Jay Diffendorfer

Biography

Folks call me Jay. I'm an applied ecologist working at the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center. Trained as an ecologist, I originally worked on spatial ecology and conservation biology, including a USGS-funded post doc at University of Miami modelling reptile and amphibian responses to possible restoration scenarios in the Everglades. I then worked as an assistant and full professor at San Diego State University, studying relationships between urbanization, fire, and invasive species on a native flora and fauna in southern California. This field-oriented research involved radiotelemetry, capture-recapture, and vegetation studies. I left San Diego State University and spent 4 years at the Illinois Natural History Survey where my research began to expand into disease ecology and agro-ecosystems. Since arriving at USGS in 2008, I have continued to expand my research focus and currently work on science related to the energy-environment nexus, ecosystem services, and applied ecology. (Updated June, 2014)

Current research projects

Wind Energy Impacts Assessment Methodology. We are developing methods to prioritize species and estimate the population-level consequences of wind energy at regional and national scales. (co-leads: M. Merril and M. Corum, Energy resources program).

Ecosystems and Energy Development Strategies. Covers a range of research surrounding the interaction between energy development/use and natural systems.

Estimating area-specific contributions to the population dynamics of migratory species. This is a working group within the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis. (co-leads, W. Thogmartin, R. Wiederholt, and B. Mattsson).

Spatial Subsidies Associated With Ecosystem Services. This work involves understanding how the movement of species, particularly migration, creates flows of ecosystem services across space, how we can measure these, and how we can use them to enhance resource management. (In collaboration with D. Semmens, K. Bagstad, L. Hoffmann, R. Wiederholt)

Probabilistic integrated resource assessment tool for ecosystem services. Based on a method produced from a USGS Powell Center working group (see past projects), we are developing a tool to assess changes in ecosystem services driven by land transformation caused by energy development and/or wildfire. (co-leads, K. Bagstad, S. Garman, S. Hawbaker, and D. Semmens).

Education

University of Kansas, Ph.D., (Ecology), 1995
Ohio University, BS, (Wildlife Biology), 1989

Positions Held

2014               Research Scientist and Supervisor of the Land Change Science Team, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, USGS, Lakewood, Colorado
2008-2014      Research Scientist, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, USGS, Lakewood, Colorado
2004-2008      Associate Scientist, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois
1998-2004      Assistant/Associate Professor, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
1995-1998      Postdoctoral research with USGS, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

Other Publications (for a full list, see Publications tab below)

Diffendorfer, J.E., Fleming, G., Tremor, S., Spencer, W., Beyers, J. 2012. The role of fire severity, distance from fire perimeter, and vegetation on post-fire recovery of small mammal communities in chaparral: International Journal of Wildland Fire. v. 21, p. 436-448. [Link]

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 2

Location

Date published: December 12, 2018

Status: Active

Wind Energy

The United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) provides the locations of land-based and offshore wind turbines in the United States, corresponding wind project information, and turbine technical specifications. The creation of this database was jointly funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Wind Energy Technologies Office...

Contacts: Jay Diffendorfer, Christopher P Garrity

Attribution: Energy Resources Program

Date published: July 14, 2017

Status: Active

Effects of Energy Development Strategies

Energy is a cornerstone issue for humanity, nations, and individuals. How we create and use energy impacts the consequences it embodies. The critical issue facing humanity involves meeting our massive and growing energy needs, without undermining human and natural capital. Facing the challenge of long-term, sustainable energy for the nation and world requires understanding the consequences of...

Contacts: Jay Diffendorfer

Attribution: Land Change Science Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Pre-USGS Publications

Riding the wave: reconciling the role of disease and climate change in amphibian declines

Lips, K.A., Diffendorfer, J.E., Mendelson J.R., and Sears, M.W., 2008, Riding the wave: reconciling the role of disease and climate change in amphibian declines: Public Library of Science Biology, v.6, issue 3: e72. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0060072.

