Publications
Below is a list of WERC's peer-reviewed publications. If you are searching for a specific publication and cannot find it in this list, please contact werc_web@usgs.gov
Filter Total Items: 3724
Identifying potential habitat for the endangered Aleutian shield fern using topographical characteristics Identifying potential habitat for the endangered Aleutian shield fern using topographical characteristics
The Aleutian shield fern Polystichum aleuticum is endemic to the Aleutian archipelago of Alaska and is listed as endangered pursuant to the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Despite numerous efforts to discover new populations of this species, only four known populations are documented to date, and information is needed to prioritize locations for future surveys. Therefore, we incorporated
Authors
Adam Duarte, Daniel M. Wolcott, T. Edwin Ricca Chow
The impact of antecedent fire area on burned area in southern California coastal ecosystems The impact of antecedent fire area on burned area in southern California coastal ecosystems
Frequent wildfire disasters in southern California highlight the need for risk reduction strategies for the region, of which fuel reduction via prescribed burning is one option. However, there is no consensus about the effectiveness of prescribed fire in reducing the area of wildfire. Here, we use 29 years of historical fire mapping to quantify the relationship between annual wildfire...
Authors
Owen F. Price, Ross A. Bradstock, Jon E. Keeley, Alexandra D. Syphard
Tree mortality patterns following prescribed fire for Pinus and Abies across the southwestern United States Tree mortality patterns following prescribed fire for Pinus and Abies across the southwestern United States
The reintroduction of fire to historically fire-prone forests has been repeatedly shown to reduce understory fuels and promote resistance to high severity fire. However, there is concern that prescribed fire may also have unintended consequences, such as high rates of mortality for large trees and fire-tolerant Pinus species. To test this possibility we evaluated mortality patterns for...
Authors
Philip J. van Mantgem, Jonathan C. B. Nesmith, MaryBeth Keifer, Matthew Brooks
Joint estimation of habitat dynamics and species interactions: Disturbance reduces co-occurrence of non-native predators with an endangered toad Joint estimation of habitat dynamics and species interactions: Disturbance reduces co-occurrence of non-native predators with an endangered toad
1. Ecologists have long been interested in the processes that determine patterns of species occurrence and co-occurrence. Potential short-comings of many existing empirical approaches that address these questions include a reliance on patterns of occurrence at a single time point, failure to account properly for imperfect detection and treating the environment as a static variable. 2. We...
Authors
David A.W. Miller, Cheryl S. Brehme, James E. Hines, James D. Nichols, Robert N. Fisher
The effect of leaf beetle herbivory on the fire behaviour of tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima Lebed.) The effect of leaf beetle herbivory on the fire behaviour of tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima Lebed.)
The non-native tree, Tamarix spp. has invaded desert riparian ecosystems in the south-western United States. Fire hazard has increased, as typically fire-resistant native vegetation is replaced by Tamarix. The tamarisk leaf beetle, Diorhabda carinulata Desbrochers, introduced for biological control, may affect fire behaviour by converting hydrated live Tamarix leaves and twigs into...
Authors
Gail M. Drus, Tom L. Dudley, Matthew L. Brooks, John R. Matchett
Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted Optimal temperature for malaria transmission is dramatically lower than previously predicted
The ecology of mosquito vectors and malaria parasites affect the incidence, seasonal transmission and geographical range of malaria. Most malaria models to date assume constant or linear responses of mosquito and parasite life-history traits to temperature, predicting optimal transmission at 31 °C. These models are at odds with field observations of transmission dating back nearly a...
Authors
Erin A. Mordecai, Krijn P. Paaijmans, Leah R. Johnson, Christian Balzer, Tal Ben-Horin, Emily de Moor, Amy McNally, Samraat Pawar, Sadie J. Ryan, Thomas C. Smith, Kevin D. Lafferty
Short seed longevity, variable germination conditions, and infrequent establishment events provide a narrow window for Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae) recruitment Short seed longevity, variable germination conditions, and infrequent establishment events provide a narrow window for Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae) recruitment
PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The future of long-lived stand-forming desert plants such as Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree) has come into question in light of climate variation and landscape-scale disturbances such as wildfire. Understanding plant establishment dynamics is important for mitigating the impacts of disturbances and promoting revegetation. • METHODS: We placed Y. brevifolia seeds in...
Authors
M. Bryant, J. Reynolds, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd C. Esque
Urban habitat fragmentation and genetic population structure of bobcats in coastal southern California Urban habitat fragmentation and genetic population structure of bobcats in coastal southern California
Although habitat fragmentation is recognized as a primary threat to biodiversity, the effects of urban development on genetic population structure vary among species and landscapes and are not yet well understood. Here we use non-invasive genetic sampling to compare the effects of fragmentation by major roads and urban development on levels of dispersal, genetic diversity, and...
Authors
E.W. Ruell, S.P.D. Riley, M.R. Douglas, M.F. Antolin, J.R. Pollinger, J.A. Tracey, L.M. Lyren, E. E. Boydston, Robert N. Fisher, K.R. Crooks
Effects of a non-native biocontrol weevil, Larinus planus, and other emerging threats on populations of the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle, Cirsium pitcheri Effects of a non-native biocontrol weevil, Larinus planus, and other emerging threats on populations of the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle, Cirsium pitcheri
Larinus planus Frabicius (Curculionidae), is a seed-eating weevil that was inadvertently introduced into the US and was subsequently distributed in the US and Canada for the control of noxious thistle species of rangelands. It has been detected recently in the federally threatened Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri). We assayed weevil damage in a natural population of Pitcher's thistle...
Authors
Kayri Havens, Claudia L. Jolls, Julie E. Marik, Pati Vitt, A. Kathryn McEachern, Darcy Kind
Biodiversity loss decreases parasite diversity: theory and patterns Biodiversity loss decreases parasite diversity: theory and patterns
Past models have suggested host–parasite coextinction could lead to linear, or concave down relationships between free-living species richness and parasite richness. I explored several models for the relationship between parasite richness and biodiversity loss. Life cycle complexity, low generality of parasites and sensitivity of hosts reduced the robustness of parasite species to the...
Authors
Kevin D. Lafferty
Effects of the amphibian chytrid fungus and four insecticides on Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) Effects of the amphibian chytrid fungus and four insecticides on Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla)
Chemical contamination may influence host-pathogen interactions, which has implications for amphibian population declines. We examined the effects of four insecticides alone or as a mixture on development and metamorphosis of Pacific Treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) in the presence or absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis [Bd]). Bd exposure had a negative...
Authors
Peter Kleinhez, Michelle D. Boone, Gary Fellers
Matrix population models from 20 studies of perennial plant populations Matrix population models from 20 studies of perennial plant populations
Demographic transition matrices are one of the most commonly applied population models for both basic and applied ecological research. The relatively simple framework of these models and simple, easily interpretable summary statistics they produce have prompted the wide use of these models across an exceptionally broad range of taxa. Here, we provide annual transition matrices and...
Authors
Martha M. Ellis, Jennifer L. Williams, Peter Lesica, Timothy J. Bell, Paulette Bierzychudek, Marlin Bowles, Elizabeth E. Crone, Daniel F. Doak, Johan Ehrlen, Albertine Ellis-Adam, Kathryn McEachern, Rengaian Ganesan, Penelope Latham, Sheila Luijten, Thomas N. Kaye, Tiffany M. Knight, Eric S. Menges, William F. Morris, Hans den Nijs, Gerard Oostermeijer, Pedro F. Quintana-Ascencio, J. Stephen Shelly, Amanda Stanley, Andrea Thorpe, Ticktin Tamara, Teresa Valverde, Carl W. Weekley