Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Staff Member

Dr. Beth Ross

Beth Ross
Assistant Unit Leader
Phone: (864) 656 - 4141
Email: bross5@clemson.edu
Faculty Website

Education

  • Ph D Utah State University 2014
  • MS Utah State University 2012
  • MS Colorado State University 2007
  • BS Kansas State University 2004

Biography

My research broadly focuses on understanding the drivers of population demography and community dynamics. I use statistical models, primarily in a Bayesian framework, to determine how global change impacts species or communities. Ultimately, my goal is to provide a strong scientific foundation for management and conservation actions that explicitly incorporate key population and community drivers.. Broadly, my research focuses on quantifying population and community dynamics in relation to ecological stressors (e.g., climate change, predation) to understand ecological questions that will aid in management actions. Throughout my career, my main research focus has been applying Bayesian statistical techniques to generate knowledge about important population metrics, and subsequently how these metrics influence management decisions given forecasted landscape and climate change scenarios. While my research is grounded in theory related to population and community dynamics with a strong quantitative focus, the outcomes of my research are focused on the application of scientific knowledge to better guide management and conservation decisions. My lab currently has research projects studying songbird diversity across a range of habitat management regimes, the effects of global change on Lesser Prairie-Chickens, and population drivers of Lesser and Greater Scaup.

