Peter Coates, PhD
Dr. Peter Coates is a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Ecological Research Center.
He is interested in sound science and management practices aimed at restoring wildlife communities and their habitats. He is committed to progressive, scientifically defensible conservation actions in the face of increasing human population size and individual consumption. Abundance and distribution of wild populations often can be linked to changes in their environments caused by human land use practices, but identifying the ecological mechanisms of declining populations are often challenging. Specifically, Dr. Coates is interested in investigating the links between nesting habitat, predator composition, and incubation behavior and success of birds. Additionally, he is interested in the effects of anthropogenic-resource subsidies on the survival and reproduction of predators and how these changes influence demographics and distribution of prey populations. Dr. Coates seeks to develop a broader understanding of how human-caused landscape changes affect communities and aim to identify restoration practices that preserve natural ecological processes. He is also interested in behavioral traits of grouse that affect population establishment and persistence in the face of environmental challenges.
Professional Experience
Wildlife Biologist, U. S. Geological Survey, 2008–present
Postdoctoral Appointment, Idaho State University, 2008
Seasonal Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2007
Graduate Research Assistantship, Idaho State University, 2002–2007
Teaching Assistantship, Idaho State University, 2004–2007
National Science Foundation GK–12 Teaching F, Idaho State University, 2005–2006
Seasonal Biological Specialist, U. S. Department of Agriculture, 2003–2005
Field Research Technician, University of Nevada Reno, 1999
Conservation Biological Technician I, II, and III, Nevada Department of Wildlife, 1996–1998
Education and Certifications
Ph. D., Biology, Idaho State University 2007
M. S., Biology, University of Nevada Reno 2001
B. S., Conservation Biology, University of Nevada Reno 1998
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Ornithologists Union
Cooper Ornithological Society
Jack H. Berryman Institute
Society for Conservation Biology
The Wildlife Society
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 34
Filter Total Items: 67
lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures
We present software that creates least-cost path spanning trees, a least-cost path minimum spanning tree, and graph theory centrality measures. The software was developed to support identification of population structures--specifically, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), but also support other species or graph theory applications where least-cost paths are desired. We used...
Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States) Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States)
We present five hierarchical demarcations of greater sage-grouse population structure, representing the spatial structure of populations which can exist due to differences in dispersal abilities, landscape configurations, and mating behavior. These demarcations represent Thiessen polygons of graph constructs (least-cost path [LCP] minimum spanning trees [MST; LCP-MST]) representing...
Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT) Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT)
The Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT) supports a science-based adaptive management framework that incorporates recent quantitative analyses and mapping products for addressing areas with elevated common raven (Corvus corax) numbers and minimizing potential adverse impacts to sensitive species, agricultural damage, and human safety (Dettenmaier et al. 2021). This is a web...
Data to Inform an Integrated Population Model of Translocated Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Nevada 2013 - 2017 Data to Inform an Integrated Population Model of Translocated Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Nevada 2013 - 2017
These data include encounter histories, nest attempts, hatched egg counts, brood counts, time-varying matrices, survival statistics, and lek counts, all used in an integrated population model (IPM) to determine the status of a population of translocated Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) in Nevada. Sharp-tailed grouse were translocated to a remote...
Trend Estimates of Common Raven Populations in the United States and Canada, 1966 - 2018 Trend Estimates of Common Raven Populations in the United States and Canada, 1966 - 2018
These data identify the mean population growth rate and ratio change in abundance of common raven (Corvus corax; ravens) populations from 1966 through 2018, delineated by ecoregions defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This enables researchers and land managers to identify regions which may be more heavily affected by growing raven populations. These data support the...
Raven Occurrence and Density in the Great Basin Region of the Western United States (2007-2019) Raven Occurrence and Density in the Great Basin Region of the Western United States (2007-2019)
We generated a spatially explicit map of categories of expected occurrence and density associated with predicted concentrations of resident and transient common ravens (Corvus corax; ravens) using the residuals from a generalized linear regression between the occurrence and density parameters. These data support the following publication: Webster, S.C., O'Neil, S.T., Brussee, B.E...
Filter Total Items: 146
Synthesis of nest predation impacts of common ravens on sensitive avian species Synthesis of nest predation impacts of common ravens on sensitive avian species
Decades of mounting scientific evidence have revealed that common raven (Corvus corax; raven) population numbers have been increasing across nearly all regions of their geographic range in North America. Concomitantly, numerous native wildlife species have experienced elevated predation rates from ravens as populations have increased and expanded their range. Managers are concerned that...
