H and M. E. Mather. 2001. Mechanisms for habitat selection and consequences of growth variation for striped bass. Contributed paper, annual meeting, American Fisheries Society, Phoenix, AZ.	August 2001
Ferry, K. F., J. Smith, M. E. Mather, J. Smith, J. Finn, R. Muth. 2006. In search of ?the right side of the tracks: identifying desirable habitat for river herring restoration. American Fisheries Society, Lake Placid, New York, September, 2006	September 2006
Ferry, K. F, and M. E. Mather. 2002. Nowhere to swim to, nowhere to hide: consequences of striped bass predation for estuarine prey. Contributed Paper, Communities and Ecosystems II, Tuesday, August 20, 2002, American Fisheries Society Meeting, Baltimore, MD, August 2000	August 2002
Fernando Arce, Jonathan D. Cook, Graziella V. DiRenzo, Kimberly M. Pepin, Susan A. Shriner, Evan H. Campbell Grant, Michael C. Runge. One Health risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 transmission at the white-tailed deer and human interface. The Wildlife Society.	November 2022	To evaluate the potential impacts of SARS-CoV-2 in deer, we convened a One Health guidance committee to develop a comprehensive causal diagram of the potential transmission pathways for human-to-deer, deer-to-deer, and deer-to-human transmission events. We used this diagram to inform a rapid risk assessment that used existing empirical data and expert knowledge to evaluate each potential pathway and the effectiveness of management interventions.
Fedarick, J., Murphy, C.A., Record, S., Roy, A., Perkins, D. One Shell of a Home: Habitat Suitability for Yellow Lampmussel. Presentation to Northeast Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. April 21-24 2024, Cape Cod, MA.	April 2024	Yellow Lampmussel, or <i>Lampsilis cariosa,</i> is listed as a federal At-Risk species; however, its status varies from apparently secure to extirpated across occupied states and provinces. This study assessed the relationship between <i>L. cariosa</i> presence and potential interacting abiotic and biotic drivers, including climatic variables, hydrologic variables, host fish presence, and other co-occurring mussels to investigate rangewide habitat suitability
Fedarick, J., Murphy, C.A., Record, S., Roy, A., Perkins, D. 2024. Using museum collections to improve range wide modeling and conservation planning for at-risk mussel species. Presentation to the Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	Freshwater mussel distribution data are siloed within individual agencies and limited to where resources have allowed for surveys. Because our modern data is not comprehensive, we cannot conclude that species exist only where they have been recently found. Our study provides a reproducible method for the reverification and stewardship of freshwater mussel museum records and highlights how museum records can provide unique contributions to our understanding of the range of rare, at-risk species.
Farrington, S.J., D. Perkins, T. Warren, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Characterizing habitat and predicting population hotspots for Yellow Lampmussel in the Connecticut River. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 14-16 February 2024, Fairlee, Vermont.	February 2024	We used side-scan sonar and GIS to describe habitat where Yellow Lampmussel are known to occur and identify additional suitable habitat within the 80km stretch of the Connecticut River mainstem. The results of this study may be useful for identifying target areas for novel surveys of Yellow Lampmussel and candidate areas for release of propagated or relocated mussels, as well as identifying habitat suitable for co-occurring species.
Farrington, S.J., D. Perkins, T. Warren, J. Gibbons, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Connecting potential host fishes to wild Yellow Lampmussel populations. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	To increase understanding of host fishes for Yellow Lampmussel across its range, we 1) confirmed the ability of juvenile mussels to successfully metamorphose using Striped Bass (<i>Morone saxatilis</i>) in laboratory experiments and 2) quantified the use of different fish species as hosts using DNA amplicon sequencing. These results will be used to evaluate which fish species are parasitized by Yellow Lampmussel in the wild and help identify species that are important ecological hosts.
Farrington, S.J., D. Perkins, A.H. Roy, and T. Warren. 2023. Using hydroacoustic imaging to predict yellow lampmussel distribution and habitat use in the Connecticut River watershed. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 10-14 April 2023, Portland, OR.	April 2023	We are using side-scan sonar and GIS to describe habitat where Yellow Lampmussel are known to occur and identify additional suitable habitat within the 80km stretch of the Connecticut River mainstem. The results of this study may be useful for identifying target areas for novel surveys of Yellow Lampmussel and candidate areas for release of propagated or relocated mussels, as well as identifying habitat suitable for co-occurring species.
Farrington, S.J., D. Perkins, A.H. Roy, and T. Warren. 2022. Characterizing Yellow Lampmussel habitat in the Connecticut River watershed. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	We are using side-scan sonar and GIS to describe habitat where Yellow Lampmussel are known to occur and identify additional suitable habitat within the 80km stretch of the Connecticut River mainstem. The results of this study may be useful for identifying target areas for novel surveys of Yellow Lampmussel and candidate areas for release of propagated or relocated mussels, as well as identifying habitat suitable for co-occurring species.
Farrington, S.J., C. Murphy, D. Perkins, and A.H. Roy. 2023. Range-wide ecology, conservation, and research needs for Yellow Lampmussel. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	The Yellow Lampmussel (YLM), <i>Lampsilis cariosa</i>, is a freshwater mussel that is locally designated as endangered, threatened, or a special status in eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. This presentation will summarize the state of the science for Yellow Lampmussel throughout its range with particular attention to the threats, research gaps, and regional differences identified in initial Yellow Lampmussel Working Group meetings.
Farrell, A., M. Marjadi, A. Roy, M. Devine, F. Perez, D. Sandanayaka, and J. Sheppard. 2023. Assessing food availability and growth rate as emigration triggers for juvenile river herring. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 30 April- 2 May 2023, Hershey, PA.	April 2023	The emigration of juvenile river herring (alewife (<i>Alosa pseudoharengus</i>) and blueback herring (<i>Alosa aestivalis</i>)) is a vital and complex milestone in the species' lifecycle. We investigated temporal patterns of lake food resources (zooplankton) and juvenile river herring growth rate to assess the role of these biotic factors in triggering juvenile emigration.
Farrell, A., M. Marjadi, A. Roy, M. Devine, F. Perez, D. Sandanayaka, and J. Sheppard. 2023. Assessing food availability and growth rate as emigration triggers for juvenile river herring. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	The emigration of juvenile river herring (alewife (<i>Alosa pseudoharengus</i>) and blueback herring (<i>Alosa aestivalis</i>)) is a vital and complex milestone in the species' lifecycle. We investigated temporal patterns of lake food resources (zooplankton) and juvenile river herring growth rate to assess the role of these biotic factors in triggering juvenile emigration.
Fallon Olmsted, C., T. Betras, S. DeStefano, S. C. Pasquini, E. Faison, and W. P. Carson. 2019. Evidence for moose as ecosystem engineers via non-trophic indirect effects. Ecological Society of America, Louisville, Kentucky, 11-16 August 2019.	August 2019	Moose may alter succession and forest regeneration via both trophic and non-trophic pathways. Moose browse young shoots in disturbed or early successional forests and create disturbances via bedding, antler-rubbing, and branch-breaking; this is the first comprehensive analysis of the taxonomic and physical extent of the behavior.
Falconi, N., J. Organ, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Value of data sharing for conservation of the spectacled bear in Peru. Ecological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.	August 2018	Conservation information is expensive, particularly when conducting long-term studies of rare species in developing nations, such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. For this reason, individual efforts may not be sufficient to develop an understanding of conservation needs, so we contacted about 40 researchers and asked them to share their records. Data sharing is extremely valuable since the money and time invested can yield multiple benefits and feed new projects, and open ac
Falconi, N., J. Organ, and S. DeStefano. 2017. Value of data sharing for conservation: A study case of a large scale project of Spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. 25th International Conference on Bear Research & Management, Quito, Ecuador.	November 2017	Conservation information is expensive, particularly when conducting long-term studies of rare species in developing nations, such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Peru. For this reason, individual efforts may not be sufficient to develop an understanding of conservation needs, so we contacted about 40 researchers and asked them to share their records. Data sharing is extremely valuable since the money and time invested can yield multiple benefits and feed new projects, and open ac
Faison, E., and S. DeStefano. 2016. Ungulates, tree recruitment, and herbaceous layers: results from the DCR and Harvard Forest deer and moose exclosures. USGS MCFWRU Annual Review, Westboro, Mass.	May 2016	Summary of forest exclosure experiments conducted throughout central Massachusetts. Results indicate additive browsing effects by moose and responsive of woody and herbaceous growth to combined deer and moose browsing pressure.
Faison, E., S. DeStefano, D. Foster, and J. Compton. 2013. Recolonization of moose at their southern range limit alters temperate forest development. 47th North American Moose Conference, Whitefield, NH.	May 2013	Research based on 8 replicates of large fenced exclosures throughout central Massachusetts and northern Connecticut. Browse and vegetation sampling shows additive effects of moose browsing (in addition to deer) on forest composition and structure.
Faison, E. K., and S. DeStefano. 2015. Large wildlife dynamics and herbivory. Harvard Forest LTER V Review, Petersham, MA, 4 June.	June 2015	Results of exclosure experiments on deer and moose herbivory and response of forest vegetation.
Faison, E. K., S. DeStefano, A. Barker Plotkin, and D. R. Foster. 2014. Functional response of ungulates in hemlock forests disturbed by logging and simulated insect attack. Harvard Forest, Petersham, MA, 11 Mar.	March 2014	Discussion of additive response of browsing by both deer and moose in forest exclosure experiment. Treatments including simulated adelgid attack (accomplished by girdling), timber harvest, and a control.
Endyke, S.C., A.H. Roy, D. Perkins, T. Warren, and S. Hanlon. 2020. Quantifying the effects of algae availability on freshwater mussel growth. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 4-6 March 2020, Newport, RI.	March 2020	We have been culturing endangered freshwater mussels in the lab, and one of the challenges is understanding the best feeding mechanism to maximize growth and survival. Our study experimentally compared growth and survival of freshwater mussels to different algal feed, which will inform efficient lab culturing of freshwater mussels that will be used for restoration.
EHC Grant, GV DiRenzo, J Werba, AB Brand. 2021. Incorporating competition and climate in management of a high-elevation endemic salamander: modeling. The Wildlife Society Meeting.	September 2021	The Shenandoah salamander, a rare endemic salamander species only found in the Shenandoah mountains, is facing severe declines from a number of stressors, including but not limited to inter-specific competition and climate change. Here, we present a summary of current information on the Shenandoah salamander and how we are using Expected Value of Information to present uncertainties to a NPS scientific review committee alongside the evaluation of alternative management actions designed to reduc
EHC Grant, AB Brand, GV DiRenzo, RF Bernard. 2021. Using Decision Analysis to Facilitate Proactive Decision Making for Disease Response: Challenges and Opportunities for Bsal Management. The Wildlife Society Meeting.	September 2021	Emerging diseases have the potential to affect social, economic and ecological interests of North American resource managers, who are entrusted by society to manage protected areas and wildlife populations. Here, we present an analysis of the decision that the Patuxent Research Refuge, MD, USA is faced to make with respect to the imminent invasion of the salamander chytrid fungus.
Dumoulin, C.E., A.J. Skorupa, A.H. Roy, S. Doran, and D.R. Smith. 2024. Supporting decision makers in identifying suitable release sites for hatchery-reared freshwater mussels in the Delaware River Basin. Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	We developed a computational model to assist decision makers in selecting locations to carry out conservation and restoration actions, including hatchery release, for 10 mussel species in the Delaware River Basin. The results will help decision makers identify catchments that are the most likely to contain suitable release sites for hatchery-reared mussels.
Dowling, Z., E. Dumont, and P. R. Sievert. 2014. Mitigating effects of wind development on bat species in the Northeast. Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Symposium, Amherst, MA, 2 Apr 2014.	April 2014	Bat habitat use and movement patterns can be studied through the use of radiotags and nanotags to follow bats to foraging and roost sites. Acoustic data can also inform our understanding of how bats use habitat.
