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Geology topics

Matthew Ross Acre

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew Ross Acre.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2026

Identifying overlap between native fish movements and a possible seasonal Grass Carp deterrent in the Sandusky River, Ohio, USA

Riverine fishes are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation caused by interrupted access to vital habitats. Fragmentation using artificial structures can be used to limit the spread of invasive fishes by inhibiting movement between critical habitats. Thus, tradeoffs exist between maintaining connectivity for native species and restricting movement of invasive fishes. A nonphysical deterrent has been proposed to prevent invasive Grass Carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) from reaching spawning habitats in the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, during late spring–summer. However, this timing overlaps with spawning periods of a suite of native fishes. We used acoustic telemetry and ichthyoplankton surveys to examine movement and spawning activity of multiple native species and to assess potential impacts of deterrent operation on reproduction. All species used the proposed deterrent location during the Grass Carp spawning period, and their movements corresponded with larval fish collections, indicating upstream spawning. These findings suggest the deterrent could unintentionally restrict native species’ access to essential habitats. Balancing habitat connectivity and invasive species control will likely depend on species-specific responses and careful timing of deterrent operation.

Ohio↗
USGS2026

Beyond technical expertise: The role of mindset, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills in the development of fisheries professionals

Objective Recognized as essential components for success, mindset and inter- and intrapersonal skills (often referred to as soft skills) play a crucial role in the growth and effectiveness of individuals throughout their careers. Individuals with strong inter- and intrapersonal skills and a mindset open to growth can efficiently navigate complex challenges that may involve working with diverse stakeholder groups, managing interdisciplinary teams, or resolving conflicts in ways that allow them to excel beyond their technical skill sets. Although formal education of natural resources professionals (and many other professions) generally prioritizes technical skills, cultivating inter- and intrapersonal skills and a growth mindset is critical to success. Methods Drawing on presentations and discussion from an early-career symposium at the 2023 American Fisheries Society Conference, we summarize skill sets valuable for success in fisheries and natural resources. Results We provide an overview of the roles mindset and inter- and intrapersonal skills have in developing a career, how to use these competencies to navigate natural resources professions, and actions for enhancing personal skills. This paper aims to provide a compendium of information and lessons learned from natural resources professionals with diverse experiences and to emphasize familiar concepts to help formalize their discussion in the fisheries profession. Conclusion Fisheries and other natural resource fields have become increasingly interdisciplinary, necessitating a broad suite of skills to effectively communicate across disciplines, convey multiple data types, and make decisions to address complex problems. Inter- and intrapersonal skill sets are foundational to successfully navigating the fisheries profession. Moreover, personal skills transcend our profession into our everyday lives, thus strengthening personal skills is a worthy endeavor.

Fisheries↗
USGS2026

Beyond barriers: Fish assemblage recovery following dam removal on the Cuyahoga River, a Lake Erie tributary

Dam removals are increasing globally, yet ecological outcomes vary widely because biological recovery depends on post-removal connectivity and access to source populations. We evaluated how multiple dam removals and remaining fragmentation influenced fish assemblage recovery in the Cuyahoga River (OH, United States), a historically polluted Great Lakes tributary now undergoing extensive remediation and restoration. Using fish assemblage data collected from 1984 to 2024 across reaches downstream, within, and upstream of the Gorge Plant Dam (GPD), an 18-m barrier slated for removal, we quantified spatial and temporal change with ordination, trajectory, and distance-based redundancy analyses. Downstream assemblages showed a clear shift through time and gained 15 newly detected taxa after the 2020 Brecksville Dam removal increased longitudinal connectivity to Lake Erie by 39 river kilometers, more than doubling free-flowing habitat below GPD. In contrast, assemblages upstream of GPD exhibited limited change and patterns consistent with redistribution of resident species rather than colonization-driven turnover. Across the full time series, site position relative to GPD and the rate of dam removal were the strongest predictors of assemblage variation, with habitat gradients (e.g. depth, velocity, turbidity, and canopy cover) further differentiating reaches. Together, these results show that connectivity and barrier position shape assemblage recovery following dam removal. Most newly detected taxa downstream were native, though three were nonnative, indicating trade-offs between recolonization and nonnative spread.

