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
Filter Total Items: 27
Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110 Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110
Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110. Baseline elevations were collected with RTK GPS units and LiDAR elevations in non-surveyed areas were also corrected using LEAN method. Historical accretion rates were collected at each salt marsh and used to parameterize WARMER, predicting future...
Data for climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes Data for climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes
This data release is comprised of tidal marsh biomass data and spatial predictions of peak biomass and Julian day of peak biomass using data from the Landsat archive. Aboveground biomass dry weight of mixed-species plots (25x50 cm) at a tidal marsh in Willapa Bay, Washington were used to establish a relationship between biomass and tasseled cap greeness (TCG). The julian day of annual...
Decomposition of plant litter in Pacific coast tidal marshes, 2014-2015 Decomposition of plant litter in Pacific coast tidal marshes, 2014-2015
Decomposition of plant matter is one of the key processes affecting carbon cycling and storage in tidal wetlands. In this study, we evaluated the effects of factors related to climate change (temperature, inundation) and vegetation composition on rates of litter decay in seven tidal marsh sites along the Pacific coast. In 2014 we conducted manipulative experiments to test inundation...
Filter Total Items: 43
Stress gradients interact with disturbance to reveal alternative states in salt marsh: Multivariate resilience at the landscape scale Stress gradients interact with disturbance to reveal alternative states in salt marsh: Multivariate resilience at the landscape scale
Stress gradients influence many ecosystem processes and properties, including ecosystem recovery from and resistance to disturbance. While recent analytical approaches have advanced multivariate metrics of ecosystem resilience that allow quantification of conceptual resilience models and identification of thresholds of state change, these approaches are not often translated to landscape...
Authors
Scott Jones, Camille Stagg, Erik Yando, W. James, Kevin Buffington, Mark Hester
Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity
Tidal wetlands support plant communities that facilitate carbon storage, accrete soil, and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species. Climate change is likely to alter estuaries through sea-level rise and changing precipitation patterns, although the ecological responses are uncertain. We were interested in plant responses to physiological stress induced by elevated water...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Arianna C Goodman, Chase Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
Spatiotemporal patterns of mineral and organic matter deposition across two San Francisco Bay-Delta tidal marshes Spatiotemporal patterns of mineral and organic matter deposition across two San Francisco Bay-Delta tidal marshes
Sediment deposition in tidal wetlands is a critical process that determines whether vertical growth will keep pace with sea-level rise. However, more information is needed on how sediment deposition varies spatially and temporally across wetlands, including the effects of elevation, tidal inundation, vegetation, and weather. We investigated variation in sediment deposition due to season...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Christopher Janousek, Karen M. Thorne, Bruce Dugger
Flooding regimes increase avian predation on wildlife prey in tidal marsh ecosystems Flooding regimes increase avian predation on wildlife prey in tidal marsh ecosystems
Within isolated and fragmented populations, species interactions such as predation can cause shifts in community structure and demographics in tidal marsh ecosystems. It is critical to incorporate species interactions into our understanding when evaluating the effects of sea‐level rise and storm surges on tidal marshes. In this study, we hypothesize that avian predators will increase...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Kyle Spragens, Kevin Buffington, Jordan A. Rosencranz, John Takekawa
Rising tides: Assessing habitat vulnerability for an endangered salt marsh-dependent species with sea-level rise Rising tides: Assessing habitat vulnerability for an endangered salt marsh-dependent species with sea-level rise
Salt marsh-dependent species are vulnerable to impacts of sea-level rise (SLR). Site-specific differences in ecogeomorphic processes result in different SLR vulnerabilities. SLR impacts to Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus) of Southern California (SC) and San Francisco Bay (SF), U.S.A. could foreshadow SLR effects on other coastal endemic species. Salt marsh vulnerabilities to SLR were...
