Patrick Shafroth, PhD
Patrick B. Shafroth is a Scientist Emeritus at the Arizona Water Science Center.
Since 1991, Dr. Shafroth has conducted research on river and riparian systems, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of western U.S. He and his colleagues from the USGS and other institutions have focused their work on understanding relationships between surface and ground-water hydrology, fluvial processes, and the dynamics of native and introduced riparian vegetation. This research has often had strong application to resource management (particularly DOI sister agencies), by providing solid, objective scientific information to inform riparian management and restoration. Specific applications have included studies of large-scale flow experiments, dam removal, effects of invasive species control, system responses to various restoration actions, vegetation responses to drought, and system responses to high intensity wildfires.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Arizona State University, 1999
M.S. in Forest Ecology, Colorado State University, 1993
B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1989
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 131
Elevated CO2 does not offset greater water stress predicted under climate change for native and exotic riparian plants Elevated CO2 does not offset greater water stress predicted under climate change for native and exotic riparian plants
In semiarid western North American riparian ecosystems, increased drought and lower streamflows under climate change may reduce plant growth and recruitment, and favor drought‐tolerant exotic species over mesic native species. We tested whether elevated atmospheric CO2 might ameliorate these effects by improving plant water‐use efficiency.We examined the effects of CO2 and water...
Authors
Laura G. Perry, Patrick B. Shafroth, Dana M. Blumenthal, Jack A. Morgan, Daniel R. LeCain
Riparian restoration in the context of Tamarix control in the western United States: Chapter 23 Riparian restoration in the context of Tamarix control in the western United States: Chapter 23
This chapter focuses on the restoration of riparian systems in the context of Tamarix control—that is, Tamarix-dominated sites are converted to a replacement vegetation type that achieves specific management goals and helps return parts of the system to a desired and more natural state or dynamic. It reviews research related to restoring native riparian vegetation following tamarix...
Authors
Patrick B. Shafroth, David M. Merritt, Mark K. Briggs, Vanessa B. Beauchamp, Kenneth D. Lair, Michael L. Scott, Anna Sher
Tamarix, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology Tamarix, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
This chapter explores the impact of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology on the distribution and abundance of Tamarix as well as the reciprocal effects of Tamarix on hydrologic and geomorphic conditions. It examines whether flow-regime alteration favors Tamarix establishment over native species, and how Tamarix stands modify processes involved in the narrowing of river channels and the...
Authors
Daniel A. Auerbach, David M. Merritt, Patrick B. Shafroth
Woody riparian vegetation near selected streamgages in the western United States Woody riparian vegetation near selected streamgages in the western United States
Areal cover and occupancy of woody riparian species near 456 streamgages in the western United States were obtained from site visits during the growing seasons of 1996-2002. We made concomitant estimates of grazing intensity, channel stabilization and incision, gradient, sediment particle size, and nearby planting of Russian olive. The purpose of this publication is to describe the data...
Authors
Gregor T. Auble, Jonathan M. Friedman, Patrick B. Shafroth, Michael F. Merigliano, Michael L. Scott
Edaphic, salinity, and stand structural trends in chronosequences of native and non-native dominated riparian forests along the Colorado River, USA Edaphic, salinity, and stand structural trends in chronosequences of native and non-native dominated riparian forests along the Colorado River, USA
Tamarix spp. are introduced shrubs that have become among the most abundant woody plants growing along western North American rivers. We sought to empirically test the long-held belief that Tamarix actively displaces native species through elevating soil salinity via salt exudation. We measured chemical and physical attributes of soils (e.g., salinity, major cations and anions, texture)...
Authors
David M. Merritt, Patrick B. Shafroth
Vulnerability of riparian ecosystems to elevated CO2 and climate change in arid and semiarid western North America Vulnerability of riparian ecosystems to elevated CO2 and climate change in arid and semiarid western North America
Riparian ecosystems, already greatly altered by water management, land development, and biological invasion, are being further altered by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) and climate change, particularly in arid and semiarid (dryland) regions. In this literature review, we (1) summarize expected changes in [CO2], climate, hydrology, and water management in dryland...
Authors
Laura G. Perry, Douglas C. Andersen, Lindsay V. Reynolds, S. Mark Nelson, Patrick B. Shafroth
The influence of chilling requirement on the southern distribution limit of exotic Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in western North America The influence of chilling requirement on the southern distribution limit of exotic Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in western North America
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), a Eurasian tree now abundant along rivers in western North America, has an apparent southern distribution limit running through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We used field observations to precisely define this limit in relation to temperature variables. We then investigated whether lack of cold temperatures south of the...
Authors
Kimberly R. Guilbault, C. S. Brown, Jonathan M. Friedman, P.B. Shafroth
Legacies of flood reduction on a dryland river Legacies of flood reduction on a dryland river
The Bill Williams (Arizona) is a regulated dryland river that is being managed, in part, for biodiversity via flow management. To inform management, we contrasted riparian plant communities between the Bill Williams and an upstream free‐flowing tributary (Santa Maria). Goals of a first study (1996–1997) were to identify environmental controls on herbaceous species richness and compare...
