Paul Julian
@swampthingpaul.bsky.social
#Aquatic & #wetland #ecologist, #biogeochemist & #limnologist but you will always find me in the #garden. #rstats number crunching fool. The trails call to me. #Plantbased #vegan muscle head at heart. Webpage and blog https://swampthingecology.org/
Pinned
A quick introduction.
Professionally, I wear multiple hats. I'm an aquatic #biogeochemist that focuses on #nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. I also dive into #hydrology to understand how water moves. I enjoy statistics and love #rstats (sometimes😉)
Professionally, I wear multiple hats. I'm an aquatic #biogeochemist that focuses on #nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. I also dive into #hydrology to understand how water moves. I enjoy statistics and love #rstats (sometimes😉)
Have you ever looked at a complex model and wondered what variables explain the most variance, an idea from colleagues who live in the multiple linear regression world. Not sure if I did it right for GAMs, so I posted the question with reproducible code ...
stats.stackexchange.com/questions/67...
stats.stackexchange.com/questions/67...
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
October 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Have you ever looked at a complex model and wondered what variables explain the most variance, an idea from colleagues who live in the multiple linear regression world. Not sure if I did it right for GAMs, so I posted the question with reproducible code ...
stats.stackexchange.com/questions/67...
stats.stackexchange.com/questions/67...
It's like if you mentor somebody and invest time you benefit ... Strange 🤔
Yes, that was sarcasm. Accepting a student (as a graduate student) is an investment in the future and your legacy. It should be taken seriously.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Yes, that was sarcasm. Accepting a student (as a graduate student) is an investment in the future and your legacy. It should be taken seriously.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What makes PhD students happy? Good supervision
Supervisors who invest in positive mentoring relationships with their PhD candidates also reap the benefits for their own research.
www.nature.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It's like if you mentor somebody and invest time you benefit ... Strange 🤔
Yes, that was sarcasm. Accepting a student (as a graduate student) is an investment in the future and your legacy. It should be taken seriously.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Yes, that was sarcasm. Accepting a student (as a graduate student) is an investment in the future and your legacy. It should be taken seriously.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
I've been listening to a lot of @classicfm.com lately, it makes me feel like I'm listening to a little box radio, sitting next to a fireplace in a comfy chair, sipping tea in some cottage in the Cotswolds or Lakes District.
... close, just 5000 km away. But still got the fireplace and comfy chair
... close, just 5000 km away. But still got the fireplace and comfy chair
October 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I've been listening to a lot of @classicfm.com lately, it makes me feel like I'm listening to a little box radio, sitting next to a fireplace in a comfy chair, sipping tea in some cottage in the Cotswolds or Lakes District.
... close, just 5000 km away. But still got the fireplace and comfy chair
... close, just 5000 km away. But still got the fireplace and comfy chair
Probably the last good weekend to catch the autumn colors, albeit muted due to the drought. As expected, there was a water/limnological based theme 😉. We visited ESF Pond 1 in Heiberg Memorial Forest, Clark Reservation State Park, Chittenango Falls State Park, and Nelson Swamp unique area (no pic).
October 20, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Probably the last good weekend to catch the autumn colors, albeit muted due to the drought. As expected, there was a water/limnological based theme 😉. We visited ESF Pond 1 in Heiberg Memorial Forest, Clark Reservation State Park, Chittenango Falls State Park, and Nelson Swamp unique area (no pic).
Looking at the titles of manuscripts from the past is fun ... it seems much more relaxed. Like this one "Sveriges geologiska undersöknings torvinventering och några av dess hittills vunna resultat." roughly translated to "Sweden's peatlands geological survey and some results gained so far."
October 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Looking at the titles of manuscripts from the past is fun ... it seems much more relaxed. Like this one "Sveriges geologiska undersöknings torvinventering och några av dess hittills vunna resultat." roughly translated to "Sweden's peatlands geological survey and some results gained so far."
I was reading a paper today about stable states ... and they have ASS throughout the paper as an acronym for Alternative Stable States. In the associated code, they have a data.frame where they combined two very large datasets and called it bigass ... couldn't stop laughing whilst reading the paper.
a man in a suit and tie is smiling with his eyes closed
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is smiling with his eyes closed
media.tenor.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I was reading a paper today about stable states ... and they have ASS throughout the paper as an acronym for Alternative Stable States. In the associated code, they have a data.frame where they combined two very large datasets and called it bigass ... couldn't stop laughing whilst reading the paper.
While digging through some code from a manuscript I recently read ... yes, that rabbit hole I came across this line and I think I just found my new favorite set.seed(...) 🤣
set.seed(i+42) # Don’t Panic. “What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?”
#Rstats
set.seed(i+42) # Don’t Panic. “What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?”
#Rstats
October 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
While digging through some code from a manuscript I recently read ... yes, that rabbit hole I came across this line and I think I just found my new favorite set.seed(...) 🤣
set.seed(i+42) # Don’t Panic. “What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?”
#Rstats
set.seed(i+42) # Don’t Panic. “What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything?”