Ohio↗
USGS2026

Restoration in motion: Expanded migration and distribution of silver redhorse Moxostoma anisurum and shorthead redhorse M. macrolepidotum

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to migratory species. Dams are a common form of fragmentation, and recent restoration efforts around the Great Lakes have prioritized dam removal. We used acoustic telemetry to describe migratory movements of two redhorse species in the Sandusky and Cuyahoga rivers, Ohio, USA in relationship to habitat reconnection. Shorthead redhorse ( Moxostoma macrolepidotum ) typically migrated from both rivers into Lake Erie between May and July, moving 40–248 km straight-line distance from the river before returning the following spring. We recorded individual cumulative distances up to 809 km between spawning seasons. Shorthead redhorse demonstrated tributary fidelity, but individuals from both rivers co-occurred along southern Lake Erie. Silver redhorse ( M. anisurum ) largely remained in their tagging tributary watersheds year-round. Cuyahoga River silver redhorse moved upstream from March to April 28.8 km on average and passed upstream of the historical Brecksville Dam (removed in 2020), occasionally reaching the next upstream dam. Telemetry data revealed redhorse use of newly available habitat upstream of dam removals and previously undescribed long-range adfluvial migration by shorthead redhorse.

Ohio↗
USGS2026

Unexpected appetites: Metabarcoding reveals grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) foraging behaviors in the Great Lakes

Grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) are herbivorous fish introduced to North America in the 1960s, and they are now established throughout the Mississippi River basin and Laurentian Great Lakes. Despite increasingly intensified management efforts, limited information exists on their foraging ecology. We used DNA metabarcoding to characterize the gut contents of grass carp captured from 2019 to 2022 to evaluate spatial, temporal, and environmental patterns in diet composition across Lake Erie and Lake Michigan. Contrary to long-standing assumptions that grass carp primarily consume submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), results from Lake Erie’s western and central basins revealed a diet dominated by terrestrial and terrestrial-wetland plant genera, including maples ( Acer ), willows ( Salix ), cottonwoods ( Populus ), and nightshades ( Solanum ). In contrast, fish harvested from Lake Erie’s eastern basin and Lake Michigan tributaries consumed more SAV, particularly pondweeds like Potamogeton and Stuckenia . Diet composition varied by basin, river, and year, but not by ploidy (diploid vs. triploid). Distance-based redundancy analyses identified environmental variables as drivers of diet variability. These findings reframe previous risk assessments which were based on diets from small artificial environments, suggesting greater dietary plasticity and revealing previously overlooked terrestrial-aquatic food web connections. Results presented here could inform management actions and sampling locations. Understanding grass carp foraging behavior in invaded systems can provide a critical tool for refining removal strategies, preventing further expansion, and improving future ecological risk assessments.

Great Lakes↗
USGS2025

Dead giveaway: Rising mortality rates suggest effectiveness of Lake Erie grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) response

Grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) are large, invasive fish that threaten Lake Erie’s economy and ecosystem. Incidental catches of grass carp have occurred since the 1980s in Lake Erie, while multi-day removal events were carried out in 2014 and 2017. To mitigate ecosystem impacts, a large-scale, multi-agency response to remove as many grass carp as possible from the Lake Erie basin (“strike teams”) began in 2018 and has increased every year. To date, total annual removals of fish has been the primary measure of progress; however, total annual removals do not indicate how efforts are affecting the grass carp population. Population vital rates, such as mortality rate, can indicate population demographic changes and may provide an alternative approach to measure how removals have impacted the grass carp population. We estimated annual mortality rates using 553 grass carp, representing 82.9 % of all grass carp removed in the Lake Erie basin, using a hierarchical catch-curve model and catch-at-age data from 2014 to 2022. Annual average mortality rates were initially low (4.3 %) and increased between 2017 and 2022 with the highest mortality (13.6 %) observed in 2021. Positive correlations between mortality and the number of fish harvested per year suggest that removals may be driving increases in the grass carp mortality rate. This increase in mortality rate shows promise for controlling the spread of grass carp within the Lake Erie ecosystem. This research supports the needs of fishery managers to better understand grass carp population dynamics and the adaptive management framework identified in the Lake Erie Grass Carp Adaptive Response Strategy.

