I am an Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. I provide spatial analysis and remote sensing support to Research Scientists and their staff across our Science Center as the GIS Coordinator.
As GIS Coordinator, I support a variety of research programs involving a diverse array of aquatic and terrestrial environments using software tools, data acquisition and development and documentation efforts, and presentation/outreach to the scientific community and the general public. I act as an interface between the Bureau's Enterprise Geospatial program, our local IT program and GIS field/office practitioners. My work has supported research efforts on a variety of at risk species such as the Marbled Murrelet, Condor, Golden Eagle, and Spotted Frog. I have worked across agency boundaries on numerous projects supporting wildlife research in the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Experience
1998- Present: Ecologist/GIS Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
1995-1998: GIS Specialist, Indus Corp., Contractor to US Environmental Protection Agency, Western Ecology Division
1994 -1995: GIS Analyst, Cartography 3, State of Oregon Department of Energy, Service Center for GIS
1991-1994: Ecologist, Computer Program/GIS, U.S Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Siuslaw National Forest
Education and Certifications
M.S. Biological Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA (1991)
B.S. Park Resources Management, California State University, Sacramento, CA (1978)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
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.
Forest stands and LiDAR derived model estimates of marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) occupancy in the Coos Bay BLM District, Southwestern Oregon
We used murrelet occupancy data collected by the Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District and canopy metrics calculated from discrete return airborne LiDAR data to fit a logistic regression model predicting the probability of occupancy. Our final model for stand-level occupancy included distance to coast and 5 LiDAR-derived variables describing canopy structure. This dataset is a shapefile of f
Air and stream temperature and pressure for HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, Western Oregon, 2020
This dataset includes temperature and pressure data from 26 sites in the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon. Stream and Air data loggers were deployed in June of 2020 and downloaded in October 2020. The HJ_Andrews_Temperature file contains temperature data (in C) by logger serial number, site, and usage for the study period. The HJ_Andrews_Pressure file contains pressure data (in kPa
Long-distance movements of non-migratory golden eagles in western North America, 2007-2017
We studied >500 golden eagles tracked by telemetry over a 10-year period in western North America, of which 160 engaged in non-routine, long-distance (> 300 km) movements. We identified spatial and temporal correlates of those movements at both small and large scales, and we quantified movement timing and direction. We further tested which age and sex classes of eagles were more likely to en
Capture-mark-recapture data for Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) along the Deschutes River, Oregon, 2016-2019
This dataset contains information from capture-mark-recapture sampling of Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) conducted 2016-2019 by USGS as part of a study relating R. pretiosa survival and abundance to wetland inundation in the upper Deschutes River. Data consist of site, survey, habitat, and species detection covariates, as well as 10 years of hydrological and drought metrics used to establish
Riparian Final Vegclass. Olympic National Park NRCA Westside Rivers Riparian Vegetation Project (2016)
Beschta and Ripple (2012) assert that increased elk populations in the Olympic National Park due to extirpation of wolves in the 1920s has led to a reduction in riparian vegetation. They hypothesize that a decrease in this vegetation has led to an increase in erosion and undercutting of large conifer trees along the river banks, causing woody debris in the river, which in turn impacts channel morp
Estimated Probabilities from Lidar Models for Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Occupancy in Forest Vegetation Stands in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon
We developed a LiDAR-based habitat model for the threatened Marbled Murrelet (MAMU) in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon, using a two-step approach. First, we tested the applicability of the LiDAR-based model developed for the Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the Siuslaw N.F. In the second step, we tested alternative habitat models developed with forest structural data
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.
Interpreting long-distance movements of non-migratory golden eagles: Prospecting and nomadism?
