Charles B Yackulic, Ph.D.
Charles Yackulic is a research statistician with the Southwest Biological Science Center.
Dr. Yackulic's research primarily focuses on developing and fitting statistical models that integrate multiple data sources, link environmental drivers and management actions to population and ecosystem processes, and can be used to make near and long-term forecasting of system dynamics under different management alternatives. Areas of particular interest include species distribution dynamics, population dynamics, interspecific interactions, animal movement, food web dynamics and river metabolism.
Professional Experience
2011-present: Research Statistician, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
2010-2011: National Science Foundation (NSF) postdoc in Bioinformatics, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, MD
2009-2010: Postdoctoral Researcher, Columbia University, NY
Education and Certifications
2009 - Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Columbia University, NY
2003 - MSc. in Environmental Change and Management, Oxford University, UK
2001 - B.A. in Biology (major) and Math (minor), Columbia University, NY
Science and Products
Humpback Chub (Gila cypha) capture history data (2009-2017), and code for mark-recapture analysis and stochastic matrix projections, Colorado River and Little Colorado River, Arizona
Water temperature models, data and code for the Colorado, Green, San Juan, Yampa, and White rivers in the Colorado River basin
Marginalizing Bayesian population models - data for examples in the Grand Canyon region, southeastern Arizona, western Oregon USA - 1990-2015
Bioeconomic model population data, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Northern spotted owl data and analysis code, Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest, USA
Metabolism estimates for 356 U.S. rivers (2007-2017)
Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Spatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA
Continuous Detection PIT Array Data & Model
The influence of water temperature on salmonid recruitment and adult size in tailwaters across western North America--Data
Humpback Chub (Gila cypha) and Rainbow Trout Joint Mark-Recapture Data and Model, Colorado River, Arizona
Population dynamics of humpback chub, rainbow trout and brown trout in the Colorado River in its Grand Canyon Reach: modelling code and input data
Estimating northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) pair detection probabilities based on call-back surveys associated with long-term mark-recapture studies, 1993–2018
Assessment of potential recovery viability for Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Insectivorous bat foraging tracks the availability of aquatic flies (Diptera)
Vital rates of a burgeoning population of Humpback Chub in western Grand Canyon
Declines in prey production during the collapse of a tailwater Rainbow Trout population are associated with changing reservoir conditions
Proceedings of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Reporting Meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
Long-term monitoring in transition: Resolving spatial mismatch and integrating multistate occupancy data
Divergent climate impacts on C3 versus C4 grasses imply widespread 21st century shifts in grassland functional composition
Impeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater
Drought related changes in water quality surpass effects of experimental flows on trout growth downstream of Lake Powell reservoir
The hydroclimate niche: A tool for predicting and managing riparian plant community responses to streamflow seasonality
The Colorado River – The science-policy interface
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 29
Humpback Chub (Gila cypha) capture history data (2009-2017), and code for mark-recapture analysis and stochastic matrix projections, Colorado River and Little Colorado River, Arizona
These data represent capture histories for humpback chub (Gila cypha) that spawn in the Little Colorado River (LCR) from 2009-2017. Capture histories pertain to size class (250mm TL) and spatial location (the juvenile chub monitoring [JCM] reach in the Colorado River [63.4-65.0 river miles downstream of Lees Ferry], lower LCR [0-13.56 km upstream of Colorado River confluence], and upper LCR [13.5Water temperature models, data and code for the Colorado, Green, San Juan, Yampa, and White rivers in the Colorado River basin
These data were compiled for a manuscript in which 1) we develop a water temperature model for the major river segments and tributaries of the Colorado River basin, including the Colorado, Green, Yampa, White, and San Juan rivers; 2) we link modeled water temperature to fish population data to predict the probability native and nonnative species will be common in the future in a warming climate; aMarginalizing Bayesian population models - data for examples in the Grand Canyon region, southeastern Arizona, western Oregon USA - 1990-2015
These data were compiled here to fit various versions of Bayesian population models and compare their performance, primarily the time required to make inferences using different softwares and versions of code. The humpback chub data were collected by US Geological Survey and US Fish and Wildlife service in the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers from April 2009 to October 2017. Adult fish were capBioeconomic model population data, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
These data were estimated for use in the bioecomomic model simulation of the rainbow trout population in the Colorado River in Marble Canyon. The initial rainbow trout abundance is a vector (RBT_intN) representing the population of rainbow trout within each river segment (151 mile long sergments) along the mainstem of the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to 151 river miles downstream. The movement mNorthern spotted owl data and analysis code, Cascade Range, Pacific Northwest, USA
