Yvette K. Ortega

Yvette in field

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

  • 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

Ortega, Y.K., D.E. Pearson, L.P. Waller, N.J. Sturdevant, J.M. Maron. 2012. Population-level compensation impedes biological control of an invasive forb and indirect release of a native grass. Ecology, 93(4), pp. 783–792.
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Maron, J.L., D. E. Pearson, T. Potter, and Y. K. Ortega. 2012. Seed size and provenance mediate the joint effects of disturbance and seed predation on community assembly. Journal of Ecology 100:1492-1500.
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Pearson, D. E., Y. K. Ortega, and S. Sears. 2012. Darwin's naturalization hypothesis up-close: intermountain grassland invaders differ morphologically and phenologically from native community dominants. Biological Invasions 14:901-913.
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Zwolak, R., D.E. Pearson, Y.K. Ortega, and E.E. Crone 2012. Mechanisms driving postfire abundance of a generalist mammal. Can. J. Zool. 90: 51-60.
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Ortega, Y. K., and D. E. Pearson. 2011. Long-term effects of weed control with picloram along a gradient of spotted knapweed invasion. Rangeland Ecol Manage 64:67–77 | January 2011 | DOI: 10.2111/REM-D-10-00034.1
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Zwolak, R., D.E. Pearson, Y.K. Ortega, and E.E. Crone. 2010. Fire and mice: Seed predation moderates fire's influence on conifer recruitment. Ecology, 91(4), 2010, pp. 1124-1131.
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Ortega, Y.K., and D.E. Pearson. 2010. Effects of picloram application on community dominants vary with initial levels of spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe) invasion. Invasive Plant Science and Management 2010 3:70-80.
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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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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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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., 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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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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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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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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GRANTS

USDA Forest Service, Competitive Research Initiative (2010-2013)
$127,000 - Effects of climate change on the invasiveness and biological control of spotted knapweed

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: 18
Training & Public/Educational Seminars: 27

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.