Invasive Species Working Group

Rocky

 Mountain

 Research Station

Contents

RMRS Invasive Species Research Program.......................................2

Common themes of RMRS invasive species research ...................3

RMRS Invasive Species Research Priorities and Future Direction....3

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research..................................................5

1. Plants ..........................................................................................5

2. Pathogens....................................................................................7

3. Insects.........................................................................................9

4. Aquatic Species ........................................................................11

5. Terrestrial Vertebrates...............................................................13

Expertise Directory...........................................................................15

Appendix ..........................................................................................19

Research Summary and Expertise Directory

USDA Forest Service

Rocky Mountain Research Station

December 2009

Technical Editors: 

Jack Butler, Dean Pearson, and Mee-Sook Kim

Contributors and Group Members (alphabetical): 

Barbara Bentz, Jack Butler, Deborah Finch, James Fowler, Brian Geils, Mee-Sook Kim, Ned 

Klopfenstein, Ann Lynch, Jose Negron, Anna Schoettle, Sharlene Sing, Jane Smith, Steve Sutherland, 

Yvette Ortega, Dean Pearson, Justin Runyon, Carolyn Sieg, Stefanie Wacker, Mike Young

Group Leader: Dean Pearson

Invasive Species Science Update Newsletter Editors: Ned Klopfenstein and Brian Geils

Web Site Editors: Anna Schoettle and Stefanie Wacker

Leadership Team Sponsors: Steve Warren and Janine Powell
2

RMRS Invasive Species Research Program

Figure 1—The area served by RMRS supports 

about half of the National Forest lands and nearly 

all of the National Grasslands.

Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) 

personnel have scientific expertise in widely 

ranging disciplines and conduct multidisciplinary research on invasive species issues 

with emphasis in terrestrial and aquatic 

habitats throughout the Interior West, Great 

Plains, and related areas (fig. 1; Expertise 

Directory; appendix). RMRS invasive species research covers an array of diverse ecological and environmental gradients, from 

southwestern deserts to northern temperate 

rain forests and from low-elevation plains 

and basins to alpine summits (fig. 1).

The areas covered by RMRS host a number 

of invasive species. In general, exotic plants 

and aquatic organisms present great threats 

due to the sheer number of invaders. However, 

certain pathogens and terrestrial insects have 

high impacts on 

trees and forests. 

Invasive species of 

particular concern 

include: cheatgrass; 

leafy spurge; 

tansy ragwort; 

spotted knapweed; 

bufflegrass; 

saltcedar; white 

pine blister rust; 

Armillaria root 

disease pathogens; 

rainbow; brook and brown trout; golden algae; 

spruce aphid; and banded elm bark beetle. 

RMRS houses multidisciplinary invasive 

species programs as old as 75 years as well 

as the accompanying expertise, records, 

specimen collections, and long-term research 

plots. The Station provides the basic ecological 

and biological information to help managers 

eradicate new invaders. For well-established, 

widespread invasive species, RMRS makes 

contributions to the development and testing 

of landscape-scale mitigation strategies 

to prevent further spread of invasives 

into new areas and to suppress invasive 

populations below ecological and economic 

impact thresholds. This is accomplished 

using environmentally compatible tools and 

integrated control programs. Station staff 

members work 

closely with land 

managers and 

other partners 

from domestic 

and international 

agencies and 

universities 

to incorporate 

scientific findings 

into management 

plans.
3

Common themes of RMRS invasive species research include: 

 Assessing biological, economic, and social impacts of invasive 

species in natural ecosystems. 

 Developing biological control methods for invasive plants. 

 Assessing the role of natural disturbances and forest management 

practices on the establishment and spread of invasive species. 

 Determining basic biology, ecology, and genetics of invasive species 

and other affected species to predict future impact, management, and 

restoration.

 Testing treatments and methods for restoring or rehabilitating 

invaded ecosystems and evaluating treatment consequences to native 

species and ecosystem processes.

 Developing technologies for molecular identification and risk 

assessment models for predicting and detecting current and potential 

invasive species. 

 Developing user-friendly technology transfer tools (e.g., Web-based 

tools for predicting fire’s effects on invasive species) that synthesize 

science-based information for managing invasive species.

