USGS Gulf of Mexico Project Search Results
Project Name: Genetic and Molecular Tools for natural resources problem solving: Gulf Coastal Plain
Start/End Dates: Oct. 1, 2002-Sept. 30, 2007
Geographic Location: Sabine National Wildlife Refuge; Terrebonne Parish, LA; Galveston Bay; Rockfeller State Wildlife Refuge, LA
Statement of Problem: Natural populations lacking sufficient genetic diversity to adapt to environmental disturbances face a high risk of local extinction, creating the potential for large-scale changes in community composition. Many factors may be responsible for declining genetic diversity, including habitat destruction, fragmentation, and alteration, pollution, disease, hybridization, competition from invasive species, and even global climate change. Compounding the problem is the fact that mating opportunities are frequently reduced in declining populations, creating a heightened potential for inbreeding and the enhanced expression of congenital diseases commonly known as inbreeding depression
Objectives: This project seeks to assess levels of genetic diversity in species of importance, either for their role as keystone modifiers (such as smooth cordgrass and shoalgrass) or their imperiled status (such as the Louisiana black bear), and to compare these levels across populations to determine the overall magnitude of the declines in disturbed habitats. For example, restored populations of several native Gulf coast plant species will be compared to undisturbed reference populations. In addition, a main focus of this project will be to determine, through a combination of common garden experiments and DNA fingerprinting analysis, the impact of these declines on the sustained viability of managed populations, and to investigate potential strategies for the improvement of genetic viability through artificial reintroductions.
Tasks:
Task 1 - Oil Spill Remediation: Factors Affecting Ecological Success and Long-term Viability of Populations Occupying Restored Marsh Habitats
Task 2 - Brown Marsh Restoration Genetics
Task 3 - Seagrass Habitat Restoration
Task 5 - Nutria population estimates
Contact: Carroll Cordes
337 266-8653
Note: This information was obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey's BASIS+ budgeting and reporting system and was not edited for content or errors.