Donna Marie Bilkovic

Curriculum Vitae

Donna Bilkovic's CV

Education

• B.S. Biology, University of Michigan
• M.S. Biology, University of Michigan
• Ph.D. Marine Ecology, Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Research Interests

A central goal of my research is to support the development of restoration/conservation strategies and decision-tools for coastal ecosystems.  I have worked on multiple aspects of the ecology of coastal habitats and assemblages with particular attention to 1) interacting roles of natural and anthropogenic perturbations and species composition, diversity, and distribution, 2) the assessment of environmental consequences of various anthropogenic impacts – emphasizing coastal development, habitat loss and fragmentation, and marine debris, 3) the conservation and management of coastal habitats, shorelines, and assemblages.  

My research on the effects of coastal development, including shoreline hardening and riparian land use conversion, on nearshore habitats and fish and invertebrate communities has led to substantive changes in how shorelines are managed. In Chesapeake Bay, this research was used to inform recommendations (and ultimately legislation) to limit the use of hardening for shoreline protection. I also co-managed a derelict fishing gear removal program that strove to link research, management and commercial interests (watermen) to address marine debris in Virginia. 

My current research efforts are focused on 1) improving our understanding of social-ecological feedbacks that erode or strengthen coastal habitat resilience, 2) the use of nature-based approaches for shoreline erosion control (living shorelines) and their role as estuarine habitat conservation strategies, 3) the need for decision-support prioritization tools that integrate habitat function and connectivity into conservation and restoration targeting, 4) strengthening science-based shoreline and wetland management guidelines, and 5) worldwide reform in marine debris management.