Movements by animals can serve different functions and occur over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Routine movement types, such as residency (localized movements) and migration, have been well studied. However, nonroutine movement types, such as dispersal, prospecting, and nomadism, are less well understood. Documenting these rarely detected events requires tracking large numbers of indiv
Demography of the Oregon spotted frog along a hydrologically modified river
Altered flow regimes can contribute to dissociation between life history strategies and environmental conditions, leading to reduced persistence reported for many wildlife populations inhabiting regulated rivers. The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a threatened species occurring in floodplains, ponds, and wetlands in the Pacific Northwest with a core range in Oregon, USA. All life stages of
Tree mortality in blue oak woodland during extreme drought in Sequoia National Park, California
Blue oak woodlands in California have been a focus of conservation concern for many years. Numerous studies have found that existing seedling and sapling numbers are inadequate to sustain current populations, and recent work has suggested that blue oak woodlands might be particularly vulnerable to a warming climate. California has recently experienced a drought of historically unprecedented severi
Removal of cattle grazing correlates with increases in vegetation productivity and in abundance of imperiled breeding birds
Livestock grazing is the most prevalent land use practice in the western United States and a widespread cause of degradation of riparian vegetation. Riparian areas provide high-quality habitat for many species of declining migratory breeding birds. We analyzed changes in vegetation and bird abundance at a wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon over 24 years, following cessation of 120 years of liv
Modeling habitat for Marbled Murrelets on the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon, using lidar data
Habitat models using lidar-derived variables that quantify fine-scale variation in vegetation structure can improve the accuracy of occupancy estimates for canopy-dwelling species over models that use variables derived from other remote sensing techniques. However, the ability of models developed at such a fine spatial scale to maintain accuracy at regional or larger spatial scales has not been te
Mercury and drought along the lower Carson River, Nevada: IV. Snowy egret post-fledging dispersal, timing of migration and survival, 2002–2004
This telemetry study is an extension of our 1997–2006 research on historical mercury contamination on snowy egrets (Egretta thula) up to ~ 20 days of age. Findings from initial studies at the mercury-contaminated Carson River colony at Lahontan Reservoir (LR) and a similar-sized reference (REF) colony on the Humboldt River included mercury-related physiological, biochemical, histopathological and
Using occupancy models to accommodate uncertainty in the interpretation of aerial photograph data: status of beaver in Central Oregon, USA
Beavers (Castor canadensis) influence habitat for many species and pose challenges in developed landscapes. They are increasingly viewed as a cost-efficient means of riparian habitat restoration and water storage. Still, information on their status is rare, particularly in western North America. We used aerial photography to evaluate changes in beaver occupancy between 1942–1968 and 2009 in upper
North Cascades National Park Service Complex
Natural Resource Condition Assessments (NRCAs) evaluate current conditions for a subset of natural resources and resource indicators in national parks. NRCAs also report on trends in resource condition (when possible), identify critical data gaps, and characterize a general level of confidence for study findings. The resources and indicators emphasized in a given project depend on the park’s resou
Modeling marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) habitat using LiDAR-derived canopy data
LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is an emerging remote-sensing tool that can provide fine-scale data describing vertical complexity of vegetation relevant to species that are responsive to forest structure. We used LiDAR data to estimate occupancy probability for the federally threatened marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the Oregon Coast Range of the United States. Our goal was to
Golden eagle records from the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey: information for wind energy management and planning
The purpose of this Data Series report is to provide the occasions, locations, and counts when golden eagles were recorded during the annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Surveys. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are protected by Federal statutes including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 USC 668-668c) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 USC 703-12). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
A Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Rocky Mountain National Park
We conducted a natural resource assessment of Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO) to provide a synthesis of existing scientific data and knowledge to address the current conditions for a subset of important park natural resources. The intent is for this report to help provide park resource managers with data and information, particularly in the form of spatially-explicit maps and GIS databases, ab
Science and Products
- Data
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.
Forest stands and LiDAR derived model estimates of marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) occupancy in the Coos Bay BLM District, Southwestern Oregon
We used murrelet occupancy data collected by the Bureau of Land Management Coos Bay District and canopy metrics calculated from discrete return airborne LiDAR data to fit a logistic regression model predicting the probability of occupancy. Our final model for stand-level occupancy included distance to coast and 5 LiDAR-derived variables describing canopy structure. This dataset is a shapefile of fAir and stream temperature and pressure for HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, Western Oregon, 2020
This dataset includes temperature and pressure data from 26 sites in the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon. Stream and Air data loggers were deployed in June of 2020 and downloaded in October 2020. The HJ_Andrews_Temperature file contains temperature data (in C) by logger serial number, site, and usage for the study period. The HJ_Andrews_Pressure file contains pressure data (in kPaLong-distance movements of non-migratory golden eagles in western North America, 2007-2017
We studied >500 golden eagles tracked by telemetry over a 10-year period in western North America, of which 160 engaged in non-routine, long-distance (> 300 km) movements. We identified spatial and temporal correlates of those movements at both small and large scales, and we quantified movement timing and direction. We further tested which age and sex classes of eagles were more likely to enCapture-mark-recapture data for Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) along the Deschutes River, Oregon, 2016-2019
This dataset contains information from capture-mark-recapture sampling of Oregon spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) conducted 2016-2019 by USGS as part of a study relating R. pretiosa survival and abundance to wetland inundation in the upper Deschutes River. Data consist of site, survey, habitat, and species detection covariates, as well as 10 years of hydrological and drought metrics used to establishRiparian Final Vegclass. Olympic National Park NRCA Westside Rivers Riparian Vegetation Project (2016)
Beschta and Ripple (2012) assert that increased elk populations in the Olympic National Park due to extirpation of wolves in the 1920s has led to a reduction in riparian vegetation. They hypothesize that a decrease in this vegetation has led to an increase in erosion and undercutting of large conifer trees along the river banks, causing woody debris in the river, which in turn impacts channel morpEstimated Probabilities from Lidar Models for Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Occupancy in Forest Vegetation Stands in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon
We developed a LiDAR-based habitat model for the threatened Marbled Murrelet (MAMU) in the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon, using a two-step approach. First, we tested the applicability of the LiDAR-based model developed for the Coos Bay District of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the Siuslaw N.F. In the second step, we tested alternative habitat models developed with forest structural data - Publications
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.