Lake Erie↗
USGS2025

Long-term surgery survival, body condition effects, and incision healing of Silver Carp and buffalo species comparing sedation methods across seasons

Objective Internal tagging for telemetry studies requires invasive surgery procedures, necessitating sufficient sedation to support animal welfare. Challenges with existing chemical sedatives have resulted in technological alternatives, including electrosedation, with these newer methods less extensively studied. Our primary objective was to understand long-term survival, body-condition effects, and incision healing after surgical implantation of an imitation telemetry transmitter under three different sedation techniques. Methods We collected Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and buffalo Ictiobus spp. from the Missouri River watershed in 2022 and 2023, during each of the four seasons. One of three sedation techniques was applied: electric fish handling gloves, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), and eugenol. Additionally, we observed a group of fish that were unsedated but subjected to handling similar to that experienced during surgery. Fish were monitored to determine the effects of treatment, individual characteristics, surgery characteristics, and time-varying environmental factors on survival, body condition, and incision healing over 69- to 85-d holding periods. Results Long-term survival was higher for buffalo (86%) than Silver Carp (57%), with the fewest mortalities during the winter trial and most in summer, but sedation treatment did not affect survival. Smaller fish had a greater risk of mortality but better incision healing. Incision healing scores improved in warmer temperatures. Conclusions Difference in seasonal effects on survival and healing indicate a need to consider trade-offs when scheduling tagging for projects. However, a lack of difference in survival among treatments, including the group that was handled but did not undergo surgery, suggests no advantage of one sedative over another, but handling impacts may require more consideration.

Transactions of the American Fishery Society↗
USGS2025

Optimizing per vessel hour capture efficiency for rare, heterogeneously distributed fishes: Invasive grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella in the Sandusky River

Natural resources management is often concerned with conserving rare-native or controlling rare-invasive fishes. Informing and assessing conservation and control efforts frequently requires information from captures. When little is understood about spatial and temporal fish distributions, captures can be infrequent and costly. If successful management depends on effective management response, optimizing for efficiency may be the difference between success and failure. We compared per vessel hour capture efficiencies for invasive grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) between two methods: electrofishing-only (electrofishing) and in combination with a trammel net (combination). Capture and effort information including 174 captures from 1853 capture attempts from 1706 total hours of effort in the Sandusky River, OH, USA from 2020–2023 was used to fit a generalized linear model. Captures were allowed to vary by river kilometer, month, and year to account for unequal capture rates and effort. Captures were offset by total vessel hours or the count of independent efforts to compare methods that prioritize detection at a single location (e.g., combination) to methods that prioritize exploiting more locations (e.g., electrofishing). Including trammel nets was intended to increase single site detection, but we found that electrofishing-only was at least 2.4x more efficient (catch per vessel hour) than when combined with a trammel net with no significant difference in catch per removal effort. Complex methods intended to increase single site detection may reduce the number of efforts completed. Therefore, overall capture efficiency and total capture numbers for rare fish may be increased through methods that prioritize per-hour efficiency.

