BLM Library Science Spotlight
The Department of the Interior bases its decisions on the best available science (DOI Secretarial Order 3369). Bureau of Land Management employees actively participate in this process by regularly contributing new science to their fields. This page features current science being published by BLM authors, or supported by BLM expertise and resources.
Access to these articles is limited to BLM employees unless they are noted as Open Access.
Integrating multiple indices of habitat quality to inform habitat management for a sagebrush indicator species by Megan C. Milligan, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Brianne E. Brussee, Michael P. Chenaille, Derek A. Friend, Kathleen Steele, Justin R. Small, Timothy S. Bowden (BLM), Arlene D. Kosic, Katherine Miller, Michael L. Casazza. In Ecological Informatics, Volume 90, December 2025.
Robust science is needed to inform natural resource management and policy decisions. Predictive species habitat maps are frequently employed in conservation decision-making but are often based on a single metric representing habitat quality. We outlined a framework that combines multiple spatially explicit indices of potential habitat quality that could be used to identify and prioritize habitat management areas, using the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) as an example species. Due to large-scale changes in sagebrush ecosystems, sage-grouse have suffered significant population declines in recent decades and have become key to land management plans throughout the western United States, where comprehensive habitat maps are crucial to effective conservation efforts. We evaluated habitat selection and survival patterns of sage-grouse across six distinct annual life stages and seasons to generate predictive habitat map surfaces, mapped the distribution of current occupancy, and combined maps of potential selection and survival patterns with space use and occupancy indices to delineate example habitat management categories. Our approach facilitates identification of priority areas to target for habitat preservation and areas where anthropogenic impacts could occur with likely minimal impact to the species. Overall, by combining indices representing selection, survival, and current occupancy, we provide a framework to allow for a flexible and targeted management approach that could be adapted to a wide variety of species. (Open Access)
A New Marine Vertebrate Assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous Lincoln Limestone, Comanche National Grassland, Southeastern Colorado, USA, with Comments on the Vertebrate Assemblages at or Near the Contact between the Graneros Shale and Greenhorn Limestone in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska by Kenshu Shimada, Patrick B. Gonzales, Michael J. Everhart, Gregory A. Liggett (BLM), Denny J. Martin, Bruce A. Schumacher. In Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, Volume 128, Issue 3-4, December 2025.
The Lincoln Limestone Member of the Greenhorn Limestone is an Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rock unit formed in the North American Western Interior Seaway during the Cenomanian Stage. Here we report a new Lincoln Limestone fossil vertebrate assemblage from the Comanche National Grassland in southeastern Colorado, USA. The fossil assemblage consists of at least 22 taxa, comprising minimally 11 chondrichthyans, 10 osteichthyans, and one squamate reptile. The new fossil assemblage is compared with other chronologically similar (i.e. putatively late middle-early late Cenomanian) vertebrate assemblages in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, with a revised comparative taxonomic list of those assemblages. Examining stratigraphically well-constrained fossil assemblages shows differing environments and habitat preferences across the Western Interior Seaway. Deeper water localities (Colorado) versus localities nearer to the eastern shoreline (Nebraska) exhibit variation in lithologic and taxonomic compositions due to sea level change through time and space. (Available to BLM employees)
Environmental Characteristics Linked to Successful Introductions of a Rare Wetland Grass (Pleuropogon oregonus) by Stella M. Copeland, Erik P. Hamerlynck, Brandon J. Palmer, Sara I. Sternick, Collin W. Williams, Calla R. Hagle, Carter G. Crouch. In Natural Areas Journal Volume 45, Issue 4, October 2025.
