Erik Beever, Ph.D.
Erik is interested in questions at the nexus of basic and applied science, especially those that also inform management and conservation efforts for species, communities, and ecosystems.
Research Interest
Dr. Erik Beever has published over 100 articles in diverse scientific journals and in numerous subdisciplines of biology. He has performed field research on plants, soils, amphibians, birds, reptiles, fishes, and insects, as well as small, medium, and large mammals. His work has spanned salt-scrub, sagebrush-steppe, alpine, subalpine, subarctic, riparian, primary and secondary temperate and tropical forest, and coastal ecosystems of the western hemisphere. In addition to seeking to understand mechanisms of biotic responses to long-term weather patterns and variability, he has also focused on disturbance ecology and monitoring in conservation reserves, all at community to landscape scales, as well as other topics of conservation ecology, wildlife biology, and landscape ecology. He is a member of the IUCN Protected Areas Specialist Group, the IUCN Lagomorph Specialist Group, as well as The Wildlife Society, Society for Conservation Biology, American Society of Mammalogists, and Sigma Xi.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1999. University of Nevada, Reno. Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology
B.S. 1993. University of California, Davis. Biological Sciences
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 81
Integrated monitoring of hydrogeomorphic, vegetative, and edaphic conditions in riparian ecosystems of Great Basin National Park, Nevada Integrated monitoring of hydrogeomorphic, vegetative, and edaphic conditions in riparian ecosystems of Great Basin National Park, Nevada
In semiarid regions such as the Great Basin, riparian areas function as oases of cooler and more stable microclimates, greater relative humidity, greater structural complexity, and a steady flow of water and nutrients relative to upland areas. These qualities make riparian areaʼs attractive not only to resident and migratory wildlife, but also to visitors in recreation areas such as...
Authors
Erik Beever, D.A. Pyke
Vital signs monitoring plan for the Klamath Network: Phase I report Vital signs monitoring plan for the Klamath Network: Phase I report
This report chronicles the Phase 1 stage of the vital signs monitoring program for the Klamath Network. It consists of two chapters and eleven appendixes. The purposes of Chapter One are to 1) describe the network administrative structure and approach to planning; 2) introduce the Klamath Network parks, their resources, and environmental settings; 3) explain the need for monitoring...
Authors
Daniel Sarr, Dennis Odion, Robert Truitt, Erik Beever, Sarah Shafer, Andrew Duff, Sean Smith, Windy Bunn, Judy Rocchio, Eli Sarnat, John Alexander, Steve Jessup
Management implications of the ecology of free-roaming horses in semiarid ecosystems of the western United States Management implications of the ecology of free-roaming horses in semiarid ecosystems of the western United States
Compared to other ungulates of North America, free-roaming horses (Equus caballus) possess a unique evolutionary history that has given rise to a distinct suite of behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits. Because of their unique combination of cecal digestion, an elongate head with flexible lips, and non-uniform use of the landscape, horses represent a unique disturbance...
Authors
Erik Beever
Characterizing grazing disturbance in semiarid ecosystems across broad spatial scales using multiple indices. Characterizing grazing disturbance in semiarid ecosystems across broad spatial scales using multiple indices.
Although management and conservation strategies continue to move toward broader spatial scales and consideration of many taxonomic groups simultaneously, researchers have struggled to characterize responses to disturbance at these scales. Most studies of disturbance by feral grazers investigate effects on only one or two ecosystem elements across small spatial scales, limiting their...
Authors
Erik Beever, Robin Tausch, Peter Brussard
Patterns of apparent extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin Patterns of apparent extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin
We conducted exploratory analyses to examine the relative roles played by natural and anthropogenic influences on persistence of a montane mammal. We revisited historical locations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) within the hydrographic Great Basin during summers of 1994-1999. Seven of 25 populations (28%) reported earlier in the 20th century appeared to have experienced recent extirpations...
Authors
Erik Beever, P. F. Brussard, Joel Berger
Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau
This document presents a long-term research strategy designed to address current and future research needs for management of Department of the Interior-administered ecosystems in the Intermountain West. Although the research plan was developed in the context of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, the plan addresses many high-priority issues facing land managers...
