Sarah Carter is an ecologist at the Fort Collins Science Center, whose interests lie in landscape, widlife, and community ecology, as well as conservation planning and evaluation.
Sarah Carter is an ecologist at the Fort Collins Science Center. Her interests lie in landscape, wildlife, and community ecology, and in conservation planning and evaluation. Sarah is interested in how we can manage landscapes to accommodate diverse resource values and uses, informed by monitoring the integrity of landscapes, the effectiveness of planning and management actions, and the potential effects of development on species, ecosystems, and landscapes. Sarah is also interested in finding ways to bridge the research-management gap by involving managers in all stages of producing applied science that is both useful for and used by managers.
Sarah joined the USGS in 2015 and is currently working on a number of projects to help inform management of multiple-use lands in the western US, including developing multiscale assessments and analyses to support implementation of a landscape approach to resource management in the Bureau of Land Management, identifying core, broad-scale indicators, methods, and datasets for quantifying the structure, composition, and function of ecosystems, and developing a framework and process for using broad- and fine-scale monitoring data together to quantify the ecological integrity of rangelands across the west.
Professional Experience
Ecologist (2015 – present), USGS, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Post-doctoral Research Associate, Landscape Ecology (2014 –2015), University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
Research Assistant, Conservation planning and evaluation (2010 –2014), Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Conservation Biologist (2007-2010), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin
Regional Ecologist (2004-2006), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Fitchburg, Wisconsin
Assistant Director (2000-2004), Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wisconsin
Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan Data Manager (2001-2002), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin
Wildlife Damage Biologist (1999-2001), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin
Research Assistant, Community Ecology (1995-1999), School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Research Assistant, Marine Mammals (1995), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fulbright Scholar, Wildlife Biology (1993-1994), National Institute of Amazon Research (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Forestry, Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2014
M.S. in Fisheries, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1999
B.S. in Mathematics, Lewis and Clark College, 1992
Science and Products
Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers
Identifying priority science needs for strengthening the science foundation for decision-making in the Bureau of Land Management
Using public litigation records to identify priority science and data needs for the Bureau of Land Management
Using remotely sensed data to evaluate aspects of land health at watershed scales for the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado
Exploring the Utility of Short Science Syntheses for Use in NEPA Analyses in the Bureau of Land Management
Understanding and fostering use of habitat models for rare plants in Bureau of Land Management planning and management decisions
Providing a Climate Science Foundation for Updating the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy Actionable Science Plan
Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
Developing a toolkit for coproducing actionable science with the Bureau of Land Management
Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
Assessing Threats to Conservation Priority Areas in State Wildlife Action Plans
Developing Broad Scale Indicators for Monitoring Ecosystems and Landscapes
Presence of erosional features and cover of grasses, forbs, and bare ground on fields enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2016 to 2018
Probable and potential suitable habitat for 43 rare plant species in the California desert
Persistence and quality of vegetation cover in expired Conservation Reserve Program fields
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on pygmy rabbits published from 1990 to 2020
Identifying policy-relevant indicators for assessing landscape vegetation patterns to inform planning and management on multiple use public lands
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Ventenata dubia published from 2010 to 2020
Evaluating establishment of conservation practices in the Conservation Reserve Program across the central and western United States
U.S. Geological Survey landscape science strategy 2020–2030
Connectivity of Mojave Desert tortoise populations—Management implications for maintaining a viable recovery network
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from 2015 to 2019
Distance effects of gas field infrastructure on pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming
Quantifying development to inform management of Mojave and Sonoran desert tortoise habitat in the American southwest
Bridging the research-management gap: Landscape ecology in practice on public lands in the western United States
Evaluating and using existing models to map probable suitable habitat for rare plants to inform management of multiple-use public lands in the California desert
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.
