Aaron Johnston, Ph.D.
Aaron Johnston studies extinction dynamics and microrefugia of the American pika as a Mendenhall Fellow with Erik Beever. He is also an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington.
Research Interest
Aaron is broadly interested in wildlife research that advances ecological theories and management of natural resources. His previous studies have involved a wide range of taxa in terrestrial and aquatic systems for investigations on rare species, invasive species, interspecific competition, forest management, and grazing effects on wildlife. Aaron is especially excited about innovative approaches to wildlife research facilitated by new remote-sensing technologies that describe habitat features across landscapes at high spatiotemporal resolutions. His recent studies on tree squirrels, red tree voles, and pikas have explored novel applications of airborne LiDAR that improved habitat modeling and hypothesis testing for these species. His current study involves developing new models for microtopography, microclimate, phenology, and snowpack dynamics from land-, air-, and space-based sensors to advance understanding of pika distributions and responses to climate change.
Science and Products
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) research at NOROCK
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses the impacts of land-use and habitat changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. This long-term project involves partners from 12 Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. NOROCK scientists, partners, and scientists from other USGS centers conduct integrated research to support...
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product— structured science syntheses—for facilitating the use of science information in public lands decisions.
USGS research on the effects of renewable energy on wildlife
Renewable energy development, such as solar and wind energy, is growing in the United States and is expected to continue expanding for the foreseeable future. However, renewable energy infrastructure can be a risk to some wildlife including threatened and endangered species. Wildlife managers and energy developers need wildlife risks to be assessed and effective strategies to mitigate those risks...
Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
The greater sage-grouse has been a focus of scientific investigation and management action for the past two decades. The sheer number of scientific publications can be a challenge for managers tasked with evaluating and determining the need for potential updates to existing planning documents.
Alpine Wildlife and Snowpack Dynamics in the North Cascades
Mountain ecosystems are expected to change with continued reductions in annual snowpack that have been observed worldwide over the past half-century. Recent snow droughts in North America have been attributed to unusually warm temperatures that cause winter precipitation to fall as rain, rather than snow. Many species of alpine wildlife depend on snowpack for insulation from extreme cold and for...
Extinction dynamics and microrefugia of the American pika as climate changes.
Accurate projections of climate change and associated impacts on wildlife are now essential to conservation planning, but predictive models of range shifts for many species are often coarse, ignore extinction dynamics, and overestimate suitable habitat. Recent studies suggest the American pika (Ochotona princeps) is vulnerable to increasing heat stress in the Great Basin yet appears more resilient...
Science and Products
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) research at NOROCK
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses the impacts of land-use and habitat changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. This long-term project involves partners from 12 Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations. NOROCK scientists, partners, and scientists from other USGS centers conduct integrated research to support...
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Science information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with land management agencies to develop a new type of science product— structured science syntheses—for facilitating the use of science information in public lands decisions.
USGS research on the effects of renewable energy on wildlife
Renewable energy development, such as solar and wind energy, is growing in the United States and is expected to continue expanding for the foreseeable future. However, renewable energy infrastructure can be a risk to some wildlife including threatened and endangered species. Wildlife managers and energy developers need wildlife risks to be assessed and effective strategies to mitigate those risks...
Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
The greater sage-grouse has been a focus of scientific investigation and management action for the past two decades. The sheer number of scientific publications can be a challenge for managers tasked with evaluating and determining the need for potential updates to existing planning documents.
Alpine Wildlife and Snowpack Dynamics in the North Cascades
Mountain ecosystems are expected to change with continued reductions in annual snowpack that have been observed worldwide over the past half-century. Recent snow droughts in North America have been attributed to unusually warm temperatures that cause winter precipitation to fall as rain, rather than snow. Many species of alpine wildlife depend on snowpack for insulation from extreme cold and for...
Extinction dynamics and microrefugia of the American pika as climate changes.
Accurate projections of climate change and associated impacts on wildlife are now essential to conservation planning, but predictive models of range shifts for many species are often coarse, ignore extinction dynamics, and overestimate suitable habitat. Recent studies suggest the American pika (Ochotona princeps) is vulnerable to increasing heat stress in the Great Basin yet appears more resilient...