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Kristen Ellis, PhD

Kristen Ellis is a Research Ecologist with the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Dr. Ellis’ research is focused on migratory bird ecology and developing quantitative and geospatial tools for addressing conservation issues. She works on projects that seek to improve our understanding of population and habitat dynamics of migratory birds, often in response to ecosystem- or community-level changes.

Professional Experience

  • Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 2019

Science and Products

link
Blooming flowers in a Pollinator Plot

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future climate data
Learn More
link
Creek flowing through a forest

Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC
Learn More

Piping plover nesting habitat distribution maps for the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region, 2000–2021

These maps were developed to support an effort to understand the spatial characteristics of piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nesting habitats. The maps show the expected nesting habitat distributions and piping plover intensity between 2000 and 2021 in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region.
By
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Spatial characteristics of Piping Plover nest sites in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region data, 2000-2019

This data is a companion to the manuscript titled "Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird". Advances in both remote sensing and analytical tools for spatial data have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution models. We developed a spatiotemporal model of breeding habitat use and density...
By
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Whooping crane migration habitat selection disturbance data and maps

These data and maps were developed to support an effort to understand how whooping cranes (Grus americana) select stopover habitat in the presence of human infrastructure. Location and associated data came from whooping cranes from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2010–2016. We marked a sample of 57 whooping cranes with leg-mounted transmitters that acquired locations via the global...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Impacts of extreme environmental disturbances on survival of piping plovers breeding in the Great Plains, and wintering along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coasts, 2012-2019

We present one tabular data file to evaluate piping plover (Charadrius melodus) seasonal (breeding and nonbreeding) adult survival. These data were part of a study to examine adult (n = 3474) survival during 2012-2019 at breeding regions within the Northern Great Plains and nonbreeding regions in the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts of North America. This file includes USGS-funded data...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Piping plover hatch-year survival and natal dispersal probabilities in the Northern Great Plains, USA 2014-2019

We present a tabular data set representing values to estimate apparent hatch-year survival to adulthood and natal dispersal probabilities between two breeding groups of the Northern Great Plains piping plover (Charadrius melodus) used in a multievent capture-mark-resight model from 2014-2019. Focusing on the Northern Missouri River and U.S. Alkali Wetlands breeding groups. In addition...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival data for the Northern Great Plains piping plover, 2014 - 2016

This dataset presents four tabular data files that evaluate the effect of predator exclosures around piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nests on plover nest, chick, within-season, and annual adult survival. During 2014-2016, we designed an experiment to examine nest (n = 418), chick (n = 453), and adult (n = 367) survival at alkaline wetlands of the Northern Great Plains. Alkaline...
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Filter Total Items: 14

Integrating data to assess occupancy patterns of an endangered bumble bee

There is growing interest in integrating community science data with structured monitoring data to estimate changes in distribution patterns of imperiled species, including pollinators. However, significant challenges remain in determining how unstructured community science data should be incorporated into formal analyses of species distributions. We developed a dynamic framework for...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Clint R.V. Otto, Larissa L. Bailey, Tamara A. Smith, Steven J. Choy, Lauren Hatch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Assessing trade-offs in developing a landscape-scale nest monitoring programme for a threatened shorebird

Effective monitoring of wildlife species requires thorough planning and development of survey programmes that can address management and conservation objectives. Decisions about monitoring programmes include where to survey, survey design and how much effort to allocate at survey sites are typically predicated on limited budgets and available resources. When the scope of inference...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Garrett J. MacDonald, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Rose J. Swift, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Seasonal and breeding phenologies of 38 grassland bird species in the midcontinent of North America

Grasslands in the midcontinent of North America are highly imperiled, and grassland birds have suffered the largest bird declines of any terrestrial biome in North America in the last 50 years. Consequently, the conservation and management of grasslands, as well as their associated avian communities, are major priorities for the State, Provincial, and Federal agencies; non-governmental...
Authors
Garrett J. MacDonald, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Lawrence D. Igl, Neal D. Niemuth, Josh L. Vest
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Movement dynamics influence population monitoring and adaptive harvest management strategies in migratory birds

