Sean Powers, Ph.D.

Senior Marine Scientist III, Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Professor and Chair, Department of Marine Sciences University of South Alabama

spowers@disl.edu (251) 861-2141

Bio

Dr. Sean Powers currently serves as Chair of the Marine Sciences department at the University of South Alabama and is a Senior Marine Scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Dr. Powers research lab, personnel, and graduate student are located in the Shelby Center for Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Dr. Powers grew up in New Orleans and received his Bachelors of Science at Loyola University and a Master of Science degree from the University of New Orleans. He then moved to Texas to pursue his Ph.D. in biology and oceanography from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Powers joined the faculty at the University of South Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in 2003.

Dr. Powers’s research focuses on the ecology of marine fish and invertebrates, particularly those that support commercial and recreational fisheries.

The ultimate goal of his research program is to provide scientifically sound information to direct conservation and restoration efforts of marine fisheries and habitats.

He has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles, many in leading journals in the field (Science, Ecology, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, PLOS One); Served as PI or Co-PI on over 28 million dollars in extramural grant funding; advised 14 graduate students (7 PhD. And 7 MS); and engaged a variety of groups including national non-governmental organization (NGOs), regional conservation and sportsman groups in an effort to develop sustainable management practices for marine resources.

Research Interests

Two of the major problems impacting marine ecosystems are the overharvest of fisheries species and loss or degradation of marine biogenic habitats. According to current estimates, over 2/3 of the world’s fisheries are fully or over-exploited with only 3 percent of overfished stocks recovering.

While poor management strategies and destructive harvest practices have contributed greatly to this decline, natural and anthropogenic changes in environmental conditions have also affected fisheries. Chief among these latter factors is the destruction and/or degradation of important habitats for fish, particularly juvenile stages, resulting from coastal development, declining water quality, and pollution as well as natural perturbations.

The fisheries ecology lab conducts research on a wide range of species from oysters to sharks and in a variety of locations from Alabama to Alaska.

Research projects conducted by Dr. Sean Powers, Dr. Bob Shipp, and Dr. Marcus Drymon, their graduate students and research associates in this research group are designed to

  • quantify the relationship between fisheries species and marine habitats
  • determine the community and ecosystem level effects of overharvesting of marine fishes and shellfish.

Because fishing pressure disproportionately targets higher trophic levels and larger individuals (i.e., fishermen want to catch the big fish) large, predatory species are particularly vulnerable to overharvest. These large predatory species can often exert a high degree of control on their prey populations (smaller fish and invertebrates) thus transmitting the effects of overharvesting throughout the food web and potentially affecting other economically important species (e.g., crabs, oysters, scallops).

In the Fisheries lab, we perform experimentation and field surveys to detect and quantify the effects of changes in top-down control (predator to prey). From a marine resources management perspective, information on these types of effects as well as the response of fisheries species to habitat loss is critical for effective conservation and restoration of marine finfish and shellfish populations.

Who We Are

Primary Investigators:

Dr. Sean Powers

Dr. Sean Powers, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama
Ph.D. Texas A&M University 1997
M.S. University of New Orleans 1992
B.S. Loyola University 1990
spowers@disl.edu

Dr. Bob Shipp, Ph.D
Professor Emeritus, University of South Alabama
Ph.D. Florida State University 1970
M.S. Florida State University 1966
B.S. Spring Hill College, 1964
rshipp@southalabama.edu

Current Lab Members:

Crystal Hightower

Crystal Hightower
Lab Manager
M.S. University of South Alabama
B.S. University of North Alabama
chightower@disl.edu

Mark Albins

Dr. Mark Albins
Research Associate
Ph.D. University of Hawaii at Manoa
M.S. California State University
B.A. University of California, Berkeley
malbins@disl.edu

Jeffrey Plumlee

Dr. Jeffrey Plumlee
Post Doctorate
B.S. Texas A&M University
M.S., Texas A&M University
Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Monica Powers

Monica Powers
Project Lead: Shipp Red Snapper Tagging Program
M.S., Univ. North Carolina, Chapel Hill
mpowers@disl.edu

Justin McDonald

Justin McDonald
Research Assistant
M.S. University of South Alabama
jmcdonald@disl.edu

Deepa Shrestha

Deepa Shrestha
Research Data Management Specialist
M.S. University of South Alabama
B.S. University of South Alabama
dshrestha@disl.edu