Amphibian declines and issues of inference: response to Parmesan and Singer

Sears, M.W., Diffendorfer, J.E., Lips, K.A., and Mendelson, J.R., 2008, Amphibian declines and issues of inference: response to Parmesan and Singer. Public Library of Science Biology.

Prion sequence polymorphisms and chronic wasting disease resistance in Illinois white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Kelly, A.C., Mateus-Pinilla, N.E., Diffendorfer, J.E., Jewell, E., Ruiz, M.O., Killefer, J., Shelton, P., Beissel, T., and Novakofski, J., 2008, Prion sequence polymorphisms and chronic wasting disease resistance in Illinois white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Prion, v. 2, p. 1-9.

Developing terrestrial, multi-taxon indices of biological integrity: An example from coastal sage scrub

Diffendorfer, J.E., Fleming, G.M., Duggan, J.M., Chapman, R.E., Rahn, M.E., Mitrovitch, M.J., and Fisher, R.N., 2007, Developing terrestrial, multi-taxon indices of biological integrity: An example from coastal sage scrub: Biological Conservation, v. 140, p. 130-141.

Effects of fire severity and distance from unburned edge on mammalian community post-fire recovery

Diffendorfer, J.E., Spencer, W.S., Tremor, S., and Beyers, J., 2007, Effects of fire severity and distance from unburned edge on mammalian community post-fire recovery: Final Report for project 04-2-1-94 to the Joint Fire Sciences Program: 37 p.

Annual federal aid performance report, wildlife and chronic wasting disease surveillance

Mateus-Pinilla, N.E., Novakofski, J.E., Kelly, A., Diffendorfer, J.E., Pinkerton, M., Whittington, J.K., and Ruiz, M., 2007, W-146-R-02 Annual federal aid performance report, wildlife and chronic wasting disease surveillance: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 19p.

W-146-R-01 Annual Federal Aid Performance Report, wildlife and chronic wasting disease surveillance

Mateus-Pinilla, N.E., Novakofski, J.E., Kelly, A., Diffendorfer, J.E., Pinkerton, M., Whittington, J.K., and Ruiz, M., 2006, W-146-R-01 Annual Federal Aid Performance Report, wildlife and chronic wasting disease surveillance: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 34p.

Genetic relatedness and gene flow of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the chronic wasting disease prevalent region of Illinois

Mateus-Pinilla, N.E., Novakofski, J.E., Diffendorfer, J.E., Killefer, J., 2006, Genetic relatedness and gene flow of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the chronic wasting disease prevalent region of Illinois: Illinois Department of Natural Resources and International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA).

Species coverage in multispecies habitat conservation plans: Where's the science?

Rahn, M.E., Doremus, H., and Diffendorfer, J.E., 2006, Species coverage in multispecies habitat conservation plans: Where's the science? BioScience, v. 56, p. 613-619.

Confronting amphibian declines and extinctions

Mendelson, J.R., Lips, K.R., Gagliardo, R.W., Rabb, G. B., Collins, J.P., Diffendorfer, J.E., Daszak, P., D Ibáñez, R., Zippel, K.C., Lawson, D.P., Wright, K.M., Stuart, S.N., Gascon, C., da Silva, H.R., Burrowes, P.A., Joglar, R.L., La Marca, E., Lötters, S., du Preez, L.H., Weldon, C., Hyatt, A., Rodriguez-Mahecha, J.V., Hunt, S., Robertson, H. Lock, B., Raxworthy, C.J., Frost, D.R., Lacy, R.C., Alford, R.A., Campbell, J.A., Parra-Olea, G. Bolaños, F, Domingo, J.J.C., Halliday, T., Murphy, J.B., Wake, M.H., Coloma, L.A., Kuzmin, S.L., Price, M.S., Howell, K.M., Lau, M., Pethiyagoda, R., Boone, M., Lannoo, M. J., Blaustein, A. R., Dobson, A., Griffiths, R.A., Wake, D.B., Brodie Jr E.D., 2006, Confronting amphibian declines and extinctions: Science, v. 313, 48 p.

