I answer applied research questions at the intersection of wildlife biology, landscape ecology, and statistics.
Research Interests
My work falls under three broad themes: (1) understand the influence of humans and associated land use impacts on wildlife distributions, densities, and related processes at local and landscape scales, (2) develop new analytical tools that address the influence of landscape features on animals at the sub-population and population scales, and (3) improve efficiency of research and monitoring through optimal study design. I have >15 years experience studying grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, elk, and the development of novel and integrated analyses of habitat use, connectivity, migration, and genetics, all very applied work. I have also assisted with projects studying black bears, wolverines, mountain goats, wolves, lynx, kinkajou, loons, hawks, owls, riparian vegetation, pika, and sugar pine.
Education and Certifications
PhD. 2012. Northern Arizona University. Dissertation Title: Spatial ecology of grizzly bears in northwestern Montana and estimating resistance to gene flow
M.S. Wildlife Biology. 2002. University of Montana
Honors B.A. German Literature with distinction. 1995. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Science and Products
Genetic attributes and research interests
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2018 annual report
The smell of success: Reproductive success related to rub behavior in brown bears
Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
Systematics, evolution, and genetics of bears
Evaluating wildlife translocations using genomics: A bighorn sheep case study
Ungulate migrations of the western United States, Volume 1
Comparative performance and trend of remotely sensed phenology and productivity metrics across the Western United States
Western bumble bee: Declines in United States and range-wide information gaps
Connectivity in the Crown: Highway 2 wildlife crossings
To forage or flee: Lessons from an elk migration near a protected area
Mapping a keystone shrub species, huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), using seasonal colour change in the Rocky Mountains
Pre-USGS Publications
Developing Tools to Evaluate Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission Risk
Chronic Wasting Disease
Western Bumblebee and Native Pollinator Research
Predicting Future Forage Conditions for Elk and Mule Deer in Montana and Wyoming
NOROCK Large Carnivore Research Program
Science in Glacier National Park
Long Term Research in northwest Montana
Grizzly Bear Family Tree
Grizzly Bear Dispersal
Predicting changes in Bear Foods
Bighorn Sheep in and near Glacier National Park
Ecology of Elk on Department of Interior Lands in Southwest Wyoming
Daily 30-m fractional snow covered area and summary stats for the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming from 2015 to 2020
Historical trend analysis of phenology dates across the Western US from 1982 to 2016
Projected peak instantaneous rate of green-up date and spring scale across Wyoming from 2000 to 2099
Remotely sensed elk locations on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming, 2017-2019
Western bumble bee predicted occupancy and detection probability rasters for the western continental United States from 1998 to 2018
Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 1
Bighorn sheep Ovine HD array genotypes from National Parks, 2004-2011
Bear capture recapture sampling in Glacier National Park, Montana, 2004
West Green River elk herd locations in southwestern Wyoming, 2005-2010
WildAgg: an R package to estimate and visualize wildlife aggregation data
WildAgg: an R package to estimate and visualize wildlife aggregation data
This package is designed to estimate, summarize, and visualize wildlife aggregation metrics using location information like GPS collar data. The motivation for the development of this package began with two research efforts studying the aggregation and density of elk on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming (Janousek et al.2021; and Graves et al. 2021).
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 23
Genetic attributes and research interests
Book chapter with broad description of the genetics used and topics being studied in the GYA within separate sections for bighorn sheep and mountain goats.U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2018 annual report
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) was established in 2007 as a collaborative interagency partnership to develop and implement science-based conservation actions. During the past 11 years, partners from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State and Federal land management agencies, universities, and the public have collaborated to implement a long-term (more than 10 years) science-basThe smell of success: Reproductive success related to rub behavior in brown bears
Several species of bears are known to rub deliberately against trees and other objects, but little is known about why bears rub. Patterns in rubbing behavior of male and female brown bears (Ursus arctos) suggest that scent marking via rubbing functions to communicate among potential mates or competitors. Using DNA from bear hairs collected from rub objects in southwestern Alberta from 2011–2014 anHuman activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
Wildlife aggregation patterns can influence disease transmission. However, limited research evaluates the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors on aggregation. Many managers would like to reduce wildlife contact rates, driven by aggregation, to limit disease transmission. We develop a novel analytical framework to quantify how management activities such as supplemental feeding and huntingSystematics, evolution, and genetics of bears
Molecular genetics are key to understanding current and historical relationships between isolated populations, including species’ colonizations during glacial–interglacial cycles, to determine viability of local populations, needs for habitat corridors, and other aspects of population management, especially where bears are harvested for sport, etc. As natural habitats shrink, some bear species wilEvaluating wildlife translocations using genomics: A bighorn sheep case study
Wildlife restoration often involves translocation efforts to reintroduce species and supplement small, fragmented populations. We examined the genomic consequences of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) translocations and population isolation to enhance understanding of evolutionary processes that affect population genetics and inform future restoration strategies. We conducted a population genomic anUngulate migrations of the western United States, Volume 1
