Fire, flow and dynamic equilibrium in stream macroinvertebrate communities
Arkle, R.S., Pilliod, D.S., Strickler, K.M., 2010, Fire, flow and dynamic equilibrium in stream macroinvertebrate communities: Freshwater Biology, v. 55, p. 299-314.
David S Pilliod
My research focuses on evaluating effects of disturbances, such as wildfire and invasive species, and effectiveness of restoration in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Biography
I lead a team of scientists that develop tools and models to improve understanding of ecological systems and solve challenging problems in natural resource management. We primarily address questions related to wildlife habitat, species conservation, and restoration. Our research team also develops data management and decision support systems to facilitate adaptive management, especially in western rangelands. We primarily work on issues affecting the Intermountain West and Great Basin regions of the U.S.
Education
Ph.D. Ecology, 2001, Idaho State University
B.A. Biology, 1991, University of California - Santa Cruz
Specialty
Monitoring design, amphibian and reptile biology, wildlife ecology, stream ecology, fire ecology
Research Interests
inventory and monitoring, wildlife-habitat relationships, population dynamics, disturbance ecology, conservation biology
Science and Products
Date published: November 12, 2020
Status: Active Environmental DNA (eDNA): Combining Technology and Biology to Detect Aquatic Invasive Species and Pathogens
Using DNA, USGS researchers are able to detect the presence of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems. The DNA they use is literally floating around in the environment and is called environmental DNA (eDNA) and is a powerful tool for the early detection of invasive species and pathogens, which can cause serious ecological and economic damage. USGS researchers are also combining the use of eDNA...
Attribution: Ecosystems, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Date published: May 23, 2019
Status: Active Cheatgrass and Medusahead
Invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), are one of the most significant stressors to rangeland ecosystems in the western U.S. Their expansion and dominance across this area are the most damaging ecosystem agents on this iconic landscape.
Date published: May 7, 2019
Status: Active Integrating short-term climate forecast into a restoration management support tool
Natural resources managers are regularly required to make decisions regarding upcoming restoration treatments, often based on little more than business as usual practices. To assist in the decision-making process, we created a tool that predicts site-specific soil moisture and climate for the upcoming year, and provides guidance on whether common restoration activities (i.e. seeding, planting...
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: May 10, 2018
Status: Active Land Treatment Exploration Tool
The Land Treatment ExplorationTool provides a practical resource for managers who are planning restoration and rehabilitation actions on public lands. The tool generates a variety of spatial products while being user friendly for all levels of GIS expertise, even to those with little or no experience.
Date published: January 1, 2018
Status: Active Improving the Success of Post-Fire Adaptive Management Strategies in Sagebrush Steppe
Sagebrush steppe is one of the most widely distributed ecosystems in North America. Found in eleven western states, this important yet fragile ecosystem is dominated by sagebrush, but also contains a diversity of native shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants. It provides critical habitat for wildlife like pronghorn and threatened species such as the greater sage-grouse, and is grazed by...
Contacts: David S Pilliod, John B Bradford
Attribution: Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Date published: November 27, 2017
Status: Active Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Team (FRESC)
Wildlife respond to changes in their environment, some of which are dramatic and others subtle. To fully understand the factors that drive changes in populations and communities, we need better information on wildlife ecology in natural and human-altered landscapes. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address applied questions about the ecology and conservation of wildlife...
Contacts: David S Pilliod
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: November 14, 2017
Status: Active Wildlife Responses to Climate, Land Use, and Invasive Species
Wildlife issues drive many federal and state land management decisions, either because of litigation or mandates to protect habitat and limit extinction risks. We conduct applied research to meet this need, particularly related to the effects of natural (disease, predation) and anthropogenic (habitat loss, invasive species) stressors on wildlife populations and communities. Research on the...