Trey Spearman

Trey Spearman
Benthic Habitat Manager
Project Lead: Fisheries Independent Survey Trawl
M.S. University of South Alabama
B.S. Auburn University
tspearman@disl.edu

Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson
Research Technician jwilson@disl.edu

Manuel Coffill-Rivera

Manuel Coffill-Rivera
Ph.D. Student
M.S. Mississippi State University
B.S. Florida Gulf Coast University

Adam Jung

Adam Jung
M.S. Student
ajung@disl.edu

Dylan Kiene

Dylan Kiene
Ph.D. Student
dkiene@disl.edu

Laia Juliana Munoz Abril

Laia Juliana Munoz Abril
Ph.D. Student
lmunoz@disl.edu

Former Interns
Fisheries Ecology Lab Alumni

Projects

Publications

2020

  • Fodrie, F.J., K. L. Heck, Jr., C. F. T. Andrus, and S. P. Powers. Determinants of the nursery role of seagrass meadows in the sub-tropical Gulf of Mexico: inshore–offshore connectivity for snapper and grouper. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 647:135-147. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13403

2019

  • Drymon, J.M., P.T. Cooper, S.P. Powers, M.M. Miller, S. Magnuson, E. Krell and C. Bird. Genetic Identification of Species Responsible for Depredation in Commercial and Recreational Fisheries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10292
  • Nelson, T.R. and S.P. Powers. Validation of species specific otolith chemistry and salinity relationships. Environmental Biology of Fishes. Vol. 102(5):801-815. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-019-00872-9
  • Jefferson, A., R.J. Allman, A.E. Pacicco, J.S. Franks, F.J. Hernandez, M.A. Albins, S.P. Powers, R.L. Shipp, and J.M. Drymon. Age and growth of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) from a north-central Gulf of Mexico artificial reef zone. Bulletin of Marine Science. 95(2):177-195. https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2018.0025
  • O’Connell, Martin & Peterson, Mark & Powers, Sean & Uzee-O’Connell, Ann & Anderson, E. & Hendon, J. Assessing Nearshore Nekton Abundance, Substrate, and Environmental Conditions in the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Are There Differences Among Three Adjacent Coastal Areas and Have There Been Changes over Three Decades (1986–2015)? Estuaries and Coasts. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-019-00632-z
  • Powers, S.P. and K. Anson. Compression and relaxation of fishing effort in response to changes in length of fishing season for red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. National Marine Fisheries Service. Fishery Bulletin. 117(1-2). https://doi.org/10.7755/FB.117.1.1
  • Scyphers, S.B., M.W. Beck, K.L. Furman, J. Haner, L. I. Josephs, R. Lynskey, A. G. Keeler, C.E. Landry, S.P. Powers, B. M. Webb, and J. H. Grabowski. A Waterfront View of Coastal Hazards: Contextualizing Relationships among Geographic Exposure, Shoreline Type, and Hazard Concerns among Coastal Residents. Sustainability, 11(23), 6687; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11236687
  • Drymon, J.M., K. Feldheim, A.M.V. Fournier, E.A. Seubert, A.E. Jefferson, A.M. Kroetz, and S.P. Powers. Tiger sharks eat songbirds: reply. Ecological Society of America. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2870
  • Drymon, J.M., K. Feldheim, A.M.V. Fournier, E.A. Seubert, A.E. Jefferson, A.M. Kroetz, and S.P. Powers. Tiger sharks eat songbirds: scavenging a windfall of nutrients from the sky. Ecology: 100(9), e02728. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2728
  • Livernois, M.C., F.J. Fodrie, K.L. Heck, and S. P. Powers. Emergent intraspecific multiple predator effects shape estuarine trophic dynamics across a gradient of habitat complexity. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 511 (120-128). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2018.12.004
  • Seubert, E.A., N.E. Hussey, S.P. Powers, J.F. Valentine, and J.M. Drymon. Assessing trophic flexibility of a predator assemblage across a large estuarine seascape using blood plasma stable isotope analysis. Food Webs. Volume 21. e00132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2019.e00132

