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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.

No Result Found

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.

Filter Total Items: 14

Challenges of establishing big sgebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in rangeland restoration: effects of herbicide, mowing, whole-community seeding, and sagebrush seed sources Challenges of establishing big sgebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in rangeland restoration: effects of herbicide, mowing, whole-community seeding, and sagebrush seed sources

The loss of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) on sites disturbed by fire has motivated restoration seeding and planting efforts. However, the resulting sagebrush establishment is often lower than desired, especially in dry areas. Sagebrush establishment may be increased by addressing factors such as seed source and condition or management of the plant community. We assessed...
Authors
Martha M. Brabec, Matthew J. Germino, Douglas Shinneman, David S. Pilliod, Susan McIlroy, Robert S. Arkle
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows

Cattle (Bos taurus) numbers on national forests are allocated based on allotment grazing capacity, but spatial patterns of timing and density at smaller scales are difficult to assess. However, it is often in meadows or riparian areas that grazing may affect hydrology, biodiversity, and other important ecosystem characteristics. To explore real-time animal presence in montane meadows we
Authors
Susan K. McIlroy, Barbara Allen-Diaz, Alexander Berg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

McIlroy, S.K., Montagne, C., Jones, C.A., McGlynn, B.L., 2008, Identifying linkages between land use, geomorphology, and aquatic habitat in a mixed-use watershed: Environmental Management, v. 42, no. 5, p. 867-876, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9166-7.
McIlroy, S.K., Allen-Diaz, B.H., Berg, A.C., 2011, Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows: Rangeland Ecology and Management, v. 64, no. 2, p. 187-195.
McIlroy, S.K., Allen-Diaz, B.H., 2012, Plant community distribution along water table and grazing gradients in montane meadows of the Sierra Nevada Range (California, USA): Wetlands Ecology Management, v. 20, no. 4, p. 287-296, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-012-9253-7.
McIlroy, S.K., Lind, A.J., Allen-Diaz, B.H., Roche, L.M., Frost, W.E., Grasso, R.L., Tate, K.W., 2013, Determining the effects of cattle grazing treatments on Yosemite toads (Anaxyrus [=Bufo] canorus) in montane meadows: PLOS ONE, v. 8, no. 11, p. e79263, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079263.

**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

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.

No Result Found

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.

Filter Total Items: 14

Challenges of establishing big sgebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in rangeland restoration: effects of herbicide, mowing, whole-community seeding, and sagebrush seed sources Challenges of establishing big sgebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in rangeland restoration: effects of herbicide, mowing, whole-community seeding, and sagebrush seed sources

The loss of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) on sites disturbed by fire has motivated restoration seeding and planting efforts. However, the resulting sagebrush establishment is often lower than desired, especially in dry areas. Sagebrush establishment may be increased by addressing factors such as seed source and condition or management of the plant community. We assessed...
Authors
Martha M. Brabec, Matthew J. Germino, Douglas Shinneman, David S. Pilliod, Susan McIlroy, Robert S. Arkle
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows

Cattle (Bos taurus) numbers on national forests are allocated based on allotment grazing capacity, but spatial patterns of timing and density at smaller scales are difficult to assess. However, it is often in meadows or riparian areas that grazing may affect hydrology, biodiversity, and other important ecosystem characteristics. To explore real-time animal presence in montane meadows we
Authors
Susan K. McIlroy, Barbara Allen-Diaz, Alexander Berg
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

McIlroy, S.K., Montagne, C., Jones, C.A., McGlynn, B.L., 2008, Identifying linkages between land use, geomorphology, and aquatic habitat in a mixed-use watershed: Environmental Management, v. 42, no. 5, p. 867-876, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-008-9166-7.
McIlroy, S.K., Allen-Diaz, B.H., Berg, A.C., 2011, Using digital photography to examine grazing in montane meadows: Rangeland Ecology and Management, v. 64, no. 2, p. 187-195.
McIlroy, S.K., Allen-Diaz, B.H., 2012, Plant community distribution along water table and grazing gradients in montane meadows of the Sierra Nevada Range (California, USA): Wetlands Ecology Management, v. 20, no. 4, p. 287-296, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-012-9253-7.
McIlroy, S.K., Lind, A.J., Allen-Diaz, B.H., Roche, L.M., Frost, W.E., Grasso, R.L., Tate, K.W., 2013, Determining the effects of cattle grazing treatments on Yosemite toads (Anaxyrus [=Bufo] canorus) in montane meadows: PLOS ONE, v. 8, no. 11, p. e79263, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079263.

**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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