Aquatic Ecology
(1) The role of flow dependency and water availability in fish assemblage homogenization in tributaries of the Chattahoochee River, Alabama, USA. Published in Ecology of Freshwater Fish
Our primary objective was to assess whether spawning mode and water availability are catalysts for fish assemblage change in tributaries of the Chattahoochee River System. We found that species which prefer or have adapted to low flow conditions (e.g. blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta, redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus and blackbanded darter Percina nigrofasciata) are becoming dominant and replacing historically abundant fluvial specialists.
(2) Effect of culvert systems on fish assemblage structure and connectivity in the Uchee Creek Watershed (2023-2025)
Culvert assessments at road crossings in the Uchee Watershed are being completed, and fish assemblages will be surveyed at high and moderate risk sites as well as some low and no risk sites to identify barriers to connectivity and prioritize sites for restoration. This project will be a catalyst for much-needed conservation activity in this watershed to benefit species of greatest conservation need, and to build relationships with the community through land stewardship education. This project is funded through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
(3) Characterizing fish assemblages and their habitats in blackwater creeks and floodplain wetlands of South Alabama (2024-2027)
This is part of a larger wetland characterization project in collaboration with Troy University and the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. The project is funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency
(4) Use of habitat suitability modeling and field-based site assessment to identify potential sites for Spring Pygmy Sunfish reintroduction (2025-2028)
For this project we will use habitat modeling and assessment, eDNA, and traditional fish sampling to characterize Spring Pygmy Sunfish habitats and identify potentially suitable habitats outside of their known locations. This is funded by Toyota-Mazda through the Land Trust of North Alabama.
Invasive Bigheaded Carp Research Projects
(1) Developing a semiautomated process for enumeration of fishes from recreational-grade side-scan sonar imagery. Published in North American Journal of Fisheries Management
We used ImageJ to create a fast, repeatable way to estimate the number of pelagic large-bodied fishes in a study reach before and after bigheaded carps were intensively removed from the system.
(2) An assessment of fish herding techniques: management implications for mass removal and control of Silver Carp. Published in North American Journal of Fisheries Management
Tested several different stimuli as herding tools in a carp-infested tributary of the Missouri River to determine the most effective method to move bigheaded carps downriver.
(3) Behavioral responses of Silver Carp to underwater acoustic deterrent sounds. Published in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
Study detailing the response of Silver Carp to three different acoustic stimuli in a pond environment, using fine-scale acoustic telemetry.
(4) Effects of shady environments on fish collective behavior Published in Scientific Reports
Study detailing the use of shade by Silver Carp and their collective behavior in a pond using fine-scale acoustic telemetry.