Laura Thompson, Ph.D.
Laura Thompson is a Research Ecologist with the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC). Her research focuses on responses of terrestrial species to changes in climate. The purpose of her research is to provide the management community with science-based information that can assist with decision making regarding adaptation options.
Laura received her Ph.D. in Environmental and Life Sciences at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario where she studied historical and contemporary genetic patterns of woodland caribou in the boreal forest regions of Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Laura also holds M.S. and B.S. degrees in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her current research focuses on three themes:
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The ability of species to abate the impacts of climate change (“adaptive capacity”)
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Incorporating evolutionary considerations into climate adaptation
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Uncertainty of climate change impacts and use of decision-support techniques
In addition to the projects listed below, Laura is serving as an author with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on the Americas Assessment. She also is serving as an author on the Fourth National Climate Assessment’s (NCA) chapter on biodiversity.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Environmental and Life Sciences, Trent University
M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Science and Products
Moose Health in a Changing Environment
Climate, the Boreal Forest, and Moose: A Pilot Project for Scenario Planning to Inform Land and Wildlife Management
Evaluating Adaptations of Desert Bighorn Sheep to Climate Change in the Southwestern U.S.
Development of the Climate Registry for the Assessment of Vulnerability (CRAVe): A Searchable, Public Online Tool for Understanding Species and Habitat Vulnerability
Persist in place or shift in space? Evaluating the adaptive capacity of species to climate change
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Multiple conceptualizations of nature are key to inclusivity and legitimacy in global environmental governance
Climate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Hypotheses from recent assessments of climate impacts to biodiversity and ecosystems in the United States
Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
Summarizing components of U.S. Department of the Interior vulnerability assessments to focus climate adaptation planning
Biodiversity in a changing climate: a synthesis of current and projected trends in the US
Short-term impacts of a 4-lane highway on black bears in eastern North Carolina
A spatial modeling approach to identify potential butternut restoration sites in Mammoth Cave National Park
Geostatistical analysis of allele presence patterns among American black bears in eastern North Carolina
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
Moose Health in a Changing Environment
Climate, the Boreal Forest, and Moose: A Pilot Project for Scenario Planning to Inform Land and Wildlife Management
Evaluating Adaptations of Desert Bighorn Sheep to Climate Change in the Southwestern U.S.
Development of the Climate Registry for the Assessment of Vulnerability (CRAVe): A Searchable, Public Online Tool for Understanding Species and Habitat Vulnerability
Persist in place or shift in space? Evaluating the adaptive capacity of species to climate change
Do empirical observations support commonly-held climate change range shift hypotheses? A systematic review protocol
Climate change effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, and natural resource management in the United States
Multiple conceptualizations of nature are key to inclusivity and legitimacy in global environmental governance
Climate change effects on deer and moose in the midwest
Hypotheses from recent assessments of climate impacts to biodiversity and ecosystems in the United States
Ecosystems, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity
Summarizing components of U.S. Department of the Interior vulnerability assessments to focus climate adaptation planning
Biodiversity in a changing climate: a synthesis of current and projected trends in the US
Short-term impacts of a 4-lane highway on black bears in eastern North Carolina
A spatial modeling approach to identify potential butternut restoration sites in Mammoth Cave National Park
Geostatistical analysis of allele presence patterns among American black bears in eastern North Carolina
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.