Victoria A. Saab

picture of Vicki

Research Wildlife Biologist

Phone:(406) 994-5032
Fax:(406) 994-5916
Email:vsaab@fs.fed.us

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 effects on animal and plant communities, ecology of cavity-nesting birds, effects of fire management activities on animals and plants of western North American coniferous forests, broad-scale monitoring and occupancy modeling of woodpeckers, influences of spatial scale on bird distributions, landscape ecology, and conservation biology.

Current Research Projects

  • Changes in avian populations, vegetation, and fire behavior after a mountain pine beetle outbreak in ponderosa pine forests.
  • Broad-scale monitoring and occupancy of white-headed woodpeckers in the interior Pacific Northwest.
  • Fire effects on populations and habitats of birds in ponderosa pine forests of the Interior West.
  • Climate effects on breeding ecology of Lewis's woodpecker in burned coniferous and aspen riparian forests.
  • Breeding habitat ecology of the black-backed woodpecker in burned forests.
  • See also Birds and Burns Network, Current Research & Monitoring

Recent Publications

Hollenbeck, J., L. Bate, V. Saab, and J. Lehmkuhl. In press. Snag Distributions in Relation to Human Access in Ponderosa Pine Forests. Wildlife Society Bulletin.

Vierling, Kerri T., Victoria A. Saab and Bret W. Tobalske. 2013. Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis), The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Retrieved from the Birds of North America Online. doi:10.2173/bna.284.
On-line

Towler, E., V. A. Saab, R.S. Sojda, K. Dickinson, C.L. Bruyère, and K.R. Newlon. 2012. A risk-based approach to evaluating wildlife demographics for management in a changing climate: A case study of the Lewis's Woodpecker. Environmental Management (2012) 50:1152–1163 DOI 10.1007/s00267-012-9953-z
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Bond, M.L., R.B. Siegel, R.L. Hutto, V. A. Saab, and Stephen A. Shunk. 2012. A new forest fire paradigm: the need for high-severity fires. Wildlife Professional Winter 2012: 46-49.
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Dudley, J.G., V.A. Saab, and J.P. Hollenbeck. 2012. Foraging-Habitat Selection of Black-backed Woodpeckers in Forest Burns of Southwestern Idaho. The Condor 114(2):348-357.
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Block, W.M., V.A. Saab, L. Ruggiero. 2012. Putting science into action on Forest Service Lands. Pages 49-62 In: Wildlife science: connecting research with management, eds. J.P. Sands, S. J. DeMaso, M. J. Schnupp, and L. A. Brennan. CRC Press. Boca Raton, FL.
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Saab, V., R. Russell, J. Rotella, and J. Dudley. 2011. Modeling nest survival of cavity-nesting birds in relation to postfire salvage logging. Journal of Wildlife Management 75(4):794-804.
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Newlon, K., and V. Saab. 2011. Nest-site selection and nest survival of Lewis's woodpecker in aspen riparian woodlands. Condor 113:183-193.
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Hollenbeck, J.P., V.A. Saab, and R. Frenzel. 2011. Habitat suitability and survival of nesting white-headed woodpeckers in unburned forests of central Oregon. Journal of Wildlife Management 75(5):1061–1071.
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Wightman, C., V. Saab, C. Forristal, K. Mellen-Mclean, and A. Markus. 2010. White-headed woodpecker nesting ecology after wildfire. Journal of Wildlife Management 74(5):1098-1106.
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Pierson, J.C., F.W. Allendorf, V. Saab, P. Drapeau, and M.K. Schwartz. 2010. Do male and female black-backed woodpeckers respond differently to gaps in habitat? Evolutionary Applications ISSN 1752-4571.
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Russell, R.E., J. F. Lehmkuhl, S.T. Buckland, V.A. Saab. 2010. Short-term responses of red squirrels to prescribed burning in the Interior Pacific Northwest, USA. Journal of Wildlife Management 74:12-17.
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Saab, V.A., R.E. Russell, J.G. Dudley. 2009. Nest-site selection by cavity-nesting birds in relation to postfire salvage logging. Forest Ecology and Management 257: 151-159.
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Russell, R.E., A. Royle, V. Saab, J. Lehmkuhl, W. Block, and J. Sauer. 2009. Modeling the effects of environmental disturbance on wildlife communities: avian responses to prescribed fire. Ecological Applications, 19:1253-1263.
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Buckland, S.T., R.E. Russell, B. Dickson, V. Saab, D. Gorman, and W. Block. 2009. Analyzing designed experiments in distance sampling. Journal of Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Statistics 14: 432-442.
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Russell, R. E., V. Saab, J. Rotella, and J. Dudley. 2009. Detection probabilities of woodpecker nests in mixed conifer forests in Oregon. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121(1):82-88.
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Hutto, R., C.J. Conway, V.A. Saab, and J.R. Walters. 2008. What constitutes a natural fire regime? Insight from the ecology and distribution of coniferous forest birds in North America. Fire Ecology 4:115-132.
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Fowler, J., C. Sieg, B. Dickson, and V. Saab. 2008. Exotic plant species diversity: influence of roads and prescribed fire in Arizona ponderosa pine forests. Range Ecology and Management 61: 284-293.
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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.
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Saab, V.A.; Block, W.; Russell, R.E.; Lehmkuhl, J.; Bate, L.; and White, R. 2007. Birds and Burns of the Interior West: Descriptions, habitats, and management in western forests. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-712. Portland, OR.
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Russell, R.E, V.A. Saab, and J. Dudley. 2007. Habitat suitability models for cavity-nesting birds in a postfire landscape. The Journal of Wildlife Management 71(8):2600-2611.
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Dudley, J. G. and V. A. Saab. 2007. Home range size of Black-backed Woodpeckers in burned forests of southwestern Idaho. Western North American Naturalist 67(4), 593-600.
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Tewksbury, J.J., L. Garner, S. Garner, J.D. Lloyd, V. Saab, and T. E. Martin. 2006. Tests of landscape influence: nest predation and brood parasitism in fragmented ecosystems. Ecology 87:759-768.
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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.
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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. pages 477- 487 In: Andrews, P.L.; Butler, Bret W., 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, Rocky Mountain Research Station.
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Saab, V. A., and H. Powell (eds.). 2005. Fire and avian ecology in North America. Studies in Avian Biology No. 30.
11 chapters, see Abstracts.

