USGS National Wetlands Research Center: Greg Steyer profile

Gregory D. Steyer, Ph.D.

Photo of Gregory D. Steyer E-mail: gsteyer@usgs.gov

Gregory D. Steyer, Ph.D. 2008. Wetland Ecology, Louisiana State University. Wetland ecology, restoration ecology, coastal monitoring systems, conceptual ecological models, adaptive management.

Steyer has experience in the development, monitoring, modeling, and assessment of wetland restoration projects. He serves as co-chair of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Monitoring Program. He is interested in developing and evaluating ecological indicators, determining success criteria, and developing adaptive management approaches for wetland restoration activities at project, state and regional scales; integrating existing state and regional monitoring programs under unified experimental designs; and developing state and regional databases and models for use in natural resource decision support systems.

Steyer’s NWRC Publications

The following list of publications is current through 2008. For an update, please go to the online NWRC publications data base (http://sourcecom.cr.usgs.gov/ris/risweb.isa) to search for the bibliographic citations of individual staff members.

Refereed Publications

Twilley, R.R., B.R. Couvillion, I. Hossain, C. Kaiser, A.B. Owens, G.D. Steyer, and J.M. Visser. 2008. Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration Program: The Role of Ecosystem Forecasting in Evaluating Restoration Planning in the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. American Fisheries Society Symposium 64:29-46.
Steyer, G.D., B.C. Perez, S. Piazza, and G. Suir. 2007. Potential Consequences of Saltwater Intrusion Associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Pages 138-147 in G. S. Farris, G. J. Smith, M. P. Crane, C. R. Demas, L. L. Robbins, and D. L. Lavoie, editors. Science and the storms: The USGS response to the hurricanes of 2005. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1306, 283pp http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1306/
Steyer, G.D., A.B. Owens, and B.R. Couvillion. 2006. Data Collection Network to Support Ecosystem Forecasting for the Barataria Basin – Mississippi River Domain. Coastal Environment and Water Quality (ed. By Y.J. Xu & V.P. Singh), 431-442. Water Resources Publications, LLC, Highlands Ranch, CO 80163-0026, USA.
Day, J., J. Barras, E. Clairain, J. Johnston, D. Justic, G. Kemp, J. Ko, R. Lane, W. Mitsch, G. Steyer, P. Templet, and A. Yanez-Arancibia. 2005. Implications of Global Climatic Change and Energy Cost and Availability for the Restoration of the Mississippi Delta. Ecological Engineering. 24:253-265.
Day, J., P. Templet, J. Ko, W. Mitsch, G.P. Kemp, J. Johnston, G. Steyer, J. Barras, D. Justic, E. Clairain, and R. Theriot. 2004. The Mississippi Delta: System Functioning, Environmental Impacts, and Sustainable Management. Pages 851-880. In: Caso, M., I. Pisanty, and E. Ezcurra (eds). Environmental Diagnosis of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 2. National Institute of Ecology, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Ko, J., J. Day, J. Barras, R. Morton , J. Johnston, G. Steyer, G.P. Kemp, E. Clairain, and R. Theriot. 2004. Impacts of Oil and Gas Activities on Coastal Wetland loss in the Mississippi Delta. Pages 957-977 In: Caso, M., I. Pisanty, and E. Ezcurra (eds). Environmental Diagnosis of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 2. National Institute of Ecology, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.
Steyer, G.D., C.E. Sasser, J.M. Visser, E.M. Swenson, J.A. Nyman, and R.C. Raynie. 2003. A Proposed Coast-wide Reference Monitoring System for Evaluating Wetland Restoration Trajectories in Louisiana. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 81:107-117.
Steyer, G.D. and D.W. Llewellyn. 2000. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act: A Programmatic Application of Adaptive Management. Ecological Engineering. 15: 385-395.
Cahoon, D.R., D.J. Reed, J.W. Day, Jr., G.D. Steyer, R.M. Boumans, J.C. Lynch, D. McNally, and N. Latif. 1995. The influence of Hurricane Andrew on sediment distribution in Louisiana coastal marshes. Journal of Coastal Research. SI 21: 280-294.
Guntenspergen, G.R., D.R. Cahoon, J. Grace, G.D. Steyer, S. Fournet, M.A. Townson, and A.L. Foote. 1995. Disturbance and recovery of the Louisiana coastal marsh landscape from the impacts of Hurricane Andrew. Journal of Coastal Research. SI 21: 324-339.
Stone, G.W., J.M. Grymes, III, K.D. Robbins, S.G. Underwood, G.D. Steyer, and R.A. Muller. 1993. A chronologic overview of climatological and hydrological aspects associated with Hurricane Andrew and its morphological effects along the Louisiana coast, USA. Shore and Beach. 61(2): 2-12.