These data were compiled to allow examination of northern spotted owl territorial occupancy dynamics, especially with regards to the roles played by habitat and competition with barred owl in past and future dynamics. Data are estimates of parameters derived from previous modelling of northern spotted owl territorial occupancy dynamics. These data were collected as part of monitoring of northern sMetabolism estimates for 356 U.S. rivers (2007-2017)
This data release provides modeled estimates of gross primary productivity, ecosystem respiration, and gas exchange coefficients for 356 streams and rivers across the United States. The release also includes the model input data and alternative input data, model fit and diagnostic information, spatial data for the modeled sites (catchment boundaries and site point locations), and potential predictSouthern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA
These data were compiled to study the effects of severe drought and a concurrent large wildfire on a large population of southern Pacific pond turtles living in a rapidly drying lake. The study was done in collaboration with biologists from Ecorp Consulting in Santa Ana, California with funding from the Desert Tortoise Council. Data were collected in August and September of 2014. This worksheet coSpatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA
There were five objects for compiling these data: 1) to conduct a systematic inventory of diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) using headcount surveys on four National Wildlife Refuges (Harris Neck, Blackbeard Island, Wassaw, and Wolf Island) that are a part of the greater Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex in southeast Georgia, USA; 2) to use occupancy modeling to determine detection probContinuous Detection PIT Array Data & Model
These data represent a set of capture histories of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss or RBT) captured in the Colorado River (CR) and(or) detected on the multiplexer array in the Little Colorado River (LCR). Capture trips to the Colorado River occurred in April 2012, July 2012, September 2012, January 2013, April 2013, July 2013, September 2013, January 2014, April 2014, July 2014, and September 2The influence of water temperature on salmonid recruitment and adult size in tailwaters across western North America--Data
These data were used to examine drivers behind changes in water temperature downriver of dams across the western U.S. from 1995-2015 and the influence of such changes on rainbow trout recruitment and rainbow and brown trout adult length. First, we linked reservoir storage capacity and dam size to the warmest monthly water temperature per water year (WY) to assess the influence of low storage capacHumpback Chub (Gila cypha) and Rainbow Trout Joint Mark-Recapture Data and Model, Colorado River, Arizona
These data were compiled for a joint mark-recapture analysis of humpback chub and rainbow trout and include capture histories for both species, as well as environmental covariates associated with monthly time steps used to measure survival and growth and environmental covariates used to predict capture probability during each sampling trip. This worksheet also include parameter estimates and assocPopulation dynamics of humpback chub, rainbow trout and brown trout in the Colorado River in its Grand Canyon Reach: modelling code and input data
These data were compiled to fit an integrated population model of brown trout in the Glen Canyon Reach of the Colorado River and test different hypotheses regarding the driver of brown trout population dynamics. Also, data were compiled as inputs for a model to simulate population dynamics and species interactions among brown trout, rainbow trout and humpback chub in the Colorado River between Gle - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 110
Estimating northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) pair detection probabilities based on call-back surveys associated with long-term mark-recapture studies, 1993–2018
The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina; hereinafter NSO) was listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in 1990 and population declines have continued since that listing. Given the species’ protected status, any proposed activities on Federal lands that might impact NSO require consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and part of that consultation often includesAuthorsKatie M. Dugger, Alan B. Franklin, Damon B. Lesmeister, Raymond J. Davis, J. David Wiens, Gary C. White, James D. Nichols, James E. Hines, Charles B. Yackulic, Carl J. Schwarz, Steven H. Ackers, L. Steven Andrews, Larissa L. Bailey, Robin Bown, Jesse Burgher, Kenneth P. Burnham, Peter C. Carlson, Tara Chestnut, Mary M Conner, Krista E. Dilione, Eric D. Forsman, Scott A. Gremel, Keith A. Hamm, Dale R. Herter, J. Mark Higley, Rob B. Horn, Julianna M Jenkins, William L. Kendall, David W Lamphear, Christopher McCafferty, Trent L. McDonald, Janice A Reid, Jeremy T. Rockweit, David C. Simon, Stan G Sovern, James K. Swingle, Heather WiseAssessment of potential recovery viability for Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Colorado Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius, the Colorado River’s top native predatory fish, was historically distributed from the Gulf of California delta to the upper reaches of the Green, Colorado, and San Juan rivers in the Colorado River basin in the Southwestern US. In recent decades Colorado Pikeminnow population abundance has declined, primarily due to predation by warmwater nonnative fish anAuthorsKimberly L. Dibble, Charles Yackulic, Kevin R. Bestgen, Keith B. Gido, Tildon Jones, Mark McKinstry, Doug Osmundson, Dale Ryden, Robert C. SchellyInsectivorous bat foraging tracks the availability of aquatic flies (Diptera)
