Jeffrey Duda
I am a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center, stationed in Seattle, Washington.
Research Interests:
My research assignment is to develop and execute a research program focused upon priorities of the USGS Ecosystems mission area, in particular those projects that address complex natural resource issues related to land use, habitat restoration, and species recovery. I have had the pleasure to work in diverse ecosystems and ecoregions throughout the United States, on lands and waters contained in both National Parks and military installations. I have also worked across a range of biological scales, from single species to entire communities.
Over the past decade, I have focused much attention on studying the ecological outcomes of dam removal, especially the historic project on the Elwha River. This involved removal of two long-standing dams, with a major goal of restoring the ecosystem and the native anadromous fish populations that once thrived in the river. Working with a multidisciplinary team within the USGS, as well as strong collaborations with partners like NPS, NOAA, FWS, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, we have developed a portfolio of long-term data sets on physical and biological attributes of the Elwha River before and after dam removal.
Recently I was a member of a dam removal science working group at the USGS John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis. We worked to understand patterns of dam removal science, and to synthesize what is known scientifically about this emerging field. This led to development of the USGS Dam Removal Information Portal, an interactive online tool for visualizing and storing scientific studies associated with dam removals nationwide.
Professional Experience
2004 to Present – Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1998-2004 – Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
1993-1995 – Biological Technician, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Education and Certifications
Ecological Society of America, Certified Senior Ecologist, 2018-present
M.S. 1998. Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
B.S. 1993. Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Affiliations and Memberships*
1998 to Present – Ecological Society of America
Honorary Lifetime Member – Northwest Scientific Association
2010 to Present – American Fisheries Society
2022 to Present – Sigma Xi
2015 to 2020 – Scientific Advisory Board, Mactaquac Aquatic Ecosystem Study
2012 to 2021 – Science Liaison, Board of Directors, Nature Bridge at Olympic National Park
Honors and Awards
2014 – NOAA Restoration Center, Excellence in Restoration Award
2013 – Northwest Scientific Association, Honorary Lifetime Membership Award
2011 – U.S. Department of the Interior, Superior Service Award
2018 – USGS Unit Award for Excellence of Service, Elwha River Science Team
Science and Products
Data collected in 2008-2014 to assess nearshore subtidal community response to increased sediment load during removal of the Elwha River dams, Washington State, USA
Dam removal and river restoration
Riverscape approaches in practice: Perspectives and applications
Shifting food web structure during dam removal—Disturbance and recovery during a major restoration action
Environmental DNA is an effective tool to track recolonizing migratory fish following large‐scale dam removal
Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes
Evaluation of environmental DNA surveys for identifying occupancy and spatial distribution of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and Lampetra spp. in a Washington coast watershed
Complexities, context, and new information about the Elwha River
Conceptualizing ecological responses to dam removal: If you remove it, what's to come?
Natural resource condition assessment: Olympic National Park
A Bayesian life-cycle model to estimate escapement at maximum sustained yield in salmon based on limited information
Science partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe—Understanding the Elwha River Dam Removal Project
Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
Data collected in 2008-2014 to assess nearshore subtidal community response to increased sediment load during removal of the Elwha River dams, Washington State, USA
Dam removal and river restoration
Riverscape approaches in practice: Perspectives and applications
Shifting food web structure during dam removal—Disturbance and recovery during a major restoration action
Environmental DNA is an effective tool to track recolonizing migratory fish following large‐scale dam removal
Use of environmental DNA to detect the invasive aquatic plants Myriophyllum spicatum and Egeria densa in lakes
Evaluation of environmental DNA surveys for identifying occupancy and spatial distribution of Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and Lampetra spp. in a Washington coast watershed
Complexities, context, and new information about the Elwha River
Conceptualizing ecological responses to dam removal: If you remove it, what's to come?
Natural resource condition assessment: Olympic National Park
A Bayesian life-cycle model to estimate escapement at maximum sustained yield in salmon based on limited information
Science partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe—Understanding the Elwha River Dam Removal Project
Distribution and seasonal differences in Pacific Lamprey and Lampetra spp eDNA across 18 Puget Sound watersheds
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government