#Rstats
While I understand the intent of this message, it also doesn't negate the need for A) the user to read and understand the script and B) the developer to write functional code.
My personal code usually has this in it to help my OCD brain function. But if I share the code I remove this line.
My personal code usually has this in it to help my OCD brain function. But if I share the code I remove this line.
2017 was when Jenny discussed project-oriented workflows at the University of Auckland!
Love this slide 🤣
Learn about the talk here: www.tidyverse.org/blog/2017/12...
Love this slide 🤣
Learn about the talk here: www.tidyverse.org/blog/2017/12...
September 25, 2025 at 12:15 AM
While I understand the intent of this message, it also doesn't negate the need for A) the user to read and understand the script and B) the developer to write functional code.
My personal code usually has this in it to help my OCD brain function. But if I share the code I remove this line.
My personal code usually has this in it to help my OCD brain function. But if I share the code I remove this line.
Checked out Lake #George for #WorldLakeDay 🌊 Just 60 mi from Lake #Champlain, but water levels tell a different story: while trending down its not as drastic as Champlain 📉
August 28, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Checked out Lake #George for #WorldLakeDay 🌊 Just 60 mi from Lake #Champlain, but water levels tell a different story: while trending down its not as drastic as Champlain 📉
Following up on Lake Champlain levels: USGS data show major tributaries (Saranac, Ausable, Boquet, Lamoille, Winooski, Otter) are at record-low summer flows. Most <5th percentile. Drought or shifting climate? 🌦️🌊 #fedopendata
August 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Following up on Lake Champlain levels: USGS data show major tributaries (Saranac, Ausable, Boquet, Lamoille, Winooski, Otter) are at record-low summer flows. Most <5th percentile. Drought or shifting climate? 🌦️🌊 #fedopendata
Lake Champlain is at its lowest for this time of year in over 50 years, much earlier than it should be.
To visualize this, I created a calendar plot that bins 50 years of lake stage data into quantiles.
#OpenScience #RStats #DataVisualization
To visualize this, I created a calendar plot that bins 50 years of lake stage data into quantiles.
#OpenScience #RStats #DataVisualization
August 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Lake Champlain is at its lowest for this time of year in over 50 years, much earlier than it should be.
To visualize this, I created a calendar plot that bins 50 years of lake stage data into quantiles.
#OpenScience #RStats #DataVisualization
To visualize this, I created a calendar plot that bins 50 years of lake stage data into quantiles.
#OpenScience #RStats #DataVisualization
Every summer, algae blooms erupt across Florida’s largest lake, choking the ecosystem and threatening our economy.
We collaborated with the National Park Service using decades of ecosystem monitoring data to develop a predictive algae model.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/bloom-w...
We collaborated with the National Park Service using decades of ecosystem monitoring data to develop a predictive algae model.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/bloom-w...
Bloom Watch: Forecasting Trouble in Lake Okeechobee with New Model
Our science team's new study in collaboration with the National Park Service explores how we can better predict algae blooms before they begin.
www.evergladesfoundation.org
August 17, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Every summer, algae blooms erupt across Florida’s largest lake, choking the ecosystem and threatening our economy.
We collaborated with the National Park Service using decades of ecosystem monitoring data to develop a predictive algae model.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/bloom-w...
We collaborated with the National Park Service using decades of ecosystem monitoring data to develop a predictive algae model.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/bloom-w...
The wet season is taking it's sweet time kicking in. What does that mean for our environment and our way of life. Here is a blog post/article thingy we (a The Everglades Foundation team effort) did discussing it.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/the-sea...
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/the-sea...
The Season of Waiting: Drought in the Land of Water
How is the lingering South Florida drought affecting nature and people? Our science team breaks down the impacts and explains how Everglades restoration can help us build resilience.
www.evergladesfoundation.org
August 17, 2025 at 9:29 AM
The wet season is taking it's sweet time kicking in. What does that mean for our environment and our way of life. Here is a blog post/article thingy we (a The Everglades Foundation team effort) did discussing it.
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/the-sea...
www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/the-sea...
If you work with censored data in R, you might have noticed the absence of NADA and NADA2. Due to CRAN package management actions, these packages were unexpectedly archived. NADA2 is now functional again and removed any NADA dependencies.
github.com/SwampThingPa...
github.com/SwampThingPa...
GitHub - SwampThingPaul/NADA2: Non-detects And Data Analysis
Non-detects And Data Analysis. Contribute to SwampThingPaul/NADA2 development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
July 31, 2025 at 8:41 PM
If you work with censored data in R, you might have noticed the absence of NADA and NADA2. Due to CRAN package management actions, these packages were unexpectedly archived. NADA2 is now functional again and removed any NADA dependencies.
github.com/SwampThingPa...
github.com/SwampThingPa...
Have you ever been homesick for a place you've never been? I have been struggling with this feeling for a while. I love my home, our garden but there is this nagging feeling I'm not where I should be. Maybe it's just wunderlust, mental and emotional exhaustion and/or romanticizing an idea ...
