Patrick Shafroth, PhD
Patrick B. Shafroth is a Research Ecologist at the Fort Collins Science Center.
Since 1991, Dr. Shafroth has conducted research on riparian ecosystems, 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 been conducted in the applied context of riparian ecosystem restoration with the goal of providing solid, objective scientific information that can be used to inform riparian restoration efforts. More specific restoration-related research areas include studies of large-scale flow experiments, dam removal, effects of invasive species control and associated restoration actions, and potential interactions with climate change.
Some of Dr. Shafroth’s current research includes studies of: vegetation and geomorphic responses to experimental flow releases downstream of dams on the Bill Williams River, Arizona; the Colorado River delta in Mexico and the U.S.; and the the Colorado River in Grand Canyon; vegetation and geomorphic responses to dam removal on the Elwha River, Washington, where the world's largest dam removals occurred recently; dynamics of non-native riparian plants along western rivers, including patterns of riparian vegetation recovery associated with biological control of Tamarix.
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
Ecosystem effects of environmental flows: Modelling and experimental floods in a dryland river
Saltcedar and Russian olive control demonstration act science assessment [Executive summary]
Demonstration projects and long-term considerations associated with saltcedar and Russian olive control and riparian restoration: Chapter 8
Restoration and revegetation associated with control of saltcedar and Russian olive: Chapter 7
The potential for water savings through the control of saltcedar and Russian olive: Chapter 3
Distribution and abundance of Saltcedar and Russian Olive in the western United States: Chapter 2
Background and introduction: Chapter 1
Assessing the extent and diversity of riparian ecosystems in Sonora, Mexico
Salinity tolerance and mycorrhizal responsiveness of native xeroriparian plants in semi-arid western USA
Restoration ecology and invasive riparian plants: An introduction to the special section on Tamarix spp. in western North America
Planning riparian restoration in the context of tamarix control in Western North America
Effects of a natural dam-break flood on geomorphology and vegetation on the Elwha River, Washington, U.S.A.
Non-USGS Publications**
**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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Ecosystem effects of environmental flows: Modelling and experimental floods in a dryland river
Successful environmental flow prescriptions require an accurate understanding of the linkages among flow events, geomorphic processes and biotic responses. We describe models and results from experimental flow releases associated with an environmental flow program on the Bill Williams River (BWR), Arizona, in arid to semiarid western U.S.A. Two general approaches for improving knowledge and predicAuthorsP.B. Shafroth, A.C. Wilcox, D.A. Lytle, J.T. Hickey, D.C. Andersen, Vanessa B. Beauchamp, A. Hautzinger, L.E. McMullen, A. WarnerSaltcedar and Russian olive control demonstration act science assessment [Executive summary]
The primary intent of this document is to provide the science assessment called for under The Saltcedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–320; the Act). A secondary purpose is to provide a common background for applicants for prospective demonstration projects, should funds be appropriated for this second phase of the Act. This document synthesizes the state-of-thAuthorsPamela L. Nagler, Patrick B. Shafroth, James W. LaBaugh, Keirith A. Snyder, Russell L. Scott, David M. Merritt, John OsterbergDemonstration projects and long-term considerations associated with saltcedar and Russian olive control and riparian restoration: Chapter 8
Whereas the primary intent of this document is to provide the science assessment called for under The Saltcedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act (“the Act”), a secondary purpose is to provide a common background for applicants to develop prospective demonstration projects. Conducting demonstration projects is a second phase of the Act for which funds have not yet been appropriated. ThisAuthorsDavid M. Merritt, Patrick B. ShafrothRestoration and revegetation associated with control of saltcedar and Russian olive: Chapter 7
Rationales for controlling or eliminating saltcedar and Russian olive from sites, river reaches, or entire streams include implicit or explicit assumptions that natural recovery or applied restoration of native plant communities will follow exotic plant removal (McDaniel and Taylor, 2003; Quimby and others, 2003). The vegetation that replaces saltcedar and Russian olive after treatment (“replacemeAuthorsPatrick B. Shafroth, David M. Merritt, Vanessa B. Beauchamp, Kenneth D. LairThe potential for water savings through the control of saltcedar and Russian olive: Chapter 3
