Rocky Mountain Research Station

Victoria A. Saab

Research Wildlife Biologist

Address
Rocky Mountain Research Station
1648 South 7th Avenue, MSU Campus
Bozeman, MT 59717-2780

Education:
B.S., Wildlife Ecology, Oklahoma State University
M.S., Fish and Wildlife Management, Montana State University
Ph.D., Environmental, Population, and Organismal Biology, University of Colorado

Research interests:
Wildfire and grazing effects on animal and plant communities, ecology of cavity-nesting birds, effects of fire management activities on animals and plants of western coniferous forests, influences of spatial scale on bird distributions, ecology of riparian birds in arid lands, landscape ecology, and conservation biology.

Abbreviated Vitae

• Continue as a research biologist conducting applied research that contributes to wildlife conservation.
• Improve international conservation efforts by continuing to collaborate with natural resource managers and biologists in Mexico.

• Fire effects on populations and habitats of birds in ponderosa pine forests of the Interior West.
• Breeding habitat ecology of the black-backed woodpecker in burned forests.
• Population ecology of Lewis’s woodpecker in burned coniferous and riparian forests.
• Effects of livestock grazing and surrounding landscapes on habitat use by Neotropical migratory birds in riparian forests.

• Saab, V., R. Russell, and J.G. Dudley. 2007. Nest densities of cavity-nesting birds in relation to postfire salvage logging and time since wildfire. Condor 109: 97-108. PDF
• Saab, V., L. Bate, J. Lehmkuhl, B. Dickson, S. Story, S. Jentsch, and W. Block. 2006. Changes in downed wood and forest structure after prescribed fire in ponderosa pine forests. p. 477- 487 In: Andrews, P.L., and B.W. Butler, comps. Fuels Management - How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 2006 28-30 March; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: USDA, Forest Service, RMRS. PDF
• Russell, R.E., V.A. Saab, J. Dudley, and J.J. Rotella. 2006. Snag longevity in relation to wildfire and postfire salvage logging. Forest Ecology and Management. 232:179-187. PDF
• Saab, V., and H. Powell (editors). 2005. Fire and avian ecology in North America (11 chapters). Studies in Avian Biology 30:1-193. web site
• Saab, V.A., H.D.W. Powell, N.B. Kotliar, and K.R. Newlon. 2005. Variation in fire regimes of the Rocky Mountains: implications for avian communities and fire management. Studies in Avian Biology 30:76-96. PDF
• Saab, V., J. Dudley, and W. Thompson. 2004. Factors influencing occupancy of nest cavities in recently burned forests. Condor 106:20-36. PDF
• Saab, V., and K. Vierling. 2001. Reproductive success of Lewis’s woodpecker in burned pine and cottonwood riparian forests. Condor 103:491-501. PDF

• Leader, Birds and Burns Network [Fire effects on birds in 8 western states] (2001-Present)
• Faculty & Steering Com., Applied Fire Effects Course, Nat’l Advanced Fire & Resource Inst. (2003-Present)
• Coordinator and co-editor, Fire and Avian Ecology in North America (2002-2005)
• Advisor, Natural Resource Management and Research in Jalisco, Mexico (2001-Present)
• Member, Terrestrial Science Team-Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Project (1994-1998)

• Design criteria developed for post-fire salvage logging aids in managing burned landscapes for the long-term persistence of sensitive woodpecker species in the Interior West.
• Research results from developing multi-scale wildlife habitat models are used for site conservation planning of arid land riparian forests.
• Conservation assessment of DEIS alternatives for the Columbia River Basin Ecosystem Management Plan aided in selection of preferred alternative.

• Develop remote sensing methods to predict bird distributions and ground vegetation in different habitat conditions created by fire.
• Understand the ecological consequences of fire management for target wildlife species in ponderosa pine forests.
• Provide guidance for wildlife research and monitoring studies related to management of livestock grazing in arid land riparian forests.