Jason Taylor

Director

Email: jason.taylor2@usda.gov
Phone: (406) 542-4193
Fax: (406) 542-4196

Address:
790 East Beckwith Avenue
Missoula, Montana 59801

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D., Natural Resources and Environment, 2008 -- University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Arbor, MI.  Dissertation: Avian populations in human-dominated landscapes: An analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics at the urban-rural interface.
M.S., Natural Resources and Environment, 2004 -- University of Michigan, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Arbor, MI. Thesis: Linking land-cover change to local land-use policy: A GIS-based analysis.
B.S., Biology, 1997 -- University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI.

Background

Jason is a Landscape Ecologist and Director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute.  He has over twenty years of Federal and local government service, including serving with the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service (NPS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  In addition to many years of leading protected areas management and science programs, Jason has an extensive background in the application of geospatial technologies (GIS, GPS, and remote sensing).  Over the last decade, he has co-developed local, national, and international ecosystem-based monitoring programs; he was a primary contributor in development and application of a landscape approach to public lands management, including conducting rapid eco-regional assessments; and, he was instrumental in early attempts to define an index of ecological integrity for the BLM.  Jason’s work has spanned the American West, Alaska, and the circumpolar Arctic.

In the recent past, Jason was Co-Lead for the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF), Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP), an international organization that addresses Arctic biodiversity conservation; and for many years he served as U.S. Lead for the CBMP terrestrial steering group.  In 2020, Jason led a diverse coalition of international scientists from over 15 institutions and 8 countries to publish a synopsis of Arctic terrestrial biodiversity status and trends.

Professional Activities

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, Wilderness Specialty Group, Member; 2020-present
U.S. Interagency Wilderness Steering Committee, Member; 2020-present
National Park Service, National Wilderness Leadership Council, non-voting Member; 2020-present
Alaska Park Science Editorial Board, Member; 2018-2019
National Park Service, Natural Resource Advisory Group, Member; 2016-2019
Arctic Council, CAFF, Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program, Co-lead; 2016-2017
Alaska Climate Change Roundtable, Long-term Monitoring Working Group, Co-chair; 2015-2016
NPS Excellence in Science, Integrating Science into National Parks, Member; 2014-2016
Arctic Council, CAFF, CBMP Terrestrial Steering Group, U.S. Lead/Member; 2011-2016
U.S. Regional Assoc, International Assoc for Landscape Ecology, Councilor-at-Large; 2011-2013
BLM Peer Review Policy Development Committee, Member; 2009-2010
Complex Systems Advanced Academic Workshop, Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Core Member; 2005-2006

Projects

Current Projects
Developing a science delivery plan for the ALWRI, including evaluating decision making and knowledge engagement toward more effective science delivery

Past Projects
Developing a ten-year (2022-2032) science plan for the ALWRI (2021-2022)
Developing a circumpolar program for the monitoring of Arctic terrestrial biodiversity, Ambio special issue (2019-2020)
Strengthening relationships with AK Native partners through meaningful consultation and collaboration (2018-19)
Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program Strategic Plan: 2018-2021 (2016-2017)
Arctic Cumulative Impacts Workshop (2015-2016)
U.S. Arctic Research Plan 2017-2021, Research Goal 7 - Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems (2016)
NPS Centennial Science and Stewardship Symposium (2016)
NPS Excellence in Science, Integrating Science into National Parks Report (2014-2016)
Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Plan (2011-2013)
Implementing BLM’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy (2011-2013)
Ecological status and trend monitoring plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (2011-2012)
Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for the BLM’s Solar Energy Program (2011-2012)
Seward Peninsula – Nulato Hills – Kotzebue Lowlands Rapid Ecoregional Assessment (2011-2012)
Central Basin and Range Rapid Ecoregional Assessment (2011-2012)
Developing an “index of ecological integrity” (2011)
BLM Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Strategy for Integrated Renewable Resources Management (2011-2012)
BLM’s national peer review manual (2009)
Developing a geospatial, habitat-based, interactive assessment model (2009)
A resource management and monitoring protocol for Colorado’s west slope (2009)

Publications

*Peer-reviewed literature

2023* (In Press). Barry, T., T. Christensen, C. Behe, C. Coon, J.M. Culp, S. Fletcher, M. Gill, W. Goedkoop, R. Hindrum, C. Jacobson, K.F. Lárusson, J. Lento, M. Marissink, D. Mclennan, C. Price, M. Rönkä, M. Svoboda, I. Thaulow, J. Taylor, N.M. Schmidt, S. Wegeberg, and R. Smith. Development of a multi-scale monitoring programme: approaches for the Arctic and lessons learnt from the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP) 2002-2022. Frontiers in Conservation Science, section Global Biodiversity Threats.