Rivers and their adjacent riparian zones are model ecosystems for observing cross-ecosystem energy transfers. Aquatic insects emerging from streams, for example, are resource subsidies that support riparian consumers such as birds, spiders, lizards, and bats. We collaborated with recreational river runners in Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA, to record acoustic bat activity and sample riparian insects uAuthorsAnya Metcalfe, Carol Fritzinger, Theodore J. Weller, Michael Dodrill, Jeffrey Muehlbauer, Charles Yackulic, Brandon P. Holton, Cheyenne Maxime Szydlo, Laura E. Durning, Joel B. Sankey, Theodore KennedyVital rates of a burgeoning population of Humpback Chub in western Grand Canyon
The Colorado River ecosystem has experienced habitat alterations and non-native species invasions, and as a result, many of its native species have experienced extirpations, abundance declines, and range constrictions. Despite these pitfalls, Humpback Chub, Gila cypha, have persisted and, in the last 10-15 years, expanded their range to become abundant in western Grand Canyon, a river segment in wAuthorsMaria C. Dzul, Charles Yackulic, Mariah Aurelia Giardina, David R. Van Haverbeke, Michael D. YardDeclines in prey production during the collapse of a tailwater Rainbow Trout population are associated with changing reservoir conditions
ObjectiveUnderstanding how energy moves through food webs and limits productivity at various trophic levels is a central question in aquatic ecology and can provide insight into drivers of fish population dynamics since many fish populations are food limited. In this study, we seek to better understand what factors drove a decline of >85% in the number of Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss found inAuthorsMichael D. Yard, Charles Yackulic, Josh Korman, Michael Dodrill, Bridget DeemerProceedings of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Reporting Meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
(Hartwell) This report is prepared primarily to account for work conducted and products delivered in FY 2022 by GCMRC and to inform the Technical Work Group of science conducted by GCMRC and its cooperators in support of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP). It includes a summary of accomplishments, modifications to work plans, results, and recommendations related to projects iAuthorsDavid Topping, Paul Grams, Emily C. Palmquist, Joel B. Sankey, Helen C. Fairley, Bridget Deemer, Charles Yackulic, Theodore Kennedy, Anya Metcalfe, Maria C. Dzul, David Ward, Mariah Aurelia Giardina, Lucas Bair, Thomas Gushue, Caitlin M. Andrews, Ronald E. Griffiths, David Dean, Keith Kohl, Michael J Moran, Nicholas Voichick, Thomas A. Sabol, Laura A. Tennant, Kimberly Dibble, Michael C. RungeLong-term monitoring in transition: Resolving spatial mismatch and integrating multistate occupancy data
The success of long-term wildlife monitoring programs can be influenced by many factors and study designs often represent compromises between spatial scales and costs. Adaptive monitoring programs can iteratively manage this tension by adopting new cost-efficient technologies, which can provide projects the opportunity to reallocate costs to address new hypotheses, adapt to changing ecological conAuthorsMatthew J Weldy, Damon B. Lesmeister, Charles Yackulic, Cara L. Appel, Chris E. McCafferty, David WiensDivergent climate impacts on C3 versus C4 grasses imply widespread 21st century shifts in grassland functional composition
AimGrasslands cover a third of Earth's landmass and provide critical ecosystem services. Anticipating how perennial C3 (cool-season) and C4 (warm-season) grasses respond to climate change will be key to predicting future composition and functioning of grasslands. Here, we evaluate environmental drivers of C3 and C4 perennial distributions and assess how C3 and C4 grass distributions shift in respoAuthorsCaroline A. Havrilla, John B. Bradford, Charles Yackulic, Seth M. MunsonImpeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater
River ecosystems have been altered by flow regulation and species introductions. Regulated flow regimes often include releases designed to benefit certain species or restore ecosystem processes, and invasive species suppression programs may include efforts to restrict access to spawning habitat. The impacts of these management interventions are often uncertain. Here, we assess hypotheses regardingAuthorsBrian D. Healy, Charles Yackulic, Robert C. SchellyDrought related changes in water quality surpass effects of experimental flows on trout growth downstream of Lake Powell reservoir
Flows released from reservoirs are often modified to mitigate the negative ecosystem effects of dams. We estimated the effects of two experimental flows, fall-timed floods and elimination of sub-daily variation in flows on weekends, on growth rates of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. Experimental flow effects were compared to effects of watAuthorsJosh Korman, Bridget Deemer, Charles Yackulic, Theodore Kennedy, Mariah Aurelia GiardinaThe hydroclimate niche: A tool for predicting and managing riparian plant community responses to streamflow seasonality
Habitat suitability is a consequence of interacting environmental factors. In riparian ecosystems, suitable plant habitat is influenced by interactions between stream hydrology and climate, hereafter referred to as “hydroclimate”. We tested the hypothesis that hydroclimate variables would improve the fit of ecological niche models for a suite of riparian species using occurrence data from the westAuthorsBradley J. Butterfield, Emily C. Palmquist, Charles YackulicThe Colorado River – The science-policy interface
No abstract available.AuthorsJohn C. Schmidt, Lindsey Bruckerhoff, Jianghao Wang, Charles Yackulic - Web Tools
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