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

Precipitation Alterations Affect Sagebrush-Steppe Soil Carbon and Microbes
In the sagebrush steppe, sporadic and seasonal precipitation affects plant growth, soil microbial activity, and soil carbon storage. Climate change is expected to alter... [Read more]

New Book: History of Condors in the Pacific Northwest
California condors are giant, social, avian scavengers that once roamed the skies of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to British Columbia. A new book,... [Read more]

Different Factors Influence Mercury Exposure in Wading Birds
Mercury is a pervasive contaminant that can lead to reproductive and hormonal impairment in waterbirds. Complex environmental processes influence how and where wildlife... [Read more]

U.S. Amphibian Populations are Declining
In the 1980s, scientists began to identify declines in amphibian populations around the world. Since that discovery, researchers have strived to identify the reason for... [Read more]

Conditions that Favor Cheatgrass Invasion of Sagebrush
Cheatgrass, a non-native annual grass, is widely distributed in arid lands of the western United States where its presence affects native plants, nutrient cycles, and... [Read more]

If We Map It, They Will Come: Mapping Salmon Redds Cost-Effectively
Identifying why salmon spawn in certain areas can help fisheries managers plan habitat conservation efforts for threatened and endangered populations. Surveys of salmon... [Read more]

Featured Scientist

Christian Torgersen studies a variety of topics related to landscape patterns and ecological processes in terrestrial and freshwater systems. Two current projects are examining landscape disturbance and forest management to guide regional planning and conservation. Much of the work in Christian’s program focuses on developing techniques for spatial analysis of freshwater ecosystems and remote sensing of water temperature in rivers and streams. MORE >