Mark A Ricca
I have spent my USGS career focused on addressing science needs of resource managers and agencies across a wide range of ecosystems by integrating concepts from population, community, and ecosystem ecology.
My experience spans ecological systems ranging from desert wetlands in California to sub-arctic islands in Alaska to rangelands of the American West. I now help facilitate science production for principal investigators at FRESC.
Professional Experience
2019-present: Supervisory Biologist-Research Manager, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
2002-2020: Wildlife Biologist, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon, CA
2000-2002: Biological Science Technician, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon, CA
1999: Faculty Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1996-1999: Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
1994-1996: Field Biologist, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA (2013)
M.S., Wildlife Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR (2000)
B.S. Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA (1995)
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: 19
No Result Found
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: 74
Integrating spatially explicit indices of abundance and habitat quality: an applied example for greater sage-grouse management Integrating spatially explicit indices of abundance and habitat quality: an applied example for greater sage-grouse management
Predictive species distributional models are a cornerstone of wildlife conservation planning. Constructing such models requires robust underpinning science that integrates formerly disparate data types to achieve effective species management. Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter “sage-grouse” populations are declining throughout sagebrush-steppe ecosystems in North...
Authors
Peter Coates, Michael Casazza, Mark Ricca, Brianne Brussee, Erik Blomberg, K. Gustafson, Cory Overton, Dawn Davis, Lara Niell, Shawn Espinosa, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty
Long-term effects of wildfire on greater sage-grouse - integrating population and ecosystem concepts for management in the Great Basin Long-term effects of wildfire on greater sage-grouse - integrating population and ecosystem concepts for management in the Great Basin
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereinafter, sage-grouse) are a sagebrush obligate species that has declined concomitantly with the loss and fragmentation of sagebrush ecosystems across most of its geographical range. The species currently is listed as a candidate for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Increasing wildfire frequency and changing...
Authors
Peter Coates, Mark Ricca, Brian G. Prochazka, Kevin E. Doherty, Matthew Brooks, Michael Casazza
Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk
Interactions between large herbivores and their food supply are central to the study of population dynamics. We assessed temporal and spatial patterns in meadow plant biomass over a 23-year period for meadow complexes that were spatially linked to three distinct populations of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) in northwestern California. Our objectives were to determine whether...
Authors
H D Starns, Floyd Weckerly, Mark Ricca, Adam Duarte
Climatic and density influences on recruitment in an irruptive population of Roosevelt elk Climatic and density influences on recruitment in an irruptive population of Roosevelt elk
Current paradigms of ungulate population ecology recognize that density-dependent and independent mechanisms are not always mutually exclusive. Long-term data sets are necessary to assess the relative strength of each mechanism, especially when populations display irruptive dynamics. Using an 18-year time series of population abundances of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti)...
Authors
Heath Starns, Mark Ricca, Adam Duarte, Floyd Weckerly
Dietary mercury exposure to endangered California Clapper Rails in San Francisco Bay Dietary mercury exposure to endangered California Clapper Rails in San Francisco Bay
California Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) are an endangered waterbird that forage in tidal-marsh habitats that pose risks from mercury exposure. We analyzed total mercury (Hg) in six macro-invertebrate and one fish species representing Clapper Rail diets from four tidal-marshes in San Francisco Bay, California. Mercury concentrations among individual taxa ranged from...
Authors
Michael Casazza, Mark A. Ricca, Cory Overton, John Takekawa, Angela Merritt, Joshua T. Ackerman
Irruptive dynamics of introduced caribou on Adak Island, Alaska: an evaluation of Riney-Caughley model predictions Irruptive dynamics of introduced caribou on Adak Island, Alaska: an evaluation of Riney-Caughley model predictions
Large mammalian herbivores introduced to islands without predators are predicted to undergo irruptive population and spatial dynamics, but only a few well-documented case studies support this paradigm. We used the Riney-Caughley model as a framework to test predictions of irruptive population growth and spatial expansion of caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) introduced to Adak Island in...
Authors
Mark A. Ricca, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Floyd Weckerly, Jeffrey C. Williams, A. Miles
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
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: 19
No Result Found
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: 74
Integrating spatially explicit indices of abundance and habitat quality: an applied example for greater sage-grouse management Integrating spatially explicit indices of abundance and habitat quality: an applied example for greater sage-grouse management
Predictive species distributional models are a cornerstone of wildlife conservation planning. Constructing such models requires robust underpinning science that integrates formerly disparate data types to achieve effective species management. Greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter “sage-grouse” populations are declining throughout sagebrush-steppe ecosystems in North...
Authors
Peter Coates, Michael Casazza, Mark Ricca, Brianne Brussee, Erik Blomberg, K. Gustafson, Cory Overton, Dawn Davis, Lara Niell, Shawn Espinosa, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty
Long-term effects of wildfire on greater sage-grouse - integrating population and ecosystem concepts for management in the Great Basin Long-term effects of wildfire on greater sage-grouse - integrating population and ecosystem concepts for management in the Great Basin
Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereinafter, sage-grouse) are a sagebrush obligate species that has declined concomitantly with the loss and fragmentation of sagebrush ecosystems across most of its geographical range. The species currently is listed as a candidate for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Increasing wildfire frequency and changing...
Authors
Peter Coates, Mark Ricca, Brian G. Prochazka, Kevin E. Doherty, Matthew Brooks, Michael Casazza
Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk Vegetation changes associated with a population irruption by Roosevelt elk
Interactions between large herbivores and their food supply are central to the study of population dynamics. We assessed temporal and spatial patterns in meadow plant biomass over a 23-year period for meadow complexes that were spatially linked to three distinct populations of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti) in northwestern California. Our objectives were to determine whether...
Authors
H D Starns, Floyd Weckerly, Mark Ricca, Adam Duarte
Climatic and density influences on recruitment in an irruptive population of Roosevelt elk Climatic and density influences on recruitment in an irruptive population of Roosevelt elk
Current paradigms of ungulate population ecology recognize that density-dependent and independent mechanisms are not always mutually exclusive. Long-term data sets are necessary to assess the relative strength of each mechanism, especially when populations display irruptive dynamics. Using an 18-year time series of population abundances of Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti)...
Authors
Heath Starns, Mark Ricca, Adam Duarte, Floyd Weckerly
Dietary mercury exposure to endangered California Clapper Rails in San Francisco Bay Dietary mercury exposure to endangered California Clapper Rails in San Francisco Bay
California Clapper Rails (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) are an endangered waterbird that forage in tidal-marsh habitats that pose risks from mercury exposure. We analyzed total mercury (Hg) in six macro-invertebrate and one fish species representing Clapper Rail diets from four tidal-marshes in San Francisco Bay, California. Mercury concentrations among individual taxa ranged from...
Authors
Michael Casazza, Mark A. Ricca, Cory Overton, John Takekawa, Angela Merritt, Joshua T. Ackerman
Irruptive dynamics of introduced caribou on Adak Island, Alaska: an evaluation of Riney-Caughley model predictions Irruptive dynamics of introduced caribou on Adak Island, Alaska: an evaluation of Riney-Caughley model predictions
Large mammalian herbivores introduced to islands without predators are predicted to undergo irruptive population and spatial dynamics, but only a few well-documented case studies support this paradigm. We used the Riney-Caughley model as a framework to test predictions of irruptive population growth and spatial expansion of caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) introduced to Adak Island in...
Authors
Mark A. Ricca, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Floyd Weckerly, Jeffrey C. Williams, A. Miles
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.