Rare plant conservation often includes introductions via outplantings or seedings, yet these efforts are often unsuccessful. This study leveraged experimental plantings in a successful introduction program to assess environmental characteristics associated with outplanting success (survival, abundance, growth) for a rare grass species, Pleuropogon oregonus (Oregon semaphoregrass), in a large wetland site in eastern Oregon. The study evaluated associations between success and environmental variables suggested by previous observations including soil moisture metrics (based on volumetric water content), light competition (leaf area index), and surface cover with 4 y of transplants. We additionally tested for potential species indicators of successful planting locations. We found that lower survival and abundance of first year plantings were associated with greater light competition. Growing season drought (minimum soil moisture) was nonlinearly related to survival and abundance suggesting that higher moisture conditions can sometimes be favorable. However, prolonged growing season soil moisture (days) was slightly associated with lower survival and abundance. Bare ground cover was positively associated with first year abundance, but was not related to survival. Yearly growth rate was not associated with any environmental variables. Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), a common introduced grass also found in natural populations, was an indicator of first year failure. Our results suggest that outplanting efforts for this species should select areas with lower light competition and at least seasonally dry soils for increased initial success. Further research is needed to identify environmental characteristics favoring long-term introduction success, as factors associated with survival were not strongly related to population growth. (Available to BLM employees)
Ferruginous Hawk nest site selection, success, and productivity: Implications for mitigating the effects of natural gas development by Sarah Ramirez, Bryan Bedrosian, Dale Woolwine (BLM), Liba Pejchar. In Biological Conservation, Volume 310, October 2025.
When encroaching development threatens habitat loss for wildlife species, it is crucial to understand the important relationships between wildlife and their environment to best inform mitigation efforts. We investigated factors associated with nest site selection, success, and productivity in a species of conservation concern, the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis), in a relatively remote landscape prior to planned natural gas development. We used a long-term dataset (2009–2023) and a resource selection function framework to evaluate how nest site selection was influenced by habitat characteristics. We further used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate whether these factors were associated with nest success and productivity. The study area consisted of 1.16 % existing development, yet Ferruginous Hawks selected nest sites in open space developed landcover (cleared vegetation with a singular structure). Nests on anthropogenic structures also had lower nest success and productivity compared to other substrates, suggesting that even very low levels of development can result in an ecological trap. Additionally, Ferruginous Hawks had higher reproductive success farther from secondary roads but showed a complex relationship with proximity to producing natural gas wells. Reproductive success was positively associated with natural covariates, such as terrain ruggedness and grassland landcover, that could serve as a proxy for prey availability. Evaluating factors contributing to nesting demographics prior to the onset of energy development is vital to prevent the local extinction of species that are particularly sensitive to land use change. (Available to BLM employees)
Ecological niche modeling and potential dispersal of emerald ash borer in the Pacific Northwest by Gengping Zhu, Max Ragozzino, Mark Cody Holthouse, Mattthew Mills, Jessica L. Celis (BLM), Stacy Johnson (BLM), and David W. Crowder. In Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 118, Issue 5, July 2025.
The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is a notorious invasive pest that can devastate ash trees, Fraxinus spp. L., and embedded communities. While emerald ash borer is established in eastern North America, it was recently detected in Forest Grove, Oregon and in Vancouver, British Columbia, raising concerns that it may spread across the Pacific Northwest riparian ecosystems dominated by ash. A quarantine zone has been established in Oregon, but future mitigation depends on assessing the spread to new regions. Here, we used habitat suitability models and dispersal simulations to predict the potential spread of emerald ash borer. Specifically, we compared climate spaces occupied by Oregon and British Columbia populations with other native and introduced populations, and then used habitat suitability models and dispersal simulations to predict future distributions. We show that the newly established Oregon and British Columbia populations currently occupy relatively narrow climate niche, and many suitable niche spaces are unoccupied in the Pacific Northwest, indicating potential for range expansion. We also show there are vast areas of suitable habitat that extend south of the present quarantine zone throughout inland western Oregon and north into Washington. In Vancouver, the most suitable habitat was found along the Fraser River, where emerald ash borer could disperse inland. Dispersal models suggest that, without intervention, emerald ash borer could disperse into Washington within 2 yr, throughout western Oregon in 15 yr, and reach California in 20 yr. Our work supports intensive quarantine efforts for emerald ash borer and identifies areas where monitoring and management efforts should focus. (Open Access)
Dust transport pathways from The Great Basin by Ronald S. Treminio, Nicholas P. Webb, Saroj Dhital, Akasha Faist, Beth Newingham, Colby Brungard, David DuBois, Brandon L. Edwards, Emily Kachergis (BLM). In Aeolian Research, Volume 72, March 2025.
