Scott L. Benson
I engage in a variety of tasks supporting research and long-term monitoring of fall Chinook salmon in the Snake River.
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2014. Natural Resources (Fisheries Emphasis), Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
B.S. 2008. Fisheries Biology (Freshwater Emphasis), Biometry Minor; Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
Science and Products
Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring
In Chapter 1, we report on development and application of an integrated population model (IPM) for the natural-origin fall Chinook salmon population upstream of Lower Granite Dam. This year’s efforts represent the third update to the model. Initial efforts focused on generating juvenile and adult abundance estimates, with estimates of uncertainty, for informing the life-cycle model and
Authors
Russell Perry, Dalton Hance, John Plumb, Kenneth F. Tiffan, Brad Bickford, Scott Louis Benson, Tobyn Rhodes, Steve Brink, Brad Alcorn
Monitoring native nonsalmonids for the incidence of gas bubble trauma downstream of Snake and Columbia River dams during the spring spill season, 2022 Monitoring native nonsalmonids for the incidence of gas bubble trauma downstream of Snake and Columbia River dams during the spring spill season, 2022
In 2020, a new spill program was implemented to aid the downstream passage of juvenile salmonids at mainstem dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Under this program, the total dissolved gas (TDG) cap was increased to 125% and monitoring of native nonsalmonids for gas bubble trauma (GBT) became a requirement. The primary objective of this work was to measure the incidence and severity...
Authors
Kenneth Tiffan, Brad Liedtke, Dalton Dirk Lebeda, Scott Louis Benson, Joe J. Warren
Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations
From 2020 to 2023, a new spill program was implemented to aid the downstream passage of juvenile salmonids at mainstem dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Under this program, the total dissolved gas (TDG) cap was increased to 125% and monitoring of nonsalmonids for gas bubble trauma (GBT) became a requirement. The primary objective of this work and report was to measure the incidence...
Authors
Kenneth Tiffan, Brad Liedtke, Scott Louis Benson
Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas
Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna under the assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen to reflect the...
Authors
Melinda G. Conners, Nicholas B. Sisson, Pierre D. Agamboue, Philip W. Atkinson, Alastair M. M. Baylis, Scott R. Benson, Barbara A. Block, Steven J. Bograd, Pablo Bordino, W. D. Bowen, Paul Brickle, Ignacio M. Bruno, Victoria Gonzalez Carman, Cory D. Champagne, Daniel E. Crocker, Daniel P. Costa, Tiffany M. Dawson, Tomo Deguchi, Heidi Dewar, Philip D. Doherty, Tomoharu Eguchi, Angela Formia, Brendan J. Godley, Rachel T. Graham, Christian Gredzens, Kristen Hart, Lucy A. Hawkes, Suzanne Henderson, Robert William Henry, Luis A. Huckstadt, Ladd M. Irvine, Sarah S. Kienle, Carey E. Kuhn, Damian Lidgard, Stephanie A. Loredo, Bruce R. Mate, Kristian Metcalfe, Jacob Nzegoue, Carmen K. Kouerey Oliwina, Rachael A. Orben, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Richard Parnell, Elizabeth P. Pike, Patrick W. Robinson, Howard C. Rosenbaum, Fumio Sato, Scott A. Shaffer, Donna J. Shaver, Samantha E. Simmons, Brian J. Smith, Guy-Philippe Sounguet, Robert M. Suryan, David R. Thompson, Megan Tierney, Dominic Tilley, Hillary S. Young, Victoria Warwick-Evans, Michael J. Weise, Randall S. Wells, Bradley P. Wilkinson, Matthew J. Witt, Sara M. Maxwell
Species and population specific gene expression in blood transcriptomes of marine turtles Species and population specific gene expression in blood transcriptomes of marine turtles
Background Transcriptomic data has demonstrated utility to advance the study of physiological diversity and organisms’ responses to environmental stressors. However, a lack of genomic resources and challenges associated with collecting high-quality RNA can limit its application for many wild populations. Minimally invasive blood sampling combined with de novo transcriptomic approaches...
Authors
Shreya M. Banjeree, Jamie Adkins Stoll, Camryn D. Allen, Jennifer M. Lynch, Heather S. Harris, Lauren Kenyon, Richard E. Connon, Eleanor J. Sterling, Eugenia Naro-Maciel, Kathryn McFadden, Margaret Lamont, James Benge, Nadia B. Fernandez, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Scott R. Benson, Rebecca L. Lewison, Tomoharu Eguchi, Tammy M. Summers, Jessy R. Hapdei, Marc R. Rice, Summer Martin, T. Todd Jones, Peter H. Dutton, George H. Balazs, Lisa M. Komoroske
Validation of ultrasound as a noninvasive tool to measure subcutaneous fat depth in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Validation of ultrasound as a noninvasive tool to measure subcutaneous fat depth in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)
Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) undergo substantial cyclical changes in body condition between foraging and nesting. Ultrasonography has been used to measure subcutaneous fat as an indicator of body condition in many species but has not been applied in sea turtles. To validate this technique in leatherback turtles, ultrasound images were obtained from 36 live-captured and dead...
