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.
Filter Total Items: 30
Beyond sticks and stones: Integrating physical and ecological conditions into watershed restoration assessments using a food web modeling approach Beyond sticks and stones: Integrating physical and ecological conditions into watershed restoration assessments using a food web modeling approach
Watershed assessments have become common for prioritizing restoration in river networks. These assessments primarily focus on geomorphic conditions of rivers but less frequently incorporate non-geomorphic abiotic factors such as water chemistry and temperature, and biotic factors such as the structure of food webs. Using a dynamic food web model that integrates physical and ecological
Authors
Emily J Whitney, James R Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Chris E Jordan, Jason B. Dunham, Michael Newsom, Matt Nahorniak
Can nutrient additions facilitate recovery of Pacific salmon? Can nutrient additions facilitate recovery of Pacific salmon?
Multiple restoration actions have been implemented in response to declining salmon populations. Among these is the addition of salmon carcasses or artificial nutrients to mimic marine-derived nutrients historically provided by large spawning runs of salmon. A key assumption in this approach is that increased nutrients will catalyze salmon population growth. Although effects on aquatic...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, James R Bellmore, Emily Whitney, Jason B. Dunham
Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale
Networks of direct and indirect biotic interactions underpin the complex dynamics and stability of ecological systems, yet experimental and theoretical studies often yield conflicting evidence regarding the direction (positive or negative) or magnitude of these interactions. We revisited pioneering data sets collected at the deciduous forested Horonai Stream and conducted ecosystem‐level...
Authors
Amy M Marcarelli, Colden V. Baxter, Joseph R. Benjamin, Yo Miyake, Masashi Murakami, K.D. Fausch, Shigeru Nakano
Thermal heterogeneity, migration, and consequences for spawning potential of female bull trout in a river-reservoir system Thermal heterogeneity, migration, and consequences for spawning potential of female bull trout in a river-reservoir system
The likelihood that fish will initiate spawning, spawn successfully, or skip spawning in a given year is conditioned in part on availability of energy reserves. We evaluated the consequences of spatial heterogeneity in thermal conditions on the energy accumulation and spawning potential of migratory bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in a regulated river–reservoir system. Based on...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Dmitri T Vidergar, Jason B. Dunham
Decision analysis for the reintroduction of Bull Trout into the lower Pend Oreille River, Washington Decision analysis for the reintroduction of Bull Trout into the lower Pend Oreille River, Washington
The decision to reintroduce a species can be difficult owing to conflicting opinions and objectives, as well as uncertainty of the outcome. Structured decision making addresses these considerations by identifying realistic fundamental objectives and building achievable management alternatives, within a quantitative modeling framework. The process is driven by participation of...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, William R. Brignon, Jason B. Dunham
Stream metabolism increases with drainage area and peaks asynchronously across a stream network Stream metabolism increases with drainage area and peaks asynchronously across a stream network
Quantifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of stream metabolism across stream networks is key to understanding carbon cycling and stream food web ecology. To better understand intra-annual temporal patterns of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) and their variability across space, we continuously measured dissolved oxygen and modeled stream metabolism for an...
Authors
Francine H. Mejia, Alexander K. Fremier, Joseph R. Benjamin, J. Ryan Bellmore, Adrianne Z. Grimm, Grace A. Watson, Michael Newsom
Quantification of the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem Quantification of the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem
An important issue in biodiversity valuation is gaining a better understanding of how biodiversity conservation affects economic activities and human welfare. Quantifying the economic benefits of biodiversity for human well-being is not straightforward. Here, we expand the ecosystem service cascade by (i) attributing a methodology to the different steps of the cascade to assess the...