The Great Basin is at risk of increased wind erosion and dust emissions due to grazing pressure, urbanization, wildfire, and non-native plant invasion. Recent efforts to quantify wind erosion risk on Great Basin rangelands identified high to extreme wind erosion and dust emission hotspots. However, the spatial extent and seasonal variability of dust transport pathways from the Great Basin, and thus the local and regional dust impacts, are not well understood. Here, we computed forward air-parcel trajectories using the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model using the North American Regional Reanalysis 32-km meteorological data and kernel density analysis to describe potential seasonal dust transport pathways associated with three Great Basin wind erosion hotspots. Probability mass-densities for six different heights above ground level (AGL) were estimated to describe the spatial and vertical extent of potential dust transport across North America. A large proportion of trajectories occurred within 0 – 500 m AGL in spring (25.9 % − 32.7 %), fall (33.6 % − 35.1 %), and winter (44.1 % − 53.8 %). The proportion of trajectories at 2000 – 5000 m AGL is highest in summer (32.1 % − 39.8 %) and spring (23.0 % − 23.3 %). Thus, long range west-to-east transport of dust over North America is likeliest in summer. However, local redistribution of dust near hotspots, is more likely in spring, fall, and winter. This study helps to link potential dust transport pathways to wind erosion hotspots for mitigating the local and regional impacts of dust emissions, informing rangeland management strategies, and improving air quality assessments across North America. (Open Access)
TALES OF 10-YEAR-OLD FIRES by Nikki Grant-Hoffman, Anna Lincoln (BLM), and Anjelica Spencer (BLM). In The Southwestern Naturalist, Volume 69, Issue 2, March 2025.
As wildfire size and intensity increases on public lands, one common tool in post-fire restoration on public lands is broadcast seeding. The use of native seed mixes, targeted to specific site needs, is one component of balancing management goals and restoration needs. We studied burned areas for ten years after fire and hypothesized that the addition of seed, especially native seed, would complement natural process and support increases in native grasses and native forbs to acceptable, as defined by management goals, levels of cover ten years post fire. We further hypothesized that nonnative species, including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), would stabilize in cover and that slower growing components, such as trees and shrubs, would show increases, although cover may be low due to slower growth rates. We found that native forbs responded well with increasing cover after fires. Contrary to our hypothesis we found that cheatgrass continued to show significant increases ten years after fire. Further, native trees and shrubs showed modest to no increases in cover in the ten-year sampling period. (Available to BLM employees)
An accuracy assessment of satellite-derived rangeland fractional cover by Georgia R. Harrison, Matthew Rigge, Timothy J. Assal (BLM), Cara Applestein, Darren K. James, Sarah E. McCord. In Ecological Indicators, Volume 172, March 2025.
Satellite-derived maps of vegetation cover provide detailed information about vegetation spatiotemporal patterns and are increasingly used to better understand and manage rangelands. Despite their utility, questions remain regarding the regional and site level accuracy for these maps, especially compared to field-collected data. We conducted an accuracy assessment of the Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP), using over 17,000 field plots sampled through nationwide rangeland vegetation monitoring programs in the continental U.S. We observed higher overall nationwide map error compared to previous validations of RAP, and absolute error (Mean Absolute Error [MAE] and Root Mean Square Error [RMSE]) was highest for perennial herbaceous and bare ground and lowest for trees (MAE range = 2.98 –10.22 %). There were also differences in map agreement with field data across ecoregions. Generally, map agreement was highest in the Great Basin and lowest in the Great Plains and Desert Southwest. Additionally, we assessed the suitability of using RAP in riparian and wetland areas, which are absent in the current version’s training. Errors for bare ground in riparian areas were lower than errors of upland accuracy assessments (upland MAE = 10.22 %, riparian MAE = 7.22 %), but for all other functional groups, riparian error was higher (ΔMAE range: 0.21 – 20.49 %). We examine how our results could inform regional applications of fractional cover data while considering error and uncertainty and identify areas for potential model improvement. Our findings inform the use of RAP regionally and provide a technique for evaluating other vegetation mapping products for use in rangeland management. (Open Access)
The Influence of Grazing on the Spatiotemporal Activity Patterns of a Primary Sage-Grouse Nest Predator by Nolan A. Helmstetter, Courtney J. Conway, Shane Roberts, Paul D. Makela (BLM), and Lisette P. Waits. In Rangeland Ecology & Management, Volume 8, January 2025.