Ohio↗
USGS2025

Meta-analysis of a megafish: Assessing patterns and predictors of Alligator Gar movement across multiple populations

Background Freshwater megafishes are among some of the most commercially and ecologically important aquatic organisms yet are disproportionately threatened with range and population reduction. Anthropogenic alterations of rivers influencing migrations are among the most significant causes for these declines. However, migratory fishes do not always respond similarly to movement barriers and thus it is necessary to develop models to predict movements of freshwater migratory fishes in the face of anthropogenic alteration. Predicting movement of freshwater fishes is often investigated using statistical packages. However, empirical studies assessing these packages have led to mixed results, questioning its applicability to all taxa. We argue that spatial, temporal, and environmental attributes are more influential for movement of a migratory megafish, the Alligator Gar ( Atractosteus spatula ), than the current parameters explored in a globally relevant fish movement model. Methods This study explored two independent mobile telemetry datasets investigating Alligator Gar movement on the Brazos and Trinity rivers. Environmental associations were investigated to predict Alligator Gar displacement and dispersal using generalized additive models, generalized linear models, and model selection. Leptokurtosis of Alligator Gar populations was also assessed. Predictability of the movement model was tested by comparing observed to model derived stationary and mobile components making up a leptokurtic movement distribution. Results Our study suggests that current and antecedent measures of discharge and water temperature are positively correlated with Alligator Gar displacement and dispersal. However, these patterns are only detectable when monthly relocation intervals are explored rather than seasonal scales. Leptokurtosis was observed in both Alligator Gar populations. However, movement was normally distributed (i.e., mesokurtic) under tracking events following high flood pulses. Additionally, predicted Alligator Gar movement was significantly farther under modeled values compared to observed values, in part because the species undergoes cyclical migrations for reproduction that are sensitive to water temperature and discharge. Discussion In conclusion, this study provides an alternative framework to assess the movement patterns of migratory fishes, which could be tested on additional freshwater fishes, and suggests that assessing spatial, environmental, and temporal processes simultaneously are necessary to capture the complexities of fish movement which currently are unavailable for the movement model we investigated.

Texas↗
USGS2025

Reproductive biology of invasive grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in two North American systems

Grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) are nonnative, herbivorous freshwater fish that represent an ecological threat in North American waters. However, data are limited on reproductive biology specific to wild populations in midwestern North America, despite recent concern for grass carp establishment within the Great Lakes. Basic information on reproductive traits could be useful to determine reproductive potential, inform future population modelling and provide information to aid control efforts. Our objectives were to evaluate grass carp age-at-maturity, spawning season timing, fecundity type, developmental timing and spawning strategy. Additionally, we evaluated the reliability of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) as a proxy for identifying mature grass carp and compared body condition across study areas. We sampled grass carp in portions of the Mississippi River watershed within the state of Missouri and within the Lake Erie basin. Based on gonad histological samples ( n = 274), grass carp are batch spawners with indeterminate fecundity and asynchronous ovarian developmental timing. This allows flexibility in their spawning, exemplified by a protracted spawning season in Lake Erie (April to November) in temperatures ranging from 12.3 to 27.3°C. Minimum observed age-at-maturity for females in Missouri and for both males and females in the Lake Erie population was age-3 and age-2 for males in Missouri. Accuracy of GSI as a measure of maturity during the spawning season was 89.7% and 87.5%, for females and males, respectively. Compared to Missouri, grass carp in Lake Erie had a significantly higher body condition, and females ready to spawn had significantly higher GSI values, suggesting that the grass carp in Lake Erie are healthier and more fecund relative to Missouri and, if left uncontrolled, potentially have a high probability of establishment within the Great Lakes. The results of this study will allow managers to identify the reproductive status of grass carp in the field and more accurately estimate populations and reproductive potential.

Michigan, Missouri, Ohio↗
USGS2025

Fish-assemblage evaluation in the lower Sandusky River, Ohio, following dam removal

The Sandusky River, Ohio, USA, has experienced more than a century of alterations, including dam implementation and removal, causing a cascade of habitat changes. The physical changes in the river led to establishment of several invasive species. Ten hoop-net sampling sites, spaced about 500 m apart were established in the river to monitor fish assemblage and their habitat preferences. Four 10-d sampling events were completed from April through October 2021. Ordination analyses were used to assess fish-assemblage structure seasonably, species-habitat relationships, and life-history strategies of 31 species. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to assess temporal factors that may drive diversity and community assemblage. Models indicated increased species richness after removal of the dam. Presence and proportion of catch data were compared to Ohio Environmental Protection Agency 2009 pre-dam-removal data to further assess changes in fish assemblage. Several species, especially catostomids, have begun to use the habitat downstream of the former dam, altering fish assemblage throughout the river. We expect shifts in assemblage structure to persist, making continued monitoring essential for understanding how non-native and recreationally important species continue to respond to dam removal.

