USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
Ariana E. Sutton-Grier, PhD
Ariana Sutton-Grier is an ecosystem ecologist and the Program Coordinator for the Climate Research & Development Program in the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area.
I am an ecosystem ecologist broadly interested in how human-caused environmental change is affecting ecosystem function and the ability of ecosystems to provide the ecosystem services on which we depend. I am also interested in ecosystem service measurement and valuation, and how ecosystem services can be included in environmental markets and other policy opportunities. I am a "social science- and engineering-friendly" ecologist who loves to collaborate, working with multidisciplinary teams to find societally-relevant solutions to the world's pressing problems including climate change.
Professional Experience
2022-present: Program Coordinator, USGS Climate Research and Development Program
2017-present: Visiting Associate Research Professor, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center (ESSIC), University of Maryland
2020-2022: Policy Analyst, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
2017-2019: Director of Science, MD/DC Chapter of the Nature Conservancy
2014-2017: Assistant Research Scientist, ESSIC, and Ecosystem Science Adviser, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
2012-2014: Environmental Scientist, NOAA National Ocean Service
2010-2012: AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation
2008-2010: Smithsonian Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Ecology, Duke University, 2008
Honors B.S. in Environmental Science, Oregon State University, 2000
Honors B.S. in International Studies, Oregon State University, 2000
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member of: Society of Wetland Scientists, Ecological Society of America, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
Honors and Awards
OMB “Professional Cross-Cutting Team Award” for Work on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gas Estimates (2022)
OMB Annual Leave Award for my work in OIRA reviewing regulations and working on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases revisions (2021)
Invited Speaker for the Old Dominion University “Paul W. Kirk Jr. Memorial Lecture for Wetlands Ecology”, September 24, 2019.
2019 “Young Investigator” award from the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honors Society (2019)
Ecological Society of America Innovations in Sustainability Science Award for the paper, “Future of Our Coasts…” (2016)
Ecological Society of America Early Career Fellow (2015-2019)
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Assistant Administrator Special Recognition Group Award (2014)
Ecological Society of America (ESA) Early Career Scientist Award (2012)
ESA Academic Excellence Award for Young Women in Ecology, Honorable Mention (2010)
American Association of University Women American Fellowship (2007-2008)
10th International Symposium on Wetland Biogeochemistry “Best Student Presentation” (2007)
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2003-2006)
Oregon State University Waldo Cummings Outstanding Senior Award (2000)
OSU College of Science Outstanding Woman in Science Scholarship (1999)
Oregon State University Oregon Laurels Scholar (1996-2000)
Science and Products
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Uncertainty in United States coastal wetland greenhouse gas inventorying
Natural climate solutions for the United States
Wetlands in a changing climate: Science, policy and management
Coastal effects
Non-USGS Publications**
https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12047
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Building a roadmap to integrate freshwater wetlands into the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
Buoys surfaced and floating in the ocean waiting to be collected onto the research vessel.
Buoys surfaced and floating in the ocean waiting to be collected onto the research vessel.
Dunking transducer being lowered into the water in order to communicate with the acoustic release at depth.
Dunking transducer being lowered into the water in order to communicate with the acoustic release at depth.
Both sediment traps secured on board the deck of the research vessel after being pulled out of the ocean water.
Both sediment traps secured on board the deck of the research vessel after being pulled out of the ocean water.
All three buoys secured on boat deck waiting to be redeployed with marine sediment traps.
All three buoys secured on boat deck waiting to be redeployed with marine sediment traps.
Dr. Julie Richey and Caitlin Reynolds replacing batteries in the sampler onboard R/V Pelican.
Dr. Julie Richey and Caitlin Reynolds replacing batteries in the sampler onboard R/V Pelican.
Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instrument getting ready to be launched. The bag of Styrofoam cups being attached to the side is part of science outreach that Dr. Julie Richey does with elementary school kids.
Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instrument getting ready to be launched. The bag of Styrofoam cups being attached to the side is part of science outreach that Dr. Julie Richey does with elementary school kids.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Coastal Louisiana marsh as viewed driving down to LUMCON (the Louisiana University Marine Consortium).
Coastal Louisiana marsh as viewed driving down to LUMCON (the Louisiana University Marine Consortium).
Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON) building with marsh in the foreground.
Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON) building with marsh in the foreground.
View of the R/V (research vessel) Pelican from the dock at the Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON).
View of the R/V (research vessel) Pelican from the dock at the Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON).
Sunrise along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. Credit: Ariana Sutton-Grier, USGS.
Sunrise along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. Credit: Ariana Sutton-Grier, USGS.
Science and Products
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Uncertainty in United States coastal wetland greenhouse gas inventorying
Natural climate solutions for the United States
Wetlands in a changing climate: Science, policy and management
Coastal effects
Non-USGS Publications**
https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-8947.12047
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Building a roadmap to integrate freshwater wetlands into the National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Scientists in the Climate Research and Development Program focus specifically on these changes, conducting their work across many fields and disciplines throughout the United States and the globe.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
USGS science helps to understand the causes and effects of environmental change. Ariana Sutton-Grier is the coordinator of the Climate Research and Development Program, whose scientists focus specifically on environmental changes that have occurred in the past, are taking place now, or will occur in the future.
Buoys surfaced and floating in the ocean waiting to be collected onto the research vessel.
Buoys surfaced and floating in the ocean waiting to be collected onto the research vessel.
Dunking transducer being lowered into the water in order to communicate with the acoustic release at depth.
Dunking transducer being lowered into the water in order to communicate with the acoustic release at depth.
Both sediment traps secured on board the deck of the research vessel after being pulled out of the ocean water.
Both sediment traps secured on board the deck of the research vessel after being pulled out of the ocean water.
All three buoys secured on boat deck waiting to be redeployed with marine sediment traps.
All three buoys secured on boat deck waiting to be redeployed with marine sediment traps.
Dr. Julie Richey and Caitlin Reynolds replacing batteries in the sampler onboard R/V Pelican.
Dr. Julie Richey and Caitlin Reynolds replacing batteries in the sampler onboard R/V Pelican.
Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instrument getting ready to be launched. The bag of Styrofoam cups being attached to the side is part of science outreach that Dr. Julie Richey does with elementary school kids.
Conductivity, temperature, and depth (CTD) instrument getting ready to be launched. The bag of Styrofoam cups being attached to the side is part of science outreach that Dr. Julie Richey does with elementary school kids.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Video of scientific and ship crew deploying a sediment trap in the Gulf of Mexico off of a research vessel.
Coastal Louisiana marsh as viewed driving down to LUMCON (the Louisiana University Marine Consortium).
Coastal Louisiana marsh as viewed driving down to LUMCON (the Louisiana University Marine Consortium).
Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON) building with marsh in the foreground.
Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON) building with marsh in the foreground.
View of the R/V (research vessel) Pelican from the dock at the Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON).
View of the R/V (research vessel) Pelican from the dock at the Louisiana University Marine Consortium (LUMCON).
Sunrise along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. Credit: Ariana Sutton-Grier, USGS.
Sunrise along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California. Credit: Ariana Sutton-Grier, USGS.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government