Authors
Erik Beever, David Pyke
The roles of optimism in conservation biology The roles of optimism in conservation biology
No abstract available.
Authors
Erik Beever
Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts
1. The theory of food-regulated self-thinning (FST) for mobile animals predicts population density (N) to be an inverse function of mean body mass (W) scaled to an exponent (b), such that N = k W−b, where k is a constant. FST also predicts energy requirements (or energy flow) to remain constant over time (termed energetic equivalence) as losses to cohorts (e.g. emigration and mortality)...
Authors
J. B. Dunham, B. Dickerson, E. Beever, R. Duncan, G.L. Vinyard
Species - and community- level responses to disturbance imposed by feral horse grazing and other management practices Species - and community- level responses to disturbance imposed by feral horse grazing and other management practices
No abstract available.
Authors
Erik Beever, Peter Advised by Brussard
Non-USGS Publications**
G.S. Casper, E. Beever, U. Gafvert, and S.M. Nadeau. 2018. Amphibian Monitoring Protocol (Version 2.0). Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR—2018/1761. National Park Service, Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network, Ashland, WI.
S.K. Windels, Beever, E.A., J. Paruk, A. Nelson, L. Siegel, D. Evers, and C.C. MacNulty. 2013. Effects of water-level management on nesting success of common loons. Journal of Wildlife Management 77(8):1626-1638.
Beever, E.A. 1999. Species- and community-level responses to disturbance imposed by feral
horse grazing and other management practices. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno.
horse grazing and other management practices. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno.
Beever, E.A. and P.F. Brussard. 2000. Charismatic megafauna or exotic pest? Interactions between popular perceptions of feral horses (Equus caballus) and their management and research. Pages 413-418 In: T.P. Salmon and A.C. Crabb, editors. Proceedings of the 19th International Vertebrate Pest Conference, University of California, Davis
Dunham, J. B., B. R. Dickerson, E. Beever, R. D. Duncan, and G. L. Vinyard. 2000. Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts. Journal of Animal Ecology 69(6):927-934.
Beever, E.A. and P.F. Brussard. 2000. Examining ecological consequences of feral horse grazing using exclosures. Western North American Naturalist 60(3):236-254.
Beever, E.A. 2000. The roles of optimism in conservation biology. Conservation Biology 14(3):907-909.
Beever, E.A. and D.A. Pyke. 2002. Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin & Snake River Plateau. U.S. Geological Survey, Information and Technology Report 2002-003. 76 p.
Beever, E.A. 2002. Persistence of pikas in two low-elevation national monuments in the western United States. Park Science 21(2):23-29.
Beever, E.A., P.F. Brussard, and J. Berger. 2003. Patterns of extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin. Journal of Mammalogy 84(1):37-54.
Haig, S.M, E.A. Beever, et al. 2006. Taxonomy and listing of subspecies under the U.S. ESA: challenges for conservation and policy implementation. Conservation Biology 20(6):1584-1594
Bowen, K.D., S.D. McMahon, and E.A. Beever. 2007. Geographic distribution. Elaphe vulpina (Western Foxsnake). Herpetological Review 38(4):486
Johnson, S.E., E.L. Mudrak, E.A. Beever, S. Sanders, and D.M. Waller. 2008. Comparing power among three sampling methods for monitoring forest vegetation. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38:143-156.
Beever, E.A., R.J. Tausch, and W.E. Thogmartin. 2008. Landscape- and local-scale responses of vegetation to removal of horse grazing from Great Basin (U.S.A.) mountain ranges. Plant Ecology 196(2):163-184.
Beever, E.A., and A.T. Smith. 2008. Ochotona princeps. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4
Bowen, K.D., E.A. Beever, and U.B. Gafvert. 2009. Improving the design of amphibian surveys using soil data: a case study in two wilderness areas. Natural Areas Journal 29(2):117-125.
Beever, E.A. 2009. Ecological silence of the grasslands, forests, wetlands, mountains, and seas. Conservation Biology 23(5):1320-1322.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, P.W. Mote, and J.L. Wilkening. 2010. Testing alternative models of climate-mediated extirpations. Ecological Applications 20(1):164-178.
