Michael Runge, Ph.D.
Michael Runge is a research ecologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center, where he has worked since 1999.
Professional Experience
2001-present Research Ecologist at USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center (Previously Patuxent Wildlife Research Center)
2009 to 2010 visiting scientist at the University of Melbourne, School of Botany
1989 to 1994 taught math and science at St. Francis High School in Louisville, Kentucky
Education and Certifications
B.A. in biology and philosophy (1989) from the Johns Hopkins University
M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) in biology (1994) from Spalding University
Ph.D. in wildlife science (1999),with minors in biometrics and agricultural economics, from Cornell University
Honors and Awards
Regional Director’s Award for Excellence in Communication. USGS Western Region. November 2007. “In recognition of outstanding science leading to enhanced understanding of the relation bet
Unit Award for Excellence of Service. U.S. Department of Interior. November 2007. In recognition of the outstanding contributions of the International Polar Bear Science Team
Unit Award for Excellence of Service. U.S. Department of Interior. September 2007. In recognition of introducing the adaptive management initiative across the Department
Regional Director’s Conservation Award, USFWS Region 4. May 2007. For contributions to and partnership in the science and recovery efforts of the Florida manatee.
Extraordinary Contribution. Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, USFWS. June 2003. For extraordinary contributions to Fulfilling the Promise.
Superior Service Award. United States Department of Interior. October 2005. For making your science available to natural resource managers for use in their management decisions
STAR Award - USFWS Region 5. June 2004. For outstanding contributions to improving wildlife management science on National Wildlife Refuges
STAR Award - USGS. August 2003. For supporting the USFWS in the manatee incidental take rule-making.
STAR Award - PWRC, U.S. Geological Survey. January 2002. For helping organize and present the Adaptive Management Workshop at the 2001 Wildlife Society Meeting.
STAR Award - PWRC, U.S. Geological Survey. January 2002. For helping organize and present the Adaptive Management Workshop at the 2001 Wildlife Society Meeting.
Gamma Sigma Delta. Cornell University. Election, May 1998.
Delta Epsilon Sigma. Spalding University. Election, April 1994.
Phi Beta Kappa. Johns Hopkins University. Election, March 1988.
Presidential Scholar. The White House. June 1985.
Science and Products
Ask not what nature can do for you: A critique of ecosystem services as a communication strategy
Helping decision makers frame, analyze, and implement decisions
Brown trout in the Lees Ferry reach of the Colorado River—Evaluation of causal hypotheses and potential interventions
Decision support frameworks and tools for conservation
Strengthening links between waterfowl research and management
Implementing the 2012 North American Waterfowl Management Plan revision: Populations, habitat, and people
Estimating the per-capita contribution of habitats and pathways in a migratory network: A modelling approach
The value of information for woodland management: Updating a state–transition model
An expert elicitation process to project the frequency and magnitude of Florida manatee mortality events caused by red tide (Karenia brevis)
New interventions are needed to save coral reefs
Harvesting wildlife affected by climate change: a modelling and management approach for polar bears
Rapid prototyping for decision structuring: An efficient approach to conservation decision analysis
Science and Products
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Ask not what nature can do for you: A critique of ecosystem services as a communication strategy
Given the urgent need to raise public awareness on biodiversity issues, we review the effectiveness of “ecosystem services” as a frame for promoting biodiversity conservation. Since its inception as a communications tool in the 1970s, the concept of ecosystem services has become pervasive in biodiversity policy. While the goal of securing ecosystem services is absolutely legitimate, we argue thatAuthorsSarah A. Bekessy, Michael C. Runge, Alex Kusmanoff, David A. Keith, Brendan A. WintleHelping decision makers frame, analyze, and implement decisions
All decisions have the same recognizable elements. Context, objectives, alternatives, consequences, and deliberation. Decision makers and analysts familiar with these elements can quickly see the underlying structure of a decision.There are only a small number of classes of decisions. These classes differ in the cognitive and scientific challenge they present to the decision maker; the ability toAuthorsMichael C. Runge, Eve McDonald-MaddenBrown trout in the Lees Ferry reach of the Colorado River—Evaluation of causal hypotheses and potential interventions
Over the period 2014–2016, the number of nonnative brown trout (Salmo trutta) captured during routine monitoring in the Lees Ferry reach of the Colorado River, downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, began increasing. Management agencies and stakeholders have questioned whether the increase in brown trout in the Lees Ferry reach represents a threat to the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha), to the rainbAuthorsMichael C. Runge, Charles B. Yackulic, Lucas S. Bair, Theodore A. Kennedy, Richard A. Valdez, Craig Ellsworth, Jeffrey L. Kershner, R. Scott Rogers, Melissa A. Trammell, Kirk L. YoungDecision support frameworks and tools for conservation