Authors
Jordan A. Rosencranz, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Cory Overton, John Takekawa, Michael Casazza, Jennifer McBroom, Julian Wood, Nadav Nur, Richard Zembal, Glen MacDonald, Richard Ambrose
El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast. El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast.
Periodic oscillations between El Niño and La Niña conditions in the Pacific Basin affect oceanographic and meteorological phenomena globally, with impacts on the abundance and distribution of marine species. However, El Niño effects on estuarine hydrology and tidal wetland processes have seldom been examined rigorously. We used detailed wetland elevation and local inundation data from 10...
Authors
Arianna Goodman, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Chase Freeman, Christopher Janousek
Sea‐level rise, habitat loss, and potential extirpation of a salt marsh specialist bird in urbanized landscapes Sea‐level rise, habitat loss, and potential extirpation of a salt marsh specialist bird in urbanized landscapes
Sea‐level rise (SLR) impacts on intertidal habitat depend on coastal topology, accretion, and constraints from surrounding development. Such habitat changes might affect species like Belding's savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi; BSSP), which live in high‐elevation salt marsh in the Southern California Bight. To predict how BSSP habitat might change under various SLR...
Authors
Jordan Rosencranz, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, John Takekawa, Ryan Hechinger, Tara Stewart, Richard Ambrose, Glen MacDonald, Mark Holmgren, Jeff Crooks, Robert Patton, Kevin Lafferty
Climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes Climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes
The interannual variability of tidal marsh plant phenology is largely unknown and may have important ecological consequences. Marsh plants are critical to the biogeomorphic feedback processes that build estuarine soils, maintain marsh elevation relative to sea level, and sequester carbon. We calculated Tasseled Cap Greenness, a metric of plant biomass, using remotely sensed data...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Karen M. Thorne
U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise
We used a first-of-its-kind comprehensive scenario approach to evaluate both the vertical and horizontal response of tidal wetlands to projected changes in the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) across 14 estuaries along the Pacific coast of the continental United States. Throughout the U.S. Pacific region, we found that tidal wetlands are highly vulnerable to end-of-century submergence, with...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Glen MacDonald, Glenn Guntenspergen, Richard Ambrose, Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Chase Freeman, Christopher Janousek, Lauren Brown, Jordan A. Rosencranz, James Homquist, John Smol, Kathryn Hargan, John Takekawa
Inundation, vegetation, and sediment effects on litter decomposition in Pacific Coast tidal marshes Inundation, vegetation, and sediment effects on litter decomposition in Pacific Coast tidal marshes
The cycling and sequestration of carbon are important ecosystem functions of estuarine wetlands that may be affected by climate change. We conducted experiments across a latitudinal and climate gradient of tidal marshes in the northeast Pacific to evaluate the effects of climate- and vegetation-related factors on litter decomposition. We manipulated tidal exposure and litter type in...
Authors
Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, Glenn Guntenspergen, Karen Thorne, Bruce D. Dugger, John Takekawa
Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States
A key challenge for coastal resource managers is to plan and implement climate change adaptation strategies inlight of uncertainties and competing management priorities. In 2014, we held six workshops across estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America with over 150 participants to evaluate resource managers' perceived level of understanding of climate change science, where they...
Authors
Karen Thorne, Deborah Elliott-Fisk, Chase Freeman, Thuy-Vy Bui, Katherine Powelson, Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, John Takekawa
Statistical correction of lidar-derived digital elevation models with multispectral airborne imagery in tidal marshes Statistical correction of lidar-derived digital elevation models with multispectral airborne imagery in tidal marshes
Airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) is a valuable tool for collecting large amounts of elevation data across large areas; however, the limited ability to penetrate dense vegetation with lidar hinders its usefulness for measuring tidal marsh platforms. Methods to correct lidar elevation data are available, but a reliable method that requires limited field work and maintains...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Karen Thorne, John Takekawa
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110 Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110
Digital elevation model outputs from wetland accreting rate model of ecosystem resilience (WARMER) at ten year intervals from 2010-2110. Baseline elevations were collected with RTK GPS units and LiDAR elevations in non-surveyed areas were also corrected using LEAN method. Historical accretion rates were collected at each salt marsh and used to parameterize WARMER, predicting future...
