Project Proposal For Water Resources Research Institute Program

Project Proposal
For
Water Resources Research Institute Program
Under
Section 104, Water Resources Research Act of 1984
to the
Alabama Water Resources Research Institute
In support of the
Research Proposal
EVALUATION OF THERMAL AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN STRESS TO FRESHWATER
MUSSELS IN A SAFE HARBOR / CRITICAL HABITAT REACH OF AN ALABAMA
STREAM
By
James A. Stoeckel
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor
School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences
College of Agriculture
Auburn University
[email protected]
334 844 9249
12/1/2014
1
A. Project Category: Category 2 ($20K max)
B. Project Number: _____________________________________
C. Title: EVALUTATION OF THERMAL AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN STRESS TO
FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN A SAFE HABOR / CRITICAL HABITAT REACH OF AN
ALABAMA STREAM.
D. Focus Category: Conservation, Hydrology,Water Quality
E. Descriptors: Conservation, Hydrobiology, Dams, Base Flow, Streams, Shellfish, Water
Quality, Regulatory Permits.
F. Duration: March 1, 2015 – February 29, 2015
G. Fiscal Year 2015 Federal Funds. $20,000
Total
$20,000
Direct
$NA
Indirect
H. Non-Federal Funds Allocated.
30,400
Direct
$9,600
Indirect
$40,000
Total
I. Name, University and city of principle investigator(s):
Jim Stoeckel, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Cliff Webber, Auburn University, Auburn,
AL; Dennis Devries, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Rusty Wright, Auburn University,
Auburn, AL
J. Congressional District of University performing the research: Third District
K. Identification and statement of the major regional water problem (2 paragraphs)
The southeastern United States is a worldwide epicenter of biodiversity for a range of aquatic
taxa including fish, crayfish, and mussels. Thermal and dissolved oxygen stressors resulting
from altered flow regimes below dams, and projected climate change, can have profound impacts
on aquatic organisms since most physiological processes related to growth and reproduction are
strongly dependent on temperature and dissolved oxygen levels. These two stressors are closely
intertwined because the ability of water to absorb and hold oxygen is temperature dependent.
There is a great need for information regarding effects of altered temperature and dissolved
oxygen regimes on the diverse aquatic taxa of the southeastern United States. The current
USEPA Nationally Recommended Water Quality Criteria
(http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/standards/criteria/current/index.cfm ), for DO thresholds are based
on research conducted prior to 1986. Research and analytical techniques have greatly advanced
since that period (i.e. Winkler titrations or early DO probes vs fiber optic respirometry systems;
graph paper and hand-drawn regressions vs analytical software packages). Furthermore,
recommendations for vertebrates are based on only a small number of fish species, while those
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for invertebrates are based primarily on aquatic insects and don’t include threatened groups such
as freshwater mussels and crayfish.
There is strong interest from state and federal agencies, as well as private companies, to
understand thermal/dissolved oxygen tolerances of fish, crayfish, and mussels due to dam
relicensing requirements, minimum flow regulations, and planning for future climate change.
These agencies need updated studies that provide information on the impacts of altered
temperature and dissolved oxygen regimes on aquatic animal health. We have received seed
funding from the USFWS to begin updating our knowledge of thermal/DO tolerances of nongame fish species, with potential for renewal in subsequent years. Alabama Power and the
Alabama Department of Natural resources have also expressed interest. We are meeting with
Alabama Power in December to discuss this further. Thus the potential for future funding from
State, Federal, and private agencies is high.
L. Statement of the results, benefits, and/or information (2 paragraphs)
For the current effort, we propose to conduct both standard, and proof-of-concept DO/thermal
tolerance assays, expanding our current program to include freshwater mussels. Specific goals
are as follows:
1) Standard Assays: Determine the relationship between oxygen requirements and temperature
for freshwater mussel species found in a Safe Harbor / Critical Habitat Unit subjected to
minimum flow regulations.
2) Proof of Concept Assays: Determine whether a non-lethal ETS thermal tolerance assay
developed for crayfish (Simcic et al. 2014) can also be applied to freshwater mussels.
Communication and funding: Information from the standard assays will be communicated to
the Water Board of the City of Auburn, along with water quality data collected by Cliff Weber as
part of a closely related project funded by the Board. This will help the Board determine
whether or not current minimum flow requirements required of the Lake Ogletree dam are
sufficient to protect mussel population from thermal and low oxygen stress in the Safe Harbor
reach of Chewacla Creek, a Critical Habitat Unit of Alabama streams. Results will also be
communicated to the USFWS, ADCNR, and Alabama Power as an important case study relating
minimum flow to freshwater mussel health. Demonstration of our ability to obtain relevant
information for freshwater mussels found in Critical Habitat Units is likely to lead to future
funding from these agencies.
The ETS assay may serve as a valuable, non-lethal tool to detect thermal stress (e.g.
Simcic et al. 2014) in aquatic organisms. We propose to use AWR funds to assess the
relationship between ETS enzyme activity and temperature for freshwater mussels under
laboratory and field conditions. Results will be used to predict the thermal tolerances of
representative mussel species and to develop external proposals to determine whether ETS
activity is strongly correlated to sublethal effects of thermal stress such as reduced scope-forgrowth (e.g. Simcic et al. 2014). An assay of this type would be extremely useful to an array of
state, private, and federal agencies. If verified, it would allow for rapid assessment of thermal
tolerance of the ~180 mussel species native to Alabama via non-lethal sampling of tissue from
field collected animals.
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M. Nature, Scope, and Objectives of the research:
Due to global climate change, much of the southeastern United States is expected to face warmer
temperatures and increasingly frequent and lengthy droughts in the coming decades (Karl et al,
2009). Human demands for water also continue to grow, further exacerbating the effects of
drought on freshwater ecosystems (Peterson et al, 2011). The coupling of climate change and
increasing water demands for multiple uses (often requiring construction of dams and reservoirs)
is particularly problematic for conservation of our natural resources because the southeastern
United States harbors the highest species diversity of stream biota in North America (Benz and
Collins 2004), including fish, mussels, and crayfish
Increasing temperatures and decreased stream flow, can greatly influence life history strategies
(Doell & Zhang, 2010), health, and survivorship of aquatic organisms. Dams, common in
southeastern river systems, can alter temperature and DO of downstream reaches even in the
absence of drought, and these impacts would further exacerbated by increased temperatures and
decreased natural flow. When water is being stored behind dams, downstream flow is
diminished or even halted altogether. Temperature can increase and DO decline – particularly
during the hot summer months. Effects of altered discharge and DO on aquatic organisms play a
large role in determining regulations applied to dams with regards to minimum flow
requirements. Understanding the interrelationships between climate change, altered discharge
patterns, and aquatic community health is of increasing importance to state and federal
management agencies.