Other Peer Reviewed Publications

Steyer, G.D., C.E. Sasser, E. Evers, E. Swenson, G. Suir and S. Sapkota. 2008. The Influence of the Houma Navigation Canal on Salinity Patterns and Landscape Configurations in Coastal Louisiana. Final Report Submitted to Minerals Management Service, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region. Open-file report 2008-1127. 191pp.
Steyer, G.D., R.R. Twilley and R.C. Raynie. 2006. An Integrated Monitoring Approach Using Multiple Reference Sites to Assess Sustainable Restoration in Coastal Louisiana. Pages 326 – 333 In Aguirre-Bravo, C., Pellicane, Patrick J., Burns, Denver P., and Draggan, Sidney (Eds.) Monitoring Science and Technology Symposium: Unifying Knowledge for Sustainability in the Western Hemisphere. 2004 September 20-24, Denver, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-42CD, Fort Collins, CO, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 990 p.
Summers, J.K., and G.D. Steyer. 2000. A Framework for an Integrated and Comprehensive Monitoring Plan for the Estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Gulf Ecology Division, Gulf Breeze, Florida. EPA 620-R-00-006.
Johnston, J.B., J. Barras, S. Hartley, D.A. Fuller, and G. Steyer. 1998. The integration of GIS and image processing technology for monitoring wetland restoration projects. Pages 607-616 in: McComb, A.J., and J.A. Davis, editors. Wetlands for the Future: INTECOL’S V International Wetlands Conference, Perth, Australia.
Steyer, G.D., C.I. Simon, and S.G. Underwood. 1993. A resource management approach for evaluating the effectiveness of wetland restoration projects. Pages 742-745 in: Landin, M.C., editor. Wetlands: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of the Society of Wetland Scientists, New Orleans, LA. South Central Chapter, Society of Wetland Scientists, Utica, MS.
Trepagnier, C.M., B. Good, G.D. Steyer, and W. B. Sutton. 1993. Evaluation of three crevasse splay marsh creation projects at the Mississippi River delta. Pages 115-119 in: Landin, M.C., editor. Wetlands: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Conference of the Society of Wetland Scientists, New Orleans, LA. South Central Chapter, Society of Wetland Scientists, Utica, MS.
Steller, D.L., B. Good, C. Clark, K. Bahlinger, J. Rasi, and G. Steyer. 1993. Coastal restoration: Louisiana’s saving grace. Pages 2111-2125 in: Magoon, O.T., W.S. Wilson, H. Converse, and L.T. Tobin, editors. Coastal Zone ‘93 New Orleans, LA.
Steyer, G.D., and R.E. Stewart, Jr. 1992. Monitoring Program for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act projects. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Research Center Open-File Report 93-01. 85 pp.
Steyer, G.D. 1991. Wetland restoration utilizing real-time data collection along Louisiana’s coastal zone. Pages 101-108 in: Dhamotharan, D., H.C. McWreath, and A.I. Johnson, editors. 27th Annual Conference: Water Management of River Systems and Symposium: Resources Development of the Lower Mississippi River. AWRA, Bethesda, MD.
Underwood, S.G., G.D. Steyer, B. Good, and D. Chambers. 1991. Bay bottom terracing and vegetative planting: An innovative approach for habitat and water quality enhancement. Pages 164-173 in: Webb, F.J., Jr., editor. 1991 Proceedings of the Eighteenth Annual Conference on Wetlands Restoration and Creation. Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, FL.