Science and Products
- Science
Filter Total Items: 21
Developing searchable annotated bibliographies for resource managers
Resource management decisions need to be informed by up-to-date, quality science and data. However there is sometimes an overwhelming number of scientific publications for managers to consider in their decisions. This project provides concise summaries of recent, peer-reviewed science and data products about different resources and topics of management concern, integrated into a searchable tool.Identifying priority science needs for strengthening the science foundation for decision-making in the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to using science-informed decision-making for the public lands and resources that it manages. Uses on these lands are varied, and decisions are complex. USGS and BLM are working together to identify specific needs for data, science, methods, and mitigation actions that can strengthen the science foundation for BLM planning and management decisions.Using public litigation records to identify priority science and data needs for the Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large area of public lands in the western U.S. for multiple uses and values. Because some of these uses and values may conflict, the agency’s decisions can be controversial and are often challenged. We analyzed public legal records to help identify priority information needs that could strengthen science-based decision-making in the BLMUsing remotely sensed data to evaluate aspects of land health at watershed scales for the Bureau of Land Management in Colorado
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages for conditions that sustain land health on over 1 million acres of public rangelands. The BLM has traditionally assessed rangelands using small-scale data, but agency guidance suggests assessment of land health standards at watershed scales. We are exploring methods to integrate remotely sensed data into BLM land health processes.Exploring the Utility of Short Science Syntheses for Use in NEPA Analyses in the Bureau of Land Management
Use of scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science on a topic. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to explore the utility of short science syntheses for facilitating use of the best available science in public lands decisions.Understanding and fostering use of habitat models for rare plants in Bureau of Land Management planning and management decisions
The use of rare plant habitat models in public lands decisions can be hampered by factors such as a lack of understanding of or confidence in underlying data, a lack of access to models, and a lack of opportunity for model use in decisions. This project seeks to explore and suggest potential solutions to these challenges, facilitating greater use of habitat models in public lands decision-making.Providing a Climate Science Foundation for Updating the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy Actionable Science Plan
The long-term success of management efforts in sagebrush habitats are increasingly complicated by the impacts of a changing climate throughout the western United States. These complications are most evident in the ongoing challenges of drought and altered rangeland fire regimes resulting from the establishment of nonnative annual grasses. The Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy recognizeDeveloping a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Due to the complex nature of cumulative effects analyses, many are currently limited in nature. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.Developing a toolkit for coproducing actionable science with the Bureau of Land Management
Coproduction is an approach to conducting science that focuses on scientists and resource managers working closely together to produce actionable products that are used to inform natural resource management decisions. This project will develop a toolkit to facilitate coproduction between the Bureau of Land Management and the USGS.Annotated Bibliography of Scientific Research on Greater Sage-Grouse
The greater sage-grouse has been a focus of scientific investigation and management action for the past two decades. The sheer number of scientific publications can be a challenge for managers tasked with evaluating and determining the need for potential updates to existing planning documents.Assessing Threats to Conservation Priority Areas in State Wildlife Action Plans
States across the U.S. have developed Wildlife Action Plans, with the purpose of preventing future listings under the federal Endangered Species Act. Habitat loss and fragmentation are key threats to wildlife in the U.S., and housing development is a major driver of both. USGS is working to quantify the vulnerability of and threat to priority areas in State Wildlife Action Plans from future...Developing Broad Scale Indicators for Monitoring Ecosystems and Landscapes
Many issues currently facing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other large land managers span large landscapes, including sage-grouse conservation, wildfires, and energy development. Such challenges involve changes at both local and broad scales, but monitoring has typically focused at the scale of individual sites. The USGS is working to develop broad-scale indicators for monitoring... - Data
