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Claudia Mengelt, PhD

Dr. Claudia Mengelt is the Program Manager with the Land Management Research Program in the Ecosystem Mission Area with USGS.

Prior to joining the USGS, she was the California Science Coordinator for Science Applications and the California Landscape Conservation Cooperative with USFWS’ regional office in Sacramento, CA. She continues to work closely with resource managers in California to apply research to decision-making. Claudia developed her expertise in performance evaluation of federal programs, elicitation and facilitation, climate change adaptation, and co-production of science during her eleven years as Senior Program Officer with the National Academy of Sciences. In this position, she led studies related to ocean policy, marine science, natural hazards, program performance and strategic planning, climate change and climate change adaptation. Claudia completed a M.S. in biological oceanography from Oregon State University and obtained her Ph.D. in marine sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Education and Certifications

  • B.S. 1997, University of California, Santa Barbara

  • M.S. 2000, Oregon State University

  • Ph.D. 2006, University of California, Santa Barbara

Science and Products

link
A river flows through a canyon into the distance.

USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
Learn More
link
a sagebrush landscape with Phlox sp. growing on intact biological soil crusts

Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the largest area of public lands in the United States. Decision-making on BLM lands is complex because managers have to balance diverse, sometimes conflicting, resources, uses, and values. Land managers are more likely to achieve long-term land management goals and balance multiple desired uses and values across public landscapes when their decisions are
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the largest area of public lands in the United States. Decision-making on BLM lands is complex because managers have to balance diverse, sometimes conflicting, resources, uses, and values. Land managers are more likely to achieve long-term land management goals and balance multiple desired uses and values across public landscapes when their decisions are
Learn More
link
Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

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 use of the science information in public lands decisions.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

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 use of the science information in public lands decisions.
Learn More
link
Photo of waterbirds feeding at a flooded agricultural field.

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
By
Western Geographic Science Center
link

Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
Learn More

Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
Authors
Tait K. Rutherford, Logan M. Maxwell, Nathan J. Kleist, Elisabeth C. Teige, Richard J. Lehrter, Megan A. Gilbert, David J.A. Wood, Aaron N. Johnston, Claudia Mengelt, John C. Tull, Travis S. Haby, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate

Scientists, resource managers, and decision-makers increasingly use knowledge co-production to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley, USA to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of shorebirds and
Authors
Kristin B. Byrd, Elliott Matchett, Claudia Mengelt, Tamara S. Wilson, Deanne DiPietro, Monica Moritsch, Erin Conlisk, Sam Veloz, Michael L. Casazza, Matthew Reiter
By
Western Geographic Science Center

A structured decision-making framework for managing cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in New York State parks

Cyanobacteria are increasingly a global water-quality concern because of the potential for these organisms to develop into potentially harmful blooms that affect ecological, economic, and public health. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can lead to a decrease in water quality and affect many of the recreational and ecological benefits of parks that include lakes. The New York State O
Authors
Jennifer L. Graham, Gabriella M. Cebada Mora, Rebecca M. Gorney, Lianne C. Ball, Claudia Mengelt, Michael C. Runge
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Applying assessments of adaptive capacity to inform natural-resource management in a changing climate

Adaptive capacity (AC)—the ability of a species to cope with or accommodate climate change—is a critical determinant of species vulnerability. Using information on species’ AC in conservation planning is key to ensuring successful outcomes. We identified connections between a list of species’ attributes (e.g., traits, population metrics, and behaviors) that were recently proposed for assessing spe
Authors
Lindsey Thurman, John E. Gross, Claudia Mengelt, Erik A. Beever, Laura Thompson, Gregor W. Schuurman, Christopher Hoving, Julian D. Olden
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Toward climate change refugia conservation at an ecoregion scale

Climate change uncertainty poses serious challenges to conservation efforts. One emerging conservation strategy is to identify and conserve climate change refugia: areas relatively buffered from contemporary climate change that enable persistence of valued resources. This management paradigm may be pursued at broad scales by leveraging existing resources and placing them into a tangible framework
Authors
Cathleen Balantic, Andrea Adams, Shana Gross, Rachel Mazur, Sarah Sawyer, Jody Tucker, Marian Vernon, Claudia Mengelt, Jennifer Morales, James Thorne, Timothy Brown, Nicole Athearn, Toni Lyn Morelli
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Improving conservation outcomes with a new paradigm for understanding species’ fundamental and realized adaptive capacity

Worldwide, many species are responding to ongoing climate change with shifts in distribution, abundance, phenology, or behavior. Consequently, natural-resource managers face increasingly urgent conservation questions related to biodiversity loss, expansion of invasive species, and deteriorating ecosystem services. We argue that our ability to address these questions is hampered by the lack of expl
Authors
Erik A. Beever, John O’Leary, Claudia Mengelt, Jordan M. West, Susan Julius, Nancy Green, Dawn Magness, Laura E. Petes, Bruce A. Stein, Adrienne B Nicotra, Jessica J Hellmann, Amanda L Robertson, Michelle D. Staudinger, Andrew A. Rosenberg, Eleanora Babij, Jean Brennan, Gregor W. Schuurman, Gretchen E Hofmann
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

National Academy of Sciences, 2016. Effective monitoring of environmental restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
National Academy of Sciences, 2010. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
National Academy of Sciences, Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.

**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.

USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

USGS is working with federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies...

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Science
    link
    A river flows through a canyon into the distance.

    USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

    As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
    link

    USGS Science Syntheses for Public Lands Management

    As we consider new activities on public lands, it's crucial to rely on solid, scientific evidence about potential environmental impacts. However, the rapid pace of new scientific research makes it difficult for land managers, decision makers, private landowners, and others to keep up and ensure they are utilizing the latest, high-quality science information. Government agencies also often have...
    Learn More
    link
    a sagebrush landscape with Phlox sp. growing on intact biological soil crusts

    Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands

    The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the largest area of public lands in the United States. Decision-making on BLM lands is complex because managers have to balance diverse, sometimes conflicting, resources, uses, and values. Land managers are more likely to achieve long-term land management goals and balance multiple desired uses and values across public landscapes when their decisions are
    By
    Climate Adaptation Science Centers
    link

    Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands

    The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the largest area of public lands in the United States. Decision-making on BLM lands is complex because managers have to balance diverse, sometimes conflicting, resources, uses, and values. Land managers are more likely to achieve long-term land management goals and balance multiple desired uses and values across public landscapes when their decisions are
    Learn More
    link
    Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

    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 use of the science information in public lands decisions.
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
    link

    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 use of the science information in public lands decisions.
    Learn More
    link
    Photo of waterbirds feeding at a flooded agricultural field.

    Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

    In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
    By
    Western Geographic Science Center
    link

    Integrating Remote-Sensing and Ecological Forecasting into Decision-Support for Wetland Wildlife Management in the Central Valley of California

    In the Central Valley of California, the few remaining wetlands plus cropland that is flooded after harvest provide critical habitat for wetland-dependent species. However future climate conditions and a growing human population will challenge how they are managed. To support coordinated conservation, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation planning, we partnered with Point Blue Conservation...
    Learn More
  • Publications

    Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

    The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
    Authors
    Tait K. Rutherford, Logan M. Maxwell, Nathan J. Kleist, Elisabeth C. Teige, Richard J. Lehrter, Megan A. Gilbert, David J.A. Wood, Aaron N. Johnston, Claudia Mengelt, John C. Tull, Travis S. Haby, Sarah K. Carter
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

    Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate

    Scientists, resource managers, and decision-makers increasingly use knowledge co-production to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley, USA to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of shorebirds and
    Authors
    Kristin B. Byrd, Elliott Matchett, Claudia Mengelt, Tamara S. Wilson, Deanne DiPietro, Monica Moritsch, Erin Conlisk, Sam Veloz, Michael L. Casazza, Matthew Reiter
    By
    Western Geographic Science Center

    A structured decision-making framework for managing cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in New York State parks

    Cyanobacteria are increasingly a global water-quality concern because of the potential for these organisms to develop into potentially harmful blooms that affect ecological, economic, and public health. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) can lead to a decrease in water quality and affect many of the recreational and ecological benefits of parks that include lakes. The New York State O
    Authors
    Jennifer L. Graham, Gabriella M. Cebada Mora, Rebecca M. Gorney, Lianne C. Ball, Claudia Mengelt, Michael C. Runge
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

    Applying assessments of adaptive capacity to inform natural-resource management in a changing climate

    Adaptive capacity (AC)—the ability of a species to cope with or accommodate climate change—is a critical determinant of species vulnerability. Using information on species’ AC in conservation planning is key to ensuring successful outcomes. We identified connections between a list of species’ attributes (e.g., traits, population metrics, and behaviors) that were recently proposed for assessing spe
    Authors
    Lindsey Thurman, John E. Gross, Claudia Mengelt, Erik A. Beever, Laura Thompson, Gregor W. Schuurman, Christopher Hoving, Julian D. Olden
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

    Toward climate change refugia conservation at an ecoregion scale

    Climate change uncertainty poses serious challenges to conservation efforts. One emerging conservation strategy is to identify and conserve climate change refugia: areas relatively buffered from contemporary climate change that enable persistence of valued resources. This management paradigm may be pursued at broad scales by leveraging existing resources and placing them into a tangible framework
    Authors
    Cathleen Balantic, Andrea Adams, Shana Gross, Rachel Mazur, Sarah Sawyer, Jody Tucker, Marian Vernon, Claudia Mengelt, Jennifer Morales, James Thorne, Timothy Brown, Nicole Athearn, Toni Lyn Morelli
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers

    Improving conservation outcomes with a new paradigm for understanding species’ fundamental and realized adaptive capacity

    Worldwide, many species are responding to ongoing climate change with shifts in distribution, abundance, phenology, or behavior. Consequently, natural-resource managers face increasingly urgent conservation questions related to biodiversity loss, expansion of invasive species, and deteriorating ecosystem services. We argue that our ability to address these questions is hampered by the lack of expl
    Authors
    Erik A. Beever, John O’Leary, Claudia Mengelt, Jordan M. West, Susan Julius, Nancy Green, Dawn Magness, Laura E. Petes, Bruce A. Stein, Adrienne B Nicotra, Jessica J Hellmann, Amanda L Robertson, Michelle D. Staudinger, Andrew A. Rosenberg, Eleanora Babij, Jean Brennan, Gregor W. Schuurman, Gretchen E Hofmann
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

    Non-USGS Publications**

    National Academy of Sciences, 2016. Effective monitoring of environmental restoration in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
    National Academy of Sciences, 2010. Adapting to the Impacts of Climate Change. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.
    National Academy of Sciences, Analysis of Global Change Assessments: Lessons Learned. The National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.

    **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.

  • News
    USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

    USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

    USGS is working with federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies...

    Read Article