Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC)
Home
Scientists from the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center capitalize on their diverse expertise to answer scientific questions shaped by the environments of the western United States. We collaborate with each other and with partners to provide rigorous, objective, and timely information and guidance for the management and conservation of biological systems in the West and worldwide.
FRESC Research Teams
FRESC scientists, individually or collaboratively with partners, investigate high-priority questions about biological systems.
Learn moreNews
Estimating Extinction Risk for Multiple Populations When Data for Traditional Population Viability Analyses are Unavailable
Population viability analysis (PVA) bridges the gap between theoretical and applied ecology and is used to make policy decisions on high-profile conservation efforts. However, it’s use is limited to a single or few populations with long-term data.
The State of Olympic National Park – The Natural Resource Condition Assessment
The USGS and National Park Service (NPS) have published the first Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Olympic National Park. A Natural Resource Condition Assessment, or NRCA, is a report that evaluates a subset of important natural resources in a NPS Unit.
Identification of Secretive Marsh Birds with Statistical Analyses of Recorded Calls
The king and clapper rail are rare and cryptic marsh birds. When encountered, one would likely hear their kek call. But which species is it?
Publications
Identification of bees in southwest Idaho—A guide for beginners
This document was prepared to help scientists and the public, both of whom may not be familiar with bee taxonomy, learn how to practically identify bees in sagebrush steppe and shrubland habitats in southwest Idaho. We provide information to identify bees to the level of family and genus. A tentative list of the bee genera captured at sites used...
Sun, Emily R.; Pilliod, David S.
Quantitative acoustic differentiation of cryptic species illustrated with King and Clapper rails
Reliable species identification is vital for survey and monitoring programs. Recently, the development of digital technology for recording and analyzing vocalizations has assisted in acoustic surveying for cryptic, rare, or elusive species. However, the quantitative tools that exist for species differentiation are still being refined. Using...
Stiffler, Lydia L.; Schroeder, Katie M.; Anderson, James T.; McRae, Susan B.; Katzner, Todd E. Insect communities in big sagebrush habitat are altered by wildfire and post‐fire restoration seeding
Natural resource managers sow grass, forb, and shrub seeds across millions of hectares of public lands in the western United States to restore sagebrush‐steppe ecosystems burned by wildfire. The effects of post‐fire vegetation treatments on insect communities in these ecosystems have not been investigated.We conducted the first investigation of...
Rohde, Ashley T.; Pilliod, David S.; Novak, Stephen J.