Sam Chambers is a Geographer with the Western Geographic Science Center and is located in Tucson, AZ.
Sam Chambers holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, a M.S. from Clemson University, and a B.S. from the University of Idaho. Sam works with WGSC and collaborators at SBSC on the SW Energy Development and Reclamation (SWEDR) and Smart Energy projects. He is studying how fragmentation from energy development impacts wildlife movement and ecosystem services. He is also developing a bioenergetic model for jaguar movement in response to human infrastructure in the US-Mexico borderlands.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. - 2015 – Arid Lands Resource Sciences – University of Arizona
M.S. - 2011 – Forest Resources - Clemson University
B.S. - 2006 - Forestry - University of Idaho
Science and Products
Maps of cumulative energy expenditure models for jaguar in southern Arizona
Raster data depicting estimated jaguar energy expenditure required to move north from the US-Mexico border to reach important water sources. The data were generated for five scenarios: walled, un-walled crossing and three remediation scenarios: a border crossing through the wall in rugged terrain towards the west end of the wall, a crossing in a dry wash centrally located, one in less rugged terra
Maps of mule deer avoidance areas based on density of oil and gas developments, Book Cliffs, Utah
Vector data showing areas of dense oil and gas development that mule deer are expected to avoid, for twelve study sites in the Book Cliffs region in Utah.
Spatial models of jaguar energy expenditure in response to border wall construction and remediation
The construction of a wall at the United States-Mexico border is known to impede and deter movement of terrestrial wildlife between the two countries. One such species is the jaguar, in its northernmost range in the borderlands of Arizona and Sonora. We developed an anisotropic cost distance model for jaguar in a binational crossing area of the Madrean Sky Islands at the United States-Mexico borde
Conflict of energies: Spatially modeling mule deer caloric expenditure in response to oil and gas development
ContextWildlife avoid human disturbances, including roads and development. Avoidance and displacement of wildlife into less suitable habitat due to human development can affect their energy expenditures and fitness. The heart rate and oxygen uptake of large mammals varies with both natural aspects of their habitat (terrain, climate, predators, etc.) and anthropogenic influence (noise, light, fragm
Science and Products
- Data
Maps of cumulative energy expenditure models for jaguar in southern Arizona
Raster data depicting estimated jaguar energy expenditure required to move north from the US-Mexico border to reach important water sources. The data were generated for five scenarios: walled, un-walled crossing and three remediation scenarios: a border crossing through the wall in rugged terrain towards the west end of the wall, a crossing in a dry wash centrally located, one in less rugged terraMaps of mule deer avoidance areas based on density of oil and gas developments, Book Cliffs, Utah
Vector data showing areas of dense oil and gas development that mule deer are expected to avoid, for twelve study sites in the Book Cliffs region in Utah. - Publications
Spatial models of jaguar energy expenditure in response to border wall construction and remediation
The construction of a wall at the United States-Mexico border is known to impede and deter movement of terrestrial wildlife between the two countries. One such species is the jaguar, in its northernmost range in the borderlands of Arizona and Sonora. We developed an anisotropic cost distance model for jaguar in a binational crossing area of the Madrean Sky Islands at the United States-Mexico bordeConflict of energies: Spatially modeling mule deer caloric expenditure in response to oil and gas development
ContextWildlife avoid human disturbances, including roads and development. Avoidance and displacement of wildlife into less suitable habitat due to human development can affect their energy expenditures and fitness. The heart rate and oxygen uptake of large mammals varies with both natural aspects of their habitat (terrain, climate, predators, etc.) and anthropogenic influence (noise, light, fragm