Informed population monitoring efforts are essential for sound management of harvested species, and adaptive strategies that provide detailed information to monitoring efforts often require data inputs from complimentary sources. Movement ecology information is seldom directly incorporated into population monitoring or adaptive harvest management strategies, yet can provide valuable...
Authors
Jay A. VonBank, Daniel P. Collins, Kristen S. Ellis, J. Patrick Donnelly, Jeffrey M. Knetter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Climate-induced shifts in grassland bird nesting phenology have implications for grassland management

Grasslands are among the most impacted ecosystems globally. In the midcontinent of North America, a > 80% loss of grasslands has made their conservation a major priority for resource managers. Grassland ecosystems evolved under periodic disturbances; consequently, grassland management often involves regular actions such as grazing, haying, or burning to maintain ecosystem integrity. The...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Lawrence D. Igl, Neal D. Niemuth, Josh L. Vest
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Estimating population viability of the northern Great Plains piping plover population considering updated population structure, climate change, and intensive management

One challenge in wildlife conservation is understanding how various threats and management actions may influence long-term population viability. This is particularly evident when there is considerable uncertainty regarding population structure and vital rates. Reassessment of current knowledge and population trends is necessary for listed species to improve management actions that...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Conspecific density and habitat quality affect breeding habitat selection: Support for the social attraction hypothesis

Breeding habitat selection is a critical component of the annual cycle because of its effect on fitness. Multiple theories of habitat selection can be differentiated by their responses to the quantity of habitat, conspecific density, and habitat quality. Here, we use network analysis to understand the characteristics of fine-scale breeding habitat selected by both immigrant and returning...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird

Incorporating species distributions into conservation planning has traditionally involved long-term representations of habitat use where temporal variation is averaged to reveal habitats that are most suitable across time. Advances in remote sensing and analytical tools have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution modeling. Our objective was to develop...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Garrett J. MacDonald, Rose J. Swift, Megan M. Ring, Dustin L. Toy, Mark H. Sherfy, Max Post van der Burg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Balancing future renewable energy infrastructure siting and associated habitat loss for migrating whooping cranes

The expansion of human infrastructure has contributed to novel risks and disturbance regimes in most ecosystems, leading to considerable uncertainty about how species will respond to altered landscapes. A recent assessment revealed that whooping cranes (Grus americana), an endangered migratory waterbird species, avoid wind-energy infrastructure during migration. However, uncertainties...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Mark T. Bidwell, Wade C. Harrell, Matthew J. Butler, Max Post van der Burg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Implications of habitat-driven survival and dispersal on recruitment in a spatially structured piping plover population

Natal survival and dispersal have important consequences for populations through the movement of genes and individuals. Metapopulation theory predicts either balanced natal dispersal among regions or source–sink dynamics, which can dramatically change population structure. For species reliant on dynamic, early-successional habitats, availability and location of habitat will shift from...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy, David N. Koons
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers

Species of conservation concern often receive intensive management to improve vital rates and facilitate recovery. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally listed in the United States and concerns over nest depredation have prompted widespread use of plover-permeable predator exclosures placed around nests (0.5–2-m radius). While effectiveness of exclosures for improving nest...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Rose J. Swift, Mark H. Sherfy, David N. Koons, Kristen S. Ellis, Terry L. Shaffer, Dustin L. Toy, Megan M. Ring
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Dispersal distance is driven by habitat availability and reproductive success in Northern Great Plains piping plovers

BackgroundDispersal is a critical life history strategy that has important conservation implications, particularly for at-risk species with active recovery efforts and migratory species. Both natal and breeding dispersal are driven by numerous selection pressures, including conspecific competition, individual characteristics, reproductive success, and spatiotemporal variation in habitat...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Science and Products

link
Blooming flowers in a Pollinator Plot

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Relieving the Sting: Spatial Prioritization for Pollinator Conservation Under a Changing Climate

Project Overview The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and other native bees and pollinators, are declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and other stressors like pathogens and pesticide-use. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will study how certain stressors interact to affect the geographic distribution of Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, using mapping techniques and future climate data
Learn More
link
Creek flowing through a forest

Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Small Prairie Stream Health Within Fort Berthold Indian Reservation