Select Recent Projects

Select Publications

• Bilkovic, D.M., Scheld, A., Isdell, R., Mason, P., Stafford, S., Mitchell, M., Gonzalez, C., Chambers, R., Leu, M., Musick, S. Gregory, S., Hendricks, J., Dada, O., and Benson, G. 2025. Valuing present and future benefits provided by coastal wetlands and living shorelines. Nature-Based Solutions, p.100243.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2025.100243
• Sloey, TM, Hildebrandt, S, Morris, RL, Bilskie, MV, Bland, A, Bushek, D, DiPetto, G, Elefant, D, Encomio, V, Familkhalili, R, Hladik, C, Kreeger, D, Paxton, AB, Palinkas, CM, Steele, LT, Scheld, A, Taira, D, Toft, JD, Ubeda, AJ, Whitcraft, C & Bilkovic, DM. A Blueprint to Greener Shorelines: Advancing the Effectiveness, Sustainability, and Widespread Adoption of Coastal Nature-Based Solutions Through Transdisciplinary Research. Estuaries and Coasts, 48(5), 133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-025-01571-8
• Scheld, A.M., Bilkovic, DM., Stafford, S., Powers, K., Musick, S. and Guthrie, A.G. 2024. Valuing shoreline habitats for recreational fishing. Ocean & Coastal Management, 253, p.107150.
• Leu, M., Isdell, R.E., Galvin III, R.M., Rapp, A.J., Mason, S.D., Bilkovic, DM. and Chambers, R.M., 2023. Comparable use of tidal living shorelines and natural‐fringe marshes by herons and shorebirds. Ecosphere, 14(11), p.e4683.
• Guthrie, A.G., Stafford, S., Scheld, A.M., Nunez, K. and Bilkovic, DM., Property owner shoreline modification decisions vary based on their perceptions of shoreline change and interests in ecological benefits. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10, p.1031012.
• Levine, A.J., Turrietta, E.M., Bilkovic, DM. and Chambers, R.M., 2022. Demographic and Trophic Analysis of Adult Grass Shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio) from Living Shoreline and Natural Tidal Marshes in the Chesapeake Bay. Northeastern Naturalist, 29(2), pp.207-228.
• Guthrie, A.G., Bilkovic, M.M. Mitchell, R.M. Chambers, J. Thompson, R.E. Isdell. 2022. Ecological equivalency of living shorelines and natural marshes for fish and crustacean communities. Ecological Engineering 176: 106511.
• Morris, R.L., Bilkovic, DM., Walles, B. and Strain, E.M., 2022. Nature-based coastal defence: Developing the knowledge needed for wider implementation of living shorelines. Ecological Engineering, 185, pp.1-6.
• Isdell, R. E., Bilkovic, A. Guthrie, M.M. Mitchell, R. Chambers, M. Leu, and C. Hershner. 2021. Living Shorelines Achieve Functional Equivalence to Natural Fringe Marshes across Multiple Ecological Metrics. PeerJ 9: e11815.
• Nunez, K., Zhang, Y., Bilkovic, DM., Hershner, C. 2021. Coastal setting determines tidal marsh sustainability with accelerating sea-level rise. Ocean and Coastal Management 214:105898.
• Scheld, A.M., Bilkovic, DM. and Havens, K.J., 2021. Evaluating optimal removal of derelict blue crab pots in Virginia, US. Ocean & Coastal Management, 211, p.105735
• Bilkovic, DM.,E. Isdell, D. Stanhope, K.T. Angstadt, K.J. Havens, R.M. Chambers. 2021. Nursery habitat use by juvenile blue crabs in created and natural fringing marshes. Ecological Engineering 170: 106333.
• Morris, R.L., La Peyre, M.K., Webb, B.M., Marshall, D.A., Bilkovic, DM., Cebrian, J., McClenachan, G., Kibler, K.M., Walters, L.J., Bushek, D. and Sparks, E.L., 2021. Large‐scale variation in wave attenuation of oyster reef living shorelines and the influence of inundation duration. Ecological Applications, p.e2382.
• Bilkovic, DM., R. Isdell, A. Guthrie, M. Mitchell. 2021. Ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa population response to living shoreline design and ecosystem development. Ecosphere 12(3):p.e03402
• Chambers, R.M., Gorsky, A.L., Isdell, R.E., Mitchell, M.M. and Bilkovic, DM. 2021. Comparison of nutrient accrual in constructed living shoreline and natural fringing marshes. Ocean & Coastal Management, 199, p.105401.
• Bilkovic DM., Mitchell, J. Davis, J. Herman, E. Andrews, A. King, P. Mason, N. Tahvildari, J. Davis, R. Dixon. 2019. Defining boat wake impacts on shoreline stability toward management and policy solutions. Ocean and Coastal Management 182:104945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104945
• Mitchell, M., Bilkovic. 2019. Embracing dynamic design for climate-resilient living shorelines. Journal of Applied Ecology 56 (5):1099-1105.
• Morris, R., Bilkovic, D.M., Boswell, M., Bushek, D. Cebrian, J., Goff, J., Kibler, K., La Peyre, M.K., McClenachan, G., Moody, J., Sacks, P., Shinn, J., Sparks, E., Temple, N., Walters, L., Webb, B., Swearer, S. 2019. The application of oyster reefs in shoreline protection: are we over-engineering for an ecosystem engineer? Journal of Applied Ecology 56(70):1703-1711 (link)
• Bilkovic D.M., Mitchell, J. Davis, J. Herman, E. Andrews, A. King, P. Mason, N. Tahvildari, J. Davis, R. Dixon. 2019. Defining boat wake impacts on shoreline stability toward management and policy solutions. Ocean and Coastal Management 182:104945 (link)
• Mitchell M, Bilkovic DM. Embracing dynamic design for climate-resilient living shorelines. J Appl Ecol. 2019;00:1–7. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13371 (link)
• Delbene, J. M. Bilkovic, A. Scheld. 2019. Examining derelict pot impacts on harvest in a commercial blue crab Callinectes sapidus fishery. Marine Pollution Bulletin 139:150-6 (link)
• Isdell, R.E., Bilkovic, D.M. and Hershner, C., 2018. Shorescape‐level factors drive distribution and condition of a salt marsh facilitator (Geukensia demissa). Ecosphere 9(10):p.e02449 (link)
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, M. Schliep, R. Isdell, A. Smyth. 2017. Mutualism between ribbed mussels and cordgrass enhance salt marsh nitrogen removal. Ecosphere 8(4):e01795. (link)
• Mitchell, M., J. Herman, M. Bilkovic, and C. Hershner. 2017. Marsh persistence under sea-level rise is controlled by multiple, geologically variable stressors. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability:1–16. (link)
• Bilkovic, D.M., M.M. Mitchell. 2017. Designing living shoreline salt marsh ecosystems to promote coastal resilience. Chapter In Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-based Coastal Protection In D.M. Bilkovic, M. Mitchell,  M. La Peyre, and J. Toft  (eds), CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.(link)
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, J. Toft, M. La Peyre. 2017. A Primer to Living Shorelines. Chapter In Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-based Coastal Protection In D.M. Bilkovic, M. Mitchell,  M. La Peyre, and J. Toft  (eds), CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
• Toft, J. Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, M. La Peyre. 2017. A Synthesis of Living Shoreline Perspectives. Chapter In Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-based Coastal Protection In D.M. Bilkovic, M. Mitchell,  M. La Peyre, and J. Toft  (eds), CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
• Beck, A.J., R.M. Chambers, M.M. Mitchell, M. Bilkovic. 2017. Evaluation of living shoreline marshes as a tool for reducing nitrogen pollution in coastal systems. In D.M. Bilkovic, M. Mitchell,  M. La Peyre, and J. Toft  (eds), Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-based Coastal Protection, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
• Kornis, M., D. Breitburg, R. Balouskus, M. Bilkovic, L. Davias, S. Giordano, K. Heggie, A. Hines, J. Jacobs, T. Jordan, R. King, C. Patrick, R. Seitz, H. Soulen, T. Targett, D. Weller, D. Whigham, J. Uphoff Jr.  2017. Linking the abundance of estuarine fish and crustaceans in nearshore waters to shoreline hardening and land cover. Estuaries and Coasts DOI:10.1007/s12237-017-0213-6.
• Kornis, D.M. Bilkovic, L.A. Davias, S. Giordano, and D.L. Breitburg. 2017. Shoreline hardening affects nekton biomass, size structure and taxonomic diversity in nearshore waters, with responses mediated by functional species groups. Estuaries and Coasts. DOI: 10.1007/s12237-017-0214-5. (link)
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, P. Mason, K. Duhring. 2016. The role of living shorelines as estuarine habitat conservation strategies. Special Issue (Conserving Coastal and Estuarine Habitats) in Coastal Management Journal 44:161-174. (link)