2018

  • Kenworthy, M.D., J.H. Grabowski, C.A. Layman, G.D. Sherwood, S.P. Powers, C.H. Peterson, R.K. Gittman, D.A. Keller, and F.J. Fodrie. Movement ecology of a mobile predatory fish reveals limited habitat linkages within a temperate estuarine seascape. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 75(11): 1990-1998. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2017-0308
  • Jackson, L.S., J.M. Drymon, T. R. Nelson, and S.P. Powers. Biotelemetry based estimates of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) post-release mortality in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Fisheries Research. 208:239-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2018.07.017
  • Sackett, D.K., M. Catalano. J.M. Drymon, S.P. Powers, and M. A. Albins. Estimating Exploitation Rates in the Alabama Red Snapper Fishery Using a High-Reward Tag–Recapture Approach. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science. 10:536-549. https://doi.org/10.1002/mcf2.10049
  • Schrandt, M., S.P. Powers, F. S. Rickard, W. Thongda, and E. Peatman. Short-term low salinity mitigates effects of oil and dispersant on juvenile eastern oysters: A laboratory experiment with implications for oil spill response activities. PLOS One. 13(9): e0203485. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203485
  • Powers, S.P., J. M. Drymon, C.L. Hightower, T. Spearman, G.S. Bosarge, and A. Jefferson. Distribution and Age Composition of Red Snapper across the Inner Continental Shelf of the North‐Central Gulf of Mexico. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 147:791-805. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10081
  • Thongda, W., H. Zhao, D. Zhang, L. N. Jescovitch, M. Liu, X. Guo, M. Schrandt, S.P. Powers, and E. Peatman. Development of SNP Panels as a New Tool to Assess the Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Parentage Analysis of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Marine Biotechnology. 20(3):385-395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-018-9803-y

2017

  • Powers, S.P., S. Rouhani, M.S. Baker, H. Roman, J. H. Grabowski, S.B. Scyphers, J.M. Willis, and M. W. Hester. Ecosystem services are lost when facilitation between two ecosystem engineers is compromised by oil. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 576:189-202. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12201
  • Powers, S.P., J. H. Grabowski, h. Roman, A. Geggel, S. Rouhani, J. Oehrig, and M. Baker. Consequences of large-scale salinity alteration during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on subtidal oyster populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12147
  • Powers, S. P., C. H. Peterson, J. Cebrian and K. L. Heck. Response of nearshore ecosystems to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (An Introduction to a Theme Section) Marine Ecology Progress Series 576: 107-110. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26403671
  • Heck, K. L., J. Cebrian, S. P. Powers, N. Geraldi, R. Plutchak, D. Byron and K. Major. Ecosystem Services Provided by Shoreline Reefs in the Gulf of Mexico: An Experimental Assessment Using Live Oysters. In Bilkovic, D. M., Mitchell, M. M., La Peyre, M. K. and Toft, J. D. (eds). Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-Based Coastal Protection. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, pp. 401- 420

2016

  • Sharma, S., Goff, J., Moody, R., McDonald, A., Byron, D., Heck, K.L., Powers, S.P., Ferraro, C., Cebrian, J.. Effects of Shoreline Dynamics on Saltmarsh Vegetation PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159814