Authors
Heather S. Harris, Scott R. Benson, Michael C. James, Kelly J. Martin, Brian A. Stacy, Pierre-Yves Daoust, Paul M. Rist, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Jeffrey A. Seminoff
Predictive mapping of seabirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington Predictive mapping of seabirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington
About this report This report supports Washington-led marine spatial planning and responsible stewardship of natural and cultural resources by the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Washington state agencies and the sanctuary continually seek the best available science to improve management of marine uses and stewardship of resources (Etheridge et al., 2010; Washington Department...
Authors
Charles Menza, Jeffery B. Leirness, Tim White, Arliss Winship, Brian P. Kinlan, Laura Kracker, Jeannette E. Zamon, Lisa Ballance, Elizabeth Becker, Karin A. Forney, Jay Barlow, Josh Adams, David Pereksta, Scott Pearson, John Pierce, Steven J. Jeffries, John Calambokidis, Annie Douglas, Bradford C. Hanson, Scott R. Benson, Liam Antrim
Comparative health assessment of western Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) foraging off the coast of California, 2005-2007 Comparative health assessment of western Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) foraging off the coast of California, 2005-2007
Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are critically endangered, primarily threatened by the overharvesting of eggs, fisheries entanglement, and coastal development. The Pacific leatherback population has experienced a catastrophic decline over the past two decades. Leatherbacks foraging off the coast of California are part of a distinct Western Pacific breeding stock that nests on...
Authors
Heather S. Harris, Scott R. Benson, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Robert H. Poppenga, Thierry M. Work, Peter H. Dutton, Jonna A.K. Mazet
Bear feeding activity at alpine insect aggregation sites in the Yellowstone ecosystem Bear feeding activity at alpine insect aggregation sites in the Yellowstone ecosystem
Bears (Ursidae) were observed from fixed-wing aircraft on or near alpine talus in the Shoshone National Forest between 15 June and 15 September in 1981–1989. Bears fed on insect aggregations at 6 known and 12 suspected alpine talus sites, disproportionately more at elevations > 3350 m, on slopes > 30°, and on south- and west-facing aspects. While at these sites, bears almost exclusively...
Authors
David J. Mattson, Colin M. Gillin, Scott A. Benson, Richard R. Knight
Science and Products
Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon research and monitoring
In Chapter 1, we report on development and application of an integrated population model (IPM) for the natural-origin fall Chinook salmon population upstream of Lower Granite Dam. This year’s efforts represent the third update to the model. Initial efforts focused on generating juvenile and adult abundance estimates, with estimates of uncertainty, for informing the life-cycle model and
Authors
Russell Perry, Dalton Hance, John Plumb, Kenneth F. Tiffan, Brad Bickford, Scott Louis Benson, Tobyn Rhodes, Steve Brink, Brad Alcorn
Monitoring native nonsalmonids for the incidence of gas bubble trauma downstream of Snake and Columbia River dams during the spring spill season, 2022 Monitoring native nonsalmonids for the incidence of gas bubble trauma downstream of Snake and Columbia River dams during the spring spill season, 2022
In 2020, a new spill program was implemented to aid the downstream passage of juvenile salmonids at mainstem dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Under this program, the total dissolved gas (TDG) cap was increased to 125% and monitoring of native nonsalmonids for gas bubble trauma (GBT) became a requirement. The primary objective of this work was to measure the incidence and severity...
Authors
Kenneth Tiffan, Brad Liedtke, Dalton Dirk Lebeda, Scott Louis Benson, Joe J. Warren
Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations Nonsalmonid gas bubble trauma investigations
From 2020 to 2023, a new spill program was implemented to aid the downstream passage of juvenile salmonids at mainstem dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers. Under this program, the total dissolved gas (TDG) cap was increased to 125% and monitoring of nonsalmonids for gas bubble trauma (GBT) became a requirement. The primary objective of this work and report was to measure the incidence...
Authors
Kenneth Tiffan, Brad Liedtke, Scott Louis Benson
Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas Mismatches in scale between highly mobile marine megafauna and marine protected areas
Marine protected areas (MPAs), particularly large MPAs, are increasing in number and size around the globe in part to facilitate the conservation of marine megafauna under the assumption that large-scale MPAs better align with vagile life histories; however, this alignment is not well established. Using a global tracking dataset from 36 species across five taxa, chosen to reflect the...
