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.
An analytical framework for estimating aquatic species density from environmental DNA An analytical framework for estimating aquatic species density from environmental DNA
Survey of beaver-related restoration practices in rangeland streams of the western USA Survey of beaver-related restoration practices in rangeland streams of the western USA
Heterogeneous responses of temperate-zone amphibian populations to climate change complicates conservation planning Heterogeneous responses of temperate-zone amphibian populations to climate change complicates conservation planning
Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe
Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales
Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning
Refining the cheatgrass–fire cycle in the Great Basin: Precipitation timing and fine fuel composition predict wildfire trends Refining the cheatgrass–fire cycle in the Great Basin: Precipitation timing and fine fuel composition predict wildfire trends
Long-term trends in restoration and associated land treatments in the southwestern United States Long-term trends in restoration and associated land treatments in the southwestern United States
Weather-centric rangeland revegetation planning Weather-centric rangeland revegetation planning
Exploring the use of environmental DNA to determine the species of salmon redds Exploring the use of environmental DNA to determine the species of salmon redds
Seventy-five years of vegetation treatments on public rangelands in the Great Basin of North America Seventy-five years of vegetation treatments on public rangelands in the Great Basin of North America
Insect community responses to climate and weather across elevation gradients in the Sagebrush Steppe, eastern Oregon Insect community responses to climate and weather across elevation gradients in the Sagebrush Steppe, eastern Oregon
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)
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.
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.
An analytical framework for estimating aquatic species density from environmental DNA An analytical framework for estimating aquatic species density from environmental DNA
Survey of beaver-related restoration practices in rangeland streams of the western USA Survey of beaver-related restoration practices in rangeland streams of the western USA
Heterogeneous responses of temperate-zone amphibian populations to climate change complicates conservation planning Heterogeneous responses of temperate-zone amphibian populations to climate change complicates conservation planning
Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe
Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales
Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning
Refining the cheatgrass–fire cycle in the Great Basin: Precipitation timing and fine fuel composition predict wildfire trends Refining the cheatgrass–fire cycle in the Great Basin: Precipitation timing and fine fuel composition predict wildfire trends
Long-term trends in restoration and associated land treatments in the southwestern United States Long-term trends in restoration and associated land treatments in the southwestern United States
Weather-centric rangeland revegetation planning Weather-centric rangeland revegetation planning
Exploring the use of environmental DNA to determine the species of salmon redds Exploring the use of environmental DNA to determine the species of salmon redds
Seventy-five years of vegetation treatments on public rangelands in the Great Basin of North America Seventy-five years of vegetation treatments on public rangelands in the Great Basin of North America
Insect community responses to climate and weather across elevation gradients in the Sagebrush Steppe, eastern Oregon Insect community responses to climate and weather across elevation gradients in the Sagebrush Steppe, eastern Oregon
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)
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.
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.