Effects of increasing temperatures and low DO fall into two general categories: lethal and
sublethal. Lethal effects involve the death of an organism but can be assessed relatively easily
via standard LC50 or LT50 assays (concentration or temperature at which 50% of organisms die
within a specified time period). Sublethal effects include a wide range of parameters such as
growth and reproductive output. Importantly, sublethal, rather than lethal effects, are typically
used for regulatory purposes because they are considered more sensitive and more protective of
populations than are regulations based on lethal effects (eg. USEPA 1986a).
Oxygen Demand and Tolerance.
Standard metabolic rate (SMR) is the minimum metabolic rate required for an organism
to survive in a rested and unfed state, and is quantified in terms of respiration rate (mg O 2 / g / h).
Increases in temperature typically increase SMR while decreases in DO will eventually limit the
ability of an organism to extract sufficient oxygen from its environment to meet its SMR.
Because warm water holds less oxygen than cold water, warming temperatures combined with
declining DO will prove to be fatal at some point, but tolerance of warm temperatures and low
DO varies greatly amongst aquatic species. It is generally assumed that most organisms fit into
one of two broad metabolic groups, according to their ability to obtain oxygen from the
environment: 1) Oxygen regulators are able to maintain a constant oxygen consumption rate until
dissolved oxygen declines below a critical level, while 2) Oxygen conformers exhibit declining
oxygen consumption rates as dissolved oxygen decreases (Fig 1).
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Respiration rate (mg O2 /g/hr)
Critical O2
concentration
Critical O2
concentration
Constant respiration rate
Oxygen
Regulator
100%
saturation
Stress
and
death
Stress
and
death
100%
saturation
anoxia
anoxia
Dissolved Oxygen Concentration (mg/L)
Figure 1. Schematic of relationship between respiration rate and dissolved oxygen for oxygen
regulators (left) and oxygen conformers (right).
In both groups, the concentration below which respiration rate declines precipitously is called the
critical oxygen concentration (DOcrit), below which severe stress and death of the organism
ultimately occurs. SMR allows one to estimate the minimum energy intake required for survival
at various temperatures, and the dissolved oxygen thresholds below which an organism is no
longer able to maintain its SMR without switching to anaerobic resiration.
Thermal tolerance
Standard lethal tolerance assays (temperature at which X% of individuals die within a specified
time period) are relatively quick (usually ≤ 48 hrs) and easy, but require death of test organisms
and yield little information as to anything other than lethal effects. An innovative approach has
been recently proposed by Simcic et al (2014) that is relatively quick, but does not require death
of an organism. The electron transport system (ETS) assay originally proposed by Packard
(1971) has long been used as a proxy for in-situ respiration for marine (salt-water) organisms and
to a lesser extent for freshwater organisms (e.g. Madon et al. 1998, Elderkin et al. 1998). It
provides a quantitative measure of the potential oxygen consumption rate of an organism if all
enzymes function maximally (Fanslow et al. 2001, ref). Simcic et al (2014) showed that the
relationship between ETS enzyme activity and temperature could also be used as an indicator of
thermal tolerance for crayfish and is species specific. Thus it has potential as a screening tool to
distinguish between thermal tolerant and intolerant species.
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ETS activity (ml 02 /g/h)
Species A
Species B
optimal
optimal
Too cold
cool
hot
Water temperature
Figure 2. Relationship between ETS activity and temperature for thermally tolerant (A) and intolerant
(B) species. Adapted from Simcic et al (2014)
If the relationship between ETS activity and temperature can truly be used as a simple, yet
accurate proxy do determine thermal tolerance ranges, it would revolutionize our ability to
quickly and efficiently assess lethal and sublethal effects of temperatures on the overwhelming
array of aquatic species in need of protection. For example, there are ~180 species of freshwater
mussel in Alabama alone.
The long term goals of our collaborative research group are as follows:
1) Determine whether current DO, thermal, and minimum discharge regulations are
adequate to protect the rich aquatic biodiversity of the southeastern United States in the
face of increasing water demands.
2) Apply up-to-date methodology to assess thermal and dissolved oxygen tolerances of a
range of non-game fish, mussel, and crayfish species for which tolerance data is lacking.
3) Test the utility of “up-and-coming” methodologies to improve our ability to assess
thermal and DO tolerances of aquatic organisms, and to quantify effects of altered
temperature and DO regimes associated with dam discharge.
For the current effort, we propose a combination of field and laboratory studies to investigate:
1) Whether the current minimum flow requirements in the Safe Harbor reach of Chewacla Creek
are sufficient to protect mussel populations from thermal and dissolved oxygen stress.
2) Whether the ETS thermal tolerance assay recently proposed by Simcic et al (2014) has
potential as a rapid screening tool for thermal tolerance of freshwater mussels.
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Study site and study species: Chewacla Creek is designated as a Critical Habitat Unit for
freshwater mussels within the Mobile River Basin (69 FR 40084; USFWS, Alabama Geological
Survey). The headwaters of Chewacla Creek originate in Opelika, Alabama. From Opelika,
Chewacla Creek meanders south
through the community of
Beauregard then west to Lake
Olgetree – a main-stem reservoir
of the creek and a major source of
drinking water for the city of
Auburn. Below the reservoir,
Chewacla Creek continues to flow
west, passing by the Martin
Marietta quarry. Minimum flow
requirements (7,571 m3 / day)
from Lake Olgetree have been in
effect since 2003 as part of a Safe
Harbor Agreement between the
federal government, the city of
Auburn Water Board, and Martin
Marietta. The Safe-Harbor reach
consists of two zones: an upper
Figure 3. Map of proposed study reach. Numbers
zone extending for ~600 m below
show gaging station locations.
the dam and a downstream zone
beginning 3 km below the dam
and extending to the western edge of Chewacla State Park (Fig 1). These two zones are
separated by approximately 1.5 km of unprotected stretch of Chewacla Creek. Stream widths in
the study reach range from 3 to 20 m and depths are generally <1.0m at mean summer base flow
conditions. The mussel community is dominated by Lampsilis teres, Villosa lienosa, V. vibex,
Utterbackia imbecillis, Toxolasma parvus, and Lampsilis straminea. It also includes a federally
threatened species – Hamiota altilis. Despite the minimum flow agreement, flow requirements
are sometimes not met due to various issues such as mechanical failure of the dam siphon, and
opening of new sinkholes which drain the creek into the Martin Marietta Quarry and can reduce
downstream flow. Base flow during the hot summer months can vary greatly from year to year
and can be quite low – raising the possibility of thermal and dissolved oxygen stress. We will
utilize three species in this study: Utterbackia imbecillis, expected to be relatively tolerant of low
DO (Hiestand 1938), Villosa lienosa, expected to be relatively intolerant of low DO (Johnson
2001), and Lampsilis teres, whose tolerance to low DO is unknown. All study mussels will be
collected from Chewacla Creek. Hamiota altilis will not be utilized because its rarity precludes
collection of sufficient numbers of study animals for the proposed experiments.
