Fish Research Ecologist
Contact Rebecca Flitcroft
My work focuses on climate change effects on salmonid habitats in watersheds draining the Oregon Coast Range; analysis of dendritic stream systems; communicating science to non-experts and working with grass-roots watershed councils; and modeling salmon habitat and fire probabilities under different land management scenarios using Bayesian networks.
I am interested in research that broadens our understanding of natural processes. I seek to be involved in projects and develop research questions that are integrative throughout the range of environmental conditions experienced by the species of interest. My research focuses on increasing our understanding of natural processes, thereby expanding our ability to conserve native species.
My past work has focused on large-scale, long-term monitoring programs, writing rules for salmon protection for the State of Oregon, and historical reconstruction of dunes and vegetation on the north coast of Oregon.
Why This Research is Important
Research that expands our understanding of natural processes complements and enhances the effectiveness of land management. Alternative management approaches that work with natural processes offer land managers additional tools when making decisions about topics such as species conservation, natural resource use, and habitat restoration or enhancement.
- Oregon State University, Ph.D. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2008
- Oregon State University, M.S. Natural Resource Economics, 1999
- Willamette University, B.S. Environmental Science and Economics, 1994
Featured Publications & Products
- Flitcroft, Rebecca L.; Dedrick, Dana C.; Smith, Courtland L.; Thieman, Cynthia A.; Bolte, John P. 2009. Social infrastructure to integrate science and practice: the experience of the Long Tom Watershed Council.
Publications & Products
- Flitcroft, Rebecca. 2014. Flitcroft, R., K. Burnett, Reeves, Gordon; Snyder, J.; Ganio, L. ; "Riverscape patterns among years of juvenile coho salmon in midcoastal Oregon: implications for conservation." Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 143: 26-38..
- Flitcroft, R.; Burnett, K.; Snyder, J.; Reeves, G.; Ganio, L. 2014. Riverscape patterns among years of juvenile coho salmon in midcoastal Oregon: implications for conservation.
- Flitcroft, Rebecca; Burnett, Kelly; Christiansen, Kelly. 2013. A simple model that identifies potential effects of sea-level rise on estuarine and estuary-ecotone habitat locations for salmonids in Oregon, USA.
- Flitcroft, Rebecca L.; Burnett, Kelly M.; Reeves, Gordon H.; Ganio, Lisa M. 2012. Do network relationships matter? Comparing network and instream habitat variables to explain densities of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in mid-coastal Oregon, USA.
- Fullerton, A.H.; Burnett, Kelly; Steel, Ashley; Flitcroft, Rebecca; Pess, G.R.; Feist, B.E.; Torgersen, C.E.; Miller, D.J.; Sanderson, B.L. 2010. Hydrological connectivity for riverine fish: measurement challenges and research opportunities.