A. Keith Miles
Keith Miles is the Center Director of the Western Ecological Research Center.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Community ecology
- Contaminants
- Cumulative effects
- Ecotoxicology
- Invertebrate ecology
- Marine mammal ecology
- Nearshore marine ecology
Professional Experience
Research Biologist, USGS, Western Ecological Research Center, Jun 1997-present
Graduate Faculty, Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, Jan 1998-present
Research Biologist, National Biological Service, Davis, California, Oct 1993-Jun 1997
Research Biologist, USFWS, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland, Jul 1986-Oct 1993
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Wildlife Ecology, Oregon State University 1987
M.S., Wildlife Biology, Oregon State University 1976
B.S., Zoology, Howard University 1972
Affiliations and Memberships*
Ecological Society of America
Estuarine Research Federation
Northern California Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Pacific Estuarine Research Society
The Wildlife Soc
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 111
Negative impacts of invasive plants on conservation of sensitive desert wildlife
Habitat disturbance from development, resource extraction, off-road vehicle use, and energy development ranks highly among threats to desert systems worldwide. In the Mojave Desert, United States, these disturbances have promoted the establishment of nonnative plants, so that native grasses and forbs are now intermixed with, or have been replaced by invasive, nonnative Mediterranean...
Authors
K. Kristina Drake, Lizabeth Bowen, Kenneth E. Nussear, Todd Esque, Andrew J. Berger, Nathan Custer, Shannon C. Waters, Jay D. Johnson, A. Keith Miles, Rebecca L. Lewison
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife...
Authors
M.Scott Harris, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, C. LeAnn White, A. Keith Miles, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Christopher J. Brand, James P. Cronin, Susan E.W. De La Cruz, Christine L. Densmore, Thomas W. Doyle, Robert J. Dusek, Joseph P. Fleskes, Paul L. Flint, Gerald F. Guala, Jeffrey S. Hall, Laura E. Hubbard, Randall Hunt, Hon S. Ip, Rachel A. Katz, Kevin W. Laurent, Mark P. Miller, Mark D. Munn, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin Richards, Robin E. Russell, Joel P. Stokdyk, John Y. Takekawa, Daniel P. Walsh
Gene transcript profiling in sea otters post-Exxon Valdez oil spill: A tool for marine ecosystem health assessment
Using a panel of genes stimulated by oil exposure in a laboratory study, we evaluated gene transcription in blood leukocytes sampled from sea otters captured from 2006–2012 in western Prince William Sound (WPWS), Alaska, 17–23 years after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). We compared WPWS sea otters to reference populations (not affected by the EVOS) from the Alaska Peninsula (2009...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Brenda Ballachey, Shannon C. Waters, James L. Bodkin
Impacts of introduced Rangifer on ecosystem processes of maritime tundra on subarctic islands
Introductions of mammalian herbivores to remote islands without predators provide a natural experiment to ask how temporal and spatial variation in herbivory intensity alter feedbacks between plant and soil processes. We investigated ecosystem effects resulting from introductions of Rangifer tarandus (hereafter “Rangifer”) to native mammalian predator- and herbivore-free islands in the...
Authors
Mark A. Ricca, A. Keith Miles, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Valerie T. Eviner
Long-term monitoring program: Evaluating chronic exposure of harlequin ducks and sea otters to lingering Exxon Valdez Oil in Western Prince William Sound
We found that average cytochrome P4501A induction (as measured by EROD activity) during March 2014 was not elevated in wintering harlequin ducks captured in areas of Prince William Sound oiled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, relative to those captured in unoiled areas. This result is consistent with findings from March 2013. We interpret these findings to indicate that exposure of...