Bowen, K.B., and E.A. Beever. 2010. Daytime amphibian surveys at three National Lakeshores in the Western Great Lakes ecoregion. Reptiles & Amphibians 17(1):26-35.
Rodhouse, T.J., E.A. Beever, L.K. Garrett, K.M. Irvine, M. Munts, C. Ray, and M.R. Shardlow. 2010. Distribution of American pikas in a low-elevation lava landscape: conservation implications from the range periphery. Journal of Mammalogy 91(5):1287-1299.
Bowen, K.B., and E.A. Beever. 2010. Pilot amphibian monitoring at Apostle Islands, Pictured Rocks, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores: analysis and recommendations. NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRTR–2010/360. ix + 49 pp.
Wilkening, J.L., C. Ray, E.A. Beever, and P.F. Brussard. 2011. Modeling contemporary range retraction in Great Basin pikas (Ochotona princeps) using data on microclimate and microhabitat. Quaternary International 235:77-88.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, J.L. Wilkening, P.F. Brussard, and P.W. Mote. 2011. Contemporary climate change alters the pace and drivers of extinction. Global Change Biology 17(6):2054-2070
Beever, E.A., and C.L. Aldridge. 2011. Influences of free-roaming equids on sagebrush ecosystems, with a focus on Greater Sage-grouse. INVITED article, Studies in Avian Biology 38:273-290.
Belant, J., and Beever, E.A. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: Introduction. In: Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group).
Beever, E.A., and J. Belant. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: synthesis and research needs. Pages 285-294 In: Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group).
Beever, E.A., and J. Belant, Editors. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group). xix + 314 pp.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, J.L. Wilkening, P.W. Mote, and P.F. Brussard. 2011. Landscape-scale conservation and management of montane wildlife: contemporary climate may be changing the rules. Intermountain Journal of Science 17(1-4):41-42.
Beever, E.A., and A.T. Smith. 2011. Ochotona princeps. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2.
Calkins, M.T., E.A. Beever, K.G. Boykin, J.K. Frey, and M.C. Andersen. 2012. Not-so-splendid isolation: modeling climate-mediated range collapse of a montane mammal (Ochotona princeps) across numerous ecoregions. Ecography 35(9):780-791.
Ray, C., E.A. Beever, and S. Loarie. 2012. Retreat of the American pika: up the mountain or into the void? Invited chapter (pages 245-270) in : Brodie, J.F., E. Post, and D.F. Doak, editors, Wildlife conservation in a changing climate. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.
**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
Filter Total Items: 81
Integrated monitoring of hydrogeomorphic, vegetative, and edaphic conditions in riparian ecosystems of Great Basin National Park, Nevada Integrated monitoring of hydrogeomorphic, vegetative, and edaphic conditions in riparian ecosystems of Great Basin National Park, Nevada
In semiarid regions such as the Great Basin, riparian areas function as oases of cooler and more stable microclimates, greater relative humidity, greater structural complexity, and a steady flow of water and nutrients relative to upland areas. These qualities make riparian areaʼs attractive not only to resident and migratory wildlife, but also to visitors in recreation areas such as...
Authors
Erik Beever, D.A. Pyke
Vital signs monitoring plan for the Klamath Network: Phase I report Vital signs monitoring plan for the Klamath Network: Phase I report
This report chronicles the Phase 1 stage of the vital signs monitoring program for the Klamath Network. It consists of two chapters and eleven appendixes. The purposes of Chapter One are to 1) describe the network administrative structure and approach to planning; 2) introduce the Klamath Network parks, their resources, and environmental settings; 3) explain the need for monitoring...
Authors
Daniel Sarr, Dennis Odion, Robert Truitt, Erik Beever, Sarah Shafer, Andrew Duff, Sean Smith, Windy Bunn, Judy Rocchio, Eli Sarnat, John Alexander, Steve Jessup
Management implications of the ecology of free-roaming horses in semiarid ecosystems of the western United States Management implications of the ecology of free-roaming horses in semiarid ecosystems of the western United States
Compared to other ungulates of North America, free-roaming horses (Equus caballus) possess a unique evolutionary history that has given rise to a distinct suite of behavioral, morphological, and physiological traits. Because of their unique combination of cecal digestion, an elongate head with flexible lips, and non-uniform use of the landscape, horses represent a unique disturbance...
