Meldrum, J., L. Falk, J. Gomez, C. Barth, H. Brenkert-Smith, T. Warziniack, and P. Champ. 2017. Living with wildfire in Telluride Fire Protection District, Colorado. Research Note RMRS-RN-75. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 30pp. https://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/53729
James Meldrum, Ph.D.
Biography
James Meldrum is a Research Economist in the Social and Economic Analysis Branch at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center, with a focus on ecosystem services. James earned a PhD in interdisciplinary environmental economics from CU-Boulder’s Environmental Studies Program in 2012. His research experience spans the human dimensions of a variety of natural resources (including water, energy, and non-timber forests) and hazards (including wildfire, floods, and invasive species), and he is an active member of an interdisciplinary research collaboration focused on homeowner wildfire risk mitigation and community wildfire adaptedness. James’s versatile research approach is grounded in economics and informed by resilience and sustainability.
Education
- Ph.D. in Environmental Economics, Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 2012
- M.S. in Environmental Economics, Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado Boulder, 2010
- B.S. in Physics, with a second major in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, 2005
Professional Experience
- 2016 to present: Research Economist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
- 2012 to 2016: Research Associate, University of Colorado Boulder, Institute of Behavioral Science, Boulder, Colorado
- 2012 to 2013: Research Scientist, University of Colorado Boulder, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, Boulder, Colorado
- 2011 to 2012: Policy Analysis Intern, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Strategic Energy Analysis Center, Golden, Colorado
- 2009 to 2011: Research Assistant, University of Colorado Boulder, Institute of Behavioral Science, Boulder, Colorado
- 2007 to 2009: Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado Boulder, Environmental Studies Program, Boulder, Colorado
- 2005 to 2006: Engineering Physicist, Stereotaxis, Inc., Systems Group, St. Louis, Missouri
Science and Products
Date published: June 21, 2018
Status: Active Economics of Wildland Fire
In recent decades, wildfires have increased in size and intensity, and the fire season has lengthened. This and other factors have increased wildfire suppression costs and risks to human health and safety. SEA economists investigate numerous aspects of wildland fire, its impacts, and how to mitigate the risk wildfire poses to people, resources, and property.
Contacts: James Meldrum, Ph.D., Christopher Huber
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: October 26, 2016
Status: Active Economics and Ecosystem Services
Federal policymakers and land managers are accountable to the public for how they use public resources and for the outcomes of policy and management decisions. Through a variety of economic analyses and custom modeling, SEA economists evaluate how investments and management decisions affect individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
Date published: July 26, 2016
Status: Active Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative (SECI)
The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative (SECI) is to develop and enhance science and research on ecosystem services in support of improving natural resource management. This effort is in response to the fourth recommendation of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report: "Federal agencies with responsibilities...
Year Published: 2020
Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative summary report
Federal agencies need credible scientific information to determine the production and value of ecosystem services in an efficient and timely manner. The U.S. Geological Survey addresses this scientific information need through the Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative project. The project has relied on U.S. Geological Survey expertise...
Huber, Christopher; Meldrum, James R.; Schuster, Rudy M.; Ancona, Zachary H.; Bagstad, Kenneth J.; Beck, Scott M.; Carlisle, Daren M.; Claggett, Peter R.; Franco, Fabiano; Galbraith, Heather S.; Haefele, Michelle; Hoelting, Kristin R; Hogan, Dianna M.; Hopkins, Kristina G.; Kern, Tim; Lawrence, Collin B.; Lischka, Stacy; Loomis, John B.; Mueller, Julie M.; Noe, Gregory B.; Pindilli, Emily J.; Quay, Brian; Semmens, Darius J.; Sinclair, Wilson; Spooner, Daniel E.; Voigt, Brian; St. John White, BarabaraAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Eastern Energy Resources Science Center, Leetown Science Center, Ecosystems, Energy Resources Program
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Huber, C., Meldrum, J.R., Schuster, R.M., Ancona, Z.H., Bagstad, K.J., Beck, S.M., Carlisle, D.M., Claggett, P.R., Franco, F., Galbraith, H.S., Haefele, M., Hoelting, K.R., Hogan, D.M., Hopkins, K.G., Kern, T., Lawrence, C.B., Lischka, S., Loomis, J.B., Mueller, J.M., Noe, G.B., Pindilli, E.J., Quay, B., Semmens, D.J., Sinclair, W., Spooner, D.E., Voigt, B., and St. John White, B., 2020, Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative summary report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1117, 23 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191117.