Data for climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes Data for climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes
This data release is comprised of tidal marsh biomass data and spatial predictions of peak biomass and Julian day of peak biomass using data from the Landsat archive. Aboveground biomass dry weight of mixed-species plots (25x50 cm) at a tidal marsh in Willapa Bay, Washington were used to establish a relationship between biomass and tasseled cap greeness (TCG). The julian day of annual...
Decomposition of plant litter in Pacific coast tidal marshes, 2014-2015 Decomposition of plant litter in Pacific coast tidal marshes, 2014-2015
Decomposition of plant matter is one of the key processes affecting carbon cycling and storage in tidal wetlands. In this study, we evaluated the effects of factors related to climate change (temperature, inundation) and vegetation composition on rates of litter decay in seven tidal marsh sites along the Pacific coast. In 2014 we conducted manipulative experiments to test inundation...
Filter Total Items: 43
Stress gradients interact with disturbance to reveal alternative states in salt marsh: Multivariate resilience at the landscape scale Stress gradients interact with disturbance to reveal alternative states in salt marsh: Multivariate resilience at the landscape scale
Stress gradients influence many ecosystem processes and properties, including ecosystem recovery from and resistance to disturbance. While recent analytical approaches have advanced multivariate metrics of ecosystem resilience that allow quantification of conceptual resilience models and identification of thresholds of state change, these approaches are not often translated to landscape...
Authors
Scott Jones, Camille Stagg, Erik Yando, W. James, Kevin Buffington, Mark Hester
Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity
Tidal wetlands support plant communities that facilitate carbon storage, accrete soil, and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species. Climate change is likely to alter estuaries through sea-level rise and changing precipitation patterns, although the ecological responses are uncertain. We were interested in plant responses to physiological stress induced by elevated water...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Arianna C Goodman, Chase Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
Spatiotemporal patterns of mineral and organic matter deposition across two San Francisco Bay-Delta tidal marshes Spatiotemporal patterns of mineral and organic matter deposition across two San Francisco Bay-Delta tidal marshes
Sediment deposition in tidal wetlands is a critical process that determines whether vertical growth will keep pace with sea-level rise. However, more information is needed on how sediment deposition varies spatially and temporally across wetlands, including the effects of elevation, tidal inundation, vegetation, and weather. We investigated variation in sediment deposition due to season...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Christopher Janousek, Karen M. Thorne, Bruce Dugger
Flooding regimes increase avian predation on wildlife prey in tidal marsh ecosystems Flooding regimes increase avian predation on wildlife prey in tidal marsh ecosystems
Within isolated and fragmented populations, species interactions such as predation can cause shifts in community structure and demographics in tidal marsh ecosystems. It is critical to incorporate species interactions into our understanding when evaluating the effects of sea‐level rise and storm surges on tidal marshes. In this study, we hypothesize that avian predators will increase...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Kyle Spragens, Kevin Buffington, Jordan A. Rosencranz, John Takekawa
Rising tides: Assessing habitat vulnerability for an endangered salt marsh-dependent species with sea-level rise Rising tides: Assessing habitat vulnerability for an endangered salt marsh-dependent species with sea-level rise
Salt marsh-dependent species are vulnerable to impacts of sea-level rise (SLR). Site-specific differences in ecogeomorphic processes result in different SLR vulnerabilities. SLR impacts to Ridgway’s rail (Rallus obsoletus) of Southern California (SC) and San Francisco Bay (SF), U.S.A. could foreshadow SLR effects on other coastal endemic species. Salt marsh vulnerabilities to SLR were...