N. Methods, Procedures, and Facilities
DO requirements: We will utilize a state-of-the-art fiber optic respirometry system (Loligo, Inc)
to quantify the relationship between temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 oC), DO, and
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respiration rate for three mussel species. Mussels will be acclimated for at least one week to
appropriate treatment temperatures in 113-L tanks. During acclimation, mussels will be fed
commercial Shellfish Diet until 24- 48 h prior to initiation of experiments, allowing for complete
gut evacuation (Beamish 1964a). A 12L: 12D photoperiod will maintained throughout
acclimation and testing.
After the acclimation period, individual mussels will be placed in one of four appropriately sized
acrylic respirometry chambers submersed within a 400-L polyethylene tank. Chamber sizing is
based on the recommendations of Loligo Systems to reduce water volume while minimizing
stress on the test organisms. A control chamber (no mussels) of the same size will be used to
measure background oxygen change. Mussels will be allowed to acclimate undisturbed in the
chamber for 1 hour prior to measuring oxygen consumption.
At the end of the acclimation period, chambers will be closed to external flow, and each mussel
allowed to deplete the O2 in its chamber to < 1 mg·L-1. At that point mussels will be removed
from chambers, measured (Shell length, nearest mm), and weighed (total wet mass, nearest g).
Ammonia concentrations (total ammonia-N) within each chamber will be measured (LaMotte
model 3304) at the end of each trial to assess accumulation of metabolic wastes.
Oxygen consumption rate will be calculated every 2-6 minutes using the formula:
MO2= (O2(i)-O2(f))V· T-1· Bw-1
where MO2 is equivalent to SMR and defined as the oxygen consumption rate (mg O 2·g-1·hour-1),
O2(i) is oxygen concentration in water at the start of the measurement period (mg·L -1), O2(f) is the
O2 concentration at the end of the measurement period (mg·L -1), V is the volume of the chamber
(L), T is the time elapsed during the measurement period, and Bw is the wet mass of the mussel
(Cech 1990). To determine the degree of oxygen conformation each species exhibits, and how
metabolic rate changes with decreasing DO at each given temperature, MO 2 will be plotted
against ambient DO concentration. The relative ability of each species to regulate it’s oxygen
consumption with declining DO will be estimated as the ratio of K1/K2 where K1 is the intercept
of the regression of oxygen consumption/DO vs DO and K2 is the slope. The lower the ratio, the
greater the ability to regulate oxygen consumption, and presumably, the greater tolerance of
declining oxygen concentrations (Chen et al. 2001). Minimum DO requirement of each species
will be estimated as DOcrit (Chen et al. 2001)(see Fig. 2).
Evaluation of ETS thermal tolerance assay
Laboratory study: Mussels will be acclimated to the six experimental temperatures, and then held
without food for 24-48 hrs, in open glass aquaria. A tissue plug will be extracted from the foot
of each mussel, homogenized in liquid nitrogen with a pestle and mortar. ETS enzyme activity
of the homogenate will be measured using the same methodology described in Simcic et al.
(2014). Thermal tolerance will be assessed via the relationship between ETS activity and
temperature (see Fig. 1; Simcic et al, 2014). These relationships will be used to compare
theoretical thermal tolerances between the three mussel species.
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Field study: To verify that the relationships between ETS activity and temperature from the
laboratory study are representative of natural conditions, we will PIT tag 18 mussels of the 3
study species and place them in a representative reach within the Safe Harbor reach of Chewacla
Creek. Temperature loggers will be placed along the Safe Harbor reach in representative pool,
riffle, and run habitats to record ambient water temperature every 30 minutes. Dissolved oxygen
(concentration and % saturation) will be measured at the site of each temperature logger on a
weekly basis throughout the study period. Every two weeks, from May through January,
mussels will be located via a waterproof PIT tag antennae. A tissue plug will be collected from
one mussel / species, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and returned to the lab (~18 samples
per species). Only one plug will be collected from a given mussel during the course of the study.
ETS activity of each tissue plug will be determined as previously described. ETS activity will
then be plotted against the average water temperature of the collection site during the 24 hour
period prior to collection of the plug. We will then graph ETS activity vs temperature for each
species to verify that the relationship is consistent between laboratory and field.
Putting it all together: Respirometry data will be used to assess the oxygen requirements of
three representative mussel species as previously described. Temperature and oxygen saturation
data will be used to model dissolved oxygen concentrations in the pool, riffle, and run habitats of
the Safe Harbor reach during baseline flow periods during the summer months when oxygen
stress is most likely. Model output will be used to estimate the likelihood of the three habitat
types to have DO concentrations above major stress thresholds for relatively “tolerant” and
“intolerant” mussel species. This in turn will allow us to assess the probability that minimum
flow requirements provided sufficient flow through the Safe Harbor reach to avoid major oxygen
stress to the mussel community.
Lab and field ETS assay data will be used to determine whether effects of temperature on ETS
enzyme activity measured in the laboratory are representative of effects in the natural
environment. If so, the potential to develop a field assay for thermal stress of mussels is very
promising and data will be used to leverage future funding to investigate this further.
Facilities: Respirometry and ETS experiments will be conducted in the Aquatic Respirometry
Lab at the North Auburn Fisheries Research Station. This lab has been developed by the PIs and
their graduate students over a period of several years with support and funding from the Alabama
Agricultural Experiment Station,USFWS, USDA/ HATCH Program, and ADCNR.
9
The lab is equipped with a state-of –the-art fiber optic respirometry system (see inset figures
above), custom made respirometry chambers for various sizes and species of aquatic organisms,
and holding/acclimation systems with temperature and photoperiod control. Total cost of
developing this system has exceeded $100,000.
O. Related Research
The southeastern United States has the richest aquatic biodiversity and highest degree of
endemism in North America; unfortunately, this region also has some of the highest imperilment
rates on the continent (Warren et al. 1997; MRBMRC 2010). In fact, over 40% of the federally
listed animals in the Southeast Region are freshwater mussels, snails, and fishes that occur in
Alabama. Protecting these imperiled animals at landscape scales requires knowledge regarding
how multiple uses of waterways impact the risk of imperilment or extinction. Large and small
dams are prevalent on the landscape, many of which impact water quality in terms of critical
levels of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) (Pringle et al. 2000; Santucci et al. 2005).
