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Clint Otto, PhD

Clint Otto is a Research Ecologist for the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.

The principal goal of my research program is to investigate the impacts of land-use change on pollinator habitat and ecosystem services in the Prairie Pothole Region. Much of my research focuses on the development of decision-support tools for informing natural resource policy and management.  My lab’s current research projects include modeling the effects of agricultural land-use change and grassland management on pollinator habitat and population health. In addition, my lab works with multiple federal partners to improve population monitoring of the endangered Rusty Patched bumble bee and other pollinators of conservation concern.  My team also collaborates on several remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and eDNA projects designed to enhance monitoring of pollinators and their habitats on a national scale.

Professional Experience

  • Research Ecologist, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Education and Certifications

  • Michigan State University (Ph.D.), 2012

  • Towson University (M.S.), 2006

  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (B.S.), 2002

Science and Products

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Photo of museum specimens of Bombus affinis.

Determining the dietary preferences and population genetics of an endangered bumble bee, Bombus affinis, by maximizing the use of museum specimens

Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee, was federally listed as an endangered species in 2017 and has been identified as one of the top priority species for recovery nationally. Shortly after listing the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and other partners prioritized the research needed to prevent the extinction of B. affinis. Some of the top research needs that were identified...
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Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Determining the dietary preferences and population genetics of an endangered bumble bee, Bombus affinis, by maximizing the use of museum specimens

Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumble bee, was federally listed as an endangered species in 2017 and has been identified as one of the top priority species for recovery nationally. Shortly after listing the species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and other partners prioritized the research needed to prevent the extinction of B. affinis. Some of the top research needs that were identified...
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Corn fields in Nebraska

Quantifying the effects of land-use change and bioenergy crop production on ecosystem services in the Northern Great Plains

Rising commodity crop prices, increased federal subsidies for biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel, and reduction in U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs have facilitated rapid land-use changes in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Although renewable biofuels are touted as a mechanism for increasing energy security and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, little is...
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Ecosystems, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Quantifying the effects of land-use change and bioenergy crop production on ecosystem services in the Northern Great Plains

Rising commodity crop prices, increased federal subsidies for biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol and soy-based biodiesel, and reduction in U.S. Farm Bill conservation programs have facilitated rapid land-use changes in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Although renewable biofuels are touted as a mechanism for increasing energy security and potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions, little is...
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Photo of native brown-belted bumble bee visiting leadplant.

The pollinator library: a decision-support tool for improving national pollinator conservation efforts

Pollinator declines have emphasized the need for a greater understanding of plant-pollinator networks and land management activities that improve pollinator habitat. At the request of USDA and FWS partners, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center created the Pollinator Library for managers and researchers interested in improving pollinator forage on federal and private lands. The aim of the...
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Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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The pollinator library: a decision-support tool for improving national pollinator conservation efforts

Pollinator declines have emphasized the need for a greater understanding of plant-pollinator networks and land management activities that improve pollinator habitat. At the request of USDA and FWS partners, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center created the Pollinator Library for managers and researchers interested in improving pollinator forage on federal and private lands. The aim of the...
Learn More
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A researcher conducts a health assessment on a honey bee colony in North Dakota

Understanding how land-use change in the Northern Great Plains affects pollinator health and pollination services

Societal dependence on insects for pollination of agricultural crops has risen amidst concerns over global pollinator declines. Habitat loss and lack of forage have been implicated in the decline of managed and native pollinators in the U.S. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is conducting a regional research project to understand how land use affects honey bee colony health, and the...
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Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Understanding how land-use change in the Northern Great Plains affects pollinator health and pollination services

Societal dependence on insects for pollination of agricultural crops has risen amidst concerns over global pollinator declines. Habitat loss and lack of forage have been implicated in the decline of managed and native pollinators in the U.S. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center is conducting a regional research project to understand how land use affects honey bee colony health, and the...
Learn More
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Photo of honey bee laden with pollen

Improving forage for honey bees and native pollinators on Federal conservation lands

Since its inception in 1933, the U.S. Farm Bill has been one of the most influential federal policies for agriculture and food production. Provisions within the Farm Bill have profound influence on global trade, nutrition programs, commodity crop programs, rural communities, and land conservation. Northern Prairie’s research quantifies the impact on pollinator forage and health of USDA...
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Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Improving forage for honey bees and native pollinators on Federal conservation lands

Since its inception in 1933, the U.S. Farm Bill has been one of the most influential federal policies for agriculture and food production. Provisions within the Farm Bill have profound influence on global trade, nutrition programs, commodity crop programs, rural communities, and land conservation. Northern Prairie’s research quantifies the impact on pollinator forage and health of USDA...
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Data release for: Does the quality and quantity of honey bee-collected pollen vary across an agricultural land-use gradient?

