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Rebecca Brice, Ph.D.

Becky Brice is an earth systems geographer using tree rings and lake sediments to study paleoclimate, hydroclimatic processes, and the interaction between the climate and human systems. She specializes in dendrochronological reconstructions over the Common Era and her research aims to understand the role of climate variability in changing water resources.

Professional Experience

  • 2020-present, Geographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Denver, CO, USA

  • 2019-2020, Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Education and Certifications

  • PhD, School of Geography and Development, University of Arizona, 2020

  • MA, Department of Geography and the Environment, University of Denver, 2013

  • BS, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Metropolitan State University Denver, 2011

  • BA, Department of Modern Languages, Metropolitan State University Denver, 1998

Science and Products

Paleohydrological context for recent floods and droughts in the Fraser River Basin, British Columbia, Canada

The recent intensification of floods and droughts in the Fraser River Basin (FRB) of British Columbia has had profound cultural, ecological, and economic impacts that are expected to be exacerbated further by anthropogenic climate change. In part due to short instrumental runoff records, the long-term stationarity of hydroclimatic extremes in this major North American watershed remains poorly unde
Authors
Rebecca Lynn Brice, Bethany Coulthard, Inga Homfeld, Laura Dye, Kevin Anchukaitis
By
Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Comparing tree-ring based reconstructions of snowpack variability at different scales for the Navajo Nation

Snowpack in the western U.S. is on the decline, largely attributed to increasing temperatures in the region. This is a critical issue for many Native American communities who disproportionately rely on local snow-fed water supplies. In light of a combined ongoing drought and limited climate information for the Navajo Nation, Navajo water managers face decision-making challenges complicated by past
Authors
Rebecca Lynn Brice, Christopher H. Guiterman, Connie A. Woodhouse, Carlee McClellan, Paul Sheppard
By
Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Climate and Ecological Disturbance Analysis of Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

The effects of anthropogenic climate change are apparent in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), USA, with forest die-off, insect outbreaks, and wildfires impacting forest ecosystems. A long-term perspective would enable assessment of the historical range of variability in forest ecosystems and better determination of recent forest dynamics and historical thresholds. The objectives of this stu
Authors
Brittany Rinaldi, R. Stockton Maxwell, Thomas Callahan, Rebecca Lynn Brice, Karen Heeter, Grant L. Harley
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

Non-USGS Publications**

Brice, B., Fullerton, C., Hawkes, K.L., Mills-Novoa, M., O'Neill, B.F., and Pawlowski, W.M., 2017, The impacts of climate change on natural areas recreation: a multi-region snapshot and agency comparison: Natural Areas Journal, 37(1), p.86-97.
Brice, B., Lorion, K.K., Griffin, D., Macalady, A.K., Guiterman, C.H., Speer, J.H., Benakoun, L.R., Cutter, A., Hart, M.E., Murray, M.P., and Nash, S.E., 2013, Signal strength in sub-annual tree-ring chronologies from Pinus ponderosa in northern New Mexico: Tree-Ring Research, 69(2), p.81-86.
Price, J.R., Peresolak, K., Brice, R.L., and Tefend, K.S., 2013, Temporal variability in the chemical weathering of Ca2+-bearing phases in the Loch Vale watershed, Colorado, USA: A mass-balance approach: Chemical Geology, 342, p.151-166.

**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.

link

Going to Extremes to Uncover the Secrets of Dinosaur's Ponderosa Pine

When resource specialists with the National Park Service noticed some peculiar patterns in Ponderosa pine trees in their park, they sent out a call to...

Read Article
scientist looking at tree core through microscope
link
Looking at Tree Cores on Rotary Measuring Stage
Ponderosa pine tree rings core under microscope
link
Ponderosa Pine Tree Core
sun reflecting off riverside cliffs along the Green River
link
Sunrise along the Green River
left image shows scientists measuring diameter of fallen tree and right image shows someone holding a pine cone
link
Collecting Ponderosa Pine Measurements
green and brown water from two different rivers merge as the rivers meet
link
Confluence of Green and Yampa Rivers

Science and Products

  • Publications

    Paleohydrological context for recent floods and droughts in the Fraser River Basin, British Columbia, Canada

    The recent intensification of floods and droughts in the Fraser River Basin (FRB) of British Columbia has had profound cultural, ecological, and economic impacts that are expected to be exacerbated further by anthropogenic climate change. In part due to short instrumental runoff records, the long-term stationarity of hydroclimatic extremes in this major North American watershed remains poorly unde
    Authors
    Rebecca Lynn Brice, Bethany Coulthard, Inga Homfeld, Laura Dye, Kevin Anchukaitis
    By
    Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

    Comparing tree-ring based reconstructions of snowpack variability at different scales for the Navajo Nation

    Snowpack in the western U.S. is on the decline, largely attributed to increasing temperatures in the region. This is a critical issue for many Native American communities who disproportionately rely on local snow-fed water supplies. In light of a combined ongoing drought and limited climate information for the Navajo Nation, Navajo water managers face decision-making challenges complicated by past
    Authors
    Rebecca Lynn Brice, Christopher H. Guiterman, Connie A. Woodhouse, Carlee McClellan, Paul Sheppard
    By
    Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

    Climate and Ecological Disturbance Analysis of Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

    The effects of anthropogenic climate change are apparent in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), USA, with forest die-off, insect outbreaks, and wildfires impacting forest ecosystems. A long-term perspective would enable assessment of the historical range of variability in forest ecosystems and better determination of recent forest dynamics and historical thresholds. The objectives of this stu
    Authors
    Brittany Rinaldi, R. Stockton Maxwell, Thomas Callahan, Rebecca Lynn Brice, Karen Heeter, Grant L. Harley
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Research and Development Program, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Wildland Fire Science

    Non-USGS Publications**

    Brice, B., Fullerton, C., Hawkes, K.L., Mills-Novoa, M., O'Neill, B.F., and Pawlowski, W.M., 2017, The impacts of climate change on natural areas recreation: a multi-region snapshot and agency comparison: Natural Areas Journal, 37(1), p.86-97.
    Brice, B., Lorion, K.K., Griffin, D., Macalady, A.K., Guiterman, C.H., Speer, J.H., Benakoun, L.R., Cutter, A., Hart, M.E., Murray, M.P., and Nash, S.E., 2013, Signal strength in sub-annual tree-ring chronologies from Pinus ponderosa in northern New Mexico: Tree-Ring Research, 69(2), p.81-86.
    Price, J.R., Peresolak, K., Brice, R.L., and Tefend, K.S., 2013, Temporal variability in the chemical weathering of Ca2+-bearing phases in the Loch Vale watershed, Colorado, USA: A mass-balance approach: Chemical Geology, 342, p.151-166.

    **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.

  • News
    link

    Going to Extremes to Uncover the Secrets of Dinosaur's Ponderosa Pine

    When resource specialists with the National Park Service noticed some peculiar patterns in Ponderosa pine trees in their park, they sent out a call to...

    Read Article
  • Multimedia
    scientist looking at tree core through microscope
    link
    Looking at Tree Cores on Rotary Measuring Stage
    Ponderosa pine tree rings core under microscope
    link
    Ponderosa Pine Tree Core
    sun reflecting off riverside cliffs along the Green River
    link
    Sunrise along the Green River
    left image shows scientists measuring diameter of fallen tree and right image shows someone holding a pine cone
    link
    Collecting Ponderosa Pine Measurements
    green and brown water from two different rivers merge as the rivers meet
    link
    Confluence of Green and Yampa Rivers