Contacts: David S Pilliod
Date published: November 14, 2017
Status: Active Tools and Techniques for Monitoring Wildlife Habitats, Communities, and Populations
Resource monitoring is critically important for documenting trends and learning from the past (i.e., adaptive management), yet it has been plagued with poor design and execution. We are developing and testing novel approaches to wildlife monitoring, including the use of non-invasive field sampling and molecular markers to determine patterns of species occurrence and population abundance...
Contacts: David S Pilliod
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: November 9, 2017
Status: Active Fire, Fuel Treatments, and Restoration Ecology
Land managers have invested considerable funding to decrease fuel loads and restore resilient ecosystems in forests and rangelands, using techniques such as grazing, mowing, herbicides, and thinning. Yet, little information is available about how such restoration activities have influenced wildlife species and habitats. We are conducting empirical studies and developing novel approaches to...
Contacts: David S Pilliod
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: September 20, 2017
Status: Active Land Treatment Digital Library
The LTDL was created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to catalog information about land treatments on Federal lands in the western United States for all interested parties. The flexible framework of the library allows for the storage of a wide variety of data in different formats. The LTDL currently stores previously established land treatments or what often are called legacy data. The...
Date published: May 3, 2018
Land Treatment Exploration Tool
The Land Treatment Exploration Tool is designed for resource managers to use when planning land treatments. The tool provides useful summaries of environmental characteristics of planned treatment areas and facilitates adaptive management practices by comparing those characteristics to other similar treatments within a specified distance or area of interest. ...
Date published: November 23, 2013
Land Treatment Digital Library (LTDL)
The Land Treatment Digital Library (LTDL) was created by the USGS to catalog legacy land treatment information on Bureau of Land Management lands in the western United States. The LTDL can be used by federal managers and scientists for compiling information for data-calls, producing maps, generating reports, and conducting analyses at varying spatial and temporal scales.
Date published: July 24, 2013
Data Entry Module for the Land Treatment Digital Library (LTDL)
This software allows agencies, organizations, and individuals to download an empty, stand-alone Land Treatment Digital Library database to individual or networked computers. Data entered in these databases may be submitted to the USGS for possible inclusion in the online Land Treatment Digital Library (https://ltdl.wr.usgs.gov).
Year Published: 2021
Stream restoration is influenced by details of engineered habitats at a headwater mine site
A lack of information regarding which ecological factors influence restoration success or failure has hindered scientifically based restoration decision-making. We focus on one headwater site to examine factors influencing divergent ecological outcomes of two post-mining stream restoration projects designed to improve instream conditions following...
Arkle, Robert; Pilliod, DavidAttribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2021
Great expectations: Deconstructing the process pathways underlying beaver-related restoration
Beaver-related restoration is a process-based strategy that seeks to address wide-ranging ecological objectives by reestablishing dam building in degraded stream systems. Although the beaver-related restoration has broad appeal, especially in water-limited systems, its effectiveness is not yet well documented. In this article, we present a process...
Nash, Caroline; Grant, Gordon E.; Charnley, Susan; Dunham, Jason B.; Gosnell, Hannah; Hausner, Mark B.; Pilliod, David S.; Taylor, Jimmy D.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2021
It’s complicated…environmental DNA as a predictor of trout and char abundance in streams
The potential to provide inferences about fish abundance from environmental (e)DNA samples has generated great interest. However, the accuracy of these abundance estimates is often low and variable across species and space. A plausible refinement is the use of common aquatic habitat monitoring data to account for attributes that influence eDNA...
Sepulveda, Adam J.; Al-Chokhachy, Robert; Laramie, Matthew; Crapster, Kyle; Knotek, Ladd; Miller, Brian T.; Zale, Alexander V.; Pilliod, David
Year Published: 2021
From satellites to frogs: Quantifying ecohydrological change, drought mitigation, and population demography in desert meadows
Increasing frequency and severity of droughts have motivated natural resource managers to mitigate harmful ecological and hydrological effects of drought, but drought mitigation is an emerging science and evaluating its effectiveness is difficult. We examined ecohydrological responses of drought mitigation actions aimed at conserving populations...