Doubleday, A.J., P.D. Hazelton, A.H. Roy, A. Fisk, and D. Perkins. 2017. Local habitat effects on the abundance and distribution of Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) in Massachusetts. Meeting of the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society, 26-30 March 2017, Cleveland, OH.	March 2017	Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) have experienced large declines or have been extirpated throughout Massachusetts. Assessments of local habitat correlates can be used to describe habitat requirements for the species and identify potential areas to search for new populations or reintroduce mussels.
DiRenzo, G. V., D. A. W. Miller, & E. H. C. Grant. 2024. Evaluating the performance of multi-state Dail-Madsen models against multi-state Jolly-Seber models when model assumptions are not met. International Statistical Ecological Conference. Swansea, UK.	July 2024	Accurate inference for population dynamics relies on intensive data collection methods, where individuals are marked and tracked over time at a small number of sites. To evaluate the performance and identify tradeoffs in working with unmarked stage-structured data, we explore how parameter estimates of a multistate Dail-Madsen model compare to a multistate Jolly-Seber model using a simulation approach.
DiRenzo, G. V. 2023. Developing advanced quantitative tools to improve ecological inference and forecasting for wildlife diseases. Ecological Society of America; Portland, OR.	August 2023	Observers and molecular methods rarely detect the target species perfectly. Therefore, during this presentation, I will highlight my work related to developing advanced hierarchical Bayesian models that improve parameter estimation, ecological inference, and system forecasting when observations are imperfect.
Dexter, T., D. J. Paulson, M. T. Jones, P. R. Sievert, and D. T. Yorks. 2012. Freshwater turtles and transportation in the Northeast: Mitigating the effects of fragmentation through passage strategies, statewide conservation planning, and interagency coordination. Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference, South Portland, ME, 16-19 Sep.	September 2012
Devine, M.T., P.A. Jordaan, A.H. Roy, and A.R. Whiteley. 2016. Optimal sampling effort for estimating juvenile alewife densities in freshwater lakes using a pelagic purse seine. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockport, ME.	March 2016	Juvenile alewife are difficult to sample in lakes, and so few people have used lake assessments to quantify alewife populations. This project uses a pelagic purse seine to sample juveniles, and explores the efficiency of the method and level of effort necessary to get good estimates of juvenile alewife populations, which can be used to improve stock assessments.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, M.M. Bailey, A.R. Whiteley, B Gahagan, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Comparing sampling methods for quantifying juvenile alewife in freshwater lakes toward estimating productivity. Gaspereau/Alewife Symposium, 16-20 June 2017, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.	June 2017	Juvenile alewife are difficult to sample in lakes, and so few people have used lake assessments to quantify alewife populations. This project explores the efficiency of 4 different methods for estimating juvenile alewife populations, which can be used to improve stock assessments.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, B.I. Gahagan, M.M. Bailey, S.M. Turner, A.A. Bowden, and A. Jordaan. 2019. Evaluating juvenile river herring productivity in newly restored freshwater habitats. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 27 February - 1 March, Saratoga Springs, NY.	February 2019	Many agencies are actively working to improve aquatic connectivity in coastal rivers, with the specific aim of restoring diadromous fish populations, including river herring. Our data on river herring productivity in restored lake habitats following dam removal can guide expectations for future aquatic connectivity restoration projects.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.R. Whiteley, and A. Jordaan. 2016. Quantifying optimal sampling effort for estimating recruit abundance for juvenile anadromous alewife. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Conference, 19-23 September 2016, Riga, Latvia.	September 2016	Juvenile alewife are difficult to sample in lakes, and so few people have used lake assessments to quantify alewife populations. This project uses a pelagic purse seine to sample juveniles, and explores the efficiency of the method and level of effort necessary to get good estimates of juvenile alewife populations, which can be used to improve stock assessments.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.J. Whiteley, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, and A. Jordaan. 2017. What goes in must come out? Investigating stock-recruitment relationships and factors influencing juvenile densities of anadromous river herring. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 19-23 August 2018, Atlantic City, NJ.	August 2018	We found that adult river herring run counts explained 40% of the variation in juvenile river herring among 32 New England lakes, demonstrating that adult run counts do not completely explain productivity. Incorporating these relationships along with water quality predictors into population models will improve predictions of recruitment and assist management decisions for this economically and ecologically important species.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.J. Whiteley, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, M.M. Bailey, and A. Jordaan. 2017. The lake effect: identifying optimal growth conditions for juvenile anadromous alewife. Joint Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter and Northeast Division of the American Fisheries Society, 26-27 February 2017, Mystic, CT.	February 2017	We found higher growth rates of juvenile alweife in pond with low densities of alewife, suggesting density-dependence as a key mechanism explaining variation in growth. These results are consistent with others, and suggest management based solely on adult densities may impact juvenile productivity.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.J. Whiteley, B.I. Gahagan, M.P. Armstrong, M.M. Bailey, and A. Jordaan. 2017. The lake effect: identifying optimal growth conditions for juvenile anadromous alewife. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	We found higher growth rates of juvenile alweife in pond with low densities of alewife, suggesting density-dependence as a key mechanism explaining variation in growth. These results are consistent with others, and suggest management based solely on adult densities may impact juvenile productivity.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.A. Bowden, and A. Jordaan. 2022. Juvenile river herring response to low-head dam removals in Massachusetts. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 21 January 2022, Amherst, MA.	January 2022	We characterized density and growth of juvenile river herring in 3 lakes for 4 years following dam removal. Our results contribute to a broader understanding of the range of responses to dam removal across space and time, which is important to develop expectations and prioritize dam removal.
Devine, M.T., A.H. Roy, A.A. Bowden, and A. Jordaan. 2022. Juvenile river herring response to low-head dam removals in Massachusetts. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, 21-25 August 2022, Spokane, WA.	August 2022	We characterized density and growth of juvenile river herring in 3 lakes for 4 years following dam removal. Our results contribute to a broader understanding of the range of responses to dam removal across space and time, which is important to develop expectations and prioritize dam removal.
Devine, M.T, A.P. Jordaan, A.P., A.H. Roy, and A.R. Whiteley. 2016. Optimal sampling effort for estimating juvenile alewife densities in freshwater lakes using a pelagic purse seine. Winter Science Meeting, Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 14 Jan 2015, Groton, Connecticut.	January 2016	Juvenile alewife are difficult to sample in lakes, and so few people have used lake assessments to quantify alewife populations. This project uses a pelagic purse seine to sample juveniles, and explores the efficiency of the method and level of effort necessary to get good estimates of juvenile alewife populations, which can me used to improve stock assessments.
Deblinger, R. D., and S. DeStefano. 2003. Wildlife as valuable resource vs. intolerable pest: a suburban wildlife management model. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
DeStefano, S., and T. K. Fuller. 2018. State of the art: self-evaluation of wildlife and fisheries research and management. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	A recent article criticized wildlife management in North America as not adhering to what the authors identify as hallmark of science. We present an evaluation of this charge, focusing on what we as scientists and managers do well, and what we can do better, in our research and subsequent management and conservation efforts.
DeStefano, S., and John F. Organ. 2011. Food, nutrition, and health of urban wildlife. Second Annual Symposium on Conservation Medicine, Andros Bello University, Santiago, Chile. 23 Nov.	November 2011
DeStefano, S., and J. Organ. 2010. The influence of demographic urbanization on human-wildlife interactions. 17th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Snowbird, UT. 2-6 Oct. 2010.	October 2010
DeStefano, S., and J. F. Organ. 2013. Moose population dynamics: interactions of landscape, climate, and disease. 3rd Symposium on Conservation Medicine, Santiago, Chile, 10 Oct. (Invited)	October 2013	Status of moose population in southern New England and the influence of landscape configuration, climate, and disease on abundance and distribution.
DeStefano, S., and E. Faison. 2015. Ungulate interactions with forested landscapes. 26th Annual Harvard Forest Ecology Symposium, Petersham, MA, 17 Mar.	March 2015	Review of ungulate impacts and interactions with forest vegetation.
DeStefano, S., and D. Wattles. 2015. Update on the status of moose in southern New England. Northfield Environmental Center, Northfield, MA. 18 Nov.	November 2015	Update on current moose population abundance and distribution, including behavioral and demographic characteristics that lead to population stability despite issues with local climatic conditions and climate change.
DeStefano, S., and D. Wattles. 2014. Moose-vehicle collisions in Massachusetts: the need for speed ... reduction. Northeastern Transportation and Wildlife Conference 6, Burlington, Vermont, 21-24 Sep. 2014.	September 2014	Summary of research on moose-vehicle collisions and interactions and movements of moose in relation to road distribution, density, and class.
DeStefano, S., and D. Wattles. 2012. Ecology, conservation, and management of moose in Massachusetts. Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Inc., West Boylston, MA. 28 April.	April 2012
DeStefano, S., and C. M. Henner, Feb./2001, Ecological and sociological aspects of beaver populations along an urban-rural gradient in Massachusetts.	February 2001
DeStefano, S., R. D. Deblinger, and C. A. Miller. 2003. Urban and suburban environments as wildlife habitats. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
DeStefano, S., R. D. Deblinger, and C. A. Miller. 2003. The lessons, challenges, and opportunities of wildlife in suburbia. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
DeStefano, S., May 2000, Spatial requirements of animals, Mass. Dept. of Environmental Management, Habitat Management Short Course, Amherst, MA.	May 2000
DeStefano, S., May 2000, History and status of landscape management for recovery of masked bobwhites in Arizona and Mexico, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	May 2000
DeStefano, S., March 2000, Habitat Analysis, Wildlife Habitat Ecology And Management, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	March 2000
DeStefano, S., K. Koenen, and C. Henner. 2004. Ecology of beaver in an urbanizing environment: research update. Joint Committee of Management Agencies, Amherst, MA.	August 2004
DeStefano, S., D. Wattles, E. Faison, D. Stainbrook, T. O’Shea, K. Koenen, J. Pereira, H. Kilpatrick, and A. LaBonte. 2013. Moose in Southern New England: a stable population in the face of widespread declines? North American Moose Conference, Whitefield, NH.	May 2013	Documentation of relatively stable moose population in southern New England, compared to precipitous declines else where along the southern edge of the range. Habitat configuration and low densities may be ameliorating affects of climate change and diseases.
DeStefano, S., April 2000, The Business of Cooperative Research and Education in Fisheries and Wildlife Science, The Business of Natural Resources, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	April 2000
DeStefano, S. 2018. Then and now … Massachusetts in 1948 versus today. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	A presentation of changes in the environment and terrestrial and aquatic animal populations from the inception of the Massachusetts in 1948, to today. Focus was on examples of increases in abundant species, declines in threatened or endangered species, natural expansion of native species, and the spread of invasives.
DeStefano, S. 2018. The Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit: 70 years of graduate research. 70th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	A listing of all graduate students and their Unit advisors since the Unit's inception in 1948.
DeStefano, S. 2018. The Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit – 1948-2018: 70 years of cooperative conservation in the Commonwealth. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	The poster traces the 70 year history of the Massachusetts Unit. Highlights include major changes to the Unit and a list of all Unit scientists since the Units inception in 1948.
DeStefano, S. 2015. Moose in Massachusetts: What does it mean for our woods? 3rd Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, Southbridge, MA, 25 Apr.	April 2015	Status of moose population in southern New England and the impact on forest ecology and resources.
DeStefano, S. 2013. Meet your new neighbors — black bears (Ursus americanus). The Forest Lyceum, Norfolk, CT, 1 June. (Invited)	June 2013	Interactions of humans and bears in suburban areas; bear behavior and ecology.
DeStefano, S. 2010. The return of moose to southern New England: natural history, current issues, update on research. Great Mountain Forest, Norfolk, CT.	September 2010
DeStefano, S. 2004. Review of collaborative research on beaver in Massachusetts. Joint Committee of Management Agencies, Amherst, MA.	August 2004
Davis, G., J. Burgoff, A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Comparing juvenile river herring growth in two Massachusetts lakes. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	We compared juvenile river herring growth rates among the months of June, July, and August 2022 in two freshwater lakes in coastal Massachusetts (USA). Results from this research will be used to inform management strategies that maximize juvenile river herring growth and survival in freshwater nursery habitats.
