Jeffrey E Lovich, Ph.D.
As a Scientist Emeritus, Dr. Jeff Lovich is interested in the interactions of animals and their physical environment. His research focuses on the ecology of turtles and tortoises and the effects of utility-scale renewable energy development (wind and solar) on wildlife, particularly in the Desert Southwest USA.
Dr. Lovich Wins Prestigious Global Turtle Conservation Award
Dr. Lovich Wins Prestigious Global Turtle Conservation Award
Research interests
Jeff has studied the ecology and systematics of turtles and other animals for over 30 years, discovering and naming four of the world’s 356 turtle species, including three in the United States and one in Japan. Other interests include the ecological impacts of invasive species, the ecology and distribution of relict species, and the impacts of human activities (including wind and solar energy development) on wildlife and ecological patterns and processes in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts.
Books
- Turtles of the United States and Canada (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1994)
- Biological Diversity: Problems and Challenges (Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 1994)
- The State of the Colorado River Ecosystem in the Grand Canyon (U.S. Geological Survey, 2005)
- Turtles of the United States and Canada, Second Edition (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009)
- Turtles of the World (Princeton University Press, 2021)
Professional Experience
Center Director - USGS, Western Ecological Research Center
Chief - USGS, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
Education and Certifications
B.S. (1982) and M.S. degrees (1984) Biology, George Mason University
Ph.D. (1990) Ecology, University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology
Affiliations and Memberships*
Member IUCN (World Conservation Union), Species Survival Commission, Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group
Honors and Awards
Recipient of the Behler Turtle Conservation Award, 2024
Fulbright Senior Specialist Award 2008 Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco
Elected Fellow of The Linnean Society of London, the world's oldest active biological society
Science and Products
Agassiz's desert tortoise and egg data from the Sonoran Desert of California (1997-2000, 2015-2018) Agassiz's desert tortoise and egg data from the Sonoran Desert of California (1997-2000, 2015-2018)
These data were compiled to evaluate reproductive output of Agassiz's desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizzi) in relation to environmental and individual-level variables. We collected data from four study sites in the Sonoran Desert of California, including two separate populations within Joshua Tree National Park, one population located on the northern versant of the Orocopia Mountains...
Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA
These data were compiled to study the effects of severe drought and a concurrent large wildfire on a large population of southern Pacific pond turtles living in a rapidly drying lake. The study was done in collaboration with biologists from Ecorp Consulting in Santa Ana, California with funding from the Desert Tortoise Council. Data were collected in August and September of 2014. This...
Spatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA Spatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA
There were five objects for compiling these data: 1) to conduct a systematic inventory of diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) using headcount surveys on four National Wildlife Refuges (Harris Neck, Blackbeard Island, Wassaw, and Wolf Island) that are a part of the greater Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex in southeast Georgia, USA; 2) to use occupancy modeling to determine...
Desert tortoise reproductive ecology and precipitation, Mojave and Sonoran DesertsData Desert tortoise reproductive ecology and precipitation, Mojave and Sonoran DesertsData
Estimated precipitation data were compiled using the WestMap web site (http://www.cefa.dri.edu/Westmap/) from 1995-2013. We selected pixels on the map shown on their web site that were in the core of our study areas: one near Palm Springs, California and the other at Sugarloaf Mountain in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona. WestMap uses PRISM data to make point measurements of climate...
Body size estimates for slider turtles in the United States, 1944-2010Data Body size estimates for slider turtles in the United States, 1944-2010Data
These data are compiled from published studies of various subspecies of the slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) from throughout the native range of the species in the United States. Data include sample sizes of adult male and female turtles as well as various estimates of their body size as noted in the Comments column. The purpose for collecting these data was to make comparisons and...