This dataset includes pollen sample weight in grams and percent crude protein collected by honey bees (Apis mellifera) across 38 apiaries in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota approximately weekly from June through September in 2015 and 2016. Additionally it includes the hectares of different land covers (corn, Zea mays, & soybeans, Glycine max, grasslands, b
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Ecosystems, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Genetic detection of Lake Sinai Virus in honey bees (Apis mellifera) and other insects

Lake Sinai Viruses (LSV) are common ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) that frequently reach high abundance but are not linked to overt disease. LSVs are genetically heterogeneous and collectively widespread, but despite frequent detection in surveys, the ecological and geographic factors structuring their distribution in A. mellifera are not understood. Even less is kno
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Fort Collins Science Center

Dataset: Plant and bee transects in the Northern Great Plains 2015-2018

These data were collected to fulfill multiple Inter-agency agreements established by USGS and multiple partners: USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Honey Bee Health Coalition. In this study USGS scientists conducted floral resource and insect pollinator assessments across multiple land covers in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota from 2015 to 201
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Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Dataset: Molecular identification of honey bee collected pollen in the Northern Great Plains, 2015-2016

In this study USGS scientists collected pollen samples from honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies distributed across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, in 2015 and 2016. Sequencing of nuclear ribosomal loci was used to to determine the number and abundance of flowering plant taxa. The data contain counts of Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) reads of honey bee collected pollen from apiary lo
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Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Nutritional physiology of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers across an agricultural land use gradient dataset

These data describe land use (summed hectares of agricultural crops: corn, soy, and small grains), individual honey bee nutrition, honey bee colony population size, and proportional honey bee colony survival among 36 apiaries across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Using colony monitoring devices to evaluate the impacts of land use and forage quality on honey bee health datasets

Honey bee colonies located in 2 apiaries in North Dakota were fitted with two types of monitoring device: pollen traps and scales. Data were collected from devices periodically throughout the 2014 season (May-October). Data derived from pollen traps included: the total fresh weight of pollen collected, the percent crude protein content, the percent content of each amino acid, and DNA identificat
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Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Photo of museum specimens of Bombus affinis.
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Photo of honey bee laden with pollen
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Filter Total Items: 41

Identifying physical characteristics and functional traits of forbs preferred or highly visited by bees in the Prairie Pothole Region

Establishing and enhancing pollinator habitat to support declining bee populations is a national goal within the United States. Pollinator habitat is often created through incentive-based conservation programs, and the inclusion of cost-effective forbs within the habitat design is a critical component of such programs. U.S. Geological Survey research from 2015 to 2019 identified forb species that
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Addressing detection uncertainty in Bombus affinis (Hymenoptera: Apidae) surveys can improve inferences made from monitoring

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service developed national guidelines to track species recovery of the endangered rusty patched bumble bee [Bombus affinis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] and to investigate changes in species occupancy across space and time. As with other native bee monitoring efforts, managers have specifically acknowledged the need to address species detection uncertainty and determine
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Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Introduction to the special issue on pollinators of the Great Plains

No abstract available.
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Conclusion to the special issue on Pollinators of the Great Plains

No abstract available.
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

The Prairie Pothole Region: A duck factory, and a bee factory too

No abstract available.
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Can’t see the flowers for the trees: Factors driving floral abundance within early-successional forests in the central Appalachian Mountains

Silviculture can be a powerful tool for restoring and enhancing habitat for forest-dependent wildlife. In eastern North America, regenerating timber harvests support abundant wildflowers that provide essential forage for native pollinators. Factors driving floral resource availability within regenerating forests remain almost entirely unstudied. Recent efforts to increase the area of regenerating
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Grassy–herbaceous land moderates regional climate effects on honey bee colonies in the Northcentral US

The lack of seasonally sustained floral resources (i.e. pollen and nectar) is considered a primary global threat to pollinator health. However, the ability to predict the abundance of flowering resources for pollinators based upon climate, weather, and land cover is difficult due to insufficient monitoring over adequate spatial and temporal scales. Here we use spatiotemporally distributed honey be
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Grassland conservation supports migratory birds and produces economic benefits for the commercial beekeeping industry in the U.S. Great Plains

Although declines in grassland birds have been documented, national initiatives to conserve grasslands and their biota have fallen short in part because the non-market values of natural ecosystems and species are often not recognized in political decision making. Identifying shared, anthropogenic threats faced by market-valued and non-market-valued species may generate additional support for grass
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Forbs included in conservation seed mixes exhibit variable blooming detection rates and cost-effectiveness: Implications for pollinator habitat design

Although forb-rich plantings for pollinator habitat are becoming more common, natural resource managers lack insight on the cost-effectiveness of forbs seeded in private land conservation programs. Additional information on the possible benefits of including more forb species in a mix may help guide the design of future pollinator habitat. We examined the detection of blooming forbs from seed mixe
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Patch utilization and flower visitations by wild bees in a honey bee-dominated, grassland landscape

Understanding habitat needs and patch utilization of wild and managed bees has been identified as a national research priority in the United States. We used occupancy models to investigate patterns of bee use across 1030 transects spanning a gradient of floral resource abundance and richness and distance from apiaries in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States. Estimates of transect
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Farmland in U.S. Conservation Reserve Program has unique floral composition that promotes bee summer foraging

Bee conservation is a topic of global concern, particularly in agroecosystems where their contribution to crop pollination is highly valued. Over a decade ago, bees and other pollinators were made a priority of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a U.S. federal program that pays land owners to establish a conservation cover, typically grassland, on environmentally sensitive farmland. Despite l
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies benefit from grassland/ pasture while bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) colonies in the same landscapes benefit from non-corn/soybean cropland

Agriculturally important commercially managed pollinators including honey bees (Apis mellifera L., 1758) and bumble bees (Bombus impatiens Cresson, 1863) rely on the surrounding landscape to fulfill their dietary needs. A previous study in Europe demonstrated that managed honey bee foragers and unmanaged native bumble bee foragers are associated with different land uses. However, it is unclear how
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Ecosystems, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

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