Publications by Bill Dennison

IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

2017 Chesapeake Bay Report Card (Page 1)

2017 Chesapeake Bay Report Card

Dylan Taillie, Alexandra Fries, Jamie Currie, Bill Dennison, Heath Kelsey, Jason Howard, Emily Nastase ·
15 June 2018

In past report card years, specific regions throughout Chesapeake Bay have shown improving trends, but this is the first year that the overall Chesapeake Bay is showing significant improvement. Overall Chesapeake Bay Health Scores have been variable in the past. However, since 2015, Chesapeake Bay Health Scores have consistently been in the high C range (53, 54, 54). These consecutive high scores have contributed to an overall positive trajectory for the first time.

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The Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers: Developing a Report Card (Page 1)

The Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers: Developing a Report Card

Brianne Walsh, Bill Dennison ·
29 May 2018

In 2018, the Integration and Application Network partnered with OARS to initiate a river report card for the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. This newsletter highlights two stakeholder workshops held at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge on February 28 and March 1, 2018. The initial workshop elicited what stakeholders value about the rivers, and subsequent workshop focused on how to measure those values, and where to find data.

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Tennessee River Basin Report Card Methods Document (Page 1)

Tennessee River Basin Report Card Methods Document

Heath Kelsey, Dylan Taillie, Emily Nastase, Bill Dennison, Andrew Elmore ·
9 February 2018

The Tennessee River Basin Report Card was developed as a tool for prioritization and restoration decisions made in the Tennessee River Basin. The report card document is also meant to serve as an outreach tool for use by managers to highlight particular issues of importance when communicating conservation and restoration with the public. This methods document discusses how the report card was developed and how the grades were calculated.

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IAN Report Card 2016 (Page 1)

IAN Report Card 2016

Jamie Testa, Bill Dennison, Alexandra Fries ·
1 February 2018

IAN staff reflected back on accomplishments from 2016 in its 2nd annual report card. The self-assessment is based on indicators in three categories: social impacts, ecological outcomes, and partner engagement. IAN received an overall grade of A- (90%) which is up from 2015's grade of B+ (88%).

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2016 Maryland Coastal Bays Report Card (Page 1)

2016 Maryland Coastal Bays Report Card

Alexandra Fries, Heath Kelsey, Bill Dennison ·
12 December 2017

The aim of this report card is to provide a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2016 Coastal Bays health. Coastal Bays health is defined as the progress of four water quality indicators (total nitrogen, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a , dissolved oxygen) and two biotic indicators (seagrass, hard clams) toward scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals.

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Ecological Drought in the Northwest United States (Page 1)

Ecological Drought in the Northwest United States

Brianne Walsh, Simon Costanzo, Bill Dennison ·
21 November 2017

The Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and their managing organization, the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey, have chosen the emerging climate science field of Ecological Drought as a research focus area. This newsletter highlights the outcomes of two, one-day workshops held in Portland, OR, and Boise, ID, as part of a series of meetings at each of the nation’s eight CSCs.

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Ecological Drought in the Southwest United States (Page 1)

Ecological Drought in the Southwest United States

Brianne Walsh, Simon Costanzo, Bill Dennison ·
21 November 2017

The Department of the Interior Climate Science Centers (CSCs) and their managing organization, the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center at the U.S. Geological Survey, have chosen the emerging climate science field of Ecological Drought as a research focus area. This newsletter highlights the outcomes of a two-day workshop held in Tucson, Arizona as part of a series of meetings at each of the nation’s eight CSCs.

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Seagrass ecosystem trajectory depends on the relative timescales of T resistance, recovery and disturbance (Page 1)

Seagrass ecosystem trajectory depends on the relative timescales of T resistance, recovery and disturbance

O'Briena KR, Waycott M, Maxwell P, Kendrick GA, Udy JW, Ferguson A JP, Kilminster K, Scanes P, McKenzie LJ, McMahon K, Adams MP, Samper-Villarreal J, Collier C, Lyons M, Mumby PJ, Radke L, Christianen M JA, and Dennison WC ·
2017

Seagrass ecosystems are inherently dynamic, responding to environmental change across a range of scales. Habitat requirements of seagrass are well defined, but less is known about their ability to resist disturbance. Specific means of recovery after loss are particularly difficult to quantify. Here we assess the resistance and recovery capacity of 12 seagrass genera.

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