Presence of erosional features and cover of grasses, forbs, and bare ground on fields enrolled in grassland, wetland, and wildlife practices of the Conservation Reserve Program in the central and western United States from 2016 to 2018
Data included in this data set are from in-field and edge-of-field surveys that recorded the presence of erosional features and cover of vegetation and bare ground on 1786 Conservation Reserve Program fields across three types of conservation practices (grassland, wetland, and wildlife). Field sampling data were recorded across six US Department of Agriculture Farm Production Regions (Corn belt, LProbable and potential suitable habitat for 43 rare plant species in the California desert
Multiple-use public lands are intended to meet the needs of current and future generations and require balancing a host of diverse resource uses and values within and across landscapes. In the California desert, there are significant interests in further developing renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) and important conservation concerns on multiple-use public lands. The Bureau of Land Manage - Publications
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Persistence and quality of vegetation cover in expired Conservation Reserve Program fields
For nearly 40 years, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has implemented practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators on highly erodible cropland in the United States. However, an approximately 40,470 ha (10 million acres) decline in enrolled CRP land over the last decade has greatly reduced the program's environmental benefits. We soAnnotated bibliography of scientific research on pygmy rabbits published from 1990 to 2020
Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is creating a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western landsIdentifying policy-relevant indicators for assessing landscape vegetation patterns to inform planning and management on multiple use public lands
Understanding the structure and composition of landscapes can empower agencies to effectively manage public lands for multiple uses while sustaining land health. Many landscape metrics exist, but they are not often used in public land decision-making. Our objectives were to (1) develop and (2) apply a process for identifying a core set of indicators that public land managers can use to understandAnnotated bibliography of scientific research on Ventenata dubia published from 2010 to 2020
Integrating recent science into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing science information can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is creating a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Previously pEvaluating establishment of conservation practices in the Conservation Reserve Program across the central and western United States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is one of the largest private lands conservation programs in the United States, establishing perennial vegetation on environmentally sensitive lands formerly in agricultural production. Over its 35 year existence, the CRP has evolved to include diverse conservation practices (CPs) while concomitantly meeting its core goals ofU.S. Geological Survey landscape science strategy 2020–2030
Across our Nation, multiple Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments are working with stakeholders and landowners to restore, conserve, and manage lands and resources to benefit fish, wildlife, and people. One of the largest Federal efforts is led by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with multiple DOI agencies working to conserve and manage public lands, resources, and cultural heritConnectivity of Mojave Desert tortoise populations—Management implications for maintaining a viable recovery network
Executive SummaryThe historic distribution of Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) was relatively continuous across the range, and the importance of tortoise habitat outside of designated tortoise conservation areas (TCAs) to recovery has long been recognized for its contributions to supporting gene flow between TCAs and to minimizing impacts and edge effects within TCAs. However, connectiAnnotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from 2015 to 2019
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter GRSG) has been a focus of scientific investigation and management action for the past two decades. The 2015 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listing determination of “not warranted” was in part due to a large-scale collaborative effort to develop strategies to conserve GRSG populations and their habitat and to reduce threats to both. NewDistance effects of gas field infrastructure on pygmy rabbits in southwestern Wyoming
