Kristen L Bouska, PhD
My research interests include ecological resilience of large rivers, large river community ecology, restoration ecology, and impacts and adaptation to climate and land-use change.
As a large river ecologist, I investigate applied research questions based on ecological theory to inform management and conservation of large floodplain-river ecosystems.
Professional Experience
2021 – present: Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
2015 - present: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center (La Crosse, WI)
2015 – 2021: Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
2014 - 2015: Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Missouri (Columbia, MO)
2010 - 2014: Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL)
2009 - 2010: GIS Specialist, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (Pierre, SD)
2009 - 2010: Biology Instructor, Lowe
Education and Certifications
PhD – Environmental Resources and Policy, Southern Illinois University, 2014
MS – Biology, Kansas State University, 2008
BS – Biology, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, 2006
Science and Products
Riverscape-scale modeling of fundamentally suitable habitat for mussel assemblages in an Ozark River system, Missouri
Vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning for projected changes in water quality and quantity for protected areas in the upper Midwest
Mapping climate change vulnerability of aquatic-riparian ecosystems using decision-relevant indicators
Regime change in a large-floodplain river ecosystem: Patterns in body-size and functional biomass indicate a shift in fish communities
Conceptualizing alternate regimes in a large floodplain-river ecosystem
Scientific Framework for resilience research on the Upper Mississippi River System
Applying concepts of general resilience to large river ecosystems: A case study from the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers
Indicators of ecosystem structure and function for the Upper Mississippi River System
State-level freshwater mussel programs: Current status and a research framework to aid in mussel management and conservation
Discontinuities and functional resilience of large river fish assemblages
Drivers and uncertainties of forecasted range shifts for warm-water fishes under climate and land cover change
Developing a shared understanding of the Upper Mississippi River: the foundation of an ecological resilience assessment
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Science and Products
Riverscape-scale modeling of fundamentally suitable habitat for mussel assemblages in an Ozark River system, Missouri
Vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning for projected changes in water quality and quantity for protected areas in the upper Midwest
Mapping climate change vulnerability of aquatic-riparian ecosystems using decision-relevant indicators
Regime change in a large-floodplain river ecosystem: Patterns in body-size and functional biomass indicate a shift in fish communities
Conceptualizing alternate regimes in a large floodplain-river ecosystem
Scientific Framework for resilience research on the Upper Mississippi River System
Applying concepts of general resilience to large river ecosystems: A case study from the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers
Indicators of ecosystem structure and function for the Upper Mississippi River System
State-level freshwater mussel programs: Current status and a research framework to aid in mussel management and conservation
Discontinuities and functional resilience of large river fish assemblages
Drivers and uncertainties of forecasted range shifts for warm-water fishes under climate and land cover change
Developing a shared understanding of the Upper Mississippi River: the foundation of an ecological resilience assessment
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.