Research Publications Publication Date
Wood, J.M., A.K. Tegeler, and B.E. Ross. Vegetation management on private forestland can increase avian species richness and abundance. August 2020
Schindler, AR, DA Haukos, CA Hagen, and BE Ross. A multi-species approach to manage effects of land cover and weather on upland game birds. Ecology and Evolution. 10:14330-14345. December 2020
Schindler, A.R., D.A. Haukos, C.A. Hagen, B.E. Ross. 2020. A decision-support tool to prioritize candidate landscapes for lesser prairie-chicken conservation. Landscape Ecology 35:1417-1434. May 2020
Ross, B.E., M. Hooten, and D.N. Koons. 2012. An accessible method for implementing hierarchcial models with spatio-temporal abundance data. PLoS ONE 7 December 2012
Ross, B.E., M. Hooten, J.M. DeVink, D.N. Koons. 2015. Combined effects of climate, predation, and density dependence on Greater and Lesser scaup population dynamics. Ecological Applications 25:1606-1617. DOI: 10.1890/14-0582.1 July 2015
Ross, B.E., D.A. Haukos, and P.T. Walther. 2018. Quantifying changes and drivers of mottled duck density in Texas. Journal of Wildlife Management 82:374–382. February 2018
Ross, B.E., D.A. Haukos, C.A. Hagen, and J.C. Pitman. 2016. Landscape composition creates a threshold influencing lesser prairie-chicken population resilience to extreme drought. Global Ecology and Conservation 6:179-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.03.003 March 2016
Ross, B.E., D.A. Haukos, C. Hagen, and J. Pitman. 2018. Combining multiple sources of data to inform conservation of Lesser Prairie-Chicken populations. Auk 135:228-239. April 2018
Ross, B.E., D. Sullins, and D. Haukos. Using an individual-based model to assess common biases in lek-based count data to estimate population trajectories of lesser prairie-chickens. May 2019
Ross, B.E., A.W. Reed, R.L. Rehmeier, G.A. Kaufman, and D.W. Kaufman. 2007. Effects of prairie vole runways on tallgrass prairie. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 110:100-106. December 2007
Ross, B. E., D. Haukos, C. Hagen, and J. Pitman. 2016. The relative contribution of climate to changes in lesser prairie- chicken abundance. Ecosphere 7(6):e01323. doi: 10.1002/ecs2.1323 June 2016
Plumpton, H.M., S.G. Gilliland, and B.E. Ross. 2020. Geographic differences in the winter movements of the Atlantic population of Black Scoters. Submitted to Avian Conservation and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.5751/ACE-01654-150206 August 2020
Malanchuk, J.B., B.E. Ross, D.A. Haukos, T.F. Bidrowski, and R. Schultheis. 2021. Translocation, survival, and recovery of Kansas-banded Canada geese. Ecosphere 12(7):e03659 July 2021
Lauenroth, W.K., A.A. Wade, M.A. Williamson, B.E. Ross, S. Kumar, and D.P. Cariveau. 2006. Uncertainty in calculations of net primary production in grasslands. Ecosystems 9:842-851. December 2006
Hooten, M.B., B.E. Ross, and C.K. Wikle. 2012. Optimal spatio-temporal monitoring designs for characterizing population trends. Gitzen, R.A., J.J. Millspaugh, A.B. Cooper, and D.S. Licht (eds.). In: Design and Analaysis of Long-term Ecological Monitoring Studies. pp. 443-459. December 2012
Dertien, J., S. Self, R. Baldwin, B. Ross, and K. Barrett. 2020. Spatial variability of biodiversity and wetland density in the conterminous United States. PLoS ONE 15:e0232052. May 2020
Bodinof Jachowski, C.M., B.E. Ross, and W.A. Hopkins. Evaluating artificial shelter arrays as a minimally invasive monitoring tool for the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. Endangered Species Research. February 2020
Project Completion Date
Research on Data Integration December 2022
Effects of forest management on early-successional avian species in South Carolina May 2021
Response of Bachman's Sparrow to habitat management December 2021
Monitoring of rock gnome lichen populations May 2021
Variation of Chronology of Wild Turkey Gobbling in the Upstate of South Carolina December 2021
Assessment of temperate-breeding Canada goose management in Kansas December 2020
A multi species approach to managing the effects of weather and land use on upland game birds July 2019
Analysis of bird population count data December 2018
Monitoring success of Farm Bill programs in conserving avian wildlife December 2018
Presentations Presentation Date
Wood, J.M., A.K. Tegeler, and B.E. Ross. July 2018. The effects of US Farm Bill cost-share conservation practices and private lands management on avian communities in South Carolina, USA. North American Congress for Conservation Biology. Toronto, Ontario, CA. July 2018
Wood, J.M., A.K. Tegeler, B.E. Ross. September 2017. Quantifying the effects of Farm Bill cost-share conservation practices on avian species on private lands in South Carolina. 24th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society. Albuquerque, New Mexico. September 2017
