Susan K McIlroy, PhD
Susan is a Staff Scientist with the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI).
Susan began her career at the USGS in 2010 working for the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC). While an Ecologist at FRESC, she studied vegetation response to fire and other disturbance in the western United States. Susan transitioned to OSQI in 2024, where she is primarily contributing to the Laboratory Advisory Board (LAB!). As part of the LAB!, Susan interacts with USGS scientists to understand their needs, shares helpful tools and trainings, and contributes to recommendations and guidance regarding lab-specific issues across the Bureau.
Professional Experience
2024 - present: Staff Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Science Quality and Integrity
2010 - 2024: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho
2009 - 2010: Postdoctoral Researcher, University of California, Berkeley, California
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley
M.S., Land Rehabilitation, Montana State University
B.A., Sociology/Anthropology, Lewis and Clark College
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.
Variable climate-growth relationships of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) among Sky Island mountain ranges in the Great Basin, Nevada, USA
Ecological effects of pinyon-juniper removal in the Western United States—A synthesis of scientific research, January 2014–March 2021
Fire frequency impacts soil properties and processes in sagebrush steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin
Disentangling the effects of multiple fires on spatially interspersed sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities
Post-fire aspen (Populus tremuloides) regeneration varies in response to winter precipitation across a regional climate gradient
Climate and disturbance influence self-sustaining stand dynamics of aspen (Populus tremuloides) near its range margin
Fuels guide and database for intact and invaded big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecological sites—User manual
Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe
Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales
Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning
Identifying key climate and environmental factors affecting rates of post-fire big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) recovery in the northern Columbia Basin, USA
Landsat 8 and ICESat-2: Performance and potential synergies for quantifying dryland ecosystem vegetation cover and biomass
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.
Pinyon-Juniper Disturbance Effects on Wildlife
The Wildfire Trends Tool: A data visualization and analysis tool to meet land management needs and facilitate scientific inquiry
Vulnerability of Lower-Elevation Aspen Forests to Altered Fire and Climate Dynamics: Assessing Risks and Developing Actionable Science
Projecting the Effects of Climate Change on Aspen in the Central and Northern Rocky Mountains
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.
Cover, density, and biomass data from Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) restoration treatments
Vegetation data from burned and unburned sagebrush communities in eastern Washington (2016)
Northern Nevada aspen (Populus tremuloides) data (2010-2011) (ver. 2.0, January 2024)
Fuels Database for Intact and Invaded Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) Ecological Sites
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.
Variable climate-growth relationships of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) among Sky Island mountain ranges in the Great Basin, Nevada, USA
Ecological effects of pinyon-juniper removal in the Western United States—A synthesis of scientific research, January 2014–March 2021
Fire frequency impacts soil properties and processes in sagebrush steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin
Disentangling the effects of multiple fires on spatially interspersed sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities
Post-fire aspen (Populus tremuloides) regeneration varies in response to winter precipitation across a regional climate gradient
Climate and disturbance influence self-sustaining stand dynamics of aspen (Populus tremuloides) near its range margin
Fuels guide and database for intact and invaded big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecological sites—User manual
Methodological considerations of terrestrial laser scanning for vegetation monitoring in the sagebrush steppe
Lidar aboveground vegetation biomass estimates in shrublands: Prediction, uncertainties and application to coarser scales
Estimating vegetation biomass and cover across large plots in shrub and grass dominated drylands using terrestrial lidar and machine learning
Identifying key climate and environmental factors affecting rates of post-fire big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) recovery in the northern Columbia Basin, USA
Landsat 8 and ICESat-2: Performance and potential synergies for quantifying dryland ecosystem vegetation cover and biomass
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.
Pinyon-Juniper Disturbance Effects on Wildlife
The Wildfire Trends Tool: A data visualization and analysis tool to meet land management needs and facilitate scientific inquiry
Vulnerability of Lower-Elevation Aspen Forests to Altered Fire and Climate Dynamics: Assessing Risks and Developing Actionable Science
Projecting the Effects of Climate Change on Aspen in the Central and Northern Rocky Mountains
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.