John B Bradford, Ph.D.
John Bradford is a Research Ecologist with the USGS Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. John studies dryland ecosystems in the context of global change and works with resource managers to identify adaptive strategies for sustaining these ecosystems in a changing world.
John focuses on understanding how changing climate, disturbances, and land use influence dryland vegetation, plant communities, and ecosystem services. He is currently engaged in the broad topics of ecohydrology and dryland sustainability in the western U.S. and has projects examining a) the potential influence of changing climatic conditions on the distribution and regeneration potential of trees and shrubs in the intermountain western U.S., b) strategies for understanding and enhancing dryland ecosystem resilience to changing climate and drought patterns, and c) ecosystem water balance and patterns of plant-available soil water in dryland regions.
Professional Experience
2011- Present: Research Ecologist - US Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ
2006 - 2011: Research Ecologist - USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station, Grand Rapids, MN
2004 - 2006: Research Ecologist (Postdoctoral) - USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO
Education and Certifications
2004 - Ph.D., Ecology, Colorado State University
1996 - B.A., Biology, Cornell University
Science and Products
Forest density intensifies the importance of snowpack to growth in water-limited pine forests
Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef
Community for data integration 2018 funded project report
Robust ecological drought projections for drylands in the 21st century
Low stand density moderates growth declines during hot droughts in semi-arid forests
Small-scale water deficits after wildfires create long-lasting ecological impacts
Soil water availability shapes species richness in mid-latitude shrub steppe plant communities
Assessment of population genetics and climatic variability can refine climate‐informed seed transfer guidelines
Bridging the research-management gap: Landscape ecology in practice on public lands in the western United States
Supporting the development and use of native plant materials for restoration on the Colorado Plateau (Fiscal Year 19 Report)
UAV-derived estimates of forest structure to inform ponderosa pine forest restoration
Assessing the ecological impacts of biomass harvesting along a disturbance severity gradient
Science and Products
Forest density intensifies the importance of snowpack to growth in water-limited pine forests
Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef