Joseph R Benjamin
I am a Research Biologist at the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Boise, Idaho. My research provides natural resource managers with tools to make more informed decisions regarding the conservation of species and ecosystems.
My team works closely with cooperators to develop ecological models and decision-support tools that meet the needs of decision makers. We develop ecological models that integrate population dynamics, trophic interactions, and environmental variation at multiple scales to improve our understanding of ecosystem dynamics, including impacts of disturbances. Our decision-support models are used to explore management options for aquatic and terrestrial species and landscapes.
Professional Experience
2024 - Present: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Research Biologist, Boise, ID
2014 - 2024: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Ecologist/Biologist, Boise, ID
2013 - 2014: Quantitative Consultants, Inc., Staff Scientist, Boise, ID
2010 - 2013: USGS Columbia River Research Laboratory, Fish Biologist, Cook, WA
2006 - 2010: Department of Biology, Idaho State University, Research Assistant, Pocatello, ID
2002 - 2006: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fisheries Biologist, Boise, ID
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Biology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID (2010)
M.S., Biology, Boise State University, Boise, ID (2006)
B.S., Biology, Boise State University, Boise, ID (1996)
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
Ecological Society of America
Society for Freshwater Science
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems
Food-web dynamics of a floodplain mosaic overshadow the effects of engineered logjams for Pacific salmon and steelhead Food-web dynamics of a floodplain mosaic overshadow the effects of engineered logjams for Pacific salmon and steelhead
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics
Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation
Co-production of models to evaluate conservation alternatives for a threatened fish in a rapidly changing landscape Co-production of models to evaluate conservation alternatives for a threatened fish in a rapidly changing landscape
Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential
Resist, accept, and direct responses to biological invasions: A social–ecological perspective Resist, accept, and direct responses to biological invasions: A social–ecological perspective
Pathways of productivity and influences on top consumers in forested streams Pathways of productivity and influences on top consumers in forested streams
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Simulated juvenile Chinook salmon movement and growth in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho: Model input parameters and results Simulated juvenile Chinook salmon movement and growth in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho: Model input parameters and results
Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence
Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US
Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA
Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model
Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool
Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems
Food-web dynamics of a floodplain mosaic overshadow the effects of engineered logjams for Pacific salmon and steelhead Food-web dynamics of a floodplain mosaic overshadow the effects of engineered logjams for Pacific salmon and steelhead
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics
Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation
Co-production of models to evaluate conservation alternatives for a threatened fish in a rapidly changing landscape Co-production of models to evaluate conservation alternatives for a threatened fish in a rapidly changing landscape
Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential Climate vulnerability for a desert fish: Integrating hydrologic exposures, adaptive capacity, and growth potential
Resist, accept, and direct responses to biological invasions: A social–ecological perspective Resist, accept, and direct responses to biological invasions: A social–ecological perspective
Pathways of productivity and influences on top consumers in forested streams Pathways of productivity and influences on top consumers in forested streams
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Simulated juvenile Chinook salmon movement and growth in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho: Model input parameters and results Simulated juvenile Chinook salmon movement and growth in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, Idaho: Model input parameters and results
Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence
Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US
Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA
Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model
Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool
Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool Bull Trout Population Dynamics Simulation Tool
*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