All RMRS programs (Air, Water and Aquatics 

Science; Fire, Fuel and Smoke Science; 

Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Research; 

Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems; 

Human Dimensions; Wildlife and Terrestrial 

Ecosystems; and Inventory and Monitoring 

Analysis Science) are conducting invasive 

species research on four activity areas, as 

defined by the National Strategy and 

Implementation Plan for Invasive Species 

Management and the newly identified Forest 

Service Research and Development (FS 

R&D) Invasive Species Overarching Research 

Priorities (appendix). The Overarching 

Research Priorities were identified in response to an external review of the FS R&D 

invasive species research strategy in 2006. It 

RMRS Invasive Species Research Priorities 

and Future Direction

was recommended that FS expand its proactive research role (Prediction and Prevention, 

and Detection and Rapid Response), while 

clearly maintaining its reactive research role 

(Management and Mitigation, and Restoration 

and Rehabilitation). The proposed FS R&D 

research strategy will emphasize the following 

four priorities: (1) quantifying invasive species 

biology, ecology, interactions, and impacts; 

(2) predicting and prioritizing invasive species; 

(3) identifying and detecting invasive species; 

and (4) managing invasive species and altered 

ecosystems. 

RMRS has dedicated approximately 13.4 scientists per year (SY) to research on invasive 

species issues throughout the Interior West 
4

and other related areas (appendix). The Station 

has recognized research strengths in priorities 

(1) and (4) through its invasion biology and 

ecology and management and mitigation research, and its restoration and rehabilitation 

activities. It has recently produced significant 

advances in developing proactive roles for 

priorities (2) and (3). Proactive research is 

critical because it is more economically efficient and logistically feasible. For this reason, 

this research area warrants further expansion 

and increased efforts for education, training, 

and outreach. 

Historically, RMRS invasive species research 

has been ad-hoc; individual scientists struggled 

for funding to conduct research with little 

coordination or communication. Recently, 

a multidisciplinary team was formed from 

across RMRS programs to develop synthesis papers that summarize current Station 

research activities related to invasive species. A Web site is now available (http://www.

fs.fed.us/rm/invasive-species/) that disseminates research information and fosters technology transfer. Also, the quarterly newsletter 

Invasive Species Science Update was created 

in June 2008 to familiarize RMRS stakeholders and customers with Station activities related to invasive species. This collaborative 

project will develop proactive tools to better 

predict and prevent invasive species introduction and spread, with emphasis on climate 

change. 

To implement and further strengthen both proand re-active research and management roles 

and interactions, we have formed an Invasive 

Species Working Group. The primary goal of 

the newly formed Invasive Species Working 

Group is to cross-reference science program 

areas and invasive species taxa, scientists, and 

managers from the National Forest System 

and State and Private Forestry Interior West 

regions in order to generate scientific information, develop innovative tools and technologies, 

and promote education and outreach activities. 

The Working Group will facilitate an integrated 

and coordinated approach to address critical 

invasive species issues confronting resource 

managers. However, success is dependent 

upon a long-term financial commitment. We 

propose that RMRS provide the necessary 

funding to maintain and enhance the infrastructure of the Working Group and foster 

extramural funding opportunities to enhance 

invasive species research and communication 

activities in response to ever-changing conditions, including climate change, fire, and other 

disturbances. 
5

Exotic plants are the most numerous invasive 

organisms in the Interior West. They dramatically impact native plants and animals and 

reduce ecosystem services. Although relatively few invaders cause the bulk of these 

impacts, new exotic plants continue to arrive. 

Managers have increased their use of tools in 

response to the threat of invasive plant species 

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research

1. Plants

By Dean Pearson, Jack Butler, Steve Sutherland, and Jane Smith

in wildlands. However, many of the tools being applied, such as herbicides and classical 

biocontrol, originated in much simpler agricultural systems. Effective use of such tools 

is more challenging within complex wildland 

ecosystems. Moreover, land management 

activities such as timber harvest, road building, 

burning, and grazing commonly exacerbate 

plant invasions. Thus, extensive research is 

needed in all aspects of invasive plant management in the Interior West. RMRS research 

programs have developed critical information 

for the following four key research areas 

related to invasive plants.