As domestic energy development activity continues in the western United States, wildlife conservation planning in affected regions is increasingly important. The geologic basins where oil and gas energy exploration is occurring are primarily sagebrush steppe rangelands. Sagebrush steppe habitats may support more than 20 vertebrate species of conservation concern, and for many of these species, infQuantifying development to inform management of Mojave and Sonoran desert tortoise habitat in the American southwest
Two tortoise species native to the American southwest have experienced significant habitat loss from development and are vulnerable to ongoing threats associated with continued development. Mojave desert tortoises Gopherus agassizii are listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, and Sonoran desert tortoises G. morafkai are protected in Arizona (USA) and Mexico. Substantial habitat fBridging the research-management gap: Landscape ecology in practice on public lands in the western United States
The field of landscape ecology has grown and matured in recent decades, but incorporating landscape science into land management decisions remains challenging. Many lands in the western United States are federally owned and managed for multiple uses, including recreation, conservation, and energy development. We argue for stronger integration of landscape science into the management of these publiEvaluating and using existing models to map probable suitable habitat for rare plants to inform management of multiple-use public lands in the California desert
Multiple-use public lands require balancing diverse resource uses and values across landscapes. In the California desert, there is strong interest in renewable energy development and important conservation concerns. The Bureau of Land Management recently completed a land-use plan for the area that provides protection for modeled suitable habitat for multiple rare plants. Three sets of habitat modeNon-USGS Publications**
Carter, S.K., & A.H. Fayram. 2016. Do natural resource managers participate on editorial boards of applied natural resource journals? Oryx – The International Journal of Conservation 1:1-7.Hmielowski, T.L, S.K. Carter, H. Spaul, D. Helmers, V.C. Radeloff & P. Zedler. 2016. Practical tools for prioritizing land management efforts at a landscape scale: a case study using prescribed fire in Wisconsin. Ecological Applications 26(4):1018-1029.Carter, S.K., S. R. Januchowski-Hartley, J.D. Pohlman, T.L. Bergeson, A.M. Pidgeon & V.C. Radeloff. 2015. An evaluation of environmental, institutional, and socio-economic factors explaining successful conservation plan implementation. Biological Conservation 192:135-144.Radeloff, V. C., J. W. Williams, B. L. Bateman, K. D. Burke, S. K. Carter, E. S. Childress, K. J. Cromwell, C. Gratton, A. O. Hasley, B. M. Kraemer, A. W. Latzka, E. Marin-Spiotta, C. D. Meine, S. E. Munoz, T. M. Neeson, A. M. Pidgeon, A. R. Rissman, R. J. Rivera, L. M. Szymanski, J. Usinowicz. 2015. The rise of novelty in ecosystems. Ecological Applications 25:2051-2068.Carter, S.K., N. S. Keuler, A.M. Pidgeon & V.C. Radeloff. 2014. Evaluating the influence of conservation plans on land protection actions in Wisconsin, USA. Biological Conservation 178:37-49.Carter, S.K., J.D. Pohlman, T.L. Bergeson, C.M. Hamilton, A.M. Pidgeon & V.C. Radeloff. 2014. Adding value to existing conservation plans using projected housing growth. Landscape and Urban Planning 126:10-20.Carter, S.K., G.R. VanBlaricom & B.L. Allen. 2007. Testing the generality of the trophic cascade paradigm for sea otters: a case study with kelp forests in northern Washington, USA. Hydrobiologia 579: 233-249.Trites, A.W., W.M. Hochachka, S.K. Carter, M.M. Wong & R. Williams. 2007. Boats displace killer whales from a marine protected area. Marine Mammal Research Unit, Univ. of British Columbia.Carter, S.K. & D. Lentz. 2002. Annual Report of Activities of the Wisconsin Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan. Report to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 44 pp.Carter, S.K. 2002. Living with bears in Wisconsin. Publication # PUB-WM-391 2002 of the Bureau of Wildlife Management, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Carter, S.K., F.C.W. Rosas, A.B. Cooper & A.C. Cordeiro-Duarte. 1999. Consumption Rate, Food Preferences and Transit Time of Captive Giant Otters, Pteronura Brasiliensis: Implications for the Study of Wild Populations. Aquatic Mammals 25(2):79-90.Carter, S.K., 1999, Ecosystem effects of sea otter predation and commercial sea urchin harvest on nearshore benthic communities in northern Washington, M.S. Thesis, University of Washington, 302 pp.Rosas, F.C.W., J.A.S. Zuanon & S.K. Carter, 1999, Feeding Ecology of the Giant Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, Biotropica 31(3):502-506.Carter, S.K. & F.C.W. Rosas, 1997, Biology and conservation of the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, Mammal Review 27(1):1-26.Seavey, S.R. & S.K. Carter, 1994, Self-sterility in Epilobium obcordatum (Onagraceae), American Journal of Botany, 81(3):331-338.Seavey, S.R. & S.K. Carter. 1996. Ovule fates in Epilobium obcordatum, (Onagraceae). American Journal of Botany 83(3):316-325.**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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