Authors
Daniel Esler, Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Brenda Ballachey, James L. Bodkin
USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy
Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Hopkins, A. Keith Miles, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Mary E. Whalen
USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza
Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Hopkins, A. Keith Miles, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Mary E. Whalen
Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations
Polar bears in the Beaufort (SB) and Chukchi (CS) Seas experience different environments due primarily to a longer history of sea ice loss in the Beaufort Sea. Ecological differences have been identified as a possible reason for the generally poorer body condition and reproduction of Beaufort polar bears compared to those from the Chukchi, but the influence of exposure to other stressors...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Shannon C. Waters, Randi Meyerson, Karyn D. Rode, Todd C. Atwood
Enhanced biological processes associated with alopecia in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Populations of wildlife species worldwide experience incidents of mass morbidity and mortality. Primary or secondary drivers of these events may escape classical detection methods for identifying microbial insults, toxin exposure, or additional stressors. In 2012, 28% of polar bears sampled in a study in the southern Beaufort Sea region of Alaska had varying degrees of alopecia that was...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Jeffrey L. Stott, Shannon C. Waters, Todd C. Atwood
Integrating gene transcription-based biomarkers to understand desert tortoise and ecosystem health
Tortoises are susceptible to a wide variety of environmental stressors, and the influence of human disturbances on health and survival of tortoises is difficult to detect. As an addition to current diagnostic methods for desert tortoises, we have developed the first leukocyte gene transcription biomarker panel for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), enhancing the ability to...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, K. Kristina Drake, Shannon C. Waters, Todd Esque, Kenneth E. Nussear
Effects of fire on small mammal communities in frequent-fire forests in California
Fire is a natural, dynamic process that is integral to maintaining ecosystem function. The reintroduction of fire (e.g., prescribed fire, managed wildfire) is a critical management tool for protecting many frequent-fire forests against stand-replacing fires while restoring an essential ecological process. Understanding the effects of fire on forests and wildlife communities is important...
Authors
Susan L. Roberts, Douglas A. Kelt, Jan W Van Wagtendonk, A. Keith Miles, Marc D. Meyer
Experimental enhancement of pickleweed, Suisun Bay, California
As mitigation for habitat impacted by the expansion of a pier on Suisun Bay, California, two vehicle parking lots (0.36 ha and 0.13 ha) were restored by being excavated, graded, and contoured using dredged sediments to the topography or elevation of nearby wetlands. We asked if pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica L, [Amaranthaceae]) colonization could be enhanced by experimental...
Authors
A. Keith Miles, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Danika C. Tsao, Julie L. Yee
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 111
Negative impacts of invasive plants on conservation of sensitive desert wildlife
Habitat disturbance from development, resource extraction, off-road vehicle use, and energy development ranks highly among threats to desert systems worldwide. In the Mojave Desert, United States, these disturbances have promoted the establishment of nonnative plants, so that native grasses and forbs are now intermixed with, or have been replaced by invasive, nonnative Mediterranean...
Authors
K. Kristina Drake, Lizabeth Bowen, Kenneth E. Nussear, Todd Esque, Andrew J. Berger, Nathan Custer, Shannon C. Waters, Jay D. Johnson, A. Keith Miles, Rebecca L. Lewison
U.S. Geological Survey science strategy for highly pathogenic avian influenza in wildlife and the environment (2016–2020)
IntroductionThrough the Science Strategy for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Wildlife and the Environment, the USGS will assess avian influenza (AI) dynamics in an ecological context to inform decisions made by resource managers and policymakers from the local to national level. Through collection of unbiased scientific information on the ecology of AI viruses and wildlife...
Authors
M.Scott Harris, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, C. LeAnn White, A. Keith Miles, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Christopher J. Brand, James P. Cronin, Susan E.W. De La Cruz, Christine L. Densmore, Thomas W. Doyle, Robert J. Dusek, Joseph P. Fleskes, Paul L. Flint, Gerald F. Guala, Jeffrey S. Hall, Laura E. Hubbard, Randall Hunt, Hon S. Ip, Rachel A. Katz, Kevin W. Laurent, Mark P. Miller, Mark D. Munn, Andrew M. Ramey, Kevin Richards, Robin E. Russell, Joel P. Stokdyk, John Y. Takekawa, Daniel P. Walsh
Gene transcript profiling in sea otters post-Exxon Valdez oil spill: A tool for marine ecosystem health assessment
Using a panel of genes stimulated by oil exposure in a laboratory study, we evaluated gene transcription in blood leukocytes sampled from sea otters captured from 2006–2012 in western Prince William Sound (WPWS), Alaska, 17–23 years after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). We compared WPWS sea otters to reference populations (not affected by the EVOS) from the Alaska Peninsula (2009...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Brenda Ballachey, Shannon C. Waters, James L. Bodkin
Impacts of introduced Rangifer on ecosystem processes of maritime tundra on subarctic islands
Introductions of mammalian herbivores to remote islands without predators provide a natural experiment to ask how temporal and spatial variation in herbivory intensity alter feedbacks between plant and soil processes. We investigated ecosystem effects resulting from introductions of Rangifer tarandus (hereafter “Rangifer”) to native mammalian predator- and herbivore-free islands in the...