Authors
Peter Coates, William Webb, Seth Dettenmaier, Seth Harju, David Delehanty
Efficacy of manipulating reproduction of common ravens to conserve sensitive prey species: Three case studies Efficacy of manipulating reproduction of common ravens to conserve sensitive prey species: Three case studies
Expansion of human enterprise across western North America has resulted in an increase in availability of anthropogenic resource subsidies for generalist species. This has led to increases in generalists’ population numbers across landscapes that were previously less suitable for their current demographic rates. Of particular concern are growing populations of common ravens (Corvus corax...
Authors
Corina Sanchez, Brianne Brussee, Peter Coates, Kerry Holcomb, Seth Harju, Timothy Shields, Mercy Vaughn, Brian Prochazka, Steven Mathews, Steffen Cornell, Chad Olson, David Delehanty
SMaRT: A science-based tiered framework for common ravens SMaRT: A science-based tiered framework for common ravens
Large-scale increases and expansion of common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations are occurring across much of North America, leading to increased negative consequences for livestock and agriculture, human health and safety, and sensitive species conservation. We describe a science-based adaptive management framework that incorporates recent quantitative analyses and mapping products...
Authors
Seth Dettenmaier, Peter Coates, Cali Roth, Sarah Webster, Shawn O’Neil, Kerry Holcomb, John Tull, Pat Jackson
A rapid assessment function to estimate common raven population densities: Implications for targeted management A rapid assessment function to estimate common raven population densities: Implications for targeted management
Common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations have increased over the past 5 decades within the western United States. Raven population increases have been largely attributed to growing resource subsidies from expansion of human enterprise. Concomitantly, managers are becoming increasingly concerned about elevated adverse effects on multiple sensitive prey species, damage to livestock...
Authors
Brianne Brussee, Peter Coates, Shawn O’Neil, Seth Dettenmaier, Pat Jackson, Kristy B. Howe, David Delehanty
Evaluating common raven take for greater sage-grouse in Oregon’s Baker County Priority Conservation Area and Great Basin Region Evaluating common raven take for greater sage-grouse in Oregon’s Baker County Priority Conservation Area and Great Basin Region
The common raven (Corvus corax; raven) is a nest predator of species of conservation concern, such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Reducing raven abundance by take requires authorization under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s take decisions (e.g., those that authorize killing a specified proportion or number of individuals...
Authors
Frank Rivera-Milan, Peter Coates, Jacqueline Cupples, Michael Greenfield, Patrick Devers
Estimating trends of common raven populations in North America, 1966—2018 Estimating trends of common raven populations in North America, 1966—2018
Over the last half century, common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations have increased in abundance across much of North America. Ravens are generalist predators known to depredate the eggs and young of several sensitive species. Quantifying raven population increases at multiple spatial scales across North America will help wildlife resource managers identify areas where population...
Authors
Seth Harju, Peter Coates, Seth Dettenmaier, Jonathan Dinkins, Pat Jackson, Michael Chenaille
Filter Total Items: 18
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 34
Filter Total Items: 67
lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures lcp_centrality: Defining least-cost paths and graph theory centrality measures
We present software that creates least-cost path spanning trees, a least-cost path minimum spanning tree, and graph theory centrality measures. The software was developed to support identification of population structures--specifically, greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), but also support other species or graph theory applications where least-cost paths are desired. We used...
Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States) Greater sage-grouse population structure and connectivity data to inform the development of hierarchical population units (western United States)
We present five hierarchical demarcations of greater sage-grouse population structure, representing the spatial structure of populations which can exist due to differences in dispersal abilities, landscape configurations, and mating behavior. These demarcations represent Thiessen polygons of graph constructs (least-cost path [LCP] minimum spanning trees [MST; LCP-MST]) representing...
Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT) Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT)
The Science-based Management of Ravens Tool (SMaRT) supports a science-based adaptive management framework that incorporates recent quantitative analyses and mapping products for addressing areas with elevated common raven (Corvus corax) numbers and minimizing potential adverse impacts to sensitive species, agricultural damage, and human safety (Dettenmaier et al. 2021). This is a web...
Data to Inform an Integrated Population Model of Translocated Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Nevada 2013 - 2017 Data to Inform an Integrated Population Model of Translocated Columbian Sharp-Tailed Grouse, Nevada 2013 - 2017
These data include encounter histories, nest attempts, hatched egg counts, brood counts, time-varying matrices, survival statistics, and lek counts, all used in an integrated population model (IPM) to determine the status of a population of translocated Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) in Nevada. Sharp-tailed grouse were translocated to a remote...