Prediction and Prevention

 Develop methods to predict potential invasive plants before they arrive

 Evaluate risk by determining the attributes 

of native communities that render them 

sensitive to plant invasion

 Examine how management actions facilitate 

invasion

 Predict potential impacts of climate change 

on invasive plants and assess whether some 

plant species can become invasive under 

climate change scenarios

Early Detection and Rapid Response

 Evaluate dispersal mechanisms and invasion pathways 

 Develop bioclimatic models to evaluate risk 

of spread to new locations Spotted knapweed invading the forest from a road 

corridor
6

 Develop tools for eradicating new invader 

populations

 Assess community-based action programs 

for managing invasive plants

Control and Management

 Quantify impacts of invasive plants on native 

plants, animals, and ecosystem services

 Evaluate efficacy of management actions to 

reduce side effects on non-target species

 Develop and refine tools and applications 

such as grazing, herbicides, mechanical 

removal, prescribed fire, and biological 

control to increase success of invasive plant 

management

 Develop Web sites and communication 

approaches to increase outreach and technology transfer

Rehabilitation and Restoration

 Evaluate the efficacy of different management tools and strategies for rehabilitating 

or restoring invaded ecosystems

 Develop seed mixes of native species most 

capable of resisting re-invasion

 Work to understand and reduce the new 

re-invasion and secondary invasion following successful restoration efforts and to 

promote ecosystem resiliency
7

Damage caused by invasive forest pathogens 

is widely viewed as more severe, long-term, 

widespread, and difficult to restore than that 

caused by any other biological disturbance 

agent. In the last century, pathogens introduced into our native forests have threatened 

extinction of native tree species and critically 

degraded many different ecosystems across 

North America. Not only trees are threatened, but also the dependent forest flora and 

fauna. Invaders have severely diminished 

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research

2. Pathogens

By Ned Klopfenstein and Brian Geils

productivity, sustainability, and ecological 

functions of many forests. Diseases caused by 

invasive pathogens may result in altered forest 

succession and species composition that can 

dramatically impact the delivery of ecosystem services. RMRS research programs have 

developed critical information for the following four key research areas related to invasive 

pathogens like white pine blister rust, ohi’a 

rust, Armillaria root disease, and Fusarium 

root rot.

Interdisciplinary approaches, including integration of genetics, 

pathology, ecology and silviculture, are used by RMRS to develop 

science-based information/tools.
8

Prediction and Prevention

 Integrate genetic analysis and bioclimatic 

modeling to predict potentially invasive 

pathogens at the landscape level

 Develop proactive management strategies to 

mitigate impact of invasive pathogens

 Predict potential impact of climate change 

on invasive pathogens

Early Detection and Rapid Response

 Develop DNA-based diagnostic tools to 

identify potentially invasive pathogens

 Maintain culture collections, fungal 

herbaria, and DNA-sequence databases 

to help identify pathogen species and 

populations

Control and Management

 Identify geographic distribution of host 

resistance frequencies and mechanisms

 Develop systems to better evaluate risks 

of invasive pathogen spread

 Synthesize science information and establish Web sites and models with management 

information

 Provide management recommendations for 

impacted and threatened ecosystems

Rehabilitation and Restoration

 Use genetic analyses to identify ecologically 

valuable and appropriate host populations 

for conservation and restoration

 Maintain long-term research to monitor 

ecosystem function and restoration

 Synthesize science-based restoration guidelines for impacted and threatened forest 

ecosystems
9

In North America, invasive insects have a 

long history of significantly altering forested 

ecosystems. Some examples are gypsy moth, 

European elm bark beetle, Asian longhorned 

beetle, and emerald ash borer. In the Interior 

West, injurious exotic insects include the 

banded elm bark beetle, which has killed elm 

trees in association with drought, and the 

spruce aphid, which has seriously affected 

spruce-fir and mixed-conifer forests. RMRS 

research programs are describing and quantifying the biology, ecology, and impacts of 

these invaders and are developing critical information for the following four key research 

areas.