Thistle, M.R., Dozier, J., McAlister, M.A., and B.E. Ross. 2020. Habitat selection and breeding ecology of Bachman’s Sparrow in a wiregrass-free ecosystem. The Wildlife Society Conference, Louisville, Kentucky. <i>Poster</i> September 2020
Thistle, M.R., Dozier, J., McAlister, M.A., and B.E. Ross. 2020. Habitat selection and breeding ecology of Bachman’s Sparrow in a wiregrass-free ecosystem. North American Ornithological Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico. August 2020
Sullins, D.S., B.E. Ross, and D.A. Haukos. 2018. Influence of individual heterogeneity on lesser prairie-chicken population persistence. Annual Meeting of The Wildlife Society, Cleveland, Ohio. October 2018
Shurba, JA, EM Miller, J Merendino, BA Bauer, RM Kaminski, BE Ross, and EP Wiggers. Southeastern regional examination of box-nesting wood ducks: a 2019 pilot study at Lake Moultrie, South Carolina. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hilton Head, SC. October 2019
Schindler, A., B.E. Ross, and D.A. Haukos. 2018. A multi-species approach to managing the effects of weather and land cover on upland game birds. February 2018
Schindler, A and B.E. Ross. 2019. The use of decision-support software to select candidate areas for lesser prairie-chicken conservation. US-IALE. Fort Collins, Colorado. April 2019
Ross, B.E., N. Masto, R. Kaminski, J. Dozier, M. McAlister, and J. Woods. 2019. Integrating counts from aerial and ground surveys to estimate densities of waterfowl. SEAFWA, Hilton Head, SC. October 2019
Ross, B.E., N. Masto, R. Kaminski, J. Dozier, M. McAlister, and J. Woods. 2019. Integrating counts from aerial and ground surveys to estimate densities of waterfowl. North American Duck Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. August 2019
Ross, B.E., N. Masto, C. Roy, R. Kaminski, J. Dozier, M. McAlister, and J. Woods. 2019. Integrating counts from aerial and ground surveys to estimate densities of waterfowl. The Wildlife Society, Louisville, KY September 2020
Ross, B.E., M.B. Hooten, and D.N. Koons. 2017. Evaluating the inference from dynamic occupancy models relative to population abundance. American Ornithology 2017, Michigan. July 2017
Ross, B.E., M. Schaub, T.W. Arnold, M.D. Weegman, J.M. Warren, C.A. Nicolai, R.G. Clark, D.N. Koons. 2016. Using integrated population models to examine drivers of avian population dynamics in changing environments. 6th North American Ornithological Conference, Washington, D.C., 16-20 August 2016. August 2016
Ross, B.E., D.S. Sullins, and D.A. Haukos. 2018. Using an individual-based model to assess monitoring for lesser prairie-chicken population growth rates. International Grouse Symposium, Logan, Utah. September 2018
Ross, B.E., D.S. Sullins, and D.A. Haukos. 2018. Using an individual-based model to assess monitoring for lesser prairie-chicken population growth rates. February 2018
Ross, B.E., D.A. Haukos, and P. Walther. 2017. Quantifying changes and drivers of mottled duck density in Texas. 24th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society September 2017
Ross, B.E., D. Haukos, C. Hagen, and J. Pitman. 2016. Combining multiple data sources to determine drought and land-use impacts on Lesser Prairie-Chickens. 6th North American Ornithological Conference, Washington, D.C. 16-20 August 2016. August 2016
Ross, B.E., C. Brady, S. Felege, and A. Mini. 2019. Effective networking strategies for hunter and non-hunters. North American Duck Symposium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. August 2019
Ross, B.E. and M. Weegman. 2018. Quantifying the power to detect trends in vital rates using integrated population models. International Statistical Ecology Conference, St. Andrews, Scotland. July 2018
Ross, B.E. and J.M. Wood. 2020. Data integration for autonomous recording units and traditional point-count sampling. NAOC, San Juan, Puerto Rico. August 2020
Ross, B.E. and J.M. Wood. 2018. Optimal sampling designs for autonomous recording units and traditional point-count sampling. The Wildlife Society, Cleveland, Ohio. October 2018
Plumpton, H.M., E. Silverman, B.E. Ross. 2017. Annual factors affecting the distribution for wintering Black Scoters. 6th International Sea Duck Conference February 2017
Plumpton, H., S.G. Gililand, and B.E. Ross. 2019. Geographic differences in the wintering sites of the Atlantic population of black scoters. The North American Duck Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. August 2019
Plumpton, H. M., E. D. Silverman, B. E. Ross. August 26-30, 2019. Black Scoter Habitat Use along the Southeastern Coast of the United States. The North American Duck Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. August 2019
