Lesley DeFalco
Dr. Lesley DeFalco is a Plant Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Ecological Research Center.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Restoration of Aridlands
- Conservation biology
- Desert Community Ecology
- Ecological monitoring
- Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance
- Evaluation of management
- Fire ecology
- Global climate change
- Invasive species ecology
- Physiological plant ecology
- Plant ecology
- Species interactions
- Threatened and endangered species
EDUCATION
PhD, Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 2003
MS, Botany, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 1995
BS, Biological Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 1989
COMMITTEES
- Botanical Society of America
- California Native Plant Society (Mojave Chapter)
- Ecological Society of America
- Nevada Native Plant Society
- Society for Ecological Restoration (Southwest Chapter)
Science and Products
Genetic and Habitat Data for Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert Genetic and Habitat Data for Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert
These datasets were developed to represent the genetic diversity, population structure, and geographic distribution of Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert. This data release consists of two tab-delimited text files representing the genetic diversity and structure of Plantago ovata (.genepop and .vcf), and two raster spatial datasets (GeoTIFF) reflecting predicted habitat for the species...
Empirical and Provisional Seed Transfer Zones for the Mojave Desert and Surrounding Regions (ver. 3.0, December 2024) Empirical and Provisional Seed Transfer Zones for the Mojave Desert and Surrounding Regions (ver. 3.0, December 2024)
Empirical evidence that local adaptation and home-site advantages are frequent across plant taxa has increased recognition that local adaptation plays a fundamental role in shaping plant responses to seed transfer (i.e., when plant materials are introduced to a site during restoration). Use of maladapted plant materials can lead to poor project outcomes if propagules exhibit poor...
Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest (ver. 2.0, September 2019) Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest (ver. 2.0, September 2019)
Five principal components are used to represent the climate variation in an original set of 12 climate variables reflecting precipitation and temperature gradients. The dataset provides coverage for four regions (the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Southern Great Basin) and three time periods including current climate (defined as the 1980-2010 normal period) and...
Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest for the time periods 1980-2010, 2040-2070 (RCP8.5) and (RCP4.5) Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest for the time periods 1980-2010, 2040-2070 (RCP8.5) and (RCP4.5)
Five principal components are used to represent the climate variation in an original set of 12 climate variables reflecting precipitation and temperature gradients. The dataset provides coverage for four regions (the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Southern Great Basin) and two time periods: current climate (defined as the 1980-2010 normal period) and future climate...
Filter Total Items: 66
A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs
Las Vegas bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) occurrences have fluctuated during the past several decades, in part due to interannual variability in rainfall that influences recruitment and mortality events; yet, development in the Las Vegas Valley continues to threaten habitat supporting this species. Arctomecon californica was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in...
Authors
Alexander Stosich, Lesley A. DeFalco, Sara J. Scoles-Sciulla
What common-garden experiments tell us about climate responses in plants What common-garden experiments tell us about climate responses in plants
Common garden experiments are indoor or outdoor plantings of species or populations collected from multiple distinct geographic locations, grown together under shared conditions. These experiments examine a range of questions for theory and application using a variety of methods for analysis. The eight papers of this special feature comprise a cross section of contemporary approaches...
Authors
Susanne Schwinning, Christopher J. Lorti, Todd Esque, Lesley A. DeFalco
Seed menus: An integrated decision-support framework for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert Seed menus: An integrated decision-support framework for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert
The combination of ecosystem stressors, rapid climate change, and increasing landscape-scale development has necessitated active restoration across large tracts of disturbed habitats in the arid southwestern United States. In this context, programmatic directives such as the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration have increasingly emphasized improved restoration...
Authors
Daniel F. Shryock, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd Esque
Protocol for route restoration in California’s desert renewable energy conservation plan area Protocol for route restoration in California’s desert renewable energy conservation plan area
In the deserts of the Southwestern United States, increased off-highway vehicle use can lead to widespread vehicular damage to desert ecosystems. As the popularity and intensity of vehicle use on public lands continues, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is challenged to manage the routes used by recreationists while minimizing activity beyond designated routes and mitigating...
Authors
Todd Esque, Ka-Voka R. Jackson, Alexandrea M. Rice, Jeffery K. Childers, Caroline S. Woods, Amy Fesnock-Parker, Andrew C. Johnson, Lauren J. Price, Kristin E. Forgrave, Sara J. Scoles-Sciulla, Lesley A. DeFalco
Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata
Widely distributed species are often locally adapted to climate gradients across their ranges. But little is known about the patterns of intraspecific adaptation in desert shrubs.We examined the questions of local adaptation in multiple populations of two common shrub species of the winter-wet Mojave Desert in North America in a multiple common garden experiment. Plants were raised in...
