Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape pattern. The research includes geospatial approaches from landscape ecology and geography, such as remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geographical information systems (GIS). We study a wide range of ecosystems, from small streams to large rivers and major lake ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Principal Investigators
Jason Dunham - Supervisory Research Ecologist & Christian Torgersen - Supervisory Research Landscape Ecologist
Federal Staff
Joe Benjamin - Ecologist
Mike Heck - Fisheries Biologist
Nate Chelgren - Wildlife Biologist
Dave Hockman-Wert - Biologist
Francine Mejia - Research Ecologist
University/Contractor/Volunteer/Other
Jeremy Cram - WA Dept. Fish & Wildlife - Research Scientist (PhD Graduate Student)
Josh Kubo - Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department - Salmon Recovery Scientist (PhD Graduate Student)
Benjamin Dittbrenner - Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department - Independent Contractor (PhD Graduate Student)
Ronald Wiedmer - PhD Graduate Student
Alumni
Alex Thomas: Ecologist and Independent Contractor (2012-2013), Multivariate analysis of zooplankton assemblages in Mt. Rainier National Park
James Starr: MS student (2009-2012), Mountain whitefish distribution and habitat associations
Audrey Taylor: Postdoc (2009-2011), Shorebird ecology and monitoring; integrated landscape monitoring
Josh Kubo: MS student (2009-2011), Aquatic insect assemblages in alpine streams
Katie Klett, nee Murray: MS student (2009-2010), Airborne mapping of salmon redd distribution
Ryan Klett: MS student (2008-2011), Spatial patterns of fine sediment infiltration in the Yakima River
Aaron Ruesch: MS student (2008-2011), Climate change and water temperature in stream networks
Jason Walter: MS student (2007-2012), Cutthroat trout distribution in headwater stream networks
Anne Weekes: Postdoc (2007-2011), Geohydrology of glaciated alpine headwaters
Tracy Kugler: Ecologist (2007-2009), Integrated landscape monitoring
Tyler Bax: MS student (2007-2008), Watershed classification of headwater catchments
Ethan Welty: Geographer (2006-2011), Riverscape mapping and analysis
Karen Hutten: PhD student (2007-2015), Landscape disturbance on the Olympic Peninsula
Susan Priest: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2014), Using beavers to restore headwaters in the Skykomish River watershed, WA
David Bailey: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2014), The Beaver Project: Experiences of a USGS SISNAR intern
David Hagopian: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2015), Effects of beaver reintroductions on large woody in headwater streams in the Skykomish River watershed, WA
Samantha Greene: Postdoc (2014-2015), Effects of thinning in riparian forests on stream temperature
Nicoleta Cristea: Contractor (2013-2015), Thermal IR remote sensing of rivers on the Olympic Peninsula, WA
Aimee Fullerton: PhD student (2011-2016), Thermal heterogeneity and salmon in Pacific Northwest rivers
Science Themes of the FRESC Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Team are highlighted below.
Water Temperature in Rivers and Streams
Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Spatial Ecology of Freshwater Ecosystems
Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
Climate and Aquatic Ecosystems
Landscape Patterns and Disturbance
Life Histories of Aquatic Species
Landscape Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems
- Overview
Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape pattern. The research includes geospatial approaches from landscape ecology and geography, such as remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geographical information systems (GIS). We study a wide range of ecosystems, from small streams to large rivers and major lake ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Principal Investigators
Jason Dunham - Supervisory Research Ecologist & Christian Torgersen - Supervisory Research Landscape Ecologist
Federal Staff
Joe Benjamin - Ecologist
Mike Heck - Fisheries Biologist
Nate Chelgren - Wildlife Biologist
Dave Hockman-Wert - Biologist
Francine Mejia - Research Ecologist
University/Contractor/Volunteer/Other
Jeremy Cram - WA Dept. Fish & Wildlife - Research Scientist (PhD Graduate Student)
Josh Kubo - Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department - Salmon Recovery Scientist (PhD Graduate Student)
Benjamin Dittbrenner - Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department - Independent Contractor (PhD Graduate Student)
Ronald Wiedmer - PhD Graduate Student
Alumni
Alex Thomas: Ecologist and Independent Contractor (2012-2013), Multivariate analysis of zooplankton assemblages in Mt. Rainier National Park
James Starr: MS student (2009-2012), Mountain whitefish distribution and habitat associations
Audrey Taylor: Postdoc (2009-2011), Shorebird ecology and monitoring; integrated landscape monitoring