Dangora, A., M.T. Devine, A.H. Roy, J. Zydlewski, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Evaluating DIDSON as a tool to monitor juvenile river herring in coastal freshwater lakes. Joint Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter and Northeast Division of the American Fisheries Society, 26-27 February 2017, Mystic, CT.	February 2017	Large knowledge gaps remain about river herring, particularly surrounding juvenile out-migration densities from freshwater lakes. Incorporating DIDSON technology into fisheries surveys may help inform our knowledge about stock recruitment dynamics on anadromous alewives.
Cox, J.S. and A.H. Roy. 2019. The phenological relationship between mussel glochidia and spawning river herring. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 14-18 April 2019, San Antonio, TX.	April 2019	Little is known about freshwater mussel use of anadromous river herring as fish hosts, and the phenological relationship between glochidia densities on host fish and fish densities. If timing of glochidial release is synchronized with maximum river herring densities, it will be critical to understand the extent to which mussels can adjust timing given climate-induced phenological shifts in river herring spawning.
Cox, J.S. and A.H. Roy. 2019. Parasitic freshwater mussel larvae attachment on river herring in Connecticut River tributaries. Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC) Research and Management Forum, 13 March 2019, Hadley, MA.	March 2019	Little is known about freshwater mussel use of anadromous river herring as fish hosts, and the phenological relationship between glochidia densities on host fish and fish densities. If timing of glochidial release is synchronized with maximum river herring densities, it will be critical to understand the extent to which mussels can adjust timing given climate-induced phenological shifts in river herring spawning.
Cormier, R., H. J, Frank, M. E. Mather, R. M. Muth, J. M. Smith, J. T. Finn. Relationship between movements of anadromous alewives and large- and small-scale habitat features. Abstract submitted, Northeastern Division American Fisheries Society, Newton, MA, April 2010	April 2010
Connors, E., J. Burgoff, A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2025. Juvenile river herring diets and prey availability in pelagic and littoral lake habitat. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 15 January 2025, New Bedford, MA.	January 2025	We collected river herring, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates from littoral and pelagic habitat in four freshwater lakes in coastal Massachusetts and quantified gut contents and prey availability. Results from this research will help to identify preferred prey items for juvenile river herring in freshwater lakes and inform lake management strategies that will maximize juvenile river herring growth and survival.
Conlee, L., D. Wattles, M. Duda, and S. DeStefano. 2018. Massachusetts residents' attitudes toward black bears and black bear management. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	As the Massachusetts’ black bear population increases and expands, it continues to push into areas where the general public is largely inexperienced with bears. A statewide human dimensions study of Massachusetts residents' attitudes toward black bear and black bear management will help the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) better understand the current challenges facing black bear management in the third most densely populated state in the country.
Compton, J., S. DeStefano, E. Faison, and D. Foster. 2015. An experimental design to manipulate three levels of large herbivore browsing. 71st Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newport, RI, 21 Apr.	April 2015	Experimental exclosure design was successful in allowing deer access to plots, while excluding moose.
Compton, B.W., and Sievert, P.R. 2003. A landscape model of Blanding's turtle habitat in eastern Massachusetts. Society for Conservation Biology, 17th Annual Meeting, 28 June - 2 July, Duluth, MN.	June 2003
Compton, B.W. and Sievert, P.R. 2004 A landscape model of Blanding's turtle habitat in eastern Massachusetts. Northeast Regional Blanding's Turtle Meeting, 13 February 2004, Concord, NH.	February 2004
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Applying habitat and population modeling to the conservation of Massachusetts turtles. Massachusetts Turtle Symposium: Information for Action, Amherst, MA, 23-24 Feb.	February 2007
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. An update on the status assessment of Blanding's turtles in the Northeast. Northeast Blanding's Turtle Working Group, Sudbury, MA, 30 Jan.	January 2007
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. A regional action plan for Blanding's turtles. Northeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Annual Meeting, Burlington, CT, 15-17 Aug.	August 2006
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2005. A spatially-explicit population viability model of Blanding's turtles in eastern Massachusetts. Second International Blanding's Turtle Conference, White Point, Nova Scotia, 16-20 May.	May 2005
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2004. Blanding's turtles and road mortality: a search for solutions. Maine Roads and Wildlife Conference.	November 2004
Compton, B. W., and P. R. Sievert. 2004. Blanding's turtle conservation in Massachusetts. Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Workshop, Boylston, MA, 22 Oct.	October 2004
Compton, B. W., K. McGarigal, and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Turtles in Sprawlville: landscape models for strategic conservation in Massachusetts. The Northeast Natural History Conference IX, 21 April, Albany, NY, 21 Apr.	April 2006
Compton, B. W., K. McGarigal, and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Models of priority sites for spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), and Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA, 12 May.	May 2006
Clark, L. J., P. R. Sievert, S. DeStefano, and D. Simser. 2005. Effectiveness of bait boxes in reducing deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) numbers on white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). The Wildlife Society 12th Annual Conference, Madison, WI, 25-29 Sep.	September 2005
Clark, D., K. K. G. Koenen, J. W. Pereira, K. G. MacKenzie, and S. DeStefano. 2014. Fidelity and persistence of ring-billed and herring gulls to wintering sites. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA, Apr.	April 2015	Ring-billed and herring gulls show overwinter fidelity to roost sites surround public water supplies.
Clark, D., K. K. G. Koenen, J. W. Pereira, K. G. MacKenzie, and S. DeStefano. 2013. Roosting, site fidelity, and the use of anthropogenic food by urban gulls in Massachusetts: implications for public water supply reservoirs. Graduate Research Symposium, Life Sciences Graduate Research Council, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 12 Nov.	November 2013	Gulls use of local roost sites influences their presence on protected public water supplies.
Clark, D., K. K. G. Koenen, J. W. Pereira, K. G. MacKenzie, and S. DeStefano. 2014. Fidelity and persistence of ring-billed and herring gulls to wintering sites. Northeast Natural History Conference, Springfield, MA, 15 Apr.	April 2014	Results of research on gulls using freshwater reservoirs as winter roost sites, including return rates and persistence of use over time.
Clark, D. E., K. Koenen, K. MacKenzie, J. Pereira, and S. DeStefano. 2013. The use of wastewater treatment plants by gulls: problems and solutions. Massachusetts Water Pollution Control Association Annual Meeting, Fort Devens, MA, 21 Mar.	March 2013	Experiment designed to show effectiveness of wire deterrents for gulls.
Clark, D. E., K. Koenen, K. MacKenzie, J. Pereira, S. DeStefano, D. Wattles, and J. Compton. 2010. Using deer hunters to estimate moose populations on a water supply watershed. 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newton, MA, 27 April.	April 2010
Cheney, K.N., A.H. Roy, and R.F. Smith. 2014. Spatial and temporal variation in aquatic insect emergence from headwater streams in New England. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	Aquatic emergence is a potentially important phenological variable that may be affected by changing climates, so documenting emergence timing in forested systems is a critical need. This study also provides valuable information on the importance of certain instream habitats for aquatic emergence.
Cheney, K.N., A.H. Roy, and R.F. Smith. 2014. Spatial and temporal variation in Plecoptera and Trichoptera emergence from headwater streams. Jount Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 18-22 May 2014, Portland, OR	May 2014	Aquatic emergence is a potentially important phenological variable that may be affected by changing climates, so documenting emergence timing in forested systems is a critical need. This study also provides valuable information on the importance of certain instream habitats for aquatic emergence.
Chen, S., K. Capps, K. Hopkins, R.L. Hale, J. Kominiski, A.H. Roy, J.L Morse, A.M. Quick, L. Ortiz Munoz, and C. Rizzie. 2023. Urbanization alters the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter in subtropical river networks in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Freshwater Sciences 2023, 3-7 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	June 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Chen, S., K. Capps, K. Hopkins, R.L. Hale, J. Kominiski, A.H. Roy, J.L Morse, A.M. Quick, L. Ortiz Munoz, and C. Rizzie. 2023. Urbanization alters the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter in subtropical river networks in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 6th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 29 May - 1 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	May 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Chen, S., K. Capps, K. Hopkins, D. Cross, C. Pendergast, C. Rizzie, L. Ortiz, R.L. Hale, J. Kominiski, A.H. Roy, J. Morse, and A. Quick. 2023. Urbanization alters the quantity and quality of riverine dissolved organic matter. Georgia Water Resources Conference, 30-31 March 2023, Athens, Georgia.	March 2023	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Chen, S. R. Hale, K. Capps, J. Kominoski, K. Hopkins, A. Roy, J. Morse, A. Quick, D. Cross, C. Pendergast, C. Rizzie, and L. Ortiz. 2022. Spatial and temporal variation in DOM in urban streams of the eastern United States. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 16-20 May 2022, Grand Rapids, MI.	May 2022	We are investigating the human (e.g., wastewater infrastructure, housing density) and biophysical (e.g., discharge, precipitation) controls on urban riverine dissolved organic carbon (DOC) across U.S. cities representing diverse geographies and urban contexts. A better understanding of human and biophysical controls on DOC across urban rivers will provide important information for carbon budgets and river management.
Chalfin, E.D., A.H. Roy, and J. Stamp. 2022. Freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa temperature tolerances. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	The purpose of this research study is to evaluate freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa tolerances to water temperature in the Northeast region of the United States based on stream biomonitoring data. The refined thermal indicator taxa list will help practitioners to better understand macroinvertebrate responsiveness to temperature and inform future decisions for stream protection and adaptation strategies for climate change.
Ceresia, I.D.X., A. Hershberger, A.H. Roy, and J. Whitney. 2024. Evaluating factors contributing to loon egg hatching success in the Quabbin Reservoir (Massachusetts).Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	The goal of the study was to evaluate multi-decadal (2009–2022) changes in loon reproduction and the influence of environmental factors on hatched eggs. The results will be used to inform management practices (e.g., water level management, raft deployment) that can be implemented to protect this species.
Carmignani, J.R., A.H. Roy, P.D. Hazelton, and H. Giard. 2019. Annual winter water level drawdowns limit mussel densities in small lakes. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Symposium, 14-18 April 2019, San Antonio, TX.	April 2019	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet little is known about the impact of drawdowns on littoral communities, and how that varies across lakes. Results from this study show how small magnitude drawdowns consistently limit mussel distributions to deeper waters and contributes valuable information to help facilitate water level management decisions.
Carmignani, J.R., A.H. Roy, J.T. Stolarski, and T. Richards. 2020. Synthesis of empirical research investigating the effects of annual wintertime water level drawdowns on littoral zones in Massachusetts lakes. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 4-6 March 2020, Newport, RI.	March 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet little is known about the impact of drawdowns on littoral communities, and how that varies across lakes. Here, we describe the hydrologic regime of 21 lakes with a range of drawdown magnitude and responses of physical habitat, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and freshwater mussels to winter drawdown, which will help inform management of recreational lakes.
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2020. Ecological patterns of shallow littoral zones in reservoirs undergoing annual wintertime water level drawdowns. North American Lake Management Society, 16-20 November 2020, virtual.	November 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet little is known about the impact of drawdowns on littoral communities, and how that varies across lakes. Here, we describe the hydrologic regime of 21 lakes with a range of drawdown magnitude and responses of physical habitat, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and freshwater mussels to winter drawdown, which will help inform management of recreational lakes.
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2014. Examining effects of winter water level drawdowns on fish populations in New England lakes. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 26-28 March 2014, Burlington, VT.	March 2014	Winter lake drawdowns are a common practice in the northeast, yet little is known about the effects on lake ecosystems. This literature review was a critical first step in determining research needs.
Carmignani, J.R. and A.H. Roy. 2014. Ecological impacts of winter water level drawdowns on lake littoral zone communities: a review. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, 18-22 May 2014, Portland, OR.	May 2014	Winter lake drawdowns are a common practice in the northeast, yet little is known about the effects on lake ecosystems. This literature review was a critical first step in determining research needs.