According to a review of 300 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) project records,
more than 40% of projects had a specific requirement to maintain DO, 37% had monitoring
requirements, and 38 and 35% had mitigation recommendations or changes in project operations,
respectively (EPRI 1992). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires information to inform
decision making relative to recovery actions, prioritization of stream and river reaches for
restoration or reintroduction efforts, and for assistance during permitting where imperiled fishes
and mussels are concerned (MRBMRC 2010).
Maintenance of minimum DO concentration is required for survival of most aquatic organisms.
This can be particularly important when stream flows are interrupted by a dam causing DO and
temperature fluctuations that sometimes exceed the tolerances of the organisms living below the
impoundment. Dams are often required to maintain a minimal level of dissolved oxygen in
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discharged water, typically determined based on the temperature and oxygen requirements of a
small number of fish species (U.S. EPA 1986a,b, as cited by FERC in their 2012 Biological
Opinion for the Coosa River) and invertebrate species, that don’t include freshwater mussels.
While we know a great deal about the abiotic and biotic requirements of many sport fishes (e.g.,
Beamish 1964b; Redpath et al. 2010; Rice and Cochran 1984; Evans 1984), there is a surprising
lack of data regarding critical physiological limits of most freshwater mussel species (Haag et al.
2012). As such, threshold values determined for sport fishes may not adequately represent the
temperature and dissolved oxygen requirements of other ecologically important species. In
certain cases where the flow from impoundments is reduced, temperatures and DO may quickly
exceed the tolerance limits of less-studied species while remaining within accepted bounds based
on sport fishes and a small number of model invertebrate taxa. In one of the few studies
examining dissolved oxygen requirements of freshwater mussels, Chen et al. (2001) showed that
DO requirements vary widely between mussel species. Thus DO regulations to protect
freshwater mussels will need to be adjusted according to community composition of specific
waterbodies.
In preliminary work (Hartline 2013), we quantified the influence of temperature and
dissolved oxygen on standard oxygen consumption rate and critical oxygen level (DO crit) of five
non-game fish species- blackbanded darter (Percina nigrofasciata), bronze darter (P. palmaris),
greenbreast darter (Etheostoma jordani), blacktail shiner (Cyprinella venusta), and banded
sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Using a combination of intermittent flow and static respirometry, we
were able to measure oxygen consumption as a function of dissolved oxygen concentration, as
well as the MO2 and DOcrit, at three different temperatures. A low DOcrit is associated with
greater hypoxia tolerance presumably because of improved oxygen uptake and transport to
tissues at low water oxygen. Consequently, DO crit has been employed routinely as an important
measure of hypoxia tolerance in aquatic organisms including fishes (Scott et al. 2008; SpeersRoesch et al. 2012). Chen et al. (2001) concluded that examination of the ability of mussels to
regulate oxygen consumption, and quantificiation of DOcrit (see Fig. 2) is a valuable approach for
estimating DO water quality criteria for mussels, especially when related to increasing
temperatures.
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References Cited
Beamish, F. W. H. 1964a. Influence of starvation on standard and routine oxygen consumption.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 93:103-107.
Beamish, F. W. H. 1964b. Respiration of fishes with special emphasis on standard oxygen
consumption II. Influence of weight and temperature on respiration of several species.
Canadian Journal of Zoology 42: 177-188.
Benz G.W. & Collins D.E. (2004) Aquatic Fauna in Peril: The Southeastern Perspective. p. 553.
Southeast Aquatic Research Institute, Decatur GA.
Cech, J. J., Jr. 1990. Respirometry. Pages 335-362 in C. B. Schreck, and P. B. Moyle, editors.
Methods for fish biology. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.
Chen, L.-Y. et al. 2001. Comparison of oxygen consumption in freshwater mussels (Unionidae)
from different habitats during declining dissolved oxygen concentration. Hydrobiologia
450:209-214.
Elderkin, C.L.**, D. W. Schneider, J.A. Stoeckel, and D. K. Padilla. 1998. A method for
measuring in situ respiration rates of freshwater gastropods. Journal of the North American
Benthological Society 17(3):338-347.
Evans, D. O. 1984. Temperature independence of the annual cycle of standard metabolism in the
pumpkinseed. Transaction of the American Fisheries Society 113:494-512
Fanslow, D.L., T.F. Nalepa, and T.H. Johengen. 2001. Seasonal changes in the respiratory
electron transport system (ETS) and respiration of the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha in
Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Hydrobiologia 448:61-70.
Haag, W.R. 2012. North American Freshwater Mussels: Natural History, Ecology, and
Conservation. Cambridge University Press. New York, NY.
Hartline, N.R. 2013. Differences in oxygen consumption and critical oxygen levels of five
stream fishes. M.S. thesis, Auburn University, Alabama. 57+x pages.
Hiestand, W.A. 1938. Respiration studies with fresh-water mollusks: I. Oxygen consumption in
relation to oxygen tension. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 47:287-292.
Johnson, P.M. 2001. Habitat associations and drought responses of mussels in the lower Flint
River Basin, southwest Georgia. Thesis, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
Karl, T.R., Melillo J.M., Peterson T.C. & Hassol S.J. (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in
the United States. P. 192. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY.
Madon, S.P., D. W. Schneider, and J. A. Stoeckel. 1998. In-situ estimation of zebra mussel
metabolic rates using the electron transport system (ETS) assay. Journal of Shellfish
Research 17(1):195-203.
Packard, T.T. 1971. The effect of temperature on the respiratory electron transport system in
marine plankton. Journal of Marine Research 29:235-244.
12
Peterson J.T., Wisniewski J.M., Shea C.P. & Jackson C.R. (2011) Estimation of Mussel
Population Response to Hydrologic Alteration in a Southeastern U.S. Stream. Environmental
Management, 48, 109-122.
Redpath, T. D., S. J. Cooke, C. D. Suski, R. Arlinghaus, P. Couture, D. H. Wahl, and D. P.
Philipp. 2010. The metabolic and biochemical basis of vulnerability to recreational angling after
three generations of angling-induced selection in a teleost fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries
and Aquatic Sciences 67:1983-1992.
Rice, J. A., and P. A. Cochran. 1984. Independent evaluation of a bioenergetics model for
largemouth bass. Ecology 65:732-739.
Scott, G. R., C. M. Wood, K. A. Sloman, F. I. Iftikar, G. D. Boeck, V. M. F. Almeida-Val, A. L.