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research

3. Insects

By Jose Negron

Spruce aphid. Photo by G. Halldórsson

Banded Elm bark beetle

Prediction and Prevention

 Develop pathway and risk assessments to 

identify priority insects of concern

 Design educational programs that build 

public awareness of issues

 Examine how climate change may affect 

host response and likelihood of establishment of invasive insects

 Evaluate risk by determining the climatic 

and ecosystem factors that contribute to the 

spread of invasive insects and the damage 

and impact that they cause
10

Early Detection and Rapid Response

 Develop tools such as the identification of 

pheromones or attractants in support of operational programs aimed at the early detection and monitoring of insects 

 Develop taxonomic tools that can be used 

by agencies responsible for detection at 

ports of entry

 Develop specific eradication strategies for 

invasive insects

Control and Management

 Develop management techniques for established invasive insects to mitigate potential 

impacts and evaluate treatment success

 Develop decision-support systems to 

identify appropriate conditions for active 

management

 Explore biological control approaches for 

managing invasive insects

Rehabilitation and Restoration

 Identify native host-plant material resistant 

to invasive insects for use in rehabilitation 

and restoration of affected areas and evaluation of treatment areas

 Identify alternative plants and trees that 

could be used to restore affected ecosystems 

while minimizing ecological impacts

 Develop long-term cultural control 

approaches for restoring affected areas
11

RMRS scientists have long focused their research on nonnative aquatic species, namely 

salmonid fish—brook trout, brown trout, and 

rainbow trout —that were introduced to promote recreation but that also have substantially 

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research

4. Aquatic Species

By Mike Young

altered aquatic communities throughout the 

West. Effects on aquatic systems produced 

by climate change suggest that large numbers 

of cool-water fishes and other kinds of invasive aquatic organisms—crayfish, mussels, 

amphibians, macroinvertebrates, aquatic 

plants, and nonindigenous pathogens—will 

become issues. RMRS research programs have 

developed critical information for the following four key research areas related to invasive 

aquatic species.

Nonnative brook trout, top, and threatened native 

bull trout, bottom. Brook trout may displace bull 

trout through competition and hybridization. 

Photo by K. Morita

United States

Department

of Agriculture

Forest Service

Rocky Mountain

Research Station

General Technical

Report RMRS-GTR-174

September 2006

Strategies for Conserving Native 

Salmonid Populations at Risk 

From Nonnative Fish Invasions: 

Tradeoffs in Using Barriers to Upstream Movement

Kurt D. Fausch

Bruce E. Rieman

Michael K. Young

Jason B. Dunham

Native Colorado River cutthroat trout, often at risk 

from invasions by nonnative fish
12

Prediction and Prevention

 Review issues facing those attempting to 

manage nonnative fish invasions

 Evaluate how environmental characteristics 

affect the success of invasions by nonnative 

fish and other aquatic species

 Assess the response of nonnative and native 

aquatic species communities to natural disturbance and land management

Early Detection and Rapid Response

 Improve sampling to estimate the detectability of invasive fishes and other aquatic 

species during sampling

 Design innovative methods to determine the 

influence of habitat characteristics, population size, and nonnative species presence on 

the genetic status of native fish populations

Control and Management

 Develop pheromone-based control methods 

for nonnative fishes

 Assess methods for managing populations 

of invasive fish and other significant aquatic 

invaders

Rehabilitation and Restoration

 Monitor responses of nonnative and native 

aquatic species and communities to natural 

disturbance and land management
13

Terrestrial vertebrates do not represent a 

large number of invaders compared to invasive plants and aquatic species in the Interior 

West. However, several invasive terrestrial 

vertebrate species cause substantial economic 

and ecological damage in this region. Some 

invasive species displace or prey upon native 

species, thus reducing biological diversity 

that contributes to ecosystem stability. Most 

notable invaders are species native to North 

America, such as brown-headed cowbirds, 

barred owls, and bull frogs, that have undergone range expansion or were deliberately introduced into new environments. Other threats 

include European wild pigs, burros, nutrias, 

rock doves, eastern fox squirrels, red foxes, 

and European starlings. 