Carmignani, J., P. Hazelton, S. Sterrett, and A. Roy. 2020. Assessing detection, occupancy, and habitat correlates for a rare mussel based on standardized rapid survey protocol. Northeast Natural History Conference, 17-19 April 2020, Stamford, CT.	April 2020	We describe results of occupancy modeling for brook floater based on data collected using a new, standardized protocol being implemented across the species' range. The research and discussions are being used to inform conservation decisions by members of the Brook Floater Working Group for restoring critically imperiled freshwater mussel species.
Carmignani, J., A.H. Roy, and K. Stankiewicz. 2016. Freshwater mussel distribution in shallow depths of winter drawdown lakes. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockland, ME.	March 2016	Winter lake drawdowns are a common management practice to control aquatic vegetation in New England lakes; however, little is known about the ecological impacts of drawdowns. This study highlights the potential effect of winter drawdowns on lake mussel distributions with further implications for lake ecosystem processes and biotic assemblages in littoral zones.
Carmignani, J., A.H. Roy, and J. Stolarski. 2018. Do annual winter water level drawdowns alter trophic pathways for common lake fish species? Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	Annual winter water level drawdowns are a widely used management strategy for reducing vegetation in lakes; however, drawdowns may inadvertently kill benthic invertebrates, thus impairing fish food webs. This study reports on shifts in fish diets quantified through stable isotope analysis in 14 lakes, and helps to assess potential impacts associated with drawdowns.
Carmignani, J., A.H. Roy, and J. Stolarski. 2018. Do annual winter water level drawdowns alter trophic pathways for common lake fish species? New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 13-15 March 2018, Devens, MA.	March 2018	Annual winter water level drawdowns are a widely used management strategy for reducing vegetation in lakes; however, drawdowns may inadvertently kill benthic invertebrates, thus impairing fish food webs. This study reports on shifts in fish diets quantified through stable isotope analysis in 14 lakes, and helps to assess potential impacts associated with drawdowns.
Carmignani, J., A.H. Roy, and J. Stolarski. 2018. Do annual winter water level drawdowns alter trophic pathways for common lake fish species? Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, 19-23 August 2018, Atlantic City, NJ.	August 2018	Annual winter water level drawdowns are a widely used management strategy for reducing vegetation in lakes; however, drawdowns may inadvertently kill benthic invertebrates, thus impairing fish food webs. This study reports on shifts in fish diets quantified through stable isotope analysis in 14 lakes, and helps to assess potential impacts associated with drawdowns.
Carmignani, J. and A.H. Roy. 2019. Littoral macroinvertebrate assemblage responses to annual winter lake drawdowns. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 27 February - 1 March, Saratoga Springs, NY.	February 2019	Winter drawdowns are a common practice in northern lakes, yet little is known about the impact of drawdowns on littoral communities, and how that varies across lakes. Results from this study will help to understand the long-term effects of annual winter drawdowns on benthic macroinvertebrates in littoral areas of lakes and contribute valuable information to help facilitate water level management decisions.
Carmignani, J. and A.H. Roy. 2016. Impact of winter drawdowns on mussel distributions in Massachusetts (USA) lakes. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	This study provides the first known evidence of the impact of winter lake drawdowns on mussels. The results highlight the potential chronic effect of drawdowns on mussel distributions, with implications for lake ecosystems and food webs.
Carmignani, J. and A.H. Roy. 2015. Do annual winter lake drawdowns alter the physical habitat structure and complexity of shallow littoral zones? Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	Annual wintertime water level drawdowns are a common lake and pond management tool implemented across New England, yet ecological responses to winter drawdowns are understudied. We quantified physical habitat structure and complexity relevant to invertebrates and fish in the littoral zones of 16 Massachusetts waterbodies that encompass a gradient of historical drawdown amplitudes.
Carmignani, J. and A.H. Roy. 2015. Do annual winter drawdowns alter the physical habitat structure and complexity of the littoral zone? New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	Annual wintertime water level drawdowns are a common lake and pond management tool implemented across New England, yet ecological responses to winter drawdowns are understudied. We quantified physical habitat structure and complexity relevant to invertebrates and fish in the littoral zones of 16 Massachusetts waterbodies that encompass a gradient of historical drawdown amplitudes.
Carmignani, J. P. Hazelton, A. Roy, and A. Hershberger. 2024. Assessing freshwater mussel density and responses to dam removal on a small Massachusetts stream. Northeast Fish & Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	To understand responses of a downstream mussel assemblage to dam removal, we monitored mussel density and habitat using a Before-After-Control-Impact design for the Sucker Brook Dam (Pepperell, Massachusetts) removed in October 2021. Further annual monitoring of mussel density and habitat will establish trends and inform mussel management efforts for similar dam removals.
Carey, M.P. and M.E. Mather. 2000. Relationships between fish assemblage patterns and environmental and biological variables: predicting fish assemblage structure. Contributed paper, annual meeting, American Fisheries Society, St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Carey, M.P and M. E. Mather. 2001. Evaluating patterns and processes of community structure across gradients: the roles of yellow perch. Contributed paper, annual meeting, American Fisheries Society, Phoenix, AZ	August 2001
Campbell, C. A., and M. E. Mather. 2001. Across year variability in size of juvenile Atlantic salmon in the Connecticut River: Insights for restoration. Contributed paper, annual meeting, American Fisheries Society, Phoenix, AZ.	August 2001
Campbell, C. A. and M. E. Mather. 2002. Patterns of Atlantic salmon size and growth in the Connecticut River related to temperature and density. Contributed Paper, Communities and Ecosystems II, Tuesday, August 20, 2002, American Fisheries Society Meeting, Baltimore, MD, August 2002	August 2002
Cahill, C., S. DeStefano, J. Organ, and G. Batcheller. 2018. Transitioning to alternative ammunition on National Wildlife Refuges. 70th Anniversary Meeting of the Massachusetts Unit, Westborough, MA.	May 2018	Despite extensive scientific evidence of the detrimental effect of spent lead ammunition on wildlife and potential for human exposure, reducing the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting activities can be a controversial and contentious issue. Through the implementation of mail-back surveys and group interviews, this project aims to understand hunters' perceptions towards a voluntary transition to non-lead ammunition use for hunting white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), on targeted Nati
Burgoff, J., D. Bishop, A. Roy, M. Staudinger, and A. Jordaan. 2023. Comparing age and growth of juvenile river herring in freshwater and estuarine environments. Joint meeting of the Northeast Division and Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 8-10 January 2023, Boston, MA.	January 2023	The objective of this research is to evaluate the age and growth of juvenile river herring in lakes and associated estuaries to better understand how egress to estuarine environments influences growth and survival. This research will contribute to a greater understanding of juvenile river herring emigration and estuary habitat use dynamics and will inform population modeling efforts by providing novel and essential biological information regarding the transition between juvenile life history st
Burgoff, J., A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2025. Comparing juvenile river herring diets and growth in littoral and pelagic lake habitats. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 15 January 2025, New Bedford, MA.	January 2025	We sampled juvenile river herring in littoral and pelagic habitats in four coastal Massachusetts lakes and examined diets (using gut contents) and growth (using otolith-derived ages) compare fishes. The differences in diets among lakes and habitat types helps to explain the factors limiting juvenile river herring growth, identify within-lake habitat characteristics that support juvenile river herring, and inform lake management decisions that will protect littoral prey assemblages.
Burgoff, J., A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Comparing juvenile river herring growth and density in freshwater lakes and associated estuaries. Southern New England Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 9 January 2024, Storrs, CT.	January 2024	We sampled juvenile river herring in paired headwater lakes and downstream estuaries monthly from June through August 2021 in three coastal Massachusetts watersheds using nighttime purse seines. The observed differences in growth among watersheds and habitat types helps to understand the factors driving juvenile river herring productivity in these watersheds and identify management strategies that maximize growth during early life stages.
Burgoff, J., A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Comparing juvenile river herring growth and density in freshwater lakes and associated estuaries. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 21-24 April 2024, Hyannis, MA.	April 2024	We sampled juvenile river herring in paired headwater lakes and downstream estuaries monthly from June through August 2021 in three coastal Massachusetts watersheds using nighttime purse seines. The observed differences in growth among watersheds and habitat types helps to understand the factors driving juvenile river herring productivity in these watersheds and identify management strategies that maximize growth during early life stages.
Burak, M. K., M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, J. B. Kim, and R. M. Muth. Identification of the timing and magnitude of anadromous alewife spawning migrations in three coastal Massachusetts rivers. Abstract submitted, Northeastern Division American Fisheries Society, Newton, MA, April 2010	April 2010
Burak, M. B., M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, R. M. Muth, and J. B. Kim. 2009. Linking anadromous river herring migrations to ecosystem function. Coastal and Estuarine Research Foundation, Portland, OR, November 2009.	November 2009
Bouldin, R., A. Roy, S. Mattocks, R. Quinones, and T. Richards. 2018. Responses of stream fishes to dam removal in Massachusetts. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, 15-17 April 2018, Burlington, VT.	April 2018	We explored the upstream and downstream effects of dam removal on fish assemblages at 12 dam sites in Massachusetts. Our results may be used to inform managers about the potential responses of riverine fish species to dam removal.
Blewett, L.J., Sievert, P.R., DeStefano, S., and Simser, D. 2004. Effectiveness of bait boxes in reducing deer ticks, Ixodes scapularis, numbers on white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus. Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Connecticut, 26-28 March 2004, Storrs, CT.	March 2004
Blewett, L. J., P. R. Sievert, D. Simser, and S. DeStefano. 2004. Effectiveness of bait boxes in reducing deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) numbers on white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). Northeast Ecology and Evolution Conference, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT.	January 2004
Blacker, O., Shukla, A., A. B. Gordon Jr., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, M. T. Jones, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. The Effects of Macroparasite Infection on Eastern Box Turtle Movement and Temperature Use. Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR.	August 2023	Recently, myiasis cases (suspected to be caused by<i> Cistudinomyia cistudinis</i>) have been detected in Eastern Box Turtles (<i>Terrapene carolina carolina</i>; referred to as EBT) at Joint Base Cape Cod in Barnstable, Massachusetts. Our objectives were to assess macroparasitism effects on EBT temperature use and movement.
Bittner, S.M., A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, S. Mattocks, H. Mohammadi, and A. Jordaan. 2016. Alewife alter zooplankton biomass and morphology in freshwater lakes. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockport, ME.	March 2016	This study shows the top-down influence of alewife on zooplankton communities in freshwater lakes. Since anadromous alewife have been extirpated from many lakes in New England, it is important to understand the ecosystem-scale consequences associated with the change.
Bittner, S. A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, H. Mohammadi, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Dietary preferences among juvenile and adult river herring in freshwater lakes. Joint Meeting of the Southern New England Chapter and Northeast Division of the American Fisheries Society, 26-27 February 2017, Mystic, CT.	February 2017	We describe differences in dietary preferences among juvenile and adult river herring, an important forage species in the northeast that is threatened by anthropogenic impacts. Better understanding of river herring dietary preferences allows us to assess potential for alteration of trophic cascades during and after their spawning migration.
Bittner, S. A.H. Roy, M.T. Devine, H. Mohammadi, and A. Jordaan. 2017. Dietary preferences among juvenile and adult river herring in freshwater lakes. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	We describe differences in dietary preferences among juvenile and adult river herring, an important forage species in the northeast that is threatened by anthropogenic impacts. Better understanding of river herring dietary preferences allows us to assess potential for alteration of trophic cascades during and after their spawning migration.
Berube, J., A.P.K Sirén, B. Simpson, K. Klingler, T.L. Wilson. Moose’n around with ticks in New England. NEAFWA, Hyannis, MA. Contributed Oral Presentation. 21-24 April 2024.	April 2024	Winter tick epizootics have been associated with declining moose populations in New England. Using a novel tick sampling method, we found that imperfect detection was common with tick drag sampling; tick detection peaks in the middle of October; tick abundance is greatest in regenerating forest; moose density may affect tick abundance.
