I am an Ecologist with the USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center. I manage field logistics, site management, data management, data analysis, and manuscript preparation for the SageSTEP project. I also assist the Aquatic and Landscape Ecology Research Team with field logistics and data management.
My research experience spans forested and desert shrubland ecosystems across the west. My research interests include restoration ecology of native plants on disturbed and invaded lands and long term effects of fuel reduction treatments on sagebrush and western juniper woodland ecosystems. Outside of work I enjoy trail running, mountain biking, and section hiking the PCT.
Professional Experience
2005 - Present: Ecologist, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
2001 - 2005: Biological Science Technician, USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR
2000: Forestry Technician, Fort Lewis Military Base, Public Works, Fort Lewis, WA
1997 - 2000: Fellow, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Fort Lewis, WA
1996-1997: Research Technician, Ecological Restoration Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
Education and Certifications
B.S., Forestry Science, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ (1996)
Science and Products
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Ten-year ecological responses to fuel treatments within semiarid Wyoming big sagebrush ecosystems
Assessing runoff and erosion on woodland-encroached sagebrush steppe using the Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model
Fuel reduction treatments reduce modeled fire intensity in the sagebrush steppe
Postfire growth of seeded and planted big sagebrush - Strategic designs for restoring Greater Sage-grouse nesting habitat
Weed-suppressive bacteria applied as a spray or seed mixture did not control Bromus tectorum
Region-wide ecological responses of arid Wyoming big sagebrush communities to fuel treatments
Monitoring restoration impacts to endemic plant communities in soil inclusions of arid environments
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.
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Pre- and Post-Treatment Fuels and Vegetation Data from the Great Basin, 2006-2018 (ver. 2.0, September 2020)
Weed-suppressive bacteria data set collected on Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Science and Products
- Publications
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Ten-year ecological responses to fuel treatments within semiarid Wyoming big sagebrush ecosystems
Sagebrush ecosystems of western North America are threatened by invasive annual grasses and wildfires that can remove fire-intolerant shrubs for decades. Fuel reduction treatments are used ostensibly to aid in fire suppression, conserve wildlife habitat, and restore historical fire regimes, but long-term ecological impacts of these treatments are not clear. In 2006, we initiated fuel reduction treAssessing runoff and erosion on woodland-encroached sagebrush steppe using the Rangeland Hydrology and Erosion Model
The transition of sagebrush-dominated (Artemisia spp.) shrublands to pinyon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) woodlands markedly alters resource-conserving vegetation structure typical of these landscapes. Land managers and scientists in the western United States need knowledge and predictive tools for assessment and effective targeting of tree-removal treatments to conserve or restore sagFuel reduction treatments reduce modeled fire intensity in the sagebrush steppe
Increased fire size and frequency coupled with annual grass invasion pose major challenges to sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem conservation, which is currently focused on protecting sagebrush community composition and structure. A common strategy for mitigating potential fire is to use fuel treatments that alter the structure and amount of burnable material, thus reducing fire behavior and crePostfire growth of seeded and planted big sagebrush - Strategic designs for restoring Greater Sage-grouse nesting habitat
Wildfires change plant community structure and impact wildlife habitat and population dynamics. Recent wildfire‐induced losses of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in North American shrublands are outpacing natural recovery and leading to substantial losses in habitat for sagebrush‐obligate species such as Greater Sage‐grouse. Managers are considering restoration strategies that include plantinWeed-suppressive bacteria applied as a spray or seed mixture did not control Bromus tectorum
We conducted two case studies testing effectiveness of a soil-borne bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain D7, in controlling Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) and in affecting the density of sown desirable seedlings. We conducted two case studies testing D7’s ability to control of B. tectorum (cover, biomass and density) when mixed with native seeds sown after a fire and when sprayed on a native comRegion-wide ecological responses of arid Wyoming big sagebrush communities to fuel treatments
If arid sagebrush ecosystems lack resilience to disturbances or resistance to annual invasives, then alternative successional states dominated by annual invasives, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), are likely after fuel treatments. We identified six Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) locations (152–381 mm precipitation) that we believed had suffMonitoring restoration impacts to endemic plant communities in soil inclusions of arid environments
Soil inclusions are small patches of soil with different properties than the surrounding, dominant soil. In arid areas of western North America, soil inclusions called slickspot soils are saltier than adjacent soil and support different types of native vegetation. Traditional sagebrush restoration efforts, such as using drills to plant seeds or herbicides to control invasive vegetation, may damageNon-USGS Publications**
Foster, J.R. and S.E. Shaff. 2004. Forest Colonization of Puget Lowland Grasslands at Fort Lewis, Washington. Northwest Science 77: 283-296.**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.
- Data
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
Pre- and Post-Treatment Fuels and Vegetation Data from the Great Basin, 2006-2018 (ver. 2.0, September 2020)
The project was conducted to study the effects of land management options. It was conducted across a regional network of sites in sagebrush communities. Using this regional network of sites allowed us to understand the thresholds between healthy and unhealthy sagebrush communities over a broad range of conditions across the Great Basin. Sites were located in sagebrush communities threatened by cheWeed-suppressive bacteria data set collected on Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
We conducted a case studies testing effectiveness of a soil borne bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens strain D7, in controlling Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass) and in affecting the density of sown desirable seedlings. Response variables (foliar cover, aboveground biomass, and density of B. tectorum; density of sown native plants) were measured for three years after treatment. - Multimedia
- News
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.