Authors
J.C. Stromberg, P.B. Shafroth, A.F. Hazelton
Vegetation of the Elwha River estuary: Chapter 8 in Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington--biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal Vegetation of the Elwha River estuary: Chapter 8 in Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington--biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal
The Elwha River estuary supports one of the most diverse coastal wetland complexes yet described in the Salish Sea region, in terms of vegetation types and plant species richness. Using a combination of aerial imagery and vegetation plot sampling, we identified 6 primary vegetation types and 121 plant species in a 39.7 ha area. Most of the estuary is dominated by woody vegetation types...
Authors
Patrick B. Shafroth, Tracy L. Fuentes, Cynthia Pritekel, Matthew M. Beirne, Vanessa B. Beauchamp
Distribution and abundance of saltcedar and Russian olive in the western United States Distribution and abundance of saltcedar and Russian olive in the western United States
Over the past century, two introduced Eurasian trees, saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) have become wide spread on western United States of American (U.S.) rivers. This paper reviews the literature on the following five key areas related to their distribution and abundance in the western United States: (1) the history of introduction, planting, and...
Authors
Pamela L. Nagler, Edward P. Glenn, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Patrick B. Shafroth
Stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses of rapid floodplain formation along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas Stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses of rapid floodplain formation along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas
The channel of the lower Rio Grande in the Big Bend region rapidly narrows during years of low mean and peak flow. We conducted stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses within two long floodplain trenches to precisely reconstruct the timing and processes of recent floodplain formation. We show that the channel of the Rio Grande narrowed through the oblique and...
Authors
David J. Dean, Linda J. Scott, Patrick B. Shafroth, John C. Schmidt
Managed flood effects on beaver pond habitat in a desert riverine ecosystem, bill williams river, Arizona USA Managed flood effects on beaver pond habitat in a desert riverine ecosystem, bill williams river, Arizona USA
The ecological effects of beaver in warm-desert streams are poorly documented, but potentially significant. For example, stream water and sediment budgets may be affected by increased evaporative losses and sediment retention in beaver ponds. We measured physical attributes of beaver pond and adjacent lotic habitats on a regulated Sonoran Desert stream, the Bill Williams River, after...
Authors
D.C. Andersen, P.B. Shafroth, C.M. Pritekel, M. W. O’Neill
Non-USGS Publications**
Shafroth, P.B., J.C. Stromberg, D.T. Patten, A.E. Springer, and J.M. Wright. 1996. Ground-water recharge and riparian habitat enhancement from water discharged from New Waddell Dam into the Agua Fria River: Phase I--Planning and feasibility. Final Report to Arizona Dept. of Water Resources - Phoenix Active Management Area. Phoenix, AZ78+ap p.
Shafroth, P.B., J.M. Friedman, and L.S. Ischinger. 1994. River salinity has little influence on establishment of cottonwood and saltcedar. Research Information Bulletin 94-95. NBS Information Bulletin.
**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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Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 131
Elevated CO2 does not offset greater water stress predicted under climate change for native and exotic riparian plants Elevated CO2 does not offset greater water stress predicted under climate change for native and exotic riparian plants
In semiarid western North American riparian ecosystems, increased drought and lower streamflows under climate change may reduce plant growth and recruitment, and favor drought‐tolerant exotic species over mesic native species. We tested whether elevated atmospheric CO2 might ameliorate these effects by improving plant water‐use efficiency.We examined the effects of CO2 and water...
Authors
Laura G. Perry, Patrick B. Shafroth, Dana M. Blumenthal, Jack A. Morgan, Daniel R. LeCain
Riparian restoration in the context of Tamarix control in the western United States: Chapter 23 Riparian restoration in the context of Tamarix control in the western United States: Chapter 23
This chapter focuses on the restoration of riparian systems in the context of Tamarix control—that is, Tamarix-dominated sites are converted to a replacement vegetation type that achieves specific management goals and helps return parts of the system to a desired and more natural state or dynamic. It reviews research related to restoring native riparian vegetation following tamarix...
Authors
Patrick B. Shafroth, David M. Merritt, Mark K. Briggs, Vanessa B. Beauchamp, Kenneth D. Lair, Michael L. Scott, Anna Sher
Tamarix, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology Tamarix, hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
This chapter explores the impact of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology on the distribution and abundance of Tamarix as well as the reciprocal effects of Tamarix on hydrologic and geomorphic conditions. It examines whether flow-regime alteration favors Tamarix establishment over native species, and how Tamarix stands modify processes involved in the narrowing of river channels and the...
Authors
Daniel A. Auerbach, David M. Merritt, Patrick B. Shafroth
Woody riparian vegetation near selected streamgages in the western United States Woody riparian vegetation near selected streamgages in the western United States
Areal cover and occupancy of woody riparian species near 456 streamgages in the western United States were obtained from site visits during the growing seasons of 1996-2002. We made concomitant estimates of grazing intensity, channel stabilization and incision, gradient, sediment particle size, and nearby planting of Russian olive. The purpose of this publication is to describe the data...