Berube, J., A. P. K. Sirén, C. Frank, L. Clarfeld, B. Simpson, T.M. Donovan, T. L. Wilson. 2022. Perfecting the Imperfect Detection of Ticks: Winter Tick Epizootics and Moose Populations in the Northeastern U.S. Presentation. The Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Spokane, WA. 6-10 November.	November 2022	Imperfect detection is a general problem of sampling anything. We discuss how imperfect detection has contributed to uncertainty about tick abundance, the challenge it poses for inference, and a potential path forward using improved sampling design.
Berube, J. APK Sirén, CF Sullivan, L Clarfeld, B Simpson, TM Donovan, TL Wilson. 2023. A Big Little Problem: Assessing Winter Tick Epizootics and Moose Populations in the Northeastern U.S. 78^th Annual Fish and Wildlife conference, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hershey Pennsylvania, April 30 – May 2.	May 2023	We describe the approach and present preliminary results from our regional project to evaluate drivers of winter tick epizootics in 5 states. This presentation will serve as an update for cooperators.
Berube, J. APK Sirén, CF Sullivan, L Clarfeld, B Simpson, TL Wilson. 2023. A big little problem. Assessing winter tick epizootics and moose populations in the Northeastern US. Northeast Regional Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. 6-9 November.	November 2023	Moose are important subsistence resources for many indigenous people in the Northeastern US and Canada. It is therefore important to understand the causes and impacts of recent winter tick epizootics. We present a novel method for monitoring winter tick presence and abundance and offer insight into ongoing winter tick and moose monitoring efforts.
Bentsen, C.N., A.H. Roy, and D.S. Armstrong. 2016. Accounting for biotic variability in urbanizing streams: the role of reach- and watershed-scale factors. Ecological Society of America Mid-Atlantic Chapter Meeting, 8-10 April 2016, Kutztown, PA.	April 2016	Variation in biotic response to urbanization can be used to inform understanding of the mechanisms of urban impacts on streams, and management approaches to address the disturbance. This study identifies local (habitat and water quality) and landscape (geology, land use) characteristics that explain differences in biotic assemblages despite similarity in catchment impervious cover.
Bentsen, C.N., A.H. Roy, and D.S. Armstrong. 2016. Accounting for biotic variability in urbanizing streams: the role of local and landscape factors. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	Variation in biotic response to urbanization can be used to inform understanding of the mechanisms of urban impacts on streams, and management approaches to address the disturbance. This study identifies local (habitat and water quality) and landscape (geology, land use) characteristics that explain differences in biotic assemblages despite similarity in catchment impervious cover.
Bentsen, C.N., A.H. Roy, and D.S. Armstrong. 2015. Accounting for biotic variability in urban streams: the role of local and landscape. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 17-21 May 2015, Milwaukee, WI.	May 2015	We investigate how local in-stream factors and watershed characteristics can explain differences in biotic assemblages at sites with similar levels of impervious cover. An understanding of physicochemical and habitat characteristics, in addition to landscape development patterns, that confer resistance to urbanization will help guide management initiatives that protect ecosystem integrity.
Bentsen, C.N., A.H. Roy, and D.S. Armstrong. 2015. Accounting for biotic variability in urban streams: the role of local and landscape factors. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH.	March 2015	We investigate how local in-stream factors and watershed characteristics can explain differences in biotic assemblages at sites with similar levels of impervious cover. This study will help determine the mechanisms of degradation in urban streams, thereby guiding management and urban planning initiatives that allow for development while also maintaining ecosystem integrity.
Bentsen, C.N., A.H. Roy, and D.A. Armstrong. 2016. Investigating the role of channel geomorphology on biotic responses to urbanization. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockland, ME.	March 2016	We investigate whether habitat metrics can help to explain variation in fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages across sites with similar watershed impervious cover. An understanding of both the mechanisms of degradation, as well as factors that confer resistance, can guide management and urban planning initiatives that allow for development while also maintaining ecosystem integrity.
Baynes, A.Y., T.A. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Alteration of flow and fish assemblages downstream of surface water reservoirs. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	Our objectives were to 1) quantify flow alteration downstream of water supply reservoirs, 2) determine how flow alteration impacts fish assemblages. Understanding changes in flow downstream of water supply reservoirs and impacts on fish assemblages will help guide water allocation management toward minimizing impacts on stream ecosystems.
Baynes, A.Y., T.A. Richards, and A.H. Roy. 2024. Alteration of flow and fish assemblages downstream of surface water reservoirs. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 14-16 February 2024, Fairlee, Vermont.	February 2024	The objectives of this study were to 1) quantify flow alteration and the predictability of flow downstream of water supply reservoirs, and 2) determine how flow alteration impacts fish assemblages. Understanding the predictability of flow downstream of water supply reservoirs and impacts on fish assemblages will help guide water allocation management toward minimizing impacts on stream ecosystems.
Baker, M., J. Carmignani, B. Irwin, A. Roy, C. Rushing, S. Sterrett, B. Swartz, and P. Hazelton. 2024. Contrasting results at newly established long term monitoring sites suggest the potential for differing future sampling strategies. 78th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Augusta, GA.	October 2024	The primary objective of this study was to calculate capture probability and demographic information (abundance, survival) for Brook Floater at two long-term monitoring sites in Maine and three in Massachusetts. A candidate set of Robust Design models was constructed that allow demographic parameters to vary depending on year, sampling occasion, and individual shell length.
Baker, M., J. Carmignani, B. Irwin, A. Roy, C. Rushing, S. Sterrett, B. Swartz, and P. Hazelton. 2024. An application of capture-recapture methods for long term monitoring if freshwater mussel populations. Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 13-15 February 2024, LaGrange, GA.	February 2024	The primary objective of this study was to provide demographic information including abundance, survival, and capture probability for Brook Floater at two long-term monitoring sites in Maine and three in Massachusetts. These results will not only provide managers with baseline information about this species, but will also help to improve future sampling designs and provide insight into regional level population trends.
Baker, A.M., A.H. Roy, and T.A. Richards. 2021. Flipping the flow regime: Examining how winter lake drawdowns impact downstream flows and temperature. 76th Annual Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference, 26-28 April 2021 (virtual).	April 2021	Winter drawdowns are a common lake management practice in New England that not only alter lake hydrology, but also alter the natural hydrological regime of downstream rivers. We aim to understand the effects of this altered hydrologic regime on downstream hydrology and temperature to inform state-issued drawdown guidelines to better conserve biotic integrity
Baker, A.M., A.H. Roy, T.A. Richards, and K. Bentsen. 2022. Flipping the flow regime: Examining how winter lake drawdowns impact downstream flows and temperature. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	Winter drawdowns are a common lake management practice in New England that not only alter lake hydrology, but also alter the natural hydrological regime of downstream rivers. We aim to understand the effects of this altered hydrologic regime on downstream hydrology and temperature to inform state-issued drawdown guidelines to better conserve biotic integrity.
Baker, A.M., A.H. Roy, T.A. Richards, and K. Bentsen. 2021. Flipping the flow regime: Examining how winter lake drawdowns impact downstream flows and temperature. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 23-27 May 2021 (virtual).	May 2021	Winter drawdowns are a common lake management practice in New England that not only alter lake hydrology, but also alter the natural hydrological regime of downstream rivers. We aim to understand the effects of this altered hydrologic regime on downstream hydrology and temperature to inform state-issued drawdown guidelines to better conserve biotic integrity
Baker, A.M., A.H. Roy, T.A. Richards, M. Craddock, and C.N. Bentsen. 2020. April showers in November: Examining how altered hydrology from winter drawdowns can impact habitat and biota. Southern New England American Fisheries Society Winter Meeting, 13-14 January 2020, Cambridge, MA.	January 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common lake management practice in New England that not only alter lake hydrology, but also alter the natural hydrological regime of downstream rivers. We aim to understand the effects of this altered hydrologic regime on downstream hydrology, temperature, geomorphology, habitat, and biota to inform state-issued drawdown guidelines to better conserve biotic integrity
Baker, A.M. and A.H. Roy. 2020. April showers in November: Flipping the flow regime: Examining how altered hydrology from winter drawdowns can impact downstream ecology. ASLO-SFS 2020 Joint Summer Meeting, 7-11 June 2020, Madison, WI.	June 2020	Winter drawdowns are a common lake management practice in New England that not only alter lake hydrology, but also alter the natural hydrological regime of downstream rivers. We aim to understand the effects of this altered hydrologic regime on downstream hydrology, temperature, and biota to inform state-issued drawdown guidelines to better conserve biotic integrity
Ayodelé C. O’Uhuru, Jeremy T.H. Coleman, Jonathan D. Reichard, Christina J. Kocer, Graziella V. DiRenzo, Laura M. Eaton. 2023. LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: EXPANDING NORTH AMERICAN BAT MONITORING (NABAT) DATA CONTRIBUTIONS ON AND AROUND FEDERAL LANDS IN THE NORTHEAST REGION. The Northeast Bat Working Group Conference. Burlington, VT.	January 2022	The North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat) is a multi-agency, and multi-national program for the long-term monitoring of bats using standardized protocols to assess population status and trends, inform response to stressors, and sustain viable bat populations. We assessed the number and scope of projects in the region to identify where additional effort on Federal lands can satisfy high priority sampling needs.
Armstrong, D.S., A.H. Roy, M.E. Baker, C.N. Bentsen, and J.T. Stolarski. 2017. Moving beyond impervious cover: Unpacking characteristics of impervious cover influencing stream biota in Massachusetts. Annual Meeting of the New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 14-16 March 2017, Hartford, CT.	March 2017	We will describe the database and analysis used to assess relations between fish and macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics and anthropogenic alteration, including impervious cover and flow alteration, relative to the effects of physical basin and land-cover characteristics in Massachusetts. The results of this study are expected to provide information on biotic assemblages that could be used by water resource managers to make more informed decisions about managing human factors that affe
Argo, E.E., A.H. Roy, and R.L. Ryan. 2015. Quantifying outdoor residential water use in the Ipswich River watershed: what influences residents’ behavior. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 18-20 March 2015, Bartlett, NH, .	March 2015	Outdoor water use accounts for the largest proportion of residential water use. This research seeks to quantify the amount of residential water used for different outdoor purposes, and to understand factors influencing residents’ water use behavior, which can be used to encourage outdoor water conservation.
Argo, E.E., A.H. Roy, R.L. Ryan, and A. Milman. 2016. Factors influencing outdoor residential use in the Ipswich River Watershed. New England Association of Environmental Biologists, 23-25 March 2016, Rockport, ME.	March 2016	Water withdrawals for human use have reduced streamflows in some New England rivers, and outdoor residential water use is an important component of this problem during summer months. We quantify residents' water use and factors influencing the amount and timing of their water use to better understand the problem and potential effectiveness of water conservation tools.
Argo, E.E., A.H. Roy, R.L. Ryan, and A. Milman. 2016. Factors influencing individuals' outdoor residential water use decisions in suburban Boston (USA) . Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 21-25 May 2016, Sacramento, CA.	May 2016	Given that freshwater is a limited resource needed for both humans and ecosystems, efforts to reduce water use are essential. This study provides valuable information about factors that influence homeowners' decisions to use water outdoors, which can be used to inform water conservation efforts.
Argo, E.E., A.H. Roy, R.L. Ryan, and A. Milman. 2015. Quantifying outdoor residential water use in the Ipswich River watershed: what influences residents' behavior. New England Graduate Student Water Symposium, 11-13 Sep 2015, Amherst, MA.	September 2015	Outdoor water use accounts for the largest proportion of residential water use. This research seeks to quantify the amount of residential water used for different outdoor purposes, and to understand factors influencing residents’ water use behavior, which can be used to encourage outdoor water conservation.