Authors
Silvie Daniels, J Ryan Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Nele Witters, Jaco Vangronsveld, Steven Van Passel
Using a food web model to inform the design of river restoration—An example at the Barkley Bear Segment, Methow River, north-central Washington Using a food web model to inform the design of river restoration—An example at the Barkley Bear Segment, Methow River, north-central Washington
With the decline of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss), habitat restoration actions in freshwater tributaries have been implemented to improve conditions for juveniles. Typically, physical (for example, hydrologic and engineering) based models are used to design restoration alternatives with the assumption that biological responses will be improved with...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, J. Ryan Bellmore, Daniel Dombroski
Structured decision making for conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Long Creek, Klamath River Basin, south-central Oregon Structured decision making for conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Long Creek, Klamath River Basin, south-central Oregon
With the decline of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), managers face multiple, and sometimes contradictory, management alternatives for species recovery. Moreover, effective decision-making involves all stakeholders influenced by the decisions (such as Tribal, State, Federal, private, and non-governmental organizations) because they represent diverse objectives, jurisdictions, policy...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Kevin McDonnell, Jason B. Dunham, William R. Brignon, James T. Peterson
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) telemetry and associated habitat data collected in a geodatabase from the upper Boise River, southwestern Idaho Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) telemetry and associated habitat data collected in a geodatabase from the upper Boise River, southwestern Idaho
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, are among the more thermally sensitive of coldwater species in North America. The Boise River upstream of Arrowrock Dam in southwestern Idaho (including Arrowrock Reservoir) provides habitat for one of the southernmost populations of bull trout. The presence of the species in Arrowrock Reservoir...
Authors
Dorene E. MacCoy, Zachary M. Shephard, Joseph R. Benjamin, Dmitri T. Vidergar, Anthony F. Prisciandaro
Incorporating food web dynamics into ecological restoration: A modeling approach for river ecosystems Incorporating food web dynamics into ecological restoration: A modeling approach for river ecosystems
Restoration is frequently aimed at the recovery of target species, but also influences the larger food web in which these species participate. Effects of restoration on this broader network of organisms can influence target species both directly and indirectly via changes in energy flow through food webs. To help incorporate these complexities into river restoration planning we...
Authors
J. Ryan Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Michael Newsom, Jennifer A. Bountry, Daniel Dombroski
Thermal regimes, nonnative trout, and their influences on native Bull Trout in the Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon Thermal regimes, nonnative trout, and their influences on native Bull Trout in the Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon
The occurrence of fish species may be strongly influenced by a stream’s thermal regime (magnitude, frequency, variation, and timing). For instance, magnitude and frequency provide information about sublethal temperatures, variability in temperature can affect behavioral thermoregulation and bioenergetics, and timing of thermal events may cue life history events, such as spawning and...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Jeannie Heltzel, Jason B. Dunham, Michael Heck, Nolan P. Banish
Non-USGS Publications**
Malison, R.L., Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2010, Measuring adult insect emergence from streams- the influence of trap placement and a comparison with benthic sampling: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, v. 29, no. 2, p. 647-656, https://doi.org/10.1899/09-086.1.
Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2010, Do nonnative salmonines exhibit greater density and production than the natives they replace? A comparison of nonnative brook trout with native cutthroat trout: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 139, p. 641-651, https://doi.org/10.1577/T09-102.1.
Benjamin, J.R., Fausch, K.D., Baxter, C.V., 2011, Species replacement by a nonnative salmonid alters ecosystem function by reducing prey subsidies that support riparian spiders: Oecologia, v. 167, p. 503-512, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2000-6. Catalog No: 50050
Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2012, Is a trout a trout? A range-wide comparison shows nonnative brook trout exhibit greater density, biomass, and production than native inland cutthroat trout: Biological Invasions, v. 14, p. 1865-1879, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-012-0198-9.
Lepori, F., Benjamin, J.R., Fausch, K.D., Baxter, C.V., 2012, Are invasive and native trout functionally equivalent predators? Results and lessons from a field experiment: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, v. 22, p. 787-798, https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2259.
Benjamin, J.R., Connolly, P.J., Romine, J.G., Perry, R.W., 2013, Potential effects of changes in temperature and food resources on life history trajectories of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 142, p. 208-220, https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2012.728162.
Benjamin, J.R., Lepori, F., Baxter, C.V., Fausch, K.D., 2013, Can replacement of native by non-native trout alter stream-riparian food webs?: Freshwater Biology, v. 58, p. 1694-1709, https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12160.
Benjamin, J.R., Wetzel, L.A., Martens, K., Larsen, K., Connolly, P.J., 2014, Spatio-temporal variability in movement, age, and growth of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a river network based upon PIT tagging and otolith chemistry: Canadian Journal Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, v. 71, p. 131-140, https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2013-0279.
**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.
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.