Summary of Taxa-Specific Research

5. Terrestrial Vertebrates

By Dean Pearson and Deborah Finch

At present, few studies within RMRS target 

terrestrial vertebrate invaders. However, several studies focus on effects of invasive plant 

and invertebrate species on native terrestrial 

vertebrates. For example, the structure and 

composition of plant communities are often 

altered by invasive plant species that reduce 

quality habitats and foods for animals. RMRS 

research programs have developed critical information for the following four key research 

areas related to invasive terrestrial vertebrates.

Prediction and Prevention

 Forecast how anthropogenic disturbance, 

urbanization, and climate change affects the 

likelihood of invasion and rate of spread of 

nonnative terrestrial vertebrates

 Assess how changes in availability of 

habitat and water alter distributions and 

demographics of vertebrate invaders 

(e.g., cowbirds and their hosts)

 Develop models to predict how changing landscapes, energy development, fire 

patterns, and invasive plants influence 

vertebrate invaders

Early Detection and Rapid Response

 Survey and monitor populations to assess 

presence and trends of vertebrate invaders and to determine when and where to 

eradicate new populations

 Identify locations where terrestrial vertebrate invaders have a high impact on native 

species and other natural resources

Cowbird. Photo by J. W. Cricket.
14

Control and Management

 Evaluate impacts of vertebrate invaders on 

native species’ productivity and habitat use, 

and assess management options suitable for 

high-impact locations

 Develop methods for testing best practices 

for managing and controlling vertebrate 

invaders (e.g., through habitat management 

or removal of invasive vertebrates)

 Understand mitigation impacts on invaders 

and native animal species

Rehabilitation and Restoration

 Evaluate the ability of native species and 

systems to recover following various control 

and restoration measures

 Determine management costs and benefits for 

restoration of native species and ecosystems
15

USDA Forest Service — Rocky Mountain Research Station Invasive Species Expertise Directory

Name Discipline Location Email

Phone 

Number

Taxa Especial

Areas of Expertise

Air, Water and Aquatic Environments Science

 Isaak, Dan Fish Biology Boise, ID disaak@fs.fed.us 208-373-4385

Brook trout

Fire and invasive 

species; monitoring; 

climate change

 Lewis, Sarah

Soil Erosion, Remote 

Sensing Moscow, ID sarahlewis@fs.fed.us 208-883-2348

N/A

Remote sensing of 

invasive species; fire and 

invasive response

 Medina, Alvin Plant Ecology Flagstaff, AZ almedina@fs.fed.us 928-853-1391

Tamarisk

Control; riparian plant 

interactions

 Neary, Dan Soil Science Flagstaff, AZ dneary@fs.fed.us 928-853-1861

N/A

Fire and invasive 

species; soil erosion; 

desertification

 Overton, Kerry

Fish Biology, 

Technology Transfer Boise, ID koverton@fs.fed.us 208-373-4357

Invasive nonnative trout

Habitat inventory and 

monitoring; climate 

change; decision support

 Rieman, Bruce Fish Biology Seeley Lake, MT brieman@fs.fed.us 406-677-3813

Native & nonnative 

trout; risks and decision 

support

Fish and fire; sampling 

nonnative invasive 

species; climate and fire

 Robichaud, Peter

Soil Erosion, 

Vegetation Response Moscow, ID probichaud@fs.fed.us 208-883-2349

N/A

Fire and invasive 

species; soil erosion

 Young, Michael Fish Biology Missoula, MT mkyoung@fs.fed.us 406-542-3254

Nonnative fish

Ecology; pheromonal 

attraction; distribution

Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute

 Landres, Peter

Ecology, Landscape 

Ecology Missoula, MT plandres@fs.fed.us 406-542-4189

N/A

Wilderness; monitoring; 

early detection

Fire, Fuel and Smoke Science

 Harrington, Mick

Restoration, Fire 

Ecology Missoula, MT mharrington01@fs.fed.us 406-329-4836

Invasive weeds

Fire and herbicide and 

weed

 Smith, Jane

Fire Effects, Fire 

Regimes Missoula, MT jsmith09@fs.fed.us 406-329-4805

Nonnative plants

Plant responses to fire; 

effects of invasive 

plants on fire regimes; 