Arata, J., and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Modeling the population history of a top predator: ecological restrictions and human-induced impacts. Society for Conservation Biology, 20th Annual Meeting, San Jose, CA, 25 Jun.	June 2006
Arata, J., P. R. Sievert, and M. B. Naughton. 2006. Status assessment of Laysan and black-footed albatross populations. Albatross Conservation Action Plan Meeting, Honolulu, HI, 24 Oct.	October 2006
Arata, J. A., P. R. Sievert, and M. B. Naughton. 2008. Status assessment of Laysan and black-footed albatross. Fourth International Albatross and Petrel Conference, Cape Town, South Africa, 11-15 Aug.	August 2008
Arata, J. A., P. R. Sievert, and M. B. Naughton. 2007. Assessing the status and trends of Laysan and black-footed albatross populations. Albatross Modeling Workshop, 7-9 Nov.	November 2007
Allison, N. L., S. DeStefano, and G. F. Gee. 2003. A comparison of nocturnal roosting behavior of whooping cranes and Florida sandhill cranes. The Wildlife Society 10th Annual Conference, Burlington, VT.	September 2003
Agosto, A., J. Burgoff, A. Roy, and A. Jordaan. 2024. Interannual comparison of juvenile alewife age and growth in eastern Massachusetts (USA). Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting, 2-6 June 2024, Philadelphia, PA.	June 2024	During July 2021 and 2022 we used pelagic purse seines to collect juvenile river herring from Whitman's Pond and the Weymouth Back River in Weymouth, Massachusetts (USA). The results of this research will contribute to a greater understanding of juvenile river herring emigration and estuary habitat use dynamics and will inform population modeling efforts by providing valuable age and growth information during habitat transitions during early life history stages.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, and K.H. Nislow. 2020. Resilient river restoration through dam removal. Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Annual Environmental Conference, 29 February 2020, Worcester, MA.	February 2020	Dam removal has the potential to increase resilience of streams to future disturbances, including urbanization and climate change. This proposed research will investigate how climate change knowledge is currently integrated into dam removal planning and develop a decision-making framework for future dam removal that includes ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, and K.H. Nislow. 2020. Resilient river restoration through dam removal. 5th International Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 12-15 February 2020, Austin, TX.	February 2020	Dam removal has the potential to increase resilience of streams to future disturbances, including urbanization and climate change. This proposed research will investigate how climate change knowledge is currently integrated into dam removal planning and develop a decision-making framework for future dam removal that includes ecological and socio-economic benefits.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, P.A. Zaidel, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2020. Thermal and dissolved oxygen recovery following small dam removals in Massachusetts. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 4-6 March 2020, Newport, RI.	March 2020	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed water quality responses to dams and dam removal, which may be used to understand factors influencing recovery and set expectations for restoration.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, P.A. Zaidel, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2020. Dam removal as a tool to increase ecological resilience through water quality improvements. Quebec RE³Conference , 7-11 June 2020, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	June 2020	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed water quality responses to dams and dam removal, which may be used to understand factors influencing recovery and set expectations for restoration under changing climates.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, M.B. Cole, and K.H. Nislow. 2023. Recovery of benthic macroinvertebrates following small dam removals. Freshwater Sciences 2023, 3-7 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	June 2023	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed variation in stream macroinvertebrate responses to dams across 15 sites, which may be used to prioritize dam removal and set expectations for restoration.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, M.B. Cole, and K.H. Nislow. 2023. Recovery of benthic macroinvertebrates following small dam removal. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Meeting, 15-17 February 2023, Plymouth, MA.	February 2023	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed variation in stream macroinvertebrate responses to dams across 15 sites, which may be used to prioritize dam removal and set expectations for restoration.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, M.B. Cole, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2021. Linking water quality to benthic macroinvertebrates in dammed streams: Implications for restoration. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, 23-27 May 2021 (virtual).	May 2021	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed variation in stream macroinvertebrate responses to dams across 15 sites, which may be used to prioritize dam removal and set expectations for restoration.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, M.B. Cole, K.M. Houle, and K.H. Nislow. 2019. Variable responses of aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages to dam removal. Society of Wetland Scientists – New England Chapter Fall Meeting: Dammed If You Do and Dammed If You Don’t: Barrier Removal and Stream Integration, 4-5 October 2019, New Britain, CT.	October 2019	Dams have provided fresh water to human societies for centuries, but this service has negative consequences for stream ecosystems. This study assessed variation in stream macroinvertebrate responses to dams and immediate (1 yr) responses to dam removal, which may be used to prioritize dam removal and set expectations for restoration.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, K.M. Houle, S. Mattocks, and K.H. Nislow. 2022. Enhancing resilience of riverine fishes through dam removal. Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference, 2-4 March 2022, Portland, ME.	March 2022	This study linked changes in water quality (temperature and dissolved oxygen) with shifts in fish assemblages at dam removal sites in Massachusetts. Improvements in water quality following dam removal, paired with increased access and availability of refugia, may help vulnerable fish taxa adapt to new stressors of climate change, including extreme floods, droughts, and warming waters.
Abbott, K.M., A.H. Roy, K.H. Nislow, R. Quiñones, and F.J. Magilligan. 2023. Incorporating climate change into restoration decisions: Perspectives from practitioners. 6th Symposium on Urbanization and Stream Ecology, 29 May - 1 June 2023, Brisbane, Australia.	May 2023	We surveyed dam removal practitioners across 14 states in the eastern United States to understand current practices of dam removals, factors driving restoration decisions, and how climate change knowledge is incorporated into these decisions. These results suggest that the co-production of research questions and readily accessible and interpretable research products may encourage practitioners to incorporate climate change science more consistently and efficiently into dam removal decisions.
A. B. Gordon Jr., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, G. V. DiRenzo. The Effects of Macroparasite Infection on Eastern Box Turtle Movement and Habitat Use. NEAFWA.	May 2023	Myiasis occurs when flesh flies deposit larvae into the wounds of a living vertebrate host. Our goals were to: (1) determine if eastern box turtles were using behavioral fever to potentially regulate macroparasite infections; and (2) quantify the effect of parasitism on eastern box turtle condition, movement, and habitat use.
. Frank, H. J., M. E. Mather, J. M. Smith, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn. 2009.Understanding prespawning behavior of individual anadromous alewives in order to interpret distributional patterns: using tagging to improve the efficiency of coastal watershed restoration. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Berlin Germany, September 2009.	September 2009
Frank, H. J., M. E. Mather, J. M. Smith, R. M. Muth, J. T. Finn. 2009.Understanding prespawning behavior of individual anadromous alewives in order to interpret distributional patterns: using tagging to improve the efficiency of coastal watershed restoration. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Berlin Germany, September 2009.	September 2009
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2010. Thermoregulatory behavior of moose to cope with high temperatures in southern New England. 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newton, MA, 27 April.	April 2010
Wattles, D., and S. DeStefano. 2010. The role of sustainable timber harvest and moose populations in Massachusetts. 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newton, MA, 27 April.	April 2010
McCarthy, K. P., and S. DeStefano. 2010. Common loon behavioral responses to disturbance during breeding. 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newton, MA, 27 April.	April 2010
Johnson, L., S. DeStefano, and S. Melvin. 2010. Population characteristics of coastal striped skunks on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachsuetts. 66th Annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, Newton, MA, 26 April.	April 2010

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Zaidel, P. 2018. Impacts of small, surface-release dams on stream temperature and dissolved oxygen in Massachusetts. Master's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2018
Yarra, A.N. 2015. Impacts of thermal and flow alteration on benthic stream macroinvertebrates downstream of water supply reservoirs in Massachusetts. B.S. Honor's Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2015
Willey, Lisabeth L. 2010. Spatial Ecology of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene C. Carolina) in Central Massachusetts. PhD Dissertation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2010
Wibisono, Hariyo T. 2005. Conservation of Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Indonesia. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	January 2005
Weinstein, S.Y. 2016. Genetic analysis of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) movement before and after dam removal. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2016
Wattles, David W. 2015. The effect of thermoregulation and roads on the movements and habitat selection of moose in Massachusetts. Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.	February 2015
Wattles, D. W. 2011. Status, movements, and habitat use of moose in Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.	August 2011
Vitale, Kimberly O. 2013. Habitat use and seasonal movement patterns of four-toed salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum) in Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	August 2013
Vineyard, J.A. 2023. Bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) population dynamics and response to habitat management in Massachusetts. MS Thesis, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	September 2023
Tavarez Jimenez, E. J. 2024. QUANTIFYING THE IMPACT OF INTRODUCING CONFISCATED TURTLES WITH DISEASE OR DELETERIOUS ALLELES INTO A WILD POPULATION. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. MS-Thesis.	August 2024
Strules, J. 2012. Salt drive in the beaver (Castor canadensis): an experimental assessment with field feeding trials. M.S. Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	August 2012
Spencer, Sarah M. 2012. Diving behavior and identification of sex of breeding Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica), and nest-site characteristics of Alcids on Petit Manan Island, Maine. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2012
Sowers, V. 2017. The effect of calcium supplementation on the growth and survival of a freshwater mussel. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	April 2017
Soucie, J. 2022. Spatial and temporal variability in urban stream conductivity in Boston, MA. BS Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	December 2022
Smith, D. 2023. A review and analysis of the linked decisions in the confiscation of illegally traded turtles. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. MS-thesis.	August 2023
Smith, C. 2015. Thermal alteration downstream of impoundments. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2015
Slocombe, M.G. 2020. Temporal shifts in migratory river herring diets and zooplankton assemblages within Connecticut River coves. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2020
Skorupa, A. 2022. Developing a restoration strategy for Brook Floater (Alasmidonta varicosa) in Massachusetts. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	February 2022
Ryan, J.E. 2020. In vitro propagation and fish assessments to inform restoration of dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon). MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA	September 2020
Rosset, J. 2016 The life history characteristics, growth, and mortality of juvenile alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, in coastal Massachusetts. MS Thesis. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	April 2016
Pusparini, Wulan. 2014. Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species in Sumatra: Smaller Cats and the Sumatran Rhinoceros as Case Studies. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	April 2014
Paulson, David J. 2010. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Road Passage Structures for Freshwater Turtles in Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	February 2010
Naing, Hla. 2014. Assessing Habitat Occupancy of Tiger Prey in the Hukaung Valley of Northern Myanmar. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2014
McCarthy, K. P. 2009. Evaluation of disturbance factors and their effect on breeding common loons at Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, New Hampshire and Maine. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.	February 2010
Martell, V. 2020. Improving growth and survival of cultured yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) for restoring populations. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA	February 2020
Marjadi, M.N. 2023. Timing is everything: Climate change implications for phenological events and reproductive success in river herring. PhD dissertation, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2023
Marjadi, M. 2016. River herring conservation in freshwater: investigating fish reproductive success and the educational value of citizen monitoring programs. MS Thesis. Organismic & Evolutionary Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	August 2016
Macpherson, C.B.M. 2023. Fish assemblage responses to dam removals. BS Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2023