2015

  • Baggett. L. P., S. P. Powers, R.D. Brumbaugh, L. Coen, B. DeAngelis, J. Greene, B. Hancock, S. Morlock, B. Allen, D. Breitburg, D. Bushek, J. H. Grabowski, R. Grizzle, T. Grosholz, M. La Peyre, M. Luckenbach, K. McGraw, M. F. Piehler, S. Westby, et al. Guidelines for evaluating performance of oyster habitat restoration. Restoration Ecology, vol. 23(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12262
  • Ajemian, M.A. and S. P. Powers. Seasonality and ontogenetic habitat partitioning of Cownose Rays in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries and Coasts 39, 1234–1248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-015-0052-2
  • Scyphers, S.B., S.P. Powers and K.L. Heck, Jr. Ecological value of submerged breakwaters for habitat enhancement on a residential scale. Environmental Management 55:383-390. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-014-0394-8
  • Zu Ermgassen, P.S., J. H. Grabowski, J. R. Gair, and S. P. Powers. Quantifying benefits of conservation and restoration of biogenic habitats: Converting oyster reefs to fish and mobile invertebrate production. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12576
  • Kroetz, A.M. and S. P. Powers. Eating between the lines: functional feeding response of bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo). Environmental Biology of Fish 98: 655-661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0302-3
  • Schrandt, M., S. P. Powers and J.F. Mareska. Habitat use and fishery dynamics of a heavily exploited coastal migrant, Atlantic Spanish Mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus). North American Journal of Fisheries Management 35: 352-363. https://doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2015.1009659
  • Scyphers, S.B., T.C. Gouhier, J.H. Grabowski, M.W. Beck, J. Mareska and S.P. Powers. Natural shorelines promote the stability of fish communities in an urbanized coastal system. PLOS One 10(6): e0118580. https://doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0118580
  • Schrandt, M.N., and S.P. Powers. Facilitation and dominance in a schooling predator: foraging behavior of Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus). PLOS One 10(6): e0130095. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130095
  • Scyphers, S.B., J.S. Picou, and S.P. Powers. Participatory conservation of coastal habitats: the importance of understanding homeowner decision making to mitigate cascading shoreline degradation. Conservation Letters 8: 41-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12114
  • Scyphers, S. B., S. P. Powers, J. M. Drymon, C. W. Martin, R. H. McMichael, Z. H Schobernd, P. J. Schofield, and R. L. Shipp.. The role of citizens in detecting and responding to a rapid marine invasion. Conservation Letters, https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12114
  • Kroetz, A. M., S.P. Powers, J.M. Drymon, and K. Park. Anthropogenic modifications to a barrier island influence Bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo) movements in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Animal Biotelemetry, 3: 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-015-0067-2
  • Aven, A.M., R. H. Carmichael, M. J. Ajemian, S. P. Powers. Addition of passive acoustic telemetry mitigates lost data from satellite-tracked manatees. Marine and Freshwater Research. 66:371-374. https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14178
  • Sharma, S., J. Goff, R. Moody, A. McDonald, D. Byron, K. L. Heck, S. P. Powers, C. Ferraro & J. Cebrian. Do restored oyster reefs benefit seagrasses? An experimental study in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Restoration Ecology Vol 24(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12329

2014

  • Kroetz, A.M. and S. P. Powers. Eating between the lines: functional feeding response of bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo). Environ Biol Fish 98, 655–661 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0302-3
  • Ajemian, M. J. and S. P. Powers. Towed-float satellite telemetry tracks large-scale movement and habitat connectivity of myliobatid stingrays. Environ Biol Fish 97, 1067–1081 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0296-x
  • Park, K., S. P. Powers, G. S. Bosarge, and H. S. Jung. Plugging the leak: Barrier island restoration following Hurricane Katrina enhances larval retention and improves salinity regime for oysters in in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Mar Environ Res. Mar;94:48-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.12.003
  • Scyphers, S.B., J.S. Picou, and S.P. Powers.. Participatory conservation of coastal habitats: the importance of understanding homeowner decision making to mitigate cascading shoreline degradation. Conservation Letters, https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12114
  • Scyphers, S. B., J. S. Picou, R. D. Brumbaugh, and S. P. Powers. Integrating societal perspectives and values for improved stewardship of a coastal ecosystem engineer. Ecology and Society 19(3): 38. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-06835-190338
  • Scyphers SB, Powers SP, Akins JL, Drymon JM, Martin CW, Schobernd ZH, Schofield PJ, Shipp RL, Theodore TS. The role of citizens in detecting and responding to a rapid marine invasion. Conservation Letters. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12127
  • Drymon JM, Powers SP, Ajemian MJ. Dynamic habitat use of young bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) in a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. PLoS ONE 9(5): e97124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0097124

