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Christine Dumoulin, PhD

Christine is a Biologist with the Eastern Ecological Science Center and is co-located at the Great Lakes Science Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Christine is a quantitative ecologist who develops mathematical and computational methods to improve conservation decisions. In her work with USGS, this has included modeling of current and projected habitat connectivity for both terrestrial and aquatic species; spatially explicit population dynamics; adaptive management of invasive species; and analyses supporting species status assessments. She also develop interactive apps that make analyses like these more accessible to partners and decision makers.
Christine is currently working toward certification in NCTC’s Decision Analysis Certification Program.

Professional Experience

  • 2021-Present: Biologist, Eastern Ecological Science Center, USGS

  • 2017-2021: Postdoctoral Researcher, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2017

  • M.S. Plant Biology & Conservation, Northwestern University, 2011

  • B.S. Physics, McGill University, 2005 

Honors and Awards

  • Shoemaker Award for Communications Product Excellence, Audio/Visual Category, 2019

Science and Products

Predicted consequences of detecting Najas minor environmental DNA in Sebago Lake Maine, 2022

U.S. Geological Survey decision analysts and technical experts worked with managers and stakeholders to predict the consequences of alternative actions following environmental DNA detections of invasive Najas minor eDNA in Sebago Lake, Maine, USA. This dataset provides the consequence and model inputs for each of the alternative actions under different levels of uncertainty.
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

When are environmental DNA early detections of invasive species actionable?

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling provides sensitive early detection capabilities for recently introduced taxa. However, natural resource managers struggle with how to integrate eDNA results into an early detection rapid response program because positive eDNA detections are not always indicative of an eventual infestation. We used a structured decision making (SDM) framework to evaluate appropriat
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Christine E. Dumoulin, Denise L. Blanchette, John Mcphedran, Colin Holme, Nathan Whalen, Margaret Hunter, Christopher M. Merkes, Catherine A. Richter, Matthew Neilson, Wesley M. Daniel, Devin Nicole Jones, David R. Smith
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Environmental (e)DNA tools are sensitive and cost-effective for early detection of invasive species. However, the uncertainty associated with the interpretation of positive eDNA detections makes it challenging to determine appropriate natural resource management responses. Multiple sources of error can give rise to positive detections of eDNA in a sample when individuals of that species are not pr
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, David R. Smith, Katherine M O'Donnell, Nathan Owens, Brittany White, Cathy A. Richter, Christopher M. Merkes, Skylar Wolf, Mike Rau, Matthew Neilson, Wesley M. Daniel, Christine E. Dumoulin, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dumoulin, C. E., & Armsworth, P. R. (2022). Environmental stochasticity increases extinction risk to a greater degree in pollination specialists than in generalists. Oikos, 2022(11), e09214.
Dumoulin, C. E., Macmillan, T., Stoneman, R., & Armsworth, P. R. (2014). Locating human resources to reduce the cost of managing networks of protected areas. Conservation Letters, 7(6), 553-560.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

Predicted consequences of detecting Najas minor environmental DNA in Sebago Lake Maine, 2022

U.S. Geological Survey decision analysts and technical experts worked with managers and stakeholders to predict the consequences of alternative actions following environmental DNA detections of invasive Najas minor eDNA in Sebago Lake, Maine, USA. This dataset provides the consequence and model inputs for each of the alternative actions under different levels of uncertainty.
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

When are environmental DNA early detections of invasive species actionable?

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling provides sensitive early detection capabilities for recently introduced taxa. However, natural resource managers struggle with how to integrate eDNA results into an early detection rapid response program because positive eDNA detections are not always indicative of an eventual infestation. We used a structured decision making (SDM) framework to evaluate appropriat
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, Christine E. Dumoulin, Denise L. Blanchette, John Mcphedran, Colin Holme, Nathan Whalen, Margaret Hunter, Christopher M. Merkes, Catherine A. Richter, Matthew Neilson, Wesley M. Daniel, Devin Nicole Jones, David R. Smith
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Environmental (e)DNA tools are sensitive and cost-effective for early detection of invasive species. However, the uncertainty associated with the interpretation of positive eDNA detections makes it challenging to determine appropriate natural resource management responses. Multiple sources of error can give rise to positive detections of eDNA in a sample when individuals of that species are not pr
Authors
Adam J. Sepulveda, David R. Smith, Katherine M O'Donnell, Nathan Owens, Brittany White, Cathy A. Richter, Christopher M. Merkes, Skylar Wolf, Mike Rau, Matthew Neilson, Wesley M. Daniel, Christine E. Dumoulin, Margaret Hunter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Dumoulin, C. E., & Armsworth, P. R. (2022). Environmental stochasticity increases extinction risk to a greater degree in pollination specialists than in generalists. Oikos, 2022(11), e09214.
Dumoulin, C. E., Macmillan, T., Stoneman, R., & Armsworth, P. R. (2014). Locating human resources to reduce the cost of managing networks of protected areas. Conservation Letters, 7(6), 553-560.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.