Filter Total Items: 114
Predicting the effects of solar energy development on plants and wildlife in the Desert Southwest, United States Predicting the effects of solar energy development on plants and wildlife in the Desert Southwest, United States
Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) is rapidly expanding and expected to compose the largest source of renewable-generated electricity in the United States and globally over the coming decades. Lands in the hot Desert Southwest (Chihuahuan, Mojave, Sonoran, and San Joaquin Deserts) are increasingly selected for USSE development because of their high solar irradiance. The Desert Southwest...
Authors
Claire C Karban, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Steven Mark Grodsky, Seth M. Munson
Determining the distribution, status, and linkages of Agassiz's desert tortoise populations in the uplands surrounding the Coachella Valley Determining the distribution, status, and linkages of Agassiz's desert tortoise populations in the uplands surrounding the Coachella Valley
In support of the goals of the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the Bureau of Land Management, we performed surveys to determine the status, distribution, demographics, and possible genetic linkages of Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations within the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) area during a multi-decadal...
Authors
Michele R. Puffer, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Kristy L. Cummings
Gopherus Agassizii (Mojave Desert Tortoise). nest depredation Gopherus Agassizii (Mojave Desert Tortoise). nest depredation
Nest site selection is an important determinant of clutch success and hatchling sex ratios in Gopherus agassizii, Mojave Desert tortoises (Spotila et al. 1994. Herpetol. Monogr. 8:103-116). G. agassizii lay eggs in or near the entrance of their burrows (Ennen et al. 2012. Copeia 2012:222-228) and females of both G. agassizii and G. morafkai, may reduce egg predation risk by remaining at...
Authors
Megan Peukert, Gerardo Avila, William J. Hoese, Christopher R. Tracy, Philip L. Boyd, Kristy L. Cummings, Shellie R. Puffer, Jeffrey E. Lovich
Climate change and collapsing thermal niches of desert reptiles and amphibians: Assisted migration and acclimation rescue from extirpation Climate change and collapsing thermal niches of desert reptiles and amphibians: Assisted migration and acclimation rescue from extirpation
Recent climate change should result in expansion of species to northern or high elevation range margins, and contraction at southern and low elevation margins in the northern hemisphere, because of local extirpations or range shifts or both. We combined museum occurrence records from both the continental U.S. and Mexico with a new eco-physiological model of extinction developed for...
Authors
Bary Sinervo, Rafael A. Lara Resendiz, Donald B. Miles, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Philip C. Rosen, Hector Gadsden, Gamaliel Castenada Gaytan, Patricia Galina Tessaro, Victor H. Luja, Raymond B. Huey, Amy V. Whipple, Victor Sanchez Cordero, Jason B. Rohr, Gabriel Caetano, Juan C. Santos, Sites, Fausto R. Mendez de la Cruz
Filter Total Items: 13
Science and Products
Agassiz's desert tortoise and egg data from the Sonoran Desert of California (1997-2000, 2015-2018) Agassiz's desert tortoise and egg data from the Sonoran Desert of California (1997-2000, 2015-2018)
These data were compiled to evaluate reproductive output of Agassiz's desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizzi) in relation to environmental and individual-level variables. We collected data from four study sites in the Sonoran Desert of California, including two separate populations within Joshua Tree National Park, one population located on the northern versant of the Orocopia Mountains...
Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA Southern Pacific Pond Turtle Data, Elizabeth Lake, Los Angeles County, California, USA
These data were compiled to study the effects of severe drought and a concurrent large wildfire on a large population of southern Pacific pond turtles living in a rapidly drying lake. The study was done in collaboration with biologists from Ecorp Consulting in Santa Ana, California with funding from the Desert Tortoise Council. Data were collected in August and September of 2014. This...
Spatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA Spatial distribution and risk analysis data for diamond-backed terrapins relative to crab trapping, Savannah Coastal Refuge Complex, USA
There were five objects for compiling these data: 1) to conduct a systematic inventory of diamond-backed terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) using headcount surveys on four National Wildlife Refuges (Harris Neck, Blackbeard Island, Wassaw, and Wolf Island) that are a part of the greater Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex in southeast Georgia, USA; 2) to use occupancy modeling to determine...
