A. ELIZABETH FETSCHER - Biologist

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Biology, University of California, San Diego, 1999

B.A., Microbiology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1992

A.A., Santa Barbara City College, 1989

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Dr. Fetscher’s research experience is in fields ranging from plant evolutionary ecology to stream benthology. For her doctoral dissertation, she examined how the interaction between bush monkeyflower and its hummingbird pollinators has influenced the evolution of monkeyflower floral architecture and behavior. This work resulted in a novel contribution to our understanding of pollination ecology and is highlighted in the newest edition of a widely used college introductory biology textbook.

Dr. Fetscher directs the stream algae research program at SCCWRP. Primary goals of the program are to design integrative, ecological tools for the development of biological objectives for stream condition, as well as to support the setting of nutrient numeric targets within the region. She chaired the technical committee that crafted the long-term plan for the implementation of algal indicators by California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP), authored SWAMP’s Standard Operating Procedures for field sampling of stream algae, and served as an algae expert on the technical review panel of the EPA National Wetlands Condition Assessment Field Operations Manual. Dr. Fetscher played the lead role in development of an algal Index of Biotic Integrity for use in southern California wadeable streams, and is preparing recommendations for incorporating algal indicators into the stream Nutrient Numeric Endpoints (NNE) framework. In addition, she is starting up research on the distribution, causes, and effects of cyanobacterial toxins in wadeable streams.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Senior Scientist, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority. Costa Mesa, CA. 2003-Present

Biologist, PCR Services Corporation. Irvine, CA. 2001-2003

Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Riverside. Riverside, CA. 1999-2001

Graduate Student Researcher and Teaching Assistant, University of California, San Diego. San Diego, CA. 1993-1999

Laboratory Technician, Sandoz Pharma, Ltd. Basel, Switzerland. 1992-1993

Laboratory Assistant, University of California, Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara, CA. 1990-1992

HONORS AND AWARDS:

National Institutes of Health Training Grant, UC San Diego (1993-1999)

Dean’s List, University of California, Santa Barbara (1991, 1992)

President’s Honor Roll, Santa Barbara City College (1987, 1988, 1989)

PUBLICATIONS:

Fetscher, A.E., M.A. Sutula, J. Callaway, T. Parker, M. Vasey, J.N. Collins, and W.G. Nelson. 2010. Patterns in Estuarine Vegetation Communities in Two Regions of California: Insights from a Probabilistic Survey. Wetlands 30:833‐846.

Stein, E.D., A.E. Fetscher, R.P. Clark, A. Wiskind, J.L. Grenier, M.A. Sutula, J.N. Collins, and C. Grosso. 2009. Calibration of a Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method: Application of EPA’s Level 1-2-3 Framework for Method Testing and Refinement. Wetlands 29:648-665.

Stein, E.D., M.A. Sutula, A.E. Fetscher, R.P. Clark, J.N. Collins, J.L. Grenier, and C. Grosso. 2009. Diagnosing Wetland Health with Rapid Assessment Methods. Society of Wetland Scientists Research Brief No. 2009-0010.

Sutula, M.A., E.D. Stein, J.N. Collins, and A.E. Fetscher. 2006. Key Considerations For Developing a Wetlands Rapid Assessment Method: California's Experience. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 42:157-175.

Stein, E.D., M. Mattson, A.E. Fetscher, and K.J. Halama. 2004. Influence of geologic setting on slope wetland classification and hydrodynamics. Wetlands 24:244-260.

Dag, A., A.E. Fetscher, Y. Yeselson, A.A. Schaffer, Y. Kamer, N.M. Waser, M.A. Madore, R. Hofshi, M.L. Arpaia, and S. Shafir. 2003. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) strains differ in avocado (Persea americana) nectar foraging preferences. Apidologie 34:299-309.

Fetscher A.E., S.M. Rupert, and J.R. Kohn. 2002. Hummingbird foraging position is altered by the touch-sensitive stigma of bush monkeyflower. Oecologia 133: 551-558.

Fetscher, A.E. 2001. Resolution of male-female conflict in an hermaphroditic flower. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Biological Sciences 268:525-529.

Fetscher, A.E., R. Hofshi, N, Waser, and M.L. Arpaia. 2001. Pollinizers and Pollinators - Do they make a difference? AvoResearch 1:1-2.

Fetscher, A.E., T. Davenport, S. Shafir, A. Dag, N. Waser, and M.L. Arpaia. 2000. A review of avocado pollination and the role of pollinizers. Subtropical Fruit News 8:21-25.

