Papers by Theresa Sinicrope Talley
We combined a natural experiment with field surveys and GIS to investigate the effects of dust fr... more We combined a natural experiment with field surveys and GIS to investigate the effects of dust from recreational trails and access roads on the federally threatened Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (''VELB,'' Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) and its host plant, elderberry (Sambucus mexicana). Dust is listed in the species recovery plan as a threat to the VELB and unpaved surfaces are common throughout the riparian corridors where the VELB lives, yet the effects of dust on the VELB have been untested. We found that
<p>The map was adapted from a Creative Commons 3.0 image from Wikimedia Commons.</p
PloS one, 2016
A combination of historical bivalve surveys spanning 30-50 years and contemporary sampling were u... more A combination of historical bivalve surveys spanning 30-50 years and contemporary sampling were used to document the changes in bivalve community structure over time at four southern California and one northern Baja California estuaries. While there are limitations to the interpretation of historic data, we observed generally similar trends of reduced total bivalve species richness, losses of relatively large and/or deeper-dwelling natives, and gains of relatively small, surface dwelling introduced species across the southern California estuaries, despite fairly distinct bivalve communities. A nearly 50-year absence of bivalves from two wetlands surveyed in a Baja California estuary continued. A combination of site history and current characteristics (e.g., location, depth) likely contributes to maintenance of distinct communities, and both episodic and gradual environmental changes likely contribute to within-estuary temporal shifts (or absences). We highlight future research neede...
Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, Aug 29, 2016
Biological Invasions, Sep 4, 2013
ABSTRACT The escape of ornamental plants is a main pathway of invasion into many ecosystems. Non-... more ABSTRACT The escape of ornamental plants is a main pathway of invasion into many ecosystems. Non-native plants can alter basal resources and abiotic factors leading to effects that ripple throughout an ecosystem. Invertebrates mediate these effects—responding quickly to abiotic and primary producer changes and, in turn, influencing other species. Invasions are of particular concern in the coastal sage scrub ecosystems of Southern California, where habitat loss and urban encroachment increase invasive species propagule sources and decrease native community resistance. The introduced annual Chrysanthemum coronarium (crown daisy) is a common invader with largely undocumented community-level effects. Our study tested the relationships between the invasive Chrysanthemum and a coastal scrub invertebrate community using a field study at the Tijuana River Estuary. We found similar or lower abundances and diversity of canopy fauna in the presence of Chrysanthemum. Community composition dramatically differed, however, in the presence Chrysanthemum, which was associated with higher abundances of dipterans, wasps and flower beetles, and lower abundances of hemipterans and thysanopterans than native shrubs. Differences in communities were consistent at the species- and order-levels, and were associated with the generally greater plant biomass and shadier conditions afforded by the natives. This study reveals that even a proportionally small amount of Chrysanthemum may shift the invertebrate community through alterations of abiotic properties and plant biomass. We recommend that Chrysanthemum be removed at the first sign of invasion or that spread is prevented since effects on the invertebrate community are dramatic and occur quickly.
PLOS ONE, Mar 18, 2020
The extent to which small plastics and potentially associated compounds are entering coastal food... more The extent to which small plastics and potentially associated compounds are entering coastal food webs, especially in estuarine systems, is only beginning to be realized. This study examined an estuarine reach at the mouth of urbanized Chollas Creek in San Diego, California to determine: 1) the extent and magnitude of microplastics pollution in estuarine sediments and fish, 2) the extent and magnitude of SVOC contamination in estuarine fish, and 3) whether fish preferentially ingested certain types of microplastics, when compared with the microplastic composition of creekbed sediments. Surface sediments (0-5 cm depth) contained about 10,000 small plastic pieces per m 2 , consisting mostly (90%) of fibers, and hard and soft pieces. Nearly 25% of fish contained small plastics, but prevalence varied with size and between species. Of the 25 types of small plastics found in sediment, fish preferred about 10 types (distinct colors and forms). Several SVOCs, both water soluble and sediment-associated compounds, were found in the two species of fish tested. This study revealed that a species' natural history may influence contamination levels, and warrants further study to better understand the pathways of plastics and associated contaminants into and throughout coastal food webs, and the potential health risks for small and/or low-trophic level organisms.
