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Ronald Thom

Ronald Thom

Battelle Marine Sciences Laboratory
1529 West Sequim Bay Road
Sequim, WA 98382
(360) 681-3657

Biography

Ron has conducted research in coastal and estuarine ecosystems since 1971. His research includes coastal ecosystem restoration; adaptive management of restored systems; benthic primary production; climate change and adaptation; carbon storage in restored coastal systems, and ecology of fisheries resources. Over his 45-year professional career, Ron has directed approximately 200 multidisciplinary ecological studies. He has worked on systems in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts, New York, Nebraska, and Alabama. He has published five book chapters, about 100 peer reviewed papers, hundreds of reports, made hundreds of professional presentations, and served on numerous professional committees. From 1985-1989 he chaired the Technical Advisory Committee of the EPA’s Puget Sound Estuary Program. Between 1991 and 2013, Ron managed the Coastal Ecosystem technical group at PNNL. During the mid-1990s to early 2000s, Ron (while working for PNNL) also taught courses in Coastal Zone Management, Wetland Restoration, and Oceanography at the four-year program in Environmental Studies at Western Washington University (Port Angeles campus). Because of the growing international reputation of his group, Ron was invited to South Korea in 2009 to present a keynote address on Coastal Ecosystem Restoration. He was invited to China in 2010 where he signed an agreement for joint cooperative research in coastal restoration between PNNL and East China Normal University, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine & Coastal Research in Shanghai, China. Since 2009, Ron has served on the Expert Regional Technical Group (ETRG) that evaluates restoration project proposals aimed as restoring ecosystem health and salmon in the Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program (CEERP) funded by Bonneville Power Administration and the Corps of Engineers. In 2011, Ron served as a member of US EPA Science Advisory Board panel reviewing the Great Lakes Restoration Program. In 2013, Ron served on a panel to advise the State of Louisiana on an adaptive management program for restoring their coastline. In 2015, the Governor of Washington appointed him to the Northwest Straits Commission. In 2014-16, Ron served on a National Research Council panel to develop recommendations for monitoring the effectiveness recovery actions in the Gulf of Mexico coastal ecosystem following the 2010 oil spill. Ron co-chaired the 2015 conference of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), and co-chaired the 2016 Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference – a joint conference between the US and Canada. In 2014-2016, and again beginning in 2017, he has served part time as the Senior Science Advisor to the Puget Sound Partnership, which is the EPA National Estuary Program in Puget Sound. In 2010, Ron was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences based on career accomplishments. In 2011, he was elected to the Board of Directors, and in 2016 was elected president-elect of the Academy. Ron will serve as President in 2018-2020. The Academy advises the Governor on science, engineering and health issues affecting the State.

Ron retired from PNNL in June 2013, served in a part time retire-rehire capacity for three years, and was given Staff Scientist Emeritus status in June 2016.

Research Interests

  • Ecology of seagrasses, seaweed, salt marshes and tide flats
  • Restoration of estuarine and coastal ecosystems
  • Effects of climate change on estuarine and coastal ecosystems
  • Adaptive management of restored ecosystems

Education and Credentials

  • Ph.D., Fisheries, University of Washington, 1978
  • M.S., Marine Algal Ecology, California State University, Long Beach, 1976
  • B.S., Biological Sciences, California State College, Dominguez Hills, 1971
  • A.S., Natural Sciences, Long Beach City College, 1969

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
  • Pacific Estuarine Research Society

Awards and Recognitions

  • National Research Council Panel (organized by National Academy of Sciences) on Erosion of Protected Shorelines 2005

PNNL Publications

2021

  • Diefenderfer H.L., G.D. Steyer, M.C. Harwell, A.J. Loschiavo, H.A. Neckles, D.M. Burdick, and G.E. Johnson, et al. 2021. "Applying cumulative effects to strategically advance large-scale ecosystem restoration." Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 19, no. 2:108-117. PNNL-SA-144525. doi:10.1002/fee.2274

2020

  • Borde A.B., H.L. Diefenderfer, V.I. Cullinan, S.A. Zimmerman, and R.M. Thom. 2020. "Ecohydrology of wetland plant communities along an estuarine to tidal river gradient." Ecosphere 11, no. 9:e03185. PNNL-SA-140497. doi:10.1002/ecs2.3185

