Alicia Torregrosa
Alicia joined the Southwest Regional Office as program officer in 2020 to work with regional leadership to promote & organize multidisciplinary & integrated scientific activities, serve as a resource on scientific & programmatic aspects of the organization, engage in technical and policy review, represent the Region on committees & working groups, and act as a science communicator.
Alicia was a physical scientist for 19 years with the USGS Western Geographic Science Centering prior to joining the USGS Southwest Regional Office. Her professional experience includes leading GIS teams to conduct impact analyses for regional federal and state permit applications, collaboratively developing socio-ecosystems models, and developing algorithms to extract ecologically relevant information from satellite remote sensed data. In 2012 Alicia initiated the USGS Pacific Coastal Fog Project which resulted in an international and interdisciplinary expansion of coastal fog research. Alicia's first task at USGS in 2001 was to develop a mobile geospatial decision support laboratory (DSL). The DSL consisted of 10 laptops running GIS and modeling software that were transported to stakeholder-based meetings. The DSL was used to inform and address diverse issues such as conservation land optimization, watershed-based land use approaches to flooding & water quality, and developing criteria for livable urban spaces. Prior to joining the USGS in 2001, she was on the global biogeochemical modeling team at NASA Ames’ Ecosystem Science and Technology Branch.
Professional Experience
2020 - present Program Officer, Southwest Regional Office, U.S. Geological Survey, Moffett Field, CA
2001- 2020 Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA
1998 - 2001 Research Faculty, CSU Monterey Bay, stationed at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
1987 - 1992 Exhibit Research Specialist, Oakland Museum
1993 - 1998 GIS Director, Thomas Reid Associates (TRA), Palo Alto, CA
1985 - 1987 Natural History Education Coordinator, Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
1979 - 1984 Biology Public Programs Coordinator and Curricula Developer, Lawrence Hall of Science, U.C. Berkeley
Education and Certifications
University of California, Berkeley, BA Biology, Field Biology, 1978
Stanford University, Center for Conservation Biology, summer research intern, 1993
San Francisco State University, M.A., Ecology and Systematics, 2000
Honors and Awards
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Certificate of Merit for geospatial analysis that was used by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein during negotiations for federal acquisition of Headwaters Forest.
California State University Chancellor’s Pre-Doctoral Scholarship.
"Distinguished Achievement in Major Field" Graduate Student Award, San Francisco State University
Science and Products
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
Rocky Mountain Region Science Exchange 2020—EarthMAP and the Colorado River Basin
Integrating climate change considerations into natural resource planning—An implementation guide
Marine fog inputs appear to increase methylmercury bioaccumulation in a coastal terrestrial food web
Hydrologic resilience from summertime fog and recharge: A case study for coho salmon recovery planning
Fog water collection effectiveness: Mesh intercomparisons
Moving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
@KarlTheFog has been mapped!
Moving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
GOES-derived fog and low cloud indices for coastal north and central California ecological analyses
Coastal fog, climate change, and the environment
Users' guide to system dynamics model describing Coho salmon survival in Olema Creek, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Moving from Awareness to Action: Informing Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments and Adaptation Planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Liquid water content of summertime coastal California fog events, San Mateo County
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 22
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Project—Science strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts a wide variety of science that improves understanding of droughts and their effects on ecosystems and society. This work includes data collection and monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial systems; assessment and analysis of patterns, trends, drivers, and impacts of drought; development and application of predictive models; and delivery of information andAuthorsKatharine G. Dahm, Todd Hawbaker, Rebecca J. Frus, Adrian P. Monroe, John B. Bradford, William J. Andrews, Alicia Torregrosa, Eric D. Anderson, David Dean, Sharon L. QiRocky Mountain Region Science Exchange 2020—EarthMAP and the Colorado River Basin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) hosted USGS scientists, managers, program coordinators, and leadership team members for a virtual Science Exchange during September 15–17, 2020. The Science Exchange had 216 registered participants and included 48 talks over the 3-day period. Invited speakers presented information about the novel USGS Earth Monitoring, Analysis, and PreAuthorsAnne C. Tillery, Patrick J. Anderson, William J. Andrews, Katharine Dahm, Seth S. Haines, Robert Horton, David O'Leary, Ryan D. Taylor, Kathryn A. Thomas, Alicia TorregrosaByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Geographic Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyIntegrating climate change considerations into natural resource planning—An implementation guide
Executive SummaryClimate change vulnerability assessments and associated adaptation strategies and actions connect existing climate science with possible effects on natural resources and highlight potential responses. However, these assessments, which are commonly generated for large regional areas, suggest management options in general terms without guidance for choosing among strategies and actiAuthorsJessi Kershner, Andrea Woodward, Alicia TorregrosaMarine fog inputs appear to increase methylmercury bioaccumulation in a coastal terrestrial food web