Estuaries, Mar 1, 1998
Environmental attributes (vegetation and sediment properties) of and macrofaunal community struct... more Environmental attributes (vegetation and sediment properties) of and macrofaunal community structuce in sediments of five southern California Spartinafoliosa marshes (San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Upper Newport Bay, Bolsa Chica Lagoon, and Anaheim Bay) were examined during October 1994. Macro faunal densities in Pacific S.Jbliosa marshes (avg. 122,268 indiv, m ~ > 300 Ixm) were 3 to 10 times higher than observed in Atlantic S. alterniflora and S. anglica marshes. The macrofauna of S. Jblita'a marshes was composed mainly of enchytraeid, naidid, and tubificid oligochaetes (66%), with the enchytraeids donfinant at all sites except Bolsa Chica Lagoon. Polychaetes, insects, and peracarid crustaceans accounted fnr most of the remaining fanna. Multivariate analyses indicated greatest fauual similarity between the two southernmost marshes (Mission Bay and San Diego Bay), and between Anaheim and Newport Bay marshes, with Bolsa Chica Lagoon exhibiting a distinct assemblage. There were strong positive associations of faunal abundance and composition with percent organic matter and percent open area, and negative associations with percent sand mad dry weight of algae. For the vegetated marsh in Mission Bay, faunal comparisons were made with an adjacent mudllat mid with a S. alterniflora marsh in North Carolina, USA. The unvegetated mudflat exhibited similar macrofaunal densities but higher species richness than the adjacent Spartilm marsh. The macrofamml assemblage of the Mission Bay 5. Joliosa marsh differed from that of the Atlantic S. alterniflora marsh and the Pacific mudilat in having a greater proportion of oligochaetes, especially Enchytraeidae, and fewer polychaetes. This study represents the first published description that we are aware of for macrofauna in S. Jbliosa vegetated marsh sediments. The iindings document faunal variation among southern California embayments and suggest that differences in macrobenthic conuntmity structure occur hetween marsh mid mudflat habitat as well as between east and west coast Spartina marshes. Observed differences may have signiticant implications for wetland conservation and restoration efforts.
The scientific knowledge and technologies needed to attempt marine stock enhancement have grown i... more The scientific knowledge and technologies needed to attempt marine stock enhancement have grown in recent decades, yet contributions of many enhancement programs to wild stocks generally remain low. Additionally, enhancement programs are often less effective than they could be in contributing to associated social, economic and management objectives due to exclusion of non-science factors in program planning. An independent evaluation of a White Seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) enhancement program in California highlighted advances and shortfalls in a 30-year old, publicly funded program. While the program advanced the knowledge of biology and culture of White Seabass, it contributed <1% of fish caught in the state's fisheries. Further, the social and economic impacts of the program remained unassessed despite the potential significance of these impacts. The review highlighted the importance of regular, independent reviews to help stock enhancement programs achieve progress in meeting goals, and for adaptive management. In general, the California White Seabass enhancement program's success in meeting goals was dependent upon the existence of clear, agreed-upon goals and objectives; appropriate levels of funding; internal organizational cooperation; evidence of public benefit and support; improved assessment strategies; and unified, transparent messaging. Lessons learned from this review are applicable to other stock enhancement efforts.
Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education, Dec 1, 2021
T rash pollution is a ubiquitous, global problem with well-documented effects on coastal communit... more T rash pollution is a ubiquitous, global problem with well-documented effects on coastal communities and marine ecosystems (UNEP 2014; Rochman et al. 2016). Most trash found throughout watersheds and in lakes and oceans around the world originates from land (Rochman 2013). California is no exception, with trash collected during coastal cleanups dominated by single-use and plastic food containers and wrappers, tableware, bottles, bags, straws, and cigarette butts (CCC 2019), reflecting global trends (Ocean Conservancy 2020; Reddy
Elsevier eBooks, 2007
... Overall, S. quoianum has the potential to dramatically alter wetland ecosystems (Carlton 1979... more ... Overall, S. quoianum has the potential to dramatically alter wetland ecosystems (Carlton 1979,Talley et al. 2001). Locally, the increase in habitat heterogeneity created by isopod burrows can facilitate some suites of resident biota (while inhibiting others). ...