2018

  • Diefenderfer H.L., V.I. Cullinan, A.B. Borde, C.M. Gunn, and R.M. Thom. 2018. "High-Frequency Greenhouse Gas Flux Measurement System Detects Winter Storm Surge Effects on Salt Marsh." Global Change Biology 24, no. 12:5961-5971. PNNL-SA-135874. doi:10.1111/gcb.14430
  • Ebberts B.D., B.D. Zelinsky, J.P. Karnezis, C. Studebaker, S. Lopez-Johnston, A.M. Creason, and L. Krasnow, et al. 2018. "Estuary Ecosystem Restoration: Implementing and Institutionalizing Adaptive Management." Restoration Ecology 26, no. 2:360-369. PNNL-SA-124329. doi:10.1111/rec.12562
  • Thom R.M., J. Gaeckle, K.E. Buenau, A.B. Borde, J. Vavrinec, L.M. Aston, and D.L. Woodruff, et al. 2018. "Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Restoration in Puget Sound: Development of a Site Suitability Assessment Process." Restoration Ecology 26, no. 6:1066-1074. PNNL-SA-128364. doi:10.1111/rec.12702

2017

  • Krueger K., D. Bottom, G. Hood, G.E. Johnson, K. Jones, and R.M. Thom. 2017. "An expert panel process to evaluate habitat restoration actions in the Columbia River estuary." Journal of Environmental Management 188. PNNL-SA-123489. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.028

2016

  • Diefenderfer H.L., G.E. Johnson, R.M. Thom, K.E. Buenau, L.A. Weitkamp, C.M. Woodley, and A.B. Borde, et al. 2016. "Evidence-based Evaluation of the Cumulative Effects of Ecosystem Restoration." Ecosphere 7, no. 3:e01242. PNNL-SA-104585. doi:10.1002/ecs2.1242

2015

  • Estes M.G., M. Al-Hamdan, J. Ellis, C.R. Judd, D.L. Woodruff, R.M. Thom, and D. Quattrochi, et al. 2015. "A Modeling System to Assess Land Cover Land Use Change Effects on SAV habitat in the Mobile Bay Estuary." Journal of the American Water Resources Association 51, no. 2:513-536. PNWD-SA-10349. doi:10.1111/jawr.12263
  • Thom R.M., and A.B. Borde. 2015. "ESTUARINE HABITAT RESTORATION." In Encyclopedia of Estuaries, edited by MJ Kennish. 273-285. Amsterdam:Springer. PNNL-SA-98175. doi:10.1007/978-94-017-8801-4_78
  • Tian B., Y. Zhou, R.M. Thom, H.L. Diefenderfer, and Q. Yuan. 2015. "Detecting wetland changes in Shanghai, China using FORMOSAT and Landsat TM imagery." Journal of Hydrology 529, no. Part 1:1-10. PNNL-SA-112617. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.07.007

2014

  • Thom R.M., S.L. Southard, and A.B. Borde. 2014. "Climate-linked mechanisms driving spatial and temporal variation in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) growth and assemblage structure in Pacific Northwest estuaries, USA." Journal of Coastal Research. JCR Fall 2014, no. 68:1-11. PNNL-SA-102122. doi:10.2112/SI68-001.1

2012

  • Thom R.M., H.L. Diefenderfer, J. Vavrinec, and A.B. Borde. 2012. "Restoring Resiliency: Case Studies from Pacific Northwest Estuarine Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Ecosystems." Estuaries and Coasts 35, no. 1:78-91. PNNL-SA-68902. doi:10.1007/s12237-011-9430-6

2011

  • Diefenderfer H.L., R.M. Thom, G.E. Johnson, J.R. Skalski, K.A. Vogt, B.D. Ebberts, and G.C. Roegner, et al. 2011. "A Levels-of-Evidence Approach for Assessing Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Estuary and River Restoration Programs." Ecological Restoration 29, no. 1-2:111-132. PNNL-SA-55734.
  • McGraw K.A., and R.M. Thom. 2011. "Protection and Restoration: Are We Having an Effect?." Ecological Restoration 29, no. 1-2:2-7. PNNL-SA-78068.
  • Thom R.M., E. Haas, N.R. Evans, and G.D. Williams. 2011. "Lower Columbia River and Estuary Habitat Restoration Prioritization Framework." Ecological Restoration 29, no. 1-2:94-110. PNWD-SA-9159.
  • Thom R.M., H.L. Diefenderfer, J.E. Adkins, C. Judd, M.G. Anderson, K.E. Buenau, and A.B. Borde, et al. 2011. "Guidelines, processes and tools for coastal ecosystem restoration, with examples from the United States." Plankton & Benthos Research 5, no. Supplement:185-201. PNNL-SA-73076. doi:10.3800/pbr.5.185