Josh Kubo: MS student (2009-2011), Aquatic insect assemblages in alpine streams
Katie Klett, nee Murray: MS student (2009-2010), Airborne mapping of salmon redd distribution
Ryan Klett: MS student (2008-2011), Spatial patterns of fine sediment infiltration in the Yakima River
Aaron Ruesch: MS student (2008-2011), Climate change and water temperature in stream networks
Jason Walter: MS student (2007-2012), Cutthroat trout distribution in headwater stream networks
Anne Weekes: Postdoc (2007-2011), Geohydrology of glaciated alpine headwaters
Tracy Kugler: Ecologist (2007-2009), Integrated landscape monitoring
Tyler Bax: MS student (2007-2008), Watershed classification of headwater catchments
Ethan Welty: Geographer (2006-2011), Riverscape mapping and analysis
Karen Hutten: PhD student (2007-2015), Landscape disturbance on the Olympic Peninsula
Susan Priest: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2014), Using beavers to restore headwaters in the Skykomish River watershed, WA
David Bailey: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2014), The Beaver Project: Experiences of a USGS SISNAR intern
David Hagopian: Student Intern in Support of Native American Relations (SISNAR) (2015), Effects of beaver reintroductions on large woody in headwater streams in the Skykomish River watershed, WA
Samantha Greene: Postdoc (2014-2015), Effects of thinning in riparian forests on stream temperature
Nicoleta Cristea: Contractor (2013-2015), Thermal IR remote sensing of rivers on the Olympic Peninsula, WA
Aimee Fullerton: PhD student (2011-2016), Thermal heterogeneity and salmon in Pacific Northwest rivers
- Science
Science Themes of the FRESC Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Team are highlighted below.
Water Temperature in Rivers and Streams
Increases in summer stream temperature as a result of human impacts and climate change may exceed the thermal tolerances of aquatic biota that are adapted to colder environments and climates. The combined effects of humans and climate change are of global concern across the range of coldwater aquatic organisms.Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Invasive species are a growing threat to native species and ecosystem processes in fresh waters. The Introducing non-native fish into an area may have no effect, little current effect, or the potential to seriously impact the native species, possibly resulting in their extinction. We conduct research to address the causes of invasions and their impacts. We also provide technical support for...Spatial Ecology of Freshwater Ecosystems
Water resources, riparian areas, and aquatic organisms are of critical importance in natural resource management. Yet, they are difficult to map, monitor, and understand in a spatially explicit and extensive manner as can be done more easily in terrestrial environments.Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration of aquatic ecosystems involves a broad spectrum of active and passive efforts. Passive efforts rely on natural recovery of ecosystems, such as land use practices that protect riparian zones and sources of wood and sediment that drive the geomorphic and associated biological functions in streams. Active efforts involve more direct intervention, usually applied to specific locations, to...Climate and Aquatic Ecosystems
Effects of changing climate on aquatic ecosystems requires understanding a complex series of interactions between terrestrial climates, their corresponding impacts on hydrological processes, and ultimately a suite of biological responses. These uncertainties stand in contrast to the urgent need for reliable information to be used in developing long-term strategies for climate adaptation to...Landscape Patterns and Disturbance
FRESC scientists investigate whole-system processes and relationships across space and time in order to advance understanding of natural, managed, and disturbed ecosystems. This includes research, monitoring, remote sensing, modeling, and synthesis to describe the patterns of change across landscapes and the biological and physical processes that generate them.Life Histories of Aquatic Species
Many species exhibit diverse behaviors that translate into different patterns of habitat use and demography. Diversity within species can be related to a complex array of processes, including genetic and maternal influences, and external environmental drivers. Our work addresses life history diversity in salmon and trout, including Pacific salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and...Landscape Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems
Landscape ecology has only a short history as a recognized discipline, but it has transformed our thinking about the interplay between pattern and process. We now understand that many smaller-scale phenomena are driven by spatial processes, such as the proximity of different habitats to one another, the ability of organisms to move through landscapes, and the dynamics of natural disturbance such...