Patrick Shafroth, PhD
Patrick B. Shafroth is a Research Ecologist at the Fort Collins Science Center.
Since 1991, Dr. Shafroth has conducted research on riparian ecosystems, primarily in arid and semi-arid regions of western U.S. He and his colleagues from the USGS and other institutions have focused their work on understanding relationships between surface and ground-water hydrology, fluvial processes, and the dynamics of native and introduced riparian vegetation. This research has often been conducted in the applied context of riparian ecosystem restoration with the goal of providing solid, objective scientific information that can be used to inform riparian restoration efforts. More specific restoration-related research areas include studies of large-scale flow experiments, dam removal, effects of invasive species control and associated restoration actions, and potential interactions with climate change.
Some of Dr. Shafroth’s current research includes studies of: vegetation and geomorphic responses to experimental flow releases downstream of dams on the Bill Williams River, Arizona; the Colorado River delta in Mexico and the U.S.; and the the Colorado River in Grand Canyon; vegetation and geomorphic responses to dam removal on the Elwha River, Washington, where the world's largest dam removals occurred recently; dynamics of non-native riparian plants along western rivers, including patterns of riparian vegetation recovery associated with biological control of Tamarix.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Arizona State University, 1999
M.S. in Forest Ecology, Colorado State University, 1993
B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1989
Science and Products
Landscape-scale processes influence riparian plant composition along a regulated river
Riparian plant composition along hydrologic gradients in a dryland river basin and implications for a warming climate
Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent
Vegetation response to invasive Tamarix control in southwestern U.S. rivers: A collaborative study including 416 sites
Integrating active restoration with environmental flows to improve native riparian tree establishment in the Colorado River Delta
A large-scale environmental flow experiment for riparian restoration in the Colorado River delta
Dam removal: Listening in
It takes more than water: Restoring the Colorado River Delta
The long-term legacy of geomorphic and riparian vegetation feedbacks on the dammed Bill Williams River, Arizona, USA
Landscape context and the biophysical response of rivers to dam removal in the United States
Coastal habitat and biological community response to dam removal on the Elwha River
Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
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
Landscape-scale processes influence riparian plant composition along a regulated river
Riparian plant composition along hydrologic gradients in a dryland river basin and implications for a warming climate
Secondary invasions of noxious weeds associated with control of invasive Tamarix are frequent, idiosyncratic and persistent
Vegetation response to invasive Tamarix control in southwestern U.S. rivers: A collaborative study including 416 sites
Integrating active restoration with environmental flows to improve native riparian tree establishment in the Colorado River Delta
A large-scale environmental flow experiment for riparian restoration in the Colorado River delta
Dam removal: Listening in
It takes more than water: Restoring the Colorado River Delta
The long-term legacy of geomorphic and riparian vegetation feedbacks on the dammed Bill Williams River, Arizona, USA
Landscape context and the biophysical response of rivers to dam removal in the United States
Coastal habitat and biological community response to dam removal on the Elwha River
Changes in community-level riparian plant traits over inundation gradients, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
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.