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Christian E Torgersen

I am a Supervisory Research Landscape Ecologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

My research interests include landscape ecology, riverine landscapes, watershed processes, ecological scaling, water quality, fish habitat, land use/land cover change, landscape scenario modeling, spatial analysis, remote sensing and GIS.

 

Professional Experience

  • 2005 - Present: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Supervisory Research Landscape Ecologist, Seattle, WA

  • 2002 - 2005: USGS Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Research Biologist, Corvallis, OR

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Fisheries Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (2002)

  • M.S., Fisheries Science, Geography Minor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (1996)

  • B.A., Geography/German, double major, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR (1993)

     

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three scientists preparing to conduct an underwater biological survey

Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)

Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
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Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
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Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)

Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
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If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

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If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.

Filter Total Items: 62

Evaluating single-pass catch as a tool for identifying spatial pattern in fish distribution

We evaluate the efficacy of single-pass electrofishing without blocknets as a tool for collecting spatially continuous fish distribution data in headwater streams. We compare spatial patterns in abundance, sampling effort, and length-frequency distributions from single-pass sampling of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki) to data obtained from a more precise multiple-pass...
Authors
Douglas S. Bateman, Robert E. Gresswell, Christian E. Torgersen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

A geostatistical approach for describing spatial pattern in stream networks

The shape and configuration of branched networks influence ecological patterns and processes. Recent investigations of network influences in riverine ecology stress the need to quantify spatial structure not only in a two-dimensional plane, but also in networks. An initial step in understanding data from stream networks is discerning non-random patterns along the network. On the other...
Authors
L.M. Ganio, Christian E. Torgersen, Robert E. Gresswell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Describing spatial pattern in stream networks: A practical approach

The shape and configuration of branched networks influence ecological patterns and processes. Recent investigations of network influences in riverine ecology stress the need to quantify spatial structure not only in a two-dimensional plane, but also in networks. An initial step in understanding data from stream networks is discerning non-random patterns along the network. On the other...
Authors
L.M. Ganio, C.E. Torgersen, R. E. Gresswell
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

Influence of habitat heterogeneity on the distribution of larval Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) at two spatial scales

1. Spatial patterns in channel morphology and substratum composition at small (1–10 metres) and large scales (1–10 kilometres) were analysed to determine the influence of habitat heterogeneity on the distribution and abundance of larval lamprey.2. We used a nested sampling design and multiple logistic regression to evaluate spatial heterogeneity in the abundance of larval Pacific lamprey...
Authors
Christian E. Torgersen, David A. Close
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Pattern detection in stream networks: Quantifying spatial variability in fish distribution

Biological and physical properties of rivers and streams are inherently difficult to sample and visualize at the resolution and extent necessary to detect fine-scale distributional patterns over large areas. Satellite imagery and broad-scale fish survey methods are effective for quantifying spatial variability in biological and physical variables over a range of scales in marine...
Authors
Christian E. Torgersen, Robert E. Gresswell, Douglas S. Bateman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Comment: "Perspectives on water flow and the interpretations of FLIR images" J.Range Manage. 55: 106-111 2002

No abstract available.
Authors
R. L. Beschta, B.A. McIntosh, Christian E. Torgersen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Torgersen, C.E., Close, D.A., 2004, Influence of habitat heterogeneity on the distribution of larval Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata) at two spatial scales: Freshwater Biology, v. 49, no. 5, p. 614-630.
Fausch, K.D., Torgersen, C.E., Baxter, C.V., Li, H.W., 2002, Landscapes to riverscapes- bridging the gap between research and conservation of stream fishes: BioScience, v. 52, no. 6, p. 483-498.
Torgersen, C.E., Faux, R.N., McIntosh, B.A., Poage, N., Norton, D.J., 2001, Airborne thermal remote sensing for water temperature assessment in rivers and streams: Remote Sensing of Environment, v. 76, p. 386-398.
Torgersen, C.E., Price, D.M., Li, H.W., McIntosh, B.A., 1999, Multiscale thermal refugia and stream habitat associations of chinook salmon in northwestern Oregon: Ecological Applications, v. 9, no. 1, p. 301-319, https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(1999)009[0301:MTRASH]2.0.CO;2.
Torgersen, C.E., Poage, N., Flood, M., Norton, D.J., McIntosh, B.A., 1996, Airborne thermal remote sensing of salmonid habitat for restoration planning in Pacific Northwestern watersheds, Baltimore, MD In eds., Proceedings of the Watershed 96 Conference: Alexandria, VA, Water Environment Federation, p. 812-814.
Poage, N., Torgersen, C.E., Norton, D.J., Flood, M., McIntosh, B.A., 1996, Application of thermal infrared (FLIR) and visible videography to the monitoring and restoration of salmonid habitat in the Pacific Northwest In Greer, J.D., ed., Proceedings of the Sixth Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Conference: Denver, CO, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, p. 376-379.
Torgersen, C.E., Jones, J.A., Moldenke, A.R., LeMaster, M.P., 1995, The spatial heterogeneity of soil invertebrates and edaphic properties in an old growth forest stand in western Oregon In Collins, H.P., Robertson, G.P., Klug, M.J., eds., The Significance and Regulation of Soil Biodiversity: Dordrecht, Netherlands, Kluwer Academic Publishers, p. 225-236.
Torgersen, C.E., Price, D.M., Li, H.W., McIntosh, B.A., 1995, Thermal refugia and chinook salmon habitat in Oregon- Applications of airborne thermal videography In Mausel, P., ed., Proceedings of the 15th Biennial Workshop on Color Photography and Videography: Terre Haute, IN, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, p. 167-171.
Torgersen, C.E., Baxter, C.V., Li, H., McIntosh, B.A., 2006, Landscape influences on longitudinal patterns of river fishes- Spatially continuous analysis of fish-habitat relationships In Hughes, R., Wang, L., Wofford, J.E., eds., Influences of Landscapes on Stream Habitats and Biological Assemblages: Bethesda, MD, American Fisheries Society, p. 473-492

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.

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