Ecology, Jun 1, 2007
Patches, gradients, and hierarchies are three common organizational frameworks for assessing the ... more Patches, gradients, and hierarchies are three common organizational frameworks for assessing the effects of spatial heterogeneity on species distributions. Since these frameworks are often chosen a priori, without knowledge of study systems, they may not correspond to the empirical heterogeneity present and may result in partial or erroneous conclusions about the forces structuring species distributions. I tested the consequences of choosing particular frameworks and whether patch heterogeneity structured patchily distributed populations of the valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus) along four rivers in California's Central Valley (USA). A comparison of the three approaches revealed that each led to incomplete conclusions about controls on the beetle's distribution and populations. Patch analysis revealed weak effects of patch size and quality, and high unexplained variance, which likely reveals large amounts of stochasticity since replication was high. The patch analysis therefore concluded that distributions consistent with patch dynamic structures like classic metapopulation, source-sink, and mainland-island models existed in the different rivers. Conversely, gradient analyses revealed a gradientdistribution pattern responding to continuous and often large-scale variables, such as hostplant age or size, water availability, and the presence of an invasive leguminous tree; again most variance in beetle occurrence remained unexplained. Hierarchical analysis identified the natural spatial patterns of the system but gave no indication of causal processes. The combination of all three approaches explained the maximum variance in beetle occurrence, through inclusion of a comprehensive list of explanatory variables, multiple spatial scales, various types of heterogeneity, and a focus on the scales at which beetle-environment interactions were strongest. Surprisingly, these results still supported the notion that the beetle exists as a metapopulation, a structure thought to be rare because it ignores habitat quality and landscape conditions. These analyses exemplify the simultaneous importance of local patch attributes and broad-scale and/or gradient variables that are commonly overlooked in patch studies. Importantly, some patch attributes acted over inter-patch scales, affecting the perception of patch distances and distributional extents. Only through the integration of frameworks was I able to decipher the system's complexity and see that all three types of heterogeneity were acting in the system, sometimes over unexpected scales.
Marine Biology, Mar 19, 2001
Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, Nov 1, 1999
Lack of basic understanding of ecosystem structure and function forms a major impediment to succe... more Lack of basic understanding of ecosystem structure and function forms a major impediment to successful conservation of coastal ecosystems. This paper provides a description of the fauna and examines faunal succession in Salicornia-vegetated sediments of southern California. Environmental attributes (vegetation and sediment properties) and macrofaunal (animals d0•3 mm) community structure were examined in sediments of five natural, southern California Salicornia spp. marshes (Tijuana Estuary, San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Upper Newport Bay and Anaheim Bay) and in created Salicornia marshes 16 months to 10 years in age, located within four of the bays. Oligochaetes and insects were the dominant taxa in both natural (71 to 98% of total fauna) and created (91 to 97%) marshes. In San Diego, Newport and Anaheim Bays, macrofaunal densities were generally higher in the created marshes (88 000 to 290 000 ind m 2) than in their natural counterparts (26 000 to 50 000 ind m 2). In the youngest system, Mission Bay, the reverse was true (natural: 113 000 vs created: 28 000 ind m 2). Similar species numbers were recorded from the created and adjacent natural marshes. Insects, especially chironomids, dolichopodids, and heleids, as well as the naidid oligochaete, Paranais litoralis, characterize early successional stages. Enchytraeid and tubificid oligochaetes reflect later succession evident in natural and older created marshes. Sediment organic matter (both combustible and below-ground plant biomass) was the environmental variable most commonly associated with densities of various macrofaunal taxa. These relationships were generally negative in the natural marshes and positive in the created marshes. Within-bay comparisons of macrofauna from natural Salicornia-vs Spartina-vegetated habitat in San Diego and Mission Bays revealed lower macrofaunal density (San Diego Bay only), proportionally fewer oligochaetes and more insects, and no differences in species richness in the Salicornia habitat. The oldest created Salicornia marsh (San Diego Bay) exhibited an assemblage intermediate in composition between those of the natural Salicornia-and Spartina-vegetated marshes. These results suggest: (a) faunal recovery following Salicornia marsh creation can require 10 or more years, (b) high macrofaunal variability among bays requires marsh creation reference site selection from within the same bay, and (c) Spartina-based research should not be used for Salicornia marsh management decisions.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2022