2013

  • Hernandez, F.J., Jr., L. Carassou, W.M. Graham, and S.P. Powers. Evaluation of the Taxonomic Sufficiency Approach For Ichthyoplankton Community Analysis. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 491, 77-90.
  • Kim, C.K., K. Park, and S.P. Powers. Establishing restoration strategy of eastern oyster via a coupled biophysical transport model. Restor. Ecol. 21(3), 353-362, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-100X.2012.00897.x
  • Scyphers, S.B., F. J. Fodrie, F.J. Hernandez, Jr., S. P. Powers and R. L. Shipp. Venting and reef fish survival: Perceptions and participation rates among recreational anglers in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33:1071–1078. https://doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2013.824932
  • Scyphers, S.B. and S.P. Powers. Context-dependent Effects of a Marine Ecosystem Engineer on Predator-prey Interactions. Marine Ecology Progress Series. Vol. 491:295-301. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10485
  • Moody, R. M., J. Cebrian, S. M. Kerner, K. L. Heck, S. P. Powers and C. Ferraro. Effects of shoreline erosion on salt-marsh floral zonation. Marine Ecology Progress Series. Vol. 488: 145 -155.
  • Powers SP, Hernandez FJ, Condon RH, Drymon JM, Free C. Novel pathways for injury: direct, sublethal and indirect effects of the Deepwater Horizon explosion on pelagic Sargassum communities. PLoS One 8(9): e74802.
  • Powers SP, Fodrie FJ, Scyphers SB, Drymon JM, Shipp RL, Stunz W. Gulf-wide decreases in the size of large coastal sharks documented by generations of fishermen. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 5(1): 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/19425120.2013.786001
  • Drymon, J.M, L. Carassou, S.P. Powers, M. Grace, J. Dindo, and B. Dzwonkowski. Multiscale analysis of Factors That Affect the Distribution of Sharks Throughout the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Fishery Bulletin 111(4): 370-380. https://doi.org/10.7755/FB.111.4.6

2012

  • Peterson, C. H., S. S. Anderson, G. N. Cherr, R. F. Ambrose, S. Anghera, S. Bay, M. Blum, R. Condon, T. A. Dean, M. Graham, M. Guzy, S. Hampton, S. Joye, J. Lambrinos, B. Mate, D. Meffert, S. P. Powers, P. Somasundaran, R. B. Spies, C. M. Taylor, R. Tjeer. Forum: A Tale of Two Spills: Novel Science and Policy Implications of an Emerging New Oil Spill Paradigm. BioScience 62 (5): 461–469. https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2012.62.5.7
  • Fodrie, F. J., M. C. Brodeur, B. J. Toscano, and S. P. Powers. Friend or Foe: conflicting demands and conditional risk taking by opportunistic scavengers. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 422: 114 -121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2012.04.014
  • Carassou L., F. J. Hernandez, S. P. Powers and W. M. Graham. Cross-shore, seasonal, and depth-related structure of the ichthyoplankton assemblages in coastal Alabama. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 141(4): 1137 -1150. https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2012.675920
  • zu Ermgassen, P., M. Spalding, B. Blake, L. Coen, B. Dumbauld, S. Geiger, J. Grabowski, R. Grizzle, M. W. Luckenbach, K. McGraw, W. Rodney, J. Ruesink S. P. Powers, and R. Brumbaugh. Historical ecology with real numbers: Past and present extent and biomass of an imperiled estuarine habitat. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 279: 3393-3400. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2012.0313
  • Ajemian, M. and S. P. Powers. Habitat specific feeding patterns in cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Biology of Fishes 95 (2011) 79 - 97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9858-3
  • Grabowski, J. H., R. D. Brumbaugh, R. Conrad, A. G. Keeler, J. Opaluch, C. H. Peterson, M. F. Piehler, S. P. Powers, and A. R. Smith. Economic valuation of ecosystem services provided by oyster reefs. BioScience, 62 (10) 900-909. https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2012.62.10.10
  • Ajemian, M. and S. P. Powers. Foraging effects of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) along barrier islands of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 439: 119–128.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2012.10.021
  • Ajemian, M., S. P. Powers, T.J.T. Murdoch. Estimating the Potential Impacts of Large Mesopredators on Benthic Resources: Integrative Assessment of Spotted Eagle Ray Foraging Ecology in Bermuda. PLoS ONE 7(7):e40227. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040227
  • Powers SP, Hightower CL, Drymon JM, Johnson M. Age composition and distribution of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in offshore waters of the north central Gulf of Mexico: an evaluation of a stock under a federal harvest moratorium. Fish. Bull. 110:283–292.
  • Drymon, J.M., Powers, S.P., Carmichael, R.H. Trophic plasticity in the Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 95:21-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9922-z