LeFlore, E. 2014. Assessing wild canid distribution using camera traps in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.	September 2014
Kauffman, Katherine E. 2012. Population dynamics, chick diet, and foraging behavior of the Razorbill (Alca torda) at Matinicus Rock, Maine. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	September 2012
Kanda, L. Leann. 2005. Limitations to the northernmost distribution of Virginia opossums. PhD Disseration, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2005
Jones, Michael T. 2009. Modeling the spatial distribution of wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in New England. PhD Dissertation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2009
Jones, M.T. 2009. Spatial ecology, Population Structure, and Conservation of the Wood Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta, in Central New England. Unpubl. Ph.D. dissertation, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, University of Massachusetts; Amherst, MA.	May 2009
Johnson, Luanne. 2016. Population characteristics, movements, and resource use of striped skunks inhabiting piping plover nesting beaches on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. Dissertation, Antioch University of New England, Keene, NH.	May 2016
Huguenin, M. A. 2014. Trends in human-wildlife interactions as related to land use and human density in Massachusetts. Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.	September 2014
Harper, Richard W. 2019. Socio-political and natural-ecological factors influencing urban forest management in Massachusetts. Dissertation. University of Massachusetts-Amherst.	August 2019
Haggerty, Sarah A. 2005. Effect of firebreak maintenance on rare insects of Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2005
Grgurovic, Mark. 2006. Habitat selection and movement patterns of Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2006
Grant, A.M. 2017. Investigating effects of interannual variation in streamflow and temperature on benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages over a 13 year period (2013-2016) in West Brook. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2017
Gordon, A. B. 2023. Pine Barrens wildlife management: Exploring the impact of a stressor and active management on two taxa at Camp Edwards. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. MS-thesis.	August 2023
Frank , H. 2009. Evaluation of pre-spawning movements of anadromous alewives in the Ipswich Rver using radiotelemetry. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA	July 2009
Farrell, A. 2023. Assessing food availability and growth rates as emigration cues for juvenile river herring. BS Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2023
Faison, E. F. 2015. Complex effects of ungulate browsers on tree recruitment and herbaceous layers in northeastern temperature forests. Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.	May 2015
Endyke, S.C. 2020. Quantifying the effects of algae availability on freshwater mussel growth. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2020
Devine, M.T. 2017. Juvenile river herring in freshwater lakes: Sampling approaches for evaluating growth and survival. MS Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	September 2017
Cox, J.S. 2019. The spatiotemporal relationship between parasitic mussel larvae and river herring of the Connecticut River watershed. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2019
Clark, Laura J. 2005. Small mammal ecology and the prevalence of Lyme disease on Martha’s Vineyard. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2005
Clark, D. E. 2014. Roosting, site fidelity, and food sources of urban gulls in Massachusetts: implications for protecting public water supplies. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.	February 2014
Cheney, K.N. 2014. Spatial and temporal variation in stream insect emergence from headwater streams in New England. B.S. Honor's Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	April 2014
Chalfin, E.D. 2022. Evaluating freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa temperature tolerances in the Northeastern U.S. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2022
Ceresia, I. 2024. Evaluating factors contributing to common loon egg hatching success in the Quabbin Reservoir. BS Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2024
Carmignani, J.R. 2020. Investigating the effects of winter drawdowns on the ecological character of littoral zones in Massachusetts lakes. PhD Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA	February 2020
Burgoff, J.D. 2019. In the weeds: A comparison of juvenile river herring diets in pelagic and littoral habitat. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2021
Bouldin, R. 2018. Responses of stream fishes to dam removal in Massachusetts. B.S. Honor's Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2018
Berube, J. 2024. Effects of habitat, density, and climate on moose and winter tick ecology in the northeastern U.S. Thesis. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. DOI: 10.7275/36515486	February 2024
Bentsen, C. 2017. Accounting for biotic variability in streams with low levels of impervious cover: the role of reach- and watershed-scale factors. MS Thesis. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	April 2017
Barber, Grace. 2014. Ant Assemblages in Three New York Pine Barrens and the Impacts of Hiking Trails. MS Thesis. University of Massachusetts Amherst.	September 2014
Argo, E. E. 2016. Factors influencing household outdoor residential water use decisions in suburban Boston (USA). MS Thesis. Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	August 2016
Albanese, E. 2006. Local and landscape requirements of frosted elfins (Callophrys irus) in sandplain communities of Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	May 2006
Abbott, K.M. 2023. River restoration through dam removal: Examining ecological responses to small dam removals across Massachusetts. PhD dissertation, Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst.	September 2023
Pautzke, S. M. 2008. Distribution patterns of migratory striped bass in Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA	August 2008

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Willey, L., and P. R. Sievert. 2009. Ecology of eastern box turtles in the Connecticut River Valley, Massachusetts, 2005-2008. Final Report to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA, 71 pp.	January 2009
Willey, L. L., M. T. Jones, and P. R. Sievert. 2014. Conservation Plan for Blanding's Turtle and Associated Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Northeastern United States. Final Report to the Competitive State Wildlife Grants Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 400 pp.	June 2014
Webster, C. M., and S. DeStefano. 2001. Distribution and habitat of greater roadrunners in the metropolitan area of Tucson, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Dept., Final Report, Project U97004. 41pp.	September 2001
Wattles, D., K. Berger, S. DeStefano, W. Woytek, and J. McDonald. 2006. Moose movements and habitat use: progress report on the GPS moose study in Massachusetts. USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst, MA and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA. 15pp.	June 2006
Sievert, P.R., DeStefano, S., and Blewett, L.J. 2003. Lyme disease ecological studies on Martha's Vineyard. Progress Report for 2003.	October 2003
Sievert, P.R., DeStefano, S., and Blewett, L.J. 2002. Lyme disease ecological studies on Martha's Vineyard. Annual Progress Report for 2002.	October 2002
Sievert, P.R., Compton, B.W., and M. Grgurovic. 2002. Ecology and conservation of Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in Massachusetts. Progress Report for 2001 submitted to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.	July 2002
Sievert, P.R. 2008. Population viability analyses for the short-tailed albatross. In: Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Plan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Publication.	September 2008
Sievert, P.R. 2006. Population viability analyses for the short-tailed albatross. In: Short-tailed Albatross Recovery Plan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Publication (In Review).	January 2006
Sievert, P. R. 2008. Surveying for rare amphibians, rare reptiles, and vernal pools, in Robinson State Park, Massachusetts. Final Report to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA, 12 pp.	January 2008
Rusch, D. H., S. DeStefano, M. C. Reynolds, and D. J. Lauten. 2000. Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). The Birds of North America, No. 515. 28pp.	January 2000
Patterson, W. A. III, G. L. Clarke, S. A. Haggerty, P. R. Sievert, and M. J. Kelty. 2005. Wildland fuel management options for the central plains of Martha’s Vineyard: impacts on fuel loads, fire behavior and rare plant and insect species. Final Report to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, RFR# DEM705, 140 pp.	June 2005
Parrish, D. L., M. E. Mather, and E. A. Marschall. 2010. Population modeling of Atlantic salmon in Vermont tributaries of the Connecticut River. Progress report to NMFS.	September 2010
Parrish, D. L., M. E. Mather, and E. A. Marschall. 2009. Population modeling of Atlantic salmon in Vermont tributaries of the Connecticut River. Progress report to NMFS	August 2009
Parrish, D. L., M. E. Mather, and E. A. Marschall. 2008. Population modeling of Atlantic salmon in Vermont tributaries of the Connecticut River. Progress report to NMFS	August 2008
Nishida, C., S. DeStefano, and C. Boal. 2001. Status of Swainson's hawks in southeastern Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Dept., Final Report, Project I98013. 38pp.	September 2001
Muth, R. M., S. Perry, and M. E. Mather. Public Involvement in the Watershed Restoration of the Neponset River. Funded by Riverways. September 2005	September 2005
Mather,M. E., and J. Smith, 2008 Developing Flow Sensitive Indices of Biotic Integrity (FS-IBI) To Assess the Health of Riverine Ecosystems and Maintain Benefits for Adjacent Human Communities. Final Report, RWO 55, The Nature Conservancy	June 2008
Mather, M.E., and K. H. Ferry. 2001. Diet analysis and bioenergetics modeling of striped bass, Morone saxatilis, along the Massachusetts coast. Annual Report to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries	January 2001
Mather, M.E. 2001. Hotspots and pits: assessing basin-wide mechanisms for success and failure of juvenile Atlantic salmon sites throughout the Connecticut River basin. Final Report to the U.S. Forest Service.	July 2001
Mather, M.E , M. P. Carey, A. Norris. 2001. Patterns and processes for freshwater fish distribution in northeastern National Parks: inventory, monitoring, and a model of governing processes Annual Report to the National Park Service	January 2001
Mather, M. E., and K. H. Ferry. 2002. Distribution, abundance, diet, and bioenergetics of striped Bass along the Atlantic Coast. Annual Report to Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries	June 2002
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. St. Gaudens National Historic Site: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	June 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. ROVA National Historic Site: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service.	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. Morristown National Historic Park: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. Minuteman National Historic Site: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	June 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. Cape Cod National Seashore: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003. Cape Cod National Seashore Kettle Ponds research summary . Final Report to the National Park Service	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003 Weir Farm National Historic Site: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003 Saratoga National Historic Park: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, and A. N. Norris. 2003 Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Site: freshwater fish inventory and monitoring final report. Final Report to the National Park Service.	April 2003
Mather, M. E., M. P. Carey, A. Norris. 2002. Patterns and processes for freshwater fish distribution in northeastern National Parks: inventory, monitoring, and a model of governing processes. Final Report to National Park Service	August 2002
Lowe, S., and S. DeStefano. 2006. Analysis of survival and cause-specific mortality for white-tailed deer in southeastern Massachusetts. USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst, MA and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA. 15pp.	June 2006
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2008. Distribution, status, and behavioral ecology of wood turtles in western Massachusetts: A four-year study. Final Report to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA, 47 pp.	December 2008
Jones, M. T., and P. R. Sievert. 2007. A GIS-based, spatially-explicit model of the distribution of wood turtles in Massachusetts. State-wide GIS model prepared for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA.	December 2007
Jones, M. T., L. L. Willey, P. R. Sievert, and T. S. B. Akre. 2014. Status and Conservation of the Wood Turtle in the Northeastern United States. Final Report to the Regional Conservation Needs (RCN) Program. 289 pp.	January 2014
Hobbs, R. J., W. L. Halvorson, and S. DeStefano. 2003. Habitat relationships and productivity of birds of prey in the Altar Valley, Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Heritage Grant No. I20004, Phoenix, AZ.	September 2003
Grgurovic, M., Sievert, P.R., and Compton, B.W. 2002. Blanding's turtle conservation plan for the towns of Boxford, Groveland, and Georgetown, Massachusetts, 44 pp.	December 2002
Fuller, T. K., and P. R. Sievert, editors. 2001. Carnivore ecology, behavior, and conservation. Departmental Report Series Number 3, Department of Natural Resources Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.	April 2001
Frank, H. 2009. Evaluation of pre-spawning movements of anadromous alewives in the Ipswich River using radiotelemetry. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	June 2009
Ferry, Kristen. 2003. Factors driving distribution of migratory striped bass across Massachusetts estuaries: predator prey interactions and implications for multispecies management, M.S. Thesis, University of Massachusetts Department of Natural Resource Conservation. May 2003	May 2003
DeStefano, S., and D. Wattles. 2009. Tracking the Commonwealth's moose. Massachusetts Wildlife 59:12-25.	October 2009
DeStefano, S., E. Faison, J. Compton, and D. Wattles. 2010. Forest exclosures: an experimental approach to understanding browsing by moose and deer. Massachusetts Wildlife 60:14-23.	April 2010
DeStefano, S., D. Wattles, and R. Packard. 2006. Coyotes in the northeastern U. S.: interactions with white-tailed deer and humans along an urban-rural gradient. USGS Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst, MA and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA. 82pp	June 2006