Year Published: 2019
Economic effects of wildfire risk reduction and source water protection projects in the Rio Grande River Basin in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado
Investments in landscape-scale restoration and fuels management projects can protect publicly managed trusts, enhance public health and safety, and help to preserve the many environmental goods and services enjoyed by the public. These investments can also support jobs and generate business sales activities within nearby local economies. This...
Huber, Christopher; Cullinane Thomas, Catherine; Meldrum, James R.; Meier, Rachel; Bassett, StevenAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, United States of America, Wildland Fire Science
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Huber, C., Cullinane Thomas, C., Meldrum, J.R., Meier, R., and Bassett, S., 2019, Economic effects of wildfire risk reduction and source water protection projects in the Rio Grande River Basin in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2019–1108, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191108.
Year Published: 2019
Interactions between resident risk perceptions and wildfire risk mitigation: Evidence from simultaneous equations modeling
Fire science emphasizes that mitigation actions on residential property, including structural hardening and maintaining defensible space, can reduce the risk of wildfire at a home. Accordingly, a rich body of social science literature investigates the determinants of wildfire risk mitigation behaviors of residents living in fire-prone areas. Here...
Meldrum, James R.; Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Champ, Patricia A.; Gomez, Jamie; Falk, Lilia C.; Barth, Christopher M.
Year Published: 2019
Responding to risky neighbors: Testing for spatial spillover effects for defensible space in a fire-prone WUI community
Often, factors that determine the risk of an environmental hazard occur at landscape scales, and risk mitigation requires action by multiple private property owners. How property owners respond to risk mitigation on neighboring lands depends on whether mitigation actions are strategic complements or strategic substitutes. We test for these...
Warziniack, Travis; Champ, Patricia A.; Meldrum, James R.; Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Barth, Christopher M.; Falk, Lilia C.
Year Published: 2019
Living with wildfire in Montezuma County, Colorado: 2015 data report
Residents in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) can play an important role in reducing wildfire’s negative effects by performing wildfire risk mitigation on their property. This report offers insight into the wildfire risk mitigation activities and related considerations, such as attitudes, experiences, and concern about wildfire, for people with...
Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Meldrum, James R.; Wilson, Pamela; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.; Boag, Angela
Year Published: 2019
Living with wildfire in Archeluta County, Colorado: 2015 data report
Residents in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) can play an important role in reducing wildfire’s negative effects by performing wildfire risk mitigation on their property. This report offers insight into the wildfire risk mitigation activities and related considerations, such as attitudes, experiences, and concern about wildfire, for people with...
Meldrum, James R.; Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Wilson, Pamela; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.; Boag, AngelaAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, United States of America, Wildland Fire Science
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Meldrum, James R.; Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Wilson, Pamela; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.; Boag, Angela. 2019. Living with wildfire in Archeluta County, Colorado: 2015 data report. Res. Note RMRS-RN-79. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 38 p.
Year Published: 2019
Living with wildfire in La Plata County, Colorado: 2015 data report
Residents in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) can play an important role in reducing wildfire’s negative effects by performing wildfire risk mitigation on their property. This report offers insight into the wildfire risk mitigation activities and related considerations, such as attitudes, experiences, and concern about wildfire, for people with...
Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Meldrum, James R.; Wilson, Pamela; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.; Boag, AngelaAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems, United States of America, Wildland Fire Science
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Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Meldrum, James R.; Wilson, Pamela; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.; Boag, Angela. 2019. Living with wildfire in La Plata County, Colorado: 2015 data report. Res. Note RMRS-RN-80. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 36 p.