Pilliod, David; Hausner, Mark B.; Scherer, Rick D.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Conservation genetics of imperiled striped whipsnake in Washington
Conservation of wide-ranging species is aided by population genetic information that provides insights into adaptive potential, population size, interpopulation connectivity, and even extinction risk in portions of a species range. The Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) occurs across 11 western U.S. states and into Mexico but has...
Pilliod, David; Hallock, Lisa A.; Miller, Mark P.; Mullins, Thomas D.; Haig, Susan M.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Harvester ant seed removal in an invaded sagebrush ecosystem: Implications for restoration
A better understanding of seed movement in plant community dynamics is needed, especially in light of disturbance‐driven changes and investments into restoring degraded plant communities. A primary agent of change within the sagebrush‐steppe is wildfire and invasion by non‐native forbs and grasses, primarily cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Our...
Paolini, Kelsey E; Modlin, Matthew; Suazo, Alexis A; Pilliod, David; Arkle, Robert; Vierling, Kerri T.; Holbrook, Joseph D.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Illegal killing of nongame wildlife and recreational shooting in conservation areas
Illegal killing of nongame wildlife is a global yet poorly documented problem. The prevalence and ecological consequences of illegal killing are often underestimated or completely unknown. We review the practice of legal recreational shooting and present data gathered from telemetry, surveys, and observations on its association with illegal...
Katzner, Todd E.; Carlisle, Jay D.; Poessel, Sharon; Thomason, Eve C.; Pauli, Benjamin P.; Pilliod, David; Belthoff, James R.; Heath, Julie A.; Parker, Kristina J.; Warner, Kevin S.; Hayes, Heather; Aberg, Madeline; Ortiz, Patricia; Amdor, Sandra; Alsup, Steven; Coates, Stephanie E.; Miller, Tricia A.; Duran, Zoe K. T.Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Postfire growth of seeded and planted big sagebrush - Strategic designs for restoring Greater Sage-grouse nesting habitat
Wildfires change plant community structure and impact wildlife habitat and population dynamics. Recent wildfire‐induced losses of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in North American shrublands are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial losses in habitat for sagebrush‐obligate species such as Greater Sage‐grouse. Managers are...
Pyke, David A.; Shriver, Robert K.; Arkle, Robert; Pilliod, David; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Coates, Peter S.; Germino, Matthew; Heinrichs, Julie Arlene; Ricca, Mark A.; Shaff, Scott
Year Published: 2020
A national-scale assessment of mercury bioaccumulation in United States National Parks using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels through a citizen-science framework
We conducted a national-scale assessment of mercury (Hg) bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems using dragonfly larvae as biosentinels, by developing a citizen science network to facilitate biological sampling. Implementing a carefully designed sampling methodology for citizen scientists, we developed an effective framework for landscape-level...
Eagles-Smith, Collin; Willacker, James; Nelson, Sarah J.; Flanagan Pritz, Collen M; Krabbenhoft, David P.; Chen, Celia Y.; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Campbell Grant, Evan H.; Pilliod, David
Year Published: 2020
Effects of snowpack, temperature, and disease on the demography of a wild population of amphibians
Understanding the demographic consequences of interactions among pathogens, hosts, and weather conditions is critical in determining how amphibian populations respond to disease and in identifying site-specific conservation actions that can be developed to bolster persistence of amphibian populations. We investigated population dynamics in Boreal...
Muths, Erin L.; Hossack, Blake R.; Grant, Evan H.; Pilliod, David; Mosher, Brittany A.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Small-scale water deficits after wildfires create long-lasting ecological impacts
Ecological droughts are deficits in soil–water availability that induce threshold-like ecosystem responses, such as causing altered or degraded plant-community conditions, which can be exceedingly difficult to reverse. However, 'ecological drought' can be difficult to define, let alone to quantify, especially at spatial and temporal scales...
