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Current Questions
Current Questions
Currently, I'm digging into how mussel functional traits (shell size, texture, weight, etc.) influence net ecosystem productivity and the livelihood of other aquatic creatures as a post-doctoral fellow at the Atkinson Lab. More soon!
Past Work
Past Work
Previously, I was associated with the Yellow Lampmussel Working Group and studied the distribution, habitat use, and effects of dam removal on the species. I also headlined an interdisciplinary mural project to improve public awareness of freshwater mussels, insects, and other aquatic organisms. Before that, I was an intern with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and conducted a project on a dense assemblage's ability to reduce suspended particulate matter. Scroll for more!
Publications at a glance
Publications at a glance
Fedarick, J., D. J. Hornbach, and B. E. Sietman. 2026. Suspended particulates decline along a dense mussel bed in a small Minnesota stream, U.S.A. Journal of Freshwater Ecology.
Fedarick, J., C. A. Murphy, S. Record, and A. H. Roy. 2025. Museum records provide unique information about the distribution of the Yellow Lampmussel Lampsilis cariosa (Unionidae). Freshwater Science:738615.
Fedarick, J., C. A. Murphy, S. Record, A. H. Roy, A. Dodd, and S. L. Smith. 2025. The story of the Penobscot River Ecology Mural: A 10-step process for scientists to create public art. Fisheries:vuaf076.
Hornbach, D. J., J. Fedarick, Z. A. Secrist, and B. E. Sietman. 2025. Dynamics of Recruitment Into a High‐Density Mussel Assemblage Below a Small Dam. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 35:e70198.
More on...
More on...
Investigating historical distribution
Investigating historical distribution
The distribution of out-of-range points along the Atlantic coast of the United States and maritime region of Canada. The light gray background represents the expected range of YLM based on MusselMapR and other literature (see manuscript). Yellow dots were confirmed as YLM, whereas other colors were rejected.
I assessed the value of natural history museum records in informing the distribution of the Yellow Lampmussel. I queried museum data from across the range of YLM and assessed uncertain records (n = 36) occurring outside of the generally expected geographic range of YLM.
I assessed the value of natural history museum records in informing the distribution of the Yellow Lampmussel. I queried museum data from across the range of YLM and assessed uncertain records (n = 36) occurring outside of the generally expected geographic range of YLM.
I found that 50% of these records were valid, including in regions of New York and Vermont (USA) and Québec and Ontario (Canada). This study provides a reproducible method for the reverification of freshwater mussel museum records and highlights how these records can provide unique contributions to our understanding of the geographic range of a rare, at-risk mussel species.
I found that 50% of these records were valid, including in regions of New York and Vermont (USA) and Québec and Ontario (Canada). This study provides a reproducible method for the reverification of freshwater mussel museum records and highlights how these records can provide unique contributions to our understanding of the geographic range of a rare, at-risk mussel species.
Investigating contemporary distribution and habitat use
Investigating contemporary distribution and habitat use
I assessed habitat suitability for Yellow Lampmussel through a multi-species modeling approach. Environmental data, host fish distribution data, and mussel distribution data were collected from across the range and were used to build stacked species distribution models (SSDMs) to discover the best predictors of Yellow Lampmussel presence and unveil areas to survey that may have YLM presence but have gone unrecorded.
I assessed habitat suitability for Yellow Lampmussel through a multi-species modeling approach. Environmental data, host fish distribution data, and mussel distribution data were collected from across the range and were used to build stacked species distribution models (SSDMs) to discover the best predictors of Yellow Lampmussel presence and unveil areas to survey that may have YLM presence but have gone unrecorded.
I identified 104 Hydrologic Unit 8 code watersheds with no previously recorded presence of YLM and yet predicted presences. These watersheds included areas in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware, where YLM has not been recently (1980 - present) recorded.
I identified 104 Hydrologic Unit 8 code watersheds with no previously recorded presence of YLM and yet predicted presences. These watersheds included areas in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Delaware, where YLM has not been recently (1980 - present) recorded.
Range-wide SSDM results. The color ramp reflects the probability of YLM presence based on the final ensembled model results. Watersheds with white backgrounds represent unoccupied watersheds that have at least 1 stream reach with predicted presence of YLM.
Article in review at Ecological Applications
Geomorphic consequences of dam removal
Geomorphic consequences of dam removal
Upstream of the Veazie dam (top row) and upstream of the Great Works dam (bottom row) before (left column) and after (right column) dam removal. Aerial views from ESRI World Imagery, Wayback 2014 versus 2025.
Article in prep for River Research and Applications
We did not locate YLM proximate to two dam removals on the Penobscot River, ME, via time search surveys. It is possible that the dam removals altered benthic habitat (bed texture), limiting YLM's ability to recolonize these areas.
We investigated whether bed texture changed after dam removal via before-after spatial overlay analyses of side scan sonar data. We mapped ~ 7 river km near the Veazie dam removal and Great Works dam removal, then developed manually drawn habitat maps and automated roughness calculations of the area from pre and post dam removal data. We found no evidence of substantial change via either method, suggesting YLM is not limited in these areas by available benthic habitat, but likely other unmonitored hydrologic conditions (e.g., shear stress).
The Penobscot River Ecology Mural
The Penobscot River Ecology Mural
We collaborated with a local non-profit organization, Bangor Beautiful, and artists at the University of Maine to create a mural on the Kenduskeag Stream Pump Station in Bangor highlighting the importance of freshwater mussels, migratory fish, and river ecosystems. Installation was completed in May 2025 near the confluence of Penobscot River and the Kenduskeag Stream.
We had over 45 active participants and over 140 people attend the mural celebration. This mural was featured in 9 news articles across 7 different outlets. Finally, we published an article distilling this collaboration to ten key steps.
I won multiple awards for headlining this project, including the Erin Peterson Memorial Award, the Provost's Innovating and Creative Teaching Award, and the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences Outstanding Service Award.
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