2011

  • Hernandez, FJ, L Carassou, S Muffleman, SP Powers, WM Graham. Comparison of two plankton net mesh sizes for ichthyoplankton collection in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Fisheries Research. 108:327-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2010.12.029
  • Carassou, L., B. Dzwonkowski, F.J. Hernandez, S.P. Powers, K. Park, W.M Graham, and J. Mareska. Environmental influences on juvenile fish abundances in a river-dominated coastal system. Mar. Coast. Fish., 3(1), 411 -427. https://doi.org/10.1080/19425120.2011.642492.
  • Ajemian, M.J., Dolan, D., Graham, W.M. and S.P. Powers. First evidence of elasmobranch predation by a waterbird: stingray consumption by the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Waterbirds, 34(1):117-120. https://doi.org/10.1675/063.034.0116
  • Cowan, J.H., Jr., C.B. Grimes, W.F. Patterson III, C.J. Walters, A.C. Jones, W.J. Lindberg, D.J. Sheehy, W.E. Pine III, J.E. Powers, M.D. Campbell, K.C. Lindeman, S.L. Diamond, R. Hilborn, H.T. Gibson, and K.A. Rose. Red snapper management in the Gulf of Mexico: science- or faith-based? Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 21, 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11160-010-9165-7
  • Scyphers, S. B., S. P. Powers, K. L. Heck, Jr., and D. Byron. Oyster reefs as natural breakwaters mitigate shoreline loss and facilitate fisheries. PLoS ONE 6:e22396. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0022396
  • Geraldi, N. R. and S. P. Powers. Subtle changes in prey foraging behavior have cascading effects in a shallow estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series 427:51-58. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps09041
  • Dzwonkowski, B., K. Park, H.K. Ha, W.M. Graham, F.J. Hernandez, and S.P. Powers. Hydrographic variability on a coastal shelf directly impacted by estuarine discharge. Continental Shelf Research, 31(939 -950). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2011.03.001

2010

  • B.F. Reynolds, S.P. Powers, and M.A. Bishop. Application of acoustic biotelemetry to assess quality of created habitats for demersal fish: residency, site fidelity and movement of rockfish and lingcod in Prince William Sound, Alaska. PLoS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0012130
  • Kim, C.K., K. Park, S.P. Powers, W.M. Graham, and K.M. Bayha. Oyster larval transport in coastal Alabama: dominance of physical transport over biological behavior in a shallow estuary. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. Volume 115(C10). https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006115
  • M.A. Bishop, B.F. Reynolds, and S.P. Powers. An in situ, individual based approach to quantify connectivity of marine fish: Ontogenetic movements and residency of lingcod. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014267
  • Brown, H., M. C. Benfield, S. F. Keenan, and S. P. Powers. Movement patterns and home ranges of a pelagic marine carangid (Caranx crysos) around a petroleum platform complex. Marine Ecology Progress Series 403:205-218. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08465
  • Johnson, M.W., S.P. Powers, C.L. Hightower, and M.D. Kenworthy. Age, growth, mortality, and diet composition of vermillion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) from the Mississippi Bight Fishery. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society Volume 139(4). https://doi.org/10.1577/T09-179.1
  • Toscano, B.J., F.J. Fodrie, S.L. Madsen and S.P. Powers. Multiple prey effects: agnostic behaviors between prey species enhances consumption by their shared predator. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Volume 385(1–2) pp 59-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2010.01.001
  • Hernandez, F.J., Jr., S.P. Powers and W.M. Graham. Seasonal variability in ichthyoplankton abundance and assemblage composition in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Alabama. Fishery Bulletin- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 108(2):193-207
  • Fodrie, F.J., Heck, KL Jr., Powers SP, Graham, WM and KL Robinson. Climate-related, decadal-scale assemblage changes of seagrass-associated fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Global Change BiologyVolume 16, Issue 1 p. 48-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01889.x
  • Plutchak, R. R., K. Major, J. Cebrian, C. D Foster, M. E. Miller, A. Anton, K. L Sheehan, K. L. Heck, Jr. and S. P. Powers. Impacts of Oyster Reef Restoration on Primary Productivity and Nutrient Dynamics in Tidal Creeks of the North Central Gulf of Mexico. Estuaries and Coasts 33: 1355 -1364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9327-9
  • Drymon JM, Powers SP, Dindo J, Dzwonkowski B, Henwood T. Distribution of sharks across a continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science, 2(440-450). https://doi.org/10.1577/C09-061.1

