USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Barbara Kus
Dr. Barbara Kus is a Research Ecologist with the Western Ecological Research Center.
Dr. Kus designs and conducts original field research on avian ecology and conservation to support science-based natural resource management in national and international contexts. Dr. Kus interacts closely with federal, state, and local resource managers and regulatory agencies to prioritize research needs, and design and conduct investigations to meet those needs. As a scientist broadly trained in ecology and evolutionary biology, she focuses her research on integrating management, which is typically short-term and threats-driven, with an evolutionary perspective that seeks longer-term sustainability of species and ecosystems through maintenance of evolutionary processes required for persistence. A theme of her research is that it is strategically long-term, yielding unique datasets that incorporate spatial and temporal patterns of response to environmental variability needed for this evolutionary perspective.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Riparian Birds
- Response of Riparian Bird Communities to Habitat Restoration
- Ecology and Population Trends of Neotropical Migratory Birds
- Population Genetic Structure of Endangered Birds
- Post-wildfire Recovery of Riparian and Coastal Sage Scrub Bird Communities and Habitats
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 1985
M.S., Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 1980
B.S., Anthropology, University of California, Davis, CA 1977
B.A., Zoology, University of California, Davis, CA 1977
Science and Products
Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty
WERC Fire Science
Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat
Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California
Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)
San Diego Field Station
Cactus Wren Invertebrate Diet Derived from Sequencing of Nestling Fecal Samples in San Diego County, California
Distribution and Breeding Status of Least Bell's Vireo along the San Diego and Tijuana Rivers in San Diego County, California (2023)
Assessing Connectivity among Coastal and Interior Cactus Wrens in California using Population Genomics (2021)
San Diego River Shot Hole Borer Study (ver. 2.0, August 2024)
Drainage Areas for Stream Segments in Western San Diego County
Capture Data and SNP Genotypes to Evaluate Subspecies Range Boundaries of the Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus and V. b. arizonae) (2010-2022)
Vegetation Height in Open Space in San Diego County, Derived from 2014 NAIP Imagery and 2014/2015 Lidar
Rangewide Occupancy and Post-Fire Recovery of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Surveys and Nest Monitoring in San Diego County, California (ver. 3.0, January 2024)
Surveys and Monitoring of Coastal Cactus Wren in Southern San Diego County (ver. 4.0, February 2024 )
Microsatellite Genotypes for Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) from Southern California, 2009-2019
Distribution and Breeding Status of Least Bell's Vireo Along the San Diego and Tijuana Rivers in San Diego County, California (2020)
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Least Bell's Vireos and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers—Breeding activities and habitat use—2023 annual report
Rangewide occupancy of a flagship species, the Coastal California Gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) in southern California: Habitat associations and recovery from wildfire
Distribution, Abundance, and Breeding Activities of the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2020 Annual Report
Distribution, abundance, and breeding activities of the Least Bell's Vireo at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2020 annual report
Distribution, abundance, and habitat characteristics of Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) in San Diego County, California—2023 Data Summary
Neotropical migratory bird monitoring study at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California—2021 annual data summary
Distribution and abundance of Southwestern Willow Flycatchers (Empidonax traillii extimus) on the Upper San Luis Rey River, San Diego County, California—2023 data summary
High inter-population connectivity and occasional gene flow between subspecies improves recovery potential for the endangered Least Bell’s Vireo
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) 6-year summary, Naval Outlying Landing Field, Imperial Beach, southwestern San Diego County, California, 2014–20
Interstate 15 wildlife crossing design considerations for focal wildlife species - Santa Ana-Palomar Mountains Linkage southern California
Prioritizing the risk and management of introduced species in a landscape with high indigenous biodiversity
Least Bell's Vireos and Southwestern Willow Flycatchers at the San Luis Rey Flood Risk Management Project Area in San Diego County, California—Breeding activities and habitat use—2022 annual report
Science and Products
Decision-support tool for managing endangered species in the face of uncertainty
WERC Fire Science
Population Structure and Demography of the Least Bell’s Vireo and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and Use of Restored Riparian Habitat
Distribution, Population Genetic Structure and Demography of Coastal Cactus Wrens in Southern California
Distribution, Occupancy and Population Genetic Structure of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)
San Diego Field Station
Cactus Wren Invertebrate Diet Derived from Sequencing of Nestling Fecal Samples in San Diego County, California
Distribution and Breeding Status of Least Bell's Vireo along the San Diego and Tijuana Rivers in San Diego County, California (2023)
Assessing Connectivity among Coastal and Interior Cactus Wrens in California using Population Genomics (2021)
San Diego River Shot Hole Borer Study (ver. 2.0, August 2024)
Drainage Areas for Stream Segments in Western San Diego County
Capture Data and SNP Genotypes to Evaluate Subspecies Range Boundaries of the Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus and V. b. arizonae) (2010-2022)
Vegetation Height in Open Space in San Diego County, Derived from 2014 NAIP Imagery and 2014/2015 Lidar
Rangewide Occupancy and Post-Fire Recovery of California Gnatcatchers in Southern California
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) Surveys and Nest Monitoring in San Diego County, California (ver. 3.0, January 2024)
Surveys and Monitoring of Coastal Cactus Wren in Southern San Diego County (ver. 4.0, February 2024 )
Microsatellite Genotypes for Coastal Cactus Wrens (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) from Southern California, 2009-2019
Distribution and Breeding Status of Least Bell's Vireo Along the San Diego and Tijuana Rivers in San Diego County, California (2020)
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
USGS researcher holds an endangered least Bell’s vireo marked with a brightly-colored ID tag. The USGS is learning about the threats that these birds face in different parts of their range and are providing the science needed to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts to recover least Bell’s vireo populations.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Healthy-looking riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
USGS colleagues from Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste in Baja California, Mexico hold an endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Riparian habitat and a very fine-mesh "mist net" in Baja California, Mexico. Mist netting efforts are part of an ongoing study that examines migratory behaviors of the endangered Least Bell's Vireo.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientist and USGS partner examines a flicker captured in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Mexican scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo for ectoparasites in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Scientists examine an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Riparian habitat with palms in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
Lush riparian habitat in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Suellen Lynn calls endangered Least Bell's Vireos to a fine mesh net using recorded territorial calls.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS ecologist Lisa Allen carefully removes an endangered Least Bell's Vireo from a net. She and Principal Investigator Barbara Kus are studying these birds' migration patterns to provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international efforts with information to assist in species recovery.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS researchers Lisa Allen and Ryan Pottinger survey Miraflores Wash in Baja, California for Least Bell's Vireos, an endangered migratory bird.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.
USGS ecologist Scarlett Howell holds an endangered Least Bell's Vireo in Baja California, Mexico.