Contaminant concentrations in filter-feeding shellfish may indicate the health of coastal waters ... more Contaminant concentrations in filter-feeding shellfish may indicate the health of coastal waters and consumption risks. Widespread expansion of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and its popularity as food make it a useful sentinel. We surveyed intertidal Pacific oysters in San Diego Bay, California for contaminants during summer 2018 and winter 2019. We compared contaminants in Pacific oyster to California mussel from California's State Mussel Watch Program (1993-2003) and human consumption thresholds. Contaminants such as neonicotinoid and chlorinated pesticides, selenium, and several metals were higher in Pacific oysters in summer, while PBDEs, benzylbutyl phthalate, and plastics were higher in winter. Contaminant levels were generally lower in Pacific oyster than mussel except for copper and zinc. Bay-wide PCB concentrations in oysters exceeded thresholds but individual samples (locations) also met or surpassed chlordane, PCB and PAH thresholds. Monitoring and risk assessments that consider species' biology, season, location, effects of multiple contaminants, and human consumption patterns will contribute to more effective consumption guidelines.
Environments
People in coastal cities around the world harvest seafood from local bays despite well-documented... more People in coastal cities around the world harvest seafood from local bays despite well-documented health risks. In cities such as San Diego, California, USA, much information about contaminants and human consumption patterns exists for finfish but is largely lacking for shellfish. This study sought to better understand shellfish contamination risks and human vulnerability to inform management and advisories. In summer 2018 and winter 2019, we sampled crustaceans for chemical contaminants and anthropogenic debris and throughout the year surveyed people harvesting from three public fishing piers around San Diego Bay. Of the emerging contaminants found, pyrethroids, benzylbutyl phthalate, PFOS and anthropogenic debris were in differing concentrations in the muscle and viscera of the California spiny lobster and two species of crabs. Combined with previous metal and organic contaminant data from the lobster, 22 contaminants were detected with 5 exceeding consumption thresholds and 8 lac...
The extent to which small plastics and potentially associated compounds are entering coastal food... more The extent to which small plastics and potentially associated compounds are entering coastal food webs, especially in estuarine systems, is only beginning to be realized. This study examined an estuarine reach at the mouth of urbanized Chollas Creek in San Diego, California to determine: 1) the extent and magnitude of microplastics pollution in estuarine sediments and fish, 2) the extent and magnitude of SVOC contamination in estuarine fish, and 3) whether fish preferentially ingested certain types of microplastics, when compared with the microplastic composition of creekbed sediments. Surface sediments (0-5 cm depth) contained about 10,000 small plastic pieces per m2, consisting mostly (90%) of fibers, and hard and soft pieces. Nearly 25% of fish contained small plastics, but prevalence varied with size and between species. Of the 25 types of small plastics found in sediment, fish preferred about 10 types (distinct colors and forms). Several SVOCs, both water soluble and sediment-a...
While well-recognized as an important kind of ecological interaction, physical ecosystem engineer... more While well-recognized as an important kind of ecological interaction, physical ecosystem engineering by organisms is diverse with varied consequences, presenting challenges for developing and using general understanding. There is also still some uncertainty as to what it is, and some skepticism that the diversity of engineering and its effects is amenable to conceptual integration and general understanding. What then, are the key cause/effect relationships and what underlies them? Here we develop, enrich and extend our extant understanding of physical ecosystem engineering into an integrated framework that exposes the essential cause/effect relationships, their underpinnings, and the interconnections that need to be understood to explain or predict engineering effects. The framework has four cause/effect relationships linking four components: 1. An engineer causes structural change; 2. Structural change causes abiotic change; 3. Structural and abiotic change cause biotic change; 4. ...
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Papers by Theresa Sinicrope Talley