Ohio↗
USGS2025

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) movement states and backwater use can inform removal efforts

Expansion of grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) within the Laurentian Great Lakes poses significant ecological and economic risks. Suppression efforts to remove grass carp have increased to curtail population growth, but capture efficiency remains low. One management challenge is the lack of understanding how this invasive species is using its novel habitats in the Great Lakes. This study aimed to identify spatiotemporal patterns in grass carp behavior and backwater use that could be exploited by management efforts, including removal. We used acoustic telemetry to examine when grass carp occurred in areas vulnerable to removal by boat electrofishing in the Sandusky River, Ohio, USA. Hidden Markov models were used to categorize behavioral states and evaluate their relationships with environmental factors. Best performing 2-state and 3-state hidden Markov models included proximity to backwater as a factor in state-dependent step length and transition probability between states, with a higher probability of being in less mobile states during the middle of the day and in backwaters. For the 2-state model, this less mobile state was also more common during warmer temperatures. Distinct diel patterns and backwater use identified in this study provide critical insights for improving management. Model results suggest that current removal efforts, focused primarily on the mainstem of the river, may benefit from adjustments in both timing and removal gear. The findings raise further questions about unobserved behaviors contributing to state assignment and sufficiently flexible adaptive management strategies to account for individual variation in grass carp behavior.

Ohio↗
USGS2024

Side-scan sonar as a tool for measuring fish populations: Current state of the science and future directions

Side-scan sonar (SSS) is a powerful tool that can be used to address many key questions in fisheries science. In principle, SSS uses dual transducers to transmit a narrow-beam, wide-angle acoustic signal as the survey vessel transits an area. The intensity of reflected sound is recorded to generate an image mosaic comprised of benthic substrates and targets in the water column, including organisms such as fish. Although SSS has been around for decades, recent advancements have opened new opportunities to leverage this technology to directly measure fish populations. In this paper, we review the current state of the science and identify opportunities to further refine SSS for fisheries applications.

Fisheries↗
USGS2024

A multiscale perspective for improving conservation of Conchos pupfish

Desert spring systems of the American southwest hold high local fish endemism and are ranked among the most threatened ecosystems in the world. The prioritization of conservation resources to protect species living within these arid landscapes requires knowledge of species abundance and distribution. The plight of Conchos pupfish ( Cyprinodon eximius ) is representative of freshwater fishes the world over, including population extirpations caused by human poisoning of streams and reservoir construction, to the extent that the species was once considered extinct in the USA. We developed a distance-sampling framework to monitor Conchos pupfish abundance and coupled this approach with species distribution modeling to guide conservation actions. Our multiscale approach included surveying abundances within 5-m transects at three reaches of the Devils River, where the last known USA populations persist. We combined this fine-scale analysis with species distribution modeling for stream segments across the range of the species in Mexico and USA. Modeling revealed Conchos pupfish abundance among transects was negatively correlated with current velocity and detection was negatively correlated with water depth. Estimated abundance at a reach where the species was previously reintroduced was greater than other reaches combined in November 2019, lowest in March 2021 when reach water levels were very low, then equivalent with other reaches by October 2021 after water returned to the reach. Modeled Conchos pupfish distribution illustrated a high probability of occurrence on the periphery of the species' overall range within Texas, USA and broadly across Chihuahua, Mexico, where proposed protected areas might benefit the species. Our study provides conservation guidance by establishing (1) baseline and trajectory values for abundance, (2) transect locations where abundances might be managed within existing protected areas, (3) reaches where high abundances could be used for future repatriation, and (4) stream segments where future surveys might be conducted to assess conservation opportunities.

