Kevin Buffington
Kevin Buffington is an ecologist at the Western Ecological Research Center.
EDUCATION
B.S. Biology, 2007, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire,, Eau Claire, WI.
M.S. Biology, 2010, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID.
Ph.D. Fisheries and Wildlife, anticipated Mar 2017, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Climate change ecology
- Remote Sensing
- Sea-level rise and salt marsh habitats
- Spatial modeling
- Species Distribution Modeling
- Physiological tolerances
- Wildlife biology
Science and Products
Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes
View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
Filter Total Items: 28
Sediment core radioisotope measurements in coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay Sediment core radioisotope measurements in coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay
Data shows radioisotope measurements (Pb-210 and Cs-137) of sediment cores from four coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay (one core from each site). Cores were sectioned every 1-2 cm depth.
Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019 Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019
Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat...
Soil Characteristics and Accretion Rates in Mangrove Forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia Soil Characteristics and Accretion Rates in Mangrove Forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Soil cores were collected in mangrove forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia to understand spatial variation in accretion rates. Cores were dated using lead-210 and processed for bulk density and organic matter percent through loss-on-ignition analysis. A total of 30 cores were successfully dated across seven regions around the island.
When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States? When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States?
Recent data syntheses have clarified future relative sea-level rise exposure and sensitivity thresholds for drowning. We integrated these advances to estimate when and where rising sea levels could cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across the conterminous United States. We evaluated three sea-level rise thresholds for wetland drowning (4, 7, and 10 mm/yr). Our study area...
Marsh Vegetation Surveys Across the San Francisco Bay Estuary, 2008-2018 Marsh Vegetation Surveys Across the San Francisco Bay Estuary, 2008-2018
Fifty-one tidal marsh sites across five regions (sub-embayments) were surveyed in the Delta, Suisun Bay, San Pablo Bay, central San Francisco Bay, and South San Francisco Bay. Vegetation surveys spanned ten years, from July 2008 to January 2018. A total of 5,112 plots were surveyed. Plots were positioned on transects along an elevation gradient and evenly distributed across each site...
Data Describing Site Characteristics Including Conifer Regeneration Following the 2018 Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Data Describing Site Characteristics Including Conifer Regeneration Following the 2018 Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
This dataset provides seedling density and site characteristics for 131 plots in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California, USA. Site characteristics include modeled seed availability and terrain indices calculated using a 1 meter resolution digital elevation model (DEM).
Filter Total Items: 45
Surveying waterfowl broods in wetlands using aerial drones Surveying waterfowl broods in wetlands using aerial drones
Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat...
Authors
Desmond Alexander Mackell, Michael L. Casazza, Cory T. Overton, Kevin J. Buffington, Chase M. Freeman, Joshua T. Ackerman, Karen M. Thorne
Projecting mangrove forest resilience to sea-level rise on a Pacific Island: Species dynamics and ecological thresholds Projecting mangrove forest resilience to sea-level rise on a Pacific Island: Species dynamics and ecological thresholds
Mangroves can increase their elevation relative to tidal flooding through biogeomorphic feedbacks but can submerge if rates of sea-level rise are too great. There is an urgent need to understand the vulnerability of mangroves to sea-level rise so local communities and resource managers can implement and prioritize actions. The need is especially pressing for small islands, which have...
Authors
Kevin J. Buffington, Joel A. Carr, Richard Mackenzie, Maybeleen Apwong, Ken Krauss, Karen M. Thorne
Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
The 2018 Carr Fire burned more than 90 percent of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, with much of the park burning at high severity. California yellow pine and mixed conifer forests are not well adapted to large, high-severity fires, and forest recovery after these events may be problematic. Large, high-severity fire patches pose difficulties for recruitment with interiors that are...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Micah C. Wright, Karen M. Thorne, Jill Beckmann, Kevin J. Buffington, Lyndsay L. Rankin, Audrey Colley, Eamon A. Engber
Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States
Accelerated sea-level rise is an existential threat to coastal wetlands, but the timing and extent of wetland drowning are debated. Recent data syntheses have clarified future relative sea-level rise exposure and sensitivity thresholds for drowning. Here, we integrate these advances to estimate when and where rising sea levels could cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across...
Authors
Michael Osland, Bogdan Chivoiu, James Grace, Nicholas Enwright, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Kevin J. Buffington, Karen M. Thorne, Joel A. Carr, William V. Sweet, Brady Couvillion
Application of lidar to assess the habitat selection of an endangered small mammal in an estuarine wetland environment Application of lidar to assess the habitat selection of an endangered small mammal in an estuarine wetland environment
Light detection and ranging (lidar) has emerged as a valuable tool for examining the fine-scale characteristics of vegetation. However, lidar is rarely used to examine coastal wetland vegetation or the habitat selection of small mammals. Extensive anthropogenic modification has threatened the endemic species in the estuarine wetlands of the California coast, such as the endangered salt...
Authors
J.S. Hagani, J.Y. Takekawa, S.M. Skalos, Michael L. Casazza, M.K. Riley, S.A. Estrella, L. Barthman-Thompson, K.R. Smith, Kevin J. Buffington, Karen M. Thorne
Stress gradients structure spatial variability in coastal tidal marsh plant composition and diversity in a major Pacific coast estuary Stress gradients structure spatial variability in coastal tidal marsh plant composition and diversity in a major Pacific coast estuary
Understanding the drivers of variability in plant diversity from local to landscape spatial scales is a challenge in ecological systems. Environmental gradients exist at several spatial scales and can be nested hierarchically, influencing patterns of plant diversity in complex ways. As plant community dynamics influence ecosystem function, understanding the drivers of plant community...