Filter Total Items: 30
Beyond sticks and stones: Integrating physical and ecological conditions into watershed restoration assessments using a food web modeling approach Beyond sticks and stones: Integrating physical and ecological conditions into watershed restoration assessments using a food web modeling approach
Watershed assessments have become common for prioritizing restoration in river networks. These assessments primarily focus on geomorphic conditions of rivers but less frequently incorporate non-geomorphic abiotic factors such as water chemistry and temperature, and biotic factors such as the structure of food webs. Using a dynamic food web model that integrates physical and ecological
Authors
Emily J Whitney, James R Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Chris E Jordan, Jason B. Dunham, Michael Newsom, Matt Nahorniak
Can nutrient additions facilitate recovery of Pacific salmon? Can nutrient additions facilitate recovery of Pacific salmon?
Multiple restoration actions have been implemented in response to declining salmon populations. Among these is the addition of salmon carcasses or artificial nutrients to mimic marine-derived nutrients historically provided by large spawning runs of salmon. A key assumption in this approach is that increased nutrients will catalyze salmon population growth. Although effects on aquatic...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, James R Bellmore, Emily Whitney, Jason B. Dunham
Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale Magnitude and direction of stream–forest community interactions change with timescale
Networks of direct and indirect biotic interactions underpin the complex dynamics and stability of ecological systems, yet experimental and theoretical studies often yield conflicting evidence regarding the direction (positive or negative) or magnitude of these interactions. We revisited pioneering data sets collected at the deciduous forested Horonai Stream and conducted ecosystem‐level...
Authors
Amy M Marcarelli, Colden V. Baxter, Joseph R. Benjamin, Yo Miyake, Masashi Murakami, K.D. Fausch, Shigeru Nakano
Thermal heterogeneity, migration, and consequences for spawning potential of female bull trout in a river-reservoir system Thermal heterogeneity, migration, and consequences for spawning potential of female bull trout in a river-reservoir system
The likelihood that fish will initiate spawning, spawn successfully, or skip spawning in a given year is conditioned in part on availability of energy reserves. We evaluated the consequences of spatial heterogeneity in thermal conditions on the energy accumulation and spawning potential of migratory bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in a regulated river–reservoir system. Based on...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Dmitri T Vidergar, Jason B. Dunham
Decision analysis for the reintroduction of Bull Trout into the lower Pend Oreille River, Washington Decision analysis for the reintroduction of Bull Trout into the lower Pend Oreille River, Washington
The decision to reintroduce a species can be difficult owing to conflicting opinions and objectives, as well as uncertainty of the outcome. Structured decision making addresses these considerations by identifying realistic fundamental objectives and building achievable management alternatives, within a quantitative modeling framework. The process is driven by participation of...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, William R. Brignon, Jason B. Dunham
Stream metabolism increases with drainage area and peaks asynchronously across a stream network Stream metabolism increases with drainage area and peaks asynchronously across a stream network
Quantifying the spatial and temporal dynamics of stream metabolism across stream networks is key to understanding carbon cycling and stream food web ecology. To better understand intra-annual temporal patterns of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) and their variability across space, we continuously measured dissolved oxygen and modeled stream metabolism for an...
Authors
Francine H. Mejia, Alexander K. Fremier, Joseph R. Benjamin, J. Ryan Bellmore, Adrianne Z. Grimm, Grace A. Watson, Michael Newsom
Quantification of the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem Quantification of the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem
An important issue in biodiversity valuation is gaining a better understanding of how biodiversity conservation affects economic activities and human welfare. Quantifying the economic benefits of biodiversity for human well-being is not straightforward. Here, we expand the ecosystem service cascade by (i) attributing a methodology to the different steps of the cascade to assess the...