Year Published: 2018
Improving confidence by embracing uncertainty: A meta-analysis of U.S. hunting values for benefit transfer
Recreational hunting in the United States has traditional and cultural importance, and generates substantial economic benefits to individual hunters themselves. This paper conducts a meta-analysis of existing nonmarket valuation estimates for hunting in the United States to explore sources and implications of variation and uncertainty in these...
Huber, Christopher; Meldrum, James R.; Richardson, LeslieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Huber, C., Meldrum, J., Richardson, L. 2018. Improving confidence by embracing uncertainty: A meta-analysis of U.S. hunting values for benefit transfer. Ecosystem Services 33(B): 225-236. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.07.001.
Year Published: 2018
Wildland–urban interface residents’ relationships with wildfire: Variation within and across communities
Social science offers rich descriptions of relationships between wildland–urban interface residents and wildfire, but syntheses across different contexts might gloss over important differences. We investigate the potential extent of such differences using data collected consistently in sixty-eight Colorado communities and hierarchical modeling. We...
Meldrum, James R.; Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Champ, Patricia A.; Falk, Lilia C.; Wilson, Pamela; Barth, Christopher M.
Year Published: 2017
Visitor spending effects: assessing and showcasing America's investment in national parks
This paper provides an overview of the evolution, future, and global applicability of the U.S. National Park Service's (NPS) visitor spending effects framework and discusses the methods used to effectively communicate the economic return on investment in America's national parks. The 417 parks represent many of America's most iconic destinations:...
Koontz, Lynne; Cullinane Thomas, Catherine; Ziesler, Pamela; Olson, Jeffrey; Meldrum, BretAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Koontz, L., Thomas, C.C., Ziesler, P., Olson, J., Meldrum, B., 2017. Visitor spending effects: assessing and showcasing America’s investment in national parks. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 1–12. doi:10.1080/09669582.2017.1374600
Year Published: 2017
Where you stand depends on where you sit: Qualitative inquiry into notions of fire adaptation
Wildfire and the threat it poses to society represents an example of the complex, dynamic relationship between social and ecological systems. Increasingly, wildfire adaptation is posited as a pathway to shift the approach to fire from a suppression paradigm that seeks to control fire to a paradigm that focuses on “living with” and “adapting to”...
Brenkert-Smith, Hannah; Meldrum, James R.; Champ, Patricia A.; Barth, Christopher M.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Brenkert-Smith, H., J. R. Meldrum, P. A. Champ, and C. M. Barth. 2017. Where you stand depends on where you sit: qualitative
inquiry into notions of fire adaptation. Ecology and Society 22(3):7. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09471-220307
Year Published: 2015
Social and Economic Analysis Branch: integrating policy, social, economic, and natural science
The Fort Collins Science Center's Social and Economic Analysis Branch provides unique capabilities in the U.S. Geological Survey by leading projects that integrate social, behavioral, economic, and natural science in the context of human–natural resource interactions. Our research provides scientific understanding and support for the...
Schuster, Rudy M.; Walters, Katie D.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Schuster, R.M., and Walters, K.D., 2015, Social and Economic Analysis Branch—Integrating policy, social, economic, and natural science: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2014–3070, 4 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/fs20143070.