Authors
Lyndsay L. Rankin, Scott F. Jones, Christopher N. Janousek, Kevin J. Buffington, John Takekawa, Karen M. Thorne
Science and Products
Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes
View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
Filter Total Items: 28
Sediment core radioisotope measurements in coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay Sediment core radioisotope measurements in coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay
Data shows radioisotope measurements (Pb-210 and Cs-137) of sediment cores from four coastal wetlands along the Chesapeake Bay (one core from each site). Cores were sectioned every 1-2 cm depth.
Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019 Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019
Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat...
Soil Characteristics and Accretion Rates in Mangrove Forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia Soil Characteristics and Accretion Rates in Mangrove Forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia
Soil cores were collected in mangrove forests across Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia to understand spatial variation in accretion rates. Cores were dated using lead-210 and processed for bulk density and organic matter percent through loss-on-ignition analysis. A total of 30 cores were successfully dated across seven regions around the island.
When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States? When and where could rising seas cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across conterminous United States?
Recent data syntheses have clarified future relative sea-level rise exposure and sensitivity thresholds for drowning. We integrated these advances to estimate when and where rising sea levels could cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across the conterminous United States. We evaluated three sea-level rise thresholds for wetland drowning (4, 7, and 10 mm/yr). Our study area...
Marsh Vegetation Surveys Across the San Francisco Bay Estuary, 2008-2018 Marsh Vegetation Surveys Across the San Francisco Bay Estuary, 2008-2018
Fifty-one tidal marsh sites across five regions (sub-embayments) were surveyed in the Delta, Suisun Bay, San Pablo Bay, central San Francisco Bay, and South San Francisco Bay. Vegetation surveys spanned ten years, from July 2008 to January 2018. A total of 5,112 plots were surveyed. Plots were positioned on transects along an elevation gradient and evenly distributed across each site...
Data Describing Site Characteristics Including Conifer Regeneration Following the 2018 Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Data Describing Site Characteristics Including Conifer Regeneration Following the 2018 Carr Fire in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
This dataset provides seedling density and site characteristics for 131 plots in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California, USA. Site characteristics include modeled seed availability and terrain indices calculated using a 1 meter resolution digital elevation model (DEM).
Filter Total Items: 45
Surveying waterfowl broods in wetlands using aerial drones Surveying waterfowl broods in wetlands using aerial drones
Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat...
Authors
Desmond Alexander Mackell, Michael L. Casazza, Cory T. Overton, Kevin J. Buffington, Chase M. Freeman, Joshua T. Ackerman, Karen M. Thorne
Projecting mangrove forest resilience to sea-level rise on a Pacific Island: Species dynamics and ecological thresholds Projecting mangrove forest resilience to sea-level rise on a Pacific Island: Species dynamics and ecological thresholds
Mangroves can increase their elevation relative to tidal flooding through biogeomorphic feedbacks but can submerge if rates of sea-level rise are too great. There is an urgent need to understand the vulnerability of mangroves to sea-level rise so local communities and resource managers can implement and prioritize actions. The need is especially pressing for small islands, which have...
Authors
Kevin J. Buffington, Joel A. Carr, Richard Mackenzie, Maybeleen Apwong, Ken Krauss, Karen M. Thorne
Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Learning from a high-severity fire event—Conditions following the 2018 Carr Fire at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
The 2018 Carr Fire burned more than 90 percent of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, with much of the park burning at high severity. California yellow pine and mixed conifer forests are not well adapted to large, high-severity fires, and forest recovery after these events may be problematic. Large, high-severity fire patches pose difficulties for recruitment with interiors that are...
Authors
Phillip J. van Mantgem, Micah C. Wright, Karen M. Thorne, Jill Beckmann, Kevin J. Buffington, Lyndsay L. Rankin, Audrey Colley, Eamon A. Engber
Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States Rising seas could cross thresholds for initiating coastal wetland drowning within decades across much of the United States
Accelerated sea-level rise is an existential threat to coastal wetlands, but the timing and extent of wetland drowning are debated. Recent data syntheses have clarified future relative sea-level rise exposure and sensitivity thresholds for drowning. Here, we integrate these advances to estimate when and where rising sea levels could cross thresholds for initiating wetland drowning across...
Authors
Michael Osland, Bogdan Chivoiu, James Grace, Nicholas Enwright, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Kevin J. Buffington, Karen M. Thorne, Joel A. Carr, William V. Sweet, Brady Couvillion
Application of lidar to assess the habitat selection of an endangered small mammal in an estuarine wetland environment Application of lidar to assess the habitat selection of an endangered small mammal in an estuarine wetland environment
Light detection and ranging (lidar) has emerged as a valuable tool for examining the fine-scale characteristics of vegetation. However, lidar is rarely used to examine coastal wetland vegetation or the habitat selection of small mammals. Extensive anthropogenic modification has threatened the endemic species in the estuarine wetlands of the California coast, such as the endangered salt...
Authors
J.S. Hagani, J.Y. Takekawa, S.M. Skalos, Michael L. Casazza, M.K. Riley, S.A. Estrella, L. Barthman-Thompson, K.R. Smith, Kevin J. Buffington, Karen M. Thorne
Stress gradients structure spatial variability in coastal tidal marsh plant composition and diversity in a major Pacific coast estuary Stress gradients structure spatial variability in coastal tidal marsh plant composition and diversity in a major Pacific coast estuary
Understanding the drivers of variability in plant diversity from local to landscape spatial scales is a challenge in ecological systems. Environmental gradients exist at several spatial scales and can be nested hierarchically, influencing patterns of plant diversity in complex ways. As plant community dynamics influence ecosystem function, understanding the drivers of plant community...
Authors
Lyndsay L. Rankin, Scott F. Jones, Christopher N. Janousek, Kevin J. Buffington, John Takekawa, Karen M. Thorne