Response to: Pounds et al.: responding to amphibian loss

Mendelson, J.R., Lips, K.R., Diffendorfer, J.E., Gagliardo, R.W., Rabb, G.B., Collins, J.P., , Daszak, P., Ibáñez, R., Zippel, K.C., Stuart, S.N., Gascon, C., da Silva, Burrowes, P.A., Lacy, R.C., Bolaños, F, Coloma, L.A., Wright, K.M., Wake, D. B. 2006. Response to: Pounds et al.: responding to amphibian loss: Science, v. 314, p. 1541-1542.

Movement and space use by coastal rosy boas (Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca) in Coastal Southern California

Diffendorfer, J.E., Rochester, C., Fisher, R.N., and Brown, T.K., 2005, Movement and space use by coastal rosy boas (Lichanura trivirgata roseofusca) in Coastal Southern California: Journal of Herpetology, v. 39, p. 24-36.

Dispersal among habitats varying in fitness: reciprocating migration through ideal habitat selection

Morris, D.W., Diffendorfer, J.E., and Lundberg, P., 2004, Dispersal among habitats varying in fitness: reciprocating migration through ideal habitat selection: Oikos, v. 107, p. 559-575.

Reciprocating dispersal by habitat-selecting white-footed mice

Morris D.W., and Diffendorfer, J.E., 2004, Reciprocating dispersal by habitat-selecting white-footed mice: Oikos v. 107, p. 549-558.

Lifting Cassandra's curse

Diffendorfer, J.E., and Doherty P.F., 2004, Lifting Cassandra's curse: Conservation Biology v. 18, p. 600.

Final report for creating and index of biological integrity for coastal sage scrub: A tool for habitat quality assessment and monitoring

Diffendorfer, J.E., Fleming G.M., Duggan, J., Chapman R., Hogan, D., 2004, Final report for creating and index of biological integrity for coastal sage scrub: A tool for habitat quality assessment and monitoring: Prepared for California Department of Fish and Game. 248 p.

Effects of tree island size and water on the population dynamics of small mammals in the Everglades

Gaines, M.S., Sasso, C.R., Diffendorfer, J.E., and Beck, H., 2003, Effects of tree island size and water on the population dynamics of small mammals in the Everglades: in van der Valk, A., and Sklar, F., ed., Tree Islands of the Everglades: Kluwer Academic.

A summary of affected flora and fauna in the San Diego County fires of 2003

Betzler, J., Diffendorfer, J.E., Fleury, S., Hawke, M., Klein, M., Morrison, S., Nichols, G., Oberbauer, T., Rochester, C., Webb, M., and Williams, K., 2003, A summary of affected flora and fauna in the San Diego County fires of 2003: Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Program Reports, 36 p. + Appendices.

Monitoring the Stephen’s kangaroo rat: An analysis of monitoring methods and recommendations for future monitoring

Diffendorfer, J.E. and Deutschman D.D., 2003, Monitoring the Stephen’s kangaroo rat: An analysis of monitoring methods and recommendations for future monitoring. Prepared for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 51 p.

Coastal Sage Scrub response to disturbance: A literature review and annotated bibliography

Diffendorfer, J.E. Chapman, R.E., Duggan, J.M., Fleming G.M., Mitrovitch M., Rahn M.E., and Rosario, R. del., 2002, Coastal Sage Scrub response to disturbance: A literature review and annotated bibliography. Prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, 87 p.

Assessing habitat quality and disturbance in Coastal Sage Scrub using an index of biological integrity

Diffendorfer, J.E. and Rosario, R. del., 2002, Assessing habitat quality and disturbance in Coastal Sage Scrub using an index of biological integrity: Prepared for California Department of Fish and Game, 29 p.

An analysis of monitoring data in light of small mammal, plant, and bird responses to disturbance in CSS and the development of an Index of Biological Integrity

Diffendorfer, J.E., Chapman, R.E., Duggan, J.M., Fleming, G.M., 2002, An analysis of monitoring data in light of small mammal, plant, and bird responses to disturbance in CSS and the development of an Index of Biological Integrity: Prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, 33 p.