Val. 2008. Respiratory responses to progressive hypoxia in the Amazonian oscar, Astronotus
ocellatus. Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology 162:109-116.
Simcic, T., F. Pajik, M. Jaklic, A. Brancelj, and A. Vrezec. 2014. The thermal tolerance of
crayfish could be estimated from respiratory electron transport system activity. Journal of
Thermal Biology. 41:21-30.
Speers-Roesch, B., J. G. Richards, C. J. Brauner, A. P. Farrel, A. J. R. Hickey, Y. S. Wang, and
G. M. C. Renshaw. 2012. Hypoxia tolerance in elasmobranchs. I. Critical oxygen tension as a
measure of blood oxygen transport during hypoxia exposure. The Journal of Experimental
Biology 215: 93-102U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1986a. Ambient water
quality criteria for dissolved oxygen. 46 pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1986a. Ambient water quality criteria for
dissolved oxygen. 46 pp.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1986b. Quality criteria for water. EPA 440/5-86001.
P. Progress Review: NA
13
Q. Investigators Qualifications
James A. Stoeckel, Ph.D. Department of
Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures Auburn
University, 203 Swingle Hall
Auburn, AL
36849
Professional Preparation
Northern Kentucky University
Ohio State University
Miami University
Appointments
Auburn University
Miami University
Illinois Natural History Survey
The Ohio State University:
Teaching
Semester
Spring, EOY
Spring, EOY
On Demand
2011, 2013
Biology
Zoology
Zoology
B.S., 1988
M.S., 1994
Ph.D., 2007
Associate Professor:
Assistant Professor:
Teaching/Research Assistant:
Asst. Supportive / Tech. Scientist:
Teaching/Research Assistant:
2013-present
2007 - 2013
2002-2007
1993-2002
1988-1993
Title
Fish 6970 Conservation of Aquatic Organisms (3 cr)
Fish 7270 Crustacean and Molluscan Aquaculture (4 cr)
Fish 4960 Directed Studies in Crustacean or Molluscan
Ecology (2 cr)
Level
Undergrad/Grad
Graduate
Undergraduate
Aqua 303 Crustacean and Molluscan Aquaculture (3 cr)
Can Tho University, Vietnam
Undergraduate
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor
Student
Degree
D. Allen Pattillo
M.S.
Tyler Mosley
M.S.
Andrew Gascho Landis
Ph.D.
Catlin Ames
M.S.
Reuben Smit
M.S.
Ian Palmer
M.S.
Michael Hart
M.S.
Rebekah Borgert
M.S.
Kathryn Mitchell
M.S.
Year
Current Employer
2010
Iowa State University
2012
Cabinet Maker
2013
SUNY Cobbleskill
2013
Missouri Department of Conservation
2014
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
ABD 2014 Comm.
Self employed
cCcCommco
2014
Auburn University
in progress
in progress
14
Recent External Funding
USFWS, SSP Program; Powell, J., E. Irwin, D. Devries, R. Wright, and J.A. Stoeckel.
Determination of species-specific dissolved oxygen and temperature requirements for nongame riverine fishes. 01/01/2015 – 12/12/2015. $34,500
USDA Forest Service Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, Stoeckel, J.A.(PI), and
W.R. Haag (co-PI). Factors influencing freshwater mussel recruitment and survival.
07/01/2014 – 07/15/2019. $5,000
USFWS, Warm Springs, Georgia; PI: Stoeckel, J.A., G.Moyer. Cooperative Agreement:
Development of eDNA detection for aquatic invasive species in the southeastern United
States. 8/14/2012 –12/31/2017. $300,875.
Stratus Consulting/NOAA; PI: Stoeckel, J.A. Natural Resource Damage Assessment related to
the DWH Oil Spill. Confidential, work subject to litigation. April 2012 – Sept. 2013.
$189,000.
USFWS, Panama City Field Office; PI: Stoeckel, J.A., and S. Sammons. Habitat Availability
and Associations of Unionid Species in the Apalachicola River, Florida. Dec. 2011 – Dec.
2013. $85,039
USFWS Aquatic Invasive Species Region 4; PI: Stoeckel, J.A., W. Duncan, and E. Irwin.
Invasion risk of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) into the Mobile River Basin:
Assessment of veliger production and drift in the Tenn-Tom Waterway. June 2011 – May
2013. $19,695
National Science Foundation, Collaborative Proposal: Parasite or partner? Causes and
consequences of conditional outcomes in a cleaning symbiosis. 03/01/10 – 12/30/12.
Auburn University subproject: Stoeckel, J.A. (PI) and Helms, B.S. (co-PI) $109,073;
Appalachian State University subproject: Creed, R. (PI) $267,655; Clemson University
subproject: Brown, B.L. (Clemson P.I., and overall project P.I.) $220,708. Total budget =
$597,436.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Brantley, E. (PI), C. Anderson (co-PI), B. Helms (coPI), G. Jennings (co-PI), J. Shaw (co-PI), and J. Stoeckel (co-PI). Eco-Morphological
stream design and assessment tools for the Alabama Piedmont. 2010-2012; $300,061.
USDA Forest Service Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, Stoeckel, J.A. (PI), and
W.R. Haag (co-PI). Joint Venture Agreement: Identification of host fishes for
commercially harvested and large river mussel species. 10/01/09 – 07/15/13. $124,007
Selected Publications (*undergraduate, **graduate student)
Mosley**, T.L., W.R. Haag, and J.A. Stoeckel. 2014. Egg fertilization in a freshwater mussel:
effects of distance, flow and male density. Freshwater Biology. 59:2137-2149.
Luo, Y**., C. Li**, A. Gascho Landis, G. Wang**, J. Stoeckel, and E. Peatman. 2014.
Transcriptomic profiling of differential responses to drought in two freshwater mussel
species, the giant floater Pyganodon grandis and the pondhorn, Uniomerus tetralasmus.
PLOS One. 9(2): 1-14.
Helms, B., W. Budnick*, P. Pecora*, J. Skipper*, E. Kosnicki, J. Feminella, and J. Stoeckel.
2013. The influence of soil type, congeneric cues, and floodplain connectivity on the
15
local distribution of the devil crayfish (Cambarus diogenes Girard). Freshwater Science.
32(4):1333-1344.
Gascho Landis, A.**, W.R. Haag, and J.A. Stoeckel. 2013. High suspended solids loads as
a factor in reproductive failure of a freshwater mussel. Freshwater Science. 32(1):7081.
Helms, B.S., C. Figiel, J. Rivera*, J.A. Stoeckel, G. Stanton, and T. Keller. 2013. Life history
observations, environmental associations, and soil preferences of the Piedmont Blue
Burrower (Cambarus (Depressicambarus) harti, Hobbs). Southeastern Naturalist.