Pre-USGS Publications
Meldrum, J. 2016. Floodplain price impacts by property type in Boulder County, Colorado: Condominiums versus standalone properties. Environmental and Resource Economics 64(4): 725-750. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10640-015-9897-x
Meldrum, J. 2015. Comparing different attitude statements in latent class models of stated preferences for managing an invasive forest pathogen. Ecological Economics 120: 13-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.09.024
Brenkert-Smith, H., J. Meldrum, and P. Champ 2015. Climate change beliefs and hazard mitigation actions: homeowners and wildfire risk. Environmental Hazards 14(4): 341-360. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17477891.2015.1080656
Meldrum, J., P. Champ, H. Brenkert-Smith, T. Warziniack, C. Barth, and L. Falk 2015. Understanding gaps between the risk perceptions of wildland-urban interface (WUI) residents and wildfire professionals. Risk Analysis 35(9): 1746-1761. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/risa.12370
Meldrum, J., C. Barth, L. Falk, H. Brenkert-Smith, T. Warziniack, and P. Champ 2015. Living with wildfire in Delta County, Colorado: cross-community comparisons. Research Note RMRS-RN-67. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 33pp. http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_rn067.html
Meldrum, J., P. Champ, T. Warziniack, H. Brenkert-Smith, C. Barth, and L. Falk 2014. Cost shared wildfire risk mitigation in Log Hill Mesa, Colorado: survey evidence on participation and willingness to pay. International Journal of Wildland Fire 23(4): 567-576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WF13130
Heath, G., J. Meldrum, N. Fisher, D. Arent, and M. Bazilian 2014. Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from Barnett Shale gas used to generate electricity. Journal of Unconventional Oil and Gas Resources 8: 46-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juogr.2014.07.002
Cohen, S, K. Averyt, J. Macknick, and J. Meldrum 2014. Modeling climate-water impacts on electricity sector capacity expansion. Proceedings of the ASME Power 2014 Conference. Jul 28-31, Baltimore, MD. http://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=1938877
Meldrum, J., C. Barth, L. Falk, H. Brenkert-Smith, T. Warziniack, and P. Champ 2013. Living with wildfire in Log Hill Mesa, Colorado. Research Note RMRS-RN-66. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 34pp. http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_rn066.html
Averyt, K., J. Meldrum, P. Caldwell, G. Sun, S. McNulty, A. Huber-Lee, and N. Madden 2013. Sectoral contributions to surface water stress in the conterminous U.S. Environmental Research Letters 8: 035046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/3/035046
Yates, D., J. Meldrum, and K. Averyt (2013). The influence of future electricity mix alternatives on southwestern US water resources. Environmental Research Letters 8: 045005. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/045005
Yates, D., K. Averyt, F. Flores-Lopez, J. Meldrum, S. Sattler, J. Sieber, and C. Young 2013. A water resources model to explore the implications of energy alternatives in the southwestern US. Environmental Research Letters 8: 045004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/4/045004
Yates, D., J. Meldrum, F. Flores-Lopez, and M. Davis 2013. Integrated impacts of future electricity mix scenarios on select southeastern US water resources. Environmental Research Letters 8: 035042. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/3/035042
Meldrum, J., S. Nettles-Anderson, G. Heath, and J. Macknick 2013. Life cycle water use for electricity generation: a review and harmonization of literature estimates. Environmental Research Letters 8: 015031. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/015031
Averyt, K., J. Macknick, J. Rogers, N. Madden, J. Fisher, J. Meldrum, and R. Newmark. 2013. Water use for electricity in the United States: an analysis of reported and calculated water use information for 2008. Environmental Research Letters 8: 015001. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/015001
Meldrum, J., P. Champ, and C. Bond 2013. Heterogeneous nonmarket benefits of managing white pine blister rust in high-elevation pine forests. Journal of Forest Economics 19: 61-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2012.10.001
Rogers, J., K. Averyt, S. Clemmer, M. Davis, F. Flores-Lopez, P. Frumhoff, D. Kenney, J. Macknick, N. Madden, J. Meldrum, J. Overpeck, S. Sattler, E. Spanger-Siegfried, and D. Yates 2013. Water-smart power: Strengthening the U.S. electricity system in a warming world. A report of the Energy and Water in a Warming World initiative. Cambridge, MA: Union of Concerned Scientists: 50pp. http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energy-choices/energy-and-water-use/water-smart-power.html
Meldrum, J., C. Bond, and P. Champ 2011. Valuing the forest for the trees: willingness to pay for white pine blister rust management. The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium. RMRS-P-63. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 226-234. http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/38228
Bond, C., P. Champ, J. Meldrum, and A. Schoettle 2011. Investigating the optimality of proactive management of an invasive forest pest. The future of high-elevation, five-needle white pines in Western North America: Proceedings of the High Five Symposium. RMRS-P-63. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 295-302. http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/38241