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Yvette K. Ortega
Ecologist
Phone: 406-542-3246
e-mail: yortega@fs.fed.us
Address:
Rocky Mountain Research Station
Forestry Sciences Lab
800 E. Beckwith Ave.
Missoula, MT 59801, USA
CURRICULUM VITAE in pdf format
EDUCATION
B.A. Environmental Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 1992
M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 1998
CURRENT INTERESTS & RECENT ACTIVITIES
My primary interest lies in building understandings of ecological patterns and processes in order to
improve the management of natural systems. Current applications include evaluating impacts of
exotic weed invasion on native plants, cascading effects on consumers, and efficacy of weed control
tools in mitigating these impacts. Studies consider population and community level attributes and
organisms from plants and invertebrate to birds and their predators. I am also conducting a common
garden experiment with Dr. Dean Pearson examining effects of climate change on invasibility of
exotic plants and their susceptibility to control by natural enemies. In collaboration with Dr. Erick
Greene at the University of Montana, I am exploring a new technique for assessing habitat quality
for songbirds based on local song structure. In all this work, I apply knowledge of spatial modeling
and multivariate statistics to develop novel methodologies for analysis of ecological data, with
application to management settings.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT (1998-).
- Faculty Affiliate, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT (2000-).
- Research Assistant, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT (1994-1998).
- Biological Technician, USDA Forest Service, Misty Fiords National Monument, AK (1993).
- Biological Aid, USDA Forest Service, Ketchikan Ranger District, AK (1992).
- Field Biologist, Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, Tiburon, CA (1991-1992).
- Research Assistant, Tilden Regional Park, Kensington, CA (1991).
- Research Intern, UC Berkeley Department of Plant Genetics, Berkeley, CA (1990).
PUBLICATIONS
Zwolak, R., D.E. Pearson, Y.K. Ortega, and E.E. Crone. In press. Fire and mice: Seed predation trumps fire’s influence on conifer recruitment. Ecology
Ortega, Y.K., and D.E. Pearson. In press. Effects of picloram application on community dominants vary with initial levels of spotted knapweed invasion. Invasive Plant Science and Management 0:00-00.
Hansen, A. K., Y. K. Ortega, and D. L. Six. 2009. Comparison of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in Rocky Mountain savannas invaded and un-invaded by an exotic forb, spotted knapweed. Northwest Science 83(4):348-360.
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Pearson, D.E. and Y.K. Ortega. 2009. Managing invasive plants in natural areas: moving beyond control. Pgs. 1-21 in (ed.) Rudolf V. Kingley, Weeds: Management, Economic Impacts and Biology. Nova Publishers, NY.
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Ortega Y. K., K. S. McKelvey, D. L. Six 2006. Invasion of an exotic forb impacts reproductive success and site fidelity of a migratory songbird. Oecologia 149: 340-351.
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Sturdevant, N., S. Kegley, Y. K. Ortega, and D. E. Pearson. 2006. Evaluation of establishment of Cyphocleonus achates and its potential impact on spotted knapweed. USDA FS FHP General Technical Report 06-08:1-9.
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Ortega, Y. K., and D. E. Pearson. 2005. Weak vs. Strong Invaders of Natural Plant Communities:
Assessing Invasibility and Impact.
Ecological Applications 15:651-661.
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Ortega Y. K., D. E. Pearson, and K. S. McKelvey. 2004. Effects of biological control agents and exotic plant invasion on deer mouse populations. Ecological Applications 14: 241-253.
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M. K. Schwartz, L . S . Mills, Y. Ortega, L. F. Ruggiero and F. W. Allendorf. 2003. Landscape location affects genetic variation of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). Molecular Ecology (2003) 12, 1807–1816.
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Pearson, D. E., Y., K. Ortega, and L. F. Ruggiero. 2003. Trap-induced mass declines in small mammals: mass as a population index. Journal of Wildlife Management 67(4):684-691.
