Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Team (FRESC)
Science Center Objects
Wildlife respond to changes in their environment, some of which are dramatic and others subtle. To fully understand the factors that drive changes in populations and communities, we need better information on wildlife ecology in natural and human-altered landscapes. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address applied questions about the ecology and conservation of wildlife species, populations, communities, and habitats. We study a wide range of ecosystems, from streams and ponds to forests and shrublands, in the Intermountain West and Great Basin.
Our work is organized into several major themes, including restoration, monitoring and evaluation, habitat relationships, invasive species, species life histories, ecosystem processes, and wildfire.
Principal Investigator
David Pilliod - Supervisory Research Ecologist
Federal Staff
Robert Arkle - Ecologist
Matthew Laramie - Ecologist
Justin Welty - Ecologist
Brittany Barker - Ecologist
Calene Thomas - Ecologist
Michelle Jeffries - Ecologist
University/Contractor/Volunteer/Other
Blair Boyt - Volunteer
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Date published: November 14, 2017Status: ActiveWildlife Responses to Climate, Land Use, and Invasive Species
Wildlife issues drive many federal and state land management decisions, either because of litigation or mandates to protect habitat and limit extinction risks. We conduct applied research to meet this need, particularly related to the effects of natural (disease, predation) and anthropogenic (habitat loss, invasive species) stressors on wildlife populations and communities. Research on the...
Contacts: David S Pilliod -
Date published: November 14, 2017Status: Active
Wildlife-Habitat Relationships
Whether generalists or specialists, wildlife species use habitats based on their structural, compositional, and climatic characteristics. This use may vary with life stage, age, or physiological condition of the animal, as well as weather, season, food availability, need for cover or shelter, and other factors. Our research focuses on understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that...
Contacts: David S Pilliod -
Date published: November 14, 2017Status: Active
Tools and Techniques for Monitoring Wildlife Habitats, Communities, and Populations
Resource monitoring is critically important for documenting trends and learning from the past (i.e., adaptive management), yet it has been plagued with poor design and execution. We are developing and testing novel approaches to wildlife monitoring, including the use of non-invasive field sampling and molecular markers to determine patterns of species occurrence and population abundance...
Contacts: David S Pilliod -
Date published: November 9, 2017Status: Active
Fire, Fuel Treatments, and Restoration Ecology
Land managers have invested considerable funding to decrease fuel loads and restore resilient ecosystems in forests and rangelands, using techniques such as grazing, mowing, herbicides, and thinning. Yet, little information is available about how such restoration activities have influenced wildlife species and habitats. We are conducting empirical studies and developing novel approaches to...
Contacts: David S Pilliod
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Date published: February 23, 2018Annotated Bibliography: Research on Greater Sage-grouse since January 2015
The sheer number of scientific publications related to greater sage-grouse research can be a challenge for managers to navigate when updating plans for managing greater sage-grouse and sagebrush ecosystems. To assist in this process, the USGS reviewed and summarized scientific literature published since January 1, 2015.