Plumpton, H. M., E. D. Silverman, B. E. Ross. 2017. Annual Factors Influencing the Wintering Distribution of Black Scoters in the South Atlantic. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting. Albuquerque, New Mexico. September 2017
Ostroski, J., J. Cantrell, C. Ruth, and B.E. Ross. 2020. Assessing wild turkey occupancy using autonomous recording units and package monitoR. The Wildlife Society, Louisville, Kentucky. September 2020
Ostroski, J., Cantrell, J., Charles, R., & B.E. Ross. (2020, August). Assessing wild turkey occupancy using autonomous recording units and the package monitoR. North American Ornithological Conference. San Juan, Puerto Rico. August 2020
Masto, NM, RM Kaminski, MR Kneece, P Gerard, K Barrett, and BE Ross. 2019. Evaluation of aerial surveys to monitor waterbird population in South Carolina. SEAFWA. October 2019
Masto, N.M., R.M. Kaminski, B.E. Ross, M.R. Kneece, P. Gerard, and K. Barrett. 2019. Modeling double-observer aerial count data to estimate detection, abundance, and habitat relationships of waterfowl wintering in South Carolina. North American Duck Symposium, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA August 2019
Masto, N.M., R.M. Kaminski, B.E. Ross, M.R. Kneece, P. Gerard, and K. Barrett. 2019. Aerial strip-transect surveys for monitoring fall-winter waterfowl abundance and distribution in South Carolina. North American Duck Symposium. Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA. August 2019
Masto, N.M., M.R. Kneece, R.M. Kaminski, B.E. Ross, A.T. Pearse, P. Gerard, K. Barrett. 2017. Aerial strip-transect surveys of waterfowl and waterbirds in South Carolina: summary and revisions of the 2016-2017 surveys October 2017
M. Kneece, R. M. Kaminski, B. E. Ross, A. T. Pearse, and N. M. Masto. 2017. Aerial Line-Transect Surveys for South Carolina Waterbirds Take Flight. Annual Report for James C. Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Center. May 2017
Lawson, A. J., C. T. Moore, B. E. Ross, and P. G. R. Jodice. 2018. Synthesizing multiple data streams to estimate abundance and detection probability in a highly wary, long-lived apex predator: an integrated modeling approach. The Wildlife Society 25th Annual Conference, 7-11 October 2018, Cleveland, OH. October 2018
Kemink, K., L. Webb and B. Ross. Why we need more women in STEM leadership roles: innovations to overcome obstacles and identify solutions. North American Duck Symposium, Winnipeg, MB, August 26-30, 2019. August 2019
J. A. Shurba, E. M. Miller, R. M. Kaminski, B. A. Bauer, E. P. Wiggers, P. Schmidt, G. R. Hepp, B. E. Ross, and K. J. Whitehead. 2020. Regional examination of the contribution of nest boxes to wood duck recruitment in the Southeastern United States. South Carolina TWS. October 2020
Godar, A.J., C.P. Griffin, B.A. Grisham, D.A. Haukos, S.R. Fritts, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, C.A. Hagen, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2017. Combining weather data and climate projections: a case study with Lesser Prairie-Chickens. Annual meeting of the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Lincoln, NE. February 2017
Godar, A.J., B.A. Grisham, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, S.R. Fritts, C.P. Griffin, C.A. Hagen, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2016. Rangewide assessment of the influence of climate change on lesser prairie-chicken population persistence. North American Ornithological Congress, Washington, D.C. August 2016
Froehly, J.L., A. Tegeler, B. Ross, C. Jachowski, P. Jodice, and D.S. Jachowski. 2017. Loggerhead shrike occupancy in South Carolina. American Ornithology Society, Lansing, Michigan. August 2017
Dolan, S., R. Reid, B. E. Ross, and A. Woodward. 2020. Establishing a photographic monitoring protocol for the endangered Rock Gnome Lichen to assess population stability. Botany 2020: Annual Meeting of the Botanical Society of America in Anchorage, AK, USA. <i>Poster</i>. July 2020
Adams, M., Tegeler, A., Hook, M., Small, M., & Ross, B.E. (2020). <i>Effects of forest management on early-successional avian species in South Carolina</i>. The Wildlife Society. September 2020
A.J. Godar, B.A. Grisham, B.E. Ross, C.W. Boal, D. Greene, C.P. Griffin, C.A. Hagen, D.A. Haukos, M.A. Patten, and J.C. Pitman. 2018. Rangewide lesser prairie-chicken population persistence with climate change. International Grouse Symposium, Logan, Utah. September 2018
Role and Organization Individual         Start Date        End Date       
The Wildlife Society - Member Ross 2011 Present
The Wildlife Society - Ethnic and Gender Diversity Working Group Ross 2015 Present
The Wildlife Society - Biometrics Working Group, board member (2016); Biometrics Working Group, secretary (2018-2020) Ross 2013 Present
American Ornithologists' Union - member Ross 2015 Present