2009

  • Johnson, M.W., S. P. Powers, J. Senne and K. Park. Assessing in Situ Tolerances of Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) Under Moderate Hypoxic Regimes- Implications for Restoration. J. of Shellfish Research, 28(2):185-192. https://doi.org/10.2983/035.028.0202
  • Powers, S. P., C. H. Peterson, J. H. Grabowski, and H. S. Lenihan. Evaluating the success of constructed oyster reefs in no-harvest sanctuaries- implications for restoration. Marine Ecology Progress Series 389:159-170.http://doi.org/10.3354/meps08164
  • Gregalis, K. C., M. W. Johnson, and S. P. Powers. Restored oyster reef location and design affect responses of resident and transient fish, crab and shellfish species in Mobile Bay, AL. Transactions of the American Fisheries SocietyVolume 138, Issue 2 p. 314-327. https://doi.org/10.1577/T08-041.1
  • Powers, S.P. Effects of density and water flow on early survivorship and growth of northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria). J. of Shellfish Research, 28(4):777-783. https://doi.org/10.2983/035.028.0406
  • Geraldi, N. R., S. P. Powers, K. L. Heck, Jr., and J. Cebrian. Can habitat restoration be redundant? Response of mobile fishes and crustaceans to oyster reef restoration in marsh tidal creeks. Marine Ecology Progress Series 389:171-180. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps08224

2008

  • Gregalis, K. C., S. P. Powers and K.L. Heck, Jr. Restoration of oyster reefs along a bio-physical gradient in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Journal of Shellfish Research 27 (5): 1163 - 1169. https://doi.org/10.2983/0730-8000-27.5.1163
  • Fodrie, F. J., M. D. Kenworthy and S. P. Powers. Unintended facilitation between marine consumers generates enhanced mortality for their shared prey. Ecology. Volume 89(12) p. 3268-3274. https://doi.org/10.1890/07-1679.1
  • Cebrian, J., C. D. Foster, R. Plutchak, K. Sheehan, A. Anton, M. Miller, K. Major, K. L. Heck, Jr. and S. P. Powers. The impact of Hurricane Ivan on the primary productivity and metabolism of marsh tidal creeks. Aquatic Ecology 42:391-404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-007-9096-0

2007

  • Kline, T.C., Woody, C.A., Bishop, M.A., Powers, S.P., and E.E. Knudsen. Assessment of marine-derived nutrients in the Copper River Delta, Alaska, using natural abundance of the stable isotopes of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon. In- Sockye salmon ecology, evolution, and management (C.A.Woody, ed.). American Fisheries Society Symposium, 54: 103 -115.
  • Coen, L. D., Mike, R. D. Brumbaugh, D. Bushek, R. Grizzle, M. W. Luckenbach, M. H. Posey, S.P. Powers, and S. G. Tolley. AS WE SEE IT: Ecosystem services related to oyster restoration. MEPS 341:303-307. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps341303
  • Myers, R. A., J. Buam, T. A. Sheperd, S. P. Powers and C. H. Peterson. Cascading effects of the loss of apex predatory sharks from the coastal ocean. Science. Vol 315, Issue 5820. pp. 1846-1850. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1138657
  • Powers, S.P., Bishop, M.A., Moffitt, S. and G.H. Reeves. Variability in freshwater, estuarine and marine residence of sockeye salmon (Onchorhyncus nerka) within the Copper and Bering River Deltas. In- Sockye salmon ecology, evolution, and management (C.A.Woody, ed.). American Fisheries Society Symposium, 54: 87 -99.
  • Powers, M. J., H. C. Summerson, C. H. Peterson, and S. P. Powers. Macroalgal growth on bivalve aquaculture netting enhances nursery habitat for mobile invertebrates and juvenile fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 339:109-122. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps339109

2006

  • Powers, S.P., Bishop, M.A., Grabowski, J.H., and C.H. Peterson. Distribution of the invasive bivalve Mya arenaria L. on intertidal flats of southcentral Alaska. Journal of Sea Research 55 (2006) 207 – 216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2005.10.004
  • Bishop, M.J., Powers, S.P., Porter, H.J., and C.H. Peterson. Benthic biological effects of seasonal hypoxia in a eutrophic estuary predate rapid coastal development. Volume 70 (3) pp. 415-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.06.031

2005

  • Powers S. P., C. H. Peterson, R. R. Christian , E. Sullivan, M. J. Powers, M. Bishop and C. P. Buzzelli. Effects of eutrophication on bottom habitat and prey resources of demersal fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 302:233-243. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps302233

