Resource selection, habitat relationships, habitat restoration, space use, movement ecology, population demographics
Professional Experience
2019 – Present Wildlife Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK
2016 – 2019 Wildlife Biologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Reno, NV
2016 Post-doctoral Researcher University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2011 – 2016 Graduate Research Assistant, Moscow, ID
2007 – 2011 Various field technician positions
2004 – 2007 Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
2001 - 2004 Various Field technician positions
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2016 University of Idaho, Moscow, ID Natural Resources/Wildlife
M.S. 2007 Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL Zoology/Wildlife
B.S. 2004 University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, WI Wildlife Ecology and Management
Affiliations and Memberships
The Wildlife Society (2004–Present)
TWS Alaska Chapter (2019–Present)
TWS Northwest Section (2019–Present)
TWS Biometrics Working Group (2010–Present)
TWS Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Working Group (2010–Present)
TWS Rangeland Wildlife Working Group (2017–Present)
TWS Spatial Ecology and Telemetry Working Group (2019–Present)
Society of Wetland Scientists (Lifetime Member 2004–Present)
American Society of Mining and Reclamation (2007–Present)
Society of Northwest Vertebrate Biology (2011–Present)
Society for Range Management (2015–Present)
American Ornithological Society (2015–Present)
Science and Products
Predicted Calving and Post-calving Season Resource Use of the Porcupine Caribou Herd During 2012-2018 With Future Projections for the 2030s, 2040s, and 2050s
This dataset contains rasters and polygon shapefiles related to predicted resource use of the Porcupine Caribou Herd (PCH) during the calving (26 May-10 June) and post-calving (11-30 June) seasons in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Resource selection was analyzed for each season using random forest models, which compared female caribou GPS collar locations (2012-2018) to available locations within
Spring phenology drives range shifts in a migratory Arctic ungulate with key implications for the future
Annual variation in phenology can have profound effects on the behavior of animals. As climate change advances spring phenology in ecosystems around the globe, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how animals respond to variation in the timing of seasonal events and how their responses may shift in the future. We investigated the influence of spring phenology on the behavior of migr
Population and habitat analyses for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the bi-state distinct population segment—2018 update
Executive SummaryThe Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (Bi-State DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, hereinafter “sage-grouse”) represents a genetically distinct and geographically isolated population that straddles the border between Nevada and California. The primary threat to these sage-grouse populations is the expansion of single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and Utah
Estimating sightability of greater sage-grouse at leks using an aerial infrared system and N-mixture models
Counts of grouse present at leks (breeding grounds) during spring are widely used to monitor population numbers and assess trends. However, only a proportion of birds available to count are detected resulting in a biased population index. We designed a study using an aerial integrated infrared imaging system (AIRIS) and experimental pseudo-leks to quantify sightability (proportion of birds detecte
Global positioning system tracking devices can decrease Greater Sage-Grouse survival
Reliable demographic estimates hinge on the assumption that marking animals does not alter their behavior, reproduction, or survival. Violations can bias inference and are especially egregious for species of high conservation concern. Global positioning system (GPS) devices represent a recent technological advancement that has contributed greatly to avian ecological studies compared with tradition
Assessing lek attendance of male greater sage‐grouse using fine‐resolution GPS data: Implications for population monitoring of lek mating grouse
Counts of males displaying on breeding grounds are the primary management tool used to assess population trends in lekking grouse species. Despite the importance of male lek attendance (i.e., proportion of males on leks available for detection) influencing lek counts, patterns of within season and between season variability in attendance rates are not well understood. We used high‐frequency global
Pre-USGS Publications
Kaweck, M. M., J. P. Severson, and K. L. Launchbaugh. 2018. Impacts of wild horses, cattle, and wildlife on riparian areas in Idaho. Rangelands 40:45–52.
Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Tack, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Better living through conifer removal: a demographic analysis of sage-grouse vital rates. PLoS ONE 12:e0174347.
Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Restoring sage-grouse nesting habitat through removal of early successional conifer. Restoration Ecology 25:1026–1034.
Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Short-term response of sage-grouse nesting to conifer removal in the northern Great Basin. Rangeland Ecology and Management 70:50–58.
Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Effects of conifer expansion on greater sage-grouse nesting habitat selection. Journal of Wildlife Management 81:86–95.
Clawson, M. V., J. R. Skalski, J. M. Lady, C. A. Hagen, J. J. Millspaugh, D. Budeau, and J. P. Severson. 2017. Performing statistical population reconstruction using program PopRecon 2.0. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:581–589.
Baruch-Mordo, S., J. S. Evans, J. P. Severson, D. E. Naugle, J. D. Maestas, J. M. Kiesecker, M. J. Falkowski, C. A. Hagen, and K. P. Reese. 2013. Saving sage-grouse from the trees: a proactive solution to reducing a key threat to a candidate species. Biological Conservation 167:233–241.