Trend Estimates of Common Raven Populations in the United States and Canada, 1966 - 2018 Trend Estimates of Common Raven Populations in the United States and Canada, 1966 - 2018
These data identify the mean population growth rate and ratio change in abundance of common raven (Corvus corax; ravens) populations from 1966 through 2018, delineated by ecoregions defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This enables researchers and land managers to identify regions which may be more heavily affected by growing raven populations. These data support the...
Raven Occurrence and Density in the Great Basin Region of the Western United States (2007-2019) Raven Occurrence and Density in the Great Basin Region of the Western United States (2007-2019)
We generated a spatially explicit map of categories of expected occurrence and density associated with predicted concentrations of resident and transient common ravens (Corvus corax; ravens) using the residuals from a generalized linear regression between the occurrence and density parameters. These data support the following publication: Webster, S.C., O'Neil, S.T., Brussee, B.E...
Filter Total Items: 146
Synthesis of nest predation impacts of common ravens on sensitive avian species Synthesis of nest predation impacts of common ravens on sensitive avian species
Decades of mounting scientific evidence have revealed that common raven (Corvus corax; raven) population numbers have been increasing across nearly all regions of their geographic range in North America. Concomitantly, numerous native wildlife species have experienced elevated predation rates from ravens as populations have increased and expanded their range. Managers are concerned that...
Authors
Peter Coates, William Webb, Seth Dettenmaier, Seth Harju, David Delehanty
Efficacy of manipulating reproduction of common ravens to conserve sensitive prey species: Three case studies Efficacy of manipulating reproduction of common ravens to conserve sensitive prey species: Three case studies
Expansion of human enterprise across western North America has resulted in an increase in availability of anthropogenic resource subsidies for generalist species. This has led to increases in generalists’ population numbers across landscapes that were previously less suitable for their current demographic rates. Of particular concern are growing populations of common ravens (Corvus corax...
Authors
Corina Sanchez, Brianne Brussee, Peter Coates, Kerry Holcomb, Seth Harju, Timothy Shields, Mercy Vaughn, Brian Prochazka, Steven Mathews, Steffen Cornell, Chad Olson, David Delehanty
SMaRT: A science-based tiered framework for common ravens SMaRT: A science-based tiered framework for common ravens
Large-scale increases and expansion of common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations are occurring across much of North America, leading to increased negative consequences for livestock and agriculture, human health and safety, and sensitive species conservation. We describe a science-based adaptive management framework that incorporates recent quantitative analyses and mapping products...
Authors
Seth Dettenmaier, Peter Coates, Cali Roth, Sarah Webster, Shawn O’Neil, Kerry Holcomb, John Tull, Pat Jackson
A rapid assessment function to estimate common raven population densities: Implications for targeted management A rapid assessment function to estimate common raven population densities: Implications for targeted management
Common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations have increased over the past 5 decades within the western United States. Raven population increases have been largely attributed to growing resource subsidies from expansion of human enterprise. Concomitantly, managers are becoming increasingly concerned about elevated adverse effects on multiple sensitive prey species, damage to livestock...
Authors
Brianne Brussee, Peter Coates, Shawn O’Neil, Seth Dettenmaier, Pat Jackson, Kristy B. Howe, David Delehanty
Evaluating common raven take for greater sage-grouse in Oregon’s Baker County Priority Conservation Area and Great Basin Region Evaluating common raven take for greater sage-grouse in Oregon’s Baker County Priority Conservation Area and Great Basin Region
The common raven (Corvus corax; raven) is a nest predator of species of conservation concern, such as the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). Reducing raven abundance by take requires authorization under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. To support U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s take decisions (e.g., those that authorize killing a specified proportion or number of individuals...
Authors
Frank Rivera-Milan, Peter Coates, Jacqueline Cupples, Michael Greenfield, Patrick Devers
Estimating trends of common raven populations in North America, 1966—2018 Estimating trends of common raven populations in North America, 1966—2018
Over the last half century, common raven (Corvus corax; raven) populations have increased in abundance across much of North America. Ravens are generalist predators known to depredate the eggs and young of several sensitive species. Quantifying raven population increases at multiple spatial scales across North America will help wildlife resource managers identify areas where population...
Authors
Seth Harju, Peter Coates, Seth Dettenmaier, Jonathan Dinkins, Pat Jackson, Michael Chenaille
Filter Total Items: 18
*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