Coastal marine atmospheric fog has recently been implicated as a potential source of ocean-derived monomethylmercury (MMHg) to coastal terrestrial ecosystems through the process of sea-to-land advection of foggy air masses followed by wet deposition. This study examined whether pumas (Puma concolor) in coastal central California, USA, and their associated food web, have elevated concentrations ofAuthorsPeter S. Weiss-Penzias, Michael S. Bank, Deana L. Clifford, Alicia Torregrosa, Belle Zheng, Wendy Lin, Christopher C. WilmersHydrologic resilience from summertime fog and recharge: A case study for coho salmon recovery planning
Fog and low cloud cover (FLCC) and late summer recharge increase stream baseflow and decrease stream temperature during arid Mediterranean climate summers, which benefits salmon especially under climate warming conditions. The potential to discharge cool water to streams during the late summer (hydrologic capacity; HC) furnished by FLCC and recharge were mapped for the 299 subwatersheds ranked CorAuthorsAlicia Torregrosa, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. FlintFog water collection effectiveness: Mesh intercomparisons
To explore fog water harvesting potential in California, we conducted long-term measurements involving three types of mesh using standard fog collectors (SFC). Volumetric fog water measurements from SFCs and wind data were collected and recorded in 15-minute intervals over three summertime fog seasons (2014–2016) at four California sites. SFCs were deployed with: standard 1.00 m2 double-layer 35%AuthorsDaniel Fernandez, Alicia Torregrosa, Peter Weiss-Penzias, Bong June Zhang, Deckard Sorensen, Robert Cohen, Gareth McKinley, Justin Kleingartner, Andrew Oliphant, Matthew BowmanMoving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
The rugged landscapes of northern Idaho and western Montana support biodiverse ecosystems, and provide a variety of natural resources and services for human communities. However, the benefits provided by these ecosystems may be at risk as changing climate magnifies existing stressors and allows new stressors to emerge. Preparation for and response to these potential changes can be most effectivelyAuthorsJessi Kershner, Andrea Woodward, Alicia Torregrosa@KarlTheFog has been mapped!
Within the world of mapping, clouds are a pesky interference to be removed from satellite remote sensed imagery. However, to many of us, that is a waste of pixels. Cloud maps are becoming increasingly valuable in the quest to understand land cover change and surface processes. In coastal California, the dynamic summertime interactions between air masses, the ocean, and topography result in blankeAuthorsAlicia TorregrosaMoving from awareness to action: Advancing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
No abstract available.AuthorsJessi Kershner, Alicia Torregrosa, Andrea WoodwardGOES-derived fog and low cloud indices for coastal north and central California ecological analyses
Fog and low cloud cover (FLCC) changes the water, energy, and nutrient flux of coastal ecosystems. Easy-to-use FLCC data are needed to quantify the impacts of FLC on ecosystem dynamics during hot, dry Mediterranean climate summers. FLCC indices were generated from 26,000 hourly night and day FLCC maps derived from Geostationary Environmental Operational Satellite (GOES) data for June, July, AugustAuthorsAlicia Torregrosa, Cindy Combs, Jeff PetersCoastal fog, climate change, and the environment
Coastal marine fog, a characteristic feature of climates generated at the eastern boundaries of ocean basins worldwide, evokes different feelings in those who experience it (see Figure 1). Authors and poets use fog to represent mystery, bleakness, and confusion. Film directors seek out fog to shroud scenes in eerie gloominess. Tourists visiting beaches bemoan the cool and damp conditions that creaAuthorsAlicia Torregrosa, Travis A. O'Brien, Ian C. FaloonaUsers' guide to system dynamics model describing Coho salmon survival in Olema Creek, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
The system dynamics model described in this report is the result of a collaboration between U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists and National Park Service (NPS) San Francisco Bay Area Network (SFAN) staff, whose goal was to develop a methodology to integrate inventory and monitoring data to better understand ecosystem dynamics and trends using salmon in Olema Creek, Marin County, California, aAuthorsAndrea Woodward, Alicia Torregrosa, Mary Ann Madej, Michael Reichmuth, Darren Fong - Science
Moving from Awareness to Action: Informing Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments and Adaptation Planning for Idaho and Montana National Forests
The rugged landscapes of northern Idaho and western Montana support biodiverse ecosystems, and provide a variety of natural resources and services for human communities. However, the benefits provided by these ecosystems may be at risk as changing climate magnifies existing stressors and allows new stressors to emerge. Preparation for and response to these potential changes can be most effectively - Data
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB Integrated SciencByArizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyLiquid water content of summertime coastal California fog events, San Mateo County
Measurements of liquid water content (LWC) of coastal fog events were collected using specialized fog water collection units during the hot dry summer season (July to September) and continued through the winter. These data were assembled to explore the potential of fog water collection as a water resource for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District public lands in San Mateo County, California. S - Multimedia