Abstract
Invasive carp (silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, and black carp) pose a major threat to aquatic ecosystems and fisheries in North America. Applying principles from hydrodynamics and sediment transport has resulted in innovative approaches to understanding and mitigating the spread of invasive carp at multiple life stages. For example, the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator (FluEgg) simulates egg and larval drift in river systems by combining sediment transport theory with empirical biological development time series. FluEgg provides insights into the dispersal patterns of invasive carp during early life stages that allow for spawning suitability analyses and risk assessments. FluEgg can also be used to estimate the locations of likely spawning areas, to inform targeted removal actions and sampling efforts. Minimizing upstream migration of adults and subadults is challenging, especially in systems with commercial navigation. In another suite of studies, a team of engineers, hydrologists, and biologists examined the risk that commercial barges pose for transporting small fish upstream, through navigation structures, and through an existing deterrent system. Physical models and large-scale field experiments provided critical insights into the underlying hydrodynamic processes, which facilitated the development of mitigation strategies. This talk aims to highlight the importance of multidisciplinary collaborative approaches in invasive carp management.
Bio
Dr. Jessica Z LeRoy earned her PhD Degree in Physical Geography from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. LeRoy joined the U.S. Geological Survey as a Pathways Student Trainee in 2015 and became a full time Hydrologist in 2016. Since joining the USGS, she has participated in applied research aimed at mitigating the spread of invasive carps (bighead, silver, and grass carp), as well as projects focusing on measuring and mapping geomorphic change in rivers and lakes. She has expertise in using hydroacoustic methods to measure water velocities and bathymetry, and she is the lead of the Geomorphology Focus Group within the USGS Community for Data Integration. Dr. LeRoy is interested in applying concepts and techniques from geomorphology and hydrodynamics to help solve real-world problems such as erosion hazards and aquatic invasive species.