The dominant plant in the photo is Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasides frigidus), a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou during the summer in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Heather Johnson, Ph.D.
Population ecology, resource selection, human-wildlife conflicts, predator-prey relationships, endangered species conservation, large mammal ecology and management, effects of land-use change on wildlife populations.
Science and Products
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
Terrestrial Mammal Research
Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
The Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Human-Bear Interactions in North America
Negative human-bear interactions are a common problem and management priority for many wildlife agencies in North America. Bears are adaptable to anthropogenic activity and food sources which creates opportunities for conflict with humans, including property damage, livestock depredation, and in severe cases, human injury. Acute climate events and long-term directional climate change can exacerbat
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
The dominant plant in the photo is Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasides frigidus), a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou during the summer in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Netleaf willow
Summer photo of Salix reticulata in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou. The bright red bulbs on the right leaf are not berries, but galls, likely caused by bacteria, fungi, or insects.
Summer photo of Salix reticulata in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou. The bright red bulbs on the right leaf are not berries, but galls, likely caused by bacteria, fungi, or insects.
Diamond-leaf willow
Summer photo of diamond-leaf willow (Salix pulchra) in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou.
Summer photo of diamond-leaf willow (Salix pulchra) in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou.
Influence of Road Traffic Volume on Central Arctic Caribou Herd, Alaska
This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.
This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.
Heather Johnson speaks to Brown University Environmental Leadership Lab Students
Staff from the USGS Alaska Science Center and Volcano Science Center met with a group of high school students on August 3, 2022, in Anchorage who are participating in the 2022 Brown Environmental Leadership Lab. The students traveled throughout southcentral Alaska with a team of instructors to learn ab
Staff from the USGS Alaska Science Center and Volcano Science Center met with a group of high school students on August 3, 2022, in Anchorage who are participating in the 2022 Brown Environmental Leadership Lab. The students traveled throughout southcentral Alaska with a team of instructors to learn ab
Caribou walking along coastal habitat
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view as she tries to avoid insect harassment by seeking non-vegetated, coastal habitat within the Yukon coastal plain. This video was collected in collaboration with the Yukon Government as part of a study on the influence of summer habit
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view as she tries to avoid insect harassment by seeking non-vegetated, coastal habitat within the Yukon coastal plain. This video was collected in collaboration with the Yukon Government as part of a study on the influence of summer habit
Barren-Ground Caribou Eating Tussock Cottongrass Flowerheads
This is B-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar feeding on tussock cottongrass in USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, June 13, 2021.
This is B-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar feeding on tussock cottongrass in USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, June 13, 2021.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Heather Johnson, Research Wildlife Biologist
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Heather Johnson, Research Wildlife Biologist (AD)
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
Caribou eating tussock cottongrass heads
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view while consuming Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass) heads within the coastal plain of the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view while consuming Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass) heads within the coastal plain of the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Barren-Ground Caribou Experiencing Insect Harassment in a Coastal Area
This is b-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar in Yukon coastal habitat, July 7, 2022.
This is b-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar in Yukon coastal habitat, July 7, 2022.
Numerous caribou crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field
Caribou in the Central Arctic Herd crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field in northern Alaska.
Caribou in the Central Arctic Herd crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field in northern Alaska.
Science and Products
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Arctic regions of Alaska are important for cultural and economic sustainability and host a wide variety of wildlife species, many of which are of conservation and management interest to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The USGS and collaborators provide information about Arctic ecosystems that are used by Arctic residents, management agencies, and industry.
Terrestrial Mammal Research
Understanding the population dynamics, predator/prey relationships and habitat ecology of terrestrial mammals, such as caribou and muskoxen, is critical for the management of these species and their habitats in Alaska.
The Effects of Climate Variability and Change on Human-Bear Interactions in North America
Negative human-bear interactions are a common problem and management priority for many wildlife agencies in North America. Bears are adaptable to anthropogenic activity and food sources which creates opportunities for conflict with humans, including property damage, livestock depredation, and in severe cases, human injury. Acute climate events and long-term directional climate change can exacerbat
Arctic sweet coltsfoot
The dominant plant in the photo is Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasides frigidus), a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou during the summer in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
The dominant plant in the photo is Arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasides frigidus), a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou during the summer in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Netleaf willow
Summer photo of Salix reticulata in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou. The bright red bulbs on the right leaf are not berries, but galls, likely caused by bacteria, fungi, or insects.
Summer photo of Salix reticulata in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou. The bright red bulbs on the right leaf are not berries, but galls, likely caused by bacteria, fungi, or insects.
Diamond-leaf willow
Summer photo of diamond-leaf willow (Salix pulchra) in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou.
Summer photo of diamond-leaf willow (Salix pulchra) in the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a forage species commonly consumed by barren-ground caribou.
Influence of Road Traffic Volume on Central Arctic Caribou Herd, Alaska
This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.
This is a graphical abstract for the publication by Severson et al. (2023) that investigated the influence of vehicle traffic in Northern Alaska oil fields on summer space use and road crossings of female caribou in the Central Arctic Herd.
Heather Johnson speaks to Brown University Environmental Leadership Lab Students
Staff from the USGS Alaska Science Center and Volcano Science Center met with a group of high school students on August 3, 2022, in Anchorage who are participating in the 2022 Brown Environmental Leadership Lab. The students traveled throughout southcentral Alaska with a team of instructors to learn ab
Staff from the USGS Alaska Science Center and Volcano Science Center met with a group of high school students on August 3, 2022, in Anchorage who are participating in the 2022 Brown Environmental Leadership Lab. The students traveled throughout southcentral Alaska with a team of instructors to learn ab
Caribou walking along coastal habitat
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view as she tries to avoid insect harassment by seeking non-vegetated, coastal habitat within the Yukon coastal plain. This video was collected in collaboration with the Yukon Government as part of a study on the influence of summer habit
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view as she tries to avoid insect harassment by seeking non-vegetated, coastal habitat within the Yukon coastal plain. This video was collected in collaboration with the Yukon Government as part of a study on the influence of summer habit
Barren-Ground Caribou Eating Tussock Cottongrass Flowerheads
This is B-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar feeding on tussock cottongrass in USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, June 13, 2021.
This is B-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar feeding on tussock cottongrass in USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, June 13, 2021.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Heather Johnson, Research Wildlife Biologist
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
Climate Science Champions, Season 1: Heather Johnson, Research Wildlife Biologist (AD)
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
USGS Wildlife Research Biologist Heather Johnson uses collar-mounted video cameras to peer into the lives of climate-threatened caribou.
Caribou eating tussock cottongrass heads
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view while consuming Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass) heads within the coastal plain of the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Adult female caribou in the Porcupine herd equipped with a GPS-enabled video camera collar that shows the caribou’s point-of-view while consuming Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass) heads within the coastal plain of the USFWS Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Barren-Ground Caribou Experiencing Insect Harassment in a Coastal Area
This is b-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar in Yukon coastal habitat, July 7, 2022.
This is b-roll video collected from an adult female caribou wearing a camera collar in Yukon coastal habitat, July 7, 2022.
Numerous caribou crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field
Caribou in the Central Arctic Herd crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field in northern Alaska.
Caribou in the Central Arctic Herd crossing a road in the Kuparuk oil field in northern Alaska.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government