Moore, S., J. R. Nawrot, and J. P. Severson. 2009. Wetland-scale habitat determinants influencing least bittern use of created wetlands. Waterbirds 32:16–24.
Severson, J. P., J. R. Nawrot, and M. W. Eichholz. 2009. Shoreline stabilization using riprap breakwaters on a Midwestern reservoir. Lake and Reservoir Management 25:208–216.
Science and Products
- Data
Predicted Calving and Post-calving Season Resource Use of the Porcupine Caribou Herd During 2012-2018 With Future Projections for the 2030s, 2040s, and 2050s
This dataset contains rasters and polygon shapefiles related to predicted resource use of the Porcupine Caribou Herd (PCH) during the calving (26 May-10 June) and post-calving (11-30 June) seasons in Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Resource selection was analyzed for each season using random forest models, which compared female caribou GPS collar locations (2012-2018) to available locations within - Publications
Spring phenology drives range shifts in a migratory Arctic ungulate with key implications for the future
Annual variation in phenology can have profound effects on the behavior of animals. As climate change advances spring phenology in ecosystems around the globe, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how animals respond to variation in the timing of seasonal events and how their responses may shift in the future. We investigated the influence of spring phenology on the behavior of migrPopulation and habitat analyses for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the bi-state distinct population segment—2018 update
Executive SummaryThe Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (Bi-State DPS) of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, hereinafter “sage-grouse”) represents a genetically distinct and geographically isolated population that straddles the border between Nevada and California. The primary threat to these sage-grouse populations is the expansion of single-leaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) and UtahEstimating sightability of greater sage-grouse at leks using an aerial infrared system and N-mixture models
Counts of grouse present at leks (breeding grounds) during spring are widely used to monitor population numbers and assess trends. However, only a proportion of birds available to count are detected resulting in a biased population index. We designed a study using an aerial integrated infrared imaging system (AIRIS) and experimental pseudo-leks to quantify sightability (proportion of birds detecteGlobal positioning system tracking devices can decrease Greater Sage-Grouse survival
Reliable demographic estimates hinge on the assumption that marking animals does not alter their behavior, reproduction, or survival. Violations can bias inference and are especially egregious for species of high conservation concern. Global positioning system (GPS) devices represent a recent technological advancement that has contributed greatly to avian ecological studies compared with traditionAssessing lek attendance of male greater sage‐grouse using fine‐resolution GPS data: Implications for population monitoring of lek mating grouse
Counts of males displaying on breeding grounds are the primary management tool used to assess population trends in lekking grouse species. Despite the importance of male lek attendance (i.e., proportion of males on leks available for detection) influencing lek counts, patterns of within season and between season variability in attendance rates are not well understood. We used high‐frequency globalPre-USGS Publications
Kaweck, M. M., J. P. Severson, and K. L. Launchbaugh. 2018. Impacts of wild horses, cattle, and wildlife on riparian areas in Idaho. Rangelands 40:45–52.Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Tack, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Better living through conifer removal: a demographic analysis of sage-grouse vital rates. PLoS ONE 12:e0174347.Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Restoring sage-grouse nesting habitat through removal of early successional conifer. Restoration Ecology 25:1026–1034.Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Short-term response of sage-grouse nesting to conifer removal in the northern Great Basin. Rangeland Ecology and Management 70:50–58.Severson, J. P., C. A. Hagen, J. D. Maestas, D. E. Naugle, J. T. Forbes, and K. P. Reese. 2017. Effects of conifer expansion on greater sage-grouse nesting habitat selection. Journal of Wildlife Management 81:86–95.Clawson, M. V., J. R. Skalski, J. M. Lady, C. A. Hagen, J. J. Millspaugh, D. Budeau, and J. P. Severson. 2017. Performing statistical population reconstruction using program PopRecon 2.0. Wildlife Society Bulletin 41:581–589.Baruch-Mordo, S., J. S. Evans, J. P. Severson, D. E. Naugle, J. D. Maestas, J. M. Kiesecker, M. J. Falkowski, C. A. Hagen, and K. P. Reese. 2013. Saving sage-grouse from the trees: a proactive solution to reducing a key threat to a candidate species. Biological Conservation 167:233–241.Moore, S., J. R. Nawrot, and J. P. Severson. 2009. Wetland-scale habitat determinants influencing least bittern use of created wetlands. Waterbirds 32:16–24.Severson, J. P., J. R. Nawrot, and M. W. Eichholz. 2009. Shoreline stabilization using riprap breakwaters on a Midwestern reservoir. Lake and Reservoir Management 25:208–216.