Animal Conservation↗
USGS2024

Capturing potential: Leveraging grass carp behavior Ctenopharyngodon idella for enhanced removal

Effective management of invasive species benefits from a comprehensive understanding of the species’ behavior and interactions with the invaded system. We investigated temporal dynamics of telemetry detections and the potential utility of a traitor approach for informing response efforts to the invasive grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) population in the Sandusky River, a major tributary to Lake Erie. Telemetered grass carp exhibited heightened activity at night and early morning, suggesting that capture and removal be more effective during these time periods. Analysis of catch per unit effort (CPUE) across different removal methods, trammel nets, electrofishing, and hoop nets. suggested that incorporating the traitor approach could improve capture. Low catchability values (<0.026), based on the number of telemetered grass carp present in the river on a weekly basis and the number of those telemetered fish captured, suggest the species is difficult to capture. Optimizing response effort efficiency is important and refining catchability estimates will lessen errors in population models and improve interpretation of low CPUE data. Results from generalized additive models suggest capture could be improved using telemetry data, night removals, and by attempting exploratory removal efforts in fall and winter months. By incorporating telemetry data and acknowledging the complexities of grass carp behavior and ecology, we found that a multifaceted and data-driven approach to invasive species control could be beneficial, ultimately promoting conservation and sustainability in dynamic ecosystems like Lake Erie.

Ohio↗
USGS2023

Scale-dependent tradeoffs between habitat and time in explaining Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) movement

Ecological theory predicts that movement by riverine fishes at the population level is characterized by both stationary and mobile individuals together creating a leptokurtic distribution of movement distances. However, studies testing this theory typically ignore spatial heterogeneity in riverscapes, and the theory has not been tested using Alligator Gar ( Atractosteus spatula ), a species of growing interest among anglers and fisheries managers alike. We characterized movements and habitat associations of Alligator Gar in the Brazos River, Texas, at fine (every 2 h for 24 h) and coarse (every month for 16 months) spatiotemporal scales. We tested for the presence of leptokurtosis and relationships between movement distance, habitat dissimilarity, and time-at-large using multivariate and univariate statistical approaches. Dispersal by Alligator Gar revealed leptokurtosis at the coarse scale but not the fine scale. At the fine scale, mixed effects quantile regression revealed there was no relationship between habitat dissimilarity and dispersal distance, but dispersal was positively correlated with time. At the coarse scale, dispersal was positively correlated with increased habitat dissimilarity and time, but only for the most mobile individuals. Our work suggests that short-term movements by riverine Alligator Gar during warm seasons and at base flows increased with time but were unrelated to habitat, and long-term movements over an annual cycle during warm season flow pulses revealed highly mobile members of the population accessed distant and novel floodplain environments.

Environmental Biology of Fishes↗
USGS2023

Silver carp herding: A telemetry evaluation of efficacy and implications for design and application

Removal of invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix is a primary control action in North America. Strong avoidance responses to underwater sound and electricity have been shown to facilitate herding and mass removal of these fish. We conducted a telemetry study on a closed population of Silver Carp (i.e., 10 telemetered fish) to assess fine-scale movement responses to herding stimuli. Two herding boats traveled along bank-to-bank transects through the study area (longitudinal progression rate = 0.37 m/s) emitting sound and electricity (“combination technique”) or no added stimuli (“control”). The combination technique was most effective in terms of increasing fish presence (2.2 x the control) in the refuge-zones when herding had concluded and effective range (i.e., fish reaction distance; 1.6 x the control) relative to the herding boats. Fish median (~1 m/s) and maximum (~2 m/s) swimming velocity was relatively stable across fixed effects, except for the negative influence of water depth on maximum velocity. Water depth also exhibited a negative effect on fish reaction distance. Our results suggest effective range of the combination technique was conservatively 200 m (~20 dB re 1 μPa > ambient level) when accounting for water depth in the study area. Herding deployments less than 1 m/s (longitudinal progression) could control fish passing and maintain fish movements towards an intended location. Information provided herein can serve to assist planning, design, and application of herding efforts used to manage, control, and remove these invasive fish.

Kentucky↗