Management Reports

Visser, J.M., D.E. Evers, C.E. Sasser, G.M. Suir, and G.D. Steyer. 2008. Evaluation of the effects of CWPPRA hydrologic restoration projects on hydrology and marsh condition. Final report to CREST. LUMCON contract no. 674139. 78 pp.
Steyer, G.D., B. Couvillion, G. Suir, J. Barras, S. Sapkota, and C. Conzelmann. 2008. Development and use of a spatial integrity index to evaluate historical landscape configuration trends. Final report submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 146 pp.
Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (CLEAR) Program. 2007. Restore vs Retreat: Securing Ecosystem Services Provided by Coastal Louisiana. CLEAR Newsletter Issue #3 February 2007.
Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force. 2006. The 2006 Evaluation Report to the U.S. Congress on the Effectiveness of Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Projects. Submitted by Chairman of the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Task Force, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New Orleans District 73 pp.
Steyer, G.D., B.C. Perez, S. Piazza, G. Suir, W. Barrow, P. Chadwick, C. Jeske, T. Michot, L. Randall, C. Wells, S. Wilson, B. Couvillion, M. Collins, S. Faulkner, T. Doyle, and J. Meriwether. 2006. Environmental Assessment of the Transitory Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the Northern Gulf of Mexico Coast. Submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under project 83439HC, 66 pp.
Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (CLEAR) Program. 2006. Enhancing Landscape Integrity in Coastal Louisiana: Water, Sediment & Ecosystems. CLEAR Newsletter Issue #2 June 2006.
Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Assessment and Restoration (CLEAR) Program. 2006. Reducing flood damage in coastal Louisiana: communities, culture, and commerce. CLEAR Newsletter Issue #1 January 2006.
Steyer, G.D., J.M. Visser, B. Good, J.M. Nestler, W. Nuttle, D. Reed, V. Rivera-Monroy, K.A. Rose, R.R. Twilley. 2004. Adaptive Environmental Assessment and Management: A Draft Framework. Final Report to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. June 30, 2004. 28 pp.
McCorquodale, A., H. Mashriqui, D. Reed, E. Reyes, J. Day, I. Georgiou, J. Visser, P. Kemp, V. Stutts, J. Foret, E. Swenson, G. Steyer, E. Meselhe, and C. Wilson. 2004. Effects of River Diversion Projects using a “Pulsing” Scenario of Proposed Alternatives based on both Simulation and Box Modeling Approaches. Final Report to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. June 30, 2004. 74 pp.
Raynie, R.C., G.D. Steyer, and R.R. Twilley. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Model, Modeling and Monitoring. Pages 257-260 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
Steyer, G.D., J.M. Visser, and R.R. Twilley. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Model, Model Evaluation Based on Simulations of a Virtual Basin. Pages 247-256 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
Habib, E., V.H. Rivera-Monroy, Visser, J.M., G.D. Steyer, R.R. Twilley, E Swenson, K.A. Rose, D. Justic, W. Nuttle, and E. Hyfield. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Ecosystem Model, Uncertainties and Limitations. Pages 219-246 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
Visser, J.M., D. Reed, G.D. Steyer, J. Callaway, E.M. Swenson, G.M. Suir, and J. Suhayda. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Wetland Nourishment Module. Pages 135-147 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
Visser, J.M., G.D. Steyer, G.P. Shaffer, S.S. Hoeppner, M.W. Hester, E. Reyes, P. Keddy, I.A. Mendelssohn, C.E. Sasser, and C. Swarzenski. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Habitat Switching Module. Pages 148-165 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
Hawes, S., D. Reed, M. Carloss, E. Clarain, J. Ettinger, C. Grouchy, B. Haase, D. Llewellyn, K. Roy, C. Sasser and G.D. Steyer. 2004. Louisiana Coastal Area Benefits Assessment Protocols. Pages 207-218 in: Twilley, R.R., editor. LCA Ecosystem Restoration Study, Appendix C. July 2004. 282 pp.
CWPPRA Interdisciplinary Review Team. 2002. Adaptive Management Review of the Cote Blanche Hydrologic Restoration Project. Final Report to the CWPPRA Task Force. December 20, 2002. 27 pp.
CWPPRA Interdisciplinary Review Team. 2002. Adaptive Management Review of the East Mud Lake Marsh Management Project. Final Report to the CWPPRA Task Force. December 20, 2002. 22 pp.
CWPPRA Interdisciplinary Review Team. 2002. Adaptive Management Review of the Lake Chapeau Sediment Input and Hydrologic Restoration Project. Final Report to the CWPPRA Task Force. December 20, 2002. 18 pp.
CWPPRA Interdisciplinary Review Team. 2002. Adaptive Management Review of the West Point ala Hache Freshwater Diversion Project. Final Report to the CWPPRA Task Force. December 20, 2002. 23 pp.
Steyer, G.D., R.C. Raynie, D.L. Steller, D. Fuller, and E. Swenson. 1995. Quality management plan for Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act monitoring program. Open- File Report 95-01. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Restoration Division. 97 pp.
Steyer, G.D. and others. 1994 – 2001. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act Monitoring Program (CWPPRA) peer-reviewed monitoring plans and reports (developed and/or reviewed monitoring deliverables on 106 restoration projects) http://sonris.com/direct.asp?path=/sundown/cart_prod/cart_bms_avail_documents_f
Steyer, G.D., S.G. Underwood, D.L. Steller, C.I. Simon, C.M. Trepagnier, J. Willis, and M. Hager. 1994. Sabine terracing project monitoring report. Final report to EPA Region 6, Grant No. X-006518-01-0. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Restoration Division. 48 pp. plus appendices.
Trepagnier, C.M., M.D. Materne, G.D. Steyer, C.A. Schexnayder, and S.G. Underwood. 1993. Demonstration project for revegetation and wetland restoration. Final report to EPA Region 6, Grant No. X-006586-01-0. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Restoration Division. 81 pp. plus appendices.
Steyer, G.D., S.G. Underwood, and C.M. Trepagnier. 1993. Accretion and hydrologic analyses of three existing crevasse splay marsh creation projects at the Mississippi delta. Final report to EPA Region 6, Grant No. X-006587-01-0. Baton Rouge: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Restoration Division. 28 pp. plus appendices.

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