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• 1. [Article] A Behavior-Based Framework for Assessing Barrier Effects to Wildlife from Vehicle Traffic Volume

  Roads, while central to the function of human society, create barriers to animal movement through collisions and habitat fragmentation. Barriers to animal movement affect the evolution and trajectory of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Behavior-Based Framework for Assessing Barrier Effects to Wildlife from Vehicle Traffic Volume Author: Jacobson, Sandra L., Bliss-Ketchum, Leslie L., de Rivera, Catherine E., Smith, Winston P. Year: 2016 Roads, while central to the function of human society, create barriers to animal movement through collisions and habitat fragmentation. Barriers to animal movement affect the evolution and trajectory of populations. Investigators have attempted to use traffic volume, the number of vehicles passing a point on a road segment, to predict effects to wildlife populations approximately linearly and along taxonomic lines; however, taxonomic groupings cannot provide sound predictions because closely related species often respond differently. We assess the role of wildlife behavioral responses to traffic volume as a tool to predict barrier effects from vehicle-caused mortality and avoidance, to provide an early warning system that recognizes traffic volume as a trigger for mitigation, and to better interpret roadkill data. We propose four categories of behavioral response based on the perceived danger to traffic: Nonresponders, Pausers, Speeders, and Avoiders. Nonresponders attempt to cross highways regardless of traffic volume. Pausers stop in the face of danger so have a low probability of successful crossing when traffic volume increases. Hence, highway barrier effects are primarily due to mortality for Nonresponders and Pausers at high traffic volumes. Speeders run away from danger but are unable to do so successfully as traffic volume increases. At moderate to high volume, Speeders are repelled by traffic danger. Avoiders face lower mortality than other categories because they begin to avoid traffic at relatively low traffic volumes. Hence, avoidance causes barrier effects more than mortality for Speeders and Avoiders even at relatively moderate traffic volumes. By considering a species’ risk-avoidance response to traffic, managers can make more appropriate and timely decisions to mitigate effects before populations decline or become locally extinct. Title: A Behavior-Based Framework for Assessing Barrier Effects to Wildlife from Vehicle Traffic Volume Author: Jacobson, Sandra L., Bliss-Ketchum, Leslie L., de Rivera, Catherine E., Smith, Winston P. Year: 2016 Roads, while central to the function of human society, create barriers to animal movement through collisions and habitat fragmentation. Barriers to animal movement affect the evolution and trajectory of populations. Investigators have attempted to use traffic volume, the number of vehicles passing a point on a road segment, to predict effects to wildlife populations approximately linearly and along taxonomic lines; however, taxonomic groupings cannot provide sound predictions because closely related species often respond differently. We assess the role of wildlife behavioral responses to traffic volume as a tool to predict barrier effects from vehicle-caused mortality and avoidance, to provide an early warning system that recognizes traffic volume as a trigger for mitigation, and to better interpret roadkill data. We propose four categories of behavioral response based on the perceived danger to traffic: Nonresponders, Pausers, Speeders, and Avoiders. Nonresponders attempt to cross highways regardless of traffic volume. Pausers stop in the face of danger so have a low probability of successful crossing when traffic volume increases. Hence, highway barrier effects are primarily due to mortality for Nonresponders and Pausers at high traffic volumes. Speeders run away from danger but are unable to do so successfully as traffic volume increases. At moderate to high volume, Speeders are repelled by traffic danger. Avoiders face lower mortality than other categories because they begin to avoid traffic at relatively low traffic volumes. Hence, avoidance causes barrier effects more than mortality for Speeders and Avoiders even at relatively moderate traffic volumes. By considering a species’ risk-avoidance response to traffic, managers can make more appropriate and timely decisions to mitigate effects before populations decline or become locally extinct. Close

• 2. [Article] The Limitation of Spread of Non-native Marine Invertebrates from Artificial Structures to Natural Habitats