Project Overview The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation faces challenges in maintaining stream health due to recent extreme weather events, oil and gas development, and row crop expansion. Researchers supported by this North Central CASC project will assess how these changes affect stream health while providing career development for undergraduate researchers from Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC
Learn More

Piping plover nesting habitat distribution maps for the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region, 2000–2021

These maps were developed to support an effort to understand the spatial characteristics of piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nesting habitats. The maps show the expected nesting habitat distributions and piping plover intensity between 2000 and 2021 in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region.
By
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Spatial characteristics of Piping Plover nest sites in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region data, 2000-2019

This data is a companion to the manuscript titled "Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird". Advances in both remote sensing and analytical tools for spatial data have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution models. We developed a spatiotemporal model of breeding habitat use and density...
By
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Whooping crane migration habitat selection disturbance data and maps

These data and maps were developed to support an effort to understand how whooping cranes (Grus americana) select stopover habitat in the presence of human infrastructure. Location and associated data came from whooping cranes from the Aransas-Wood Buffalo Population, 2010–2016. We marked a sample of 57 whooping cranes with leg-mounted transmitters that acquired locations via the global...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Impacts of extreme environmental disturbances on survival of piping plovers breeding in the Great Plains, and wintering along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coasts, 2012-2019

We present one tabular data file to evaluate piping plover (Charadrius melodus) seasonal (breeding and nonbreeding) adult survival. These data were part of a study to examine adult (n = 3474) survival during 2012-2019 at breeding regions within the Northern Great Plains and nonbreeding regions in the Gulf and southern Atlantic Coasts of North America. This file includes USGS-funded data...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Piping plover hatch-year survival and natal dispersal probabilities in the Northern Great Plains, USA 2014-2019

We present a tabular data set representing values to estimate apparent hatch-year survival to adulthood and natal dispersal probabilities between two breeding groups of the Northern Great Plains piping plover (Charadrius melodus) used in a multievent capture-mark-resight model from 2014-2019. Focusing on the Northern Missouri River and U.S. Alkali Wetlands breeding groups. In addition...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival data for the Northern Great Plains piping plover, 2014 - 2016

This dataset presents four tabular data files that evaluate the effect of predator exclosures around piping plover (Charadrius melodus) nests on plover nest, chick, within-season, and annual adult survival. During 2014-2016, we designed an experiment to examine nest (n = 418), chick (n = 453), and adult (n = 367) survival at alkaline wetlands of the Northern Great Plains. Alkaline...
By
Species Management Research Program, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Filter Total Items: 14

Integrating data to assess occupancy patterns of an endangered bumble bee

There is growing interest in integrating community science data with structured monitoring data to estimate changes in distribution patterns of imperiled species, including pollinators. However, significant challenges remain in determining how unstructured community science data should be incorporated into formal analyses of species distributions. We developed a dynamic framework for...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Clint R.V. Otto, Larissa L. Bailey, Tamara A. Smith, Steven J. Choy, Lauren Hatch
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Assessing trade-offs in developing a landscape-scale nest monitoring programme for a threatened shorebird

Effective monitoring of wildlife species requires thorough planning and development of survey programmes that can address management and conservation objectives. Decisions about monitoring programmes include where to survey, survey design and how much effort to allocate at survey sites are typically predicated on limited budgets and available resources. When the scope of inference...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Garrett J. MacDonald, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Rose J. Swift, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Seasonal and breeding phenologies of 38 grassland bird species in the midcontinent of North America

Grasslands in the midcontinent of North America are highly imperiled, and grassland birds have suffered the largest bird declines of any terrestrial biome in North America in the last 50 years. Consequently, the conservation and management of grasslands, as well as their associated avian communities, are major priorities for the State, Provincial, and Federal agencies; non-governmental...
Authors
Garrett J. MacDonald, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Lawrence D. Igl, Neal D. Niemuth, Josh L. Vest
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Movement dynamics influence population monitoring and adaptive harvest management strategies in migratory birds