Books

D.M. Bilkovic (Lead editor), M. Mitchell, M. LaPeyre, and J. Toft (eds). 2017. Living Shorelines: The Science and Management of Nature-based Coastal Protection. CRC Marine Science Series, CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group. (link)

Select Presentations

• Bilkovic, D.M., K Havens, A Scheld, J DelBene, R Chambers, D Zaveta, HW Slacum Jr., C Jeffrey, J Meyer, J Evans. Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear: Plastic Pollution in the Marine Environment. French-American Workshop: Responding to Plastic Pollution through Science: from research to action, Le Mans, France, 12-13 December 2019.

• Bilkovic, D.M, C. Hershner, M. Mitchell, A. Guthrie, R. Isdell, J. Zhang, J. Shen, D. Stanhope, K.Angstadt, K. Nunez, C. Tombleson, S.Stafford, R. Chambers, M. Leu, R. Galvin, A. Gorsky, S. Jones, M. Hauer M. Covi, Wie Yusef. 3-7 Nov 2019. Sustainability in Chesapeake Bay shorescapes: climate change, management decisions, and ecological functions. 25^th Biennial Conference Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF). Mobile, Alabama.

• Bilkovic, D.M., A. Scheld, K. Havens, Danielle Zaveta, H. Ward Slacum Jr. , Christopher Jeffrey, Jill Meyer, John Evans. May 2019. Managing Derelict Fishing Gear in Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems – Case Study. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Marine Debris Management for Sustainable Fisheries and Food Security in Southeast Asia in Nha Trang, Viet Nam. 13-15 May 2019.

• Bilkovic, D.M., R. Isdell, M. Mitchell. 2019. Living shorelines: Long term resilience and encouraging use. Marsh Resilience Summit: From Science to Management, Williamsburg, VA, 5-6 Feb 2019. *Invited Presentation, Session Chair, and steering committee member.  http://chesapeakebayssc.org/marsh-summit/

• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, R. Isdell, M. Schliep, and A. Smyth. Mar 2017. Mutualism between Guekensia demissa and Spartina alterniflora enhances salt marsh nitrogen removal: implications for living shorelines. 109^th Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association. Knoxville, TN.
• Bilkovic, D.M.*, M. Mitchell. Aug-Sep 2016. Designing living shoreline salt marsh ecosystems to promote coastal resilience. Session: The Role of Living Shorelines as Habitat Conservation Strategies. 5^th International EcoSummit Congress, EcoSummit 2016. Montpellier, France.
• Bilkovic, D.M.,K.Havens, D. Stanhope, K. Angstadt. Nov 2014. Derelict fishing gear in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia: Spatial patterns and implications for marine fauna. Session: Derelict Fishing Gear:Impacts and Solutions, Restore America’s Estuaries 7^th National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration and 24^th Biennial Meeting of the Coastal Society, National Harbor, MD.
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell. March 30-April 2, 2014. Potential for living shorelines to augment biogenic habitat in soft-bottom estuaries. Invited speaker to the 106^th Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association. Jacksonville, Florida
• Bilkovic, D.M. Jan 15, 2014. Chesapeake Bay living shorelines: Ecological attributes and trade-offs. Invited speaker to Science of Living Shorelines webinar, hosted by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and NOAA's Estuarine Reserves Division.
• Bilkovic, D.M., M.Mitchell. December 10-11, 2013. Ecological attributes and trade-offs of living shorelines . Invited speaker to Mid-Atlantic Living Shoreline Summit. Cambridge, MD
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell. March 30-April 2, 2014. Potential for living shorelines to augment biogenic habitat in soft-bottom estuaries. Invited speaker to the 106^th Annual Meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association. Jacksonville, Florida
• Bilkovic, D.M., C. Hershner, M. Berman, K. Havens. April 16-17, 2013. Coastal wetland status and trends in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Invited speaker to STAC sponsored workshop – Designing Sustainable Coastal Habitats. Easton, Maryland
• Bilkovic, D.M. April 11, 2013. Habitat provision of marsh-sills in relation to natural & hardened shorelines – Helping to Inform Public Policy. Invited speaker to the Living Shoreline Site Visit and Discussion organized by Interagency Coastal Wetlands Workgroup (EPA, USACOE, NOAA, USFWS, NRCS, USGS) in cooperation with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Restore America’s Estuaries, Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability, Albemarle-Pamlico Estuary Partnership, & N.C. Coastal Federation. Edgewater, Maryland
• Bilkovic, D.M., K.Havens, D. Stanhope, K. Angstadt. February 27-28, 2013. Marine Debris: Commercial Fishing Gear in Virginia Waters. Invited speaker to the Virginia Marine Debris Summit held at Virginia Beach, Virginia.
• Bilkovic, D.M., C. Hershner, M. Berman. September 19-20, 2012. Vulnerability of coastal habitats in Virginia to climate change. Invited speaker to the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF), NOAA, EPA, Water RF, CTC workshop – Adaptation Strategies and Information Needs in Response to Extreme Events: Virginia Tidewater Case Study. Williamsburg, Virginia
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, C. Hershner. March 21–24, 2012. Ecological trade-offs of living shoreline erosion control approaches. 41^st Benthic Ecology Meeting. Norfolk, Virginia. Presenter and Session Chair.
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Mitchell, C. Hershner. November 6-10, 2011. Ecological threshold responses by estuarine fauna to shoreline development with potential management solutions. 21st Biennial Conference of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, Daytona Beach, Florida. Session SCI-061 - Multidisciplinary Evaluations of Ecosystem Services at the Regional Scale. Session Co-Chair with M. Russell
• Bilkovic, D.M., M. Berman, C. Hershner, D. Schatt. October 20-24, 2008. Climate change induced shifts in shallow tidal water habitats in the Chesapeake Bay. 5th World Fisheries Congress. Yokohama, Japan 
• Bilkovic, D.M., K. Angstadt, D. Stanhope, February 23-25, 2009. Identification of suitable spawning substrate for Atlantic sturgeon with acoustic technologies. Seaboard Fisheries Institute 1st Symposium on Atlantic Sturgeon - A Regional Approach to Atlantic Sturgeon Recovery. Newark, Delaware
• Bilkovic, D.M., other ASC researchers.  Coastal development impacts on biological communities in the Chesapeake Bay- Examples from the Atlantic Slope Consortium. December 2006.Living Shorelines Summit. Bringing together diverse perspectives to address shoreline protection alternatives, Williamsburg, Virginia. Keynote speaker. 

Students

• Jessica Fergel, M.S., co-advisor with R. Isdell
• Gabriel Benson, Ph.D., co-advisor with K. Nunez
• Danielle Recco, M.S., co-advisor with A. Scheld
• Ashley Rose, Ph.D., co-advisor with R. Isdell        
• Natalie Klesch, MA, co-advisor with K. Havens
• Kati (McCarter) Grigsby, MA, advisor. External mentor - Nikki Bass, Nansemond Indian Nation
• Julianna M. Ramirez, MA, co-advisor with R. Hale.
• Amanda Guthrie, PhD.
• James DelBene, M.S., co-advisor with A. Scheld
• Molly Mitchell, Ph.D., co-advisor with C. Hershner
• Robert Isdell, Ph.D., co-advisor with C. Hershner

Professional Affiliations

• Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership’s (APNEP) Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), 2021-present
• Chesapeake Bay Program's Scientific and Technical Advisory Committe (STAC), 2010-2018
• Chesapeake Bay Program Fish Habitat Workgroup and Climate Resliency Workgroup
• American Fisheries Society
• Ecological Society of America
• Atlantic Estuarine Research Society