Authors
Silvie Daniels, J Ryan Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Nele Witters, Jaco Vangronsveld, Steven Van Passel
Using a food web model to inform the design of river restoration—An example at the Barkley Bear Segment, Methow River, north-central Washington Using a food web model to inform the design of river restoration—An example at the Barkley Bear Segment, Methow River, north-central Washington
With the decline of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss), habitat restoration actions in freshwater tributaries have been implemented to improve conditions for juveniles. Typically, physical (for example, hydrologic and engineering) based models are used to design restoration alternatives with the assumption that biological responses will be improved with...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, J. Ryan Bellmore, Daniel Dombroski
Structured decision making for conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Long Creek, Klamath River Basin, south-central Oregon Structured decision making for conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Long Creek, Klamath River Basin, south-central Oregon
With the decline of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), managers face multiple, and sometimes contradictory, management alternatives for species recovery. Moreover, effective decision-making involves all stakeholders influenced by the decisions (such as Tribal, State, Federal, private, and non-governmental organizations) because they represent diverse objectives, jurisdictions, policy...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Kevin McDonnell, Jason B. Dunham, William R. Brignon, James T. Peterson
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) telemetry and associated habitat data collected in a geodatabase from the upper Boise River, southwestern Idaho Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) telemetry and associated habitat data collected in a geodatabase from the upper Boise River, southwestern Idaho
Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, are among the more thermally sensitive of coldwater species in North America. The Boise River upstream of Arrowrock Dam in southwestern Idaho (including Arrowrock Reservoir) provides habitat for one of the southernmost populations of bull trout. The presence of the species in Arrowrock Reservoir...
Authors
Dorene E. MacCoy, Zachary M. Shephard, Joseph R. Benjamin, Dmitri T. Vidergar, Anthony F. Prisciandaro
Incorporating food web dynamics into ecological restoration: A modeling approach for river ecosystems Incorporating food web dynamics into ecological restoration: A modeling approach for river ecosystems
Restoration is frequently aimed at the recovery of target species, but also influences the larger food web in which these species participate. Effects of restoration on this broader network of organisms can influence target species both directly and indirectly via changes in energy flow through food webs. To help incorporate these complexities into river restoration planning we...
Authors
J. Ryan Bellmore, Joseph R. Benjamin, Michael Newsom, Jennifer A. Bountry, Daniel Dombroski
Thermal regimes, nonnative trout, and their influences on native Bull Trout in the Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon Thermal regimes, nonnative trout, and their influences on native Bull Trout in the Upper Klamath River Basin, Oregon
The occurrence of fish species may be strongly influenced by a stream’s thermal regime (magnitude, frequency, variation, and timing). For instance, magnitude and frequency provide information about sublethal temperatures, variability in temperature can affect behavioral thermoregulation and bioenergetics, and timing of thermal events may cue life history events, such as spawning and...
Authors
Joseph R. Benjamin, Jeannie Heltzel, Jason B. Dunham, Michael Heck, Nolan P. Banish
Non-USGS Publications**
Malison, R.L., Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2010, Measuring adult insect emergence from streams- the influence of trap placement and a comparison with benthic sampling: Journal of the North American Benthological Society, v. 29, no. 2, p. 647-656, https://doi.org/10.1899/09-086.1.
Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2010, Do nonnative salmonines exhibit greater density and production than the natives they replace? A comparison of nonnative brook trout with native cutthroat trout: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 139, p. 641-651, https://doi.org/10.1577/T09-102.1.
Benjamin, J.R., Fausch, K.D., Baxter, C.V., 2011, Species replacement by a nonnative salmonid alters ecosystem function by reducing prey subsidies that support riparian spiders: Oecologia, v. 167, p. 503-512, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2000-6. Catalog No: 50050
Benjamin, J.R., Baxter, C.V., 2012, Is a trout a trout? A range-wide comparison shows nonnative brook trout exhibit greater density, biomass, and production than native inland cutthroat trout: Biological Invasions, v. 14, p. 1865-1879, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-012-0198-9.
Lepori, F., Benjamin, J.R., Fausch, K.D., Baxter, C.V., 2012, Are invasive and native trout functionally equivalent predators? Results and lessons from a field experiment: Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, v. 22, p. 787-798, https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2259.
Benjamin, J.R., Connolly, P.J., Romine, J.G., Perry, R.W., 2013, Potential effects of changes in temperature and food resources on life history trajectories of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 142, p. 208-220, https://doi.org/10.1080/00028487.2012.728162.
Benjamin, J.R., Lepori, F., Baxter, C.V., Fausch, K.D., 2013, Can replacement of native by non-native trout alter stream-riparian food webs?: Freshwater Biology, v. 58, p. 1694-1709, https://doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12160.
Benjamin, J.R., Wetzel, L.A., Martens, K., Larsen, K., Connolly, P.J., 2014, Spatio-temporal variability in movement, age, and growth of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in a river network based upon PIT tagging and otolith chemistry: Canadian Journal Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, v. 71, p. 131-140, https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2013-0279.
**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.
*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