O'connor, Rory (Contractor); Germino, Matthew; Barnard, David M; Andrews, Caitlin M.; Bradford, John; Pilliod, David; Arkle, Robert; Shriver, Robert KAttribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2020
Bridging the research-management gap: Landscape ecology in practice on public lands in the western United States
The field of landscape ecology has grown and matured in recent decades, but incorporating landscape science into land management decisions remains challenging. Many lands in the western United States are federally owned and managed for multiple uses, including recreation, conservation, and energy development. We argue for stronger integration of...
Carter, Sarah K.; Pilliod, David; Haby, Travis S.; Prentice, Karen L.; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Anderson, Patrick J.; Bowen, Zachary H.; Bradford, John; Cushman, Samuel A.; DeVivo, Joseph C.; Duniway, Michael C.; Hathaway, Ryan S.; Nelson, Lisa; Schultz, Courtney A.; Schuster, Rudy M.; Trammell, E. Jamie; Weltzin, Jake F.Pre-USGS Publications
The relation between forest structure and soil burn severity
Jain, T.B., Graham, R.T., Pilliod, D.S., 2006, The relation between forest structure and soil burn severity In Andrews, P.L., Butler, B.W., eds., Fuels management: How to measure success, Proceedings: RMRS-P-41, Fort Collins, CO, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, p. 615-631.
Wildlife and Invertebrate Response to Fuel Reduction Treatments in Dry Coniferous Forests of the Western United States - A Synthesis
Pilliod, D.S., Bull, E.L., Hayes, J.L., Wales, B.C., 2006, Wildlife and Invertebrate Response to Fuel Reduction Treatments in Dry Coniferous Forests of the Western United States - A Synthesis: USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-GTR-173, p. 34.
Lack of significant changes in the herpetofauna of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, since the 1920s
Hossack, B.R., Corn, P.S., Pilliod, D.S., 2005, Lack of significant changes in the herpetofauna of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, since the 1920s: American Midland Naturalist, v. 154, p. 423-432.
Population structure of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) is strongly affected by the landscape
Funk, W., Blouin, M.S., Corn, P.S., Maxell, B.A., Pilliod, D.S., Amish, S., Allendorf, F.W., 2005, Population structure of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris)is strongly affected by the landscape: Molecular Ecology, v. 14, p. 483-496.
The Wildlife Habitat Response Model- Environmental Consequences Fact Sheet
Pilliod, D.S., 2005, The Wildlife Habitat Response Model- Environmental Consequences Fact Sheet - 15: USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-RN-23-15-WWW, p. 2.
Dunham, J.B., Pilliod, D.S., Young, M., 2004, Assessing the Consequences of Nonnative Trout in Headwater Ecosystems in Western North America: Fisheries, v. 29, no. 6, p. 18-26, https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1577/1548-8446(2004)29[18:ATCONT]2.0.CO;2.
Wildlife Responses to Fuels Treatments - Key Considerations - Fuels planning - science synthesis and integration; environmental consequences fact sheet
Pilliod, D.S., 2004, Wildlife Responses to Fuels Treatments- Key Considerations - Fuels planning- science synthesis and integration; environmental consequences fact sheet 20024: USDA Rocky Mountain Research Station RMRS-RN-23-4WWW, p. 2.
Seasonal migration of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) among complementary resources in a high mountain basin
Pilliod, D.S., Peterson, C.R., Ritson, P.I., 2002, Seasonal migration of Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) among complementary resources in a high mountain basin: Canadian Journal of Zoology, v. 80, p. 1849-1862.
Assessing the accuracy of GAP analysis predicted distributions of Idaho amphibians and reptiles
Peterson, C.R., Burton, S.R., Pilliod, D.S., Lee, J.R., Cossell Jr., J.O., Llewellyn, R.L., 2001, Assessing the accuracy of GAP analysis predicted distributions of Idaho amphibians and reptiles: GAP Analysis Bulletin, v. 10, p. 25-28.