literature review and 

synthesis

 Zeller, Karl

Micrometeorology, 

Climatology Ft. Collins, CO kzeller@fs.fed.us 970-498-1238

Forecast insect emersion 

time and location

2D real-time seasonal 

climatology, 7 day 

forecasts of heating 

degree days

 Zouhar, Kris

Fire Effects, Fire 

Regimes Missoula, MT kzouhar@fs.fed.us 406-829-6924

Nonnative plants

Plant responses to fire; 

effects of invasive 

plants on fire regimes; 

literature review and 

synthesis
16

Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Research

 Bentz, Barbara Entomology Logan, UT bbentz@fs.fed.us 435-755-3577

Bark beetles

Climate change; 

temperature dependency; 

population biology

 Chew, Jimmie Landscape Modeling Missoula, MT jchew@fs.fed.us 406-542-4171

All vegetation

Decision support; 

introduction and impacts 

of invasive species

 Ferguson, Dennis Silviculture Moscow, ID deferguson@fs.fed.us 208-883-2351

Invasive plants

Fire effects on invasive 

plants

 Fowler, James Plant Ecology Flagstaff, AZ jffowler@fs.fed.us

928-556-2172

Invasive plants

Fire and invasive 

species; ponderosa pine 

weeds

 Geils, Brian Plant Pathology Flagstaff, AZ bgeils@fs.fed.us 928-556-2076

Cronartium, 

Arceuthobium

Epidemiology; ecology

 Gottfried, Gerald Forestry Phoenix, AZ ggottfried@fs.fed.us 602-225-5357

Red brome; cheatgrass

Pinyon-juniper and oak 

woodlands; sonoran 

desert; silviculture; 

restoration; post-fire 

recovery

 Hudak, Andrew

Forestry, Rangeland 

Ecology Moscow, ID ahudak@fs.fed.us 208-883-2327

N/A

Woody encroachment; 

vegetation mapping; 

landscape ecology

 Jain, Terrie Silviculture, Fire Moscow, ID tjain@fs.fed.us 208-883-2331

White pine blister rust; 

root-rot fungi

Management and disease 

interactions; fire and 

disease interactions

 Kim, Mee-Sook

Plant Pathology, 

Genetics Moscow, ID mkim@fs.fed.us 208-883-2362

White pine blister rust; 

Armillaria; Fusarium; 

ohi’a rust

Diagnostics; risk models, 

population genetics, 

phylogeography

 Klopfenstein, Ned

Plant Pathology, 

Genetics Moscow, ID nklopfenstein@fs.fed.us 208-883-2310

Armillaria; white pine 

blister rust; Fusarium; 

ohi’a rust

Molecular diagnostics 

of forest pathogens and 

microbes; phylogenetics; 

phylogeography; 

predicting invasive 

pathogens

 Lynch, Ann Entomology Tucson, AZ alynch@fs.fed.us 520-626-9582

Spruce aphid

Impact; population 

biology; landscape 

ecology

 Negron, Jose Entomology Ft. Collins, CO jnegron@fs.fed.us 970-498-1252

Bark beetles

Biology and ecology; 

management

Name Discipline Location Email

Phone 

Number

Taxa Especial

Areas of Expertise
17

 Schoettle, Anna

Plant Ecology, 

Ecophysiology, Genetics Ft. Collins, CO aschoettle@fs.fed.us 970-498-1333

High elevation fiveneedle pines; white pine 

blister rust

Ecological genetics – 

host; population 

dynamics – host; 

silvicultural intervention

 Sieg, Carolyn Plant Ecology Flagstaff, AZ csieg@fs.fed.us 928-556-2151

Invasive plants

Fire and invasive 

species; ponderosa pine 

weeds

 Sutherland, Steve Plant Ecology, Fire Missoula, MT ssutherland@fs.fed.us 406-329-2122