2023. Taylor, J.J., T.N. Hollingsworth, C.A. Armatas, K.J. Carim, K.L. Hefty, O. Helmy, L.M. Holsinger, D. Paige, S.A. Parks, L.E. Redmore, J.F. Rushing, E.J. Taylor, and K.A. Zeller. The Future of Wilderness Research: A 10-Year Wilderness Science Strategic Plan for the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute. International Journal of Wilderness 29(1), 46-71.

2022*. Trammell, E.J., M.L. Carlson, J.H. Reynolds, J.J. Taylor, and N.M. Schmidt. Ecological integrity and conservation challenges in a rapidly changing Arctic: A call for new approaches in large intact landscapes. Ambio (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-022-01756-6.

2020*. Christensen, T., T. Barry, J.J. Taylor, M. Doyle, S. Heiðmarsson, M. Aronsson, C. Cuyler, M. Soloviev, et al.  Developing a circumpolar program for the monitoring of Arctic terrestrial biodiversity. Ambio vol. 49(3), 655-665. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01311-w.

2020*. Jenkins, L.K., T. Barry, K.R. Bosse, W.S. Currie, T. Christensen, S. Longan, R.A. Shuchman, D. Tanzer, and J.J. Taylor.  Satellite-based decadal change assessments of pan-Arctic environments.   Ambio vol. 49(3), 820-832. DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01249-z.

2020*. Taylor, J.J., J.P. Lawler, M. Aronsson, T. Barry, A.D. Bjorkman, T. Christensen, S.J. Coulson, C. Cuyler, et al.  Arctic terrestrial biodiversity status and trends: A synopsis of science supporting the CBMP State of Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Report. Ambio vol. 49(3), 833-847. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01303-w.

2018. Reynolds, J.H., E.J. Trammell, and J.J. Taylor. Migration’s Foundation: Ecological Intactness of Alaska’s Ecosystems. Alaska Park Science 17(1), 85-91

 2018*. Trammell, E.J., S.K. Carter, T. Haby, and J.J. Taylor.  Evidence and opportunities for integrating landscape ecology into natural resource planning across multiple-use landscapes.  Current Landscape Ecology Reports 3(1), 1-11.

2017. Welling, L., J. Taylor, D. Payer, L. Phillips, and T. Jones. National Park Service Participation in the Arctic Council.  Alaska Park Science 16(1), 100-105.

2016. Bennetts, R.E., N. Chambers, J. Comiskey, K. James, J. Lawler, K. Legg, E. Matthews, L. Mazzu, Ohms, C. Schreier, and J.J. Taylor. 2016. Integration of science and park management: a framework for partnership. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/NRR—2016/1230. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

2016*. Taylor, J.J., C.A. Lepczyk, and D.G. Brown. Patch and matrix level influences on forest birds at the rural-urban interface. Landscape Ecology 31, 1005-1020 (available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10980-015-0310-5).

2014*. Karl, J.W., J. Taylor, and M. Bobo. A double-sampling approach to deriving training and validation data for remotely-sensed vegetation products. International Journal of Remote Sensing 35(5), 1936-1955.

2014*. Haines, S.S., Diffendorfer, J.E., Balistrieri, Berger, Cook, DeAngelis, Doremus, Gautier, Gallegos, et al. A Framework for Quantitative Assessment of Impacts Related to Energy and Mineral Resource Development. Natural Resources Research 23(1), 3-17.

2014. Taylor, J.J., E.J. Kachergis, G.R. Toevs, J.W. Karl, M.R. Bobo, M. Karl, S. Miller, and C.S. Spurrier. AIM-Monitoring: A Component of the BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy. BLM Technical Note 445. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, CO.

2013. Christensen, T., J. Payne, M. Doyle, G. Ibarguchi, J. Taylor, N.M. Schmidt, M. Gill, M. Svoboda, et al. Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Plan. CAFF Monitoring Series Report No. 7. CAFF International Secretariat, Akureyri, Iceland. ISBN 978-9935-431-26-4.