Authors
Melinda G. Conners, Nicholas B. Sisson, Pierre D. Agamboue, Philip W. Atkinson, Alastair M. M. Baylis, Scott R. Benson, Barbara A. Block, Steven J. Bograd, Pablo Bordino, W. D. Bowen, Paul Brickle, Ignacio M. Bruno, Victoria Gonzalez Carman, Cory D. Champagne, Daniel E. Crocker, Daniel P. Costa, Tiffany M. Dawson, Tomo Deguchi, Heidi Dewar, Philip D. Doherty, Tomoharu Eguchi, Angela Formia, Brendan J. Godley, Rachel T. Graham, Christian Gredzens, Kristen Hart, Lucy A. Hawkes, Suzanne Henderson, Robert William Henry, Luis A. Huckstadt, Ladd M. Irvine, Sarah S. Kienle, Carey E. Kuhn, Damian Lidgard, Stephanie A. Loredo, Bruce R. Mate, Kristian Metcalfe, Jacob Nzegoue, Carmen K. Kouerey Oliwina, Rachael A. Orben, Kiyoaki Ozaki, Richard Parnell, Elizabeth P. Pike, Patrick W. Robinson, Howard C. Rosenbaum, Fumio Sato, Scott A. Shaffer, Donna J. Shaver, Samantha E. Simmons, Brian J. Smith, Guy-Philippe Sounguet, Robert M. Suryan, David R. Thompson, Megan Tierney, Dominic Tilley, Hillary S. Young, Victoria Warwick-Evans, Michael J. Weise, Randall S. Wells, Bradley P. Wilkinson, Matthew J. Witt, Sara M. Maxwell
Species and population specific gene expression in blood transcriptomes of marine turtles Species and population specific gene expression in blood transcriptomes of marine turtles
Background Transcriptomic data has demonstrated utility to advance the study of physiological diversity and organisms’ responses to environmental stressors. However, a lack of genomic resources and challenges associated with collecting high-quality RNA can limit its application for many wild populations. Minimally invasive blood sampling combined with de novo transcriptomic approaches...
Authors
Shreya M. Banjeree, Jamie Adkins Stoll, Camryn D. Allen, Jennifer M. Lynch, Heather S. Harris, Lauren Kenyon, Richard E. Connon, Eleanor J. Sterling, Eugenia Naro-Maciel, Kathryn McFadden, Margaret Lamont, James Benge, Nadia B. Fernandez, Jeffrey A. Seminoff, Scott R. Benson, Rebecca L. Lewison, Tomoharu Eguchi, Tammy M. Summers, Jessy R. Hapdei, Marc R. Rice, Summer Martin, T. Todd Jones, Peter H. Dutton, George H. Balazs, Lisa M. Komoroske
Validation of ultrasound as a noninvasive tool to measure subcutaneous fat depth in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Validation of ultrasound as a noninvasive tool to measure subcutaneous fat depth in leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)
Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) undergo substantial cyclical changes in body condition between foraging and nesting. Ultrasonography has been used to measure subcutaneous fat as an indicator of body condition in many species but has not been applied in sea turtles. To validate this technique in leatherback turtles, ultrasound images were obtained from 36 live-captured and dead...
Authors
Heather S. Harris, Scott R. Benson, Michael C. James, Kelly J. Martin, Brian A. Stacy, Pierre-Yves Daoust, Paul M. Rist, Thierry M. Work, George H. Balazs, Jeffrey A. Seminoff
Predictive mapping of seabirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington Predictive mapping of seabirds, pinnipeds and cetaceans off the Pacific Coast of Washington
About this report This report supports Washington-led marine spatial planning and responsible stewardship of natural and cultural resources by the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Washington state agencies and the sanctuary continually seek the best available science to improve management of marine uses and stewardship of resources (Etheridge et al., 2010; Washington Department...
Authors
Charles Menza, Jeffery B. Leirness, Tim White, Arliss Winship, Brian P. Kinlan, Laura Kracker, Jeannette E. Zamon, Lisa Ballance, Elizabeth Becker, Karin A. Forney, Jay Barlow, Josh Adams, David Pereksta, Scott Pearson, John Pierce, Steven J. Jeffries, John Calambokidis, Annie Douglas, Bradford C. Hanson, Scott R. Benson, Liam Antrim
Comparative health assessment of western Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) foraging off the coast of California, 2005-2007 Comparative health assessment of western Pacific leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) foraging off the coast of California, 2005-2007
Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are critically endangered, primarily threatened by the overharvesting of eggs, fisheries entanglement, and coastal development. The Pacific leatherback population has experienced a catastrophic decline over the past two decades. Leatherbacks foraging off the coast of California are part of a distinct Western Pacific breeding stock that nests on...
Authors
Heather S. Harris, Scott R. Benson, Kirsten V. Gilardi, Robert H. Poppenga, Thierry M. Work, Peter H. Dutton, Jonna A.K. Mazet
Bear feeding activity at alpine insect aggregation sites in the Yellowstone ecosystem Bear feeding activity at alpine insect aggregation sites in the Yellowstone ecosystem
Bears (Ursidae) were observed from fixed-wing aircraft on or near alpine talus in the Shoshone National Forest between 15 June and 15 September in 1981–1989. Bears fed on insect aggregations at 6 known and 12 suspected alpine talus sites, disproportionately more at elevations > 3350 m, on slopes > 30°, and on south- and west-facing aspects. While at these sites, bears almost exclusively...
Authors
David J. Mattson, Colin M. Gillin, Scott A. Benson, Richard R. Knight