The practice of conservation occurs within complex socioecological systems fraught with challenges that require transparent, defensible, and often socially engaged project planning and management. Planning and decision support frameworks are designed to help conservation practitioners increase planning rigor, project accountability, stakeholder participation, transparency in decisions, and learninAuthorsMark W. Schwartz, Carly N. Cook, Robert L. Pressey, Andrew S. Pullin, Michael C. Runge, Nick Salafsky, William J. Sutherland, Matthew A. WilliamsonStrengthening links between waterfowl research and management
Waterfowl monitoring, research, regulation, and adaptive planning are leading the way in supporting science-informed wildlife management. However, increasing societal demands on natural resources have created a greater need for adaptable and successful linkages between waterfowl science and management. We presented a special session at the 2016 North American Duck Symposium, Annapolis, Maryland, UAuthorsAnthony J. Roberts, John M. Eadie, David Howerter, Fred A. Johnson, James D. Nichols, Michael C. Runge, Mark Vrtiska, Byron K. WilliamsImplementing the 2012 North American Waterfowl Management Plan revision: Populations, habitat, and people
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) has established a model for wildlife conservation planning over the last 3 decades. Management at a continental scale, leveraged funding, regional partnerships, and a strong science basis have been notable features. Periodic updates to the NAWMP occurred since implementation in 1986; however, a fundamental revision was accomplished in 2012 afterAuthorsDale D. Humburg, Michael G. Anderson, Michael G. Brasher, Michael F. Carter, John M. Eadie, David C. Fulton, Fred A. Johnson, Michael C. Runge, Mark P. VrtiskaEstimating the per-capita contribution of habitats and pathways in a migratory network: A modelling approach
Every year, migratory species undertake seasonal movements along different pathways between discrete regions and habitats. The ability to assess the relative demographic contributions of these different habitats and pathways to the species’ overall population dynamics is critical for understanding the ecology of migratory species, and also has practical applications for management and conservationAuthorsRuscena Wiederholt, Brady J. Mattsson, Wayne E. Thogmartin, Michael C. Runge, Jay E. Diffendorfer, Richard A. Erickson, Paula Federico, Laura Lopez-Hoffman, John Fryxell, D. Ryan Norris, Christine SampleThe value of information for woodland management: Updating a state–transition model
Value of information (VOI) analyses reveal the expected benefit of reducing uncertainty to a decision maker. Most ecological VOI analyses have focused on population models rarely addressing more complex community models. We performed a VOI analysis for a complex state–transition model of Box-Ironbark Forest and Woodland management. With three management alternatives (limited harvest/firewood removAuthorsWilliam K. Morris, Michael C. Runge, Peter A. VeskAn expert elicitation process to project the frequency and magnitude of Florida manatee mortality events caused by red tide (Karenia brevis)
Red tides (blooms of the harmful alga Karenia brevis) are one of the major sources of mortality for the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), especially in southwest Florida. It has been hypothesized that the frequency and severity of red tides may increase in the future because of global climate change and other factors. To improve our ecological forecast for the effects of red tidesAuthorsJulien Martin, Michael C. Runge, Leanne J. Flewelling, Charles J. Deutsch, Jan H. LandsbergNew interventions are needed to save coral reefs
Since 2014, coral reefs worldwide have been subjected to the most extensive, prolonged and damaging heat wave in recorded history1. Large sections of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) bleached in response to heat stress in 2016 and 2017 — the first back-to-back event on record. Such severe coral bleaching results in widespread loss of reef habitat and biodiversity. Globally, we are facing catasAuthorsKen Anthony, Line K. Bay, Robert Costanza, Jennifer Firn, John Gunn, Peter Harrison, Andrew Heyward, Petra Lundgren, David Mead, Tom Moore, Peter J. Mumby, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, John Robertson, Michael C. Runge, David J. Suggett, Britta Schaffelke, David Wachenfeld, Terry WalsheHarvesting wildlife affected by climate change: a modelling and management approach for polar bears
The conservation of many wildlife species requires understanding the demographic effects of climate change, including interactions between climate change and harvest, which can provide cultural, nutritional or economic value to humans.We present a demographic model that is based on the polar bear Ursus maritimus life cycle and includes density-dependent relationships linking vital rates to environAuthorsEric V. Regehr, Ryan H. Wilson, Karyn D. Rode, Michael C. Runge, Harry SternRapid prototyping for decision structuring: An efficient approach to conservation decision analysis
No abstract available.AuthorsGeorgia E. Garrard, Libby Rumpff, Michael C. Runge, Sarah J. Converse - Web Tools
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