Sarah Weiskopf, Ph.D.
Sarah Weiskopf is the National Biodiversity Lead at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Sarah Weiskopf is the National Biodiversity Lead at the National Climate Adaptation Science Center, where she works at the interface between ecological research and biodiversity and conservation policy. Her research focuses on the responses of ecosystems and ecosystem services to global change, with specific focus on species range shifts, biodiversity modeling, and science synthesis. She currently serves as the U.S. Focal Point for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Sarah received her Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, M.S. in wildlife ecology, B.S. in wildlife conservation, and B.A. in biology from the University of Delaware. Sarah joined the USGS in 2016 as a Presidential Management Fellow, where she served as a chapter lead on the Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Ecosystems Services chapter of the Fourth National Climate Assessment. During her fellowship, she spent several months working on international biodiversity issues at the Department of State Office of Conservation and Water.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst
M.S. in Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware
B.S. in Wildlife Conservation, University of Delaware
B.A. in Biology, University of Delaware
Science and Products
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Climate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Habitat overlap between Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus and red panda Ailurus fulgens in Himalaya
Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
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
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Filter Total Items: 17
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Background Among the most widely anticipated climate-related impacts to biodiversity are geographic range shifts, whereby species shift their spatial distribution in response to changing climate conditions. In particular, a series of commonly articulated hypotheses have emerged: species are expected to shift their distributions to higher latitudes, greater elevations, and deeper depths in responAuthorsMadeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn Carter, Mitchell Eaton, Ciara Johnson, Abigail Lynch, Brian W. Miller, Toni Lyn Morelli, Mari Angel Rodriguez, Adam Terando, Laura ThompsonClimate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Climate change is a pervasive and growing global threat to biodiversity and ecosystems. Here, we present the most up-to-date assessment of climate change impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and ecosystem services in the U.S. and implications for natural resource management. We draw from the 4th National Climate Assessment to summarize observed and projected changes to ecosystems and biodiversity,AuthorsSarah R. Weiskopf, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Lisa Crozier, Sarah Gaichas, Roger Griffis, Jessica E. Halofsky, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey T. Morisette, Roldan C. Muñoz, Andrew J. Pershing, David L. Peterson, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D. Staudinger, Ariana E. Sutton-Grier, Laura Thompson, James Vose, Jake Weltzin, Kyle Powys WhyteClimate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Climate change is an increasing concern for wildlife managers across the United States and Canada. Because climate change may alter populations and harvest dynamics of key species in the region, midwestern states have identified the effects of climate change on ungulates as a priority research area. We conducted a literature review of projected climate change in the Midwest and the potential effecAuthorsSarah R. Weiskopf, Olivia E. LeDee, Laura M. ThompsonHabitat overlap between Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus and red panda Ailurus fulgens in Himalaya
Studying habitat overlap between sympatric species is one of the best ways to identify interspecies relationships and to direct conservation efforts so that multiple species can benefit. However, studies exploring interspecies relationships are very limited in Nepal, making it difficult for the government of Nepal and conservation partners to manage wildlife in their habitats, especially in HimalaAuthorsManjit Bista, Saroj Panthi, Sarah R. WeiskopfEcosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
Biodiversity—the variety of life on Earth—provides vital services that support and improve human health and well-being. Ecosystems, which are composed of living things that interact with the physical environment, provide numerous essential benefits to people. These benefits, termed ecosystem services, encompass four primary functions: provisioning materials, such as food and fiber; regulating critAuthorsDouglas Lipton, Madeleine A. Rubenstein, Sarah R. Weiskopf, Shawn L. Carter, Jay Peterson, Lisa Crozier, Michael Fogarty, Sarah Gaichas, Kimberly J. W. Hyde, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jeffrey Morisette, Hassan Moustahfid, Roldan Munoz, Rajendra Poudel, Michelle D. Staudinger, Charles Stock, Laura Thompson, Robin S. Waples, Jake WeltzinNon-USGS Publications**
Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, J.L., McCarthy, K.P., Shiklomanov, A.N., Wibisono, H.T., Pusparini, W. 2019. The conservation value of forest fragments in the increasingly agrarian landscape of Sumatra. Environmental Conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892919000195Weiskopf, S.R., McCarthy, K. P., Tessler, M., Rahman, H., McCarthy, J.L., Faisal, M.M., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Using terrestrial haematophagous leeches to enhance tropical biodiversity monitoring programs in Bangladesh. Journal of Applied Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13111Tessler, M., Weiskopf, S.R., Berniker, L., Hersch, R., McCarthy, K.P., Yu, D. W., Siddall, M.E. 2018. Bloodlines: mammals, leeches, and conservation in southern Asia. Systematics and Biodiversity. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2018.1433729Weiskopf, S.R., Kachel, S.M., McCarthy, K.P. 2016. What are snow leopards really eating? Identifying bias in food habit studies. The Wildlife Society Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.640**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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