Perturbations in ecological processes can occur when wildlife alter their spatiotemporal activity patterns to avoid human activities that they perceive as a risk. Such perturbations can have cascading effects throughout wildlife communities. For greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse), nest predation plays an important role in population dynamics. Domestic cattle (Bos taurus) grazing has been hypothesized to increase nest predation by reducing grass height, and therefore reducing nest concealment, which may facilitate nest detection by predators. Grass height is lower on grazed pastures, but sage-grouse nest success appears similar on pastures grazed at varying intensities in several recent studies. Any reductions in nest concealment caused by grazing could potentially be offset by a localized response of one or more nest predators to the presence of cattle (i.e., the cattle avoidance hypothesis). A reduction in nest predator density or relative use within pastures could explain similar patterns of nest success on pastures grazed at varying intensities. Also, wildlife can potentially partition themselves temporally to avoid risks associated with human activities. For example, a shift in diel activity patterns by nest predators in response to cattle could result in predators being active during portions of the day when they are less efficient at locating sage-grouse nests. Thus, the effects of grazing could be offset by a temporal avoidance of cattle by predators. We deployed motion sensor cameras across six pastures to evaluate whether coyotes (Canis latrans; a primary sage-grouse nest predator) altered spatiotemporal activity patterns in response to cattle. We found that the probability of detecting coyotes had a positive relationship with cattle detections at camera sites (β = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.14,0.30). We also found that coyotes did not shift their diel activity patterns in response to cattle being in the pastures. Thus, in our system, similar sage-grouse nest success among pastures with different grazing intensities cannot be explained by the cattle avoidance hypothesis, at least for coyotes. (Available to BLM employees)
Environmental Drivers of Arthropod Communities Across the Endangered Predator Gambelia sila's Current and Historic Range by Jenna Braun, Michael Westphal (BLM), Marina Goldgisser, Kevin Padula, Kathryn Ramirez, John English, Jason Evans, Mark Statham, Amy Fesnock, and C. J. Lortie. In Conservation Science & Practice, Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2025.
Describing the habitat needs of endangered species is a major focus of applied conservation research. The blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila (Stejneger, 1890)) is a flagship endangered species endemic to the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. Arthropods are an important component of G. sila's diet and of many other listed vertebrate species in Californian drylands. We examined the drivers of abundance, richness, and composition across the current and extirpated ranges of the blunt-nosed leopard lizard G. sila for four arthropod communities: ground-active, shrub-canopy active, open area active, and aerial. We found no evidence for lower arthropod abundance or species richness at sites from which G. sila has been extirpated. In contrast, the ground-active arthropod and beetle communities were less abundant at sites with current populations of G. sila after accounting for environmental variation. Thus, prey availability—at least at the community level and for the taxonomic groups considered—would not likely be a factor constraining future repopulation efforts for G. sila into its historical range. Beta-diversity partitioning analyses indicated that a regional approach to conservation is necessary to conserve arthropod biodiversity across the San Joaquin Valley. Increasing aridity lowered abundance and species richness at fine scales for most communities tested and was also related to spatial composition across the region. Thus, in terms of G. sila conservation and restoration, sites with the lowest current and projected future aridity should be prioritized to maximize the abundance and richness of co-occurring ground-active arthropod and beetle communities. (Open Access)