David S Pilliod
My research focuses on species conservation, habitat management, and effectiveness of restoration in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. I also co-lead the Pacific Northwest Environmental DNA Laboratory.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Team (FRESC)
Pacific Northwest Environmental DNA Laboratory
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 species conservation, wildlife habitat, and restoration. We combine molecular methods, remote sensing, field studies, and statistical modeling. 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.
Professional Experience
2006 - Present: USGS. Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Supervisory Research Ecologist, Boise, Idaho
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Ecology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID (2001)
B.A., Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA (1991)
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Costs of land treatments on public lands in the western United States Costs of land treatments on public lands in the western United States
Evaluation of the gap intercept method to measure rangeland connectivity Evaluation of the gap intercept method to measure rangeland connectivity
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome
Closing the conservation gap in the sagebrush biome: Spatial targeting and coordination are needed for conservation to keep pace with sagebrush losses Closing the conservation gap in the sagebrush biome: Spatial targeting and coordination are needed for conservation to keep pace with sagebrush losses
Propagating observation errors to enable scalable and rigorous enumeration of plant population abundance with aerial imagery Propagating observation errors to enable scalable and rigorous enumeration of plant population abundance with aerial imagery
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Team (FRESC)
Dakota Skipper Surveillance, Monitoring, and Assessment
Using Artificial Flowers to Survey for Pollinators
Wildland Fire Trends Tool
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
GIS Clipping and Summarization Tool for Points, Lines, Polygons, and Rasters
The Wildfire Trends Tool: A data visualization and analysis tool to meet land management needs and facilitate scientific inquiry
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023 Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023
Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018 Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018
Western North America terrestrial reptile climate-niche rasters and summary data Western North America terrestrial reptile climate-niche rasters and summary data
Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021) Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021)
Microsatellite genotypes of Bombus occidentalis specimens (including Bombus mckayi) from 1960 to 2020 Microsatellite genotypes of Bombus occidentalis specimens (including Bombus mckayi) from 1960 to 2020
Characteristics, presence of erosional features, and cover of vegetation and bare ground on fields formerly enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2017 to 20 Characteristics, presence of erosional features, and cover of vegetation and bare ground on fields formerly enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2017 to 20
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Costs of land treatments on public lands in the western United States Costs of land treatments on public lands in the western United States
Evaluation of the gap intercept method to measure rangeland connectivity Evaluation of the gap intercept method to measure rangeland connectivity
Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters Field trials of an autonomous eDNA sampler in lotic waters
Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome Leveraging extensive soil, vegetation, fire, and land treatment data to inform restoration across the sagebrush biome
Closing the conservation gap in the sagebrush biome: Spatial targeting and coordination are needed for conservation to keep pace with sagebrush losses Closing the conservation gap in the sagebrush biome: Spatial targeting and coordination are needed for conservation to keep pace with sagebrush losses
Propagating observation errors to enable scalable and rigorous enumeration of plant population abundance with aerial imagery Propagating observation errors to enable scalable and rigorous enumeration of plant population abundance with aerial imagery
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Biology Team (FRESC)
Dakota Skipper Surveillance, Monitoring, and Assessment
Using Artificial Flowers to Survey for Pollinators
Wildland Fire Trends Tool
READI-Net: Providing Tools for the Early Detection and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species
GIS Clipping and Summarization Tool for Points, Lines, Polygons, and Rasters
The Wildfire Trends Tool: A data visualization and analysis tool to meet land management needs and facilitate scientific inquiry
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023 Environmental DNA qPCR detection results and covariates from Idaho, Missouri, Montana, and New York rivers sampled in 2023
Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018 Fuel Break Treatments in the Sagebrush Biome of the Western United States, 1953 - 2018
Western North America terrestrial reptile climate-niche rasters and summary data Western North America terrestrial reptile climate-niche rasters and summary data
Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021) Sagebrush recovery projections across the biome, 30 years after two seeding treatment applications, and associated model data (1986-2021)
Microsatellite genotypes of Bombus occidentalis specimens (including Bombus mckayi) from 1960 to 2020 Microsatellite genotypes of Bombus occidentalis specimens (including Bombus mckayi) from 1960 to 2020
Characteristics, presence of erosional features, and cover of vegetation and bare ground on fields formerly enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2017 to 20 Characteristics, presence of erosional features, and cover of vegetation and bare ground on fields formerly enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2017 to 20
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.