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.
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Saab, V. A. and H.D.W. Powell. 2005. Fire and Avian Ecology in North America: Process influencing pattern. Studies in Avian Biology 30: 1-13.
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Saab, V. A., N.B. Kotliar, and W. M. Block. 2005. Relationships of fire ecology and avian communities in North America. pages 1083-1085 in Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference, March 20-24, 2002. Ralph, C.J., Rich, T., and Long, L. (editors). USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191.
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Rich, T.D., M.J. Wisdom, and V. A. Saab. 2005. Conservation of priority birds in sagebrush ecosystems. pages 589 - 606 in Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference, March 20-24, 2002, Asilomar Conference Grounds, California. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-191.
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Abele, S. C., V. A. Saab, and E.O. Garton. 2004. Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis): A technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available:
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Saab, V. A., J. G. Dudley, and W. L. Thompson. 2004. Factors influencing occupancy of nest cavities in recently burned forests. Condor 106:20-36.
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Abele, S. C., V. A. Saab, and O. Garton. 2004. Lewis's woodpecker: species assessment for the Rocky Mountain Region. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Lakewood, CO.
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Dudley, J. G., V. A. Saab 2003. A field protocol to monitor cavity-nesting birds. Res.Pap.RMRS-RP-44.Fort Collins, CO:U.S.Department of Agriculture,Forest Service,Rocky Mountain Research Station.16 p.
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Saab, V. A., R. Brannon, J. G. Dudley, L. Donohoo, D. Vanderzanden, V. Johnson, and H. Lachowski. 2002. Selection of fire-created snags at two spatial scales by cavity-nesting birds. In Proceedings of The Symposium on The Ecology and Management of Dead Wood in Western Forests, Nov 2-4, 1999, Reno, Nevada, editors Shea, P. J.; W.F. Laudenslayer, Jr.; B. Valentine; C. P. Weatherspoon, and T. E. Lisle. USDA Forest Service PSW-GTR-181.
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Kotliar, N.B., S. Hejl, R.L. Hutto, V. A. Saab, C.P. Melcher, and M.E. McFadzen. 2002. Effects of wildfire and post-fire salvage logging on avian communities in conifer-dominated forests of the Western United States. Studies in Avian Biology 25:49-64.
can be ordered from

Tewksbury, J.J., A. E. Black, N. Nur, G.R. Guepel, V. A. Saab, B. Logan, and D. S. Dobkin. 2002. Effects of anthropogenic fragmentation and livestock grazing on western riparian bird communities. Studies in Avian Biology 25:158-202.
can be ordered from

Wisdom, M. J., B.C. Wales, M. M. Rowland, M.G. Raphael, R. S. Holthausen, T.D. Rich, and V. A. Saab. 2002. Performance of greater sage-grouse models for conservation assessment in the interior Columbia basin, USA. Conservation Biology 16:1232-1242.
abstract available

Saab, V. A., and K.T. Vierling. 2001. Reproductive success of Lewis's woodpecker in burned pine and cottonwood riparian forests. Condor 103:491-501.
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Saab, V. A., and K. T. Vierling. 2000. Reproductive success of Lewis's woodpecker in burned pine and cottonwood riparian forests. The Condor. 103: 491-501.
link to journal

Dixon, R.D., and V. A. Saab. 2000. Black-backed Woodpecker (Picoides arcticus). In: The Birds of North America. No. 509. (Poole, A. and Gill, F. eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington D.C.
link to publisher

Johnson, V., V. A. Saab, D. Vanderzanden, H. Lachowski, R. Brannon, and C. Crist. 2000. Using landsat satellite imagery to assess fire-created habitat for cavity-nesting birds. In Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies for the New Millennium; Proceedings of the Eighth Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Conference, 10-14 April 2000, Albuquerque, New Mexico, editor Greer, J.D. American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Published on CD-ROM.