Across the western United States, many ungulate herds must migrate seasonally to access resources and avoid harsh winter conditions. Because these migration paths cover vast landscapes (in other words migration distances up to 150 miles [241 kilometers]), they are increasingly threatened by roads, fencing, subdivisions, and other development. Over the last decade, many new tracking studies have beByComparative performance and trend of remotely sensed phenology and productivity metrics across the Western United States
Vegetation phenology and productivity play a crucial role in surface energy balance, plant and animal distribution, and animal movement and habitat use and can be measured with remote sensing metrics including start of season (SOS), peak instantaneous rate of green-up date (PIRGd), peak of season (POS), end of season (EOS), and integrated vegetation indices. However, for most metrics, we do not yeWestern bumble bee: Declines in United States and range-wide information gaps
In recent decades, many bumble bee species have declined due to changes in habitat, climate, and pressures from pathogens, pesticides, and introduced species. The western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis ), once common throughout western North America, is a species of concern and will be considered for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). WeConnectivity in the Crown: Highway 2 wildlife crossings
This report summarizes data collected to inform decisions on how to best mitigate the effects on wildlife migration from increasing traffic, development, and recreation along US highway 2. The highway, railway, and river split the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. This data addresses SO 3362 by providing information on major wildlife trails, observed wildilfe crossings and road kills, and identiTo forage or flee: Lessons from an elk migration near a protected area
Alteration of wide-ranging wildlife migrations can drastically impact the structure and function of ecosystems, yet the causes and consequences of shifting migration patterns remain largely unknown. Management decisions made in one portion of a landscape may induce spatial and temporal shifts of wildlife use in another, creating tension among private, state, and federal lands with varying missionsMapping a keystone shrub species, huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), using seasonal colour change in the Rocky Mountains
Black huckleberries (Vaccinium membranaceum) provide a critical food resource to many wildlife species, including apex omnivores such as the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos), and play an important socioeconomic role for many communities in western North America, especially indigenous peoples. Remote sensing imagery offers the potential for accurate landscape-level mapping of huckleberries because the sPre-USGS Publications
Graves, T.A., S. Farley, M. Goldstein, and C.Servheen. 2007. Identification of functional corridors with movement characteristics of brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Landscape Ecology.Graves, T.A., S. Farley, and C.Servheen. 2006. Frequency and distribution of highway crossings by Kenai Peninsula brown bears. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 34: 800-808.Graves, T.A. and J. Waller. 2006. Identification of causes of missed fixes in GPS collar on animals. Journal of Wildlife Management. 70: 844-851. - Science
Filter Total Items: 13
Developing Tools to Evaluate Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission Risk
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) infects and kills ungulates (deer, elk, moose), and has been spreading across North America for the past 20 years. Some ungulate populations have declined because of CWD and there are no viable vaccines or treatments for this disease. Therefore, tools that assist wildlife managers in preventing and mitigating CWD can be powerful assets in protecting our nation’s big...Chronic Wasting Disease
Over the past 20 years, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wyoming has been spreading slowly outward from the southeastern corner of the state toward the Greater Yellowstone Area and Wyoming's elk feed grounds, where more than 24,000 elk are supplementally fed each winter.Western Bumblebee and Native Pollinator Research
The western bumblebee occurs across western U.S. and Canada, and was one of the most common bumblebees in this region. However, our research and others suggests it has been declining, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are considering it for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Data are needed to improve our understanding of the resilience, redundancy, and representation of the western...Predicting Future Forage Conditions for Elk and Mule Deer in Montana and Wyoming
Improving the quality of habitat for western big-game species, such as elk and mule deer, was identified as a priority by the Department of the Interior in 2018. Maintaining healthy herds not only supports the ecosystems where these species are found, but also the hunting and wildlife watching communities. For example, in Wyoming, big game hunting contributed over $300 million to the state’s econo...NOROCK Large Carnivore Research Program
NOROCK has substantial expertise in large carnivore research, primarily involving species listed as Threatened or Endangered. NOROCK’s Large Carnivore Research Program includes scientists from NOROCK’s Headquarters, West Glacier Field Station, and the Southern Appalachian Field Station. Studies are conducted in a wide variety of landscapes throughout the U.S., as well as international research...Science in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park (GNP) is considered a stronghold for a large diversity of plant and animal species and harbors some of the last remaining populations of threatened and endangered species such as grizzly bear and bull trout, as well as non threatened keystone species such as bighorn sheep and black bear. The mountain ecosystems of GNP that support these species are dynamic and influenced by...Long Term Research in northwest Montana
The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in northwest Montana is one of the last strongholds of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states. Of the six established grizzly bear recovery zones, the NCDE is the third largest in area, potentially harboring the greatest number of grizzly bears, and is the only zone contiguous to a strong Canadian population. However, little information exists...Grizzly Bear Family Tree
Building a family tree of grizzly bears can both satisfy our natural curiosity about bear society and answer many ecologically important questions about the ways bears interact with each other and the landscape.Grizzly Bear Dispersal