Desert tortoise reproductive ecology and precipitation, Mojave and Sonoran DesertsData Desert tortoise reproductive ecology and precipitation, Mojave and Sonoran DesertsData
Estimated precipitation data were compiled using the WestMap web site (http://www.cefa.dri.edu/Westmap/) from 1995-2013. We selected pixels on the map shown on their web site that were in the core of our study areas: one near Palm Springs, California and the other at Sugarloaf Mountain in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona. WestMap uses PRISM data to make point measurements of climate...
Body size estimates for slider turtles in the United States, 1944-2010Data Body size estimates for slider turtles in the United States, 1944-2010Data
These data are compiled from published studies of various subspecies of the slider turtle (Trachemys scripta) from throughout the native range of the species in the United States. Data include sample sizes of adult male and female turtles as well as various estimates of their body size as noted in the Comments column. The purpose for collecting these data was to make comparisons and...
Filter Total Items: 114
Predicting the effects of solar energy development on plants and wildlife in the Desert Southwest, United States Predicting the effects of solar energy development on plants and wildlife in the Desert Southwest, United States
Utility-scale solar energy (USSE) is rapidly expanding and expected to compose the largest source of renewable-generated electricity in the United States and globally over the coming decades. Lands in the hot Desert Southwest (Chihuahuan, Mojave, Sonoran, and San Joaquin Deserts) are increasingly selected for USSE development because of their high solar irradiance. The Desert Southwest...
Authors
Claire C Karban, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Steven Mark Grodsky, Seth M. Munson
Determining the distribution, status, and linkages of Agassiz's desert tortoise populations in the uplands surrounding the Coachella Valley Determining the distribution, status, and linkages of Agassiz's desert tortoise populations in the uplands surrounding the Coachella Valley
In support of the goals of the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission and the Bureau of Land Management, we performed surveys to determine the status, distribution, demographics, and possible genetic linkages of Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations within the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) area during a multi-decadal...
Authors
Michele R. Puffer, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Kristy L. Cummings
Gopherus Agassizii (Mojave Desert Tortoise). nest depredation Gopherus Agassizii (Mojave Desert Tortoise). nest depredation
Nest site selection is an important determinant of clutch success and hatchling sex ratios in Gopherus agassizii, Mojave Desert tortoises (Spotila et al. 1994. Herpetol. Monogr. 8:103-116). G. agassizii lay eggs in or near the entrance of their burrows (Ennen et al. 2012. Copeia 2012:222-228) and females of both G. agassizii and G. morafkai, may reduce egg predation risk by remaining at...
Authors
Megan Peukert, Gerardo Avila, William J. Hoese, Christopher R. Tracy, Philip L. Boyd, Kristy L. Cummings, Shellie R. Puffer, Jeffrey E. Lovich
Climate change and collapsing thermal niches of desert reptiles and amphibians: Assisted migration and acclimation rescue from extirpation Climate change and collapsing thermal niches of desert reptiles and amphibians: Assisted migration and acclimation rescue from extirpation
Recent climate change should result in expansion of species to northern or high elevation range margins, and contraction at southern and low elevation margins in the northern hemisphere, because of local extirpations or range shifts or both. We combined museum occurrence records from both the continental U.S. and Mexico with a new eco-physiological model of extinction developed for...
Authors
Bary Sinervo, Rafael A. Lara Resendiz, Donald B. Miles, Jeffrey E. Lovich, Philip C. Rosen, Hector Gadsden, Gamaliel Castenada Gaytan, Patricia Galina Tessaro, Victor H. Luja, Raymond B. Huey, Amy V. Whipple, Victor Sanchez Cordero, Jason B. Rohr, Gabriel Caetano, Juan C. Santos, Sites, Fausto R. Mendez de la Cruz
Filter Total Items: 13
*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