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Ortega, Y. K., and D. E. Capen. 2002. Roads as edges: effects on birds in forested landscapes. Forest Science 48:381-390.
Pearson, D. E., and Y. K. Ortega. 2001. An indirect dispersal pathway for spotted knapweed seeds via deer mice and great-horned owls. Canadian Field-Naturalist 115(2):354.
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Pearson D. E., Y. K. Ortega, K. S. McKelvey and L. F. Ruggiero. 2001. Small mammal communities and habitat selection in Northern Rocky Mountain bunchgrass: Implications for exotic plant invasions. Northwest Science 75: 107-117.
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Ortega, Y. K., and D. E. Pearson. 2001. Occurrences of the western skink (Eumeces skiltonianus) in grasslands of western Montana. Northwestern Naturalist 82:125-125.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., Yvette K. Ortega, Gary M. Koehler, Keith B. Aubry, and J. David Brittell. 1999. Canada Lynx Habitat and Topographic Use Patterns in North Central Washington: A Reanalysis. Pp. 307-336. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Ortega, Y. K., and D. E. Capen. 1999. Effects of forest roads on habitat quality for Ovenbirds in a forested landscape. Auk 116:937-946.
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McKelvey, Kevin S., K. B. Aubry, and Y. K. Ortega. 1999. History and Distribution of Lynx in the Contiguous United States. Pp. 207-264. In L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, G.M. Koehler, C.J. Krebs, K.S. McKelvey, and J.R. Squires (eds.) Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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GRANTS
USDA Forest Service, Biological Control Research Program (2007-2010)
$330,000 – Abiotic factors affecting spotted knapweed’s invasiveness and susceptibility to
biological control
USDA Forest Service, Rangeland Research Competitive Program (2008-2009)
$27,900 – Long-term Efficacy of Broadleaf Herbicide Treatment for Restoration of Weedinvaded
Rangelands
USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Program (2005-2006)
$50,000 – Impacts of invasive plants on songbirds: using song structure as an indicator of habitat quality
Joint Fire Sciences Program (2003-2005)
$161,300 – Evaluating effects of fuels treatments on native flora and fauna: restoration in weed-invaded landscapes
USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Program (2002-2004)
$56,000 – Evaluating effects of forest restoration treatments on native plants and wildlife
USDA Forest Service Pesticide Impact Assessment Program (2001-2003)
$93,330 – Evaluating effects of herbicide and prescribed fire treatments on arthropod and songbird communities
USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Program (1999-2001)
$230,400 – Effects of weed invasion on native flora and fauna
PRESENTATIONS
Professional Meetings: 16
Training & Public/Educational Seminars: 25
HONORS, AWARDS, AND SERVICE
Rocky Mountain Research Station Award for Best Scientist Publication (2008).
USDA Certificate of Merit for substantial contribution to scientist search committee (2008).
Rocky Mountain Research Station Award for Best Early Career Scientist Publication (2005).
Mentor for project TRAIN, exposing Native American college students to science (2003).
Mentor for high school Science Fair program (2002-).
Mentor for undergraduate & graduate students (2000-).
USDA Certificate of Merit for research contributions (1999).
Reviewer for major scientific journals (1998-).
Graduate Student Award for Outstanding Service (1997).
Phi Beta Kappa (1991-).
RESEARCH FEATURED IN POPULAR ARTICLES
The Tao of Treating Weeds: Reaching for Restoration in the Northern Rocky Mountains. JFSP
Fire Science Brief (by Lisa-Natalie Anjozian) Issue 18, October 2008.
Knocking out knapweed. 2007. Missoulian feature photo, front page, Montana section. April 20, 2007.
Golll-ly! The impact of nonnative plants and animals on deer mice. 2006. Article for middle school education journal. USDA Forest Service Natural Inquirer, Spring, 2006. PDF
Non-target effects of biological control agents on deer mice. 2003. Cover of Ecological Society of America Bulletin, October, 2003. PDF available
Double Agent. 2002. Natural History, May 2002.
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