Photo of C. Andrew Dolloff

C. Andrew Dolloff

Project Leader
1710 Research Center Drive
Virginia Tech
 Blacksburg, VA 24060-6349
Phone: 540-231-4864
Fax: 540-231-1383
andy.dolloff@usda.gov

Current Research

  • Climate change: characterization and prediction of water temperature in headwater streams
  • Effect of climate change on transition of aquatic communities from cold-, cool-, and warmwater habitats
  • Influence of disturbances [floods, debris flows, transportation networks, water temperature] on aquatic organisms
  • American Eel freshwater distribution, age & growth, and habitat use
  • Influence of frequent prescribed fire on large wood in Atlantic coastal plain streams and aquatic communities
  • Effect of dam and reservoir operation on riverine communities

Research Interests

  • Trout and coldwater fish production ecology
  • Ecology and management of large wood in stream
  • Effectiveness of forestry Best Management Practices
  • Influence of natural [hurricanes, ice storms, microbursts, landslides and debris flows] and human-related [acid precipitation, road/stream crossings, increased temperature, water-based recreation, forest harvest] disturbance on stream fauna and ecology

Past Research

  • Effects of removal/addition of large wood in streams on coldwater fishes and their habitats (Alaska and Virginia)
  • Winter habitat use by juvenile Coho Salmon and Dolly Varden (Alaska)
  • Basinwide estimation of habitat and fish populations (Alaska, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia)
  • Use of surrogate species to evaluate the impact of habitat disturbance on threatened, endangered or sensitive benthic riffle fishes
  • Manipulation of streamside management zone width and harvest intensity for water quality (Virginia, West Virginia)
  • Loss of Eastern hemlock from riparian areas in the Eastern US

  • Alternative methods for assessing fish distribution and abundance [benthic riffle fishes, underwater observation, scale dependent sampling protocols, sample extrapolation]

Why This Research is Important

The aquatic fauna of the southeastern US is among the most diverse worldwide, with many dozens of endemic species spread across 13 southeastern states. Many of these species, such as the eastern Brook Trout are highly prized both for their sport and asthetc value but are under increasing pressure from land use and climate change. Particularly in coldwater streams, the composition and character of aquatic communities are among the most compelling indicators of ecosystem heath and vitality. The response of aquatic organisms to changes in water quality and their habitats can be directly linked to disturbances and land use changes, and knowledge of the role of disturbance in structuring aquatic communities will enable managers to implement protective measures and enhancements.

 

Education

Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife, 1983
Montana State University
M.S. in Zoology, 1979
North Carolina State University
B.S. in Wildlife Management, 1975
University of Maine

Professional Experience

Project Leader and Supervisory Fishery Research Biologist, USDA USFS SRS Forest Watershed Science
2019—Current
Team Leader and Supervisory Fisheries Research Biologist , USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Blacksburg, Virginia
2006—Current
Project Leader and Supervisory Fisheries Research Biologist , USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station, Blacksburg, Virginia
1993—2006
Fisheries Research Biologist , USDA Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Blacksburg, Virginia.
1987—1993

Post Doctoral Fishery Scientist, USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Forest Experiment Station, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Juneau, Alaska and Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
1983—1987

Professional Organizations

  • Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society, Member (1981—Current)
  • American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, Member (1979—Current)
  • American Fisheries Society, Lifetime Member (1978—Current)
  • Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society, Member (1973—Current)
  • The Wildlife Society, Member (1972—2006)

Awards and Recognition

Award for Professional Excellence, 2009
University of Maine Department of Wildlife Ecology
USDA-Forest Service Rise to the Future Award, 2004
Mentorship Award
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer, 2000
Recognizes the technology transfer efforts of C.A. Dolloff USDA Forest Service, SRS, Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer, for efforts in scientifically-based management of aquatic habitat and resources on forested lands.
USDA Forest Service Rise to the Future, 1999
For Collaborative Aquatic Resource Stewardship (presented to the Center for Aquatic Technology Transfer (CATT)).
USDA-Forest Service Eastern Region Award, 1999
Award for Riparian Management
USDA-Forest Service Rise to the Future Award, 1991
For outstanding efforts in support of the program for aquatic habitat improvement.
USDA Unit Award for Superior Service, 1989
For outstanding achievement in providing new information and creative methodologies to protect and enhance fish habitat on forest and range lands
USDA-Forest Service Research Award, 1988
For Excellence in Technology Transfer

Featured Publications and Products

Publications

Research Highlights


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R&D Affiliations
Research Topics
Priority Areas
SRS Science Area
Experimental Forests and Ranges
External Resources
  • The sites listed below are third-party sites which the Forest Service has provided for reference only.
  • ResearchGate Profile logo ResearchGate Profile