Publications
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Fire modulates climate change response of simulated aspen distribution across topoclimatic gradients in a semi-arid montane landscape Fire modulates climate change response of simulated aspen distribution across topoclimatic gradients in a semi-arid montane landscape
Content Changing aspen distribution in response to climate change and fire is a major focus of biodiversity conservation, yet little is known about the potential response of aspen to these two driving forces along topoclimatic gradients. Objective This study is set to evaluate how aspen distribution might shift in response to different climate-fire scenarios in a semi-arid montane...
Authors
Jian Yang, Peter J. Weisberg, Douglas J. Shinneman, Thomas E. Dilts, Susan L. Earnst, Robert M Scheller
Characterizing the distribution of an endangered salmonid using environmental DNA analysis Characterizing the distribution of an endangered salmonid using environmental DNA analysis
Determining species distributions accurately is crucial to developing conservation and management strategies for imperiled species, but a challenging task for small populations. We evaluated the efficacy of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis for improving detection and thus potentially refining the known distribution of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Methow and Okanogan...
Authors
Matthew B. Laramie, David S. Pilliod, Caren S. Goldberg
Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza Intercontinental genetic structure and gene flow in Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a potential vector of avian influenza
Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin (Calidris...
Authors
Mark P. Miller, Susan M. Haig, Thomas D. Mullins, Luzhang Ruan, Bruce Casler, Alexei Dondua, H. River Gates, J. Matthew Johnson, Steven J. Kendall, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Diane Tracy, Olga P. Valchuk, Richard B. Lanctot
Mortality estimation from carcass searches using the R-package carcass: a tutorial Mortality estimation from carcass searches using the R-package carcass: a tutorial
This article is a tutorial for the R-package carcass. It starts with a short overview of common methods used to estimate mortality based on carcass searches. Then, it guides step by step through a simple example. First, the proportion of animals that fall into the search area is estimated. Second, carcass persistence time is estimated based on experimental data. Third, searcher...
Authors
Franzi Korner-Nievergelt, Oliver Behr, Robert Brinkmann, Matthew A. Etterson, Manuela M. P. Huso, Daniel Dalthorp, Pius Korner-Nievergelt, Tobias Roth, Ivo Niermann
Elk monitoring in Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks: 2008-2011 synthesis report Elk monitoring in Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks: 2008-2011 synthesis report
In 2008, the USGS collaborated with the NPS, the Muckleshoot and Puyallup Indian Tribes, and WDFW to develop a protocol tor monitor changes in abundance, population composition, and spatial distribution of elk on summer ranges in MORA and OLYM and winter ranges in OLYM. We developed double-observer sightability (DO-S) models that adjusted raw counts of elk as a function of factors...
Authors
Kurt J. Jenkins, Paul C. Griffin, Patricia J. Happe, Mason E. Reid, David J. Vales, Barbara J. Moeller, Michelle Tirhe, Scott McCorquodale, Katherine Beirne, John Boetsch, William Baccus, Bruce C. Lubow
Plant diversity predicts beta but not alpha diversity of soil microbes across grasslands worldwide Plant diversity predicts beta but not alpha diversity of soil microbes across grasslands worldwide
Aboveground–belowground interactions exert critical controls on the composition and function of terrestrial ecosystems, yet the fundamental relationships between plant diversity and soil microbial diversity remain elusive. Theory predicts predominantly positive associations but tests within single sites have shown variable relationships, and associations between plant and microbial...
Authors
Suzanne M. Prober, Jonathan W. Leff, Scott T. Bates, Elizabeth T. Borer, Jennifer Firn, W. Stanley Harpole, Eric M. Lind, Eric W. Seabloom, Peter B. Adler, Jonathan D. Bakker, Elsa E. Cleland, Nicole M. DeCrappeo, Elizabeth DeLorenze, Nicole Hagenah, Yann Hautier, Kirsten S. Hofmockel, Kevin P. Kirkman, Johannes M. H. Knops, Kimberly J. La Pierre, Andrew S. MacDougall, Rebecca L. McCulley, Charles E. Mitchell, Anita C. Risch, Martin Schuetz, Carly J. Stevens, Ryan J. Williams, Noah Fierer
Activity-specific ecological niche models for planning reintroductions of California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) Activity-specific ecological niche models for planning reintroductions of California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
Ecological niche models can be a useful tool to identify candidate reintroduction sites for endangered species but have been infrequently used for this purpose. In this paper, we (1) develop activity-specific ecological niche models (nesting, roosting, and feeding) for the critically endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) to aid in reintroduction planning in California...
Authors
Jesse D'Elia, Susan M. Haig, Matthew J. Johnson, Bruce G. Marcot, Richard Young
Management of aspen in a changing environment Management of aspen in a changing environment
Aspen communities are biologically rich and ecologically valuable, yet they face myriad threats, including changing climate, altered fire regimes, and excessive browsing by domestic and wild ungulates. Recognizing the different types of aspen communities that occur in the Great Basin, and being able to distinguish between seral and stable aspen stands, can help managers better identify...
Authors
Douglas J. Shinneman, Anne S. Halford, Cheri Howell, Kevin Krasnow, Eva K. Strand
Climate change and vulnerability of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in a fire-prone landscape. Climate change and vulnerability of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in a fire-prone landscape.
Linked atmospheric and wildfire changes will complicate future management of native coldwater fishes in fire-prone landscapes, and new approaches to management that incorporate uncertainty are needed to address this challenge. We used a Bayesian network (BN) approach to evaluate population vulnerability of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Wenatchee River basin, Washington, USA...
Authors
Jeffrey A. Falke, Rebecca L. Flitcroft, Jason B. Dunham, Kristina M. McNyset, Paul F. Hessburg, Gordon H. Reeves
Moving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests Moving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
No abstract available.
Authors
Jessi Kershner, Alicia A. Torregrosa, Andrea Woodward
Quantifying and predicting fuels and the effects of reduction treatments along successional and invasion gradients in sagebrush habitats Quantifying and predicting fuels and the effects of reduction treatments along successional and invasion gradients in sagebrush habitats
Sagebrush shrubland ecosystems in the Great Basin are prime examples of how altered successional trajectories can create dynamic fuel conditions and, thus, increase uncertainty about fire risk and behavior. Although fire is a natural disturbance in sagebrush, post-fire environments are highly susceptible to conversion to an invasive grass-fire regime (often referred to as a “grass-fire...
Authors
Douglas J. Shinneman, David S. Pilliod, Robert Arkle, Nancy F. Glenn
Songbirds as sentinels of mercury in terrestrial habitats of eastern North America Songbirds as sentinels of mercury in terrestrial habitats of eastern North America
Mercury (Hg) is a globally distributed environmental contaminant with a variety of deleterious effects in fish, wildlife, and humans. Breeding songbirds may be useful sentinels for Hg across diverse habitats because they can be effectively sampled, have well-defined and small territories, and can integrate pollutant exposure over time and space. We analyzed blood total Hg concentrations...
Authors
Allyson K. Jackson, David C. Evers, Evan M. Adams, Daniel A. Cristol, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Samuel T. Edmonds, Carrie E. Gray, Bart Hoskins, Oksana P. Lane, Amy Sauer, Timothy Tear