Long-distance movements in Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster) in Northeastern Kansas

Diffendorfer, J.E., and Slade, N.S., 2002, Long-distance movements in Cotton Rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster) in Northeastern Kansas: American Midland Naturalist, v. 148, p. 309-319.

Applying linear programming to estimate fluxes in ecosystems or food webs: an example from the herpetological assemblages of freshwater Everglades

Diffendorfer, J.E., Richards, P.M., Dalrymple, G.H., and DeAngelis, D.L., 2001, Applying linear programming to estimate fluxes in ecosystems or food webs: an example from the herpetological assemblages of freshwater Everglades: Ecological Modeling, v. 144, p. 99-120.

Independent science advisors review: Coachella Valley multiple species habitat conservation plan/natural communities conservation plan (MSHCP/NCCP)

Noss R., Allen E., Ballmer, G., Diffendorfer, J.E., Soulé M., Tracy R., and Webb R., 2001, Independent science advisors review: Coachella Valley multiple species habitat conservation plan/natural communities conservation plan (MSHCP/NCCP): Prepared for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game, 53 p.

Natural history of the Rosy Boa (Charina trivirgata)

Rochester, C.J., Diffendorfer, J.E., and Fisher, R.N., 2001, Natural history of the Rosy Boa (Charina trivirgata): Prepared for U.S. Geological Survey-Species at Risk Technical Report. 71p.

The interaction of habitat fragmentation plant, and small mammal succession in an old field

Schweiger, E.W., Diffendorfer, J.E., Holt, R.D., Pierotti, R., and Gaines, M.S., 2000, The interaction of habitat fragmentation plant, and small mammal succession in an old field: Ecological Monographs, v. 70, p. 383-400.

Patterns and impacts of movements at different scales on small mammals

Diffendorfer, J.E., Gaines, M.S., and Holt, R.D., 1999, Patterns and impacts of movements at different scales on small mammals: in Barrett, G.W., and Peles, J., eds., The landscape ecology of small mammals: New York, Springer-Verlag, p. 63-88.

The relative importance of small-scale and landscape-level heterogeneity in structuring small mammal distribution

Schweiger, E.W., Diffendorfer, J.E., Pierotti, R., and Holt, R.D., 1999, The relative importance of small-scale and landscape-level heterogeneity in structuring small mammal distribution: in Barrett, G.W., and Peles, J.D., ed., landscape ecology of small mammals: Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., p. 175-207.

Testing models of source-sink dynamics and balanced dispersal

Diffendorfer, J.E., 1998, Testing models of source-sink dynamics and balanced dispersal: Oikos, v. 81, p. 417-433.

The effects of high water on small mammal populations inhabiting hammock islands in Everglades National Park

Gaines, M.S., Diffendorfer, J.E., and Lind, L., 1998, The effects of high water on small mammal populations inhabiting hammock islands in Everglades National Park: in Ecological assessment of the 1994-1995 high water conditions in the southern Everglades, National Park Service.

The effect of functional response on stability of a grazer population on a landscape

Bassett, A., DeAngelis, D.L., and Diffendorfer, J.E., 1997, The effect of functional response on stability of a grazer population on a landscape: Ecological Modelling, v. 101, p. 153-162.

The effects of habitat fragmentation on the genetic structure of small mammal populations

Gaines, M.S., Diffendorfer, J.E., Tamarin, R.H., and Whittam, T.S., 1997, The effects of habitat fragmentation on the genetic structure of small mammal populations: Journal of Heredity, v. 88, p. 294-304.

Small mammal community patterns in old fields; distinguishing site-specific from regional processes

Diffendorfer, J.E., Holt, R.D., Slade, N.A., and Gaines, M.S., 1996, Small mammal community patterns in old fields; distinguishing site-specific from regional processes: in Cody, M.L., and Smallwood, J.A., eds., Long-term studies of vertebrate communities: San Diego, CA, Academic Press.