DeStefano, S. 2003. Birds in the human landscape. Review of J. M. Marzluff, R. Bowman, and R. Donnelly, eds. Avian ecology and conservation in an urbanizing world. Kluwer Academic Press, Dordrecht, The Netherlands. Conservation Biology 17:1467-1468.	October 2003
Compton, B.W., Sievert, P.R., and Grgurovic, M. 2003. Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) conservation plan for Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. 61 pp.	August 2003
Compton, B. W., P. R. Sievert, and M. L. Hunter. 2006. Status assessment for the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Northeast. Sponsored by the USGS/FWS Science Support Partnership Program, 79 pp.	June 2006
Compton, B. W., K. McGarigal, and P. R. Sievert. 2006. Models of priority sites for spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), and Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Final Report to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA, 26 pp.	December 2006
Compton, B. W., F. Beaudry, K. McGarigal, and P. R. Sievert. 2007. Habitat modeling for Blanding?s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) in the Northeast. Final Report to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Westborough, MA.	April 2007
Carey, M. P. 2002. Evaluating patterns and processes of community structure along a gradient of variables: context-specific mechanisms that impact yellow perch. M.S. Thesis. University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.	August 2002
Burak, M. K., M. E. Mather, J. T. Finn, J. B. Kim, R. M. Muth2University of Massachusetts, Amherst, River Herring Video Monitoring Final Report (2008-2009) March 2010	March 2010
Arata, J.A., P.R. Sievert, and M.B. Naughton. 2008. Status Assessment of Laysan and Black-footed Albatross Populations. U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey Technical Publication (In Press).	September 2008
Andersen, D. E., S. DeStefano, M. I. Goldstein, K. Titus, C. Crocker-Bedford, J. J. Keane, R. G. Anthony, and R. N. Rosenfield. 2004. The status of northern goshawks in the western United States. Wildlife Society Technical Review 04-1. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD.	December 2003

Data or Software Releases

Type	Citation	Publication Date
Data Release	Wilson, T. L., Siren, A. P. K., Berube, J. A., Morrow, C. M., Wattles, D. W., Huguenin, M., Clarfeld, L. A., Huber, K. E., Donovan, T. M., 2024, Massachusetts Wildlife Monitoring Project (2022 - 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13UNTFB.	June 2024
Data Release	Siren, A., and Wilson, T. 2024. Monitoring animal populations with cameras using open, multistate, N-mixture models. U.S. Geological Survey data release https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tqjq2bw76.	September 2024
Data Release	Siren, A., and Wilson, T. 2024. Monitoring animal populations with cameras using open, multistate, N-mixture models. U.S. Geological Survey data release https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.tqjq2bw76.	April 2024
Data Release	Ryan, J.E., and Roy, A.H., 2020, In-vitro Propagation and Fish Assessments to Inform Restoration of Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta Heterodon): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P90S15LR.	October 2024
Data Release	Ryan, J.E., and Roy, A.H., 2020, In-vitro Propagation and Fish Assessments to Inform Restoration of Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta Heterodon): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P90S15LR.	March 2022
Software Release	Rosenblatt, E., Cook, J.D., DiRenzo, G.V., Grant, E.H.C., Runge, M.C., Mosher, B.A. Code for fomites could determine severity of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in low-density white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA.	July 2024
Software Release	Rosenblatt, E, Rudolph, J.F., Arce, F., Cook, J. D., DiRenzo, G.V.,Grant, E.H.C., Runge, M.C., and Mosher, B.A.. whitetailedSIRS: A packageto project SARS-CoV-2 outbreak dynamics in white-tailed deer. Version1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9TZK938	May 2023
Data Release	Rosenblatt, E, Rudolph, J.F., Arce, F., Cook, J. D., DiRenzo, G.V.,Grant, E.H.C., Runge, M.C., and Mosher, B.A.. whitetailedSIRS: A packageto project SARS-CoV-2 outbreak dynamics in white-tailed deer. Version1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9TZK938	April 2024
Data Release	Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R.M. Quiñones, T.Richards, A. H. Roy. Freshwater fish biodiversity and distribution in the Northeastern United States. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P142VIXH	August 2024
Software Release	Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R.M. Quiñones, T.Richards, A. H. Roy. Freshwater fish biodiversity and distribution in the Northeastern United States. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P142VIXH	2024
Data Release	Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R.M. Quiñones, T.Richards, A. H. Roy. Freshwater fish biodiversity and distribution in the Northeastern United States. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P142VIXH
Software Release	Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R. O'Brien, R.M. Quiñones, T. Richards, A. H. Roy. HUC12 fish species occurrence and proportional abundance data in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. ScienceBase.	2024
Software Release	Rogers, J.B., G.V. DiRenzo, R. O'Brien, R.M. Quiñones, T. Richards, A. H. Roy. HUC12 fish species occurrence and proportional abundance data in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. ScienceBase.
Data Release	Prout, L. S., Siren, A. P. K., Callahan, C. B., Wilson, T. L., Clarfeld, L. A., Huber, K. E., and Donovan, T. M., 2024, USDA White Mountain National Forest Volume 1 (2014 - 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, doi:10.5066/P1PUEYQK.	June 2024
Software Release	Pfadenhauer, W.G., DiRenzo, G.V., and Bradley, B.A. Code for "Human activity drives establishment, but not invasion, of non-native plants on islands". Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA.	2023
Data Release	Pfadenhauer, W. G., G. V. DiRenzo, & B. A. Bradley. 2024. Code for human activity drives establishment but not invasion of non-native plants on islands. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9XES5OI	May 2024
Software Release	Marjadi, M.N., Roy, A.H., Llopiz, J.K., and Sheppard, J. 2023. Data used to test a video monitoring and computational system for estimating juvenile fish abundance: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93XRINQ.	June 2023
Data Release	Marjadi, M.N., Roy, A.H., Llopiz, J.K., and Sheppard, J. 2023. Data used to test a video monitoring and computational system for estimating juvenile fish abundance: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P93XRINQ.	2023
Data Release	Lee, M. J., DiRenzo, G. V., Y. Diao, K. C. Seltmann. Code for: Leveraging local efforts to solve regional-scale ecological questions: using multiple sources of data and a multi-species occupancy model to explore bee-plant interactions. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZMJ9YD	April 2023
Data Release	Kantar, L. E., Sirén, A. P. K., Wilson, T. L., Clarfeld, L. A., Huber, K. E., and Donovan, T. M., 2024, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Moose Project - Volume 2 (2021 - 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P132SU4S.	April 2024
Data Release	Jones, H., Sirén, A. P. K., Callahan, C. B., Holman, H., Marchand, M. N., Kilborn, J. R., Wilson, T. L., Morelli, T. L., Clarfeld, L. A., Huber, K. E., and Donovan, T. M., 2024, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Volume 1 (2014 - 2024): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13ISNAI.	June 2024
Software Release	Hopkins, K., R. Hale, K. Capps, J. Kominoski, J. Morse, A. Roy, A. Blinn, S. Chen, J. Rudolph, A. Quick. 2024, Landscape characteristics for urban gradients in United States cities across multiple scales: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13UZYZF	July 2024
Software Release	He, X., Carmignani, J., Andreadis, K., Roy, A., Kumar, A., and Butler, K., 2023, Developing a stochastic hydrological model for informing lake water level drawdown management: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P94NQFCF.	June 2023
Data Release	He, X., Carmignani, J., Andreadis, K., Roy, A., Kumar, A., and Butler, K., 2023, Developing a stochastic hydrological model for informing lake water level drawdown management: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P94NQFCF.	June 2023
Data Release	He, X., Andreadis, K., Roy, A., Langhorst, T., Kumar, A., and Butler, C. A Long Short Term Memory model for predicting daily lake ice cover changes in the Northern Hemisphere. 2024. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, Va. https://doi.org/10.5066/P13ZGUGE	July 2023
Data Release	He, X., Andreadis, K., Roy, A., Kumar, A., and Butler, C. 2023. A repository of hydrological modeling framework for lake drawdown management (HMF-Lake). Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9C8BVY2	September 2022
Data Release	He, X., Andreadis, K., Roy, A., Kumar, A., and Butler, C. 2023. A repository of hydrological modeling framework for lake drawdown management (HMF-Lake). Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9C8BVY2	June 2023
Software Release	Grant, E.H.C., R.O. Mummah, B.A. Mosher, G.V. DiRenzo. 2023. Inferring pathogen presence when sample misclassification and partial observation occur. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9PDV4LV	October 2022
Software Release	Grant, E.H.C., DiRenzo, G.V., and Brand, A.B., 2023, Abiotic and biotic factors reduce viability of a high-elevation salamander in its native range: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9Y5O93Q.	January 2023
Software Release	Gordon, A.B., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, M. T. Jones, J. C. Andersen, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2024. Code for the effect of myiasis on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) body condition movement and habitat use at Camp Edwards. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P90WGQL2	June 2024
Data Release	Gordon, A.B., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. E. Curtis, J. C. McCumber, M. T. Jones, J. C. Andersen, & G. V. DiRenzo. 2024. Code for the effect of myiasis on Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) body condition movement and habitat use at Camp Edwards. Version 1.0.0: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P90WGQL2	2023
Software Release	Gordon, A., D. Drummey, A. Tur, A. Curtis, J. McCumber, M. Akresh, & G. V. DiRenzo. Code for long-term monitoring reveals management effects on Prairie Warbler colonization local extinction and detection in a Massachusetts Pine Barren. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9GRA03K	August 2024
Software Release	Gilbert, N.A., G. V. DiRenzo, & E. F. Zipkin. Code for idiosyncratic spatial scaling of biodiversity–disease relationships. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. DOI TBD	2024
Software Release	DiRenzo, Graziella; Miller, David; Grant, Evan (2022), Ignoring species availability biases occupancy estimates in single-scale occupancy models, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fxpnvx0rv	July 2024
Software Release	DiRenzo, G. V., R. McCaffery, A. V. Longo, K. R. Zamudio, and K. R. Lips. Code for similar population dynamics before and after a chytridiomycosis outbreak in a tropical riparian amphibian species. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P1DWG6GZ	October 2024
Data Release	DiRenzo, G. V., Hanks, E., & D. A. W. Miller. 2022. Software for: A practical guide to understanding and validating complex statistical models using simulations. Published in Methods in Ecology & Evolution. https://doi.org/10.5066/P99B0IJ7	March 2022
Data Release	DiRenzo, G. V., B. Hoven, M. McEachran, & M. Feehan. 2023. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) survey by hunters in Massachusetts in early 2023. ScienceBase.	July 2023
Software Release	DiRenzo, G. V., B. Hoven, M. McEachran, & M. Feehan. 2023. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) survey by hunters in Massachusetts in early 2023. ScienceBase.	2023
Software Release	DiRenzo, G. V., B. Glorioso, J. M. Lorch, B. A. Mosher, D. A. W. Miller, E. H. Campbell Grant, and J. H. Waddle. Code for: Small enzootic survival costs mask the potential for long-term population size suppression. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9I7TROJ	May 2023
Data Release	DiRenzo, G. V., & M. C. Mceachran. Code for Chronic wasting disease knowledge risk perception and management acceptance are influenced by media engagement and trust among deer hunters in Massachusetts. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FBOMS5<br><br>
Software Release	DiRenzo, G. V., & M. C. Mceachran. Code for Chronic wasting disease knowledge risk perception and management acceptance are influenced by media engagement and trust among deer hunters in Massachusetts. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9FBOMS5	September 2023
Software Release	DiRenzo, G. V. Code for chronic wasting disease (CWD) knowledge among hunters in Massachusetts a state where CWD has not been detected. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9ZPZVZD	2023
Software Release	Bletz, Molly; DiRenzo, Graziella; Grant, Evan (2024). Quantitative support for the benefits of proactive management for wildlife disease control [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.bk3j9kdhk	April 2024
Data Release	Bletz, M., Grant, E. H. C., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Start early and stay the course: Proactive management outperforms reactive actions for wildlife disease control. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9OLLM02	2023
Data Release	Bletz, M., Grant, E. H. C., & G. V. DiRenzo. 2023. Start early and stay the course: Proactive management outperforms reactive actions for wildlife disease control. Version 1.0.0; U.S. Geological Survey software release. Reston, VA. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9OLLM02
Data Release	Berube, J., Sirén, A. P. K., Simpson, B., Klingler, K. B., and Wilson, T. L., 2024, Winter tick counts and covariates in Massachusetts and New Hampshire from fall 2022: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1ZSHPPX.	October 2024
Data Release	Berube, J., Sirén, A. P. K., Simpson, B., Klingler, K. B., and Wilson, T. L., 2024, Winter tick counts and covariates in Massachusetts and New Hampshire from fall 2022: U.S. Geological Survey Data Release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P1ZSHPPX.	May 2024
Software Release	Abbott, K.A. and Roy, A.H., 2022, Stream Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Responses to Small Dams and Dam Removal in Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9L2ATHV.	September 2023
Data Release	Abbott, K.A. and Roy, A.H., 2022, Stream Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Responses to Small Dams and Dam Removal in Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9L2ATHV.	March 2022

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

Massachusetts Research Activities

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