  Artificial structures created for aquatic anthropogenic activities are often colonized and fouled by many non-native species, few of which have invaded natural areas. Some research has indicated predation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Limitation of Spread of Non-native Marine Invertebrates from Artificial Structures to Natural Habitats Author: McClees, Whitney, de Rivera, Catherine E. Year: 2017 Artificial structures created for aquatic anthropogenic activities are often colonized and fouled by many non-native species, few of which have invaded natural areas. Some research has indicated predation is limiting the spread of non-native species, while other research has indicated that it is dispersal-driven. To determine the effects of dispersal limitation and predation on the risk to surrounding habitats of being invaded by non-native species established on marina docks, we used a three-factor design, deploying seven unglazed ceramic panels per each treatment combination of 1) inside versus outside a marina in Yaquina Bay, Oregon; 2) cage keeping out predators >mesh size, no cage, or partial cage; 3) fixed near the substrata (benthic) versus floating 1m below the surface. We also moved panels of either adults or recruits from floating in the marina to any of the treatment combinations to test if they would have lower survival outside by the substrate. The community on panels suspended in the marina only minimally overlapped with panels outside of the marina near the bottom. However, there was no difference between the cage treatments, which suggests that predators excluded by the cages are not responsible for the observed differences in species richness or composition. Title: The Limitation of Spread of Non-native Marine Invertebrates from Artificial Structures to Natural Habitats Author: McClees, Whitney, de Rivera, Catherine E. Year: 2017 Artificial structures created for aquatic anthropogenic activities are often colonized and fouled by many non-native species, few of which have invaded natural areas. Some research has indicated predation is limiting the spread of non-native species, while other research has indicated that it is dispersal-driven. To determine the effects of dispersal limitation and predation on the risk to surrounding habitats of being invaded by non-native species established on marina docks, we used a three-factor design, deploying seven unglazed ceramic panels per each treatment combination of 1) inside versus outside a marina in Yaquina Bay, Oregon; 2) cage keeping out predators >mesh size, no cage, or partial cage; 3) fixed near the substrata (benthic) versus floating 1m below the surface. We also moved panels of either adults or recruits from floating in the marina to any of the treatment combinations to test if they would have lower survival outside by the substrate. The community on panels suspended in the marina only minimally overlapped with panels outside of the marina near the bottom. However, there was no difference between the cage treatments, which suggests that predators excluded by the cages are not responsible for the observed differences in species richness or composition. Close

• 3. [Article] Broad-Scale Non-indigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves

  Nonindigenous species have caused substantial environmental and economic damage to coastal areas. Moreover, the extent and impacts of nonindigenous species are increasing over time. To develop predictive ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Broad-Scale Non-indigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves Author: de Rivera, Catherine E., Ruiz, Greg, Crooks, Jeff, Wasson, Kerstin, Lonhart, Steve, Fofonoff, Paul, Steves, Brian, Rumrill, Steven S., Brancato, Mary Sue, Pegau, Scott, Bulthuis, Doug, Preisler, Rikke Kvist, Schoch, Carl, Bowlby, Ed, DeVogelaere, Andrew, Crawford, Maurice, Gittings, Steve, Hines, Anson, Takata, Lynn, Larson, Kristen, Huber, Tami, Leyman, Anne Marie, Collinetti, Esther, Pascot, Tiffany, Shull, Suzanne, Anderson, Mary, Powell, Sue Year: 2005 Nonindigenous species have caused substantial environmental and economic damage to coastal areas. Moreover, the extent and impacts of nonindigenous species are increasing over time. To develop predictive models and to identify which areas should be targeted for impact mitigation or early detection, we need a basic foundation of knowledge about the spatial and temporal patterns of invasions. This project was developed because we lacked the necessary data to rigorously evaluate the patterns of coastal invasions. This collaborative project, between the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established a rigorous, largescale monitoring and research program for invasive species in nine protected coastal areas along the US West Coast from San Diego, CA, to Kachemak Bay, AK. Our research included two components, broad-scale and site-specific projects. The broad-scale component focused on using standardized protocols to collect data on the composition of fouling communities and nearshore fish and crabs. We collected data from 310 settling plates and 140 traps across nine NERRS Reserves and NMSP Sanctuaries. The four most common taxa on the settling plates were Bryozoa, Tunicata, Cirripedia, and Hydrozoa. We identified these four taxa and also Nudibranchia, a mobile molluscan taxa often associated with fouling organisms, to species and noted which were nonindigenous. We found 132 species in the 5 taxa under study. NIS accounted for over one quarter of the diversity in these taxa, with 31 NIS identified. Over half of tunicate species were non-native. The documented NIS included two new US west coast sitings plus 3 other range extensions. We documented two patterns in NIS, a latitudinal pattern and differences between NIS impacts in marinas versus non-marina sites; research on salinity differences is still underway. Both the number and percent of NIS decreased with increasing latitude. Tijuana River had the most, 21, NIS and Monterey Bay had the highest proportion of NIS (57%). The same pattern of decreasing NIS with increasing latitude was observed when we examined Tunicata only and Bryozoa only. Across latitudes, plates in marinas were more impacted by NIS than were plates in more natural areas. All NIS but one were found at marinas, whereas only half the NIS were found at the non-marina sites. In addition, NIS at marinas accounted for almost 80% of the NIS per site. Therefore, we were able to provide information on the relative risk of invasions for different taxonomic groups and geographic regions. The spatial and habitat patterns can be used for future predictions and will be of even more value once they are confirmed with additional taxonomic groups and hypothesis-driven studies that will continue from this initial study. Our broad-scale trapping study illustrated how recently-introduced NIS quickly can become numerically dominant. Although we only found Carcinus maenas at Elkhorn Slough NERR, this recently introduced nonindigenous crab was very common at this Reserve and was the most abundant crab in our traps at 3 of 7 Elkhorn sites. The site-specific projects were conducted at each Reserve plus Olympic Coast and Monterey Bay Sanctuaries. Several are serving as the first important step in longer term research, such as examining whether a change in shipping policy in Kachemak Bay will increase NIS. Others, such as the South Slough project examining the effect of a salinity cline on the number and proportion of NIS, will be expanded to test hypotheses across several protected areas. Many of these site-specific projects still need further analyses, and analysis is underway. Title: Broad-Scale Non-indigenous Species Monitoring along the West Coast in National Marine Sanctuaries and National Estuarine Research Reserves Author: de Rivera, Catherine E., Ruiz, Greg, Crooks, Jeff, Wasson, Kerstin, Lonhart, Steve, Fofonoff, Paul, Steves, Brian, Rumrill, Steven S., Brancato, Mary Sue, Pegau, Scott, Bulthuis, Doug, Preisler, Rikke Kvist, Schoch, Carl, Bowlby, Ed, DeVogelaere, Andrew, Crawford, Maurice, Gittings, Steve, Hines, Anson, Takata, Lynn, Larson, Kristen, Huber, Tami, Leyman, Anne Marie, Collinetti, Esther, Pascot, Tiffany, Shull, Suzanne, Anderson, Mary, Powell, Sue Year: 2005 Nonindigenous species have caused substantial environmental and economic damage to coastal areas. Moreover, the extent and impacts of nonindigenous species are increasing over time. To develop predictive models and to identify which areas should be targeted for impact mitigation or early detection, we need a basic foundation of knowledge about the spatial and temporal patterns of invasions. This project was developed because we lacked the necessary data to rigorously evaluate the patterns of coastal invasions. This collaborative project, between the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) and the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), established a rigorous, largescale monitoring and research program for invasive species in nine protected coastal areas along the US West Coast from San Diego, CA, to Kachemak Bay, AK. Our research included two components, broad-scale and site-specific projects. The broad-scale component focused on using standardized protocols to collect data on the composition of fouling communities and nearshore fish and crabs. We collected data from 310 settling plates and 140 traps across nine NERRS Reserves and NMSP Sanctuaries. The four most common taxa on the settling plates were Bryozoa, Tunicata, Cirripedia, and Hydrozoa. We identified these four taxa and also Nudibranchia, a mobile molluscan taxa often associated with fouling organisms, to species and noted which were nonindigenous. We found 132 species in the 5 taxa under study. NIS accounted for over one quarter of the diversity in these taxa, with 31 NIS identified. Over half of tunicate species were non-native. The documented NIS included two new US west coast sitings plus 3 other range extensions. We documented two patterns in NIS, a latitudinal pattern and differences between NIS impacts in marinas versus non-marina sites; research on salinity differences is still underway. Both the number and percent of NIS decreased with increasing latitude. Tijuana River had the most, 21, NIS and Monterey Bay had the highest proportion of NIS (57%). The same pattern of decreasing NIS with increasing latitude was observed when we examined Tunicata only and Bryozoa only. Across latitudes, plates in marinas were more impacted by NIS than were plates in more natural areas. All NIS but one were found at marinas, whereas only half the NIS were found at the non-marina sites. In addition, NIS at marinas accounted for almost 80% of the NIS per site. Therefore, we were able to provide information on the relative risk of invasions for different taxonomic groups and geographic regions. The spatial and habitat patterns can be used for future predictions and will be of even more value once they are confirmed with additional taxonomic groups and hypothesis-driven studies that will continue from this initial study. Our broad-scale trapping study illustrated how recently-introduced NIS quickly can become numerically dominant. Although we only found Carcinus maenas at Elkhorn Slough NERR, this recently introduced nonindigenous crab was very common at this Reserve and was the most abundant crab in our traps at 3 of 7 Elkhorn sites. The site-specific projects were conducted at each Reserve plus Olympic Coast and Monterey Bay Sanctuaries. Several are serving as the first important step in longer term research, such as examining whether a change in shipping policy in Kachemak Bay will increase NIS. Others, such as the South Slough project examining the effect of a salinity cline on the number and proportion of NIS, will be expanded to test hypotheses across several protected areas. Many of these site-specific projects still need further analyses, and analysis is underway. Close