Authors
Erik Beever
Characterizing grazing disturbance in semiarid ecosystems across broad spatial scales using multiple indices. Characterizing grazing disturbance in semiarid ecosystems across broad spatial scales using multiple indices.
Although management and conservation strategies continue to move toward broader spatial scales and consideration of many taxonomic groups simultaneously, researchers have struggled to characterize responses to disturbance at these scales. Most studies of disturbance by feral grazers investigate effects on only one or two ecosystem elements across small spatial scales, limiting their...
Authors
Erik Beever, Robin Tausch, Peter Brussard
Patterns of apparent extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin Patterns of apparent extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin
We conducted exploratory analyses to examine the relative roles played by natural and anthropogenic influences on persistence of a montane mammal. We revisited historical locations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) within the hydrographic Great Basin during summers of 1994-1999. Seven of 25 populations (28%) reported earlier in the 20th century appeared to have experienced recent extirpations...
Authors
Erik Beever, P. F. Brussard, Joel Berger
Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin and Snake River Plateau
This document presents a long-term research strategy designed to address current and future research needs for management of Department of the Interior-administered ecosystems in the Intermountain West. Although the research plan was developed in the context of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project, the plan addresses many high-priority issues facing land managers...
Authors
Erik Beever, David Pyke
The roles of optimism in conservation biology The roles of optimism in conservation biology
No abstract available.
Authors
Erik Beever
Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts
1. The theory of food-regulated self-thinning (FST) for mobile animals predicts population density (N) to be an inverse function of mean body mass (W) scaled to an exponent (b), such that N = k W−b, where k is a constant. FST also predicts energy requirements (or energy flow) to remain constant over time (termed energetic equivalence) as losses to cohorts (e.g. emigration and mortality)...
Authors
J. B. Dunham, B. Dickerson, E. Beever, R. Duncan, G.L. Vinyard
Species - and community- level responses to disturbance imposed by feral horse grazing and other management practices Species - and community- level responses to disturbance imposed by feral horse grazing and other management practices
No abstract available.
Authors
Erik Beever, Peter Advised by Brussard
Non-USGS Publications**
G.S. Casper, E. Beever, U. Gafvert, and S.M. Nadeau. 2018. Amphibian Monitoring Protocol (Version 2.0). Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR—2018/1761. National Park Service, Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network, Ashland, WI.
S.K. Windels, Beever, E.A., J. Paruk, A. Nelson, L. Siegel, D. Evers, and C.C. MacNulty. 2013. Effects of water-level management on nesting success of common loons. Journal of Wildlife Management 77(8):1626-1638.
Beever, E.A. 1999. Species- and community-level responses to disturbance imposed by feral
horse grazing and other management practices. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno.
horse grazing and other management practices. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nevada, Reno.
Beever, E.A. and P.F. Brussard. 2000. Charismatic megafauna or exotic pest? Interactions between popular perceptions of feral horses (Equus caballus) and their management and research. Pages 413-418 In: T.P. Salmon and A.C. Crabb, editors. Proceedings of the 19th International Vertebrate Pest Conference, University of California, Davis
Dunham, J. B., B. R. Dickerson, E. Beever, R. D. Duncan, and G. L. Vinyard. 2000. Effects of food limitation and emigration on self-thinning in experimental minnow cohorts. Journal of Animal Ecology 69(6):927-934.
Beever, E.A. and P.F. Brussard. 2000. Examining ecological consequences of feral horse grazing using exclosures. Western North American Naturalist 60(3):236-254.
Beever, E.A. 2000. The roles of optimism in conservation biology. Conservation Biology 14(3):907-909.
Beever, E.A. and D.A. Pyke. 2002. Research plan for lands administered by the U.S. Department of Interior in the Interior Columbia Basin & Snake River Plateau. U.S. Geological Survey, Information and Technology Report 2002-003. 76 p.
Beever, E.A. 2002. Persistence of pikas in two low-elevation national monuments in the western United States. Park Science 21(2):23-29.
