J David Wiens
Biography
Education
Ph.D., Wildlife Science, 2012, Oregon State University
M.S., Ecology, 2004, Colorado State University
B.S., Environmental Science, 1993, Northern Arizona University
Specialty
Avian ecology, conservation of threatened and endangered species, population dynamics of forest and rangeland raptor species
Science and Products
Effects of Experimental Removal of Barred Owls on Population Demography of Northern Spotted Owls in the Pacific Northwest
Barred owls (Strix varia) have expanded their geographic range from eastern to western North America, and their newly expanded range now completely overlaps that of the federally threatened northern spotted owl (S. occidentalis caurina; Gutiérrez et al. 2007, Livezey 2009,...
Threat of Invasive Barred Owls to Northern Spotted Owls and their Habitats
As an apex predator and fiercely territorial invader, barred owls at high densities have the potential to affect a variety of native wildlife through competition, niche displacement, and predation. Such impacts may be especially problematic for conservation of the federally threatened northern spotted owl, whose populations have continued to decline despite widespread protection of old forest...
Golden Eagles and Renewable Energy Development in the Western U.S.
Development of wind-power and solar facilities is expected to increase dramatically in areas occupied by golden eagles in the western U.S. Renewable energy development in areas used by golden eagles poses a unique challenge to natural resource managers because of this species’ vulnerability to collisions with wind turbines and sensitivity to changes in human land-use.
Count and detection-nondetection survey data of Barred Owls (Strix varia) in historical breeding territories of Northern Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) in the Oregon Coast Ranges, 1995-2016
This dataset contains count and detection-nondetection data of Barred Owls from 106 historical breeding territories of Northern Spotted Owl territories (i.e. sites) in the Oregon Coast Ranges from 1995 to 2016.
Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Pacific Northwest Forest Owls
Researchers evaluated tissues from barred owls collected in Washington and Oregon to assess potential exposure of the Northern spotted owl and other old-forest wildlife in the Pacific Northwest to anticoagulant rodenticides (AR). They used ecologically similar barred owls as a surrogate species for the northern spotted owl, as the two species compete for space, habitat, and small mammal prey...
Effects of Barred Owl Removal on Population Demography of Northern Spotted Owls in Washington and Oregon, 2015–2018
A new USGS report summarizes research accomplishments and results from the first 3.5 years, 2015-2018, of a study in Oregon and Washington to determine if removing barred owls can improve population trends of Northern spotted owls.
How Spotted and Barred Owls Share the Forest
Over the past century barred owls have been expanding their range westward, encroaching into the old-forest habitat of their sister species, the federally threatened northern spotted owl. Population declines of spotted owls were originally attributed to habitat loss.
Northwest Forest Plan Book Chapter: Northern Spotted Owl Habitat and Populations
Authors from the U.S. Forest Service and the USGS wrote a book chapter outlining how northern spotted owls shaped the Northwest Forest Plan.
Geographic Variation in Natal Dispersal of Northern Spotted Owls over 28 Years
USGS and U.S. Forest Service researchers analyzed northern spotted owl natal dispersal, or the distance from natal site to first breeding site, from 1985 – 2012 in Oregon and Washington to examine how barred owls affect northern spotted owls’ movement.
Progress Report - Effects of Experimental Removal of Barred Owls on Population Demography of Northern Spotted Owls
Evidence suggests that the long-term persistence of northern spotted owls may be in question without additional management intervention.
Golden Eagle Monitoring Plan for the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Area
This report outlines options for monitoring the status and population trends of golden eagles, a species specifically targeted for conservation under the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) of southern California.
Effects of Drought on Golden Eagles: Spatial Patterns in Occupancy and Reproduction
USGS scientists and collaborators investigated spatial patterns in occupancy and breeding success of golden eagles in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California and surrounding landscapes from 2014 – 2016, an exceptional drought period.