This chapter discusses the components of the water budget for a riparian system containing large stands of saltcedar or Russian olive—that is, how water is used by the plant community and how that use affects both streamflow volume and groundwater levels. The relation of water availability to the hydrologic cycle and geomorphic setting in the Western United States, as well as the importance of scaAuthorsPamela L. Nagler, Patrick B. Shafroth, James W. LaBaugh, Keirith A. Snyder, Russell L. Scott, David M. Merritt, John OsterbergDistribution and abundance of Saltcedar and Russian Olive in the western United States: Chapter 2
Public Law 109-320 calls for “…an assessment of the extent of saltcedar and Russian olive infestation on public and private land in the western United States.” Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.; also known as tamarisk) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are now frequent and abundant components of the woody riparian vegetation along many Western U.S. rivers (Friedman and others, 2005; Ringold and othAuthorsPamela L. Nagler, Edward P. Glenn, Catherine S. Jarnevich, Patrick B. ShafrothBackground and introduction: Chapter 1
The Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-320; hereafter the Act) directs the Department of the Interior to submit a report to Congress1 that includes an assessment of several issues surrounding these two nonnative trees, now dominant components of the vegetation along many rivers in the Western United States. Specifically, the Act calls for “…an assessmentAuthorsPatrick B. ShafrothAssessing the extent and diversity of riparian ecosystems in Sonora, Mexico
Conservation of forested riparian ecosystems is of international concern. Relatively little is known of the structure, composition, diversity, and extent of riparian ecosystems in Mexico. We used high- and low-resolution satellite imagery from 2000 to 2006, and ground-based sampling in 2006, to assess the spatial pattern, extent, and woody plant composition of riparian forests across a range of spAuthorsM.L. Scott, P.L. Nagler, E.P. Glenn, C. Valdes-Casillas, J.A. Erker, E.W. Reynolds, P.B. Shafroth, E. Gomez-Limon, C.L. JonesSalinity tolerance and mycorrhizal responsiveness of native xeroriparian plants in semi-arid western USA
Restoration of salt-affected soils is a global concern. In the western United States, restoration of salinized land, particularly in river valleys, often involves control of Tamarix, an introduced species with high salinity tolerance. Revegetation of hydrologically disconnected floodplains and terraces after Tamarix removal is often difficult because of limited knowledge regarding the salinity tolAuthorsVanessa B. Beauchamp, C. Walz, P.B. ShafrothRestoration ecology and invasive riparian plants: An introduction to the special section on Tamarix spp. in western North America
River systems around the world are subject to various perturbations, including the colonization and spread of non-native species in riparian zones. Riparian resource managers are commonly engaged in efforts to control problematic non-native species and restore native habitats. In western North America, small Eurasian trees or shrubs in the genus Tamarixoccupy hundreds of thousands of hectares of rAuthorsPatrick B. Shafroth, Mark K. BriggsPlanning riparian restoration in the context of tamarix control in Western North America
Throughout the world, the condition of many riparian ecosystems has declined due to numerous factors, including encroachment of non-native species. In the western United States, millions of dollars are spent annually to control invasions of Tamarix spp., introduced small trees or shrubs from Eurasia that have colonized bottomland ecosystems along many rivers. Resource managers seek to control TamaAuthorsP.B. Shafroth, Vanessa B. Beauchamp, M.K. Briggs, K. Lair, M.L. Scott, A.A. SherEffects of a natural dam-break flood on geomorphology and vegetation on the Elwha River, Washington, U.S.A.
Ephemeral dams caused by landslides have been observed around the world, yet little is known about the effects of their failure on landforms and vegetation. In 1967, a landslide-dam-break flood in a pristine reach of the Elwha River valley filled the former channel and diverted the river. The reach is a reference site for restoration following the planned removal of dams on the river. We identifieAuthorsS.A. Acker, T.J. Beechie, P.B. ShafrothNon-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.