2010

  • Yang Z., K.L. Sobocinski, D.W. Heatwole, T. Khangaonkar, R.M. Thom, and R. Fuller. 2010. "Hydrodynamic and Ecological Assessment of Nearshore Restoration: A Modeling Study." Ecological Modelling 221, no. 7:1043-1053. PNNL-SA-61739. doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.07.011

2009

  • Diefenderfer H.L., K.L. Sobocinski, R.M. Thom, C.W. May, A.B. Borde, S.L. Southard, and J. Vavrinec, et al. 2009. "Multiscale Analysis of Restoration Priorities for Marine Shoreline Planning." Environmental Management 44, no. 4:712-731. PNWD-SA-8063. doi:10.1007/s00267-009-9298-4
  • Estes M.G., M. Al-Hamdan, R.M. Thom, D. Quattrochi, D.L. Woodruff, C. Judd, and J. Ellis, et al. 2009. "Watershed and Hydrodynamic Modeling for Evaluating the Impact of Land Use Change on Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Seagrasses in Mobile Bay." In OCEANS 2009: MTS/IEEE Biloxi - Marine Tehcnology for Our Future: Global and Local Challenges. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNWD-SA-8733.
  • Huesemann M.H., T.S. Hausmann, T.J. Fortman, R.M. Thom, and V.I. Cullinan. 2009. "In-situ Phytoremediation of PAH and PCB Contaminated Marine Sediments with Eelgrass (Zostera marina)." Ecological Engineering 35, no. 10:1395-1404. PNNL-SA-61742.

2008

  • Thom R.M. 2008. "A.W.D., Larkum, R.J. Orth, C.M. Duarte (eds.), 2006, Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology and Conservation, Springer, ISBN: 978-1-4020-2942-4 (hardback), US$ 99.00, 691 pages." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 354, no. 1:160. PNNL-SA-57379.
  • Thom R.M., S.L. Southard, A.B. Borde, and P. Stoltz. 2008. "Light Requirements for Growth and Survival of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in Pacific Northwest (USA) Estuaries." Estuaries and Coasts 31, no. 5:969-980. PNWD-SA-6070. doi:10.1007/s12237-008-9082-3
  • Thom R.M., S.S. Southard, A.B. Borde, and P. Stoltz. 2008. "Light Requirements for Growth and Survival of Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) in Pacific Northwest (USA) Estuaries." Estuaries and Coasts 31, no. 5:969-980. PNWD-SA-8093. doi:10.1007/s12237-008-9082-3

2007

  • Thom R.M., and C. Judd. 2007. "Model for Coastal Restoration." In Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaborative (GOMRC) User Group. Richland, Washington:Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. PNNL-SA-56374.

2005

  • Diefenderfer H.L., R.M. Thom, and K. Hofseth. 2005. "A Framework for Risk Analysis for Ecological Restoration Projects in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers." In Economics and Ecological Risk Assessment: Applications to Watershed Management, Environmental and Ecological Risk Assessment Series, edited by Randall J. F. Bruins, Matthew T. Heberling. 57-105. Boca Raton, Florida:CRC Press. PNNL-SA-37959.
  • Evans N.R., G.D. Williams, R.M. Thom, and A.B. Borde. 2005. "Prioritizing Restoration Sites in the Columbia River Estuary." In Proceedings of the 25th Annual ESRI International User Conference, July 25-29, 2005, San Diego, California. Redlands, California:ESRI International. PNWD-SA-7011.
  • Thom R.M., G.D. Williams, A.B. Borde, J.A. Southard, S.L. Sargeant, D.L. Woodruff, and J.C. Laufle, et al. 2005. "Adaptively Addressing Uncertainty in Estuarine and Near Coastal Restoration Projects." Journal of Coastal Research. JCR 40, no. sp. iss.:94-108. PNNL-SA-40819.
  • Thom R.M., G.D. Williams, and H.L. Diefenderfer. 2005. "Balancing the Need to Develop Coastal Areas with the Desire for an Ecologically Functioning Coastal Environment: Is Net Ecosystem Improvement Possible?." Restoration Ecology 13, no. 1:193-203. PNWD-SA-6354. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100X.2005.00024.x