Habitat fragmentation and the movements of three small mammals (Sigmodon hispidus, Microtus ochrogaster, and Peromyscus maniculatus)

Diffendorfer, J.E., Gaines, M.S. and Holt, R.D., 1995, Habitat fragmentation and the movements of three small mammals (Sigmodon hispidus, Microtus ochrogaster, and Peromyscus maniculatus): Ecology, v. 76, p. 837-839.

Population dynamics of small mammals in fragmented and continuous old-field habitat

Diffendorfer, J.E., Slade, N.A., Gaines, M.S., and Holt, R.D., 1995, Population dynamics of small mammals in fragmented and continuous old-field habitat: in Lidicker, W.Z., ed., Landscape approaches in mammalian ecology and conservation: Minneapolis, USA, University of Minnesota Press, p. 175-199.

The spatial ecology of small mammals in old fields: a study of movement, demography and community structure in a fragmented landscape

Diffendorfer, J.E., 1995, The spatial ecology of small mammals in old fields: a study of movement, demography and community structure in a fragmented landscape: University of Kansas, Ph.D. dissertation, 202 p.

The effects of habitat fragmentation on populations of three species of small mammals in Eastern Kansas

Gaines, M.S., Diffendorfer, J.E., Foster, J., Wray, F.P., and Holt, R.D., 1994, The effects of habitat fragmentation on populations of three species of small mammals in Eastern Kansas: Polish Ecological Studies, v. 20, p. 163-175.

Perspectives from an experimental study of habitat fragmentation in an agroecosystem

Holt, R.D., Debinski, D.M., Diffendorfer, J.E., Gaines, M.S., and Martinko, E.A., 1994, Perspectives from an experimental study of habitat fragmentation in an agroecosystem: in Glen, D.M., Greaves, M.P., and Anderson, H.M., eds., Ecology and Integrated Farming Systems: New York, Wiley and Sons.

Physiological plasticity of electromorphs of blood proteins in free-ranging Microtus ochrogaster: a second loo

Gaines, M.S., and Diffendorfer, J.E., 1992. Physiological plasticity of electromorphs of blood proteins in free-ranging Microtus ochrogaster: a second look: Ecology, v. 73, p. 1915-1917.

Population processes and biological diversit

Gaines, M.S., Foster, J., Diffendorfer, J.E., Sera, W.E., Holt, R.D., and Robinson, G.R., 1992, Population processes and biological diversity: Transactions of the North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, v. 57, p. 252-262.

The effects of habitat fragmentation on small mammal populations

Gaines, M.S., Robinson, G.R., Diffendorfer, J.E., Holt, R.D., and Johnson, M.L., 1992, The effects of habitat fragmentation on small mammal populations: in McCullough, D.R., and Barret, R.H., eds., Wildlife 2001: Populations: London, Elsevier Applied Science, p. 875-885.

Jay Diffendorfer

Biography

Wind Energy

Effects of Energy Development Strategies

Consequences of ignoring spatial variation in population trend when conducting a power analysis

Multi-country willingness to pay for transborder migratory species conservation: A case study of Northern Pintails

Ecosystem service flows from a migratory species: Spatial subsidies of the northern pintail

Prioritizing conserved areas threatened by wildfire and fragmentation for monitoring and management

Effects of urbanization, and habitat composition on site occupancy of two snake species using regional monitoring data from southern California

Quantifying ecosystem service flows at multiple scales across the range of a long-distance migratory species

A guide to calculating habitat-quality metrics to inform conservation of highly mobile species

Recreation economics to inform migratory species conservation: Case study of the northern pintail

A general modeling framework for describing spatially structured population dynamics

Operationalizing the telecoupling framework for migratory species using the spatial subsidies approach to examine ecosystem services provided by Mexican free-tailed bats

Domestic cat

Factors associated with bat mortality at wind energy facilities in the United States

Pre-USGS Publications