Sands, A.R., S. Sather-Blair, and V. A. Saab. 2000. Sagebrush steppe wildlife: historical and current perspectives. Pages 27-35 In Proceedings: Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems Symposium; Entwistle, P.G., A.M. DeBolt, J.H. Kaltenecker, and K. Steenhof, compilers. Bureau of Land Management Publication No. BLM/ID/PT-001001+1150, Boise, Idaho, USA.

Johnson, V., D. Vanderzanden, H. Lachowski, V. A. Saab, L. Donohoo. 2000. Using landsat satellite imagery to evaluate fire-created habitat for cavity-nesting birds. USDA, Forest Service, Remote Sensing Tips RSAC-12-TIP1, Remote Sensing Applications Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Wisdom, M.J., R.S. Holthausen, B.C. Wales, C.D. Hargis, V. A. Saab, D.C. Lee, W.J. Hann, T.D. Rich, M.M. Rowland, W.J. Murphy, M.R. Eames. 2000. Source habitats for terrestrial vertebrates of focus in the Interior Columbia Basin: Broad-scale trends and management implications. USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-485, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon.
full text pdf available

Donovan, T.M., K.E. Freemark, B.A. Mauer, L. Petit, S.K. Robinson, and V. A. Saab. 1999. Setting local and regional objectives for the persistence of bird populations. In Bonney, R., D.N. Pashley, R.J. Cooper, and L. Niles, eds. Strategies for bird conservation: the Partners in Flight planning process. Proceedings of the 3rd Partners in Flight Workshop; 1995 October 1-5; Cape May, NJ. Electronic proceedings http://birds.cornell.edu/pifcapemay, and USDA Forest Service, Proceedings RMRS-P-16, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ogden, Utah.
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Saab, V. A. 1999. The importance of spatial scale to habitat use by breeding birds in cottonwood forests: a hierarchical analysis. Ecological Applications 9(1):135-151.
link to journal

Wisdom, M.J., B.C. Wales, R.S. Holthausen, C.D. Hargis, V. A. Saab, W.J. Hann, T.D. Rich, D.C. Lee, and M.M.. Rowland. 1999. Wildlife habitats in Forests of the Interior Northwest: history, status trends and critical issues confronting land managers. Pages 79-93. In Trans. 64th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference.

Shaw, N.L., V. A. Saab, S.B. Monsen, and T.D. Rich. 1999. Bromus tectorum expansion and biodiversity loss on the Snake River Plain, southern Idaho, U.S.A. Proceedings of the VI International Rangeland Congress. Townsville, Australia.

Saab, V. A. 1998. Effects of recreational activity and livestock grazing on habitat use by breeding birds in cottonwood forests along the South Fork Snake River. USDI, Bureau of Land Management, Technical Bulletin No. 98-17. BLM/ID/PT/004-1150.
can be ordered from

Saab, V. A. and J. G. Dudley 1998. Responses of cavity-nesting birds to stand-replacement fire and salvage logging in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests of southwestern Idaho. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. Research Paper, RMRS-RP-11.
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Saab, V. A. 1997. Cavity-nesting bird responses to stand-replacement fire and postfire salvage logging. Blue Mountains Natural Resources Institute 7:8-9.

Saab, V. A., and T.D. Rich. 1997. Large-scale conservation assessment for Neotropical migratory landbirds in the Interior Columbia River Basin. USDA, Pacific Northwest Research Station, General Technical Report, PNW-GTR-399.
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Clary, W.P., N.L. Shaw, J.G. Dudley, V. A. Saab, J.W. Kinney, L.C. Smithman. 1996. Response of a depleted sagebrush steppe riparian system to grazing control and woody plantings. USDA, Intermountain Research Station, Research Paper INT-RP 492.
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Saab, V. A., C.E. Bock, T.D. Rich, and D.S. Dobkin. 1995. Livestock grazing effects in western North America. In T.E. Martin and D.M. Finch [eds.], Ecology and management of Neotropical migratory birds: a synthesis and review of critical issues. Pages 311-353. Oxford University Press, New York.
can be ordered from