12(1):143-160.
Gough, H.*, A. Gascho Landis**, and J.A. Stoeckel. 2012. Behaviour and physiology
are linked in freshwater mussel responses to drought conditions. Freshwater
Biology.57:2356-2366.
Gascho Landis**, A., W.R. Haag, and J.A. Stoeckel. 2012. Effects of temperature,
photoperiod, and gravidity on lure display and glochidial release in a freshwater
mussel. Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 31(3):775-786.
Wang, R.**, C. Li**, J.A. Stoeckel, G. Moyer, Z. Liu, and E. Peatman. 2012. Rapid
development of molecular resources for a freshwater mussel, Villosa lienosa (Bivalvia:
Unionidae) using a RNA seq-based approach. Freshwater Science 31(3):695-708.
Stoeckel, J.A., J. Morris*, E. Ames*, M.J. Vanni, W. Renwick, and M.J. Gonzalez. 2012.
Exposure times to the spring herbicide flush along a stream-reservoir system. Journal of
the American Water Resources Association 48(3):616-634.
Stoeckel, J.A., B.S. Helms, and E. Cash*. 2011. Evaluation of a crayfish burrowing chamber
design with simulated groundwater flow. Journal of Crustacean Biology 31(1):50-58.
Elderkin**, C.L., J.A. Stoeckel, D.J. Berg, and P.L. Klerks. 2004. Heritability of heat
tolerance in zebra mussel veligers. Journal of Great Lakes Research 30(3): 360-366.
Elderkin, C.L.**, D. W. Schneider, J.A. Stoeckel, and D. K. Padilla. 1998. A method for
measuring in situ respiration rates of freshwater gastropods. Journal of the North American
Benthological Society 17(3):338-347.
Madon, S.P., D.W. Schneider, J.A. Stoeckel, and R.E. Sparks. 1998. Effects of
inorganic sediment and food concentrations on energetic processes of the zebra mussel,
Dreissena polymorpha: Implications for growth in turbid rivers.
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 55(2):401-413
Madon, S.P., D. W. Schneider, and J. A. Stoeckel. 1998. In-situ estimation of zebra mussel
metabolic rates using the electron transport system (ETS) assay. Journal of Shellfish
Research 17(1):195-203.
Schneider, D. W., S. P. Madon, J. A. Stoeckel, and R. E. Sparks. 1998. Seston quality controls
zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) energetics in turbid rivers. Oecologia 117:331-341.
16
Curriculum Vitae- Dennis R. DeVries
Name and Title: Dennis R. DeVries, Professor
Address:
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama 36849
[email protected]
334/844-9322 (9208-FAX)
Education:
B.S. Purdue University 1982, Biological Sciences (minor in Mathematical Sciences)
M.S. The Ohio State University 1985, Zoology
Ph.D. The Ohio State University 1989, Zoology
Professional Experience:
1999Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University
1999-2012
Editor, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
1994-1999
Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn
University
1996-1999
Associate Editor, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
1990-1994
Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn
University
1991-1994
Associate Editor, North American Journal of Fisheries Management
1987-1989
Graduate Research Associate, The Ohio Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit and Department of Zoology, The Ohio State University
1983-1987
Graduate Teaching and Research Associate, Department of Zoology, The Ohio
State University
1982-1983
University Graduate Fellow, Department of Zoology, The Ohio State University
1979-1982
Research Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University
Ten Most Recent Publications (out of 82 total peer reviewed publications):
DeVries, D.R., R.A. Wright, D.C. Glover, T.M. Farmer, M R. Lowe, A.J. Norris, and A.C. Peer.
in press. Largemouth Bass in coastal estuaries: A comprehensive study from the MobileTensaw River Delta, Alabama. In Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for
Conservation. American Fisheries Society Special Publication. (30 MS pages, 1 figure).
Nelson, T.R., D. Sutton, and D.R. DeVries. 2014. Summer movements of the Gulf killifish
(Fundulus grandis) in a northern Gulf of Mexico salt marsh. Estuaries and Coasts
37:1295-1300.
Penaskovic, R., D.R. DeVries, and N.E. Chadwick. 2014. Teaching about sustainability: raising
consciousness and taking action. Pages 384-398 in K.D. Thomas and H.E. Muga, editors.
Cases on Pedagogical Innovations for Sustainable Development. IGI Global.
17
Purcell, T.R., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2013. The relationship between shoreline
development and resident fish communities in a Southeastern U.S. reservoir. Lake and
Reservoir Management 29:270-278.
Farmer, T.M, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and J.E. Gagnon. 2013. Using seasonal variation in
otolith microchemical composition to indicate Largemouth Bass and Southern Flounder
residency patterns across an estuarine salinity gradient. Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society 142: 1415-1429.
Glover, D.G., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2013. Growth of largemouth bass in a dynamic
estuarine environment: an evaluation of the relative effects of salinity, diet, and
temperature. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 70:485-501.
Woodard, S.R., R.A. Wright, and D.R. DeVries. 2013. Growth and survival of largemouth bass
following supplemental feeding of bluegill in small impoundments. North American
Journal of Fisheries Management 33:170-177.
DeVries, D.R. 2013. A tale of two animals: the importance of aquatic habitat and flow. Pages
136-139 in Auburn Speaks: On Water. Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Glover, D.G., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2012. Effects of temperature, salinity, and body
size on routine metabolism of coastal largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Journal of
Fish Biology 81:1463-1478.
Quist, M.C., M.A. Pegg, and D.R. DeVries. 2012. Age and Growth. Pages 677-731 in A.V.
Zale, D.L. Parrish, and T.M. Sutton, editors. Fisheries Techniques, 3 rd Edition.
American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
Presentations
During the last 5 years I have made or been a co-author on a total of 39 presentations at
international, national, regional, and state meetings, including 3 invited presentations and
one best presentation award.
Funding History
I have been a PI on more than $1,600,000 in grants/contracts during the last 5 years.
Teaching
FISH 7340- Fish Ecology
FISH 6970: various topics (I have taught a graduate discussion oriented seminar with Dr. Jack
Feminella in the Biology Department nearly every year for the past 20 years, offering topics such
as Classic Papers in Ecology, Ethics in Science, Disturbance, Introduced Species, Global Climate
Change, Ecological Conservation and Restoration)
HONR 1027- Sustainability and the Modern World
SUST 2000- Introduction to Sustainability
SUST 5000- Senior Capstone in Sustainability
18
Curriculum Vitae
Russell A. Wright
School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, 313 Swingle Hall,
Auburn University 36849
Phone:(334)844-9311, FAX:(334)844-9208
EMAIL [email protected]
Education
1993. Doctorate of Philosophy – Zoology, Minor - Statistics
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Thesis Advisor: Dr. James F. Kitchell
1989. Master of Science – Zoology, Minor - Statistics
North Carolina State University
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Larry B. Crowder
1983. Bachelor of Arts – Biology (Summa Cum Laude)
University of North Carolina - Asheville
Appointments
2002-present. Associate Professor/Extension Specialist - School of Fisheries,
Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences , Auburn University.