2004

  • Diefenderfer H.L., S.L. Sargeant, R.M. Thom, A.B. Borde, P.F. Gayaldo, C.A. Curtis, and B.L. Court, et al. 2004. "Demonstration Dock Designed to Benefit Eelgrass Habitat Restoration (Washington)." Ecological Restoration 22, no. 2:140-141. PNWD-SA-6315.
  • Huesemann M.H., T.S. Hausmann, T.J. Fortman, R.M. Thom, E.A. Foote, and E.A. Foote. 2004. "Using Eelgrass (Zostera marina) for Phytoremediation of PAH-Contaminated Marine Sediments." In The Seventh International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, edited by VS Magar and ME Kelley, Paper No. N-14. Columbus, Ohio:Battelle Press. PNWD-SA-6360.
  • Thom R.M., G.D. Williams, and A.B. Borde. 2004. "Conceptual Models as a Tool for Assessing, Restoring, and Managing Puget Sound Habitats and Resources." In 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Resarch Conference Proceedings, March 31-April 3, 2003, Vancouver, BC (Canada), edited by TW Droscher and DA Fraser. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Action Team. PNWD-SA-5814.
  • Williams G.D., R.M. Thom, J.A. Southard, S.L. Sargeant, D.K. Shreffler, and M.T. Stamey. 2004. "Assessing Overwater Structure-Related Predation on Juvenile Salmon: A Field Study and Protocol for Weighing the Evidence." In 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference Proceedings, Mary 31- April 3, 2003, Vancouver, BC (Canada), edited by TW Droscher and DA Fraser. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Action Team. PNNL-SA-37954.
  • Williams G.D., R.M. Thom, N.R. Evans, A.B. Borde, and P.N. Best. 2004. "Bainbridge Island Nearshore Habitat Characterization and Assessment." In 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference, March 31 - April 3, 2003, Vancouver, BC (Canada), edited by TW Droscher and DA Fraser. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Action Team. PNWD-SA-5819.

2003

  • Borde A.B., R.M. Thom, S. Rumrill, and L.M. Miller. 2003. "Geospatial Habitat Analysis in Pacific Northwest Coastal Estuaries." Estuaries 26, no. 4B:1104-1116. PNWD-SA-5811.
  • Diefenderfer H.L., S.L. Sargeant, R.M. Thom, A.B. Borde, P.F. Gayaldo, C.A. Curtis, and B.L. Court, et al. 2003. "Dock Design to Facilitate the Restoration of Eelgrass in Port Townsend Bay, Washington." In Assembling the Pieces - Restoration, Design and Landscape Ecology: Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration International, November 19-22, 2003, Austin, Texas. Tucson, Arizona:Society for Ecological Restoration International. PNWD-SA-6035.
  • Sargeant S.L., R.M. Thom, H.L. Diefenderfer, A.B. Borde, and J.A. Southard. 2003. "Evaluation of Methods to Increase Light under Large Overwater Structures." In 2003 Georgia Basin/Puget Sound Research Conference Proceedings, Vancouver, BC, March 31 - April 3, 2003, edited by TW Droscher and DA Fraser. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Action Team. PNNL-SA-37320.
  • Thom R.M., A.B. Borde, S. Rumrill, D.L. Woodruff, G.D. Williams, J.A. Southard, and S.L. Sargeant. 2003. "Factors Influencing Spatial and Annual Variability in Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) Meadows in Willapa Bay, Washington, and Coos Bay, Oregon, Estuaries." Estuaries 26, no. 4B:1117-1129. PNWD-SA-5838.

2002

  • Thom R.M., A.B. Borde, G.D. Williams, J.A. Southard, and S.L. Blanton. 2002. "Adaptive Management to Improve Seagrass Restoration Success." In Watershed 2002: Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation, February 23-27, 2002, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 362-373. Alexandria, Virginia:Water Environment Federation. PNWD-SA-5520.
  • Thom R.M., R. Zeigler, and A.B. Borde. 2002. "Floristic Development Patterns in a Restored Elk River Estuarine Marsh, Grays Harbor, Washington." Restoration Ecology 10, no. 3:487-496. PNNL-SA-37599.
  • Thom R.M., S.L. Blanton, A.B. Borde, G.D. Williams, D.L. Woodruff, and M.H. Huesemann. 2002. "Investigations into Wetland Carbon Sequestration as Remediation for Global Warming." In International Conference on Wetlands and Remediation; Wetlands and Remediation II, edited by KW Nehring and SE Brauning, 311-320. Columbus, Ohio:Battelle Press. PNNL-SA-35183.