Authors
Jordan A. Rosencranz, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Cory Overton, John Takekawa, Michael Casazza, Jennifer McBroom, Julian Wood, Nadav Nur, Richard Zembal, Glen MacDonald, Richard Ambrose
El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast. El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast.
Periodic oscillations between El Niño and La Niña conditions in the Pacific Basin affect oceanographic and meteorological phenomena globally, with impacts on the abundance and distribution of marine species. However, El Niño effects on estuarine hydrology and tidal wetland processes have seldom been examined rigorously. We used detailed wetland elevation and local inundation data from 10...
Authors
Arianna Goodman, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Chase Freeman, Christopher Janousek
Sea‐level rise, habitat loss, and potential extirpation of a salt marsh specialist bird in urbanized landscapes Sea‐level rise, habitat loss, and potential extirpation of a salt marsh specialist bird in urbanized landscapes
Sea‐level rise (SLR) impacts on intertidal habitat depend on coastal topology, accretion, and constraints from surrounding development. Such habitat changes might affect species like Belding's savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis beldingi; BSSP), which live in high‐elevation salt marsh in the Southern California Bight. To predict how BSSP habitat might change under various SLR...
Authors
Jordan Rosencranz, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, John Takekawa, Ryan Hechinger, Tara Stewart, Richard Ambrose, Glen MacDonald, Mark Holmgren, Jeff Crooks, Robert Patton, Kevin Lafferty
Climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes Climate-related variation in plant peak biomass and growth phenology across Pacific Northwest tidal marshes
The interannual variability of tidal marsh plant phenology is largely unknown and may have important ecological consequences. Marsh plants are critical to the biogeomorphic feedback processes that build estuarine soils, maintain marsh elevation relative to sea level, and sequester carbon. We calculated Tasseled Cap Greenness, a metric of plant biomass, using remotely sensed data...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Karen M. Thorne
U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise
We used a first-of-its-kind comprehensive scenario approach to evaluate both the vertical and horizontal response of tidal wetlands to projected changes in the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) across 14 estuaries along the Pacific coast of the continental United States. Throughout the U.S. Pacific region, we found that tidal wetlands are highly vulnerable to end-of-century submergence, with...
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Glen MacDonald, Glenn Guntenspergen, Richard Ambrose, Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Chase Freeman, Christopher Janousek, Lauren Brown, Jordan A. Rosencranz, James Homquist, John Smol, Kathryn Hargan, John Takekawa
Inundation, vegetation, and sediment effects on litter decomposition in Pacific Coast tidal marshes Inundation, vegetation, and sediment effects on litter decomposition in Pacific Coast tidal marshes
The cycling and sequestration of carbon are important ecosystem functions of estuarine wetlands that may be affected by climate change. We conducted experiments across a latitudinal and climate gradient of tidal marshes in the northeast Pacific to evaluate the effects of climate- and vegetation-related factors on litter decomposition. We manipulated tidal exposure and litter type in...
Authors
Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, Glenn Guntenspergen, Karen Thorne, Bruce D. Dugger, John Takekawa
Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States
A key challenge for coastal resource managers is to plan and implement climate change adaptation strategies inlight of uncertainties and competing management priorities. In 2014, we held six workshops across estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America with over 150 participants to evaluate resource managers' perceived level of understanding of climate change science, where they...
Authors
Karen Thorne, Deborah Elliott-Fisk, Chase Freeman, Thuy-Vy Bui, Katherine Powelson, Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, John Takekawa
Statistical correction of lidar-derived digital elevation models with multispectral airborne imagery in tidal marshes Statistical correction of lidar-derived digital elevation models with multispectral airborne imagery in tidal marshes
Airborne light detection and ranging (lidar) is a valuable tool for collecting large amounts of elevation data across large areas; however, the limited ability to penetrate dense vegetation with lidar hinders its usefulness for measuring tidal marsh platforms. Methods to correct lidar elevation data are available, but a reliable method that requires limited field work and maintains...
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Bruce Dugger, Karen Thorne, John Takekawa