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Matthew Gould, Ph.D.

Matthew Gould is an ecologist whose research quantifies the demographic and genetic response of large carnivores to an ever-changing landscape to help inform their conservation and management.

Matthew Gould conducts research on 1) grizzly and black bear ecology and management, 2) demographic modeling to inform carnivore conservation and management, 3) conservation genetics, and 4) wildlife-habitat relationships. Matthew started his wildlife career working for the Cabinet/Yaak Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Program in northwest Montana.

Professional Experience

  • Matthew is a biologist with the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and is part of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team, a group of biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

  • Previously, Matthew was a postdoctoral research scientist at New Mexico State University and, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Raptor Program, used Bayesian integrated population models and collision risk models to better understand raptor populations across North America.

  • In the past, Matthew has collaborated with researchers to estimate demographic and genetic parameters for the American black bear, mountain lion, and American badger.

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Biology. New Mexico State University

  • M.S. Biology. New Mexico State University

  • B.S. Wildlife Biology. University of Montana

Science and Products

link
Grizzly Bear and Cub in Yellowstone National Park

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
Learn More
link
Female grizzly with cubs

Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The team was formed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1973 as a direct result of controversy surrounding the closure of open pit garbage dumps within Yellowstone...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The team was formed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1973 as a direct result of controversy surrounding the closure of open pit garbage dumps within Yellowstone...
Learn More

Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014

Microsatellite genotypes for American black bears collected by Gould et al. 2002 and used to assess the genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Genotypes are for Ursus americanus individuals.
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Documented known and probable grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, 2015-2023 (ver. 3.0 April 2024)

We evaluate mortalities for population segments within the DMA by deriving estimates of total mortality for independent-age (equal to or less than 2 years old) females and independent-age males, including estimates of unknown/unreported mortalities based on Cherry et al. (2002). We then determine the total annual mortality rate for these segments as a percent of their respective population estimat
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico

The phylogeography of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) is characterized by isolation into glacial refugia, followed by population expansion and genetic admixture. Anthropogenic activities, including overharvest, habitat loss, and transportation infrastructure, have also influenced their landscape genetic structure. We describe the genetic structure of the American black bear in the Ameri
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, James W. Cain, Todd C. Atwood, Larisa E. Harding, Heather E. Johnson, Dave P. Onorato, Frederic S. Winslow, Gary W. Roemer
By
Cooperative Research Units, Alaska Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Validating the performance of occupancy models for estimating habitat use and predicting the distribution of highly-mobile species: A case study using the American black bear

Occupancy models have become a valuable tool for estimating wildlife-habitat relationships and for predicting species distributions. Highly-mobile species often violate the assumption that sampling units are geographically closed shifting the probability of occupancy to be interpreted as the probability of use. We used occupancy models, in conjunction with noninvasive sampling, to estimate habitat
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, William R. Gould, James W. Cain, Gary W. Roemer
By
Cooperative Research Units

Density of American black bears in New Mexico

Considering advances in noninvasive genetic sampling and spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sought to update their density estimates for American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in New Mexico, USA, to aide in setting sustainable harvest limits. We estimated black bear density in the Sangre de Cristo, Sandia, and Sacramento Mount
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, James W. Cain, Gary W. Roemer, William R. Gould, Stewart Liley
By
Cooperative Research Units

Non-USGS Publications**

Millsap, B.A., Gedir, J.V., Abadi, F., Gould, M.J., and Madden, K., 2023, A two-sex integrated population model reveals intersexual differences in life history strategies in Cooper’s hawks: Ecosphere, v. 14, no. 1, p. e4368.
Gould, M.J., Gramza, A.R., and Picardi, S., 2021, Early Career Researchers’ Views on Publishing in The Journal of Wildlife Management: The Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 85, no. 8, p. 1523–1526.
Gould, M.J., and Harrison, R.L., 2018, A novel approach to estimating density of American badgers (Taxidea taxus) using automatic cameras at water sources in the Chihuahuan Desert: Journal of Mammalogy, v. 99, no. 1, p. 233–241.
Gelin, M.L., Branch, L.C., Thornton, D.H., Novaro, A.J., Gould, M.J., and Caragiulo, A., 2017, Response of pumas (Puma concolor) to migration of their primary prey in Patagonia (J. Goodrich, Ed.): PLOS ONE, v. 12, no. 12, p. e0188877.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Science and Products

link
Grizzly Bear and Cub in Yellowstone National Park

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Informing Management Options for grizzly bears in a Changing Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Project Overview The iconic grizzly bear of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has exhibited a remarkable recovery in response to concerted conservation actions implemented since its listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975. However, information regarding the potential effects and timing of climate change in conjunction with increasing human recreation and development will be
Learn More
link
Female grizzly with cubs

Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The team was formed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1973 as a direct result of controversy surrounding the closure of open pit garbage dumps within Yellowstone...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
link

Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) is an interdisciplinary group of scientists and biologists responsible for long-term monitoring and research efforts on grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). The team was formed by the Department of the Interior (DOI) in 1973 as a direct result of controversy surrounding the closure of open pit garbage dumps within Yellowstone...
Learn More

Genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico, 1994-2014

Microsatellite genotypes for American black bears collected by Gould et al. 2002 and used to assess the genetic structure of American black bear populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Genotypes are for Ursus americanus individuals.
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Documented known and probable grizzly bear mortalities in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, 2015-2023 (ver. 3.0 April 2024)

We evaluate mortalities for population segments within the DMA by deriving estimates of total mortality for independent-age (equal to or less than 2 years old) females and independent-age males, including estimates of unknown/unreported mortalities based on Cherry et al. (2002). We then determine the total annual mortality rate for these segments as a percent of their respective population estimat
By
Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Pleistocene–Holocene vicariance, not Anthropocene landscape change, explains the genetic structure of American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in the American Southwest and northern Mexico

The phylogeography of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) is characterized by isolation into glacial refugia, followed by population expansion and genetic admixture. Anthropogenic activities, including overharvest, habitat loss, and transportation infrastructure, have also influenced their landscape genetic structure. We describe the genetic structure of the American black bear in the Ameri
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, James W. Cain, Todd C. Atwood, Larisa E. Harding, Heather E. Johnson, Dave P. Onorato, Frederic S. Winslow, Gary W. Roemer
By
Cooperative Research Units, Alaska Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Validating the performance of occupancy models for estimating habitat use and predicting the distribution of highly-mobile species: A case study using the American black bear

Occupancy models have become a valuable tool for estimating wildlife-habitat relationships and for predicting species distributions. Highly-mobile species often violate the assumption that sampling units are geographically closed shifting the probability of occupancy to be interpreted as the probability of use. We used occupancy models, in conjunction with noninvasive sampling, to estimate habitat
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, William R. Gould, James W. Cain, Gary W. Roemer
By
Cooperative Research Units

Density of American black bears in New Mexico

Considering advances in noninvasive genetic sampling and spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish sought to update their density estimates for American black bear (Ursus americanus) populations in New Mexico, USA, to aide in setting sustainable harvest limits. We estimated black bear density in the Sangre de Cristo, Sandia, and Sacramento Mount
Authors
Matthew J. Gould, James W. Cain, Gary W. Roemer, William R. Gould, Stewart Liley
By
Cooperative Research Units

Non-USGS Publications**

Millsap, B.A., Gedir, J.V., Abadi, F., Gould, M.J., and Madden, K., 2023, A two-sex integrated population model reveals intersexual differences in life history strategies in Cooper’s hawks: Ecosphere, v. 14, no. 1, p. e4368.
Gould, M.J., Gramza, A.R., and Picardi, S., 2021, Early Career Researchers’ Views on Publishing in The Journal of Wildlife Management: The Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 85, no. 8, p. 1523–1526.
Gould, M.J., and Harrison, R.L., 2018, A novel approach to estimating density of American badgers (Taxidea taxus) using automatic cameras at water sources in the Chihuahuan Desert: Journal of Mammalogy, v. 99, no. 1, p. 233–241.
Gelin, M.L., Branch, L.C., Thornton, D.H., Novaro, A.J., Gould, M.J., and Caragiulo, A., 2017, Response of pumas (Puma concolor) to migration of their primary prey in Patagonia (J. Goodrich, Ed.): PLOS ONE, v. 12, no. 12, p. e0188877.

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

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