Authors
Gregor T. Auble, Jonathan M. Friedman, Patrick B. Shafroth, Michael F. Merigliano, Michael L. Scott
Edaphic, salinity, and stand structural trends in chronosequences of native and non-native dominated riparian forests along the Colorado River, USA Edaphic, salinity, and stand structural trends in chronosequences of native and non-native dominated riparian forests along the Colorado River, USA
Tamarix spp. are introduced shrubs that have become among the most abundant woody plants growing along western North American rivers. We sought to empirically test the long-held belief that Tamarix actively displaces native species through elevating soil salinity via salt exudation. We measured chemical and physical attributes of soils (e.g., salinity, major cations and anions, texture)...
Authors
David M. Merritt, Patrick B. Shafroth
Vulnerability of riparian ecosystems to elevated CO2 and climate change in arid and semiarid western North America Vulnerability of riparian ecosystems to elevated CO2 and climate change in arid and semiarid western North America
Riparian ecosystems, already greatly altered by water management, land development, and biological invasion, are being further altered by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) and climate change, particularly in arid and semiarid (dryland) regions. In this literature review, we (1) summarize expected changes in [CO2], climate, hydrology, and water management in dryland...
Authors
Laura G. Perry, Douglas C. Andersen, Lindsay V. Reynolds, S. Mark Nelson, Patrick B. Shafroth
The influence of chilling requirement on the southern distribution limit of exotic Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in western North America The influence of chilling requirement on the southern distribution limit of exotic Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in western North America
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.), a Eurasian tree now abundant along rivers in western North America, has an apparent southern distribution limit running through southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. We used field observations to precisely define this limit in relation to temperature variables. We then investigated whether lack of cold temperatures south of the...
Authors
Kimberly R. Guilbault, C. S. Brown, Jonathan M. Friedman, P.B. Shafroth
Legacies of flood reduction on a dryland river Legacies of flood reduction on a dryland river
The Bill Williams (Arizona) is a regulated dryland river that is being managed, in part, for biodiversity via flow management. To inform management, we contrasted riparian plant communities between the Bill Williams and an upstream free‐flowing tributary (Santa Maria). Goals of a first study (1996–1997) were to identify environmental controls on herbaceous species richness and compare...
Authors
J.C. Stromberg, P.B. Shafroth, A.F. Hazelton
Vegetation of the Elwha River estuary: Chapter 8 in Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington--biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal Vegetation of the Elwha River estuary: Chapter 8 in Coastal habitats of the Elwha River, Washington--biological and physical patterns and processes prior to dam removal
The Elwha River estuary supports one of the most diverse coastal wetland complexes yet described in the Salish Sea region, in terms of vegetation types and plant species richness. Using a combination of aerial imagery and vegetation plot sampling, we identified 6 primary vegetation types and 121 plant species in a 39.7 ha area. Most of the estuary is dominated by woody vegetation types...
Authors
Patrick B. Shafroth, Tracy L. Fuentes, Cynthia Pritekel, Matthew M. Beirne, Vanessa B. Beauchamp
Distribution and abundance of saltcedar and Russian olive in the western United States Distribution and abundance of saltcedar and Russian olive in the western United States
Over the past century, two introduced Eurasian trees, saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) have become wide spread on western United States of American (U.S.) rivers. This paper reviews the literature on the following five key areas related to their distribution and abundance in the western United States: (1) the history of introduction, planting, and...
Authors
Pamela L. Nagler, Edward P. Glenn, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Patrick B. Shafroth
Stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses of rapid floodplain formation along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas Stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses of rapid floodplain formation along the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas
The channel of the lower Rio Grande in the Big Bend region rapidly narrows during years of low mean and peak flow. We conducted stratigraphic, sedimentologic, and dendrogeomorphic analyses within two long floodplain trenches to precisely reconstruct the timing and processes of recent floodplain formation. We show that the channel of the Rio Grande narrowed through the oblique and...
Authors
David J. Dean, Linda J. Scott, Patrick B. Shafroth, John C. Schmidt
Managed flood effects on beaver pond habitat in a desert riverine ecosystem, bill williams river, Arizona USA Managed flood effects on beaver pond habitat in a desert riverine ecosystem, bill williams river, Arizona USA
The ecological effects of beaver in warm-desert streams are poorly documented, but potentially significant. For example, stream water and sediment budgets may be affected by increased evaporative losses and sediment retention in beaver ponds. We measured physical attributes of beaver pond and adjacent lotic habitats on a regulated Sonoran Desert stream, the Bill Williams River, after...
Authors
D.C. Andersen, P.B. Shafroth, C.M. Pritekel, M. W. O’Neill
Non-USGS Publications**
Shafroth, P.B., J.C. Stromberg, D.T. Patten, A.E. Springer, and J.M. Wright. 1996. Ground-water recharge and riparian habitat enhancement from water discharged from New Waddell Dam into the Agua Fria River: Phase I--Planning and feasibility. Final Report to Arizona Dept. of Water Resources - Phoenix Active Management Area. Phoenix, AZ78+ap p.
Shafroth, P.B., J.M. Friedman, and L.S. Ischinger. 1994. River salinity has little influence on establishment of cottonwood and saltcedar. Research Information Bulletin 94-95. NBS Information Bulletin.
**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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