2004

  • Grabowski, J.H. and S.P. Powers. Habitat complexity mitigates trophic transfer on oyster reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 277:291-295. http://doi.org/10.3354/meps277291

2003

  • Sperduto, M., S.P. Powers, and M. Donlan. Scaling restoration actions to achieve quantitative enhancement of loon, seaduck, and seabird populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 264: 221-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps264221
  • Powers, S. P., J. Grabowski, C.H. Peterson, and W.J. Lindberg. Estimating enhancement of fish production by offshore artificial reefs: uncertainty exhibited by divergent scenarios. Marine Ecology Progress Series 264:265-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps264265
  • Peterson, C. H., J. H. Grabowski, and S. P. Powers. Estimated enhancement of fish production resulting from restoring oyster reef habitat- quantitative valuation. Marine Ecology Progress Series 264:249-264. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps264249
  • Grabowski, J.H., S.P. Powers and M. Hooper. Identification and incorporation of growth and survival bottlenecks in economic models of Hard Clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) mariculture. Journal of Shellfish Research 22(3): 697-703
  • Grabowski, J.H., S.P. Powers, C.H. Peterson, M.J. Powers, and D.P. Green. Consumer ratings of non-native (Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea ariakensis) vs. native (Crassostrea virginica) oysters. Journal of Shellfish Research 2003 Vol.22 No.1 pp.21-30

2002

  • Powers, S. P. and C. H. Peterson. Intertidal benthic resources of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. Journal of Sea Research 47: 13 -23. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1385-1101(01)00102-2
  • Powers, S. P. and J. N. Kittinger. Hydrodynamic mediation of predator-prey interactions- differential patterns of prey susceptibility and predator success explained by variation in water flow. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(02)00162-4
  • Buzzelli, C.P., R.A. Luettich Jr., S.P. Powers, C.H. Peterson, J.E. McNinch, J.L. Pinckney, and H.W. Paerl. Estimating the spatial extent of bottom-water hypoxia and habitat degradation in a shallow estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 230: 103 -112.
  • Borsuk, M. E., S. P. Powers and C. H. Peterson. A survival model of the effects of bottom-water hypoxia on the population density of an estuarine clam (Macoma balthica). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 59: 1266 -1274. https://doi.org/10.1139/f02-093

2001

  • Wetzel, M. A., Fleeger, J. W. and S. P. Powers. Effects of hypoxia and anoxia on meiofauna: A review with new data from the Gulf of Mexico. Pages 165 -184, In: N.N. Rabalais and R.E. Turner (eds.), Coastal Hypoxia: Consequences for Living Resources and Ecosystems. Coastal and Estuarine Studies 58, American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C.
  • Peterson, C. H., F. J. Fodrie, H.C. Summerson and S. P. Powers. Site-specific and density-dependent extinction of prey by schooling rays: generation of a population sink in top-quality habitat for bay scallops. Oecologia 129: 349 -356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420100742
  • Powers, S. P., D. E. Harper, Jr. and N. N. Rabalais. Effect of large-scale hypoxia/anoxia on supply-settlement relationships of benthic invertebrate larvae. Pages 185 - 210, In: N.N. Rabalais and R.E. Turner (eds.), Coastal Hypoxia: Consequences for Living Resources and Ecosystems. Coastal and Estuarine Studies 58, American Geophysical Union, Washington, D.C.

2000

  • Powers, S. P. and C. H. Peterson. Conditional density dependence: The flow trigger to expression of density-dependent emigration in bay scallops. Limnology and OceanographyVolume 45, Issue 3 p. 727-732. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2000.45.3.0727
  • Grabowski, J.H., S.P. Powers and M. Hooper. Balancing tradeoffs between predator protection and associated growth penalties in aquaculture of northern quahogs, Mercenaria mercenaria (Linnaeus, 1758): a comparison of two common grow-out methods. Journal of Shellfish Research, 19 (2): 957 -962.

1998

  • Powers, S. P. Larval supply-settlement relationships in an estuarine fouling community. Gulf Research Reports 10: 77 -78.

1991

  • Hauber D. P., White, D. A., S. P. Powers and F. R. DeFrancesch. Isozyme variation and correspondence with unusual infrared reflectance patterns in Phragmites australis (Poaceae). Pl Syst Evol 178, 1–8 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937978