Susan (Laubscher) Yetter

302 Walker Building
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Telehone: 814.863.3208
FAX: 814.863.7943
E-mail: sel131@psu.edu

education:

Pennsylvania State University - M.S. Ecology
Pennsylvania State University - B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Science

professional activities:

Ms. Yetter’s current research interests involve the aquatic ecology and assessment of riverine systems, focusing primarily on the following:

Importance of hydrological connectivity between stream and aquatic areas of the riparian zone(including floodplain and streamside wetlands) in structuring the physical habitat template and resident aquatic macroinvertebrate communities of natural riverine systems;
Anthropogenic effects and ecological consequences of altered flow regimes on this hydrological connection and the resulting physical and biological changes to the system; and
Potential of the above in developing ecological indicators of environmental change in riverine systems.

Ms. Yetter has participated in a wide variety of research in freshwater stream and wetland systems. Past and concluding research projects include:

Identifying non-linear responses to climate change in riverine wetland ecosystems through an analysis of hydrological controls on aquatic habitat and community structure
Evaluating the effectiveness of best management practices in maintaining in-stream biological integrity in small watersheds of the Spring Creek basin
Ecosystem monitoring of tributary watersheds of the National Park Service Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network;
Aquatic macroinvertebrates in Pennsylvania riverine systems and the importance of stream-floodplain interactions;
Macroinvertebrate Indices of Community Integrity (ICIs) for riverine streams and floodplains and slope wetlands;
Rapid wetland assessment of CWC Pennsylvania reference wetlands; and
Ecological indicators of high-quality Appalachian headwater streams

professional employment:

2005–present: Research Assistant, Riparia (formerly the Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center), Penn State University
1997–2005: Research Technician, Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center
1998–2002: Consulting Aquatic Ecologist, Aquascape Wetland and Environmental Services, Grove City, PA
1998–present: Independent Environmental Consultant

selected professional organizations

North American Benthological Society (Certified Taxonomist in Level 2 Eastern Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera)
Society of Wetland Scientists
Association of State Wetland Managers

selected publications:

Laubsher, S. E., G. Rocco, J. A. Bishop, M. M. Easterling, B. K. Armstrong, and R. P. Brooks. 2007. Condition assessment of 5 tributary watershed ecosystems at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and New River Gorge National River. National Park Service, Northeast Region. Philadelphia, PA. Natural Resources Report NPS/NERCHAL/NRR-2007/086.

Laubscher, S. E. 2005. Aquatic macroinvertebrates in Pennsylvania riverine systems: their ecology and utility as bioindicators of condition. M. S. Thesis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

Laubscher, S. E. and A. M. Conklin. 2004. Wetland macroinvertebrates in Pennsylvania: level 3 condition assessment using Indices of Community Integrity (ICIs). Part II.3.c.2.a. in R. P. Brooks (ed.). Monitoring and Assessing Pennsylvania Wetlands. Final Report for Cooperative Agreement No. X-827157-01, between Penn State Cooperative Wetlands Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, Washington, D. C.