2012. Svoboda, M., T. Christensen, E.T. Jorgenson, J.J. Taylor, J.F. Payne, N.M. Schmidt, M. Doyle, Madsen, J. Nymand, and D. Walker. Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring Group: Designing an Arctic terrestrial biodiversity monitoring plan: 1^st workshop, Hvalsø, Denmark, October 11-13, 2011. CAFF International Secretariat, CAFF Proceedings Series, Report No. 7. ISBN: 978-9935-431-17-2.

2012. Taylor, J., G. Toevs, J. Karl, M. Bobo, M. Karl, S. Miller, and C. Spurrier. 2012. AIM-Monitoring: A Component of the BLM Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Strategy. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, CO. Report No. BLM/OC/ST-13/001+1735.

2011. Boone R.B., J.J. Taylor, D.M. Swift, P.H. Evangelista, and E. Hollowed. Developing a Resource Management and Monitoring Protocol for Semiarid Landscapes with Extensive Energy Extraction Potential. BLM Technical Note 439. U.S. Department of the Interior. Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, Colorado. Available online at: http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/techno2.htm.

2011. Christensen, T., J.F. Payne, N.M. Schmidt, J. Madsen, J.J. Taylor, M. Doyle, M. Gill, J. Nymand, et al.  Terrestrial Expert Monitoring Plan – background paper. A supporting publication to the CBMP Framework Document. CAFF International Secretariat, CAFF Monitoring Series Report No. 6. ISBN 978-9935-431-11-0.

2011. Mackinnon W.C., J.W. Karl, G.R. Toevs, J.J. Taylor, M. Karl, C.S. Spurrier, and J.E. Herrick. BLM Core Terrestrial Indicators and Methods. BLM Technical Note 440. U.S. Department of Interior,  Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, CO.  Available online at: http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/techno2.htm.

2011. Streever, B., R. Suydam, J.F. Payne, R. Shuchman, R.P. Angliss, Greg Balogh, J. Brown, Grunblatt, et al. Environmental Change and Potential Impacts: Applied Research Priorities for Alaska’s North Slope. Arctic (InfoNorth) 64(3), 390-397.

2011. Toevs, G.R., J.J. Taylor, C. Spurrier, W.C. MacKinnon, and M. Bobo. BLM National Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Strategy for Integrated Renewable Resources Management. U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management, Washington, D.C.

2011*. Toevs, G.R., J.W. Karl, J.J. Taylor, C.S. Spurrier, M. Karl, M.R. Bobo, and J.E. Herrick. Consistent Indicators and Methods and a Scalable Sample Design to Meet Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring Information Needs Across Scales. Rangelands 33(4), 14-20.

2007*. Taylor, J.J., D.G. Brown, and L. Larsen. Preserving natural features: A GIS-based evaluation of a local open-space ordinance. Landscape and Urban Planning 82(1-2), 1-16.

Contributed Reports

2022. A Perpetual Flow of Benefits: Wilderness Economic Values in an Evolving, Multicultural Society by the Wilderness Economics Working Group of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute (Thomas P. Holmes, Editor). General Technical Report WO-101. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 22 p.

2022. Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute Science Charter and Strategic Plan.  Research Work Unit Description, FSM-4070. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 42p.

2022. Climate Change Research Strategy. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-435. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 22 p.

2018. Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program Strategic Plan: 2018-2021, CAFF Monitoring Series Report No. 29. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna, Akureyri, Iceland. ISBN: 978-9935-431-71-4. Available online at https://caff.is/monitoring-series/all-monitoring-documents/455-circumpolar-biodiversity-monitoring-program-strategic-plan-2018-2021-arctic.

2018. Arctic Cumulative Impacts Workshop Final Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, 41 pp. Available online at https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2257935.

2016. Arctic Research Plan 2017-2021, Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), National Science and Technology Council, Executive Office of the President, Washington, DC, 76 pp. (Research Goal 7: Advance an Integrated, Landscape-scale Understanding of Arctic Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems and the Potential for Future Change.) Available online at https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/plan/index.html.

2013. Mojave Basin and Range Rapid Ecoregional Assessment. Available online at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1521/ML15211A622.pdf.

2012. A.2.4 Framework for Developing a Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan for the BLM’s Solar Energy Program in Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States.  Available online at http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/fpeis/index.cfm.

2012. Central Basin and Range Rapid Ecoregional Assessment. Available online at https://landscape.blm.gov/REA_General_Docs/CBR_1_ReportBody.pdf.

2012. Seward Peninsula – Nulato Hills – Kotzebue Lowlands Rapid Ecoregional Assessment. Available online at https://landscape.blm.gov/REA_General_Docs/SNK_REA_Final_Report.pdf.