Spotted knapweed; 

cheatgrass; Circium; 

orange hawkweed

Fire and invasives 

plants; fuel reduction 

and invasive plants; 

restoration

Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems

 Butler, Jack Plant Ecology Rapid City, SD jackbutler@fs.fed.us 605-716-2160

Invasive plants

Invasive species impacts; 

control efficacy; 

vegetation restoration

 Chambers, Jeanne

Plant Ecology, 

Restoration Reno, NV jchambers@fs.fed.us 775-784-5329

Cheatgrass

Invisibility; population 

dynamics

 Finch, Deborah

Restoration, Wildlife, 

Ecology Albuquerque, NM dfinch@fs.fed.us 505-724-3671

Riparian invasive plants; 

Tamarisk; Russian olive

Fire and fuel reduction; 

animal productivity; 

riparian communities

 Ford, Paulette Ecology, Fire Albuquerque, NM plford@fs.fed.us 505-724-3670

Bark beetle-fungus 

relationships

Grassland fire ecology 

and restoration; fungusbark beetle ecology; 

animal ectoparasites

 Kitchen, Stan Botany Provo, UT skitchen@fs.fed.us 801-356-5109

Halogeton; cheatgrass

Salt desert ecology

 Magaña, Hugo

Fish Ecology, Aquatic 

Biology Albuquerque, NM hmagana@fs.fed.us 505-724-3682

Aquatic invasive plant 

and fish species

Toxic aquatic algae; 

conservation of 

endangered fish; warm 

water systems

 Meyer, Susan Plant Ecology, Genetics Provo, UT smeyer@fs.fed.us 801-356-5125

Cheatgrass

Biocontrol; population 

genetics; community 

ecology

 Pendleton, Rosemary Plant Ecology Albuquerque, NM rpendleton@fs.fed.us 505-724-3673

Yellow starthistle

Plant reproductive 

ecology; restoration of 

invaded communities; 

pollination ecology

 Richardson, Bryce

Forest Genetics, 

Pathology Moscow, ID brichardson02@fs.fed.us 208-883-2311

Five-needled pines; 

blister rust

Population genetics; 

ecological genetics; 

biogeography

 Runyon, Justin Entomology Bozeman, MT jrunyon@fs.fed.us 406-994-4872

Invasive weeds

Plant-insect interactions; 

chemical ecology; 

biocontrol efficacy and 

safety

Name Discipline Location Email

Phone 

Number

Taxa Especial

Areas of Expertise
18

 Shaw, Nancy Restoration Ecology Boise, ID nshaw@fs.fed.us 208-373-4360

Cheatgrass; rush 

skeletonweed

Re-vegetation; plant 

materials; seed 

germination

 Sing, Sharlene Entomology Bozeman, MT ssing@fs.fed.us 406-994-5143

Invasive plants

Weed biocontrol; 

community and spatial 

ecology; risk-benefit 

assessment

 Wacker, Stefanie Plant Ecology Rapid City, SD swacker@fs.fed.us 605-716-2210

Invasive plants

Disturbance ecology; 

invasive species impacts; 

spatial modeling

Human Dimensions

 Champ, Patty Economics Ft. Collins, CO pchamp@fs.fed.us 970-295-5967

White pine blister rust; 

high elevation pines

Non-market value; 

economic optimization 

of management options

 Jones, Greg

Economics, Landscape 

Modeling Missoula, MT jgjones@fs.fed.us 406-542-4167

Invasive plants

Spatial decision support 

system

Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems

 Ortega, Yvette

Wildlife Biology, 

Ecology Missoula, MT yortega@fs.fed.us 406-542-3246

Invasive plants

Trophic interactions; 

avian ecology; efficacy 

of control measures

 Pearson, Dean Community Ecology Missoula, MT dpearson@fs.fed.us 406-542-4159

Invasive plants

Community ecology; 

invasion biology; trophic 

interactions

Name Discipline Location Email

Phone 

Number

Taxa Especial

Areas of Expertise
Appendix—This cross-walk table shows problem statements associated with RMRS program areas invasive species 

research and overarching research priorities. These priorities were identified in response to an external review of the 

FS R&D invasive species research strategy.