Authors
Nathan A. Custer, Susan Schwinning, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd Esque
Priority species lists to restore desert tortoise and pollinator habitats in Mojave Desert shrublands Priority species lists to restore desert tortoise and pollinator habitats in Mojave Desert shrublands
Mojave Desert shrublands are home to unique plants and wildlife and are experiencing rapid habitat change due to unprecedented large-scale disturbances; yet, established practices to effectively restore disturbed landscapes are not well developed. A priority species list of native plant taxa was developed to guide seed collectors, commercial growers, resource managers, and restoration
Authors
Todd Esque, Lesley A. DeFalco, Gayle Loren Tyree, K. Kristina Drake, Kenneth E. Nussear, Joseph S Wilson
Science and Products
Genetic and Habitat Data for Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert Genetic and Habitat Data for Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert
These datasets were developed to represent the genetic diversity, population structure, and geographic distribution of Plantago ovata in the Mojave Desert. This data release consists of two tab-delimited text files representing the genetic diversity and structure of Plantago ovata (.genepop and .vcf), and two raster spatial datasets (GeoTIFF) reflecting predicted habitat for the species...
Empirical and Provisional Seed Transfer Zones for the Mojave Desert and Surrounding Regions (ver. 3.0, December 2024) Empirical and Provisional Seed Transfer Zones for the Mojave Desert and Surrounding Regions (ver. 3.0, December 2024)
Empirical evidence that local adaptation and home-site advantages are frequent across plant taxa has increased recognition that local adaptation plays a fundamental role in shaping plant responses to seed transfer (i.e., when plant materials are introduced to a site during restoration). Use of maladapted plant materials can lead to poor project outcomes if propagules exhibit poor...
Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest (ver. 2.0, September 2019) Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest (ver. 2.0, September 2019)
Five principal components are used to represent the climate variation in an original set of 12 climate variables reflecting precipitation and temperature gradients. The dataset provides coverage for four regions (the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Southern Great Basin) and three time periods including current climate (defined as the 1980-2010 normal period) and...
Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest for the time periods 1980-2010, 2040-2070 (RCP8.5) and (RCP4.5) Principal components of climate variation in the Desert Southwest for the time periods 1980-2010, 2040-2070 (RCP8.5) and (RCP4.5)
Five principal components are used to represent the climate variation in an original set of 12 climate variables reflecting precipitation and temperature gradients. The dataset provides coverage for four regions (the Sonoran Desert, Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Southern Great Basin) and two time periods: current climate (defined as the 1980-2010 normal period) and future climate...
Filter Total Items: 66
A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs A review of Arctomecon californica (Papaveraceae) with a focus on the species’ potential for propagation and reintroduction and conservation needs
Las Vegas bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) occurrences have fluctuated during the past several decades, in part due to interannual variability in rainfall that influences recruitment and mortality events; yet, development in the Las Vegas Valley continues to threaten habitat supporting this species. Arctomecon californica was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act in...
Authors
Alexander Stosich, Lesley A. DeFalco, Sara J. Scoles-Sciulla
What common-garden experiments tell us about climate responses in plants What common-garden experiments tell us about climate responses in plants
Common garden experiments are indoor or outdoor plantings of species or populations collected from multiple distinct geographic locations, grown together under shared conditions. These experiments examine a range of questions for theory and application using a variety of methods for analysis. The eight papers of this special feature comprise a cross section of contemporary approaches...
Authors
Susanne Schwinning, Christopher J. Lorti, Todd Esque, Lesley A. DeFalco
Seed menus: An integrated decision-support framework for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert Seed menus: An integrated decision-support framework for native plant restoration in the Mojave Desert
The combination of ecosystem stressors, rapid climate change, and increasing landscape-scale development has necessitated active restoration across large tracts of disturbed habitats in the arid southwestern United States. In this context, programmatic directives such as the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration have increasingly emphasized improved restoration...
Authors
Daniel F. Shryock, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd Esque
Protocol for route restoration in California’s desert renewable energy conservation plan area Protocol for route restoration in California’s desert renewable energy conservation plan area
In the deserts of the Southwestern United States, increased off-highway vehicle use can lead to widespread vehicular damage to desert ecosystems. As the popularity and intensity of vehicle use on public lands continues, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is challenged to manage the routes used by recreationists while minimizing activity beyond designated routes and mitigating...
Authors
Todd Esque, Ka-Voka R. Jackson, Alexandrea M. Rice, Jeffery K. Childers, Caroline S. Woods, Amy Fesnock-Parker, Andrew C. Johnson, Lauren J. Price, Kristin E. Forgrave, Sara J. Scoles-Sciulla, Lesley A. DeFalco
Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata Local climate adaptations in two ubiquitous Mojave Desert shrub species, Ambrosia dumosa and Larrea tridentata
Widely distributed species are often locally adapted to climate gradients across their ranges. But little is known about the patterns of intraspecific adaptation in desert shrubs.We examined the questions of local adaptation in multiple populations of two common shrub species of the winter-wet Mojave Desert in North America in a multiple common garden experiment. Plants were raised in...
Authors
Nathan A. Custer, Susan Schwinning, Lesley A. DeFalco, Todd Esque
Priority species lists to restore desert tortoise and pollinator habitats in Mojave Desert shrublands Priority species lists to restore desert tortoise and pollinator habitats in Mojave Desert shrublands
Mojave Desert shrublands are home to unique plants and wildlife and are experiencing rapid habitat change due to unprecedented large-scale disturbances; yet, established practices to effectively restore disturbed landscapes are not well developed. A priority species list of native plant taxa was developed to guide seed collectors, commercial growers, resource managers, and restoration
Authors
Todd Esque, Lesley A. DeFalco, Gayle Loren Tyree, K. Kristina Drake, Kenneth E. Nussear, Joseph S Wilson