Interpreting long-distance movements of non-migratory golden eagles: Prospecting and nomadism?
Movements by animals can serve different functions and occur over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Routine movement types, such as residency (localized movements) and migration, have been well studied. However, nonroutine movement types, such as dispersal, prospecting, and nomadism, are less well understood. Documenting these rarely detected events requires tracking large numbers of indivDemography of the Oregon spotted frog along a hydrologically modified river
Altered flow regimes can contribute to dissociation between life history strategies and environmental conditions, leading to reduced persistence reported for many wildlife populations inhabiting regulated rivers. The Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) is a threatened species occurring in floodplains, ponds, and wetlands in the Pacific Northwest with a core range in Oregon, USA. All life stages ofTree mortality in blue oak woodland during extreme drought in Sequoia National Park, California
Blue oak woodlands in California have been a focus of conservation concern for many years. Numerous studies have found that existing seedling and sapling numbers are inadequate to sustain current populations, and recent work has suggested that blue oak woodlands might be particularly vulnerable to a warming climate. California has recently experienced a drought of historically unprecedented severiRemoval of cattle grazing correlates with increases in vegetation productivity and in abundance of imperiled breeding birds
Livestock grazing is the most prevalent land use practice in the western United States and a widespread cause of degradation of riparian vegetation. Riparian areas provide high-quality habitat for many species of declining migratory breeding birds. We analyzed changes in vegetation and bird abundance at a wildlife refuge in southeastern Oregon over 24 years, following cessation of 120 years of livModeling habitat for Marbled Murrelets on the Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon, using lidar data
Habitat models using lidar-derived variables that quantify fine-scale variation in vegetation structure can improve the accuracy of occupancy estimates for canopy-dwelling species over models that use variables derived from other remote sensing techniques. However, the ability of models developed at such a fine spatial scale to maintain accuracy at regional or larger spatial scales has not been teMercury and drought along the lower Carson River, Nevada: IV. Snowy egret post-fledging dispersal, timing of migration and survival, 2002–2004
This telemetry study is an extension of our 1997–2006 research on historical mercury contamination on snowy egrets (Egretta thula) up to ~ 20 days of age. Findings from initial studies at the mercury-contaminated Carson River colony at Lahontan Reservoir (LR) and a similar-sized reference (REF) colony on the Humboldt River included mercury-related physiological, biochemical, histopathological andUsing occupancy models to accommodate uncertainty in the interpretation of aerial photograph data: status of beaver in Central Oregon, USA
Beavers (Castor canadensis) influence habitat for many species and pose challenges in developed landscapes. They are increasingly viewed as a cost-efficient means of riparian habitat restoration and water storage. Still, information on their status is rare, particularly in western North America. We used aerial photography to evaluate changes in beaver occupancy between 1942–1968 and 2009 in upperNorth Cascades National Park Service Complex
Natural Resource Condition Assessments (NRCAs) evaluate current conditions for a subset of natural resources and resource indicators in national parks. NRCAs also report on trends in resource condition (when possible), identify critical data gaps, and characterize a general level of confidence for study findings. The resources and indicators emphasized in a given project depend on the park’s resouModeling marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) habitat using LiDAR-derived canopy data
LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) is an emerging remote-sensing tool that can provide fine-scale data describing vertical complexity of vegetation relevant to species that are responsive to forest structure. We used LiDAR data to estimate occupancy probability for the federally threatened marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) in the Oregon Coast Range of the United States. Our goal was toGolden eagle records from the Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey: information for wind energy management and planning
The purpose of this Data Series report is to provide the occasions, locations, and counts when golden eagles were recorded during the annual Midwinter Bald Eagle Surveys. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are protected by Federal statutes including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) (16 USC 668-668c) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) (16 USC 703-12). The U.S. Fish and WildlifeA Natural Resource Condition Assessment for Rocky Mountain National Park
We conducted a natural resource assessment of Rocky Mountain National Park (ROMO) to provide a synthesis of existing scientific data and knowledge to address the current conditions for a subset of important park natural resources. The intent is for this report to help provide park resource managers with data and information, particularly in the form of spatially-explicit maps and GIS databases, ab - News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government