Beever, E.A., P.F. Brussard, and J. Berger. 2003. Patterns of extirpation among isolated populations of pikas (Ochotona princeps) in the Great Basin. Journal of Mammalogy 84(1):37-54.
Haig, S.M, E.A. Beever, et al. 2006. Taxonomy and listing of subspecies under the U.S. ESA: challenges for conservation and policy implementation. Conservation Biology 20(6):1584-1594
Bowen, K.D., S.D. McMahon, and E.A. Beever. 2007. Geographic distribution. Elaphe vulpina (Western Foxsnake). Herpetological Review 38(4):486
Johnson, S.E., E.L. Mudrak, E.A. Beever, S. Sanders, and D.M. Waller. 2008. Comparing power among three sampling methods for monitoring forest vegetation. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38:143-156.
Beever, E.A., R.J. Tausch, and W.E. Thogmartin. 2008. Landscape- and local-scale responses of vegetation to removal of horse grazing from Great Basin (U.S.A.) mountain ranges. Plant Ecology 196(2):163-184.
Beever, E.A., and A.T. Smith. 2008. Ochotona princeps. In: IUCN 2010. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4
Bowen, K.D., E.A. Beever, and U.B. Gafvert. 2009. Improving the design of amphibian surveys using soil data: a case study in two wilderness areas. Natural Areas Journal 29(2):117-125.
Beever, E.A. 2009. Ecological silence of the grasslands, forests, wetlands, mountains, and seas. Conservation Biology 23(5):1320-1322.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, P.W. Mote, and J.L. Wilkening. 2010. Testing alternative models of climate-mediated extirpations. Ecological Applications 20(1):164-178.
Bowen, K.B., and E.A. Beever. 2010. Daytime amphibian surveys at three National Lakeshores in the Western Great Lakes ecoregion. Reptiles & Amphibians 17(1):26-35.
Rodhouse, T.J., E.A. Beever, L.K. Garrett, K.M. Irvine, M. Munts, C. Ray, and M.R. Shardlow. 2010. Distribution of American pikas in a low-elevation lava landscape: conservation implications from the range periphery. Journal of Mammalogy 91(5):1287-1299.
Bowen, K.B., and E.A. Beever. 2010. Pilot amphibian monitoring at Apostle Islands, Pictured Rocks, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores: analysis and recommendations. NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRTR–2010/360. ix + 49 pp.
Wilkening, J.L., C. Ray, E.A. Beever, and P.F. Brussard. 2011. Modeling contemporary range retraction in Great Basin pikas (Ochotona princeps) using data on microclimate and microhabitat. Quaternary International 235:77-88.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, J.L. Wilkening, P.F. Brussard, and P.W. Mote. 2011. Contemporary climate change alters the pace and drivers of extinction. Global Change Biology 17(6):2054-2070
Beever, E.A., and C.L. Aldridge. 2011. Influences of free-roaming equids on sagebrush ecosystems, with a focus on Greater Sage-grouse. INVITED article, Studies in Avian Biology 38:273-290.
Belant, J., and Beever, E.A. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: Introduction. In: Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group).
Beever, E.A., and J. Belant. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: synthesis and research needs. Pages 285-294 In: Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group).
Beever, E.A., and J. Belant, Editors. 2011. Ecological consequences of climate change: mechanisms, conservation, and management. CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group). xix + 314 pp.
Beever, E.A., C. Ray, J.L. Wilkening, P.W. Mote, and P.F. Brussard. 2011. Landscape-scale conservation and management of montane wildlife: contemporary climate may be changing the rules. Intermountain Journal of Science 17(1-4):41-42.
Beever, E.A., and A.T. Smith. 2011. Ochotona princeps. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2.
Calkins, M.T., E.A. Beever, K.G. Boykin, J.K. Frey, and M.C. Andersen. 2012. Not-so-splendid isolation: modeling climate-mediated range collapse of a montane mammal (Ochotona princeps) across numerous ecoregions. Ecography 35(9):780-791.
Ray, C., E.A. Beever, and S. Loarie. 2012. Retreat of the American pika: up the mountain or into the void? Invited chapter (pages 245-270) in : Brodie, J.F., E. Post, and D.F. Doak, editors, Wildlife conservation in a changing climate. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL.
**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.