Fetscher, A.E. and J.R. Kohn. 1999. Stigma behavior in Mimulus aurantiacus (Scrophulariaceae). American Journal of Botany 86:1130-1135.

Fetscher, A.E. 1999. Evolutionary significance of stigma behavior in bush monkeyflower. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of California, San Diego. San Diego, CA.

TECHNICAL REPORTS:

Stein, E.D., M. Cover, C. O’Reilly, J.J. Hayes, A.E. Fetscher, R. Ambrose, L.S. Fong, R. Guardado, C. Solek, G.M. Kondolf, C. Alford and C. Zuri. 2011. Evaluation of stream condition indicators for determining effects of direct hydromodification via stream bank armoring. Technical Report 643. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., M.A. Sutula, J.C. Callaway, V.T. Parker, M. Vasey, J.N. Collins and W.G. Nelson. 2009. Patterns in vegetation communities of estuarine wetlands in two California regions: Insights from a probabilistic survey. pp. 127-144 in: K.C. Schiff and K. Miller (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2009 Annual Report. Costa Mesa, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., L. Busse., and P.R. Ode. 2009. Standard operating procedures for collecting stream algae samples and associated physical habitat and chemical data for ambient bioassessment in California. Bioassessment SOP 002. Prepared for the California State Water Resources Control Board. Sacramento, CA.

Bay, S.M., D.J. Greenstein, J.A. Ranasinghe, D.W. Diehl, and A.E. Fetscher. 2009. Sediment quality assessment draft technical support manual. Prepared for the California State Water Resources Control Board. Sacramento, CA.

Stein, E.D., A.E. Fetscher, R.P. Clark, A. Wiskind, J.L. Grenier, M. Sutula, J.N. Collins and C. Grosso. 2008. Validation of a wetlands rapid assessment method: Application of the EPA's Level 1-2-3 Framework for method testing and refinement. pp. 247-269 in: S.B. Weisberg and K. Miller (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2008 Annual Report. Costa Mesa, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. and K. McLaughlin. 2008. Incorporating Bioassessment Using Freshwater Algae into California’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP). Prepared for the California State Water Resources Control Board. Sacramento, CA.

Sutula, M., J.N. Collins, R. Clark, C. Roberts, E. Stein, C. Grosso, A. Wiskind, C. Solek, M. May, K. O‘Connor, E. Fetscher, J.L. Grenier, S. Pearce, A. Robinson, C. Clark, K. Rey, S. Morrissette, A. Eicher, R. Pasquinelli, and K. Ritter. 2008. California‘s Wetland Demonstration Program Pilot. Prepared for the California Resources Agency. Sacramento, CA.

Sutula, M., J.N. Collins, A. Wiskind, C. Roberts, C. Solek, S. Pearce, R. Clark, A.E. Fetscher, C. Grosso, K. O’Connor, A. Robinson, C. Clark, K. Rey, S. Morrissette, A. Eicher, R. Pasquinelli, M. May, and K. Ritter. 2008. Status of perennial estuarine wetlands in the state of California. Technical Report 571. Southern California Coastal Water Research Project. Costa Mesa, CA.

Collins, J.N., E.D. Stein, M. Sutula, R. Clark, A.E. Fetscher, L. Grenier, C. Grosso, and A. Wiskind. 2007. The California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM) for Wetlands and Riparian Areas. Prepared for the US Environmental Protection Agency. Sacramento, CA.

Ambrose, R., J. Callaway, J. Crooks, J. Dixon, M. Horn, M. Josselyn, S. Madon, K. Schwarz, E.D. Stein, M.A. Sutula, S. Weisberg, M. White, R. Zembal, and A.E. Fetscher. 2006. Volume 1: Framework for Regional Assessment of All Wetland Classes and Indicators for Estuary and Coastal Lagoon Assessment. Prepared for the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project. Oakland, CA.

Stein, E.D., M.L. Mattson, A.E. Fetscher and K.J. Halama. 2003. Influence of geologic setting on slope wetland classification and hydrodynamics. pp. 338-353 in: S.B. Weisberg and D. Elmore (eds.), Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2001-02 Biennial Report. Westminster, CA.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS:

Fetscher, A.E. 2011. Update on Benthic Algae IBI for Southern California Streams. Presentation at the California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup conference. Davis, CA.