July 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Have you ever been homesick for a place you've never been? I have been struggling with this feeling for a while. I love my home, our garden but there is this nagging feeling I'm not where I should be. Maybe it's just wunderlust, mental and emotional exhaustion and/or romanticizing an idea ...
🌊 New study alert! We modeled what drives harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee using decades of data. The LOK-HABAM model links hydrology + nutrients to bloom risk—helping guide smarter restoration + ops. Science that informs action!
www.frontiersin.org/journals/wat...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/wat...
Frontiers | Planning for the future, algae bloom dynamics in water management and ecosystem restoration efforts
Eutrophication and chronic harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a challenge for ecosystem managers and restoration planners. Drivers of HABs include nutrient avai...
www.frontiersin.org
July 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
🌊 New study alert! We modeled what drives harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee using decades of data. The LOK-HABAM model links hydrology + nutrients to bloom risk—helping guide smarter restoration + ops. Science that informs action!
www.frontiersin.org/journals/wat...
www.frontiersin.org/journals/wat...
"Sorry for the delay in responding to your message, I've been watching a live stream"
I actually used that today as a colleague texted me and it took me a while to respond. 😂😂
I actually used that today as a colleague texted me and it took me a while to respond. 😂😂
May 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
"Sorry for the delay in responding to your message, I've been watching a live stream"
I actually used that today as a colleague texted me and it took me a while to respond. 😂😂
I actually used that today as a colleague texted me and it took me a while to respond. 😂😂
How do people leave this (picture #1) and say I'm moving to "paradise" (picture #2)? It made me nauseous looking at where I used to live and grateful that we are no longer there.
May 22, 2025 at 8:53 AM
How do people leave this (picture #1) and say I'm moving to "paradise" (picture #2)? It made me nauseous looking at where I used to live and grateful that we are no longer there.
A beautiful blooming Columbine (Aquilegia app). Not the native but excited to see its beautiful bloom. We will still be planting the native and slowly transitioning this area to native dominate. Plus we don't want to completely rip out everything the prior owner loving cared for.
#bloomscrolling
#bloomscrolling
May 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A beautiful blooming Columbine (Aquilegia app). Not the native but excited to see its beautiful bloom. We will still be planting the native and slowly transitioning this area to native dominate. Plus we don't want to completely rip out everything the prior owner loving cared for.
#bloomscrolling
#bloomscrolling
On our evening walk last night we came across this plant. We've been trying to ID it but the closest we've come is Sorbus americana (American Mountain Ash). The American cousin to the European Mountain Ash ... as in Rowan trees!! 🤞🤞 We're right, I would love to have a native "Rowan".
May 19, 2025 at 10:36 AM
On our evening walk last night we came across this plant. We've been trying to ID it but the closest we've come is Sorbus americana (American Mountain Ash). The American cousin to the European Mountain Ash ... as in Rowan trees!! 🤞🤞 We're right, I would love to have a native "Rowan".
1/4
If you know me, you know that I love to garden. I especially love planting and growing plants. While I grow fruit & veg, I'm more of an ecological gardener, a gardener for wildlife rather than a showy & pretty garden. Granted, you can garden for wildlife & make it look pretty.
#seagrass #garden
If you know me, you know that I love to garden. I especially love planting and growing plants. While I grow fruit & veg, I'm more of an ecological gardener, a gardener for wildlife rather than a showy & pretty garden. Granted, you can garden for wildlife & make it look pretty.
#seagrass #garden
May 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Friday even after work we decided to go for a short hike, so we packed the dogs up and headed 20 minutes south to Spruce Pond in the Morgan Hill State Forest. Absolutely stunning ... still can believe we live here.
May 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Friday even after work we decided to go for a short hike, so we packed the dogs up and headed 20 minutes south to Spruce Pond in the Morgan Hill State Forest. Absolutely stunning ... still can believe we live here.
Friday even after work we decided to go for a short hike, so we packed the dogs up and headed 20 minutes south to Spruce Pond in the Morgan Hill State Forest. Absolutely stunning ... still can believe we live here.
May 18, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Friday even after work we decided to go for a short hike, so we packed the dogs up and headed 20 minutes south to Spruce Pond in the Morgan Hill State Forest. Absolutely stunning ... still can believe we live here.
Wow, it's been forever since visiting and/or posting here. We've been super busy with the move, working in the garden and exploring our new area.
I've started a substack to document the garden and woodland. Here is the last post.
open.substack.com/pub/wildstra...
I've started a substack to document the garden and woodland. Here is the last post.
open.substack.com/pub/wildstra...
Busy, busy, busy
Woodland, wetland, fruit and veg
open.substack.com
May 18, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Wow, it's been forever since visiting and/or posting here. We've been super busy with the move, working in the garden and exploring our new area.
I've started a substack to document the garden and woodland. Here is the last post.
open.substack.com/pub/wildstra...
I've started a substack to document the garden and woodland. Here is the last post.
open.substack.com/pub/wildstra...
Last night's sunset was absolutely amazing, which helped ease the ending of a challenging day.
March 25, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Last night's sunset was absolutely amazing, which helped ease the ending of a challenging day.