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.
Research and Lab Websites
Research and Lab Websites
Decision Support Tools
Decision Support Tools
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, such as the Land Treatment Digital Library and Land Treatment Exploration Tool. We primarily work on issues affecting the Intermountain West and Great Basin regions of the U.S.
Science and Products
Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Restoration Team
Our team conducts research on wildlife species ecology, threats to species, causes of population dynamics, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. For example, we conduct research on ecological restoration in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and investigate wildlife responses to restoration. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and develop...
Filter Total Items: 30
LTDL and LTET Team (FRESC)
The Land Treatment Digital Library (LTDL) and The Land Treatment Exploration Tool (LTET) are practical resources for land managers planning restoration and rehabilitation projects on public lands.
Land Treatment Exploration Tool
The Land Treatment Exploration Tool 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.
Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Restoration Team
Our team conducts research on wildlife species ecology, threats to species, causes of population dynamics, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. For example, we conduct research on ecological restoration in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and investigate wildlife responses to restoration. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and develop...
Using environmental DNA monitoring to find an extremely endangered butterfly
The USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and partners are working together to find the elusive checkerspot butterfly.
Enhancing Rangeland Recovery by Forecasting Seed Establishment
This project is synthesizing information about plant establishment and building a tool to deliver forecasts of restoration success, helping to maximize the chances that restoration efforts will be successful.
Restoration Effectiveness
Our team conducts research into ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness of restoration actions aimed at site stability, ecosystem recovery, and wildlife habitat. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and effectiveness to aid in decision support and adaptive management.
Decision Support Tools
Our team develops science-based decision support and adaptative management tools to aid natural resource management. These tools help land and resource managers by compiling and synthesizing large amounts of information, displaying that information in interactive maps, and creating a logical framework for planning and decision making.
Species Conservation
Our team conducts research into threats to species, causes of population declines, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. We develop innovative solutions to evaluate the status and trends of species to aid in listing decisions and recovery planning.
Project ROAM
USGS is identifying, testing, and verifying rapid methods for rangeland assessment and restoration monitoring. Our methods complement existing monitoring frameworks, providing land management agencies with timely information that can be used to determine if restoration investments are successful, and why. Standardization, validation, repeatability, data management, and training are at the core of...
Proof of concept airborne eDNA testing to detect invasive species in shipping containers
Shipping containers that are transported by water vessels traveling between islands and the mainland or other islands can act as a vector for invasive species that are accidentally transported with the cargo. If the vessel carries a lot of cargo, or cargo has areas for different species to hide, inspections can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive, or in the case of non-agricultural...
Fuel Break Science in the Great Basin
Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey are developing a strategic framework for assessing and monitoring the impacts of fuel breaks in sagebrush ecosystems of the western U.S. Fuel breaks are increasingly being used to reduce the threat of wildfire, but more information on their efficacy and impacts on wildlife habitat and exotic annual grass invasion is needed.
Systematic Review and Analysis of Seeding and Herbicide Treatment in the Sagebrush Steppe
Seeding and herbicide treatments are a key aspect of the strategy used to break the annual grass-fire cycle in sagebrush steppe. However, past studies report considerable variability in the effectiveness of seeding and herbicide treatments. To generate a more consistent interpretation of post-fire herbicide and seeding effects, we are compiling, reviewing, and synthesizing findings from past...
Science and Products
Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Restoration Team
Our team conducts research on wildlife species ecology, threats to species, causes of population dynamics, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. For example, we conduct research on ecological restoration in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and investigate wildlife responses to restoration. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and develop...
Filter Total Items: 30
LTDL and LTET Team (FRESC)
The Land Treatment Digital Library (LTDL) and The Land Treatment Exploration Tool (LTET) are practical resources for land managers planning restoration and rehabilitation projects on public lands.
Land Treatment Exploration Tool
The Land Treatment Exploration Tool 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.
Wildlife Ecology and Habitat Restoration Team
Our team conducts research on wildlife species ecology, threats to species, causes of population dynamics, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. For example, we conduct research on ecological restoration in terrestrial and aquatic environments, and investigate wildlife responses to restoration. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and develop...
Using environmental DNA monitoring to find an extremely endangered butterfly
The USGS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and partners are working together to find the elusive checkerspot butterfly.
Enhancing Rangeland Recovery by Forecasting Seed Establishment
This project is synthesizing information about plant establishment and building a tool to deliver forecasts of restoration success, helping to maximize the chances that restoration efforts will be successful.
Restoration Effectiveness
Our team conducts research into ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness of restoration actions aimed at site stability, ecosystem recovery, and wildlife habitat. We also evaluate standardized methods used to monitor post-restoration outcomes and effectiveness to aid in decision support and adaptive management.
Decision Support Tools
Our team develops science-based decision support and adaptative management tools to aid natural resource management. These tools help land and resource managers by compiling and synthesizing large amounts of information, displaying that information in interactive maps, and creating a logical framework for planning and decision making.
Species Conservation
Our team conducts research into threats to species, causes of population declines, and ways to mitigate threats for species recovery. We develop innovative solutions to evaluate the status and trends of species to aid in listing decisions and recovery planning.
Project ROAM
USGS is identifying, testing, and verifying rapid methods for rangeland assessment and restoration monitoring. Our methods complement existing monitoring frameworks, providing land management agencies with timely information that can be used to determine if restoration investments are successful, and why. Standardization, validation, repeatability, data management, and training are at the core of...
Proof of concept airborne eDNA testing to detect invasive species in shipping containers
Shipping containers that are transported by water vessels traveling between islands and the mainland or other islands can act as a vector for invasive species that are accidentally transported with the cargo. If the vessel carries a lot of cargo, or cargo has areas for different species to hide, inspections can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive, or in the case of non-agricultural...
Fuel Break Science in the Great Basin
Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey are developing a strategic framework for assessing and monitoring the impacts of fuel breaks in sagebrush ecosystems of the western U.S. Fuel breaks are increasingly being used to reduce the threat of wildfire, but more information on their efficacy and impacts on wildlife habitat and exotic annual grass invasion is needed.
Systematic Review and Analysis of Seeding and Herbicide Treatment in the Sagebrush Steppe
Seeding and herbicide treatments are a key aspect of the strategy used to break the annual grass-fire cycle in sagebrush steppe. However, past studies report considerable variability in the effectiveness of seeding and herbicide treatments. To generate a more consistent interpretation of post-fire herbicide and seeding effects, we are compiling, reviewing, and synthesizing findings from past...