FS R&D Invasive Species Overarching Priorities

1. Quantifying 

invasive 

species 

biology, 

ecology, 

interactions, 

and impacts

2. Predicting 

and 

prioritizing 

invasive 

species

3. Identifying 

and 

detecting 

invasive 

species

 4. Managing 

invasive 

species and 

altered 

ecosystems

RMRS program Problem statement from charter SY

Air, Water and 

Aquatics Science

 Define key biological processes 

and patterns to understand the 

distribution, resilience, and 

persistence of native aquatic and 

terrestrial species.

2.0

Dwire, Isaak, 

Magaña, Young

Isaak, Young Magaña Magaña, 

Young

Fire, Fuel and 

Smoke Science

 Improve understanding of postfire invasion by exotic species.

 Address needs of restoration 

programs by focusing on 

treatment effects on ecosystem 

characteristics, including weed 

invasion.

0.3 Harrington

Forest and 

Woodland 

Ecosystems 

Research

 Understand complex interactions 

of management treatments and 

other ecosystem disturbance 

processes, and develop tools and 

technologies that predict, detect, 

and manage the new and existing 

invasive species.

 Develop methods to foster 

restoration of impacted 

ecosystems, increase resilience 

to future invasions, and 

identify ecologically valuable 

populations for conservation.

4.1 Bentz, Chew, 

Geils, Lynch, 

Klopfenstein, 

Negron,

Schoettle, Sieg

Klopfenstein Klopfenstein,

Negron

Bentz, 

Ferguson,

Geils, 

Gottfried,

Klopfenstein, 

Lynch,

Negron, 

Schoettle, 

Sieg, Warwell

Grassland, 

Shrubland 

and Desert 

Ecosystems

 Understand the effects of 

invasions, develop tools and 

techniques to manage the 

increasingly rapid spread of 

invasive species, and assess 

success of approaches for 

restoring ecosystem function 

and conserving native species 

following invasive plant 

removal.

 4.2 Butler, 

Chambers,

Finch, Ford,

Kitchen, 

Magaña, Meyer, 

Pendleton, 

Shaw, Wacker

Butler,

Richardson

Magaña Butler, 

Chambers, 

Finch, 

Kitchen, 

Magaña, 

Meyer, 

Pendleton, 

Richardson, 

Shaw, Sing, 

Runyon, 

Wacker

(continued)
20

Human 

Dimensions

 Develop a landscape-scale 

decision support system for 

invasive species management. 

 Understand exotic species 

occupancy patterns across broad 

geographic scales. 

 Understand the principal factors 

influencing the introduction and 

spread of nonnative invasive 

plants.

1.0 Flather Flather,

Landres

Landres Jones,

Landres

Wildlife and 

Terrestrial 

Ecosystems

 Understand the underlying 

causes and consequences of 

species invasions and emergence 

of zoonotic diseases to better 

manage and mitigate these 

threats to native biodiversity, 

ecosystem services, and human 

populations.

 1.8 Ortega, Pearson Ortega,

Pearson

Ortega, 

Pearson

Total 13.4

FS R&D Invasive Species Overarching Priorities

1. Quantifying 

invasive 

species 

biology, 

ecology, 

interactions, 

and impacts

2. Predicting 

and 

prioritizing 

invasive 

species

3. Identifying 

and detecting 

invasive 

species

 4. Managing 

invasive 

species and 

altered 

ecosystems

RMRS program Problem statement from charter SY
Notes


Fire, Fuel and Smoke Science Forest and Woodland Ecosystems

Air, Water and Aquatics Science Grassland, Shrubland and 

Desert Ecosystems

Inventory, Monitoring and 

Analysis Science

Human Dimensions

Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems Aldo Leopold Wilderness 

Research Institute

The USDA Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station 

is one of seven units nationwide that make up the most extensive 

natural resource research organization in the world. Headquartered 

at the foot of the Rockies in Fort Collins, CO, the Station 

maintains 12 laboratories within a 12-state territory (see map). 

Scientists conduct studies nationwide, with emphasis on the 

Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Great Plains, and Southwest. 

Research serves the Forest Service, as well as other Federal and 

State agencies, international organizations, private groups, and 

individuals. For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/rmrs.

Station Headquarters

Station Territory

Lab Location

Flagstaff

Provo

Ogden

Logan

Reno

Albuquerque

Fort Collins

Rapid City

Bozeman

Moscow Missoula

Boise