Fetscher A.E., R. Stancheva, J.P. Kociolek, R.G. Sheath, R.D. Mazor, M.A. Sutula and E.D. Stein. 2011. Development of Algal Indicators for Multiple Bioassessment Applications in Wadeable Streams. Presentation at the California Stormwater Quality Association conference. Monterey, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2011. Progress on Stream Algae Assessment Tool Development in Southern California. Presentation at the San Diego Environmental Professionals meeting. San Diego, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2011. Progress on Steam Algae Assessment Tool Development in Southern California. Presentation at the Bay Area Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Information Network conference. Oakland, CA.

Stancheva, R., R.G. Sheath, A.E. Fetscher, J.P. Kociolek, and B.S. Laslandes. 2010. Nitrogen-Fixing Benthic Algal Communities As Indicators Of Stream Reference Water Quality Conditions And Nitrogen Availability. Presentation at the North American Benthological Society Conference. Santa Fe, NM.

Fetscher, A.E., R. Stancheva, B.S. Laslandes, R.G. Sheath, J.P. Kociolek, and M.A. Sutula. 2009. Nitrogen-Fixing Diatoms and Cyanobacteria as Valuable Indicators of Stream Nitrogen Availability. Presentation at the American Water Resources Association Conference. Seattle, WA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2009. Development of Stream Algal Bioassessment Capacity: Progress in Southern California. Presentation at the Bay Area Macroinvertebrate Bioassessment Information Network (BAMBI) Meeting. Oakland, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2009. Status of Algae Bioassessment Research in Southern California. Presentation at the California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup Conference. Davis, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2008. Integrating Stream Bioassessment with Wetland Assessment. Presentation at the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project Symposium. San Diego, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. 2008. Development of Algal Bioassessment Approaches and Tools for Application in California. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Southern California Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Dana Point, CA.

Fetscher, A.E, J.P. Kociolek, R. Sheath, L. Busse, E.D. Stein, and M.A. Sutula. 2006. Development of a Periphyton Index of Biotic Integrity for Southern California Streams. Paper presented at the California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup Conference. Davis, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., J.N. Collins, J. Callaway, M.A. Sutula, V.T. Parker, M. Vasey, and E. Briscoe. 2006. Designing an Ambient Monitoring Approach for Intertidal Wetlands. Paper presented at the California and the World Ocean Conference. Long Beach, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., E.D. Stein, and M.A. Sutula. 2006. The Integrated Wetlands Regional Assessment Program (IWRAP) for Southern California. Paper presented at the Wetlands Recovery Project Symposium. Santa Barbara, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., E.D. Stein, and M.A. Sutula. 2006. Development of an Integrated Regional Assessment Program for Southern California Wetlands. Paper presented at the Headwaters to Ocean Conference. Huntington Beach, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., M.A. Sutula, J. N. Collins, J. Callaway, E. Briscoe, C. Grosso, and L. Schile. 2005. A regional survey of intertidal wetland condition in response to anthropogenic activities: Insights from the EMAP western pilot in California. Paper presented at the Society of Wetlands Scientists Conference. Charleston, SC.

Fetscher, A.E., J.N. Collins, M.A. Sutula, E.D. Stein, and R.P. Clark. 2005. California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands: Development of a Statewide Approach to Rapid Assessment of California Tidal and Freshwater Wetlands. Paper presented at the CLE International 11th Annual Conference. San Diego, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. and Fetscher, A.E., M.A. Sutula, J. N. Collins, J. Callaway, E. Briscoe, C. Grosso, and L. Schile. 2004. Indicators of Intertidal Wetland Condition and Response to Anthropogenic Influences: Insights from the 2002 EMAP Western Pilot in California. Paper presented at the Headwaters to Ocean Conference. Long Beach, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. and M.A. Sutula, E.D. Stein, J.N. Collins, and R.P. Clark. 2004. The California Rapid Assessment Method (CRAM): Development of a statewide approach to cost-effective determination of wetland condition. Paper presented at the Headwaters to Ocean Conference. Long Beach, CA.

Fetscher, A.E. and M.A. Sutula, E.D. Stein, J.N. Collins, and R.P. Clark. 2004. Rapid-Assessment Method Development for Wetland Condition in California. Paper presented at the American Water Resources Association Special Conference on Riparian Ecosystems & Buffers. Squaw Valley, CA.

Fetscher, A.E., M.A. Sutula, E.D. Stein, and J.N. Collins. 2004. Rapid-Assessment Method Development for Wetland Condition in California. Proceedings of the American Water Resources Association Conference on Riparian Ecosystems and Buffers: Multi-Scale Structure, Function, and Management. Olympic Valley, CA.