2001

  • Clements W., S.N. Luoma, J. Gerritsen, A. Hatch, P. Jepson, T. Reynoldson, and R.M. Thom. 2001. "Stressor Interactions in Ecological Systems." In Ecological Variability: Separating Natural from Anthropogenic Causes of Ecosystem Impairment, edited by Donald J. Baird and G. Allen Burton, Jr. 215-233. Pensacola, Florida:SETAC Press. PNWD-SA-5436.
  • Long W.L., and R.M. Thom. 2001. "Part III. Seagrass Habitat Conservation. Chapter 21. Improving seagrass habitat quality." In Global Seagrass Research Methods. 407-445. Amsterdam:Elsevier. PNWD-SA-5555.
  • Luoma S.N., W. Clements, J. Gerritsen, A. Hatch, P. Jepson, T. Reynoldson, and R.M. Thom. 2001. "Separating stressor influences from environmental variability: eight case studies from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems." In Ecological Variability: Separating Natural from Anthropogenic Causes of Ecosystem Impairment, edited by Donald J. Baird and G. Allen Burton, Jr. 179-215. Pensacola, Florida:SETAC Press. PNWD-SA-5435.
  • Luoma S.N., W. Clements, T. Dewitt, J. Gerritsen, A. Hatch, P. Jepson, and T. Reynoldson, et al. 2001. "Role of Environmental Variability in Evaluating Stressor Effects." In Ecological Variability: Separating Natural from Anthropogenic Causes of Ecosystem Impairment, edited by Donald J. Baird and G. Allen Burton, Jr. 141-179. Pensacola, Florida:SETAC Press. PNWD-SA-5437.
  • Thom R.M., A.B. Borde, G.D. Williams, J.A. Southard, S.L. Blanton, and D.L. Woodruff. 2001. "Effects of Multiple Stressors on Eelgrass Restoration Projects." In Proceedings of Puget Sound Research 2001, the fifth Puget Sound Research Conference, edited by Droscher, Toni, 1. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team. PNWD-SA-5434. Effects of Multiple Stressors on Eelgrass Restoration Projects
  • Thom R.M., A.B. Borde, K.O. Richter, and L.F. Hibler. 2001. "Influence of Urbanization on Ecological Processes in Wetlands." In Land Use and Watersheds : Human Influence on Hydrology and Geomorphology in Urban and Forest Areas. Water Science and Application, edited by Mark Wigmosta and Stephen Burges, 2, 5-16. Washington, District Of Columbia:American Geophysical Union. PNWD-SA-5187.
  • Thom R.M., A.B. Borde, S.L. Blanton, D.L. Woodruff, and G.D. Williams. 2001. "The Influence of Climate Variation and Change on Structure and Processes in Nearshore Vegetated Communities of Puget Sound and other Northwest Estuaries." In Proceedings of the 2001 Puget Sound Research Conference. Olympia, Washington:Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team. PNNL-SA-34977.

2000

  • Emmett R., R. Llanso, J. Newton, R.M. Thom, M. Hornberger, C. Morgan, and C. Levings, et al. 2000. "Geographic Signatures of North American West Coast Estuaries." Estuaries 23, no. 6:765-792. PNWD-SA-5430.
  • Thom R.M. 2000. "Adaptive management of coastal ecosystem restoration projects." Ecological Engineering 15, no. 3-4:365-372. PNWD-SA-5738.

Selected Publications

2017

  • Ebberts, BD, BD Zelinski, JP Karnezis, CA Studebaker, S Lopez-Johnson, AM Creason, L Kraznow, GE Johnson and RM Thom. 2017. Estuary ecosystem restoration: Implementing and institutionalizing adaptive management. Restoration Ecology.

2016

  • Thom, RM, T St Clair, R Burns, and M Anderson. 2016. Adaptive management of large aquatic ecosystem recovery programs in the United States. J. Environmental Management 183:424-430.

Energy and Environment

Core Research Areas

Contacts