Research Teams

Bruce Rieman, Research Fisheries Scientist, Retired  
email: brieman[at]fs.fed.us

Education  

• B.S. Zoology, University of Idaho 1973
• M.S. Fisheries Management, University of Idaho 1976  
• PhD Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences, University of Idaho 1987  

Background and Research Emphasis

My background in fish research and management includes positions with state and federal agencies and the University of Idaho. I am the Team Leader for the Fisheries Work Group with the Rocky Mountain Research Station. My research efforts and interests are principally with the conservation biology of salmonids in the Intermountain Region. I work with collaborators and students at the state universities in Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Nevada.

The salmonid populations of the Intermountain West have declined in number and distribution throughout the region. Local extinctions and restricted distributions are common. Habitat loss and fragmentation, and the expansion of exotic species are believed to be principle causes. Growing concerns have culminated with every species now either petitioned, proposed, or listed under the Endangered Species Act for at least part of the range.

Although considerable work has been done with many of the salmonids, much of it has focused on traditional fisheries management issues and on fine scale habitat relationships. I believe that conservation of many threatened populations will require a broader perspective. In my view, effective conservation will require a context and strategic guidance for the conservation and restoration of watershed networks. My goal is to contribute to the understanding of population dynamics at these scales and to develop tools and information useful for effectively prioritizing limited conservation-management resources.

My personal research has focused on larger patterns in species distributions and the processes relevant to the dynamics and persistence of populations at watershed and larger scales. I have been particularly interested in metapopulation processes and in the expression of life histories as mechanisms potentially stabilizing populations in spatially and temporally variable environments.  

Integrated/Interdisciplinary/Cooperative Research Programs

1) Decision support for aquatic ecosystem consideration in fire management planning.

Collaborators: Charlie Luce, Matthew Dare (RMRS);   Paul Hessburg (USFS, Pacific Northwest Research Station), Ann Black and Carol Miller (USFS, Rocky Mountain Research Station), Boise National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest.

 

2) Evaluation of the Tradeoffs between Native Fish Passage Restoration and Associated Threats from Invasions by Nonnative Fishes

Collaborators: Jason Dunham (USGS, Corvallis, OR), Kurt Fausch (Colorado State University, Fort Collins), Michael Young (USFS, Missoula, MT), Doug Peterson (USFWS, Helena, MT), Brad Shepard, (MDFWP and Montana State University, Bozeman), Brian Cade, (USGS Fort Collins, CO), Kate Walker (USFS Region 1, Missoula MT).

 

3) The effects of wildfire and ecological context on aquatic biological Diversity. 

Collaborators: Daniel Isaak (RMRS Boise), Jason Dunham (USGS Corvallis, OR), Amanda Rosenberger, (U of A, Fairbanks), Helen Neville, (Trout Unlimited, Boise ID), Dona Horan, (RMRS Boise), Steve Railsback, (Arcata, CA), Mark Wipfli, (U of A, Fairbanks).

 

4) Recovery Implementation Science Team (RIST) for Pacific Salmon in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

Collaborators: NOAA Fisheries, Seattle Wa, and scientists from throughout the region.

 

5) The effects of fire and climate change on stream temperature and the distribution of native fishes.

Collaborators: Charlie Luce (RMRS, Boise), Daniel Isaak (RMRS, Boise).