Local and landscape effects of introduced trout on amphibians in historically fishless watersheds
Pilliod, D.S., Peterson, C.R., 2001, Local and landscape effects of introduced trout on amphibians in historically fishless watersheds: Ecosystems, v. 4, p. 322-333.
Evaluating effects of fish stocking on amphibian populations in wilderness lakes
Pilliod, D.S., Peterson, C.R., 2000, Evaluating effects of fish stocking on amphibian populations in wilderness lakes In Cole, D.N., McCool, S.F., Borrie, W.T., O'Loughlin, J., eds., Wilderness science in a time of change conference—Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 2000 May 23–27; Missoula, MT, Proceedings: RMRS-P-15_VOL-5, Ogden, UT, USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, p. 328-335.
Date published: February 19, 2021
Stream Restoration is Influenced by Details of Engineered Habitats at a Headwater Mine Site
A lack of information regarding which ecological factors influence restoration success or failure has hindered scientifically based restoration decision-making.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: February 5, 2021
Great Expectations: Deconstructing the Process Pathways Underlying Beaver-related Restoration
Beaver-related restoration is a process-based strategy that seeks to re-establish dam building in degraded stream systems by translocating beavers to streams where dams are desired, building artificial structures that mimic beaver dams, or restoring riparian vegetation to attract beavers.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: January 5, 2021
Conservation Genetics of the Imperiled Striped Whipsnake in Washington
The striped whipsnake occurs across 11 western U.S. states and into Mexico but has experienced population declines in parts of its range, particularly in Washington.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: November 23, 2020
From Satellites to Frogs: Quantifying Ecohydrological Change, Drought Mitigation, and Population Demography in Desert Meadows
Researchers examined ecohydrological responses of drought mitigation actions, such as excavating ponds and installing earthen dams, aimed at conserving populations of the Columbia spotted frog in a semi-arid valley in Nevada.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: November 6, 2020
Harvester Ant Seed Removal in an Invaded Sagebrush Ecosystem: Implications for Restoration
Seed removal by granivores, such as rodents and ants, influences plant distributions and abundance, and may favor invading exotic plants if granivores selectively remove seeds of native species.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: September 25, 2020
Illegal Killing of Non-Game Wildlife and Recreational Shooting in Conservation Areas
Illegal killing of non-game wildlife is a global yet poorly documented problem.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: September 18, 2020
Post-Fire Growth of Seeded and Planted Big Sagebrush – Strategic Designs for Restoring Greater Sage-grouse Nesting Habitat
Recent wildfire-induced losses of big sagebrush are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial losses in habitat for species such as greater sage-grouse.
Date published: September 15, 2020
Data Release: Combined Wildfire Datasets for the United States and Certain Territories, 1878-2019
USGS researchers created a comprehensive wildfire dataset for the United States that spans 142 years, from 1878-2019.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: May 29, 2020
Extreme Arsenic and Antimony Uptake and Tolerance in Toad Tadpoles
The effects of extreme concentrations of toxic metalloids, such as arsenic and antimony, on larval amphibians are not well understood.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: March 10, 2020
Small-Scale Water Deficits After Wildfires Create Long-Lasting Ecological Impacts
Moisture deficit affects ecological processes and land management interventions, such as restoration of native vegetation.
Date published: February 20, 2020
Reptiles Under the Conservation Umbrella of the Greater Sage-Grouse
Management actions for umbrella species may also benefit co‐occurring species. An understanding of how sage-grouse conservation might benefit non‐target species, such as reptiles, is limited.
Attribution: Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Date published: November 27, 2019
Combining Remotely Sensed and Field Data to Investigate Pre- and Post-fire Vegetation Changes
Understanding the factors that influence vegetation responses to disturbance is important because vegetation is the foundation of food resources, wildlife habitat, and ecosystem properties and processes.