FRESC Research

Aquatic & Semi-Aquatic

Avian Ecology

Change & Disturbance

Ecosystem & Landscape

Restoration & Monitoring

Terrestrial Wildlife

The scientists from the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center capitalize on their diverse expertise to answer critically important scientific questions shaped by the equally diverse environments of the western United States. FRESC scientists collaborate with each other and with partners to provide rigorous, objective, and timely information and guidance for the management and conservation of biological systems in the West and worldwide.

In the Spotlight

New Study: Evaluating Effects and Effectiveness of Fuel Breaks
Fuel breaks are intended to reduce fire size and frequency, and can potentially reduce rates of fire spread. To accomplish these objectives, managers construct fuel... [Read more]

Subalpine Tree Recruitment Affected by Warming, Seed Provenance
To test how warming will alter subalpine tree recruitment, researchers designed an experiment in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado over five years. They sowed seeds from... [Read more]

Potential Trophic Cascades Triggered by Barred Owl Range Expansion
Barred owls have expanded their range into the Pacific Northwest, greatly impacting the demography and behavior of northern spotted owls. Still, little is known... [Read more]

Mountain Goat Abundance and Population Trends, Olympic Mountains, 2016
Mountain goats, which were introduced to the Olympic Mountains in Washington in the 1920s, can act aggressively towards visitors and damage native plant communities. In... [Read more]

Insect Responses to Climate and Weather in Sagebrush Steppe
Most insects are short-lived and have relatively rapid responses to disturbance so are good model organisms for measuring the effects of temperature and precipitation... [Read more]

Featured Scientist

Todd Katzner specializes in studying and monitoring wildlife, especially raptors, to help understand their ecology, estimate demographic characteristics and population connectivity, and track their long-distance movements. Katzner also uses GPS-GSM telemetry systems and GIS analyses to track birds of prey to understand how renewable energy development can be best managed to reduce risk to birds from turbines and solar fields. Katzner conducts research throughout North America and in central Asia. MORE >