Emily C Palmquist, PhD
Dr. Emily Palmquist is a plant ecologist with the Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Station. Emily studies riparian plant ecology in drylands of the western U.S. with particular emphasis on providing scientific information that addresses land management and stakeholder needs.
Emily conducts research with direct applications to improving land stewardship in a changing environment. Her research examines how environmental pressures, plant genetics, plant traits, and interactions among these factors affect plant community structure and change. This research often provides information needed to make management decisions, for example, characterizing floristic patterns, choosing plants for restoration, and evaluating taxonomic relationships. These studies also often characterize the effect of management decisions, for example, dam operations or grazing. Since her research sits at the interface of conservation and land use, she aims to contribute to creating solutions for living sustainably in drylands.
Her current research projects focus on the impact of river regulation on riparian vegetation communities, riparian plant population genetics in a restoration context, and physiological responses of riparian plants to flooding and climate.
Emily moved to the Southwest in 2006 after a variety of seasonal plant ecology positions in Minnesota, Indiana, and Western Australia. Since then, she has worked in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico assisting with research on rare plants, dryland plant ecology, spring vegetation, grazing, and riparian vegetation. Emily has been working in the Grand Canyon region since 2011, which has included conducting upland and riparian long-term vegetation monitoring and grazing assessments.
Professional Experience
2014 – present: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Southwestern Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, AZ
2012 – 2014: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Southwestern Biological Science Center, Moab, UT
2011: Botanist, National Park Service, Southern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network, Flagstaff, AZ
2011: Botanist, Grand Canyon Trust, Flagstaff, AZ
2006 – 2009: Biological Science Technician, National Park Service, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Page, AZ
Education and Certifications
2022 - PhD. in Biology with Distinction, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. Co-advised by Drs. Kiona Ogle and Thomas Whitham
Dissertation: "Climate, genetics, and river flow interact to shape riparian plant community structure"
2010 - M.S. in Biology with Distinction, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. Advised by Dr. Tina Ayers.
Thesis: Phylogeny and evolutionary history of Anticlea vaginata Rydb. (Melanthiaceae): a hanging garden endemic
2005 - B.Sc. in Environmental Science: Resource Conservation and Management (Second Major: English), summa cum laude, Carroll University, Waukesha, WI
Science and Products
Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData
Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon
A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river
Effects of high flow experiments on riparian vegetation resources in Grand Canyon
Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona
Landscape-scale processes influence riparian plant composition along a regulated river
Variation in species-level plant functional traits over wetland indicator status categories
Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Functional traits and ecological affinities of riparian plants along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: successes, failures, and controlling factors
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.
Science and Products
Southwestern Riparian Plant Trait Matrix, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, 2014 - 2016Data
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: Successes, failures, and controlling factorsData
Associations between riparian plant morphological guilds and fluvial sediment dynamics along the regulated Colorado River in Grand Canyon
A comparison of riparian vegetation sampling methods along a large, regulated river
Effects of high flow experiments on riparian vegetation resources in Grand Canyon
Hydrological regime and climate interactively shape riparian vegetation composition along the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Monitoring riparian-vegetation composition and cover along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona
Landscape-scale processes influence riparian plant composition along a regulated river
Variation in species-level plant functional traits over wetland indicator status categories
Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Functional traits and ecological affinities of riparian plants along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
Evaluating rehabilitation efforts following the Milford Flat Fire: successes, failures, and controlling factors
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.