Informed population monitoring efforts are essential for sound management of harvested species, and adaptive strategies that provide detailed information to monitoring efforts often require data inputs from complimentary sources. Movement ecology information is seldom directly incorporated into population monitoring or adaptive harvest management strategies, yet can provide valuable...
Authors
Jay A. VonBank, Daniel P. Collins, Kristen S. Ellis, J. Patrick Donnelly, Jeffrey M. Knetter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Climate-induced shifts in grassland bird nesting phenology have implications for grassland management

Grasslands are among the most impacted ecosystems globally. In the midcontinent of North America, a > 80% loss of grasslands has made their conservation a major priority for resource managers. Grassland ecosystems evolved under periodic disturbances; consequently, grassland management often involves regular actions such as grazing, haying, or burning to maintain ecosystem integrity. The...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Lawrence D. Igl, Neal D. Niemuth, Josh L. Vest
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Estimating population viability of the northern Great Plains piping plover population considering updated population structure, climate change, and intensive management

One challenge in wildlife conservation is understanding how various threats and management actions may influence long-term population viability. This is particularly evident when there is considerable uncertainty regarding population structure and vital rates. Reassessment of current knowledge and population trends is necessary for listed species to improve management actions that...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Garrett J. MacDonald, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Conspecific density and habitat quality affect breeding habitat selection: Support for the social attraction hypothesis

Breeding habitat selection is a critical component of the annual cycle because of its effect on fitness. Multiple theories of habitat selection can be differentiated by their responses to the quantity of habitat, conspecific density, and habitat quality. Here, we use network analysis to understand the characteristics of fine-scale breeding habitat selected by both immigrant and returning...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Data integration reveals dynamic and systematic patterns of breeding habitat use by a threatened shorebird

Incorporating species distributions into conservation planning has traditionally involved long-term representations of habitat use where temporal variation is averaged to reveal habitats that are most suitable across time. Advances in remote sensing and analytical tools have allowed for the integration of dynamic processes into species distribution modeling. Our objective was to develop...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Michael J. Anteau, Garrett J. MacDonald, Rose J. Swift, Megan M. Ring, Dustin L. Toy, Mark H. Sherfy, Max Post van der Burg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Balancing future renewable energy infrastructure siting and associated habitat loss for migrating whooping cranes

The expansion of human infrastructure has contributed to novel risks and disturbance regimes in most ecosystems, leading to considerable uncertainty about how species will respond to altered landscapes. A recent assessment revealed that whooping cranes (Grus americana), an endangered migratory waterbird species, avoid wind-energy infrastructure during migration. However, uncertainties...
Authors
Kristen S. Ellis, Aaron T. Pearse, David A. Brandt, Mark T. Bidwell, Wade C. Harrell, Matthew J. Butler, Max Post van der Burg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Implications of habitat-driven survival and dispersal on recruitment in a spatially structured piping plover population

Natal survival and dispersal have important consequences for populations through the movement of genes and individuals. Metapopulation theory predicts either balanced natal dispersal among regions or source–sink dynamics, which can dramatically change population structure. For species reliant on dynamic, early-successional habitats, availability and location of habitat will shift from...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy, David N. Koons
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Experimental evaluation of predator exclosures on nest, chick, and adult survival of piping plovers

Species of conservation concern often receive intensive management to improve vital rates and facilitate recovery. Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) are federally listed in the United States and concerns over nest depredation have prompted widespread use of plover-permeable predator exclosures placed around nests (0.5–2-m radius). While effectiveness of exclosures for improving nest...
Authors
Michael J. Anteau, Rose J. Swift, Mark H. Sherfy, David N. Koons, Kristen S. Ellis, Terry L. Shaffer, Dustin L. Toy, Megan M. Ring
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Dispersal distance is driven by habitat availability and reproductive success in Northern Great Plains piping plovers

BackgroundDispersal is a critical life history strategy that has important conservation implications, particularly for at-risk species with active recovery efforts and migratory species. Both natal and breeding dispersal are driven by numerous selection pressures, including conspecific competition, individual characteristics, reproductive success, and spatiotemporal variation in habitat...
Authors
Rose J. Swift, Michael J. Anteau, Kristen S. Ellis, Megan M. Ring, Mark H. Sherfy, Dustin L. Toy
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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