1997-2002. Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist - Department of Fisheries and
Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University.
1993-1997 Post-doctoral Research Associate - The Ohio State University Fellowship,
Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, The Ohio State University
Spring 1992 Visiting Lecturer, Introductory Fisheries Science - Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, School of Natural Resources, University of Vermont
Current Position Description
(Original appointment: 50% Extension, 25% Research, and 25% Teaching)
Courses Taught (not including special problems offerings) - Fisheries Biology &
Management, Small Impoundment Management
Research Interest - Bioenergetics of Fishes Aquatic Ecosystem
& Community Dynamics Recruitment Mechanisms, Simulation
and Statistical Modeling
19
Extension Program - Community Economic Development Using
Sport Fisheries, Aquatic Resource Stewardship, Recreational Pond
Management Youth Development
Professional Organizations
American Fisheries Society
Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals
Alabama Fisheries Association
Patents
Ollis, H.D., S. Diaz-Verson, L.N. Bell, J.O. Weese, C.I. Wei, and R.A. Wright. 2004
Biodegradable fishing lure and material. Patent # 6,753,004
Publications (Selected most relevant)
Glover, D.C.*, D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2013. Growth of largemouth bass in a dynamic
estuarine environment: an evaluation of the relative effects of salinity, diet, and
temperature. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 70: 485-501.
Farmer, T.M.*, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and J.E. Gagnon. 2013. Using seasonal variation in
otolith microchemical composition to indicate largemouth bass and southern flounder
residency patterns across an estuarine salinity gradient. Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society 142:1415-1429.
Patterson, J. T.*, S. D. Mims, and R. A. Wright. 2013. Effects of body mass and water
temperature on routine metabolism of American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula. Journal
of Fish Biology 82:1269-1280.
Woodard, S.R.*, R.A. Wright, and D.R. DeVries. 2013. Growth and survival of largemouth bass
following supplemental feeding of bluegill in small impoundments. North American
Journal of Fisheries Management. 33:170-177.
Glover, D. C.*, D. R. DeVries and R. A. Wright. 2012. Effects of temperature, salinity and body
size on routine metabolism of coastal largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Journal of
Fish Biology 81:1463-1478.
Wright, R. A., and C. E. Kraft. 2012. Stocking strategies for recreational small impoundments.
Pages 155–180 in J.W. Neal and D.W.Willis, editors. Small impoundment management
in North America. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
Lowe, M.R.*, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, S.A. Ludsin, and B.J. Fryer. 2011. Otolith
microchemistry reveals substantial use of freshwater by southern flounder in the Northern
Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries and Coasts 34:630-639.
Glover, D.C.*, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright and D.A. Davis. 2010. Sample preparation
techniques for determination of fish energy density via bomb calorimetry: an evaluation
using largemouth bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 139:671-675.
DeVries, D.R., J.E. Garvey, and R.A. Wright. 2009. Early life history and recruitment. In: S.J.
20
Cooke and D.P. Philipp, editors. Centrarchid Fishes: Diversity, Biology, and
Conservation. Wiley-Blackwell, West Sussex
Slaughter , J.E. IV*, R.A. Wright, and D.R. DeVries. 2008. Latitudinal Influence on First-Year
Growth and Survival of Largemouth Bass. North American Journal of Fisheries
Management. 28:993-1000.
Slaughter, J.E. IV*, R.A. Wright, and D.R. DeVries. 2004. The effects of age-0 body size on the
predictive ability of a largemouth bass bioenergetics model. Transactions of the
American Fisheries Society 133:279-291.
Micucci, S.M., J.E. Garvey, R.A. Wright, and R.A. Stein. 2003. Individual growth and foraging
responses of age-0 largemouth bass to mixed prey assemblages during winter.
Environmental Biology of Fishes 67:157-168.
Garvey J.E, D.R. Devries, R.A. Wright, J.G. Miner. 2003. Energetic adaptations along a broad
latitudinal gradient: implications for widely distributed assemblages. Bioscience 53 (2):
141-150.
Garvey, J.E., R.A. Wright, R.A. Stein, and K.H. Ferry. 2000. Evaluating how local- and
regional-scale processes interact to regulate growth of age-0 largemouth bass.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 129:1044-1059.
Fullerton, A.H., James E. Garvey, R.A. Wright, and Roy A. Stein. 2000. Overwinter Growth and
Survival of Largemouth Bass: Interactions among Size, Food, and Winter Duration.
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 129:1-12.
Wright, R.A., J.E. Garvey, A.H. Fullerton, and R.A. Stein. 1999. Predicting how winter affects
energetics of age-0 largemouth bass: how do current models fare?. Transactions of the
American Fisheries Society. 128:603-612.
Garvey, J.E., R.A. Wright, and R.A. Stein. 1998. Overwintering growth and survival of age-0
largemouth bass: revisiting the role of body size. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and
Aquatic Sciences. 55:2414-2424.
*
Indicates a student author
21
Curriculum Vitae- Cliff Webber
Dr. E. Cliff Webber has a Continuing Appointment as a Research Fellow in Aquatic Ecology,
Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University.
Research Duties
 1980-1998. Research on bioassessment methods in streams using fish and
macroinvertebrates; pesticide testing in pond mesocosms and littoral enclosures;
impacts of DDT on reservoir benthic communities;
 1990-1995. Co-leader, Hatch Project No. 845, Adaptation of Bioindices to assess
impact of nonpoint source pollution in Alabama streams;
 1991-1998. The effects of intensive forestry practices on stream biota;
 1995-2004. Co-leader, Project No. Ala-09-019. Bioassessment of Alabama Streams
and Reservoirs.
 2005-Present. Visiting Scientist-Project Leader monitoring Safe Harbor Agreement in
Chewacla Creek between Lake Ogletree and confluence with Moores Mill Creek.
Teaching Activities
 General Limnology (FISH 6320) in spring.
 Appointed to Graduate Faculty, 1996.
 Contributions to teaching experience: member of committee for one Ph.D. student,
two Master’s students; currently directing two Master’s student.
