USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Barbara Kus
Dr. Barbara Kus is a Research Ecologist with the Western Ecological Research Center.
Dr. Kus designs and conducts original field research on avian ecology and conservation to support science-based natural resource management in national and international contexts. Dr. Kus interacts closely with federal, state, and local resource managers and regulatory agencies to prioritize research needs, and design and conduct investigations to meet those needs. As a scientist broadly trained in ecology and evolutionary biology, she focuses her research on integrating management, which is typically short-term and threats-driven, with an evolutionary perspective that seeks longer-term sustainability of species and ecosystems through maintenance of evolutionary processes required for persistence. A theme of her research is that it is strategically long-term, yielding unique datasets that incorporate spatial and temporal patterns of response to environmental variability needed for this evolutionary perspective.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Riparian Birds
- Response of Riparian Bird Communities to Habitat Restoration
- Ecology and Population Trends of Neotropical Migratory Birds
- Population Genetic Structure of Endangered Birds
- Post-wildfire Recovery of Riparian and Coastal Sage Scrub Bird Communities and Habitats
Science and Products
Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty
Along the Santa Clara River in California, populations of the federally and state-listed Least Bell's Vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ) are recovering from near extirpation. Habitat protection and restoration, as well as reducing brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ), are thought to be the primary drivers of this recovery. The challenge going forward is to find the right...
WERC Fire Science
WERC scientists are defining the past, present, and future of wildfires for wildlife and human communities. Explore this webpage to learn about specific, ongoing projects across California and parts of Nevada.
Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat
Riparian woodlands are highly productive ecosystems that support a disproportionately high fraction of regional biodiversity. They are also one of the most endangered terrestrial systems in temperate North America, and have been reduced to just 5% of their former extent in California and throughout the American southwest. These losses have been accompanied by steep declines in numerous plant and...
Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California
Dr. Barbara Kus studies the demography and genetic structure of remaining populations of the coastal Cactus Wren to help managers develop strategies to increase the stability of wren populations.
Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
The coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica californica ), a federally threatened species, is considered a flagship species for southern California conservation planning. Dr. Barbara Kus collaborates with Dr. Amy Vandergast and local agencies to provide information to managers that can be used to conserve this species and its habitat.
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)
Dr. Barbara Kus is a partner in an international bird-monitoring program to provide long-term data throughout North America. MAPS or “Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship”, uses capture and banding data to compile basic demographic parameters of migratory species, many of which are imperiled regionally and even globally. Age- and sex-specific data on annual survival, reproduction, and...
San Diego Field Station
The San Diego Field Station is the site of research on golden eagles, endangered amphibians and reptiles, and more. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this study site's projects.
WERC Researcher Holding Least Bell's Vireo
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Healthy Riparian Habitat
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican Colleagues Hold Least Bell's Vireo
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian Habitat with Mist Net
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS Partner Checks a Flicker in Baja CA, Mexico
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican Scientist Searches for Ectoparasites, Baja CA, Mexico
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Examining Endangered Least Bell's Vireo
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian Habitat with Palms
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush Riparian Habitat in Baja California, Mexico
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
WERC Ecologist Calls in Birds with Recorded Calls
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS Ecologist and Least Bell's Vireo in Net
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
WERC Researchers Survey Miraflores Wash
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
Scarlett Howell with Least Bell's Vireo
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Science and Products
Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty
Along the Santa Clara River in California, populations of the federally and state-listed Least Bell's Vireo ( Vireo bellii pusillus ) are recovering from near extirpation. Habitat protection and restoration, as well as reducing brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ), are thought to be the primary drivers of this recovery. The challenge going forward is to find the right...
WERC Fire Science
WERC scientists are defining the past, present, and future of wildfires for wildlife and human communities. Explore this webpage to learn about specific, ongoing projects across California and parts of Nevada.
Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat
Riparian woodlands are highly productive ecosystems that support a disproportionately high fraction of regional biodiversity. They are also one of the most endangered terrestrial systems in temperate North America, and have been reduced to just 5% of their former extent in California and throughout the American southwest. These losses have been accompanied by steep declines in numerous plant and...
Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California
Dr. Barbara Kus studies the demography and genetic structure of remaining populations of the coastal Cactus Wren to help managers develop strategies to increase the stability of wren populations.
Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
The coastal California Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila californica californica ), a federally threatened species, is considered a flagship species for southern California conservation planning. Dr. Barbara Kus collaborates with Dr. Amy Vandergast and local agencies to provide information to managers that can be used to conserve this species and its habitat.
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)
Dr. Barbara Kus is a partner in an international bird-monitoring program to provide long-term data throughout North America. MAPS or “Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship”, uses capture and banding data to compile basic demographic parameters of migratory species, many of which are imperiled regionally and even globally. Age- and sex-specific data on annual survival, reproduction, and...
San Diego Field Station
The San Diego Field Station is the site of research on golden eagles, endangered amphibians and reptiles, and more. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this study site's projects.
WERC Researcher Holding Least Bell's Vireo
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Healthy Riparian Habitat
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican Colleagues Hold Least Bell's Vireo
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian Habitat with Mist Net
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS Partner Checks a Flicker in Baja CA, Mexico
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican Scientist Searches for Ectoparasites, Baja CA, Mexico
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Examining Endangered Least Bell's Vireo
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian Habitat with Palms
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush Riparian Habitat in Baja California, Mexico
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
WERC Ecologist Calls in Birds with Recorded Calls
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS Ecologist and Least Bell's Vireo in Net
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
WERC Researchers Survey Miraflores Wash
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
Scarlett Howell with Least Bell's Vireo
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.