This work has two components. First, we developed a method to use our family tree data to examine dispersal. Next, we would like to apply this method to our updated and more complete family tree to improve our understanding of how grizzly bears disperse.Predicting changes in Bear Foods
Huckleberries are central to the diets of bears, grouse, and other animals, as well as being a cultural and food resource for humans. Approximately 15% of the diet of bears in the Whitefish range and Glacier National Park is huckleberries, and huckleberries help bears gain weight for hibernation. Changes in climate lead to changes in vegetation phenology, productivity, and quality that may...Bighorn Sheep in and near Glacier National Park
USGS collected GPS data as well as genetic and other samples on over 100 bighorn sheep east of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park, Waterton National Park, and the Blackfeet Reservation. Bighorn sheep across the west are vulnerable to disease such as pneumonia. We are therefore working to improve our understanding of bighorn sheep movements, approaches for monitoring bighorns, and...Ecology of Elk on Department of Interior Lands in Southwest Wyoming
Between 2005 and 2010, we radio- collared 61 female elk (Cervus elaphus) on Fossil Butte National Monument and 12 female elk near Cokeville, Wyoming, slightly northwest of the Monument, all from the West Green River herd. We are using the 209,250 locations from these elk to identify seasonal distribution patterns, evaluate habitat use, and assess factors influencing the timing of migration... - Data
Daily 30-m fractional snow covered area and summary stats for the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming from 2015 to 2020
This dataset contains daily fractional snow covered area (fSCA) at 30-m spatial resolution from August 1, 2015 - May 15, 2020 (five winters) for the National Elk Refuge in Wyoming, USA. The following summary statistics are also included: date of snow accumulation, date of snow melt, number of days in year with snow on ground, and percentage of "winter days" in year with snow on gHistorical trend analysis of phenology dates across the Western US from 1982 to 2016
These data represent key phenology trends across the western United States from 1982-2016. Using two remote sensing datasets, CMGLSP and VIPPHEN-EVI2, trends were calculated for four phenology variables: Start of Season (SOS), Peak Instantaneous Rate of Green-Up Date (PIRGd), Peak of Season (POS), and End of Season (EOS). The Theil-Sen slope and standard deviation were applied to the phenology metProjected peak instantaneous rate of green-up date and spring scale across Wyoming from 2000 to 2099
These data represent projections of peak instantaneous rate of green-up date (PIRGd) and spring scale across Wyoming from 2000-2099. Annual data is provided in gridded time series at approximately 4 km spatial resolution. Projections were generated by applying linear mixed models to contemporary remote sensing data, and applying model parameters to future climate projection data from the MACA dataRemotely sensed elk locations on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming, 2017-2019
Remotely sensed elk locations were derived from satellite and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) imagery collected during the winter of 2018 and the winter and spring of 2019 at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming and compared to locations from Global Positioning System (GPS) collars from 2017 - 2019. This data release provides the source, date, time, latitude, and longitude of elk locations anWestern bumble bee predicted occupancy and detection probability rasters for the western continental United States from 1998 to 2018
These data represent occupancy estimates for western bumble bee across the western continental United States and the spatial variation in detection probabilities that occur during bumble bee surveys. This product contains five raster layers (appearing as separate bands in a multi-band raster). The first two bands represent the predicted occupancy of western bumble bee in 1998 and 2018. We modeledUngulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 1
This is the data archive for the publication Ungulate Migrations of the Western United States, Volume 1 (Kauffman et al. 2020) and includes the collection of GIS map files that are mapped and described in the report. These map files are meant to provide a common spatial representation of the mapped migrations. This data release provides the means for ungulate migrations to be mapped and planned foBighorn sheep Ovine HD array genotypes from National Parks, 2004-2011
Between 2004 and 2011 bighorn sheep were darted in Glacier National Park and in Dinosaur National Monument. Blood was drawn. These are the genotypes resulting from an Ovine HD array from the bighorns. The first 3 columns refers to bighorn sheep identifiers: 'Herd_Unit', 'IndID', and 'AgencyID'. IndID is the identifier assigned at Montana State University. Subsequent columns each represent a locus,Bear capture recapture sampling in Glacier National Park, Montana, 2004
Text files containing detection events from genetic sampling sites associated with the unique identifier of American black bears in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA, 2004. Data is formatted for spatial capture recapture data analysis.West Green River elk herd locations in southwestern Wyoming, 2005-2010
Between 2005 and 2010, 61 adult female elk were trapped using a baited corral trap on Fossil Butte National Monument during winter. An additional 12 female elk were darted from a helicopter during the winter of 2007 near Cokeville, WY, located approximately 20 km northwest of the Monument. We affixed all elk with GPS collars programmed to collect location data every 5 hours. In total we collected - Software
WildAgg: an R package to estimate and visualize wildlife aggregation data
This package is designed to estimate, summarize, and visualize wildlife aggregation metrics using location information like GPS collar data. The motivation for the development of this package began with two research efforts studying the aggregation and density of elk on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming (Janousek et al.2021; and Graves et al. 2021). The primary goal of the WildAgg package is to proWildAgg: an R package to estimate and visualize wildlife aggregation data
This package is designed to estimate, summarize, and visualize wildlife aggregation metrics using location information like GPS collar data. The motivation for the development of this package began with two research efforts studying the aggregation and density of elk on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming (Janousek et al.2021; and Graves et al. 2021).
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