 Awarded teaching grant ($4,623) from Office Undergraduate Studies, 1996.
 Authored Limnology Web site for use by students, 1997.
Extension and Outreach Activities
 State: Consulting with industry, U. S. Army; Workshops with local city officials on
erosion and sedimentation; Alabama Water Watch Workshops.
 National: Invited member task force on use of “pond mesocosms” to test ecosystemlevel effects of pesticides- US EPA, 1986; Member task force on use of “littoral
enclosures” for testing pesticides- US EPA-Duluth. 1987. Co-taught course on
Stream Restoration and Bioassessment, 2003.
 International: Taught Aquatic Ecology for Aquaculture Training Program in Dept.
of Fisheries.
Service Activities (University, College, Department)
 Department, Fisheries Mgt./Ecology Group 1996-04; Chair, Faculty Welfare
 College, Library Committee, Chair 1994-96; Library Committee, 1996-98.
 University, Library Committee, 1994-96.
Authored or co-authored:
7 Refereed Journal Articles
10 Papers at Professional Meetings
22
1 Published proceedings
8 Invited Lectures
54 Technical Reports
1 AL Agric.Exp. Station Publ.
11 Published Abstracts
Selected Publications:
Webber, E. C., D. R. Bayne and W. C. Seesock. 1989. Macroinvertebrate communities
In Wheeler Reservoir (Alabama) tributaries after prolonged exposure to DDT
contamination. Hydrobiologia 183: 141-155.
Webber, E. C., W. G. Deutsch, D. R. Bayne and W. C. Seesock 1992. Ecosystem-level
testing of a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide in aquatic mesocosms. Environ.
Toxicol. Chem. 11(1): 87-105.
Webber, E. C., D. R. Bayne and W. C. Seesock. 1989. DDT contamination of
benthic macroinvertebrates from tributaries of Wheeler Reservoir, Alabama.
Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18:728-733.
McGregor, M. A., D. R. Bayne, J. G. Steeger, E. C. Webber and E. Reutebuch. 1996.
The potential for biological control of water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora) by
the water primrose flea beetle (Lysanthia ludoviciana) in the southeastern United
States. J. Aquatic Plant Mgt. 34:74-76.
Michael, J. L., E. Cliff Webber Jr., D. R. Bayne, J. B. Fischer, H. L. Gibbs and W. C.
Seesock. 1999. Hexazinone dissipation in forest ecosystems and impacts on
aquatic communities. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 29: 1-12.
Bennett, H. H., M. W. Mullen, P. M. Stewart, J. A. Sawyer and E. C. Webber. 2003.
Development of an Invertebrate Community Index for an Alabama Coastal Plain
Watershed. J. Am. Water Resources Association. In Press.
Grants and Contracts Received1
 Total of 54 Projects; Total dollars in excess of $ 3 million over a 22 year career
including examples listed below.
 1999-04. $17,000 grant from Troy State University for bioassessment of tributaries to
Choctawhatchee River
 2001-03. $259,281 cooperative agreement with cities of Opelika, Auburn and West
Point Stevens for study of nutrient and sediment loading in Sougahatchee Creek
Watershed and effects on biota.
 2003-04. $47,411 cooperative agreement with Auburn Water Board for stream
gaging studies on Chewacla Creek.
 2004-2007. $257,497 US Environmental Protection Agency grant for stream
restoration of Parkerson Mill Creek on the AU campus. Research needed to restore
streams in Piedmont using appropriate data for meander width, riffle-pool ratio and
other aspects of stream morphology and function.
1
Contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements either written by Webber, or jointly with Dr.
David Bayne, Co-leader; or Webber directed the research.
23
R. Training Potential: This project will provide direct support for one Masters Student (9
months) and one undergraduate student (3 months at 10 hrs/week). The proposed project will
also be closely integrated with one externally funded project recently obtained by the PI’s, and
another proposed project (under review) that are examing thermal tolerances and oxygen
requirements of a range of fish and crayfish species. These additional projects are expected to
fund an additional two graduate students, and two undergraduate technicians. By closely working
together, graduate and undergraduate students will learn state of the art respirometry techniques
for fish, crayfish, and mussels as well as a new, non-lethal, thermal tolerance screening assay
that measures ETS enzyme activity. Students will also learn field techniques for collecting fish,
crayfish, and mussels, as well as basic water quality monitoring. Graduate students will gain
supervisory experience as they help supervise undergraduates in field and laboratory studies.
Undergraduate and graduate students will also be given the opportunity to present their findings
at Auburn University and professional research conferences, respectively. Graduate students
will also take a leading role in writing final reports associated with this project as well as
preparation of manuscripts to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Graduate student(s)
associated with this project are expected to graduate with M.S. degree(s) in May 2017.
Undergraduate(s) hired for the proposed study will be juniors and/or seniors and expected to
graduate with a B.S. in 2016 or 2017. All students will graduate with degrees from the School of
Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences.
24
Budget
WATER RESOOURCES RESEARCH PROJECT
FISCAL YEAR
Proposed Starting Date: March 1, 2015
Proposed Completion Date: April 30, 2016
Project Title: EVALUATION OF THERMAL AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN STRESS TO
FRESHWATER MUSSELS IN A SAFE HARBOR / CRITICAL HABITAT REACH OF AN
ALABAMA STREAM
Principle Investigators: James Stoeckel, Cliff Webber, Dennis Devries, Rusty Wright, SFAAS
Cost Categories
Federal
1.
Salaries & Wages
Principal Investigator(s)
No. ___?__ Man Months
Graduate Student(s)
No. _9____ Man Months
11,700
Undergraduate Students
No. _130___ man hours
1300
Estimated Costs
Non-Federal
Total
$30,400
$30,400
9600
9600
$20,000
$60,000
TOTAL SALARIES & WAGES
2.
Fringe Benefits
456
3.
Supplies
4874
4.
Equipment
5.
Subcontracts/Consultants
6.
Travel
500
7.
Other Direct Costs
1170
8.
Total Direct Costs
9.
Indirect Costs
10.
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST
$20,000
25
Budget Justification
We request the following federal funds through AWRI:
$4,874 for supplies including respirometry O2 sensor spots, respirometry chambers, ETS assay
reagents, liquid nitrogen, sample vials, cuvettes, glassware, general miscellaneous laboratory
supplies, and report preparation.
$500 in Travel funds for trips from May - February between North Auburn and sampling sites at
Chewacla Creek to collect and tag mussels, collect tissue samples, deploy and collect
temperature loggers, and monitor DO.
$1170 in Other Direct Costs for tuition reimbursement to Auburn University at a rate of 10% of
annual graduate stipend(s).
26