Authors
Mark A. Ricca, A. Keith Miles, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Valerie T. Eviner
Long-term monitoring program: Evaluating chronic exposure of harlequin ducks and sea otters to lingering Exxon Valdez Oil in Western Prince William Sound
We found that average cytochrome P4501A induction (as measured by EROD activity) during March 2014 was not elevated in wintering harlequin ducks captured in areas of Prince William Sound oiled by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, relative to those captured in unoiled areas. This result is consistent with findings from March 2013. We interpret these findings to indicate that exposure of...
Authors
Daniel Esler, Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Brenda Ballachey, James L. Bodkin
USGS highly pathogenic avian influenza research strategy
Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Hopkins, A. Keith Miles, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Mary E. Whalen
USGS role and response to highly pathogenic avian influenza
Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These viruses generally do not cause illness in wild birds, however, when spread to poultry they can be highly pathogenic and cause illness and death in backyard and commercial farms. Outbreaks may cause devastating agricultural economic losses and some viral strains have the potential...
Authors
M. Camille Hopkins, A. Keith Miles, John M. Pearce, Diann Prosser, Jonathan M. Sleeman, Mary E. Whalen
Gene transcription in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from disparate populations
Polar bears in the Beaufort (SB) and Chukchi (CS) Seas experience different environments due primarily to a longer history of sea ice loss in the Beaufort Sea. Ecological differences have been identified as a possible reason for the generally poorer body condition and reproduction of Beaufort polar bears compared to those from the Chukchi, but the influence of exposure to other stressors...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Shannon C. Waters, Randi Meyerson, Karyn D. Rode, Todd C. Atwood
Enhanced biological processes associated with alopecia in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)
Populations of wildlife species worldwide experience incidents of mass morbidity and mortality. Primary or secondary drivers of these events may escape classical detection methods for identifying microbial insults, toxin exposure, or additional stressors. In 2012, 28% of polar bears sampled in a study in the southern Beaufort Sea region of Alaska had varying degrees of alopecia that was...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, Jeffrey L. Stott, Shannon C. Waters, Todd C. Atwood
Integrating gene transcription-based biomarkers to understand desert tortoise and ecosystem health
Tortoises are susceptible to a wide variety of environmental stressors, and the influence of human disturbances on health and survival of tortoises is difficult to detect. As an addition to current diagnostic methods for desert tortoises, we have developed the first leukocyte gene transcription biomarker panel for the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), enhancing the ability to...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, A. Keith Miles, K. Kristina Drake, Shannon C. Waters, Todd Esque, Kenneth E. Nussear
Effects of fire on small mammal communities in frequent-fire forests in California
Fire is a natural, dynamic process that is integral to maintaining ecosystem function. The reintroduction of fire (e.g., prescribed fire, managed wildfire) is a critical management tool for protecting many frequent-fire forests against stand-replacing fires while restoring an essential ecological process. Understanding the effects of fire on forests and wildlife communities is important...
Authors
Susan L. Roberts, Douglas A. Kelt, Jan W Van Wagtendonk, A. Keith Miles, Marc D. Meyer
Experimental enhancement of pickleweed, Suisun Bay, California
As mitigation for habitat impacted by the expansion of a pier on Suisun Bay, California, two vehicle parking lots (0.36 ha and 0.13 ha) were restored by being excavated, graded, and contoured using dredged sediments to the topography or elevation of nearby wetlands. We asked if pickleweed (Sarcocornia pacifica L, [Amaranthaceae]) colonization could be enhanced by experimental...
Authors
A. Keith Miles, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Danika C. Tsao, Julie L. Yee
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government